Monday was so eventful. In the morning, I was at Hemsley House in Salford for a consultation process event with the PCT about the future of the Horizon Centre. I was so happy to meet Naj and Rebecca, and a few asylum seeker patients. I love talking to asylum seekers – I feel I interact with them really well and reminded me of the good times I spent doing voluntary work with refugees and the SSC in Horizon. I was glad to see so much support from the patients to the Horizon. And I am determined to do my bit for them as well. Plus there were free sandwiches. After that I attended the evening surgery back at the GP. Right after that I rushed back to Stopford building to deliver a workshop to some medical students on MDG 4&5: Maternal and child health, which we (Two friends and I) have been preparing for ages. It went really well, I think people enjoyed it and we received plenty of positive feedback. I too enjoyed it thoroughly, teamwork was great and it was a rewarding experience. At night, the PBL group went to Cloud 23 at the Hilton for Khai Wei’s birthday. I ordered a cocktail, I didn’t like it very much – smelled too alcoholic. But I really enjoyed the view, the amazing night scene of Manchester. Then we also went to a few more places. I was getting more tired then so I went home early.
On Tuesday, lecture only started at 1pm so all of us had a lay in, which was appropriate as I felt lightheaded as I woke up. I bought a pair of boots for myself – it felt nice to wear at the time but over the week I realize that the heels are simply too high for my liking. But I have to say it does look rather stylish. After the lecture, I went up to the orthopaedics and rheumatology wards and talked to one patient each (atypical gout and rheumatoid arthritis with vasculitis). I then went to the French class and reached home at 9pm.
On Wednesday, we started off with Rheumatology bedside teaching at 10am. I requested for knee examination today. Dr Herrick said ok and found a patient with knee signs for us. Then I was asked to come up and examine the patient’s knee. It was slightly nerve wrecking and I fluffed around for a bit. Yet I know it’s meant to be a teaching session, a good time for me to make mistakes so I’m not too bothered about it. We also saw a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Next we went to the RA patient I met the day before. Dr Herrick found out that I have seen her before the day in my own free time. And she said that’s very commendable – my heart leaped in joy. So I told the group the lady’s history before everyone went on to examine her grossly deformed hand. After lunch, I attended Dr Herrick’s rheumatology clinic, which did not end until 6pm! I missed the Crossing Borders meeting as a result.
Thursday morning, I went to a fracture/orthopaedic clinic, and I'm glad I did because it was one of the most enjoyable clinic I have ever been to. It’s like me being back in A&E or the acute wards – I clerked the patients and then present it to the surgeons and see them together later on. The surgeons were really casual and friendly lot, and very flattering – the consultant said I know too much, that I know more than many of his SHOs do and that I should read the books less! Afternoon onwards was slightly duller; we had a group revision sessions in rheumatology and orthopaedics. After that I spent the small time gap to do some essential shopping – got mummy some free gift of facial products. Then I was off to the chorus rehearsal. We had a replacement conductor today and I learnt a few new things from him. I like the part we sang and I think my sight singing skill has improved a wee bit.
Friday morning was PBL. I brought some (unhealthy) breakfast for the group – Jaffa cake and Snickers, seeing that it’s the last PBL session for this rheumatology/orthopaedic rotation. It finished early. We were then informed that lunch time lecture was cancelled so others went home apart from Khai Wei and I. I said I wanted to go to theatre and Khai Wei followed. We went to the ward and clerked the patient about to go to theatre. I am so glad that we went. It was the same cool consultant and registrar that I met in clinic on Thursday who were operating. We saw the anaesthetist giving spinal anaesthetic. And then we were asked us to scrub up. I fumbled a bit as I have never scrubbed up before, but managed in the end. It was such a fun experience. I helped hold some retractors and hammer the prosthetic joint into the tibia.
On Saturday morning I went to another chorus rehearsal. It was really fun, although there were a few shouting from the conductor. I am so proud to be in soprano 2 – undoubtedly the best section in the entire choir. Later on, after a quick food shopping, I went to the gym to build up some muscles and increase my lung capacity. I then chatted with my family, and then made roast dinner for myself (which turned out yucky).
Today is Sunday. The clock goes backwards for an hour so I slept for an extra hour. I plan to have a relaxing study day today, maybe go to the gym for a bit.
.
Sunday, October 26
Saturday, October 25
Old lady in orthopaedic clinic
On inspection: Index finger was missing on the right hand
Me: Why is one of your fingers missing here?
Old lady: My husband bit me. I had to had it removed
Me: (Speechless...)
Me: Why is one of your fingers missing here?
Old lady: My husband bit me. I had to had it removed
Me: (Speechless...)
Sunday, October 5
PBL dinner party
My PBL group had a potluck dinner on monday. I made 'Prawn cake mummy's special'.
Other food on the table were:
Other food on the table were:
That was a hell lot of food. We had 12 courses in total! Some of the people were so overwhelmed that they went back home and dreamt about the dinner.
.
