Sunday, January 11, 2009

Standard of Living






dear all, still on the subject of the "poor" and the "wealthy" - this is going to be rather academic and i post it here for us to have an idea what it's all about

i'm no student nor a master of economics (as i've said many time in the IGP eGroup, sekolah atap aje...) and this is what i have found out briefly about the "Standard of Living" (theoretically at least) from somewhere in cyberspace, and i want to have some sort of guideline as to how to look at that situation in Kg Lipat Kajang to be able to deduce more correctly, if not exactly, what is the real "standard of living" affecting each and every household in the kampong, we can compare the posting "Living Standard" posted earlier by bro mylias against what the book says here about the "Standard of Living" and see for ourselves more clearly...



to all the pakar ekonomi, bankers, financial analysts and the like, i just want to enlighten myself here (and maybe some of us too), i'm a bit ignorant on this subject



Standard of Living


The Standard of Living refers to the quality and quantity of goods and services available to people, and the way these goods and services are distributed within a population. It is generally measured by standards such as real (i.e. inflation adjusted) income per person and poverty rate. Other measures include access and quality of health care, income growth inequality, and educational standards. Examples are access to certain goods (such as number of refrigerators per 1000 people), or measures of health such as life desires. It is the ease by which people living in a time or place are able to satisfy their wants and desires.
The idea of a 'standard' may be contrasted with the quality of life, which takes into account not only the material standard of living, but also other more intangible aspects that make up to human life, such as leisure, safety, cultural resources, social life, physical health, environmental quality issues etc.
More complex means of measuring well-being must be employed to make such judgments, and these are very often political, thus controversial. Even between two nations or societies that have similar material standards of living, quality of life factors may in fact make one of these places more attractive to a given individual or group.
However, there can be problems even with just using numerical averages to compare material standards of living, as opposed to, for instance, a Pareto index (a measure of the breadth of income or wealth distribution). Standards of living are perhaps inherently subjective. As an example, countries with a very small, very rich upper class and a very large, very poor lower class may have a high mean level of income, even though the majority of people have a low "standard of living". This mirrors the problem of poverty measurement, which also tends towards the relative. This illustrates how distribution of income can disguise the actual Standard of Living.
There are many factors being considered before measuring standard of living. Some factors are gross domestic product, the per capita income, population, infrastructural development, stability (political and social), main economy of a region (fishing, agriculture, industry, travel - that have an impact on availability and cost of food and appliances), geographical position, and many other indicators.
It can also be referred to as comfort.
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. The term "inflation" once referred to increases in the money supply (monetary inflation); however, economic debates about the relationship between money supply and price levels have led to its primary use today in describing price inflation. Inflation can also be described as a decline in the real value of money—a loss of purchasing power in the medium of exchange which is also the monetary unit of account.[3] When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. A chief measure of price inflation is the inflation rate, which is the percentage change in a price index over time.
Inflation can cause adverse effects on the economy. For example, uncertainty about future inflation may discourage investment and saving.
High inflation may lead to shortages of goods as consumers begin hoarding them out of concern their prices will increase in the future.
High rates of inflation and hyperinflation are caused by an excessive growth of the money supply.
Views on which factors determine moderate rates of inflation are more varied. Low or moderate inflation may be attributed to fluctuations in real demands for goods and services, or changes in available supplies such as during scarcities, as well as to growth in the money supply.
A sustained period of inflation is caused when money supply increases faster than the growth in productivity in the economy.
"Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon."
The "purchasing power of non monetary items does not change in spite of variation in national currency value."
Quality of Life is the degree of well-being felt by an individual or group of people. Unlike Standard of Lving, quality of life is not a tangible thing, and so it cannot be measured directly. It consists of two components: physical and psychological. The physical aspect includes things such as health, diet, and protection against pain and disease. The psychological aspect includes stress, worry, pleasure and other positive or negative emotional states.
Physical Health
Physical fitness is good body health, and is the result of regular exercise, proper diet and nutrition, and proper rest for physical recovery.
A strong indicator of the health of localized population is their height/weight, which generally increases with improved nutrition and health care.
This is also influenced by the standard of living and quality of life. Genetics also plays a major role in people's height.
Mental Health
Mental health refers to an individual's emotional and psychological well-being, and is defined as "A state of emotional and psychological well-being in which an individual is able to use his or her cognitive and emotional capabilities, function in society, and meet the ordinary demands of everyday life."
According to the World Health Organization, there is no single "official" definition of mental health. Cultural differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how "mental health" is defined.
In general, most experts agree that "mental health" and "mental illness" are not opposites. In other words, the absence of a recognized mental disorder is not necessarily an indicator of sound mental health.
One way to think about mental health is by looking at how effectively and successfully a person functions. Feeling capable and competent; being able to handle normal levels of stress, maintain satisfying relationships, and lead an independent life; and being able to "bounce back," or recover from difficult situations, are all signs of mental health.
A combination of physical, emotional, social and most importantly mental well-being is necessary to achieve overall health.




