Saturday, March 31, 2007

TAR College (TARC) not recognized by PSD –MCA Youth should come clear

DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) had one four days ago issued an official invitation letter to MCA Youth Chief YB Datuk Liow Tiong Lai to an open debate to debate on the contribution of the DAP towards nation-building.

What is more disappointing is that as the chief of MCA Youth, Liow has been avoiding to reply on the debate with no follow up with DAPSY in finalizing the fine details of the debate. Instead, MCA Youth staged their second or third-liner leaders to come out with open statement, repeatedly counter-proposing on the fine details with the intention to blurr the public vision on the real meaning of the debate.

MCA Youth should take up the challenge sportingly and come clear on several issues, including the decision of the Pulic Service Department (PSD) of not recognizing the academic qualification of Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) College, a college founded by MCA itself in 1969. It is mind-boggling to witness that the academic qualification of TARC graduates not recognized by PSD while TARC graduate enjoy good pays and salaries in the private sector, some even on par with graduates from local and foreign universities recognized by the PSD.

TARC is not only found by MCA but is also subsized by the government on a one-ringgit-to-one-ringgit basis. If the government can subsidize the college, it is unreasonable for the government to refuse to recognize the college, more so when MCA is the second largest component party in the Barisan Nasional.

And therefore, I would like to strongly urge the MCA Youth to come clear (堂堂正正、清清白白、踏踏实实) on this issue, and the best way to do that is to accept the invitation from DAPSY to attend an open debate and clarify the issue, once and for all.

If the MCA is fighting for the government to recognize Chinese studies bachelor degree conferred by Peking Univerisity and Qinghua University, two top universities in China, why does MCA neglect the college it founded?

Is it not another clear example that MCA is only a puppet in the ruling coalition?

Has MCA started their struggle to push the government to recognize the academic qualification of TARC? If yes, then can there be an announcement of the progress?

DAPSY Deputy Chief YB Chong Chieng Jen will pose this queston to the Minister of Higher Education and Prime Minister Department when debating on motion of thanks for the Royal Address.

But it would definitely do MCA Youth no harm if they can come out with an open and complete explanation not only to the students and graduates but also to their parents and potential students, and the best chance to do that will be to attend the debate with DAPSY.

Instead of wasting valuable time writing statements in counter-proposing our requests, attacking the DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng and PKR leaders , Chai Kim Sen, Lee Wee Kiat, Soon Tian Szu should turn back to their own Youth Chief to accept DAPSY’s invitation.

拉曼学院文凭不受政府承认——马青应交待清楚

社青团在4天前正式发函公开挑战马青总团团长廖仲莱进行一场辩论,以辩论民主行动党对马来西亚建国的贡献。

令人遗憾和失望的是,身为马青总团团长的廖仲莱一直在这个课题上一直没有在细节上配合社青团的秘书处进行跟进,甚至还出现许多马青二三线领袖频频发表文告,一直在辩题、形式等等细节上提出反建议(counter-proposal),企图模糊众人的视线以及扼杀整个辩论会的真谛和意义。

马青应该针对公共服务局不承认拉曼学院的学术成绩而做出交代。拉曼学院毕业生如果能够在私人界寻觅和一般政府大学毕业生同等,甚至更高的薪酬和待遇,政府以及公共服务局没有理由拒绝承认拉曼学院的文凭。

另外,拉曼学院是马华公会创办的学院。马华公会是执政联盟国阵的第二大成员党,政府也是通过一令吉对一令吉的方式资助拉曼学院。如果拉曼学院的学术资格不受政府承认,这是完全说不过去的。

在这方面,马华或马青应该‘堂堂正正、清清白白、踏踏实实’,毫无含糊地交待为何拉曼学院的学术资格不受政府承认?

马华公会要争取政府承认北大清大的中文系学士学位,可是为何对自家创办的拉曼学院学术资格不受政府承认视而不见?

到底这是不是马华/马青当家不当权的最佳例子?

到底马华将会如何向政府争取承认拉曼学院的学术资格?如果已经进行,那么工作现在已经进行到什么阶段?

社青团署理团长张健仁将会在国会下议院辩论感谢元首御词时提出这个问题,要求高教部和首相署交待此事。

弘扬‘堂堂正正做人,清清白白做官,踏踏实实做事’之道的马青更应该给予透明度的原则向广大拉曼学院莘莘学子,以及他们的家长交待此事。最好的机会就是通过这次马接补选和社青团辩论的平台公开交待此事。

蔡金星、李伟杰、孙殿赐等人与其针对社青团、行动党秘书长甚至是公正党领袖发表种种哗众取宠的烟花言论,倒不如他们采取实际行动催促廖仲莱大方坦然接受邀请,真正打造新政治文化。

Friday, March 30, 2007

DAP Machap by-election MTV

Johor Jaya ADUN's office robbed

偷走2台存檔電腦 陳書北辦公室入賊

(新山29日訊)竊賊“從天而降”,潛入馬華巴西古當會所,偷走兩台藏有重要檔案文件的電腦,損失逾2萬令吉。

該會所也是柔佛再也區州議員陳書北的辦公室。

膽大毛賊首先潛入馬華巴西古當會所的3樓,偷走音響,再到2樓把兩台貴重的電腦偷走,除了金錢損失,重要資料及閉路電視錄影也被盜走。

這事件是今早8時,在柔佛再也羅斯美拉3/2路發生。

失竊的財物,包括兩台電腦、一台價逾千令吉的數碼錄影光碟機及一套價值逾8000令吉的音響,總值逾2萬令吉。

馬華巴西古當區會婦女組主席吳惠萍事后報警,警方到場調查。

吳惠萍表示,今早8時10分,她如常前往會所處理事務,抵達會所的辦公室時,見外層門未關好,卻不疑有他,直至上了洗手間,見原本拴好的鐵條被取走,加上回到辦公室時,內層被鎖上的門卻是打開的,就覺事態不妙。

她指出,被偷的兩台電腦裡,其中一台存有重要文件,另一台則存放著閉路電視的片段。

她也說,會所裡的10台電腦、新買的投影機及桌上已簽好的支票,都原封不動地擺在原位,讓人納悶。

較后,該會主席陳書北也趕到了解情況,他擔心竊賊再來幹案,因此暫時先把貴重物品搬回家。

他表示,會所在約6年前也遭竊,當時損失甚少,惟吸取了教訓后,會所也做足保安,詎料小偷竟從天花板潛入,讓人防不勝防。

Lee Hwa Beng robbed of his car!

3匪製造假車禍搶州議員轎車

(八打靈再也29日訊)3匪製造假車禍,搶走州議員的轎車!