Monday, September 29
GP (1)
Sometimes sitting in with GP can be very frustrating. For a start, I resent the university forcing us to attend the GP every monday throughout the whole of the fourth year. That's a fifth of the time spent at the GP. And it has to be a full day - I was told off for going back to the hospital one monday when the GP let us off at lunch time. I'm not saying that there is nothing to learn in GP surgery. I just feel that our time as medical student is limited, I much rather be learning and seeing as many specialised things that I might not see again until I qualify as possible. For example, I spent the last four weeks attached to Neurology and I am still not sure if I am absolutely confident diagosing and managing neurological disorders. I thought four weeks were simply not enough to grasp everything in such a massive specialty - and this is worsened by compelling us to spend bloody 20% of the time seeing cough and cold, sick note, medication review etc. The community medical education advocates argue that the common things are what we are expected to face most of the time when we qualify. But people expect doctors to know not only common things, but also a breadth of weird and wonderful disease. Whether it's rare or common, it's irrelevant. I mean that's what people go to doctor, isn't it? Every sensible parent know sore throat in children is quite normal and may well be aware that bit of calpol, fluid and rest will suffice, but they see the doctor 'just to get it checked out'. I certainly want my doctor to have at least seen some very ill patient, so when he sees one himself, if he cannot diagnose it, he would at least think about it. There's an old saying in clinical medicine 'if you don't think about it, you'll never find it'. One day I must compile a statistics on the proportion of time we spend on each specialty throughout medical school.
GPs are not all bad. When I do get enthusiastic tutor, the day can be rather enjoyable, sometimes to the point of inspiring me to contemplate a career in GP. When I am allowed to do stuff, like taking history and examination, apply plaster, dip some urine or play with baby for example, I'd be even more elated as oxygen fills my dying brain. Unfortunately, medical students are shoved to the corner for the entire surgery most of the time.
This semester, the GP is a let down. He's alright - he goes through the PBL case with us before the start of surgery every morning. But he just rambles on and on. I like to talk and demonstrate my knowledge but I hardly have the opportunity to open my mouth. He's so patronising. We are fourth year now and he talks to us like first year students. More often than not, my monday morning freshness is killed just 10 minutes into his incoherant lecture. With the patients, his listening skill was awful (doesn't surprise me - it's all about him talking). And my goodness, the way he drags his sentences drive me up the wall! However, the good thing is that he does arrange patient with conditions relevant to our PBL case for us to meet each week. So PBL wise he's been quite helpful.
To be continued.
GPs are not all bad. When I do get enthusiastic tutor, the day can be rather enjoyable, sometimes to the point of inspiring me to contemplate a career in GP. When I am allowed to do stuff, like taking history and examination, apply plaster, dip some urine or play with baby for example, I'd be even more elated as oxygen fills my dying brain. Unfortunately, medical students are shoved to the corner for the entire surgery most of the time.
This semester, the GP is a let down. He's alright - he goes through the PBL case with us before the start of surgery every morning. But he just rambles on and on. I like to talk and demonstrate my knowledge but I hardly have the opportunity to open my mouth. He's so patronising. We are fourth year now and he talks to us like first year students. More often than not, my monday morning freshness is killed just 10 minutes into his incoherant lecture. With the patients, his listening skill was awful (doesn't surprise me - it's all about him talking). And my goodness, the way he drags his sentences drive me up the wall! However, the good thing is that he does arrange patient with conditions relevant to our PBL case for us to meet each week. So PBL wise he's been quite helpful.
To be continued.
Sunday, September 7
Gloom
Sorry about the somber post. Don't know why am I feeling so gloomy and grumpy lately. Maybe it's the weather. Manchester weather has been terrible!
Rain rain go away
Come again another day
Ah Yen wants to go out and play!
.
Rain rain go away
Come again another day
Ah Yen wants to go out and play!
.
Monday, September 1
Guilty conscience
I am beginning to doubt if I have made the right decision to work in this profession. I am a perfectionist, by nature and nurture. I hate mistakes. It used to take me very long to get over a tiny thing although I'm getting better at the art of ignorance (or any better word for it?).
There were many times when I have done things the wrong way and have result in some damage. I am going to give three examples:
1. Tanjung Rambutan visit while I was in college
It was a work experience visit in the forensic psychiatric ward. I found it extremely interesting talking to rapists, murderers and other offenders about their illness, One particular guy showed me the various long scars of self harm across his neck, tummy and wrists and how stigma from his family meant that he had to be locked up in the unit for the rest of his life eventhough he was cured (since his family was not prepared to receive him back home which was one of the conditions for discharge).
Then we went on to observe some consultations with the house officer. A guy was trying to convince us about him hearing voices from Erra Fazira (a local singer) and that they were getting married. I distinctly remembered that all of us - the doctor, the medical assistant and us the three students burst into laughter and couldn't stop laughing for another 5 minutes. The patient was reduced to tears that we thought it was a joke, and the medical assistant threatened to put him in seclusion if he was to throw a tantrum.
I didn't actually think it was unprofessional until recently when I thought back and realise how horrible was that for the patient. We were encouraging him to keep to telling his 'wedding plan' while continuing to laugh uncontrollably, as if watching a comedy. Sure, I can blame the more experienced staff for not setting the right example. But I wasn't coerced into following the crowd. I was genuinely amused with the patient's story and wasn't giving any thought about he would feel in response to my behaviour. Perhaps that was one of the early signs to suggest that I lack the human quality required of a good doctor.
