The game of numbers

Like me, many people doubt the reliability of some figures.

For example, the Public Consultative Committee claimed that 97% of people agree to have the Lynas rare-earth refinery plant in Kuantan and only 3% disagree with it. However, the Pakatan Rakyat claimed that 100% of the 1,122 respondents of the survey disagree with it.

Also, according to the organiser of the Himpunan Hijau 2.0, a total of 15,000 members of the public attended the rally, but the steering committee said 30,000 and the police said only 3,000.

In the first example, different stands bring different results. The Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has set a default stand, assuming that Lynas would comply with all specific regulations. Therefore, it concluded that 97% of people agree with the project. As for the real public opinion, they do not really care.

As for the second example, someone must have been telling the truth, and someone must have been telling lies. As for who is the one playing the game of numbers, isn't the answer clear when we look at the photos and videos captured by the media?

No matter how you see the game of numbers, one thing is certain. That is, some officials actually enjoy playing it.

Another example would be the teacher scarcity problem faced by Chinese primary schools. Even MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has to admit that the issue would have long been resolved if no one has played the game of figures.

Regardless of how these officers are called, it is more important to find out whether there are big fishes backed by established policies behind the scene.

There are many other examples, including the My First Home Scheme that offers RM400,000 houses to young people earning less than RM3,000 per month. It has been greatly criticised by bankers. Why none loan applicant earning RM3,000 and below per month has successfully got the loan under the scheme? How was the loan formula was calculated in the first place? Even a layman like me know that it is impossible!

There is another perplexing example. A reader from Mentakab questioned in a letter to me that how a famous someone with land, cars and houses actually got his application for the RM500 BR1M aid approved.

I can only bitterly say, not only government officials, but everyone knows how to play the game of numbers, and only the methods used are different!

-Sin Chew Daily