馬華梳邦州議員拿督李華民夫婦昨晚共乘轎車回家途中,遭匪徒製造假車禍,結果下車查看時,遭匪徒搶走轎車。

李華民夫婦過后到靈市警局報案,經過調查,警方已掌握涉案嫌犯的身份。

這事件是昨晚11時30分許,在靈市新巴生谷大道,靠近Tropicana的路段發生。

八打靈再也警區主任馬茲蘭助理總監受詢時證實此案發生,他指出,事發時,李華民夫婦共乘一輛本田雅廓車准備回家,途中發生車禍。

“當時,轎車是由李華民妻子駕駛,他們的轎車遭隨后的轎車(匪車)撞及后,在不疑有詐下,便下車查看,結果遭匪徒駕走轎車離去。”

他披露,搶車匪徒共有3人,皆是20余歲的印裔男子,警方已掌握匪徒的身份。

Thursday, March 29, 2007

The Singapore Great Strategy To Brain Gain - Absorbing Malaysian and Chinese Talents!



大马及中国移民变身新加坡政经精英 .林友顺

国会议员丶卫生部长丶电视台主播丶国家队乒乓球主将丶福布斯富豪排行榜人选……新加坡的政治丶经济丶社会精英,越来越多大马和中国的华人移民,充分展现新加坡求才若渴及成功的人才战略。新加坡最近公布新的国家发展方略,是从当前的四百五十万人口增加至六百五十万人,因而加速吸纳大量外来精英。

新加坡为了在全球化的战场上争得一席之地,将主要战略放在人才培养和竞争上。近月,新加坡政府公布至二零三零年的国家发展蓝图,以六百五十万人口的规模来发展,要与纽约丶伦敦等国际大都会看齐。然而,以新加坡目前四百五十万的人口,加上出生率屡屡见低的情况下,要建构国际大都会,最关键的就是招揽外来移民,尤其以具竞争力的华人精英为主。

四十七岁的李美花是新加坡的新贵,她在二零零六年新加坡选举中代表执政的人民行动党上阵,成功当选国会议员。生於马来西亚中部马六甲的李美花,也许从未想过,她会放弃了故乡马来西亚,成为新加坡的公民,并选上九十四位国会议员之一。

从一九六五年建国至今,新加坡一直是移民的国家,而大马华人更是新加坡移民的「传统来源」。李美花在马国的老家是个小乡村,但贫穷阻挡不了她勤奋求学的决心。一九八零年,她考进马国最着名的国立大学——马来亚大学,但大学分配给她的不是她所喜爱的工程系,修读一个月後,她获得新加坡南洋理工大学(南洋理工)录取进入工程系,她毅然离开马大,这个决定改变了她的一生。李美花对亚洲周刊说,她当年是受到爸爸的鼓励而作此决定:「我爸爸当时认为,新加坡的体制是根据成绩与表现作为个人能力评定的准绳,我到了新加坡将会有更好的发挥空间。」

大学毕业後,李美花继续留在新加坡工作丶结婚及组织家庭,随後入籍。李美花并不是唯一来自马国却被新加坡吸纳的政治精英,现任卫生部长许文远丶国会议员伍碧虹同样在马国出生,并在新加坡留学及工作後成为新加坡公民。在目前新加坡四百五十万人口中,近三成人口是外来移民。

新加坡对移民人口的需要非常清晰,为了维持种族比例,马国华人丶中国人及印度人将是新加坡吸引的主要外来人才。《联合早报》高级执行编辑严孟达认为,马国华人基於历史背景丶社会环境,较容易融入新加坡社会。「对於马国人才,新加坡人基本上不会特别意识到他们是『外国人』。」他认为,除非马国政府通过行政措施阻止华人把子女送到新加坡读书,否则新加坡对马国华人人才的需求只会增加不会减少。

除了种族比例,在人才专业分布上,新加坡城市也有仔细考量。掌管人口政策的内政部长黄根成表示,新加坡吸引的人才不一定要拥有博士学位,他们可以是拥有特定技能的人才,如飞机维修员。为了接触最广层面丶遍布世界各地的各类人才,新加坡政府设立网站「联系新加坡」(www.contactsingapore.org.sg),让全球的人才得以从网际世界中了解新加坡的情况。

新加坡政府对吸引马国人才非常积极,除了欢迎马国人才前往工作,甚至派员到马国中小学,提高奖学金吸引马国学生到新加坡求学。座落於马国南部柔佛州的宽柔中学是马国着名的民办华文中学之一,该校办学严谨,创校以来一直是柔佛州华裔子弟求学的第一选择。宽柔中学不仅赢得马国华人社会的尊重,也引起只有一水之隔丶求才若渴的新加坡政府的注意。二零零七年,新加坡仅有的两所国立大学—新加坡国立大学及南洋理工学院从宽柔录取了近二百名优秀生,该校精英班的学生几乎一个不漏的被这两所大学吸走。过去几年,该校每年都有逾百名学生被吸引到新加坡深造。一般估计,到新加坡留学的马国学生,约七成选择留在新加坡工作丶组织家庭,最後变成新加坡的人才。

柔佛不少华族家长也为了让孩子接受高素质教育,不惜花费及舟车劳苦,让孩子从小就每天跨越长堤到新加坡接受教育,新加坡新传媒主播董素华就是其中一人。董素华在小学二年级就开始在新加坡念书,她追述那段日子每天清晨六时就得出门,通过两国拥挤的关卡才能抵达学校。她从小学丶中学到大学都在新加坡完成,大部分时间都是在新加坡度过,她自嘲:「了解新加坡多过了解马来西亚。」她在新加坡国立大学数学系毕业後进入新传媒,虽然当时还保留马国国籍,但公司还是给她充分的机会,并支持她在二零零四年及二零零六年赢得新加坡广播业最高荣耀—红星大奖(最佳新闻播报及时事主持)。董素华的另一半是新加坡公民。她在一九九八年成为新加坡永久居民,四年後入籍新加坡。她对选择成为新加坡公民的解释是:「我的生活重心丶家庭丶工作都在新加坡。」拥有新加坡护照让她更方便出国公干,享有更大的便利。

其实,新加坡从一九六五年建国至今,从未停止从马国吸引人才,而近五年来前往马国搜罗人才更见积极。新加坡政府在马国吸引人才是多管齐下,一方面通过提供「亚细安奖学金」吸引优秀生前往该国深造,近年也在马国各主要城市网罗优学秀生。

居住在马国中部雪兰莪州加影的林玉桦在政府办理的国民中学求学,她在高级教育文凭考试中考获全A优秀的成绩,并是该校成绩最佳的学生。她信心满满向政府申请奖学金出国深造,结果却让她失望。她在吉隆坡举行的教育展中了解各国求学情况时来到新加坡国立大学展览厅,该大学代表在了解她的成绩後当场献议给她奖学金前往新加坡深造。林玉桦感到不解:「我在马国申请奖学金却拿不到,可是我不用申请新加坡却愿意给我奖学金。」

优秀生被拒大学门外

林玉桦的情况并不偶然,只是在这两年阿都拉政府采取较包容的政策才渐有改善,但还有不少华裔优秀生无法获得政府奖学金及被拒於大学门外。在一方面缺乏深造机会,另一方面则积极拉拢的情况下,无数马国华裔学生走向新加坡完成求学梦想,其中以学术资格不受马国政府承认的私立华文中学(独中)最普遍。