2. Old man who loved his sago pudding
I don't know much about this old man's history as the ward doesn't give handover to auxillary nurses. After spending a few minutes with him, it was obvious that he was bed bound and he was trying hard to talk but I didn't understand most of what he said. Dysarthria? Could it be stroke? Anyway from his body language I could tell that he wanted the unopened sago pudding in front of him. So I opened it and put a spoonful in his mouth. It was quite a watery bowl of sago pudding. He seemed to enjoy it. Only that as soon as he tried to swallow, he coughed and made some gurgling noise. I instantly felt uncomfortable and hesitated. Before I could think, he was making gestures to want another spoonful. I looked around his table to see if there was any powder to thicken the fluid. There wasn't. So I gave him another spoon. The same thing happened again. He struggled to swallow. So I told him that I didn't think it would be a good idea to carry on. But he wouldn't take any of that. He really wanted some more, and was making more vigorous gestures for more of the pudding. I gave in. Then he choked again. Only then I decided that I must insist to stop and I explained to him why I did it. He looked really disheartened. I rarely see hospital patients with such good appetite. I felt sorry for taking away the pudding that he loved so much. I told his staff nurse what happened after that.
A few hours later I walked pass this old man, and I heard something funny. He was wheezing so loudly that I can hear it without a stethoscope. Shit - I've definitely given him aspiration pneumonia. Shit shit shit!
But there was more bad news to come. I was allocated to the same ward again a few weeks later when the staff told me that he has succumbed to a nasty chest infection and that he was dying. They are just trying to keep him as comfortable as possible. My heart sank. I was swamped with a terrible sense of guilt. I wanted to read his medical notes but I couldn't bring myself to. What if it really was me that made him go downhill to the point of disrepair? I tried to redeem myself on that shift by giving him good patiance and care. But in my heart I knew the damage has been done. I am really sorry.
3. The ligature made of paper towels
I was at a young people's unit of a psychiatric hospital. I hate working here. I have never heard more alarms going off or seen patients being restrained more often anywhere else. I find it awfully difficult to get through to teenagers, even for a normal conversation. On that occasion I thought it was not going to be too bad because I knew all of the patients having worked here not too long ago.
I shouldn't have been complacent at all. I brought a girl into the toilet. We were supposed to supervise them but I wasn't clear if I should have a clear view of them all the time. 'TURN AROUND', she shouted at me. I thought it was understandable to give her some privacy. She then went to the sink and washed her hands when she finished and we went out. I didn't notice anything suspicious.
About an hour later, one of the staff asked me if I saw her taking any paper towel out of the toilet. I said I didn't but I did admit that I wasn't really looking.
I was just walking along the corridor after dinner when I saw that girl with her hoodies over her face and upper body. She wouldn't answer anything I asked, and wouldn't let me see her face and neck. So help was summoned and four people were needed to restrain her to take the hoodies off her. It turned out that she had made a ligature by tying knots from several paper towels and she actually had the ligature around her neck!
Again, I was overcome with a deep sense of guilt. Given that she was able to physically resist four people while trying to remove the ligature, she probably wasn't dying in any way then. Yet I just can't get over the fact that (had we not caught it in time) she could have been died, and the reason would be me: because I didn't watch her properly in the toilet. Things like that really knock my confidence off. I don't think I would be going back to any young people's unit to work again. I can't bear to see things like this happening.
___________________________
I think I have been extremely naive to believe that to be a doctor is to help alleviate human suffering. Patients are always physically, mentally or emotionally vulnerable when they come into hospital. They often have lost independence and are at the mercy of the staff to help them around. And what do we do with this more often than not? We use to our advantage for our own convenience. It's just so easy for us to do harm, to be negligent, to make mistakes, to be ignorant. I always pride myself as patients' advocate. I know no one is perfect. But sometimes I find it hard to forgive myself. If a person dies because of me, what amount of forgiving is going to bring back someone's daughter or granddad or good friend? After all the things I have done do I still deserved to be trusted?
One of the GPs told me even after 30 years of experience, things like missing cancer diagnosis still happen to him once every two or three weeks. Does this mean that I HAVE to ACCEPT that mistakes just happen? Because I don't think I can practise medicine knowing that there is a chance that things will go wrong because of my incompetence. Maybe I should consider doing histopathology or something like that - that way at least I know that I am not directly responsible for a person's life.
Sorry if this piece doesn't sound coherent. My brain is churning.
.
There were many times when I have done things the wrong way and have result in some damage. I am going to give three examples:
1. Tanjung Rambutan visit while I was in college
It was a work experience visit in the forensic psychiatric ward. I found it extremely interesting talking to rapists, murderers and other offenders about their illness, One particular guy showed me the various long scars of self harm across his neck, tummy and wrists and how stigma from his family meant that he had to be locked up in the unit for the rest of his life eventhough he was cured (since his family was not prepared to receive him back home which was one of the conditions for discharge).
Then we went on to observe some consultations with the house officer. A guy was trying to convince us about him hearing voices from Erra Fazira (a local singer) and that they were getting married. I distinctly remembered that all of us - the doctor, the medical assistant and us the three students burst into laughter and couldn't stop laughing for another 5 minutes. The patient was reduced to tears that we thought it was a joke, and the medical assistant threatened to put him in seclusion if he was to throw a tantrum.
