Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Another blogger is summoned under OSA...

DAP's Central Executive Committee (CEC) Members and DAP NGO Bureau Chief Mr Ronnie Liu, who is also a blogger, is summoned by the Police today under OSA.

He is summoned as he is charged for violating OSA by disclosing a copy of Concessionaire contract signed between the Government and private highway company, Litrak Sdn. Bhd.

For more stories, please read colour-blind.

吉祥:治安日益恶化是阿都拉当权39个月来的另一大败笔

国会反对党领袖兼民主行动党怡保东区国会议员林吉祥今天发表一篇文告,内容都是你我都关心的-罪案。

林吉祥指出去年平均每天有6.7名女性被强奸及1.65人被谋杀,反之在2003年,平均每天有4名女性被强奸及1.5人被谋杀,这是阿都拉当权39个月来的另一大败笔。

想阅读详文,请点击此处

Kit Siang: Worsening crime index past 3 years - another major flop of Abdullah

Parliamentary Opposition Leader, YB Lim Kit Siang today issued a press statement which I believe touches the heart of each of us here.

The statement is concerned on the deplorable security level whereby 6.7 women raped and 1.65 persons murdered daily last year compared to 4 women raped and 1.5 persons murdered daily in 2003, which is a worst reflection of Pak Lah's administration to provide a safe living environment for the people.

For full stories, please click here.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Ong Ka Ting Should Submit A Report Card For His Performance As Minister

MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting should submit a report card for his performance as Minister and give full accountability as to why the Prime Minister was so unhappy with the lack of progress in resolving the delay in issuance of Certificate Of Fitness (CF) by The Housing & Local Government Ministry. In a special interview in The New Sunday Times on 28.1.12007, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi had expressed his frustrations at the continued delays despite giving him 2 years to resolve the problem,

People used to complain that the issuance of certificates of fitness (CF) was always delayed. The house is ready but it’s a hassle to get the CF. I promised to get this improved. For close to two years, people were still grumbling. I asked Ka Ting (Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting): "What happened? What is the progress?"

I told him: "This is an important matter. Find a workable solution, do not look for cumbersome solutions."

I told him the best way to do it is through disclosure-based applications where professionals provide guarantees and are held accountable. If the information provided is later found to be wrong and not consistent with current policies and laws, action must be taken against them. I fail to understand why they (the relevant approving agencies) are still reluctant to do this.

I told Ka Ting again that I want these processes to be expedited. Why is it so difficult?

Then it was said that there are 12 laws and regulations (that need to be fulfilled) before a CF can be issued. Amend the laws then, I told him. If something cannot be carried out because of the laws and the regulations, amend them. Last year, we passed these in Parliament. The amendments have been approved and I hope they can now be implemented.

As the Prime Minister said “I told Ka Ting again that I want these processes to be expedited. Why is it so difficult?” Amongst all Ministries, only Ong Ka Ting and his Ministry was singled out for failure to perform. No other Ministers or Ministries were publicly chided for such failure to improve the delivery mechanism. Clearly the Prime Minister is frustrated that Ka Ting can not resolve the delays in the issuance in CFs resolved despite the Prime Minister’s personal intervention.

This only validates the RM 10 pay-cut motion by DAP MP for Cheras Tan Kok Wai against Ka Ting in Parliament last year for non-performance or failure to fulfill the aspirations of the people. If DAP had known that the Prime Minister was equally unhappy, then Kok Wai would have also included “failure to fulfill the aspirations of the Prime Minister” as an additional reason for the RM 10 pay cut motion against Ka Ting.

The Prime Minister had complained about red-tape and bureaucratic delays driving away foreign investment. According to the World Bank, 281 days. In Thailand, it takes only 127 days, and in Vietnam, 133 days to get approval to build a factory in Malaysia. The report says an investor needs to fulfill 25 procedures in Malaysia to build a factory, Singapore 11, Thailand nine, and Vietnam, 14. To start a business, an investor needs to follow nine procedures which will take 30 days in Malaysia, five procedures over six days in Singapore, and two procedures over two days in Australia.

Such red tape had resulted in the perception that the delays were intentional and there was corruption involved. Unless there is good governance, Malaysia would be hard pressed to reverse the decline of foreign direct investment(FDI). Malaysia’s 2005 FDI of had declined and for the first time in history Malaysia’s was less than Indonesia’s. In 2005, Malaysia’s FDI inflow contracted by 14.21% to only US$3.97 billion (RM14.63 billion) last year from US$4.62 billion (RM17.02 billion) in 2004.

In contrast overall FDI inflows into Southeast Asia increased 44.7% to US$37.14 billion (RM136.83 billion). Never before as the FDI for Malaysia fallen when the total FDI for the entire region has increased. More alarmingly, Malaysia lost out to Indonesia, whose FDI increased by five-fold to US$5.26 billion (RM19.38 billion) from US$1.89 billion (RM6.96 billion) in 2004. Unless the red-tape, bureaucratic delays and non-performance of Ministers are overcome, Malaysia would be unable to compete internationally and be left further behind in attracting foreign investment by other neighbouring countries.

Ong should publicly dispel doubts and questions raised about his performance or non-performance as Minister following disappointment and frustrations publicly expressed by the Prime Minister. Otherwise DAP MPs will continue to pursue this in the next sitting in Parliament beginning in March in the interests of good governance, accountability and transparency.

黄家定应提呈他身为部长表现的成绩单

马华总会长拿督斯里黄家定应提呈他身为部长表现的成绩单,以全面交待,为何首相如此不满房屋及地方政府部在解决入伙纸问题上一筹莫展。首相拿督斯里阿都拉在1月28日的《新海峡时报》专访上表示不满有关问题继续受到拖延,尽管首相早已经给予他两年时间去解决问题。

首相说:“人民时常投诉入伙纸的发出一直被拖延。虽然房屋已建好,但是难于取得入伙纸。我保证会有改善。这都将近两年了,人民仍满腹牢骚。我问家定(房地部长拿督斯里黄家定):到底怎样了?有什么进展?”

我告诉他:“这是重要的事情。找出一个可行的方案,别找累赘的方案。”

我告诉他,最好的方法是通过公开为基的申请,即作出保证的专业人士必须负责后果。如果后者的资料较后有误,违反现有的政策与法律,就必须对付他们。我无法了解,为何他们(相关的批准部门)不愿这么做。

我再告诉家定,我要加速的处理这些问题。为什么那么难?

然后他说,在入伙纸发出前,有12项法律与条规(需要遵守)。我告诉他,那么修改这些法律。如果法律及条规造成一些东西不能进行,就修改它们。去年,我们在国会通过这些。修正案已经通过,我希望他们目前可以落实。”

有鉴于首相说:“我再告诉家定,我要加速的处理这些问题。为什么那么难?”在那么多的内阁部门当中,只有黄家定及其部门被指表现欠佳。没有其他的部长或部门因无法改善传递机制而被公开斥责。尽管首相亲自干预,黄家定仍无法解决拖延发出入伙纸被的问题。首相显然对此感到沮丧。

这证明行动党蕉赖区国会议员陈国伟去年在国会因黄家定表现欠佳,没实现人民意愿,向他提出减薪10令吉动议是对的。如果行动党早知首相也同样不满,那么陈国伟将能把“没实现首相意愿”包括在内,以作为向黄家定提出减薪10令吉动议的额外理由。

首相曾投诉繁文缛节及官僚作风令外资切步。据世界银行报告显示,在大马申请设立一间工厂需要281天,在泰国只需127天及越南也只要133天。该报告指出,一名投资者若要在大马设厂投资,他必须经历25个程序、在新加坡只需11个、泰国9个及越南14个。要开始一门生意的话,投资者在大马需要经历9个程序及花30天,在新加坡只需5个程序及6天,在澳洲则只需2个程序及2天。

这种繁文缛节给人一种蓄意拖挻及涉及贪污的印象。除非有良好施政,否则大马将难于扭转外资萎缩的劣势。在2005年流入大马的外资会大幅下滑,甚至跌至在历史上首次输给印尼的程度。在2005年,流入大马的外资下跌14.21%至只有39.7亿美元(146.3亿令吉)的水平,而在2004年时是46.2亿美元(69.6亿令吉)。

反之,在同时期流入东南亚的外资上升44.7%至371.4亿美元(1368.3亿令吉)。整个区域的外资上升,大马的却下跌,这是前所未有的现象。更令人担忧的是,大马败给印尼,印尼在去年获得的外资,比2004年增加了5倍,而从18.9亿美元(69.6亿令吉)上升至52.6亿美元(193.8亿令吉)。

除非繁文缛节、官僚作风的拖挻及部长们缺乏表现的问题获得克服,否则大马将难于在国际上与人竞争,并且在吸引外资方面,输给其他邻国。

随着首相公开表达他的失望与不满后,黄家定应公开化解有关的质疑。否则行动党的国会议员将在3月的下一季国会会议中,基于良好施政、负责任与透明度利益,而再度追究有关课题。

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Musa and Christopher Wan must take personal attention on high crime rate in PJ

Assistant Officer of Command for Police District (AOCPD) of Petaling Jaya Superintendent Sugu yesterday claimed that crime rate in Petaling Jaya rose 22.6% with snatch theft increased from 633 cases in 2005 to 680 cases in 2006, while other serious criminal activities like burglary and murder cases rose from 1,860 in 2005 60 2,818 in 2006.

The seriousness of the rising crime rate is only highlighted by serious snatch theft on women walking on streets in Petaling Jaya but also by openly robbing and carting away the entire ATM machines from banks which are supposed to be very well-guarded. Many Malaysians already have no sense of security and are afraid to walk out in their streets and neighbourhoods as well as feel unsafe in their own homes.

Such pessimism and distrust in the performance and competence of the police is borne out by the latest national crime index rising by 12.6% over the first nine months this year. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili revealed that there were 170,481 crimes reported from January to September 2006 as compared to 151,444 crimes reported for the same period last year. As for Petaling Jaya, the increment of crime rate of 22.6%, a percentage even higher than the increment percentage of national crime rate on the first nine months clearly shows that PJ is already a city of crime.
The 22.6% increase in the national crime index is alarming in that it shows that police efforts to fight crime have not achieved any success. Musa had even made a commitment to the public to fight crime especially the 3 priority areas of snatch thefts, armed robberies and drug trafficking. He had even attended a dialogue with PJ residents last year but unfortunately nothing effective took place after the dialogue to enhance social security in PJ.

What DAP does not understand is that why is the police is so reluctant to increase its manpower to fight crime?

When Christopher becomes the CID Director he will take charge of only 8,000 criminal investigation department officials protecting the public from criminals throughout the country. Re-Deploying 800 police personnel doing desk duties to augment the present 7,000 criminal investigation department officials is insufficient to fight crime when 35,000 more police personnel is recommended by The Royal Commission Of Police to make our streets safe for 26 million Malaysian throughout the country.

With only 8000 CID officers, how many of them are deployed to safeguard PJ folks? With crime spiraling out of control in our cities where students are killed on the streets for their handphones or slashed with parangs for RM 2, how much can 8,000 (after the extra 800 men) police personnel do?

In other words, the ratio of 1 policeman for every 3,250 Malaysian is too low. Such ratio is far too low as compared to international standard of 1 policeman for 250 citizens. As for PJ, the statistic is even worst since we have only 1 policeman to cater the needs of 5,500 citizens. This is not only lower than international level but is also lower than national average level.

The Royal Commission of Police agrees that this is inadequate for the police to carry out its primary duties of maintaining law and order as well as fighting crime. It had suggested that an extra 35,000 men be redeployed for crime fighting purposes. This will beef up the crime-fighting unit to 42,000 men or almost 46% of the present police force of 92,000 men. With 42,000 men fighting crime the ratio would be 1 policeman for every 619 Malaysian, a much more reasonable ratio for the police to effectively fight crime.

With only 8,000 policemen fighting crime, the public is unhappy that they are paying for 92,000 policemen but 84,000 policemen do not carry out their primary duties to catch snatch thieves, robbers and drug traffickers. Only by increasing police personnel in crime prevention from 7,000 to 42,000 or 46% of the police force, can the people feel safe that the police are serious in catching criminals

Neither Christopher Wan nor any police officer can check the crime index in PJ which rose by 22.6%. The time has come to increase the number of policemen to fight crime so that there will be 42,000 policemen nationwide on the streets working to catch criminals and make our towns and streets safe for us, especially women and children.

If the IGP wants Christopher or any crime-fighting police officer to succeed, Tan Sri Musa must give the tools and provide adequate men to successfully carry out their duties. No general would lead his army into a charge in a battle when he has insufficient men and is outnumbered by the enemy.

For the same reasons, Tan Sri Musa must commit himself and convince the government to increase the police personnel in crime prevention not by 800 but by 35,000 extra men. It is a crime in itself if Malaysian citizens are protected by a too small police force from criminals or police lives endangered by having too few policemen.

慕沙和尹树基应该关注八打灵再也的高罪案率

八打灵再也副警区主任苏古警监昨天表示,灵市在2006年的罪案率飙升22.6%,其中掠夺案从前年的633宗增加至680宗,主要案件如谋杀、偷窃案则从前年的1千860宗飚增至2千818宗,增长幅度非常惊人!