周建平是吉隆坡尊孔华文中学的学生,他在高中毕业後与同学一道以高中统一考试成绩参与新加坡国立大学的入学试,结果成功被录取。他表示:「我很希望能留在马国求学,可是我的文凭不被马国政府承认,只好以最接近的新加坡作为选择。」

新加坡不仅希望大马华人前往念书,更希望他们毕业後能在该国工作丶居住,最後入籍成为新加坡公民。为了达到这项目标,新加坡也把吸引人才的眼光放得更远,该国进一步派出代表到马国一些华文小学及中学,挑选优秀的小学生及初级中学学生到新加坡留学,让这些学生在更年少的阶段接触新加坡文化,加强这些学生对新加坡的认同感。陈晓薇今年十三岁,她在新加坡中学念书。每个假期,她都孤身一人乘坐长途巴士回返吉隆坡。陈妈妈表示:「我也不舍得孩子那小就离开家。可是难得新加坡政府提供奖学金让她到当地求学,新加坡的教育素质也很高,为了孩子将来的发展,我多麽不舍也要让她过去。」

英语教学吸引大马人

新加坡的教育体系是以英文为教学媒介语,马国则是以马来文为主要教学媒介语,这成为一些家长把孩子送往新加坡求学的原因之一。新加坡自一九六五年脱离马国独立後,四十二年来两国发展距离越来越远,教育体制也出现差距,导致一些家长为了让孩子接受更好的教育,把孩子从小就送到新加坡求学,其中以与新加坡相邻的新山最明显。每天清晨,天还未亮,新山通往新加坡的长堤,挤满了到新加坡工作和念书的人流车流。

除了大马华人,中国精英也是新加坡国家发展方略主要的吸纳对象。上世纪九十年代新加坡与中国建交後,新加坡对中国移民开放门户,允许中国人到新加坡留学和工作,中国人才成为狮城的主要外来人才之一。新加坡《联合早报》助理编辑主任周兆呈在一九九八年来到新加坡进入国立大学修读硕士学位,隔年进入《联合早报》工作迄今。老家在中国江苏省的周兆呈去年获得新加坡南洋理工大学博士学位,他与同样是来自中国的太太育有一名孩子,目前一家三口皆是新加坡永久居民。周兆呈对亚洲周刊说,当年他是要到国外深造,考虑到新加坡华人多,跟中国人的关系也密切,因此选择居留新加坡。

目前,在新加坡留学的中国学生,从小学到博士生各个阶段的学生总数约达三万人,在新加坡国立大学和南洋理工大学就读并获奖学金的中国学生,则分别有三千馀人和两千六百多人。由於领取大学奖学金需要在新加坡工作六年,因此,这批学生将成为未来新加坡移民的主力军。

新加坡吸引的中国人才主要是企业丶高科技丶体育及华文人才。由於新加坡华文水平不高,为了与中国接轨,新加坡希望其公民能掌握华语文,因此从中国输入大量华语文的人才,周兆呈的太太陈颖拥有徐州师范大学丶新加坡国立大学中文系硕士学位,她目前在新加坡义安理工学院担任中文系讲师,负责培训小学华文教师及华文媒体人才。由於缺乏华文人才,新加坡的媒体,广播及艺人界吸引不少来自中国的人才,优频道前任主播张海杰为新加坡人所熟悉的名字,当前着名艺人郭亮都具有中国背景。

体育一直是新加坡最弱的一环,狮城政府近年来致力於提高体育水平,希望成为区域体育强国,但人口总量不足是它的致命伤。为弥补本身不足,新加坡吸引不少来自中国的体育人才,在国际体坛为新加坡扬名的前任国家乒乓队主力井浚泓,以及当前主力李佳薇都是新加坡从中国挖掘的人才。

中国的高科技人才为致力发展生物科技丶生命科学及研发工作的新加坡提供不少精英,新加坡的区域金融中心也吸引不少中国企业进驻新加坡,以新加坡作为筹集资金开拓中国市场的据点,在这方面最成功的应是新加坡仁恒置地集团的董事局主席锺声坚。

上海移民名列富豪榜

已经入籍新加坡的锺声坚在新加坡的富豪榜上有名,他以新加坡为总部,积极开拓中国房地产,目前其产业计划遍布上海丶南京丶苏州丶天津丶珠海丶成都丶贵阳等长三角丶珠三角丶环渤海经济区以及西部地区。根据美国商业杂志《福布斯》(Forbes)公布最新全球富豪排名榜,从上海移居新加坡的仁恒置地主席兼总裁锺声坚,以十七亿美元的身家,首次上榜,排在全球的第五百八十三位。

马国财经分析机构资本投资董事经理陈鼎武表示,马国华人流失到新加坡是马国的损失:「如果这些华人精英都能留在马国服务,马国的国力将不是今天这种局面,甚至可以与新加坡相提并论。」除非马国政府修改政策,马国华人被新加坡吸引过去似乎是无法避免的事,这在一方面对马国华人是个好事,华人有个可以深造发挥所长的草原,不致於在种种限制的不利情况下衰败下去;不过对马国,那是一个让人伤痛的损失。

吸引外国移民除了是国家人口政策的主要成分之一,也是维持国家竞争力与经济成长的要素。副总理兼内政部长黄根成以美国作为例子,报告显示,美国移民人数较多的州属,就业机会比国家平均水平高。美国国家科学院在一九九七年也向国会提呈报告,指外来移民为美国经济带来一百亿美元的净收益。移民也为美国带来更高的生育率,根据美国移民研究中心的估计,在二零零二年,美国的新生婴儿里有二成三是由移民妈妈所生。

掌管国家人口政策的黄根成表示,美国的经验让新加坡了解到,人力是新加坡的重要及唯一的资源,可是,新加坡没有足够的婴儿,也没有足够的本土人才。他指出,新加坡的晶圆工业在二零零五年制造了一万五千个就业机会,其中八千个是生产线工作,七千个是工程师职务。然而新加坡公民及永久居民只能填补八成高技能的工程师职位及三分一的生产线空缺。

兼任国家人口委员会主席的副总理黄根成指出,新加坡要达到人口替代水平,每年需要六万名婴儿,但是目前每年出生的婴儿只有三万五千六百名,若加上像二零零六年那样成功吸引一万三千二百名外国人成为公民,新加坡仍然需要一万一千二百名外来人才填补缺口。新加坡从二零零一年至零四年批准外来人才成为公民的人数介於七千人,零五及零六年却超过一万人,显示新加坡对人口老化的忧虑。新加坡去年的生育率是一点二四,远比维持人口所需的二点零一的比率来得低,而且这个趋势还是一直往下滑。人力部长兼国防部第二部长黄永宏指出,新加坡人口若如日本每年都下降,那将造成很大的影响,这包括新加坡是否还有能力维持制造业丶国防及防务机构等的运作。

新加坡《联合早报》助理编辑主任周兆呈指出,新加坡吸引外国移民是「现实的必然」。他表示,从历史角度看,新加坡是个移民的国家,吸引外国人才是长期坚持的国策。从经济角度而言,新加坡是高度全球化的都市,新加坡要在各方面领先,单单依靠本土人才还是不够;而现有的新加坡人口也很难支撑兴旺的市场。此外,新加坡是高生活成本的都市,生活压力大导致国民生育率低,加上本身人才流失也多,吸引外国人才将是补充人力资源及维持竞争力的最经济及最快速方式。