I didn't actually think it was unprofessional until recently when I thought back and realise how horrible was that for the patient. We were encouraging him to keep to telling his 'wedding plan' while continuing to laugh uncontrollably, as if watching a comedy. Sure, I can blame the more experienced staff for not setting the right example. But I wasn't coerced into following the crowd. I was genuinely amused with the patient's story and wasn't giving any thought about he would feel in response to my behaviour. Perhaps that was one of the early signs to suggest that I lack the human quality required of a good doctor.
2. Old man who loved his sago pudding
I don't know much about this old man's history as the ward doesn't give handover to auxillary nurses. After spending a few minutes with him, it was obvious that he was bed bound and he was trying hard to talk but I didn't understand most of what he said. Dysarthria? Could it be stroke? Anyway from his body language I could tell that he wanted the unopened sago pudding in front of him. So I opened it and put a spoonful in his mouth. It was quite a watery bowl of sago pudding. He seemed to enjoy it. Only that as soon as he tried to swallow, he coughed and made some gurgling noise. I instantly felt uncomfortable and hesitated. Before I could think, he was making gestures to want another spoonful. I looked around his table to see if there was any powder to thicken the fluid. There wasn't. So I gave him another spoon. The same thing happened again. He struggled to swallow. So I told him that I didn't think it would be a good idea to carry on. But he wouldn't take any of that. He really wanted some more, and was making more vigorous gestures for more of the pudding. I gave in. Then he choked again. Only then I decided that I must insist to stop and I explained to him why I did it. He looked really disheartened. I rarely see hospital patients with such good appetite. I felt sorry for taking away the pudding that he loved so much. I told his staff nurse what happened after that.
A few hours later I walked pass this old man, and I heard something funny. He was wheezing so loudly that I can hear it without a stethoscope. Shit - I've definitely given him aspiration pneumonia. Shit shit shit!
But there was more bad news to come. I was allocated to the same ward again a few weeks later when the staff told me that he has succumbed to a nasty chest infection and that he was dying. They are just trying to keep him as comfortable as possible. My heart sank. I was swamped with a terrible sense of guilt. I wanted to read his medical notes but I couldn't bring myself to. What if it really was me that made him go downhill to the point of disrepair? I tried to redeem myself on that shift by giving him good patiance and care. But in my heart I knew the damage has been done. I am really sorry.
3. The ligature made of paper towels
I was at a young people's unit of a psychiatric hospital. I hate working here. I have never heard more alarms going off or seen patients being restrained more often anywhere else. I find it awfully difficult to get through to teenagers, even for a normal conversation. On that occasion I thought it was not going to be too bad because I knew all of the patients having worked here not too long ago.
I shouldn't have been complacent at all. I brought a girl into the toilet. We were supposed to supervise them but I wasn't clear if I should have a clear view of them all the time. 'TURN AROUND', she shouted at me. I thought it was understandable to give her some privacy. She then went to the sink and washed her hands when she finished and we went out. I didn't notice anything suspicious.
About an hour later, one of the staff asked me if I saw her taking any paper towel out of the toilet. I said I didn't but I did admit that I wasn't really looking.
I was just walking along the corridor after dinner when I saw that girl with her hoodies over her face and upper body. She wouldn't answer anything I asked, and wouldn't let me see her face and neck. So help was summoned and four people were needed to restrain her to take the hoodies off her. It turned out that she had made a ligature by tying knots from several paper towels and she actually had the ligature around her neck!
Again, I was overcome with a deep sense of guilt. Given that she was able to physically resist four people while trying to remove the ligature, she probably wasn't dying in any way then. Yet I just can't get over the fact that (had we not caught it in time) she could have been died, and the reason would be me: because I didn't watch her properly in the toilet. Things like that really knock my confidence off. I don't think I would be going back to any young people's unit to work again. I can't bear to see things like this happening.
___________________________
I think I have been extremely naive to believe that to be a doctor is to help alleviate human suffering. Patients are always physically, mentally or emotionally vulnerable when they come into hospital. They often have lost independence and are at the mercy of the staff to help them around. And what do we do with this more often than not? We use to our advantage for our own convenience. It's just so easy for us to do harm, to be negligent, to make mistakes, to be ignorant. I always pride myself as patients' advocate. I know no one is perfect. But sometimes I find it hard to forgive myself. If a person dies because of me, what amount of forgiving is going to bring back someone's daughter or granddad or good friend? After all the things I have done do I still deserved to be trusted?
One of the GPs told me even after 30 years of experience, things like missing cancer diagnosis still happen to him once every two or three weeks. Does this mean that I HAVE to ACCEPT that mistakes just happen? Because I don't think I can practise medicine knowing that there is a chance that things will go wrong because of my incompetence. Maybe I should consider doing histopathology or something like that - that way at least I know that I am not directly responsible for a person's life.
Sorry if this piece doesn't sound coherent. My brain is churning.
.
Sunday, August 31
Petronas and petrol price hike
Letter 1
Dear all,
After reading all the chain mails and blogs, I feel called to reply, because of the relentless attacks and allegations -- most of which are inaccurate or baseless -- against PETRONAS.