Lipat Kajang people (or decendents) are encouraged to participate& contribute (Orang Lipat Kajang, atau keturunan, di jemput memberi sumbangan idea)

17 comments:

  1. very complicated.
    we shall test it by questioning the attitude of the folks of Lipat Kajang.
    Are they comfortable? Yes, by their standard.
    Are they politically satisfied? Yes, they vote for the same party every election. (Political maturity is another matter, how many people are politically matured in Malaysia anyway?)
    Are they worried about inflation? Most do not even know what inflation is.
    Physically and psychologically? Many are not willing to change. So physically stable. They are all very sane, so psychologically stable. Its us from outside that try to change them, attitude wise, politically and mode of thinking wise and psychologically wise.
    Physical health? They are mostly more healthy than us. Strong bodied.
    Emotionally? They are beyond stress.
    So our people meet all the criteria of a good standard of living, within the scope of what they know and in the region of what are told to them about them by the power that be. They do not feel that they are suppressed (our feelings do not count when we talk about 'them')
    my 2 sen.

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  2. That too comfy.

    That is why they are like that. We have to be the devil advocate. Instigate them for a better way of life, not for them but for their siblings and LKP itself.

    They, i mean them, must be push from the comfy seat and stand-up for more. Nurture them to be better, move towards change, lifestyle, thinking and educate them with new things and ideas.

    Then only will they realise that there is a need to look forward, move for a better standard to attain prominence.

    The cocoon must be smash open and let them see the true brutal facts of life out there. Then they will come to their senses.

    I think....

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  3. Economics is all about assumptions. Historical data is often taken and with that assumptions is being made.

    As i have mentioned in membangunkan Lipat Kajang,Pahang, the inequality is evident in every aspects of the life of a Lipat Kajang-ites.

    The numerical figure is difficult to ascertain, as mentioned by mylias, unless a study(social science/HR/management/economic)is being done to churn its hypothetical findings.

    Then again that is his/her findings.

    The objective is to inculcate change to the attitude, character, maturity, eccentricities.........

    The matter of fact is that there are resources, an abundance, not economically used to provide the added value to what basic needs that they have i.e. food, shelter and clothing.

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  4. Standard of living/Living standard

    It is, in economics term, the measure of consumption and welfare of a country, community, class, or person.

    Here, there is another factor which to me is fundamental in the measure standard of living i.e. whether there is the ability to SAVE for future or for any unforeseen circumstances (war, catastrophic phenomenon)

    Since individual standard-of-living expectations are heavily influenced by the income and consumption of other people in similar jobs or capacity, thus comparatively, i can safely say that Lipat Kajang-ites are not on par with the Chinese individual/community say in Kerdau/Kuala Krau.

    Why?

    In comparison (apple to apple), they work hard and toil hard on whatever asset(land, cash, insurance , savings)they have to improve their std of living/living std.

    Why do i say that...

    They have all the amenities, facilities, savings, insurance which i can sorely say that even i myself lack on some of it.

    How did they do it......?

    They are a community not groups not individualist but a commune, help each other in what ever form to keep them together and not squabble for irrelevant thing or matter.

    Eccentric yes but on matters which to them is more of personal nature not detrimantal to their objective and focus...