歹徒最近频频向灵市的妇女下手掠夺抢劫,甚至公开打枪银行提款机,可见灵市罪案程度之严重。目前许多国人缺乏安全感,上街及在社区内走动时,甚至在自己家中都担心安全受到威胁。

这种悲观与不信任警方能力,是源自今年首9个月的全国罪案发生率上升了12.6%。首相署部长拿督麦西慕博士揭露,今年1月至9月,国内有17万481起罪案记录,而去年同时期仅有15万1444起。八打灵再也去年全年的罪案率增长竟然比全国首九个月的巴仙率还要高,显示灵市已经成为犯罪重都。

罪案率上升22.6%是异常令人可怕的,它显示出警方打击罪案的努力未取得成效。全国总警长慕沙虽然曾经向公众承诺,要打击攖夺、持械抢劫及贩毒3大领域的罪案,而且在去年也曾经亲临八打灵再也再也出席一场警民对话,但是对话过后警方依然无法增加人手,加强八打灵再也的治安。

行动党感到疑惑的是,为何大马皇家警察部队一直不能加强刑事调查组的警力呢?

当尹树基去年出任全国刑事调查主任时,他表示他领导的是一个只有8000名人员的刑事调查部。试问只有8000名警力的刑事调查部又如何能够有效防范罪案?

8000名警员之中又会有多少位能够派往治安黑区,如八打灵再也警区来协助打击罪案?虽然慕沙曾经表示将会增派800人支援现有7000名刑事调查警员,但是这形同杯水车薪。

警察皇家调查委员会就曾经建议,必须增多3万5000名警员来打击罪案,以确保2600万国人的安全。罪案在国内各大城市猖獗,我们看到一些学生因劫匪看中的只是他的手机而被杀被砍,区区的8000名警员(增加800人之后)能有什么作为?

如果以8000名警员来对比2600万人民,其警民比例是1对3250,这个比例比起国际警民比例,即1对250来的低。在八打灵再也,其情况更为严重,因为八打灵再也的警民比例是1对5500人,除了比国际警民标准比例低之外,也比起全国的警民比列还要低。

这是非常不合理的,因为全国如果只有8000名警员负责调查刑事案,那么其他8万4000名到底在干什么?

人民不满的是,他们支薪给9万2000名警员,却只有高达92%的警察,也就是8万4000名警察不履行捉拿攖夺匪、劫匪或毒贩的基本警员任务。

行动党建议,只有将进行刑事调查的警员人数从7000人增至4万2000人或占总警员人数的46%时,人民才会有安全感及认为警方是认真的在打击罪案。

在警民比例远远低于国际标准之下,任何警官包括尹树基都无法遏止灵市的罪案率以22.6%幅度上升。

如果慕沙和尹树基要求任何打击罪案的高级警员有所表现,那么我们希望慕沙和尹树基提供工具及足够的人手给他们的下属履行任务。

在战场上,任何将军都不会让下属处在人手不足或人数和敌人悬殊的情况下上阵打战。有鉴于此,慕沙必须说服政府将从事刑事调查的警员人数。

提供太少的警员保护国人的安全,或者太少警员执行任务,导致警员本身的性命安全也受到威胁,其本身就是一种罪行。

李伟杰应该理清历史事实

李伟杰应该理清历史事实,搞好马华当家不当权的尴尬身份,以免发表错误处处的文告,自误误人。

李伟杰昨日指出,回教党能够在1990年和1999年夺取丹登两州政权是因为民主行动党在1990年‘通过与46精神党结盟,间接与回教党勾结’以及在1999年‘在公正党的拉拢下,明目张胆,进行政治冒险,与回教党直接结盟,成为替阵一员,壮大回教党的声势’。

李伟杰也说这导致1990年‘吉兰丹成为回教党建立回教国的根据地’,然后在1999年‘帮助回教党保住吉兰丹州政权之外更夺下登加楼州,加强回教党要在我国建立回教国的条件’。这些歪论根本站不住脚,尤其是这些歪论是奠基在其乏善可陈的政治常识。

回教党能够在1990年执政丹州,然后在1999年从国阵手上夺走登州政权,主要是因为当地人民不满当时候的国阵州政府。更何况,回教党当时并不是第一次执政吉兰丹州。翻开历史,回教党曾经多次执政吉兰丹,包括从1974年至1978年回教党在国阵和马华结盟时执政吉兰丹州。

至于回教党在1999年能够执政登州,那是因为登州人民厌倦当时州务大臣,再加上安华效应在马来选区发酵,导致巫统兵败麦城,也同时第一次导致巫统无法掌握过半国会议席,组织联邦政府。

如果说是行动党导致回教党强大,那么李伟杰如何解释回教党当时能够在其所竞选的传统选区,也就是在马来选民占80巴仙以上的选区击倒巫统?这到底是行动党的协助导致回教党的强大,还是巫统得衰弱导致回教党的强大?答案显然是后者。

因此,李伟杰除了要加强本身的政治常识之外,也应该在这个时候对马华在国阵当家不当权的尴尬处境多加思考。

面对人民因政府施政不透明、不民主、不廉正而引发的不满情绪,从马哈迪到凯里;从新经济政策到永无止境政策;从争尸案到宪法争论;从3万变3千到查卡利亚的豪宅,从电费、水费、油费到过路费样样高涨的年代,李伟杰其实不应该一再以谬论自欺欺人,无视这些问题的严重性,反之他应该脚踏实地、堂堂正正地面对这些日日夜夜困扰人民生活素质的课题。

Friday, January 26, 2007

Special Focus: Racial barriers still evident on campus (NST)

26 Jan 2007
Rina De Silva

Are public university students ready to make the ethnic relations module a success? The module covers basic concepts of ethnic relations, Malaysia’s pluralistic society, the Federal Constitution, economic and political developments in the country and challenges to ethnic relations. Is it true that there is a lack of inter-racial mixing on campus? The NST sent its reporters to find out. Below are their first-person accounts.

KUALA LUMPUR: The canteen at Universiti Malaya’s science faculty was bustling with chatter at 9.30am when I walked in yesterday. I was there to observe the level of racial integration among students. I had done the same last November, and it gave me an opportunity to see if there had been any changes since. At first glance, the canteen crowd was multiracial. The canteen was three-quarters full and bustling with chatter in Malay, Tamil and Chinese dialects. Just a few spoke in English.

I saw a group of Indian students and many groups of Malay students sitting at round tables, which could seat up to eight. Not all the seats at the tables were occupied. So when the canteen seats started to fill up fast, some students shared the tables with others, regardless of race. The ones seated earlier obliged in a friendly manner. But once they had settled down, there was an absence of communication among the different racial groups. But I noticed a pair — a Chinese and a Malay girl — who were obviously good friends. They spoke mostly in Malay. A group of three Malay girls came to sit with them.

But the new group did not talk to them, not even to the Malay girl. It made me think that maybe the students of the same race were not sitting together because they just did not know each other.

Some light was shed when science students Anuradha Kanasan, 23, and Nur Afini Md Saad, 22, came to sit near me. They became friends two years back just by saying "Hi" when they sat next to each other in a class during their second year. It was the start of a close friendship when they both found out that they were from Kedah.

Since then, they have studied, eaten and shopped together. I asked them about the racial segregation apparent in the canteen. "I think they do not eat with one another because they do not know each other," Anuradha said.

"I think language also plays a part. If you can’t speak another language well, it is difficult to interact," said Afini. During their first year, they experienced "culture shock" when they saw only students of the same race mingling with each other. The lecturers had to ask students to mix during their lectures. "You will see students sitting with other races because they are forced to," said Anuradha.

Lee Pei Pei , a 23-year-old from Ipoh, attributed it to "the school system and the environment they grew up in". Student Law Yee Song said he had friends of his own race until Form Two when he was made prefect at SK Datuk Abdul Rahman Andak. "My added responsibility forced me to get to know students of all races." But he often mixed with his Chinese friends.

"It is a cultural thing. I like Chinese movies and Chinese food. Only my Chinese friends would be interested in joining me." — By Rina De Silva

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Malay World and Civilisation Institute director Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, the editor-in-chief of the new Ethnic Relations module launched on Wednesday, talks to June Ramli about the eagerly awaited document.

Q: Is this module a revised version of the book from Universiti Putra Malaysia which caused a furore?
A: No. It is a new module and has nothing to do with the old one.

Q: Why did you take the job of editor-in-chief?
A: I have been writing about ethnic relations in Malaysia for the last 25 years and I thought I could share some of my views and opinions. Also, after reading all the chapters in the older module, I thought that it badly needed a rewrite. Some of the facts were totally wrong while some of the interpretations were biased.

Q: Do you think the course will succeed in improving inter-racial understanding at public universities?
A: It will not have an immediate effect but perhaps changes can be seen in the long run. Personally, I blame the school system for polarisation in universities. It’s a social baggage that students carry from schools. This is the first subject to address that matters and I hope it will initiate efforts to teach similar subjects in schools.

Q: Will it teach new interpersonal skills?
A: The ethnic relations module is not a formula on how to behave. Basically it is a critical thinking course which teaches students about the society that we live in and whether diversity is bad for them. The course is very specialised, so much so there are people who are not happy with this module. That is why we had the Cabinet take a look at it

Q: But ever since the first book was introduced it has created antagonism and angst, don’t you think?
A: Obviously, but I prefer to have people tongue wagging rather than parang wagging. So that is why I feel that this is the best thing that can happen to us. Because we can come out and voice our unhappiness. But what you see here is a continuous expression of people discussing topics related to race relations. You can ask any counsellor or psychiatrist and they will tell you that all this is very therapeutic as it is discussed openly. This is contrary to what many people have accused this country to be, which is that they were not allowed to speak much on race relations. But with the ethnic relations module, people can say anything which otherwise would be considered seditious or whatever (if there was no module). But this book has allowed open discussions.

Q: But many are questioning why the government chose to omit incidents regarding racial clashes such as that in Kampung Medan in 2001 in the new module. Why?
A: There are many cases of ethnic clashes. Some 60 odd cases in the country, to be exact. There is a record in the Internal Security Ministry and the British have it to. The biggest clash was in 1945 and it does not matter whether it was during the colonial time or not, it was still a clash in which some 3,000 people died. But the course’s focus is not on ethnic relations crises. If people want to find out about the clashes, they can do so.

Q: Would it be good to list all the clashes in the ethnic relations module?
A: Well, the DAP does not like it. Not the government, remember that. Regarding the last module, no one gave an opinion that it was good to be open about these things. I told the minister that the DAP talked about freedom of speech and autonomy in universities but when its name was mentioned in the UPM book, its leaders got angry. So the answer to all this is hypocrisy, and not the students. The Press also practises hypocrisy. It is only concerned with Kampung Medan and does not look at all the other clashes.

Q: How do you think people should view this course?
A: I think that people should take the advantage of looking at the openness of the subjects and discuss them in an open manner. Malaysians should realise how lucky we are and they should see that everyone in the world wants to use our country as a model country. That means we must be doing something right. Sometimes we do break down and incidents like the one in Kampung Medan are testimony to it. The module is basically a healthy way of looking at ourselves.

Reader's Comments

Jessie, Kota Kinabalu:
Dear NST, The said incident is not a stranger to most IPTA here in Malaysia. When I was doing my degree in UNIMAS, most of the students only mixed with their own race. But it has only been obvious for the peninsular students. Us however, the Sabahan and Sarawakian students easily get together and there is no obvious barrier among our culture. I believe that this barrier exists due to different prespective and opinion towards our own race value. It is such a sad experience seeing this especially now that we are globally known as a multiracial country. Nevertheless, some of my coursemates from the peninsular have begun to open up and mix well with us, the Sabahan and Sarawakian students. Still, this problem will persist if we continue being close-minded and too conservative towards other races.

NST - Where is the racial bonding?

Where is the racial bonding?
26 Jan 2007
Sonia Ramachandran, Adie Suri Zulkefli and Nurris Ishak

BANGI: The little cafe in Bangunan Pusanika in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) had only one empty table when I arrived yesterday morning.

Grabbing the unoccupied table, I sat down with my cup of Milo and observed the students who were busy chatting in between mouthfuls of nasi lemak.

There I was, geared up to see prime examples of racial integration at this premier university.

Two-and-a-half-hours later, I was not so sure.

There were 10 other tables at the cafe, aside from mine, and yes, they were filled with students of all races.

The problem was they were only sitting with their friends of the same race.

Three tables were occupied with students with headscarves, while six tables had single occupants, including a woman dressed in a professional suit.

Another table had a group of six Malay students.

During the following hours, students left and others came, but they either sat in groups of the same race or alone.

The odd thing was that if a student arrived alone and shared a table with a student of a different race, he or she would not talk or exchange greetings with the table’s other occupant.

A Chinese student joined a table occupied by a Malay student, but they did not exchange a word. Instead, the Chinese student was working on his laptop while the Malay student continued reading his newspaper.