PETRONAS' STAFF SALARY & BONUS
1) The salaries paid to PETRONAS' employees are not as high as people think. At best, they are just industry average. And these are not attractive enough for some who left PETRONAS to find work at other companies (mainly from the Middle East) which are willing to pay more. Why do they pay more? The oil and gas industry worldwide has been facing acute shortage of qualified or experienced personnel, so most companies are willing to pay lots of money to entice and pinch staff from their competitors.
Bonus? There has NEVER been a bonus amounting to 6 months or 12 months throughout the 33 years. On average, it is 2 months. But don't ever think we don't deserve it. We more than deserve it. A lot of us work really hard, some in the most extreme of conditions. Those who have been to and worked in northern Sudan, for example, would testify that it's like working in a huge blower oven. Southern Sudan, on the other hand, is almost all swamps and mud. Imagine having to go through that kind of heat, or waddling in muddy swamps, day in and day out.
QUALITY OF CRUDE & REFINED PRODUCTS
2) Malaysia produces about 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day (and about 100,000 barrels condensate). Of this crude volume, 339,000 barrels are refined locally for local consumption. The rest is exported (and yes, because it has lower sulphur content it fetches higher prices).
Malaysia also imports about 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day, mainly from the Middle East, to be refined here. This crude oil contains higher sulphur and is less expensive (so the country gains more by exporting our crudes). In Malaysia, this crude is processed by PETRONAS at its second refinery in Melaka, and also by Shell at its Port Dickson refinery.
Different refineries are built and configurated to refine different types of crude. And each crude type yields different percentage of products (diesel, gasoline, kerosene, cooking gas etc) per barrel.
But most importantly, products that come out at the end of the refining process have the same good quality regardless of the crude types. That's why PETRONAS, Shell and Exxon Mobil share the same pipeline to transport the finished products from their refineries to a distribution centre in the Klang Valley. The three companies collect the products at this centre accordingly to be distributed to their respective distribution networks. What makes PETRONAS' petrol different from Shell's, for example, is the additive that each company adds.
PETRONAS' ROLE, FUNCTION & CONTRIBUTION
3) A lot of people also do not understand the role and function of PETRONAS, which is essentially a company, a business entity, which operates on a commercial manner, to mainly generate income and value for its shareholder. In this case, PETRONAS' shareholder is the Government.
In 1974, when PETRONAS was set up, the Government gave PETRONAS RM10 million (peanuts, right?) as seed capital. From 1974 to 2007, PETRONAS made RM570 billion in accumulated profits, and returned to the Government a total of RM335.7 billion. That is about 65% of the profits. That means for every RM1 that PETRONAS makes, 65 sen goes back to the Government.
Last year, PETRONAS made a pre-tax profit of RM86.8 billion. The amount given back to the Government (in royalty, dividends, corporate income tax, petroleum products income tax and export duty) was RM52.3 billion. The rest of the profit was used to pay off minority interests and taxes in foreign countries (about RM7.8 billion - PETRONAS now operates in more than 30 countries), and the remaining RM26.7 billion was reinvested. The amount reinvested seems a lot, but the oil and gas industry is technology- and capital-intensive. Costs have gone up exponentially in the last couple of years. Previously, to drill a well, it cost about US$3 million; now it costs US$7 million. The use of rigs was US$200,000 a day a couple of years ago; now it costs US$600,000 a day.
A lot of people also do not realise that the amount returned by PETRONAS to the Government makes up 35% of the Government's total annual income, to be used by the Government for expenditures, development, operations, and yes, for the various subsidies. That means for every RM1 the Government makes, 35 sen is contributed by PETRONAS.
So, instead of asking what happens to PETRONAS' money or profits, people should be questioning how the money paid by PETRONAS to the Government is allocated.
CRUDE EXPORTS & FUEL PRICES
4) A lot of people also ask, why Malaysia exports its crude oil. Shouldn't we just stop exporting and sell at cheaper prices to local refiners? If Malaysia is an oil exporting country, why can't we sell petrol or diesel at cheaper prices like other oil producing countries in the Middle East?
I guess I don't have to answer the first couple of questions. It's simple economics, and crude oil is a global commodity.
Why can't we sell petrol and diesel at lower prices like in the Middle East? Well, comparing Saudi Arabia and other big producers to Malaysia is like comparing kurma to durian, because these Middle Eastern countries have much, much, much bigger oil and gas reserves.
Malaysia has only 5.4 billion barrels of oil reserves, and about 89 trillion cubic feet of gas. Compare that to Saudi Arabia's 260 billion barrels of oil and 240 trillion cubic feet of gas.
Malaysia only produces 600,000 barrels per day of oil. Saudi Arabia produces 9 million barrels per day. At this rate, Saudi Arabia's crude oil sales revenue could amount to US$1.2 billion per day! At this rate, it can practically afford almost everything -- free education, healthcare, etc, and subsidies -- for its people.
But if we look at these countries closely, they have in the past few years started to come up with policies and strategies designed to prolong their reserves and diversify their income bases. In this sense, Malaysia (and PETRONAS) has had a good head start, as we have been doing this a long time.