周兆呈表示,新加坡吸引的高收入外国人才拥有广泛的人脉,他们将能为新加坡创造商业机会,提升新加坡作为国际商业中心的形象;而拥有特定技能的专业人才则大量填补新加坡的人才缺口,维持经济的动力。

为了配合可能的人口增长,国内各方面的建设也得同步进行。新加坡以六百五十万人口作为至二零三零年国家整体发展的规划指标,意味着在未来二十三年内新加坡人口将增加四成,其中一半将是外来移民。李美花表示,虽然政府并没有订下期限在什时候达到人口六百五十万,但必须为未来的发展领先几步。她指出,为了容纳这六百五十万人,政府必须为房屋建设丶水电供应丶医院学校的盖建及交通运输作好规划。新加坡目前土地面积只有六百九十二平方公里,人口稠密度为每平方公里六千二百零八人,一旦人口增加至六百五十万,人口密度将超越香港,达到每平方公里九千二百多人,成为全球人口第三稠密的国家及地区,仅排在摩纳哥及澳门之後。

新加坡政府也成立由黄根成监督的「新加坡侨民联系署」,加强同在海外留学丶工作及长期居住的新加坡人联系,鼓励这些人返国服务。新加坡统计局估计,至二零零五年,约有十四万三千名新加坡人在海外定居,当局相信这个数字将会越来越高。

除了大马及中国华人精英,新加坡为了吸纳外国人才成为新加坡永久居民,在二零零六年推行一系列新措施,包括改进新移民的申请程式并加强其灵活性和透明度丶推出个人化的就业准证及对外加强宣传新加坡为移民的理想地点。此外,政府也将让符合资格而有经济能力可在新加坡自费居留的外国大学毕业生和外国人有更充裕的时间在新加坡寻找工作。

为了方便在新加坡工作的外国人才成为永久居民或公民,新加坡移民与关卡局设计特别网页,让外国人才上网测试是否符合资格。此外,移民事务官员将化被动为主动,找合格的永久居民面谈,询问他们是否有意愿成为公民。根据以往经验,移民局会发函邀请符合资格的永久居民成为公民。

总理李显龙是新加坡最佳的促销员,他在去年的国庆庆典公开提及在马国出生丶但在二零零五年入籍新加坡的发型师颜天发,指他是新加坡未来应该吸引的人才。颜天发在新加坡工作已有二十三年,初到新加坡时,在发廊当洗发工人,每个月工资只有三十新元(约合二十美元),但他的吃苦精神及勤奋学习,终於让他成为着名的发型师,着名影星章子怡也是他的顾客。若根据新加坡移民局的标准,学历不高的颜天发完全不符合该局的移民标准;他说:「新加坡社会这保守,发型师一般上不被视为专才,我没有想到李总理会注意到我们。」然而李显龙认为,颜天发具备了该国多数人所缺乏的才干与技能,这是新加坡所要的人才。

本地人对移民政策忧虑

然而,新加坡大量与快速引入外来人才的政策也引起本地人民的忧虑,他们担忧外来人才夺走了他们的就业机会与机遇。根据英文《星期日时报》在今年初进行的一项调查,新加坡人对外来人才的出现总体上是持正面态度,但触及外来人才是否会抢走他们的就业机会时,绝大部分受调查者无不表示担忧。

不仅部分新加坡人对政府的移民政策有所疑虑,不少在新加坡留学丶工作的马国人在新加坡居住一段日子後选择返回马国。马国第八电视台主播陈嘉荣就是一个例子。在台湾政治大学新闻系毕业的陈嘉荣於一九九七年到新加坡新传媒担任主播,他指新加坡是一个非常好的吸收经验的地方,可是他脑海中一直有回返马国工作的念头。二零零一年的「九一一」发生後,已经三十岁的陈嘉荣开始思考人生未来:「我担心过了三十一岁再不回来(返马),就没有勇气再回来。」二零零四年电视业生态的转变导致发挥空间受压缩,终於推动他作出决定返马以实现理想。返马後,他与一批相同志向的朋友合力搞培养传播人才的工作。

尽管出现不同声音,但对地狭人少的新加坡来说,以吸纳移民作为国际发展方略的主要环节,已是必走的路。这几年,在新加坡政府积极吸引外来人才的努力下,新加坡社会已开始显现全球化的要素。

二零零五年,每四名新加坡男士中,就有一人迎娶外国新娘;约有七万名外国学生在新加坡求学,政府希望至二零一二年,外国学生人数能增加至十五万。目前,新加坡工艺学院一成的学生及大学五分一的学生是外国人。从二零零零年至零六年,平均每年吸引五万名移民,但新加坡出生的婴儿却只有三万五千五百人。

世界各国都在抢夺人才。到了二零三零年,当新加坡人口达到六百五十万时,这个国家将成为东方的纽约,一个汇集全球精英及专才的移民大都会,估计占总人口一半的外来人才将确保新加坡成为一个具有动力丶活力及创造力的城市花园,花香处处。

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

马青企图混淆选民视线


最近马青上至总团宣传局,下至森州马青分团团长符明治和该州马青宣传局频频以封建之名,胡乱为行动党扣帽子。

这是不踏踏实实、不堂堂正正,也是不清清白白的做法,因此马青这种做法与马华总会长的呼吁是大有出入。

这也是马青继总团长廖仲莱在污蔑‘行动党对建国没有贡献’后被迫偷换题目的另一个不踏踏实实、不堂堂正正,也是不清清白白的做法。

既然蔡金星希望寰宇电视(ASTRO)著名电视时事论坛揭幕《就事论事》能够现场直播这场马青与社青团对垒的辩论节目,那么蔡金星至少也应该要有实事求是的精神,而不是胡乱扣行动党帽子。

如果蔡金星能够实事求是,那么他至少能够理解,马华一方面由黄家定担任总会长,另一方面其胞兄黄家泉又出任马华的总秘书;黄家定一方面在雪森二州担任马华联委会主席;马华署理总长陈广才同时是彭亨州联委会主席之外,也是槟州联委会主席。

马华党内权力如此高度集中,蔡金星如果能够实事求是,那么他首先应该承认马华是一个封建政党。

如果蔡金星以及其他马青基层领袖只是一再搬弄林辉明及王志坚事件,这不只是显示马青无法实事求是,同时也显示马青的技穷。

试问,若不是马华在背后部署,利诱林辉明跳槽,林辉明会如此爽快更改口径加入马华?

至于王志坚事件实属个人领导能力不佳,不值得马华一再搬弄是非或者颠倒是非!