The only table there with a multiracial mix was the table occupied by my photographer, Sairien Nafis and me, and we were getting odd looks from the other students.

Sairien and I then went down to the cafeteria, where we were again greeted by the same sight.

The tables were all full of students, but they sat in groups of the same race.
You could hear snippets of conversation from all sides of the cafeteria in the language or dialect of the group occupying the table.

There were also students studying and copying notes in groups at the cafeteria, but this was also done in groups of the same race. There was not a single multiracial group sitting together.

Outside the cafeteria, students were seen walking together to class. Again, in groups of the same race. — By Sonia Ramachandran

Mixing with own race is norm

GEORGE TOWN: The same sight greeted me at the canteens and bus stops at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

There was no mixing of the races. Students stuck to others of their own race.
There were one or two exceptions but almost all of them were chatting or walking or eating with friends of their own race.

However, there was a better mix when they were in lecture halls and when they were involved in co-curricular activities.

Undergraduates I spoke to said it was normal for them to mix only with students of their own race.

Those I met said such behaviour was nothing abnormal and they preferred to hang out with those from the same ethnic group when it came to non-academic or extra-curricular activities.

School of Communications second year student L. Sangeetha, 22, said that was the reality of campus life.

She admitted that although there were no problems mixing with other races, most just preferred their own kind.

"When it comes to having lunch or other activities, we prefer to stick with friends from the same race," the Taiping-born undergraduate said.

Sangeetha, however, stressed that she had a good rapport with students from other ethnic groups.

She said the university’s ethnic relations course, which she took last semester, had enabled her to have a better understanding of other ethnic and religious groups.
She voiced support for the revised ethnic relations module.

Her opinion was shared by an undergraduate from the School of Physics, Zuriati Jusoh, 21.

The second-year student from Kelantan said she had a wonderful experience when doing a group project for the ethnic relations course last year.

"We selected traditional musical instruments as the theme and each of us in the group was tasked to study about the different races and come out with a presentation.

"It was not only a learning process as it also taught us the need to be more tolerant and respectful of other races and their religious practices," she added.

Her coursemate, Nordiana Mohd Mustaza, hoped that the tutorial classes for the revised module would be presented in a more interesting way.

"I think more visuals would make the classes more cheerful."

The duo, however, said the 1969 riots and the Kampung Medan parts should not be omitted from the module.

"The incidents should be told as a reminder for future generations on the importance of social tolerance," said Nordiana.

Khoo Sok Hui, 20, from the School of Arts, agreed that history should be told as it is, to avoid confusion and speculation. She added that students are mature enough to know the dangers of playing up sensitive issues. — By Adie Suri Zulkefli

Subconscious barriers keep them apart

SERDANG: They came out of their lecture halls in droves walking towards the bus stop.
They stood in separate groups, distinguished by race. The Chinese girls chatted in a medley of Mandarin and Cantonese, the Malays had a discussion in Bahasa Melayu and the Indians in Tamil. I was amused to see the group that had come out from the lecture hall subconsciously part along racial lines.

The atmosphere at the bus stop was friendly. They acknowledged one another with smiles and bits of conversation, but for the most part, spoke only to their own race.
In my eyes, they might as well have been standing miles away from each other.

It’s always been easy for me to pick out those who were at ease mingling with friends from others races, from the way they moved.

When I was in college, my classmates would playfully pat each other on the back, our wide grins expressing pleasure in meeting. There was no barrier between us. Chinese, Indians, Malays, Kadazans, Ibans, Eurasians.

I think the students I saw were not xenophobic or bigots. But I felt they couldn’t be at ease with each other because they’d failed to see that our differences is what makes us the same — human.

Had my friends been there with me, we would have certainly stood out. — By Nurris Ishak

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

光明日报—林冠英∶斥中央领袖“宦官”,“王志坚拒道歉辞职”

林冠英∶斥中央领袖“宦官”
“王志坚拒道歉辞职”
推荐给朋友 列印
updated:2007-01-23 19:38:59 MYT

(八打灵再也讯)民主行动党秘书长林冠英表示,雪兰莪州前主席王志坚辞去所有党职的真正原因,是他不愿道歉及收回伤害中央领袖感受的“宦官”一词。

林冠英周二在记者会上指出,王志坚曾通过报章,使用“宦官”这类具有贬意且没有文化的字眼,公开抨击中央领袖,让他们感觉受到伤害。

“许多中央领袖为党牺牲而入狱、被警方逮捕及殴打,或者被提控上庭,指他们为‘宦官’,根本是不合情理及不负责任。”

他表示,王志坚谴责中央领袖为“宦官”,语气比谴责马华领袖还更强烈。

他说,周一晚上在中委会议上,王志坚承认使用有关字眼,但拒绝收回及道歉,接著就突然宣布辞去所有的党职。

指王志坚言论不确实

王志坚在离开时告诉守候会议结束的记者,他是因为不满中央未遵循党章处理雪州主席被罢免事件而辞职。

不过,林冠英在党总部召开的记者会上作出驳斥,指王志坚的言论并不确实。

他说,王志坚对他以及中央领袖的指责都是子虚乌有。他也指责王志坚不断通过报章发表有损党的声明,以及拒绝通过党内机制解决党内问题。

林冠英表示,王志坚接受过高深教育,但这不意味自他被罢免州主席职后,就有权力散播谎言。

他重申,他绝无意图当雪州主席。“我没有意愿领导任何州委会。担任民主行动党最高权位的秘书长,对我而言已足够。”

他指出,王志坚的表现是否称职,就交由党员及领袖去评估。但是,王志坚不应该因为被投不信任票就抨击他人,做出虚假指责。

王志坚是於1月12日被雪州州委在一项紧急会议上罢免。较后,王志坚指责这事件的背后是因为林冠英有意入主雪州,而且也有中央领袖游说他退居署理。

王志坚坚持“三不立场”
我没做错事,不道歉

行动党前雪兰莪州主席王志坚强调,他并没有做错事,所以不会向党道歉。

他是周二就行动党总秘书林冠英指他辞去所有党职,是因为拒绝收回辱骂字眼,并向中委解释与道歉的谈话,如此表示。

王志坚周二告诉《光明日报》,他并没做错事,所以秉持不道歉、不收回及不妥协的“三不立场”。

林冠英是周一晚上在行动党八打灵再也总部召开的中委会议,林冠英要求王志坚收回之前说过的“高压政治”、“封建”及“宦官”等指责字眼,同时公开道歉,才会考虑要挽留他。

王志坚不满中委会并未在他被罢免的事件上依据党章行事,他在会议结束前离开时告诉记者,他将辞去全国副财政、全国中委、雪州州委和法律局主任等职。

被党孤立
我是第二个林辉明

王志坚表示,州主席职遭罢免令他对行动党心灰意冷,也让他觉得本身的处境和最近宣布退党的森美兰州马口区州议员林辉明相似──同样遭到党中同志排挤。

“我觉得自己是第二个林辉明,被党内的同志孤立起来。”

加入行动党18年的林辉明,於1月9日的61岁生日时,突然宣布退出行动党,一时引起轰动。不过,森州行动党执委会随后一致决定不挽留林辉明,并挑战他辞去马口州议员。

王志坚说,他无法接受向来强调民主的行动党“待人以严,待己以宽”,只会要求国阵及政府单位透明化、公平及民主,但在党内却无法做到这一点。

他指出,虽然民主社会强调少数服从多数,但行动党内“有人”仗多数之义,行独裁之实。

“我不满中委会没有在罢免事件上依据党章行事,这算是甚麽民主?”

对他辞去党职之后的未来,王志坚说,他没想到如何铺陈未来的政治道路。

“目前,我不考虑加入其他政党或在来届大选以独立人士身份参选。”

如果收回“宦官”一词
冠英考虑挽留志坚

行动党秘书长林冠英表示,如果王志坚愿意收回“宦官”一词以及没有根据的指责,并作出道歉,他个人考虑挽留王志坚。

不过,他说,他不能代表其他中委发言,因为他们已被王志坚的言论伤害。

无论如何,他表明,他们目前还未收到王志坚的辞职信,所以,还谈不上要不要挽留他。

另一方面,林冠英表明,中委会并没有考虑要对王志坚采取纪律行动。“我们不想让这件事继续闹下去。”

对王志坚事件,他表示遗憾。他说,中委会希望所有领袖与党员从这个不幸的事件汲取教训,以便今后通过党内机制解决党内问题,以免党利益受损害。

解决主席之争
雪25日开紧急会议

雪兰莪州行动党将於1月25日(周四)召开另一次紧急会议,以解决对前主席的不信任动议及重选过程所引起的领导权争议。

行动党秘书长林冠英指出,王志坚依然认为自己还是主席,而新任主席欧阳捍华也坚持自己才是主席。雪州不可能有两个主席,因,此召开紧急会议是最好的解决方法。

“就让州委去确认他们到底要谁来领导雪州。”

他透露,这项会议将由行动党全国法律局主任、全国副秘书长、行动党霹雳州委员会主席兼实兆远区州议员倪可汉律师主持。

他指出,会议也根据王志坚的意愿,订周四晚上召开。

对雪州州委罢免王志坚的紧急会议是否合法一事,林冠英没有具体回应,他说,最重要的是要根据民主程序来解决问题。

“州主席是由州委所选出。州委享有委任州委会各职的权力,也享有罢免各职位的权力。” (光明日报·2007/01/23)

光明日报—我们没冒用秘书长名义

我们没冒用秘书长名义
刘永山∶指责没根据
推荐给朋友 列印
updated:2007-01-23 19:45:42 MYT

(八打灵再也讯)雪兰莪州民主行动党秘书刘永山和政治教育局主任李继香表示,雪州前主席王志坚指他们冒用秘书长林冠英名义的指责毫无根据。

刘永山和李继香发表文告指出,他们是以雪州行动党州委会成员发起邀请秘书长领导雪州的动议,而不是如王志坚所指的“作为秘书长下属冒用秘书长的名义”发起有关动议。

他们表示,他们所发起的动议获得其他12名雪州行动党州委会成员认同,并以雪州行动党州委会成员名义联署,一同提呈这项动议。因此,这里面根本不存在任何冒用秘书长名义的成分。

合格委员可提呈动议

他们说,林冠英愿不愿意领导雪州是其个人意愿。王志坚绝对不能因为林冠英拒绝领导雪州,就一口咬定他们冒用秘书长名义。

“我们必须提醒王志坚的是,任何民主机制都允许合格会员或委员会在代表大会还是委员会会议时提呈动议,然后公开让其他合格会员或委员辩论、表决通过。”

“我们正是行使我们作为雪州州委会成员的权利而提呈是项动议,并希望得到其他州委会成员的联署支持。”

刘永山和李继香表示,他们由始至终没有通过媒体渲染动议内容,以避免对党的声誉造成不必要的影响。

他们表示是在王志坚高调公开向媒体发言后,才被迫针对他不实的指责作指正回应。 (光明日报·2007/01/23)

光明日报—王志坚提醒郭素沁“敢做就应该敢认”

王志坚提醒郭素沁
“敢做就应该敢认”
推荐给朋友 列印
updated:2007-01-24 19:25:23 MYT

(吉隆坡讯)王志坚促请行动党全国宣传秘书郭素沁“敢做就应该敢认”。

他说,2005年的谈判涉及许多人,郭素沁是在一场饭局中负责游说他让路给林冠英,当时,陈国伟只是从旁协助,“只有方贵伦对我最好,他只是负责点菜和付账而已。”

郭素沁早前曾针对此事作出澄清。她说,她和两位中委方贵伦及陈国伟当时只是指点王志坚如何振兴及领导雪州,但却被王志坚错误诠释为游说他让路给林冠英。

此外,王志坚强调,他不会接受党中央的任何挽留,他以“君子绝交,也不口出恶言”赠送给秘书长林冠英,并反驳林冠英指他辱骂中委的说法。 (光明日报·2007/01/24)

南洋商报—郭素沁指王志坚说谎

郭素沁指王志坚说谎 2007/01/24 13:01:32
●南洋商报

士布爹区国会议员郭素沁在记者会上说,王志坚加入行动党已有好几年,虽然他缺乏从政经验,不过却深受中央领袖拥护。

她说,她与蕉赖区国会议员陈国伟曾在2005年向王志坚晓以大义,希望他领导的雪州行动党能与中央密切配合,没想到最终却被王志坚指责两人是受到林冠英的指示,要他卸下州主席的职位。

她说:“对于王志坚的说词,我感到很生气,我们原本是诚心协助他,以期雪州行动党更为活跃,没想到他却作出毫无根据的指责。”

郭素沁认为,王志坚自雪州领导风波事件爆发后,所说的一切尽是谎言,对中央领袖非常不公平。

南洋商报:王志坚指行动党封建

指行动党封建 2007/01/24 18:49:55
●南洋商报

王志坚今日也特地出示华文报章早前针对他谈“宦官政治”的新闻,作为证据。

他指出,他早前提到的是,他多年观察国外民主政党的运作,因此,不能接受目前党内这种封建、威胁及高压的运作方式,由秘书长通过中央党部党工李继香及刘永山、前任党工欧阳捍华、亲信刘天球等,进行他认为违反民主组织正常的运作来篡夺权位,这何异于古代的“宦官政治”。

“但是,林冠英早前在中委面前诋毁我时,并没有出示报章剪报。

“更何况,我在10天前已提出‘宦官政治’的批评,为何林冠英等人要拖了那么长的时间才出来批评?”