Fuel prices in Malaysia is controlled by the Government based on a formula under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism introduced more than a couple of decades ago. It is under this mechanism that the complex calculation of prices is made, based on the actual cost of petrol or diesel, the operating costs, margin for dealers, margin for retail oil companies (including PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd) and the balancing number of duty or subsidy. No retail oil companies or dealers actually make money from the hike of the fuel prices. Oil companies pay for the products at market prices, but have to sell low, so the Government reimburses the difference -- thus subsidy.
Subsidy as a concept is OK as long as it benefits the really deserving segment of the population. But there has to be a limit to how much and how long the Government should bear and sustain subsidy. An environment where prices are kept artificially low indefinitely will not do anyone any good. That's why countries like Indonesia are more pro-active in removing subsidies. Even Vietnam (which is a socialist country, by the way) is selling fuel at market prices.
PETRONAS & TRANSPARENCY
5) I feel I also need to say something on the allegation that PETRONAS is not transparent in terms of its accounts, business transactions etc.
PETRONAS is first and foremost a company, operating under the rules and regulations of the authorities including the Registrar of Companies, and the Securities Commission and Bursa Malaysia for its listed four subsidiaries (PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd, PETRONAS Gas Bhd, MISC Bhd and KLCC Property Holdings Bhd.
PETRONAS the holding company produces annual reports which are made to whomever wants them, and are distributed to many parties and places; including to the library at the Parliament House for perusal and reading pleasure of all Yang Berhormat MPs (if they care to read). PETRONAS also makes the annual report available on its website, for those who bother to look. The accounts are duly audited.
The website also contains a lot of useful information, if people really care to find out. Although PETRONAS is not listed on Bursa Malaysia, for all intents and purposes, it could be considered a listed entity as its bonds and financial papers are traded overseas. This requires scrutiny from investors, and from rating agencies such as Standard & Poor and Moody's.
BOYCOTT PETRONAS?
6) The last time I checked, this is still a democratic country, where people are free to spend their money wherever they like.
For those who like to see more of the money that they spend go back to the local economy and benefiting their fellow Malaysians, perhaps they should consider sticking to local products or companies.
For those who like to see that the money they spend go back to foreign shareholders of the foreign companies overseas, they should continue buying foreign products.
FINAL WORD (FOR TODAY)
I'm sorry this is rather long, but I just have to convey it. I hope this would help some of you out there understand something. The oil and gas industry, apart from being very capital intensive, is also very complex and volatile. I'm learning new things almost every single day.
Appreciate if you could help to forward this response to as many contacts as possible to counter the subversive proposal out there.
Thank you.
Wilson Lee Gain Loon (CAU_MEDIARELATIONS/PETH)
Letter 2
Do what you like.
The price of gasoline at the petrol station is set by the Government, not PETRONAS. PETRONAS has done its patriotic duty by paying the dividends, royalties, corporate tax, petroleum tax etc to the Government for YOUR benefit (rakyat lah).
And bear in mind that 30% of its revenue comes from overseas operations, thus bringing in foreign exchange to the country.
OK. Assuming that you buy this idea proposed by whomever it was.
So PETRONAS will have reduced revenues. Bear in mind that the costs of operations are also increasing. So the profits are reduced. Then PETRONAS and other oil companies pay less tax.Then the Government will have less revenue. (Note: at least 40% of Government revenue for 2007 came from the oil industry). With less revenue, there will be less Government projects (you can then forget about bridges and highways, and rail tracks, and smart schools and not-so-smart universities, and hospitals, etc). So contractors and consultants, and con-sultans and con-cronies will cry and scream. Makan batu lah..
The Government has already announced freezing of recruitment. So, many new graduates will be unemployed. Makan batu lagi. Maggi mee pun tak mampu dah. Later, all sorts of allowances for civil servants will have to be withdrawn. Treasury tak cukup duit.
On top of that the oil industry may have to scale back many of its new investments, totaling about 45 billion ringgit over the next few years. Contractors, service providers, steel fabricators, maritime service providers etc will join the ratapan tangisan – no jobs.
Don’t forget that PETRONAS is sponsoring thousands of students in universities and even high schools – at any one time there are more than 4,500 university students being sponsored by PETRONAS in Malaysian universities and overseas. Also more than 2,000 high school children receive minor scholarships – children of poor families.
Kalau PERTRONAS tak ada duit, kesian lah mereka di atas tu. Shall I ask them to see the proposer of this idea (to boycott PETRONAS) and seek help from them instead?
So, it is to YOUR benefit that you make sure PETRONAS keeps making enough money to support YOUR Government so that your children can continue to go to school without paying for fees and books, and to go to universities at peanuts rates.
CONCLUSION: Help yourself and your family and your country by making sure that PETRONAS keeps making profits. Go to the nearest PETRONAS station and fill up now!! Don’t forget that if you go to non-Petronas station, the profits that these companies get will go their shareholders OVERSEAS.
So, be patriotic. Do your duty.
Go to PETRONAS!!
(I hope you guys will help to send this response to as many contacts as possible to counter this subversive proposal).
Rosti B Saruwono - Datuk Dr (VP_Edu/PETH)
Taken from http://www.karthiben.blogspot.com/
Dear all,
After reading all the chain mails and blogs, I feel called to reply, because of the relentless attacks and allegations -- most of which are inaccurate or baseless -- against PETRONAS.