当然,如果我们依循实事求是的原则,那么马青总团如果愿意接受行动党的公开辩论挑战,那么敢怒敢为的马青就应该大大方方的接受辩论,而不是一直在题目上拘泥小节、摇摆不定。

我们不明白为何马青总团一直无法抬出总团长出来代表马青进行这场辩论?我们认为这场辩论应该以团长对团长、署理团长对署理团长、副团长对副团长、总秘书对总秘书,或是全国理事对马青中委的形式来进行,因为这是依据一般的辩论形式(Protocol)来进行。

依此类推,如果马青委派联邦直辖区州分团团长方振平为辩论员,那么他的对手应该是联邦直辖区社青团团长刘镇东,而不是社青团总秘书陆兆福或社青团团长倪可敏。

然而,如果双方搬出二三线领袖来辩论,辩论会有意义吗?只有一线领袖出来辩论,他们的言论才能真正代表双方各自代表的政党,他们的发言才是有份量的言论。这点最基本的政治逻辑,难道蔡金星还不明白吗?

Monday, March 26, 2007

Exposed! - Klang Municipal Council Officers Acted Roughly


Klang Municipal Council (MPK) enforcement officers behaving high-handedly with the ordinary public, as in the following clip from a camera phone on Star online report, “Fine mess, says tailor in MPK incident”.

What was all the hullaballoo about? Over parking ticket!

KLANG: Humiliated and enraged, that’s how Pua Chia Teng feels after several Klang Municipal Council (MPK) enforcement officers dragged him from his shop and bundled him into a car before taking him to the police headquarters here, all over a parking fine.

Pua, 35, a tailor at Jalan Raja Hassan said it started over a parking fine issued at 2pm on Wednesday.

“It all began with my elder brother Khiau Seong. He had parked his Mercedes Benz along Jalan Raja Hassan without a parking coupon. As an MPK parking attendant walked towards the car, Khiau Seong shouted out at him not to issue a compound as he was on his way out,” he said.

He said the attendant ignored his brother's plea.

“Khiau Seong rushed out and within minutes a scuffle had broken out. I ran out and separated them while two other attendants watched. The three MPK attendants then walked away and Khiau Seong drove off,” he said.

Pua added that 10 minutes later, a group of MPK enforcement officers barged into his shop demanding he follow them to the Klang police headquarters to give a statement regarding the scuffle. He refused.

Pua said the officers then dragged him from his shop and forced him into their car. They then drove to the police headquarters.

“I was dragged out in full view of passers-by and other shop owners. It was humiliating,” Pua said.

“At the police headquarters, I had to pay RM1,000 bail to be released,” he said.

Selangor DAP deputy chairman Peter Tan said he plans legal action over the matter.

“It is unbecoming of the staff to act in such a manner,” he said.

Council president Abdul Bakir Zin declined to comment on the way his men had taken Pua to the police headquarters.

Asked about a video of the incident posted on the Internet, Bakir said, “Let the police investigate as a report has been lodged.”

The complainant was in the Parliament today to highlight the case to Datuk Seri Nazri in his capasity as Parliamentary Human Right Caucus Chairman.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

TARC graduate denied entry into police force, from Mkini

TARC graduate denied entry into police force
Bede Hong
Mar 24, 07 5:46pm
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As a child in the early 1980s, he saw firsthand police at work in fighting off the last remnants of the communist threat in Raub, Pahang.

Several doses of Jackie Chan’s Police Story series later, he decided that his calling is to fight crime and keep the peace.

Unfortunately, after graduating with a degree, Soo Pak Leong is denied his dream despite repeated attempts to sign up.

Now at age 27, he is too old to be considered by the police force.

Soo’s problem was simple - his degree, a Bacher of Science from Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) is not recognised by the Public Service Department.

The department determines academic qualifications that are recognised by the government sector.

“I have a strong urge to join, but the system does not allow me,” Soo told reporters at a press conference at DAP Selangor headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Three attempts

While not angry at the government, Soo is “frustrated” and “very very disappointed.”

He has applied three times to join the police, taken his case to numerous departments and had even aired his grievances on radio earlier this year.

His is not an unique case, said DAP Selangor secretary Lau Weng San.

“It’s another disappointing scenario when the government and MCA have been urging the Chinese to join the police force and yet we have this case where Soo was turned down,” he said.

Lau blamed the MCA youth education bureau for not trying hard enough to get Soo into the police force.

TARC was established in 1969 by the MCA. The Chinese-majority party partly funds the college.

Soo’s first applied for the cadet assistant superintendent of police in 2004. He was 24. It was rejected with no reasons given.

He tried again the following year, again with no reply. Before Soo reached the ceiling age of 25, he tried again, this time for the Inspector post.

Disturbing question

This time, Bukit Aman replied and said that his qualifications was not recognised. After further enquiries, the PSD concurred.

Lau said the MCA has to answer one disturbing question. Why are TARC qualifications not recognised by the government. Their graduates used to have great career prospects in the private sector,” said Lau.

Referring to MCA’s attempts to get recognition for degrees from two universities in China, Peking University and Qin Hua University, he said the party should not abandon its college at home when thousands of TARC students are not recognised.

Meanwhile, Soo described his current job, a network engineer, as “so far, so good.”

Asked if he would still join the police force if given the opportunity, he replied, “For sure I would. I know that police work is where I can fully utilise my passion and knowledge.”

“But I just want to let other people know, especially Chinese parents, that if their children want to join the government service, they should go through STPM first and check with the PSD,” he added.

Another classic example of NEP in works!


The DAP has received a complaint from a graduate of Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC).

Details of the complainant and his complaints are as followed:

Name: Soo Pak Leong

Age:
27 years old

Current occupation:
Network engineer.

Academic qualification:
Advanced Diploma in Science / Diploma Lanjutan Sains (Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman 2003) and Bachelor of Science (degree conferred by Campbell University 2003).
Complaints:

  1. Graduated from TARC at 2003.
  2. Have been applying to join the Royal Malaysian Police Force (PDRM) for three times since 24 year-old (year 2004) as Cadet ASP but in vain.
  3. Applied for the second time in year 2005 as Cadet ASP.
  4. Nobody from the government replied that his application failed. PDRM’s Website has mentioned that if applicant is not called for interview within three months from the application, then the application is considered failed.
  5. Last application for Inspector was made in year 2006 when Soo reached the ceiling age 25 year-old to apply to be a police. (Soo has yet to reach the age of 26 years old at the time of application).
  6. Has seek clarification from Bukit Aman on his application status (previous failure) during the third application. Have been advised that the his qualificatios are not recognized.
  7. Seek further clarification fron PSD on 1st June 2006. Zuraini bt Abidin, Officer from the Recognition of Qualification Unit, Training Division of Public Service Department of Malaysia replied his email on 5th June 2006 that his academic qualification is not yet recognized by the government for the purpose of recruitment in the public service sector.
  8. Have raised this matter with My FM programme “我有权投” (Wo You Quan Tou – I got the right to complain) on 23rd February 2007
  9. Wee Ka Siong, MCA Youth Education Bureau Chief replied that this is not the first time that the PSD refused to recognize academic qualification from TARC and that the MCA Youth will pursue this issue.
It is indeed another classic example of discriminative policy by the government of the day when TAR College (TARC) graduates’ academic qualification is not recognized by the government of the day, a failure which MCA, the founder of the higher education institute cannot deny.