王志坚指出,在112 事件上,林冠英不应该硬拗,而是需为这件事作出解释。

星洲日报—陆兆福∶“宦官”字眼不恰当

陆兆福∶“宦官”字眼不恰当
推荐给朋友 列印
updated:2007-01-24 13:29:45 MYT

(吉隆坡讯)行动党全国政治教育局主任陆兆福∶“宦官”字眼肯定对每个行动党领袖造成很大的伤害,用这样的字眼并不恰当。

既然王志坚承认对外使用这个字眼来漫骂领袖,在周一(22日)晚上的中委会会议一致决定要他收回后,就应该收回,以解决问题。

中委林峰成∶
不应一竹竿打翻整船人

对党领袖再有意见,都不应该使用这样的字眼,太过份了,毕竟大家都是为党、为国和为人民做事及奋斗。

王志坚不应该一竹竿打翻整船人。“你骂所有中委都是政治宦官,那你自己又是甚麽资格的人?”

陈胜尧方贵伦不置评

行动党署理主席陈胜尧说,没有阅读到王志坚辱骂中委是“宦官”的报导,不便评论此事。

行动党全国财政方贵伦表示,党秘书长林冠英在新闻发布会上已对王志坚辱骂中委是“宦官”一事发表谈话,因此不需要重覆。

邓章钦∶得饶人处且饶人

双溪槟榔州议员邓章钦既然王志坚已辞去所有党职,我想大家就不要对他赶尽杀绝,不要逼人太甚。

毕竟大家曾是同志,得饶人处且饶人吧。

陈国伟∶显示本身无修养

蕉赖国会议员陈国伟表示,任何人用“宦官”的字眼辱骂政党领袖,显示出他本身缺乏修养,是愚蠢的行为,也令人厌恶。我尊重会议的决定。

章瑛∶气愤之言

行动党中委章瑛表示,王志坚是在被“罢免”雪州联委会主席职后,因难以下台才一气之下说出中委是‘宦官’的言论。

她表示,任何政党都有推选主席和投主席不信任票的程序,投不信任票也是一种民主程序;从政者需了解若不获大部份人信任,就应退位。

冯宝君∶无话可说

中委冯宝君表示对王志坚指中委是‘宦官’的言论,没有甚麽话要说。 (星洲日报·2007/01/24)

Politics of eunuch - baseless claims!

Recently, I had been criticised by Sdr Ong Chee Keng, former Selangor DAP Chairman as "eunuch" or practicising "politics of eunuch" which is an extremely impolite and defaming phrase to use against me and other DAP comrades.

No only that, he also described other CEC members as being so.

In order to clear the air on what happened during the Central Executive Committee meeting on 22nd January 2007, I would like to post part of a statement issued by DAP Secretary-General Sdr Lim Guan Eng on such fierce allegation that Sdr Ong Chee Keng thrown on us, which he to date refused to refuse and apologise.

================================================================================

DAP is a democratic party that belongs to its members. Members have the right to choose their own leaders. Since I became Secretary-General in 2004, the CEC have adopted my position of allowing State committees to function and not interfering in the leadership of State Committees. The CEC has not taken over State Committees since 2004 and do not intend doing so unless there is no choice.

As DAP Secretary-General, I have my hands full and have no intention of leading any State Committees. I had made this clear not only to Selangor state leaders and Sdr Ong Chee Kin but also to other states. I therefore regret allegations that the present leadership controversy in Selangor is caused by me wanting to come to Selangor as completely false and baseless. Becoming DAP SG is enough, as it is the highest post in the party and the greatest honour to me.

The CEC also discussed the complaints made by Sdr Ong Chee Kin on the emergency meeting by the Selangor State Committee on 12.1.2007 that removed him as State Chair. After free and frank discussions, the CEC decided to exercise its powers under Clause 11(5) of the party constitution to direct the Selangor State Committee to convene an emergency meeting on 8 pm Thursday 25.1.2007 at the DAP Selangor Headquarters to conduct a verification exercise on the leadership question relating to no-confidence motion and re-election.

CLAUSE XI DUTIES OF THE CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
5. The Central Executive Committee shall establish Branches and State Committees of the Party in Malaysia for such areas and states respectively at such times as it shall deem proper. It shall at all times guide and control the work of the Branches and State Committees in accordance with the policies laid down by the Party Congress and the objects of the Party.

The meeting shall be conducted by DAP National Legal Bureau Chair, Perak DAP Chair and ADUN for Sitiawan Sdr Ngeh Koo Ham. The meeting on Thursday night was fixed with the prior agreement of Sdr Ong Chee Kin as he said he was not free tomorrow night and had a court matter in Pahang on Wednesday.

DAP State Chairpersons are elected by members of the state committee. Members of the state committee are elected by branches. To be qualified to stand as a Chair, he or she must be a state committee member. As such State Committees elect State Chair and other office-bearers. Such powers to elect come also with the powers to remove.

Ong Chee Kin Abruptly Tendered His Resignation After Failing To Withdraw And Apologise For Personally Attacking CEC Leaders As Eunuchs.
After the decision to fix the emergency Selangor State committee meeting was fixed on Thursday night, I had asked Sdr Ong whether he wanted to make any further complaints on the Selangor leadership controversy. Sdr Ong said he had no more complaints to make and had nothing more to pursue at that point.

I then asked Sdr Ong to explain his conduct in the press that is detrimental to the party in:
a) making false allegations against DAP CEC leaders and blaming CEC leaders for causing his ouster as Selangor DAP Chair as such baseless allegations are not supported by factual events or also by CEC witnesses including DAP National Vice-Chair Sdr M. Kulasegaran and National Organising Secretary Sdr Tan Kok Wai.
b) unjustified and unwarranted personal attacks against DAP CEC leaders in language that are stronger than those he used against MCA leaders such as “eunuchs”;
c) continuing to make press statements damaging to the party and refusing to use the internal party mechanism to resolve internal party matters.

DAP leaders including myself had not responded to Ong’s press campaign of false allegations because we wanted to resolve all party problems internally.

CEC leaders were offended by Sdr Ong using the term “eunuchs” publicly in the press against CEC leaders, which is derogatory and uncultured. CEC leaders reminded Ong of the importance of working together as comrades and such public insults are false, uncomradely and unacceptable.

Many CEC leaders had sacrificed for the party by going to prison, arrested and beaten up by police or sued in court and to be called a “eunuch” is completely unjustified and irresponsible. Sdr Ong admitted that he used the words and refused to withdraw and apologise. Ong then abruptly announced his resignation from all posts.

For Sdr Ong to say in the press that he resigned in protest against the decision of the party of not following the constitution is not correct as he resigned because he did not want to apologise and withdraw the words “eunuch” hurled against CEC leaders..

Whether he has performed or not is for the members and leaders to decide. But he should not blame others for losing confidence of members or make false allegations why he was removed by 14 out of 20 Selangor State Committee members. Sdr Ong is well-educated but this does not give him the right to spread lies, which he has regrettably done so since the very first day he was ousted as State Chairman.

It is irresponsible to blame the party leadership when members exercise their democratic rights. DAP respect democratic principles in accordance with the party constitution and party leaders should avoid giving the public impression of trying to cling on to power after having lost confidence and support of the members.

The CEC urges all leaders and members to learn from this unfortunate episode that members must use the internal party mechanism to resolve internal problems. Failure to do so would result in the press highlighting negative reports that would only damage the party.

LIM GUAN ENG

令人担忧公共服务素质

一名清道夫在中环大道靠近Batu Tiga收费站的地点被车辆撞及,躺在路边奄奄一息,一名路过的女商人停车相救,但是巴生医院迟迟没有派遣救伤车,最后必须亲自送院,结果抵达时已救不回一条人命。

这名路见不平的女商人表示,她更气愤的是,大道公司职员不闻不问;肇祸司机没有即刻召救伤车,打通了999紧急电话,等了半天还没有看到救伤车。

另一起事件也是同样发生在巴生中央医院。一名在PMR考试考获7科A的印裔优异生Danes Danaphal在政府诊疗所被诊断患上骨痛热症,然后被送往巴生中央医院,医生在入院5小时之后才来医治病人。由于遇时已晚,这名优异生最终敌不过病魔的煎熬而逝世。

此次南马两次大水灾,从水灾预警、讯息传播、救援工作到善后工作、我们看到的不只是救援工作的迟钝,同时也看到预警工作的缺陷。公共服务没有发挥真正有效的功能,最终牺牲了17条人命。在这次的水灾中,各政府机构缺乏协调已经成为各界人士批评的诟病。

如果今年作为马来西亚建国50周年纪念,我们除了要检讨国民团结、宗教和谐、竞争能力等等国家建设的议题之外,我们更应该检视我国公共服务的效率。老态龙钟的公共服务。臃肿的公共服务系统除了无法在灾难或紧急状态时为人民提供救援服务,也间接降低马来西亚的国际竞争能力。

政府曾经表示要聘请更多失业大专生成为公务员。副首相拿督斯里纳吉说,政府将要求公共服务局加速吸纳失业大专生至各政府机构的行动,以减缓大专生失业的情况,同时加强有关机构的服务效率。他说,目前各政府机构共有7 万4 千个空缺有待填补,而其中有3 万个空缺是开放给大专生申请。

我国公务员人数臃肿早已街知巷闻的事实。在公务员整体服务水平尚未提升至令人满意的阶段时,政府却公开数据表示还有数万个公务员空缺开放给大专生申请,未免让人觉得政府是否有诚意解决人民对政府公共服务传递系统的能力和效力。

建国50年了,我想出了探讨国民团结和宗教容忍等等建国议程之外,服务素质日益滑落的公共服务也应该成为国人 探讨的主要议程之一。毕竟,公共服务的素质往往与国际竞争能力划等号。

不调低石油价格,政府此时还等什么?

当新加坡作为一个石油净入口国能够前天宣布汽油和柴油零售价格削减3分至5分不等,为何马来西亚政府依然拒绝依据国际石油价格,调低国内汽油价格的水平?

新加坡四家石油公司在1月22日宣布下调油站的汽油与柴油零售价,减幅为每公升3分至5分不等。

当中,埃克森美孚(Exxon Mobil)、加德士(Caltex)和新加坡石油(SPC)上个月也曾调低汽油零售价。

埃克森美孚油站率先在当天下午4时起调低价格,降幅原是每公升4分至5分,后来却从傍晚7时起把各级汽油和柴油的价格一律改为每公升下调5分。

埃克森美孚在其文告说,汽油零售价下跌受多项因素影响,如汽油批发价、存储、分配及营销成本等,这次调低汽油零售价的主要是因国际汽油批发价下降。

加德士和蚬壳油站分别在当天下午4时30分和6时调低各级汽油和柴油价格,降幅是每公升3分至5分,而本土的新加坡石油则宣布从当天5时30起把每公升汽油和柴油的零售价下调5分,以反映目前的市场情况。

就在新加坡的所有石油公司都表示,驾车人士将继续享有在油站添购汽油和柴油的优待,马来西亚政府却以‘根据现有价格调整燃油价格,会导致政府面对困难’作为理由,拒绝调低石油产品价格。这种说法是不合理以及说不过去。

首相拿督斯里阿都拉是在2007年1月19日说,虽然国际原油价格每桶一度跌破50美元,不过政府目前暂不考虑调低燃油价格。

他说:“目前,政府不打算检讨是否要调低燃油价格,不过,政府一直在观察国际原油价格的趋势。”

这与政府在去年2月28日调高石油产品价格每公升或每公斤30仙的理由是自相矛盾的。

去年政府调高石油产品价格时,政府以国际原油价格居高不下(当时原油价格每桶61美元)为由而调高30仙。如果依据同样的原则,那么当国际原油价格下降至每桶50美元之后,政府也理应把价格调低,而且应该调低至2月28日之前的水平。

如果政府能够这么宣布,那么这将会对面对生活费高涨的巴生谷人民来说是一大喜讯。在2007年1月1日,巴生谷河流域五条私营大道的过路费正式上涨,在汽油价格保留在每公升1.92令吉的高水平下,巴生谷河流域驾车人士所面对的通膨压力更是无形中增加。

在国际原油价格回降至更低的水平,即比去年2月28日水平更低的水平之后,驾车人士非常期待政府能够在这个时候作重要宣布,把石油产品价格每公升降低至少30仙。更何况,新加坡深为马来西亚的邻国,虽然是一个净石油入口国,但是却可以依据国际石油价格的下滑,而为他们的国民一再削减油价。