PETRONAS' STAFF SALARY & BONUS
1) The salaries paid to PETRONAS' employees are not as high as people think. At best, they are just industry average. And these are not attractive enough for some who left PETRONAS to find work at other companies (mainly from the Middle East) which are willing to pay more. Why do they pay more? The oil and gas industry worldwide has been facing acute shortage of qualified or experienced personnel, so most companies are willing to pay lots of money to entice and pinch staff from their competitors.
Bonus? There has NEVER been a bonus amounting to 6 months or 12 months throughout the 33 years. On average, it is 2 months. But don't ever think we don't deserve it. We more than deserve it. A lot of us work really hard, some in the most extreme of conditions. Those who have been to and worked in northern Sudan, for example, would testify that it's like working in a huge blower oven. Southern Sudan, on the other hand, is almost all swamps and mud. Imagine having to go through that kind of heat, or waddling in muddy swamps, day in and day out.
QUALITY OF CRUDE & REFINED PRODUCTS
2) Malaysia produces about 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day (and about 100,000 barrels condensate). Of this crude volume, 339,000 barrels are refined locally for local consumption. The rest is exported (and yes, because it has lower sulphur content it fetches higher prices).
Malaysia also imports about 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day, mainly from the Middle East, to be refined here. This crude oil contains higher sulphur and is less expensive (so the country gains more by exporting our crudes). In Malaysia, this crude is processed by PETRONAS at its second refinery in Melaka, and also by Shell at its Port Dickson refinery.
Different refineries are built and configurated to refine different types of crude. And each crude type yields different percentage of products (diesel, gasoline, kerosene, cooking gas etc) per barrel.
But most importantly, products that come out at the end of the refining process have the same good quality regardless of the crude types. That's why PETRONAS, Shell and Exxon Mobil share the same pipeline to transport the finished products from their refineries to a distribution centre in the Klang Valley. The three companies collect the products at this centre accordingly to be distributed to their respective distribution networks. What makes PETRONAS' petrol different from Shell's, for example, is the additive that each company adds.
PETRONAS' ROLE, FUNCTION & CONTRIBUTION
3) A lot of people also do not understand the role and function of PETRONAS, which is essentially a company, a business entity, which operates on a commercial manner, to mainly generate income and value for its shareholder. In this case, PETRONAS' shareholder is the Government.
In 1974, when PETRONAS was set up, the Government gave PETRONAS RM10 million (peanuts, right?) as seed capital. From 1974 to 2007, PETRONAS made RM570 billion in accumulated profits, and returned to the Government a total of RM335.7 billion. That is about 65% of the profits. That means for every RM1 that PETRONAS makes, 65 sen goes back to the Government.
Last year, PETRONAS made a pre-tax profit of RM86.8 billion. The amount given back to the Government (in royalty, dividends, corporate income tax, petroleum products income tax and export duty) was RM52.3 billion. The rest of the profit was used to pay off minority interests and taxes in foreign countries (about RM7.8 billion - PETRONAS now operates in more than 30 countries), and the remaining RM26.7 billion was reinvested. The amount reinvested seems a lot, but the oil and gas industry is technology- and capital-intensive. Costs have gone up exponentially in the last couple of years. Previously, to drill a well, it cost about US$3 million; now it costs US$7 million. The use of rigs was US$200,000 a day a couple of years ago; now it costs US$600,000 a day.
A lot of people also do not realise that the amount returned by PETRONAS to the Government makes up 35% of the Government's total annual income, to be used by the Government for expenditures, development, operations, and yes, for the various subsidies. That means for every RM1 the Government makes, 35 sen is contributed by PETRONAS.
So, instead of asking what happens to PETRONAS' money or profits, people should be questioning how the money paid by PETRONAS to the Government is allocated.
CRUDE EXPORTS & FUEL PRICES
4) A lot of people also ask, why Malaysia exports its crude oil. Shouldn't we just stop exporting and sell at cheaper prices to local refiners? If Malaysia is an oil exporting country, why can't we sell petrol or diesel at cheaper prices like other oil producing countries in the Middle East?
I guess I don't have to answer the first couple of questions. It's simple economics, and crude oil is a global commodity.
Why can't we sell petrol and diesel at lower prices like in the Middle East? Well, comparing Saudi Arabia and other big producers to Malaysia is like comparing kurma to durian, because these Middle Eastern countries have much, much, much bigger oil and gas reserves.
Malaysia has only 5.4 billion barrels of oil reserves, and about 89 trillion cubic feet of gas. Compare that to Saudi Arabia's 260 billion barrels of oil and 240 trillion cubic feet of gas.
Malaysia only produces 600,000 barrels per day of oil. Saudi Arabia produces 9 million barrels per day. At this rate, Saudi Arabia's crude oil sales revenue could amount to US$1.2 billion per day! At this rate, it can practically afford almost everything -- free education, healthcare, etc, and subsidies -- for its people.
But if we look at these countries closely, they have in the past few years started to come up with policies and strategies designed to prolong their reserves and diversify their income bases. In this sense, Malaysia (and PETRONAS) has had a good head start, as we have been doing this a long time.