Soo Pak Leong is a graduate from TARC whereby he received an Advanced Diploma in Advanced Diploma in Science / Diploma Lanjutan Sains (Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman 2003) and Bachelor of Science (degree conferred by Campbell University 2003).

He has applied to join the Police force three times consecutively since 2004 but he failed in all his three applications and now that he could not apply again as he has reached the maximum age limit.

It is another disappointing scenario when the government and MCA has been urging the Chinese to join the police force and yet we have another case here where Soo was turned down.

It is also mind-boggling as to why TARC academic qualifications are not recognized by the government when TARC graduates used to have great career prospect in private sector throughout the years.

MCA should not ‘abandon’ its own college at home when it struggles for government recognition Chinese Studies Bachelor Degree conferred by two prestigious universities from China, namely Peking University and Qing Hua University, when at home, thousands of students in TARC are not recognized by the government.

Is MCA hiding this very crucial and important fact from the public, especially its students and parents that the qualification is not recognized by the government?

Should MCA and the management of the college make this clear to its potential students and parents for their next intake?

The DAP will pursue this issue and we will raise this in the current parliament sitting and the Ministry of Higher Education and Ministers in the PM Department will be asked such questions.

DAP did not boycott Batu Talam by-election, Liow Tiong Lai should not mix up!

MCA Youth Chief Liow Tiong Lai yesterday issued another malicious statement in Kota Bharu when he accused the Opposition as inconsistent in their statement and stands as the Opposition now decided to contest in Machap by-election when they boycotted the Batu Talam by-election in January 2007.

Liow should be concise and accurate in his statement as he should not treat all Opposition parties as the same. DAP has since Batu Talam by-election clarified that it is not the decision of DAP to boycott any by-election or General Election. DAP did not contest in the Batu Talam by-election simply because the state seat is not our traditional seat and we did not even contest during the 2004 General Election. To say that DAP’s stand is inconsistent is something extremely malicious.

Furthermore, the DAP has clarified that if a by-election were to be held in a seat that the DAP had previously contested, then naturally the DAP will not boycott but to contest in the by-election. This is also why we contested in the Machap by-election this time.

As for Batu Talam, the seat was previously contested by UMNO and PAS, therefore the DAP did not contest in the by-election. Liow Tiong Lai shall not issue such malicious statement prior to the Machap by-election.

If Liow Tiong Lai does not know how to differentiate between “not contest” and “boycott”, or he chooses to mix up between DAP and KeADILan, then he should immediately sign up for History of Local Politics class with MCA Party School so that he can have a quick catch-up before making more mistakes in his statement.

廖仲莱不应发表谬论

马青总团长廖中莱昨天在哥打巴鲁发表谬论,指责反对党的言词反覆无常,上次杯葛峇都达南州议席补选,今次又有意参选马接区州议席补选,难给予人民交代。

廖仲莱应该针对事实发表正确的言论,而不是把所有反对党当作是铁板一块来看待。这是因为行动党打从今年一月的巴都达南补选便表示不会杯葛任何选举或补选。行动党没有参与巴都达南补选,乃是因为该选区并不是行动党的传统出战的选区。因此,廖仲莱指责包括行动党在内的在野党是乌合之众,这是具有高度诽谤性质的言论。

任何选区如果必须进行补选,而之前选举行动党曾经出战该选区,那么行动党必然会派遣代表出战。以此类推,如果马接州议席在上届大选由行动党出战,那么这次补选行动党自然会出战。

至于巴都达南补选,行动党在上届大选没有出战这个选区,因此自然不会派员出战。廖仲莱不应该在补选前夕频频发表如此言论,以混淆选民视线。

如果廖仲莱搞不清楚‘不参选’和‘杯葛’的差别;或者是他故意把行动党和公正党混为一谈,那么本着‘终身学习’的精神,他应该要赶紧向马华党校报读本土政治近代史,而不是一直妄顾历史现实而发表谬论!

Friday, March 23, 2007

纳吉不应该把所有反对党混为一谈

副首相纳吉昨日说,反对党在短短几个月时间,从杯葛巴都达南州议席补选到目前参与马接州议席补选,显示反对党的立场没有一贯性。

他说,反对党表明杯葛巴都达南补选,但暗地里却展开竞选活动,此次他们参与马接补选,不再杯葛了,这反映他们的立场不一致。

行动党要澄清的是,行动党并没有杯葛任何选举或补选。行动党没有参与巴都达南补选,乃是因为该选区并不是行动党的传统出战的选区。纳吉指责在野党,包括行动党立场不一贯是子虚乌有的言论。

任何选区如果必须进行补选,而之前选举行动党曾经出战该选区,那么行动党必然会派遣代表出战。以此类推,如果马接州议席在上届大选由行动党出战,那么这次补选行动党自然会出战。

至于巴都达南补选,行动党在上届大选没有出战这个选区,因此自然不会派员出战。纳吉以及国阵领导人不应该在补选前夕频频发表如此言论,以混淆选民视线。

如果有人搞不清楚‘不参选’和‘杯葛’的差别;如果有人把行动党和公正党混为一谈,这可真的是太糟糕了。

Ka Ting’s allegation malicious

DAP categorically denies that the party has any electoral pact with PAS.

MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting alleged yesterday that a PAS-DAP alliance was in the making for the upcoming Machap by-election.


Ka Ting’s statement is a clear indication that the second largest partner in Barisan Nasional has no confidence to debate and articulate policy matters in the by-election.

Instead of convincing the voters to endorse BN’s policies, MCA is resorting to age-old negative campaign tactics to spread fear and lies, such as that of a PAS-DAP alliance.

Just because PAS has indicated its disinterest in contesting in the Machap by-election, Ka Ting says it all points to a pact between PAS and DAP. His reasoning is completely nonsensical.

DAP’s stand on the issue of Islamic State is crystal-clear: the party supports neither an ‘Islamic state ala UMNO’ nor an ‘Islamic State ala PAS’. So long as PAS promotes an agenda to form an Islamic State in the country, there will be no cooperation from DAP.

黄家定含血喷人

马华总会长黄家定再次违背马华要打造健康政治文化的“九大政纲”,污篾回教党宣布不参选马接区州议席补选,其实是从中帮助民主行动党的一种策略。

民主行动党郑重声明,民主行动党与回教党没有任何结盟或合作关系,因此黄家定不应该含血喷人硬指回教党暗助民主行动党。


黄家定的这种说法完全没有事实根据,而且有颠倒是非、指鹿为马的意图。身为马华总会长,黄家定没有贯彻打造健康的政治文化,要如何让人对其领导信服呢?

马华硬指回教党暗助民主行动党,显示马华准备在马接区州议席补选,大肆玩弄回教国的课题。

这也显示马华没有很强的信心,来说服选民相信马华有能力针对新经济政策、固打制等课题抗衡巫统的霸权,藉以让选民投选国阵所推出的候选人。

任何有基本常识的政治工作者都清楚,某个政党表态不参选,并不能等同有关政党暗助另一个政党。

同样地,回教党表态不参选,并不等同回教党暗助民主行动党。如果马华矜驴技穷到这种地步,这当然是马华领导人的最大悲哀!