令人失望的是,政府并不准备这么做,这显示政府讲一套做一套的办事作风。

雪州行动党尊重和支持中央执行委员会的决定

中央执行委员会于2007年1月22日星期一针对雪州行动党最近所发生的风波议决在明日1月25日召开一项紧急会议,以确认解决雪州行动党州委会领导层的问题。

这项决定是根据民主行动党章程第11(5),即“中央执行委员会于认为适当之时,并为马来西亚境内任何地区设立支部和州委员会。中央执行委员会应依照党员代表大会所定之政策及本党之宗旨随时领导与控制支部和州委员会之工作。”

雪州行动党尊重与遵守中央执行委员会的决定。雪州行动党也重申我们的立场,即1月12日的州委会紧急会议是依章行事,是符合民主意愿的。

1月25日由中央执行委员会召开的紧急州委会会议只为提供一个公平民主的平台解决雪州行动党州委会领导层的问题,这个会议日期是根据王志坚在中央执行委员会会议中的意愿所定下来的。

我们也对王志坚同志针对中央执行委员会的指责表示非常遗憾和失望。王志坚同志应该尊重中央执行委员会的决定,更何况这个会议日期是根据王志坚同志在中央执行委员会会议中的意愿所定下来的,州委会成员也将会在明日针对州委会最高领导的问题作出民主的决定,王志坚同志根本没有必要如此攻击中央执行委员会。

谨此交待以正视听。

加影警方应加强治安 ,而非逮捕和平请愿人士

雪州行动党严厉谴责警方日前使用暴力驱散一场反对大道过路费无理起价的和平集会,并殴打四名人士。

这场和平集会是在上周日由雪州行动党联合蕉赖皇冠镇开路委员会以及反对大道起价联盟所主办第十六场的和平请愿,以反对政府不合理调高过路费兼要求政府开通蕉赖皇冠镇通往蕉赖—加影大道的道路。

我们认为,警方的职责是要维持地方上的治安,而不是动辄以暴力驱散和殴打手无寸铁,没有威胁公共秩序的公众人士。

加影警方上周日选择以暴力驱散示威人士,并逮捕21名参与示威者,弄伤其中四名人士是不合理的做法,因为加影警方把工作的焦点置放在错误的地方。

我们毕竟要问的是,动用如此庞大的警力,来面对区区两三百人参加的示威是否有浪费警力之嫌?难道加影警区一带的治安不需要加影警方多加关注吗?

雪州行动党副财政兼雪州公共投诉局主任叶南进在1月20日在位于春山园住家附近遭两名骑乘电单车的劫匪抢劫,损失现金800令吉和一架价值200令吉的手机。叶南进也表示在这之前也曾经发生类似的抢劫案件。两名印尼籍电单车骑士当时推倒一名电单车骑士,然后再从他的身上夺走现金500令吉和一部手机。

这显示无拉港春山园一带的治安已经亮红灯,并且极需加影警方列为首要处理的工作事项。与其浪费可贵的警力,干扰无辜人民不满大道过路费无理上涨所举办的和平请愿,为何加影警方不认真处理地方上的治安问题?

要知道,警方人员和他们的家属也是大道使用者之一。

Monday, January 22, 2007

Protect the people, not arrest peaceful demonstrators, Kajang Police told

Instead of brutally abusing peaceful demonstrators and high-handedly disrupting peaceful demonstration organized by the DAP Selangor in collaboration with Gabungan Bantah Kenaikan Tol and Open Access Road Committee of Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Kajang police force should carry out its duty to protect personal safety of the people instead of harassing and arresting innocent demonstrators which do not pose any threat to public safety.

DAP Selangor Assistant Treasurer Yap Lum Chin who is also the Public Complaint Bureau Chief of DAP Selangor was robbed somewhere nearby his house when he was walking back to his house on 20th January 2007.

Yap was pushed to the ground by two robbers who rided a motorcycle and was robbed of about RM800 in cash and a handphone worth RM200. He also claimed that there was one robbery in Taman Indah Balakong a few days ago when two Indonesian robbers on a motorcycle pushed another motorcyclist before the victim was robbed of RM500 in cash and a handphone.

Kajang police should seriously look into the worsening security problem in Balakong and work out a plan on improving local security.

王志坚的指责毫无根据

针对王志坚频频向报界所作出的指责,即我以及雪州行动党政治教育局主任李继香两人作为秘书长下属冒用秘书长的名义,我们两人谨此回应,即邀请秘书长领导雪州的动议是我们两人以雪州行动党州委会成员(而不是所谓的‘下属’)发起的动议,并获得其他12名雪州行动党州委会成员,以他们身为雪州行动党州委会成员名义联署,一同提呈是项动议。

这里面根本不存在任何冒用秘书长名义的成分。至于秘书长愿不愿意领导雪州是秘书长的个人意愿。王志坚同志绝对不能因为秘书长拒绝领导雪州,就想当然一口咬定我们冒用秘书长名义。

我们必须提醒王志坚的是,任何民主机制都会允许合格会员或委员会在代表大会还是委员会会议时提呈动议,然后公开让其他合格会员或委员辩论、表决通过。

我们正是行使我们作为雪州州委会成员的权利而提呈是项动议,并希望得到其他州委会成员的联署支持。我们由始至终没有通过媒体渲染我们的动议内容,以避免对党的声誉造成不必要的影响。直至王志坚高调公开向媒体发言后,我们才被迫针对他不实的指责作指正回应。

谨此以正视听。

我的朋友刘永山

我在马大的同窗好友,陈泓缣日前在《南洋商报》的一个专栏写了一篇关于我的评论。

一下就是他的文章全文:


以蠡测海:我的朋友刘永山 2007/01/20 18:39:09
●陈泓缣

不久前读到张景云哀叹本地中文文史哲毕业生“立锥无地”,以及黄锦树等的回应文章,不禁也联想起那些全职当反对党党工、当非政府组织干事的朋友,有没有类似的问题。这些为了理想而付出的杰出人士,比起文绉绉的文士更多了一股豪杰的江湖味。(不可忽略的是,其实全职参与执政华基党团的华裔青年也何尝没有生活的惘然。还不到位的基层党工,其薪水能否够他们在消费、奢侈资本主义当道的都会中生活,不若我们想象中的“参与执政党就有得捞”刻板印象。)

我这个理想的逃兵当然没有资格对他们指指点点。我只是因为从传媒上读到、看到朋友的表现而为他捏一把冷汗。每个人都总会有一些趣味相投的朋友,因为理念的一致而曾经行使天赋结社权,彼此成为共同组织的同志。虽然没有结拜,更没有时常见面,但仍有一点“心有灵犀一点通”的感觉。

刘永山就是我这么样的朋友。与他相识于大学同窗的三年期间,除了是同学还是校园政治组织“新青年”的同志。毕业之后各奔前程,已有四年时间不是那么常见面。然而两个星期前我们不约而同写了回应另一位同志陈建傧的文章,感觉还是那么地熟悉:他还是我认识的刘永山啊!可是,之后发生的事情又让我怀疑他还是不是我所认识的刘永山。他被前雪州行动党主席王志坚形容为“御前带刀侍卫”,是冒秘书长林冠英之名而逼宫的保皇派,是“宦官政治”的俵俵者。难道这是政治可能的艺术吗?

放弃专业全职从政

还记得他大学时的行为举止。他主动扛起班长的重任,负责影印各种讲师讲稿和练习题;他喜爱“大张旗鼓” 地驾驶摩多车,差一点撞墙之前在住宿门前紧急刹车;他性好辩论,可惜未能成为校队,改为奋笔直书不平事;他多情但生于表达,在毕业前夕喝醉痛哭失声,大声呼喊k 的名字。醉态可薰的样子,依旧历历在目,恍如昨日。

大学时的他,已经具有反对的因子。他就是当时被打压不能筹办中秋节庆的筹委会主席,兼中秋自救会的发言人。曾经扬言挑战许子根的黄伟益,则是“编剧兼导演”,指导我们如何组织反对游行。我只是趁热闹提灯笼游行抗议的跑龙套。那时中秋节庆主题因为用上“马来西亚的中秋”(Malaysiana)字眼而被认为和行动党的“马来西亚人的马来西亚”有关,虽不见于官方理由,可却是刘永山当事人的第一手经验,口述历史是也。反讽的是,刘永山真的从一个本来倾向支持马华公会的“好学生”蜕变成现在行动党秘书长的政治秘书。行动党真该向马大校方感谢其赐予一个生力军。

所以人生是充满变化的。毕业之前他的理想是学以致用,成为拥有IR头衔的专业化学工程师,再迟点修读硕士、博士学位,取得DR 的学力。然而他两件事都没做,一头裁进大学时政治启蒙之师丘光耀的理想,放弃稳定的工程师工作不干,当起全职的党工来了。他这一段路如何走来,我仅略知一二。心理的转折如何、如何说服父母、如何突破心里障碍,则非外人所能道。

政治前途满布荆棘

如今的他被称为“御前带刀侍卫”,不禁让人担心布满荆棘的政治前途是多么地难走,路途并不顺畅。不懂政治的我猜想,若“御前带刀侍卫”形象既定,恐怕对往后的日子产生不良影响。本来肯付出精神时间来改变马来西亚的人就不够多,若因为路途不坦而宣布理想夭折,则是马来西亚的损失。我所认识的刘永山不善于权谋,叫他布局害人则难免高估他的权术了。

他是一个憨直、往前冲的小伙子。因为这样而卷入人事纠纷,比较近于情理。这篇文章“充满朋友主义的滥情”,写得毫无章法,更不是什么评论。仅此对为理想奋斗的同志致敬:马来西亚就是因为还有这些未被生活击倒的人,才有变好的可能。

Saturday, January 20, 2007

油价不跌显示政府讲一套做一套

政府以‘根据现有价格调整燃油价格,会导致政府面对困难’作为理由,拒绝调低石油产品价格是不合理以及说不过去。

首相拿督斯里阿都拉昨天说,虽然国际原油价格每桶一度跌破50美元,不过政府目前暂不考虑调低燃油价格。

他说:“目前,政府不打算检讨是否要调低燃油价格,不过,政府一直在观察国际原油价格的趋势。”

这与政府在去年2月28日调高石油产品价格每公升或每公斤30仙的理由是自相矛盾的。

去年政府调高石油产品价格时,政府以国际原油价格居高不下(当时原油价格每桶61美元)为由而调高30仙。如果依据同样的原则,那么当国际原油价格下降至每桶50美元之后,政府也理应把价格调低,而且应该调低至2月28日之前的水平。

如果政府能够这么宣布,那么这将会对面对生活费高涨的巴生谷人民来说是一大喜讯。在2007年1月1日,巴生谷河流域五条私营大道的过路费正式上涨,在汽油价格保留在每公升1.92令吉的高水平下,巴生谷河流域驾车人士所面对的通膨压力更是无形中增加。

在国际原油价格回降至更低的水平,即比去年2月28日水平更低的水平之后,驾车人士非常期待政府能够在这个时候作重要宣布,把石油产品价格每公升降低至少30仙。令人失望的是,政府并不准备这么做,这显示政府讲一套做一套的办事作风。

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Petition Against Unfair Toll Hike - 14,000 signatures collected and more are coming...



The DAP Selangor today visited the Office of the Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to present him a total of 14,558 signatures against unfair toll hike on five highway concessionaires in Klang Valley.

We were received by Mr T. Mogana Devan and Mr. E. Sivabalan, Private Secretary and Press Secretary to the Minister of Works.

Both of them had certified receipt of our signatures and petition and they promised that they will forward the documents to the Minister as the Minister was away for Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya.

I had specifically requested a written reply from the Minister on the petition, signature, and the comments by the signers.

Monday, January 15, 2007

More than 10,000 signatures collected to protest against unfair toll hike

DAP Petaling Jaya Action Team (PJAT) had on 23rd December 2006 officially launched an online petition to register our strongest protest against it. The petition in English is accessible through http://www.petitiononline.com/notolle/petition.html while the Malay version is accessible through http://www.petitiononline.com/notollm/petition.html.

The UMNO-led Government had announced tolls will be increased in five main highways in Klang Valley with effective from 1st January 2007.

These five highways are Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), Shah Alam Highway (KESAS), Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and Cheras-Kajang Highway.

As of 1:30pm today, 11123 peoples had signed the English petition while another 1989 signatures are collected on the Malay petition, which content is exactly the same as the English petition. Therefore, the total signature collected is 13112.

This is an increment of almost 650% compared to the total number of signatures collected at 11am 1st January 2007 (1598 signatures on the English petition, 157 signatures on the Malay petition, total signature collected is 1755)

With this latest development, we had already achieved the target of collecting 10,000 signatures on this campaign.

We hope to collect more signatures and thus urge those who had signed the petitions to mobilize more motorists and friends to sign this online petition. Both petitions will be printed together with the signatures to be submitted to the Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu this week and we will inform the media on the details about it. We also invite members of the public who signed the petition, NGOs, NGIs and members of the media to participate.