    Thus they provide good (food, clothing and shelter(which include savings, insurance -education)life to their sibling and future generations. That is the basic things that in my economic sense should be accounted for as standard.

    Universal measures of standards of living cannot be applied to individuals. True.

    This is Malaysia, a developed nation that show polarisation of wealth distribution.

    Again why it happened?

    Again it is the attitude of comfortness that is again inculcated and inherited IN us from past generations. I do not blame them.

    They are there,seen it, done it and gave it to us.

    We here have not control, maintained and implement it accordingly to our requirements and needs that some of it is in the control of others.

    Why.....?

    That is because Lipat Kajang-ite are the hand at the bottom and not at the top.

    No matter how rich the nation is there is always the disparity in standard of living.

    For example, this is the 21 century, how many Lipat Kajang-ite possess or capable to own a plasma TV set. A 3 door regrigerator which have a ice-cube drop door for ice and chill water.

    Better still does the Lipat Kajang school provide a computer to each student to attend its computer class/is there a computer class. Is there an internet in Lipat Kajang, Pahang.

    Point to note from your comment about the subject is that national income and gross national product, which measure a country's wealth, it does do not take into account unpaid work (housework and family labour) or quality of life.

    It also do not show the distribution of wealth or reflect the particular national or individual aspirations, duties, or responsibilities, which differ widely from person to person, class to class, and country to country.

    Therefore, Lipat Kajang must work as individual, group, community, establishment or what not so as not to be in the group that is not accounted for in the measurement of national income and GNP.

    They have to utilise their assets to boost/improve their std of living/living std.

    Just an explanation from a man on the street.......hope it enlighten us on the matter....

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  5. Lipat Kajang folks have a lot of gold ...... gelang kaki dan gelang tangan. many are rich...... in that direction.
    you cannot compare us Lipat kajang folks to the Chinese in Kerdau or Kuala Krau. The Chinese are hard working and the Malays ........ well I would say like to sit around at coffeeshops ... and take credits from the Chinese, and always get beaten by the Chinese in businees. you lower your price to get customers and the Chinese lower the price further to get volume......see the difference. the Chinese think long term and us Malays wants to get rich tomorrow. the Chinese do not 'think' of subsidy but Malays 'always dream' of subsidy.

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  6. Barter Trade

    There is this term "barter" trade.
    This might help to reduce dependence on the Chinese or eliminate the volume trading by trading among each other at the pekan sehari or pasar malam.

    Malays have to know their each individual strength. The power to be have to nurture them into prominence. We the vested people outside the commune have to guide them and play as a mentor.

    Well i mentioned Chinese because of the nature of we Malays, LAZY.

    The glitters of gold does not mean anything if its of Zhulian in nature. There is no value then. How do you give back to society/zakat when what you have cannot help you to the hand at the top.

    Thus its good to invest in gold but if it is of no value, then we became the synonym of the Perak saying 'Biar pape asal bergaya'.

    That is what I'm afraid of-duniawi.

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  7. has anyone done SWOT analysis on Lipat Kajang? Maybe we can discuss further on what we as individual think about Lipat Kajang's strength, weaknesses, opportunity and threat.

    I will not be writing much on this for now for I shall write at length what I think the result of SWOT analysis would be. I will not write exactly on that but as I go on writing you will see what I mean.

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  8. SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis on Kg Lipat Kajang Pahang and its inhabitants...wow
    i bet none of them can figure out what that is, "amende tu? kon tok pernoh dengor...sot...sot...bunyi nye macam kelonsot je"

    even for us, SWOT analysis may be something that comes up as and when we need to apply it's theories academically, kalau belajor bisnes, kene lah sentuh sikit bende ni

    yes it's good to prelude whatever we are bent on doing for the kampong with some kind of background research, the data and all the info are there, all we need to do is to go back there and carry out the survey
    BUT no one can do it alone, singlehandedly...if SWOT analysis is to be done
    in the scenario that we are facing, i don't know how best we can do it, perhaps those students of economy and finance can come up with suggestions...
    i want to enquire from this nephew in TA Securities (in KL) if he knows how to go about doing it...
    sirad? any idea?
    i am not a student of economics nor of finance

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  9. SWOT is just a tool. To reduce prejudice, a team of about 4 people can make a SWOT analysis, but the more the better. One would be 'syok sendiri'. But at least one or two in the team must have the real experience of Lipat Kajang, otherwise the team will be talking (and noting) about something else, something unreal, something imagined. The procedure is just like brain storming.