民主行动党从来没有要求回教党让路,更没有针对补选事宜跟回教党领导人有过任何接触。即使回教党要派人上阵,我们也会在马接区州议席补选力战到底。

由于回教党坚持推行回教国议程,民主行动党坚拒跟回教党合作,这是众所皆知的事情。可惜,马华领导人竟懵懂到搞不清楚这一点,简直让人难以置信!

对于任何大选或补选,民主行动党的立场始终如一,即我们坚持会参选而坚决不抵制。而且,凡是我们在上届大选出征的选区,我们肯定在来届大选继续派人上阵。

Thursday, March 22, 2007

马大搞什么鬼?

《当今大马》刊登一则关于我的母校——马来亚大学的新闻。

读了之后,心中感到阵痛。

我们的大学究竟在搞什么东西?

好好的一座学府,竟然沦为学术人员和私人公司勾结的牟利的场所。

希望学生们能够挺身告诉我们类似的消息。

要不然,马大迟早会沦落!

学生沦为保险公司免费劳工
新青年促马大废技能工作营
07年3月20日 下午1:39 调整字体大小:

针对马来亚大学文学院,强制威迫应届毕业学生参与和保险公司联办的软技能(Soft Skill)课程工作营一事,并导致学生为保险公司做免费劳工的投诉一事,马大新青年协会深感不满,并质疑是否有存在某种金钱上的挂钩。

昨日,有一群马大文学院应届毕业召开记者会,揭露校方强制应届毕业生参加所谓的软技能工作营,不过竟发现这个为期一天的工作营,竟然是变相的保险产品说明会,而且他们还被迫为一家保险代理公司充当免费劳工,为这家公司推广产品及收集顾客联络资料。

然而马大文学院副院长茜蒂罗海妮在受询时却表示,这起事件纯粹是误会所导致。

不过,新青年协会认为文学院当局绝对不可能不知道这个课程的内容,而若已知晓该公司的目的却又批准,这中间的种种黑箱运作让人不禁会联想到两者之间可能有利益关系。

促文学院给予合理交代

因此,新青年协会主席傅後特促请马大文学院当局能就此事给与受影响的学生一个合理的交代与解释,因为这除了能够证明有关方面的清白,也能让受影响的学生安心。

“我们也强烈呼吁马大当局停止类似的挂羊头卖狗肉保险工作营。”

除此之外,新青年协会认为高教部也应对此事的发生,负上一定的责任。高教部在指示各大专为学生提供软技能课程(Soft Skill)时的决定过于仓促,未有认真的检讨与研究。

新青年协会认同高教部所说的现在的大专生缺乏沟通与独立思考的能力。但是,设立类似的课程是治标不治本的方法,其结果就像之前的大专生再培训计划一样浪费金钱与时间。

它认为真正导致现有大专生缺乏沟通能力的原因是原于我国的填鸭式教育制度。同时,我国普遍倾向考试至上的教育制度使到现今的大专生只专注如何考取好成绩,而忽略了人与人之间的沟通技巧。这样僵化的思维,出产的都是罐头大专生,失业率也当然会居高不下。

除此之外,大专法令也导致大专生不敢发表自己的意见与看法。同时,大专法令也限制大专生参与社团的权力。我们都知道,参与社团活动是最能直接提高社交或沟通技巧的直接管道,但是基于大专法令的限制,大专生不被允许参与外界的社团活动,这当然直接导致大专生的沟通能力出现问题。

新青年协会也呼吁高教部重新检讨仓促推行的软技能(Soft Skill)课程,同时应该检讨我国的教育制度与废除大专法令,因为这才是治标又治本地解决大专生缺乏沟通技巧的方法。

中选议员没有请辞跳槽=健康政治文化?

健康政治文化就是鼓励中选议员在没有请辞的情况下跳槽?

马华公会上下最近针对林辉明跳槽马华事件频频向行动党发难。除了‘太上总编辑’胡亚桥之外,最近加入战围的还包括上议员李志强以及芙蓉区会宣传局主任周韦发市议员。

‘太上总编辑’胡亚桥认为行动党强求林辉明辞职,让马口区州议席悬空,以便进行补选是不合理的,因为此举徒然劳民伤财,浪费人民和国家的资源而已。

李志强直指行动党没有民主,周韦发则拿行动党的内部问题大做文章。

胡亚桥、李志强以及周韦发三人皆没有针对行动党的立场作出回应,那就是到底中选议员在没有请辞的情况下跳槽到其它政党,不管是从执政党跳槽到在野党,还是从在野党跳槽到执政党;不管是从一个在野党跳槽到另一个在野党,还是从一个执政党跳槽到另一个执政党?

这三人之中,没有一人能够为我们以及广大马口选民的疑惑提供让人信服的答案!

令人惊讶的是,‘太上总编辑’胡亚桥更直言进行不宣誓劳民伤财,浪费人民和国家的资源。

既然马华打出九大政纲,总会长黄家定也口口声声说要全党领袖与党员“堂堂正正做人,清清白白做官,务务实实做事”,那么马华就必须拿出那一丁点的道德勇气,显示他们言出必行,要不然九大政纲就是马华公会拿来造谣撞骗‘讲爽’而已。

如果马华“堂堂正正做人,清清白白做官,务务实实做事”,难道马华不能堂堂正正、清清白白、务务实实地参加补选吗?

如果不能,黄家定应该立即收回九大政纲,撤回“堂堂正正做人,清清白白做官,务务实实做事”。

要不然,如果日后任何马华议员跳槽到其他政党,不管是在野党还是其他执政党, 马华公会不好以九大政纲、打造健康政治文化等等说辞来谴责这名议员。

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

林辉明背叛马口选民

林辉明如果是一名认同马华‘健康政治文化’的州议员,那么他在跳槽马华之后应该做的第一件事就是马上辞去马口区州议员席位,通过补选重新寻求选民的委托。

马华总会长黄家定所倡导的“马华九大政纲”,第一条政纲就是要打造健康政治文化,以期为民族的未来前景开创新格局、打造新希望。

然而,黄家定招揽林辉明从民主行动党跳糟至马华,等于自打嘴巴,违背本身所倡导的健康政治文化!

近日来,马华上下选择以攻击行动党的方式来替林辉明解围,故意回避辞职补选的基本问题。但是我们扪心自问,如果马华自己本身都不能遵循这个基本原则,那么马华的九大政纲岂不是政治花瓶?

林辉明在退党初期口口声声表示推当时因为被森州行动党排挤,既然是森州行动党,那么问题自然没有牵涉整个行动党。林辉明如果觉得遭人排挤,那么他应该与其他中央领袖好好商谈如何解决这个问题,而不是冒然退党,让中央领袖哑子吃黄莲。

更何况林辉明曾经说过,谁赌他会跳槽的必然大输。这是林辉明在3月1日所说的话,但是相隔14天,林辉明却大转口风,宣布跳槽马华。

马华上下如果真的认为这是行动党内部弱点所致,为什么这些问题他们却没有看到?还是他们视而不见?