“Towards A New Selangor DAP”

超过1万名人士联署抗议大道不合理起价

行动党八打灵再也火箭行动队已经与2006年12月23日正式推介我们的网络请愿书,正式抗议巫统领导的政府无理提高大道收费。这份请愿书以英文和马来文两个版本今日正式在网络发布。英文版本的请愿书网址是http://www.petitiononline.com/notolle/petition.html,而马来版本的网址则是 http://www.petitiononline.com/notollm/petition.html 。

巫统领导的政府已经宣布巴生谷河流域的5条收费大道过路费将会于2007年1月1日开始调涨20至60巴仙。这5条大道是牙直立走廊大道(GCE)、莎亚南大道(KESAS)、白蒲大道(LDP)、加叻大道以及焦赖—加影大道。

在2007年1月1日上午11时为止,英文的请愿书已经获得1598名驾车人士的联署签名,马来文的请愿书也获得157名驾车人士的联署签名。因此两分内容相同的请愿书一共获得1755名驾车人士的签名。

在短短两个星期之内,联署请愿书所获得的签名激增630巴仙至12884个签名(直至今天上午10点)。签署英文请愿书的人士已经达到10930名人士,至于马来文的请愿书的签署人数则达到1954名人士。

这显示我们已经达到当初推出网络请愿书所希望达到的签名数目,即1万个签名。

我们希望能够收集更多的签名,并呼吁已经签署这份网络请愿书的驾车人士尽量动员朋友签署签名。我们将会延续这项网络签名运动以抗议政府不合理地提高巴生谷河流域5条大道的过路费,并且会在这个星期把这份请愿书连同所收集到的签名一起呈交给工程部部长拿督斯里三美威鲁。届时,我们将会厉行同志媒体和签署的朋友一起出席这项活动。

雪州行动党改组是为党改革和备战的行动

雪州民主行动党领导层的重组行动,并不是像某方面所指是因为前主席王志坚委任邓章钦担任雪州备战委员会主席一职所致。

雪州行动党州委会在改组后,依然继续委任邓章钦担任雪州行动党备战委员会主席,就证明我们并非如外界所传刻意针对邓章钦担任备战委员会而进行的。

雪州行动党此次的改组行动,是在大部分州委会成员经过深思熟虑,通过正常与民主的方式作出的决定。大家一致认为,前州主席在没获得州委会会议通过的情况下,把州委会原来由他所领导的5人备战委员会增至10人,并私自改委他人担任备战委员会主席职,是一种不符合民主程序与超越他职权的做法。其实,王志坚这种违背州委会意愿的做法已非首次,导致许多州委们对他有异议。

此外,州委会大部分成员都认为雪州行动党必须更换最高领导层,以加强党的组织与动力来迎向大选,因此大家认为这是其中一项必须进行的事。更何况,王志坚依然还是州委会的成员,这次是一个职位上的调动,王志坚依然能以州委员会成员的身份,继续为党和人民效劳。

雪州州委会的改组,并不是因为任何人‘逼宫’,或为秘书长林冠英移师雪州铺路。改组行动纯粹只是要强化州委员会的领导方式与能力,而与上述传言无关,媒体无需多加猜测。此外,领导层更动一事是14名州委会通过民主程序而进行的,反映大部分雪州行动党州委会成员在这事件上的立场和改革的意愿。

在雪州州委会改组之后,当务之急就是要重整雪州行动党,加速雪州行动党的改革步伐,加强雪州行动党的动力与士气,以迎向来届的大选。

改组后的雪州行动党的三大工作目标是:一、策划迎向大选,二、加强组织,建立团队,三、加强党的活动力,例如积极展开选民登记运动、揭发国家社会的不公义事件、广泛建立和加强人民服务中心等。

Friday, January 12, 2007

峇都达南补选——行动党不曾参与回教党杯葛补选的决定

针对各项关于回教党杯葛峇都达南补选的新闻报道,本人在行动党秘书长林冠英的指示下重申及强调以下数点:

一、 行动党秘书长林冠英从一开始便强调行动党没有意愿在该议席上阵。迄今,没有任何行动党领袖或彭亨州行动党领袖向林冠英同志表达意愿,即行动党应该在该议席上阵。由于行动党中央执行委员会和林冠英同志必须核准选举的最后人选,因此行动党不上阵该补选的决定依然没有改变。

二、 行动党并没有影响回教党做出杯葛峇都达南补选的决定的决定过程之中。由于行动党在2001年针对回教党的回教国议程而推出替阵,因此行动党和回教党已经没有任何正式合作关系,也没有和回教党进行任何讨论谈判。

三、 对于任何因为行动党和前副首相拿督斯里安华依不拉欣的良好关系而尝试映射行动党还与回教党保持合作关系,行动党对此深表遗憾。这是错误的言论。其实,回教党一直向行动党领袖持续进行人身攻击。森州回教党对森州行动党的攻击甚至比国阵的更为恐惧。最近,回教党领袖兼该党中委朱基费利阿末博士甚至表示:“如果回教党拥有好像冠英这样的朋友,我们就不需要诸如国阵和巫统这般的政治宿敌了” 。虽然回教党向行动党作出如此极端和不理性的攻击,但是行动党领袖避免做出同样的回应。

DAP Has No Part In The Decision By PAS To Boycott The Batu Talam By-Election.

Following various news reports on the PAS boycott of the Batu Talam by-election I have been directed by DAP Secretary-General Sdr Lim Guan Eng to stress these points.

1. Sdr Lim had from the outset emphasized that DAP had no interest in contesting the seat. Neither Pahang DAP or any party leader has communicated with Sdr Lim to express their intentions that DAP should contest the seat. As the CEC and Sdr Lim has to approve the candidates, DAP’s position on not contesting in the by-election remains unchanged.

2. DAP has not played any part in influencing the decision made by PAS to boycott the Batu Talam by-election. No discussions has been held with PAS since there is no formal co-operation between DAP and PAS, after DAP withdrew from the Barisan Alternatif in 2001 because of PAS Islamic state agenda.

3. DAP regrets any attempt to insinuate that DAP is working in coalition with PAS as a result of good relations between DAP and former deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This is wrong. In fact PAS has continued its practice of personally attacking DAP leaders and PAS Negeri Sembilan is more hostile towards DAP Negeri Sembilan than BN. Recently PAS leader and Central Executive Committee member Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad even said that, “If PAS has a friend like Guan Eng, we do not need a political adversary like the BN and Umno.” Despite such extreme and irrational provocation from PAS, DAP leaders have refrained from responding in kind.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

要一劳永逸解决渔民问题

马华民政并没有在内阁争取一劳永逸的解决方式,即废除寸半网尾的措施,并在最后一分钟才表示‘将会为渔民争取权益’是头痛医头、脚痛医脚的方式,这不会解除渔民们的担忧。

在内阁同意展缓执行寸半网尾条例数小时后,雪州大港就传来大港渔民出海及早渔业局官员检举,既鱼网不符合寸半的消息,令原本松一口气的渔民顿时不知所措。

我们除了谴责渔业局没有依据内阁的指令行事之外,也谴责他们一直以来没有诚意正视渔民们长久以来所面对的问题。马来西亚的情况有别于其他国家,其中一个主要争议因素就是马六甲海峡的哺育海域在和印尼协商之下已经从之前的100海里降低至68海里。

在捕鱼海域范围大大减少的情况之下,如果渔业局强硬要求我国的渔民,尤其是半岛西海岸的渔民改用网尾孔洞寸半的渔网,这无疑将会大大减少他们鱼产量,间接降低他们的收入。另外,改用网尾孔洞寸半的渔网未必能保护大马海域的鱼苹,因为成功从寸半渔网逃脱出来的鱼虾大多不能生存。

今日报章报道马青总秘书魏家祥赶路途中,不忘发手机短讯向部长们,要求“救救渔民”。他也表示,较早前他出席适耕庄罢海渔民交流会上,生计受影响的渔民向他哭著求救时,深被感动。

如果魏家祥真的是深受感动,那么我挑战他如何交待去年11月13日国会下议院,针对行动党槟城巴眼区国会议员林峰城关于减薪农业部长10令吉的事件上处处袒护农业部长一事。

魏家祥当时说:“……Dan saya juga di sini ingin mengatakan bahawa Yang Berhormat menteri sejak dilantik sebagai menteri, saya nampak banyak pembaharuan dalam sektor pertanian dan banyak perkara yang telah dilakukan……”(请参照http://www.parlimen.gov.my/hindex/pdf/DR-13112006.pdf)(意即:我在这里要说的是,自从尊贵的部长被委任成为内阁部长之后,他在农业方面做出很多改善。)

魏家祥前后不一的言论只有让人觉得国阵只是在大选即将举行前夕,才开始关心渔民的作业困境来捞取廉价政治宣传,反之他们并没有兴趣在内阁里为渔民争取他们应有的权益,就好比南马大水灾一样数名内阁部长所展现的漠不关心心态一样。这些权益包括一劳永逸的废除寸半网尾规定、检讨渔业局的官僚态度、甚至是举办如雪州行动党提倡的全国渔民听证会,聆听各地渔民的心声。

举办全国渔民听证会解决渔民问题

雪州行动党支持渔民的‘罢海’活动,并要求政府举办全国渔民听证会,以一劳永逸地解决渔民所面对的问题。

目前霹雳州和雪兰莪州两个州属的渔民已经展开‘罢海’行动,要求政府正式渔民们一直以来所面对的问题,包括强制性要求渔民们改用网尾孔洞寸半的渔网。

我们认为,在政府(渔业局)迄今尚未采取任何积极行动解决渔民们所面对的困境,那么渔民们采取‘罢海’行动乃是一项自我保护的措施,皆在维护渔民权益的合理行动。

渔业局已发出警告,限令渔民在今年3月31日前改用网尾孔洞寸半的渔网,否则将面对不超过2万令吉罚款或2年监禁或两者兼施。渔业局总监拿督祖那迪周一发表文告指出,根据1985年渔业法令25条文,明文规定网尾孔洞不能小过寸半。他说,自1972至1999年,西海岸的海中鱼产量已减少74%。

如果渔业局不实行“寸半渔网”措施,预料在2048年,海内的鱼苹会灭种绝迹。另一方面,农业部长丹斯里慕尤丁周一也表示,农业部不会改变初衷,因此促请渔民接受事实。

我们除了谴责农业部长的不妥协态度,也对当局没有诚意正视渔民们长久以来所面对的问题表示失望遗憾。因为马来西亚的情况有别于其他国家,其中一个主要争议因素就是马六甲海峡的哺育海域在和印尼协商之下已经从之前的100海里降低至68海里。

在捕鱼海域范围大大减少的情况之下,如果渔业局强硬要求我国的渔民,尤其是半岛西海岸的渔民改用网尾孔洞寸半的渔网,这无疑将会大大减少他们鱼产量,间接降低他们的收入。另外,改用网尾孔洞寸半的渔网未必能保护大马海域的鱼苹,因为成功从寸半渔网逃脱出来的鱼虾大多不能生存。

行动党槟城巴眼区国会议员林峰城曾经在去年11月13日国会下议院针对农业部在处理渔民投诉的失责而在2007年财政预算案委员会阶段辩论时提呈一项减薪农业部长10令吉的动议,但是陷入严重否定症候群的国阵成员党国会议员,包括爱依淡区国会议员魏家祥和民政党蒲种区国会议员卢永平在辩论这项动议时皆否定行动党国会议员为渔民所作出的控诉。

有鉴于此,林敬益和蔡细历身为民政马华两党在内阁里应该在今日的内阁会议全面讨论渔民们所面对的问题,并举办全国渔民听证会,进行全国巡回听证,一劳永逸的解决渔民们所面对的问题。

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

马华日后别揶揄在野党示威

如果马华公会不能在内阁,针对各项涉及人民利益,如油价高涨、过路费上涨等等课题为人民争取合理权益,那么他们以后不应该揶揄、取笑、或者是以负面竞选术破坏在野党的努力。

马华公会总会长黄家定日前表示不会阻止党员参与反对大道过路费上涨的和平请愿活动,并指出马华不能过于约束党员参与社团组织的反对大道收费提高的行动。

马华梳邦区会主席李伟杰在一则《当今大马》的新闻中这么也说,虽然该区会不赞成大道涨价,但是并不会采取和平请愿的方式,并且会向国州议员反映,通过适当的党内管道传达民声。

李伟杰表示,“各人的处理方式不同,但都是殊途同归,况且我们须要不同的管道,我们尊重他们所采取的方式”。

李伟杰也表示,不会阻止马华党员参与反对党或其他马华区会所举办的反大道涨价集会,因为这是个人的民主权利。

“党员也有权利发表看法,我们不会阻止。如果目标一样,可以通过不同的管道反映民声,我们也不知道那一个管道最有效。”

既然马华衮衮诸公能够不会阻止反对,也不会表态支持党员参与大道示威活动,那么雪州行动党呼吁马华公会上至总会长,下至草根党员日后不好揶揄、取笑、或以负面竞选术破坏在野党的努力,因为他们经常指责在野党搞示威、递交备忘录、和平请愿、集会、示威等为‘博宣传’、‘捞取廉价政治资本’、‘没有用’的活动。其实,如果马华公会本身没有胆量在重要的时刻为人民利益站出来讲话,至少他们不应该以类似言辞破坏在野党的努力,混淆视听。