Fuel prices in Malaysia is controlled by the Government based on a formula under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism introduced more than a couple of decades ago. It is under this mechanism that the complex calculation of prices is made, based on the actual cost of petrol or diesel, the operating costs, margin for dealers, margin for retail oil companies (including PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd) and the balancing number of duty or subsidy. No retail oil companies or dealers actually make money from the hike of the fuel prices. Oil companies pay for the products at market prices, but have to sell low, so the Government reimburses the difference -- thus subsidy.
Subsidy as a concept is OK as long as it benefits the really deserving segment of the population. But there has to be a limit to how much and how long the Government should bear and sustain subsidy. An environment where prices are kept artificially low indefinitely will not do anyone any good. That's why countries like Indonesia are more pro-active in removing subsidies. Even Vietnam (which is a socialist country, by the way) is selling fuel at market prices.
PETRONAS & TRANSPARENCY
5) I feel I also need to say something on the allegation that PETRONAS is not transparent in terms of its accounts, business transactions etc.
PETRONAS is first and foremost a company, operating under the rules and regulations of the authorities including the Registrar of Companies, and the Securities Commission and Bursa Malaysia for its listed four subsidiaries (PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd, PETRONAS Gas Bhd, MISC Bhd and KLCC Property Holdings Bhd.
PETRONAS the holding company produces annual reports which are made to whomever wants them, and are distributed to many parties and places; including to the library at the Parliament House for perusal and reading pleasure of all Yang Berhormat MPs (if they care to read). PETRONAS also makes the annual report available on its website, for those who bother to look. The accounts are duly audited.
The website also contains a lot of useful information, if people really care to find out. Although PETRONAS is not listed on Bursa Malaysia, for all intents and purposes, it could be considered a listed entity as its bonds and financial papers are traded overseas. This requires scrutiny from investors, and from rating agencies such as Standard & Poor and Moody's.
BOYCOTT PETRONAS?
6) The last time I checked, this is still a democratic country, where people are free to spend their money wherever they like.
For those who like to see more of the money that they spend go back to the local economy and benefiting their fellow Malaysians, perhaps they should consider sticking to local products or companies.
For those who like to see that the money they spend go back to foreign shareholders of the foreign companies overseas, they should continue buying foreign products.
FINAL WORD (FOR TODAY)
I'm sorry this is rather long, but I just have to convey it. I hope this would help some of you out there understand something. The oil and gas industry, apart from being very capital intensive, is also very complex and volatile. I'm learning new things almost every single day.
Appreciate if you could help to forward this response to as many contacts as possible to counter the subversive proposal out there.
Thank you.
Wilson Lee Gain Loon (CAU_MEDIARELATIONS/PETH)
Letter 2
Do what you like.
The price of gasoline at the petrol station is set by the Government, not PETRONAS. PETRONAS has done its patriotic duty by paying the dividends, royalties, corporate tax, petroleum tax etc to the Government for YOUR benefit (rakyat lah).
And bear in mind that 30% of its revenue comes from overseas operations, thus bringing in foreign exchange to the country.
OK. Assuming that you buy this idea proposed by whomever it was.
So PETRONAS will have reduced revenues. Bear in mind that the costs of operations are also increasing. So the profits are reduced. Then PETRONAS and other oil companies pay less tax.Then the Government will have less revenue. (Note: at least 40% of Government revenue for 2007 came from the oil industry). With less revenue, there will be less Government projects (you can then forget about bridges and highways, and rail tracks, and smart schools and not-so-smart universities, and hospitals, etc). So contractors and consultants, and con-sultans and con-cronies will cry and scream. Makan batu lah..
The Government has already announced freezing of recruitment. So, many new graduates will be unemployed. Makan batu lagi. Maggi mee pun tak mampu dah. Later, all sorts of allowances for civil servants will have to be withdrawn. Treasury tak cukup duit.
On top of that the oil industry may have to scale back many of its new investments, totaling about 45 billion ringgit over the next few years. Contractors, service providers, steel fabricators, maritime service providers etc will join the ratapan tangisan – no jobs.
Don’t forget that PETRONAS is sponsoring thousands of students in universities and even high schools – at any one time there are more than 4,500 university students being sponsored by PETRONAS in Malaysian universities and overseas. Also more than 2,000 high school children receive minor scholarships – children of poor families.
Kalau PERTRONAS tak ada duit, kesian lah mereka di atas tu. Shall I ask them to see the proposer of this idea (to boycott PETRONAS) and seek help from them instead?
So, it is to YOUR benefit that you make sure PETRONAS keeps making enough money to support YOUR Government so that your children can continue to go to school without paying for fees and books, and to go to universities at peanuts rates.
CONCLUSION: Help yourself and your family and your country by making sure that PETRONAS keeps making profits. Go to the nearest PETRONAS station and fill up now!! Don’t forget that if you go to non-Petronas station, the profits that these companies get will go their shareholders OVERSEAS.
So, be patriotic. Do your duty.
Go to PETRONAS!!
(I hope you guys will help to send this response to as many contacts as possible to counter this subversive proposal).
Rosti B Saruwono - Datuk Dr (VP_Edu/PETH)
Taken from http://www.karthiben.blogspot.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