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  10. SWOT on LKP

    It is merelly to find out what are the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threat there is.

    We are doing it right now in this blog.

    The most we have found out is around LKP weaknesses i.e. individualitic, complacent, unassuming, unadventurous and so forth.

    The strength is LKP has an abundance of fixed resources, healthy, stability(politically/socially)

    Opportunities are also around to be grab like trading at the pasar sehari with their produce, availabilty of funding, a bumi concern will lead further, environmental eco centre, business venture (provider of integrated agri produce)...

    Threat is LKP own attitude, attitude and attitude.

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  11. agreed that what we are doing now is close to SWOT. but ours is very descriptive, that means its not good enough as an analysis. an analysis to my mind should be brief and if possible in point form.
    but keep on writing, and we analyse things along the way, and maybe one day we can meet and talk.

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  12. We have in literal form of SWOT though not in its normal form.

    It is the platform for us to move forward as we keep going along and probe into the matter we should infuse our mind and reach the focal point.

    We just have to probe and infuse the subject matter Lipat Kajang, Pahang.

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  13. My first fusion on the matter is to inculcate a business minded individual,group,community of Lipat Kajang-ite.

    They have to know that their strength is the assets around them. They have the assets and they have to turn it into commercial value for them to earn income.

    This will enhance their strength in economic and social sense.

    There is always and will always be this "can they work hard, diligent with confidence and have a never say die attitude".

    Hmmmmmm.....for a few they will have but for the populace of Lipat Kajang Pahang.....yet to c.

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  14. Sirad, you are more often in Lipat Kajang, and you also stay longer at a time in the kampong more than I. I believe that you can assess the mood of the folks much better than I. My flying visits might not be good enough measures of what the mood is like.

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  15. Often back in LKP.

    The observation i see is from the forays that is pictorially transmit, by the numerous visits probably, from the entrance at Simpang 4 right to my fathers place in Jln Haji Bakar di Tanjung.

    To mention also the pictorial memory that i have from my father's place in Tanjung to my grandfathers place either through baruh to the school or the Masjid way through Pak Ngah's n Pak Da houses along the river.

    To assess their feelings is to converse with all of them.

    No time for that as i am also there on a visit(day trip n work)and not on any mission or objectives.

    What i want to do is to converse(eye to eye and face to face)with some of the elderly and some of the middle levels folks ages between 30-50 and some younger generations.

    I feel that is good enough a base and it could be just around 60%-70% of the total population of LKP(no numbers of the population but that can be obtain later).

    I need Pak Ngah n Pak Da ideas in this as the sample might not be representative(i know),help, in ensuring the data obtain came from the different family trees.

    Must collect from each branch and listen to them as my observation too might not potray the real picture and mood.

    Just acknowledging for ideas as i am not all familiar with the whole family (will also seek my father n mothers help).

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  16. you can be an agent of change. you need not be a politician to be an agent of change. politicians are not really honest people, they have this attitude of WIFM.
    you can feel the air by talking to people, and please record them down .......without being too obvious .....and tell us (if these are not 'rahsia').
    personally i don't go back to the kampong that often, too rare i am afraid. i used to when i had a base but now its all flying visits. i am ashamed to admit.
    but i have fond memories of the hey days of lipat kajang, and i will continue recording them down for the info of the coming generations ... before my memory fails me.

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  17. you can ride a bicycle or a motorbike thru all the presincts and just stop to talk to anyone you can bump into along the way, it's hard really to pin point who and who in each and every corner of Kg LKP to get the best sampling, maybe just who each person you me, who he/she is, prompt some info depending on what you want to ask about, based on what we have covered so far on this site, i'm sure you will get a fair general idea of the community perception on various aspects affecting them,
    the 2 Tok Empats, the 2 Ketua UMNO Baruh dan Darat, the Penghulu too maybe (I don't know him), the Imam too and look for Bong Taib as well

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