尤其是现在部分执政党党员,如蒲种马青区团也以示威等等‘在野党的伎俩’为民‘请愿’,而马华衮衮诸公却没有以‘博宣传’、‘捞取廉价政治资本’、‘没有用’等等说词来批评,那么他们日后也不好以同样的说词来形容在野党。反之,他们应该以坦然地心态来面对,因为套用李伟杰的话,这是在野党的权利,马华无权约束,更无权揶揄或破坏。

翁诗杰反驳我的言论


翁诗杰反驳我的言论。

Monday, January 08, 2007

公布选区拨款——我没有‘胡说八道’,因为翁诗杰曾宣布将会在9月公布拨款下落


《当今大马》于2007年1月5日的一则题为新闻〈国阵议员不仿效公布选区拨款
翁诗杰:不期待创举掀廉政风〉中针对议员拨款而引述翁诗杰的谈话。

翁诗杰在访谈中表示我本人在一则文告中指翁诗杰是迟了3个月后才公布拨款的说法为“胡说八道”。

为了证明我并没有“胡说八道”,我在这里附上一则刊登在2006年9月18日《星洲日报》的报道。

在这则报道中,《星洲日报》是在2006年9月18日一篇题为“对遭抹黑保留讼诉权利,月底公布选区拨款用途”的报道中引述翁诗杰的谈话如下:“针对有关来函也挑战公布班丹区200万令吉的国会议员拨款,他表示将在本月内,通过其个人网站公布拨款的所有用途,让一切公开透明化。”

我翌日便发表文告,欢迎翁诗杰这个做法,因为这200万令吉的国会议员拨款的用途是纳税人的血汗钱,任何领取、处理或分发拨款的人士或机构应该公布拨款的用途,以示透明。

我国后一直追查到底翁诗杰是否已经在网络公布拨款的下落,但一直没有下文。直至最近才发现翁诗杰的网站已经张贴由雪州经济策划单位发出其国会选区所批准的计划名单。

另外,翁诗杰的网站现实他的网站最后整理是在2006年12月5日。这显示翁诗杰很可能迟至12月5日,也就是才把该名单张贴在其个人网站上。

虽然是延迟了大约三个月才公布,但是基于透明施政的原则,我还是欢迎翁诗杰这么做,并且促使其他国阵议员,尤其是马华的议员向翁诗杰看齐。因此,翁诗杰无需以敌对的语气来看待我的文告。

一些国阵国会议员表示并不需要依样画苇芦,依据翁诗杰一样的方式公布选区拨款,但是他们不能不理解的是,这笔钱是来自人民的钱。国阵议员作为监督拨款发放的主要人士应该要以高度透明的态度处理这笔款项,包括向外公布拨款的详情(如果没有上网的便利),而不是以‘清者自清,做好本分’(吴立洋)、‘欢迎到办公室查询’(陈莲花)、‘处理手法不同’ (王乃志)、‘真金不怕红炉火,选民少上网,人民随时可来服务中心询问拨款的用途。’(魏家祥)等等作为托词。

Sunday, January 07, 2007

星洲日报/夜雨晨风·作者∶林瑞源——大马的承包制

《夜雨晨风 》大马的承包制
updated:2007-01-07 19:56:41 MYT

国民服务元旦日报到出现混乱,暴露了几个问题,即很多人的工作效率和态度没有提升、公共传递系统还是没有改进,但是另一个应该检讨的是,大马的承包制度。

承包制应该是新经济政策下的另一个产物,也是大马社会的一大特色。

为甚麽要推行承包制?除了栽培土著企业家之外,也应该包括协助减轻政府的负担、加速工作的落实、带来经济效益,但是事与愿违,承包制不只无法达到上述目标,还带来许多问题。

现在有很多事务和工作已经让外界承包,从政府工程、到交通灯的维修以及采购和装配灯饰。承包的事项多了,就衍生专门和政府部门打交道的“集团”。

为甚麽承包制会失败,还出现许多弊端?最主要的原因是缺乏有效的分配及监督,政府合约的承包应该是以能者居之、以资格和条件来分配,但是没有公开投标的承包制,却以政治背景来分发。在工作承包出去后,没有独立单位去监督,也没有透明的惩罚措施。

松散的承包制带来几个后果,包括垄断、国家资源流失、工程出现各种纰漏以及舞弊。

举个例子来说,政府在1971年半岛大水灾过后,就拨出许多款项来治水,但是治水工程承包出去后,水灾却无法根治。去年也发生华小维修工程货不对办的事件,暴露了承包制的大漏洞。

工程有问题,不只影响人民,比如医院生霉菌、高架天桥不能使用,政府还需要花费冤枉钱去收拾残局,到头来是益了承包商,国家倒贴。最重要的是,公共工程频频出纰漏,损害了国家的声誉。

此外,目前的承包制也造成不负责及懒惰的工作态度,获得合约者不去工作,把工作交给别人去进行;这样利润一层一层被剥削,真正工作者就所得不多,或被拖欠款项,就很容易出乱子,好像国民服务报到日的情况。

承包制乱象频生,当局好像无能为力,问题的症结是政治因素;政府不能不照顾成千上万的承包商,但是谁来维护国家和人民的利益? (星洲日报/夜雨晨风·作者∶林瑞源·2007/01/07)

Kerenah birokrasi ganggu pelancongan

Kerenah birokrasi ganggu pelancongan

Oleh Ziauddin Sharuddin (Berita Mingguan)

KUALA LUMPUR: Menteri Pelancongan, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (gambar) bosan dengan kerenah birokrasi sesetengah agensi kerajaan yang menimbulkan pelbagai masalah kepada pelancong dan pengusaha pelancongan.

Sesetengah agensi kerajaan katanya, masih mengikut cara penjajah Inggeris yang meninggalkan undang-undang yang tidak lagi sesuai di negara ini.

“Antara laporan pelik saya terima ialah aduan seorang pengusaha hotel bajet yang mendakwa tidak akan mendapat lesen kerana hotelnya hanya menyediakan kemudahan bilik air berkongsi.

“Di luar negara, saya biasa tinggal di dormitori atau asrama yang berkongsi bilik air, tetapi di sini tidak boleh,” katanya dalam temu bual bersama Berita Minggu.

Tengku Adnan berkata, masalah lain membabitkan hotel bajet yang diterimanya ialah pengusaha hotel bajet perlu mematuhi arahan pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT) supaya setiap dua bilik mempunyai satu pemadam api.

Katanya, keperluan keselamatan penting di hotel bajet, tetapi meminta PBT menggunakan budi bicara terhadap pengusaha hotel berkenaan.

“Kalau diceritakan, saya pun naik bosan, tetapi inilah masalah yang berlaku. Saya tidak boleh melakukan apa-apa dan akan menulis surat kepada menteri berkaitan supaya hotel bajet dilesenkan secara sempurna, tetapi tidak terlalu ketat,” katanya.

Selain itu, katanya masalah pandangan serong terhadap pelancong Asia, terutama dari negara jiran masih berlaku di barisan depan yang menyambut kedatangan mereka.

Katanya, sesetengah pelancong Indonesia yang tiba di negara ini melalui jalan laut seperti di Stulang Laut, Johor, menghadapi kerenah membabitkan Jabatan Imigresen dan Kastam Diraja Malaysia yang menganggap merekaTenaga Kerja Indonesia (TKI).

“Begitu juga dalam kes dua orang kulit hitam warga Amerika Syarikat yang ditangkap kerana pandangan serong,” katanya.

Tengku Adnan berkata, kerajaan menyedari masalah itu dan sepanjang Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9), RM50 juta diperuntukkan untuk melatih semula pelbagai pihak di sektor swasta dan awam mengenai kepentingan pelancongan.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Not hike but lower oil price

Finance Minister II Tan Sri Mor Mahamad Yakcop answered wrongly on whether there will be another round of petrol hike this year.

Global oil price has slumped to USD55 per barrel yesterday and the government has been avoiding one core question of whether the government is prepared to lower oil price since global price has been dropping since October 2006.

The question is certainly not on whether there will be another hike but whether the oil price can be further lowered according to global oil price.

Nor Mohamad and the Government is certainly not answering our question.



NEWS


Nation
Saturday January 6, 2007

There’s no increase in petrol price

PETALING JAYA: There will be no increase in petrol price, Finance Minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcop said yesterday.

He said this in dismissing rumours that the Government would increase petrol price with the recent reduction in road tax.

“Is the petrol price going up? The answer is no,” he told reporters after launching the Lexus 3S centre here.

He, however, did not say if oil prices would remain unchanged throughout the year.

Motorcycles sales up

Toll has gone uo by 60% and this has driven motorist to change from cars to motocycles in travelling to work.

According to the Chairperson of Malaysia Motocycle Dealers Association, sales has gone up by another 20,000 units in 2006 as compared to 430,000 units in 2005.

In KL and Selangor, sales have been going up averagely by 300 units a month.

Among other reasons why motorcycle is gaining popularity is of its lower maintenance cost and higher fuel efficiency.

When driving is not longer economically viable, even though it is safer than motorcycling, motorists will prefer the latter, is it another side effect of the failure of the government to manage our economy?

节省油钱及过路费
拥车族弃驾改骑
推荐给朋友 列印
updated:2007-01-06 07:00:23 MYT

(八打灵再也讯)去年汽油调涨多次,今年5大道过路费又起,不少市民弃驾车,改以骑电单车上路,以省却汽油和过路费!
据《星洲日报》了解,不少打工一族都改以骑电单车上班,汽车只在周末和家人出游时才派上用场。

节省开销好处多

虽然了解电单车是“皮包铁”的高风险交通工具,但是为了节省开销,这些收入有限的上班族,没有办法下才做出这样的选择。

他们表示,除了省下大笔的汽油费和越来越高的过路费外,驾驶电单车还有很多好处,如泊车容易、泊车费低、不必面对塞车、维修费低和接传票的机率低等。

电单车销量增加

根据雪隆电单车商公会提供的数据显示,自2006年汽油起价后,电单车的销量有了明显的增加。

该公会指出,与2005年同1月份相比下,除了9月与11月份之外,每个月的销量都增加至少300辆。

公会说,以2005和2006年下半年的电单车销量比较,雪隆地区2006年电单车的销量增加了4906辆。

电单车销量明显增加

全国及雪隆电单车商公会主席黄峰表示,继去年汽油起价后,全国电单车的销量有了明显的增加。

他说,百物喊涨,最近大道过路费又起价,导致许多中下层的打工一族纷纷弃四轮用两轮,改以骑电单车上班。社会新鲜人也以电单车作为代步的工具。

“2006年全国电单车总销量比2005年的43万辆增加了2万辆。”

他表示,面对生活的重担,改骑电单车是有效减少开销的方法。因此他鼓励公众改以电单车代步。

询及骑电单车危险性高时,他表示,只要电单车骑士遵守交通规则,尽量靠左走,就会大大的降低发生车祸的机率。 (星洲日报·2007/01/06)

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Boycott Malaysia Year 2007?

Visit Malaysia Year or Boycott Malaysia Year? Let's read an article below, which is not published in any local newspaper.

===============================================================



Incidents may mar Malaysia's tourism bid
By Jonathan Kent
BBC News, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia celebrates 50 years of independence this year and to mark the occasion it has launched Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

Visit Malaysia 2007 tourism banner in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia is hoping for more than 20 million visitors this year

The country's palm-fringed beaches, affordably priced hotels, sprawling shopping malls, fantastic food and wildlife already make it one of Asia's premier destinations.

And this year its tourism authorities hope a big push will propel visitor numbers towards an astonishing target of 20 million.

But following an incident late last year, American Wayne Wright is far from convinced by the promise of Malaysian hospitality and the claim of its tourism slogan that it is truly Asia.

"I was walking in Chinatown," he told the BBC, "when a gentleman in very scruffy type clothes, nothing that you would associate with police or anyone in authority, walked up to me and asked me, "Can I see your passport?"."

Fearing a scam, Mr Wright refused and tried to move away.

"At that point he essentially lunged at me, grabbed me, put handcuffs on me really tightly and called for a few other people out in the crowd," he explained.

Mr Wright, a serving US Navy lawyer, says he protested that he was a US citizen and told the men who had grabbed him that his passport was in his hotel room, a matter of a few hundred meters away.

He was taken, shackled, through Chinatown and put into a caged truck used by the Malaysian immigration department.

'Worst experience'

There he met a second American, who had also been grabbed by men who refused to show any identification, Yahweh Passim Nam.

It became abundantly clear to Mr Wright and Mr Nam they had more in common than their nationality. Both they and every one of the 30 or so other people arrested in the same raid were black.

Wayne Wright
This was probably the worst experience I have had in my life
Wayne Wright

"At this time I'm knowing this is racial profiling, beyond a shadow of a doubt," said Mr Nam, an ex-US Navy serviceman and now a multi media engineer living in Vancouver, Canada.

"This is definitely some screwed up mission by some... militant group, trying to get Africans to take us somewhere," he said, adding that he feared for his life.

They were taken to an immigration detention centre where for almost 24 hours they say they were fed only bread and water, not allowed to go to the toilet and refused permission to contact the US embassy.

"I was treated inhumanely," said Mr Nam. "I felt like a dog, I felt like something worse than a dog."

Mr Wright agrees. "Honestly this was probably the worst experience I have had in my life," he said.

Both say that, when they were finally freed, immigration officers treated the matter as a joke, something that incensed them.

Morality patrol

Malaysia's Head of Immigration Enforcement Ishak Mohamad was approached by the BBC for comment, but was unavailable.

Nor would the prime minister's department comment, although a senior official privately cast doubt on the accounts of the two men.

Yahweh Passim Nam
Both Mr Nam (pictured) and Mr Wright had legitimate tourist visas

However not only do they appear to bear one another out, but they are also backed up by the US embassy, which confirmed it provided consular assistance to have them released from custody. No charges were filed against the men.

The incident does not appear to be isolated.

Several Africans approached on the streets of Kuala Lumpur by the BBC over the issue reported facing discrimination in Malaysia, whether it be people refusing to sit next to them on public transport, taxis refusing to stop for them through to harassment by police and immigration officers.

Nor have recent problems been confined to people of African origin.

In October, a couple in their 60s from the US state of Alaska were woken at 0200 with threats to break down the door of their rented holiday apartment on Langkawi Island.

It was an Islamic morality patrol, which under Malaysian law has widespread powers over Muslims' behaviour.

"When I opened the door I saw six men, in my face, yelling at me that they want to inspect the apartment, that I'm Muslim and that they're coming in," Randal Barnhart said.

He told the men he was not Muslim and refused to let them enter, but they persisted.

"They started yelling, 'We want to see your woman, we want to see your woman'," an angry Mr Barnhart recalled.

"So I asked Carole, who was just wearing a sarong to stand back 15 feet in the light so they could see that she is a white woman - my wife of 42 years."

Perhentian beach, Malaysia
Malaysia is renowned for its beautiful beaches and countryside

The intruders refused to leave without seeing a marriage certificate and were only persuaded to go after being shown the couple's passports.

Mr Barnhart says his wife suffered a nervous breakdown and returned to the US and he is currently pursuing legal action against the religious department.

But rather than disciplining the officers - who apparently broke the law by carrying out the raid without regular police in tow - local politicians defended them saying Mrs Barnhart was mistaken for a local Muslim because she liked to wear a sarong.

That assertion has been greeted with derision by some in Malaysia.

'Regrettable'

Malaysia's Tourism Minister Adnan Mansor defended the immigration department, pointing out that Malaysia has problems with illegal migration.

"Sorry to say especially there's a lot of Africans, black people, who come to our country and overstay," he said.

map

"What they did was just trying to clean up some of these people who've overstayed in our country."

Both Wayne Wright and Yahweh Passim Nam had not overstayed their welcome. They had legitimate tourist visas.

The minister says he is keen to repair the damage.

"Give us a chance and let us correct this," Mr Mansor said.

He has apologised to the Barnharts and acknowledges Malaysia has a problem with petty officials who readily abuse their power - a problem he says the government will address by re-educating them.

But it is not the kind of news the country needs on the cusp of its big tourism year.

Asta, the American Society of Travel Agents, described the incidents as regrettable.

"Authorities have an obligation to educate the local populace about the importance of tourism and their role and to be vigilant and protective of anti-tourist incidents," a spokesman told the BBC.

And more worrying still for Malaysians is that such incidents are merely symptomatic of a wider issue - public servants who are increasingly resistant to government control.

Newspaper columnist Dina Zaman says some Malaysians are looking to Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to take a tougher line.

"They don't think he's authoritative enough," she believes.

"You need someone to actually sit down and say, 'Look you can't do this, you can't do that'. And yes, he's a nice man but with... the crime rate, all these things... it just makes you wonder whether he's too nice."

Millions of people will doubtless visit Malaysia during 2007 and most will have a very happy time.

But until Malaysia's bureaucracy wants to make sure they all do, some would-be visitors may be deciding to holiday elsewhere.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

“放眼大马”摩天轮——毫无透明度的旅游部是否要大马人‘闭一只眼’?

巫统领导的国阵政府是否在没有得到充足的公共咨询前便进行大型计划?

过去一周,当国人欢庆新年,迎接立国50周年庆典和2007大马旅游年的当二,主流媒体已经开始为各项旅游景点作大肆宣传,其中一个景点就是位于吉隆坡蒂蒂旺沙湖滨公园,高60公尺、模仿‘伦敦之眼’建筑的摩天轮‘放眼大马’。 ‘放眼大马’ 摩天轮将会在今年1月6日正式由首相推介。

旅游部长东姑安南表示,这个共耗资3000万令吉(今日《东方日报》指出其成本是4300万令吉)的摩天轮现在还在赶工阶段,当局尚未决定是否要在2007大马旅游年之后继续保存这个摩天轮。这显示当局在决定兴建这座摩天轮之前并没有一套周详和长远的计划。

登上60尺高,由瑞士科技操作的摩天轮,乘客在冷气厢内可以眺望吉隆坡的夜景。

令人惊讶的是,为何这项耗资至少3000万令吉的计划完全没让国人知道,反而是在新年前夕才公开?在我国的经济表现滑落、外来直接投资不起反降的情况下以及蒙受数十亿令吉损失的南马大水灾之后,为何政府继续挥金如土?

如果要眺望吉隆坡的夜景,游客可以选择收费更廉宜(成人入门票每人10令吉)、光顾时间更长久、更高的吉隆坡塔,而不是收费更昂贵(成人入门票每人15令吉)、光顾时间有限且比吉隆坡塔更矮的‘放眼大马’摩天轮。如果要面付费观赏吉隆坡的夜景,那么游客大可驱车前往‘小云顶’安邦山。

如果‘放眼大马’摩天轮的成本正如《东方日报》所报道的4300万令吉,那么以当局预计会有200万名游客,已价格15令吉的票价登上这个摩天轮,那么政府也只能收回3000万令吉,这意味着‘放眼大马’摩天轮计划本来就是以昂亏本生意。即使把成本调低至3000万令吉,那么这也只不过是一门不能赚钱的计划。如果是不能赚钱,甚至随时会亏钱,再加上可能在年尾后拆除,且吉隆坡也不乏其他地标让人眺望吉隆坡夜景,为何政府要实行这项赔了妇人又折兵的计划?

公布选区拨款——周美芬,你还等什么?

雪州马华班丹区国会议员翁诗杰在2006年12月5日在其网站,公布其向雪兰莪州经济规划局推荐的选区发展计划。

随着翁诗杰的这项宣布,翁诗杰已经成为雪州马华(可能也是全马国阵国会议员中),第一名公布选区拨款计划的国会议员。翁诗杰是在2006年9月初旬曾经宣布将会通过他的个人网站公布这200万令吉拨款的下落。

雪州行动党当时除了欢迎翁诗杰的这项做法,也呼吁雪州国阵国会议员做同样的公布,以示透明。

既然这200万令吉国阵国会议员选区拨款是出自人民的口袋,那么也理所当然的花在人民的身上。公布拨款的下落是为了确保有关拨款不会遭不负责任的人士干捞,因为这笔拨款是人民的钱。虽然翁诗杰的公布比原有的日期迟了整整三个月,但是我们欢迎翁诗杰最终能够履行他的诺言。

我们特别呼吁灵北区国会议员周美芬,也是本区国会议员能效放翁诗杰,本着透明廉洁的从政态度,公布这200万令吉拨款的去向。

其实,我们已经通过报章向周美芬作多次呼吁,但是周美芬迄今依然不作任何回应。我们除了谴责不负责任的做法之外,也要求周美芬能够在新年前夕能够在她的个人网站公布这些计划。

与其花费一笔钱重新设计她的个人网站(周美芬网站的新设计是在2006年3月初旬使用),再加上没有定期更新,周美芬何不向翁诗杰看齐,让她的网站成为推动廉政的典范工具之一?

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

We pay for something, not for nothing


This is Damansara-Puchong Highway Sungai Way Toll Plaza. Long traffic jam will take motorists more time to clear the toll. Will the traffic jam problems be resolved in accordance with the new toll hike? I doubt it. There is simply no fair trade here. I pay my toll obediently, at least you the service provider must make sure that I get the best out from you. You only ask me to pay more, but do you understand my problem, and get your men to solve it?

This is the basis for the protest. We pay for something, not for nothing.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Online signature campaign to go on...

DAP Petaling Jaya Action Team (PJAT) had on 23rd December 2006 officially launched an online petition to register our strongest protest against it. The petition in English is accessible through http://www.petitiononline.com/notolle/petition.html while the Malay version is accessible through http://www.petitiononline.com/notollm/petition.html.

The UMNO-led Government had announced tolls will be increased in five main highways in Klang Valley with effective from 1st January 2007.

These five highways are Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), Shah Alam Highway (KESAS), Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and Cheras-Kajang Highway.

The recent 20%-60% toll rates hike must be condemned as it is of no difference from “highway robbery in broad daylight that sells out” the rights of motorists, consumers and ordinary Malaysians to big corporations, especially when the construction cost does not appear to justify the toll rates to be paid.

As of 11am today, 1598 peoples had signed the English petition while there are already 157 signatures collected on the Malay petition, which content is exactly the same as the English petition. Therefore, the total signature collected is 1755.

We hope to collect more signatures and thus urge those who had signed the petitions to mobilize more motorists and friends to sign this online petition. Therefore, the campaign will be extended to protest against the unfair toll hike. Both petitions will be printed together with the signatures to be submitted to the Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu after the massive peaceful demonstration in front of Sunway Pyramid on 7th January 2007.

延续网络签名运动,并在1月7日大型示威后呈交予工程部长

行动党八打灵再也火箭行动队已经与2006年12月23日正式推介我们的网络请愿书,正式抗议巫统领导的政府无理提高大道收费。这份请愿书以英文和马来文两个版本今日正式在网络发布。英文版本的请愿书网址是http://www.petitiononline.com/notolle/petition.html,而马来版本的网址则是 http://www.petitiononline.com/notollm/petition.html

巫统领导的政府已经宣布巴生谷河流域的5条收费大道过路费将会于2007年1月1日开始调涨20至60巴仙。这5条大道是牙直立走廊大道(GCE)、莎亚南大道(KESAS)、白蒲大道(LDP)、加叻大道以及焦赖—加影大道。

直至今天上午11时为止,英文的请愿书已经获得1598名驾车人士的联署签名,马来文的请愿书也获得157名驾车人士的联署签名。因此两分内容相同的请愿书一共获得1755名驾车人士的签名。

我们希望能够收集更多的签名,并呼吁已经签署这份网络请愿书的驾车人士尽量动员朋友签署签名。我们将会延续这项网络签名运动以抗议政府不合理地提高巴生谷河流域5条大道的过路费,并且会在1月7日的大型示威之后,择日把这份请愿书连同所收集到的签名一起呈交给工程部部长拿督斯里三美威鲁。

Let's have some eggs for Samy, Pak Lah and highway companies

DAP in collaboration with Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) Open Access Road Action Committee this morning staged another round of peaceful demonstration in front of the Office of Cheras – Kajang Highway Concessionaire, Grang Saga Sdn. Bhd., the fifteenth demonstration organized by the bodies. Unlike the previous demonstration, this time it was organized on the New Year Eve to protest against the unfair toll hike of 50% for motorists travel along this highway.

With effective from 1st January 2007, motorists travel across the 9th mile tollgate and the 11th mile tollgate will have to pay extra 30 sen for each tollgate, which work out to be an extra RM1.30 a day if motorist have to travel back and forth passing both tollgates.

More than 500 peoples, including members of DAP, residents of nearby townships i.e. Bandar Sungai Long, Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Taman Indah Balakong turned up to protest against the unfair toll hike.

Also attended were DAP leaders YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Teresa Kok, YB Tan Kok Wai, YB Fong Kui Lun, YB Teng Chang Khim, Ronnie Liu and Tan Boon Hwa, chairman of the BMC Open Access Road Action Committee.

Residents have prepared a tollgate model with photos of Samy Vellu and Pak Lah pasted on it in which they later thrown eggs on the ‘tollgate’ before they demolished it.

Earlier, about 70 police had been there and they tried to stop the residents from marching across the highway to gather in front of Grand Saga office from the barricade, which was the usual location of their gathering. However the residents still managed to break through the police line and marched across to meet with the rest of the residents in front of the Grand Saga office.

Residents in BMC are badly suffered by this unfair toll hike. They have described this as ‘double-jeopardy’ as not only they have to pay higher toll but their access road to the highway is yet to open when Grand Saga Sdn. Bhd. blocked the access road with cement barricade.

Before they bought houses in BMC, residents were earlier promised by the developer of their township, Nusajaya that they would be given an access road in which they can bypass the 11th mile tollgate if they want to go to Cheras or any parts of Kuala Lumpur.

The previous fourteen demonstrations were organized to protest against the unfair closure of the road by Grand Saga Sdn. Bhd. in which such has forced the residents to travel an extra 6.7 km instead of 1.5 km while suffer from traffic jam at the Bandar Sungai Long access road before they can read the highway.