这是不是因为马华不费一兵一卒取下马口区州议席,所以马华根本不想提什么‘健康政治文化’,只希望以所谓的‘行动党弱点’来掩饰整个问题的症结?

如果日后马华中选的国州议员,也可以自由跳糟到其他政党,而且不需辞职制造补选?

如果不能在道义上向选民负责,马华的‘健康政治文化’不仅是绝对没有意义,同时也是一个用以自欺欺人的政治花瓶。

林辉明口口声声说他认同马华的‘九大政纲’、‘健康政治’云云,但是他不知道,他背叛的不不只是行动党,也同时背叛马口选民。

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Double Track - Another election goodies??


All in a sudden, we have this news that the Cabinet has decided to continue the double-track railway project.

Will this be another election goodies since the government had once decided to shelved the project in 2004?

Thursday, March 15, 2007

高等教育文凭成绩放榜——马青能够不能够制度性地解决问题?

马来西亚教育文凭在上周已经放榜了。今天则是马来西亚高等教育文凭的成绩放榜。数以万计的考生今天已经前往他们的学校领取他们的成绩。

今天以后,这群考生将通过网路,开始填写申请就读政府大学的电子表格。考获佳绩的学生固然能够喜上眉梢,但是政府是否能够确保他们在大学录取成绩出来之后也能够继续以同样的笑容踏入他们心属的大学和科系?

这并不是一个新鲜的问题,更不是一个种族性课题。它已经成为一个季节性的课题,原因就是每年一到5、6月,这个课题自然‘发作’,成为众人之热门课题,也称为急先锋马青的捞取政治资本的好课题

但是,马青从固打制到绩效制,再从绩效制到‘苹果与橙子’ 的问题,不仅无法在政策上一劳永逸的解决问题,反之却不亦乐乎当起消防员。

固打制的问题其实非常容易说明白。那是一个不以绩效或表现来录取新生的制度。它把特定学位让给某一部分学生。相反的,绩效制就是以学术成绩来录取新生,并没有保留任何学额给某一些学生。这些类比都是每个人都能够明白的。

批判固打制的疏漏,其最主要的成分就是在于新生录取标准完全不取决于个人的成绩表现。今天,绩效制虽然实行了,但是却引发另一场争议,那就是苹果与橙子的问题。我在2004年6月8日曾经在报章专栏提到现有大学收取新生制度的弱点,以及政府应该正视解决的问题。这些问题就是:
第一、 大学预科班虽然是由大学开办,但是若与大马高级教育文凭考生或剑桥A水准考生的学术表现来做比较的话,大学预科班学生的表现确实有待加强。大马独有的绩效制强硬把大学预科班和高级教育文凭化作简单的同等。这自然也不具绩效意义。一名以CGPA3.89的佳绩进入马大化学工程的预科班同学,却无法在马大学士课程考获同样的佳绩。

第二、 现行制度虽然打着绩效制的名堂,但是除了苹果与橙子的问题以外,我们其实有许多问题尚未解决,这包括如何公平地计算录取新生的分数。政府应公布每年国立大专院校开办科系的最低录取分数(也就是我们所讲的Cutting Point),并且把所录取的新生成绩也公布出来,让整个录取程序更具透明度地运作。

第三、 如此的‘绩效制’倘若继续实行下去,各国立大专有必要提高大专预科班的学术程度与考试制度,至少预科班的成绩应该交予独立的稽查团体监督,以确保预科班的教育水平和考试制度能够与高等教育文凭及剑桥‘A’水平入学考试平起平坐,如此才能真正地实行真正的绩效制。

第四、 除非政府提高考试的艰难度,或者是增加科目,国立大专的学额应该在不会牺牲教育素质的情况下随着时间增加。这也意味着国立大专的软硬体设备都应该逐渐提升,因为考获良好成绩的学生已经逐年增加,及格率也逐渐提升。要不然,面对逐年增长的优秀生数目,政府绝对不能坐视不理。

第五、 谴责把这个课题当作是炒作民族英雄材料的无良政客。不要忘记,我们谈的是教育以及建国议程。建国需要专材,如果没有专材,怎么建国?
我在3年前提出这个问题。3年已经过去了,但是马青能不能够告诉我们他们在这3年之内争取到什么成绩?

Legalise UMNO’s containers– DAP Selangor to pursue

DAP Selangor would like to register our strongest disagreement against the MPSJ’s decision to legalise the cabins squatting on open spaces and we will fully pursue the issue to fight for the legitimate rights of the residents.

The issue was reported in today’s The Sun as front page report which quoted the President of Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) as saying that the Council has already approved the legalized cabins placed illegally in open spaces by issuing them temporary permits which are valid till end of the year.

The information we received that about 30 residents from Bandar Bukit Puchong from BBP Section 3 have signed to protest against two illegally placed cabins on Jalan BBP 3/4 as UMNO temporary offices. The cabins are said to have occupied the place for 8 months. There is another cabin in Jalan BBP 3/8.

Lawyer representing the residents Mr Eugene Mark told the press that when the residents launched a signature campaign to protest against the illegal cabins, they were assaulted and harassed by a group of thugs consisted of 20 men who claimed that they were from UMNO Bukit Puchong. The residents have sought help from Gerakan MP for Puchong Lau Yan Peng but he failed to turn up to provide assistance.

We fail to understand why MPSJ could make such a u-turn to legalise the cabins and not taking any actions against the law-breakers. Moreover, the council and Selangor MB have previously claimed that the owners of the cabins must apply Temporary Occupancy License (TOL) before they can squat their cabins in open spaces.

The council has put up a reason that ‘only a small group of residents protested’. Actually the problem at it’s first hand is not so much about the number of residents protested by of whether the council has followed proper procedure before they decided to legalise the cabins.

And now the council claimed that the requirement of TOL is only applicable on “permanent structures, made of concrete with parking lots and so on and that these cabins are mobile and easily removable. We want to know why the council president could make such a drastic changes in stand? Are there any political pressure? If yes, then who exert the pressure? Is this person so strong until Puchong MP Lau Yan Peng can succumb to him?

Lau Yan Peng as Puchong MP should know that he is a people representative elected by majority of the people and he shall take up the case without fear or favour. Is he depending on the UMNO to ensure he can defend his seat under BN ticket for the next general election? If this is the case, Lau Yan Peng shall step down as he is no longer credible as an elected MP.

巫统集装箱非法占据休闲空间——雪州行动党将全力追究

雪州行动党对于梳邦在也市议会突然批准巫统蒲种区部位于蒲种山岭镇(Taman Bukit Puchong)的集装箱办公室感到非常不满,并将会全力追究此事。

今天的《太阳报》 封面新闻报道梳邦市议会主席阿特南的一项决定,那就是市议会已经决定允许巫统蒲种区部的集装箱办公室继续占据蒲种山岭镇的一片空地。这片空地其实是座落在该花园住宅区的儿童游乐场上。

我们所收集的资料显示,蒲种山岭镇第3 区逾30户人家已经签名反对巫统区部在3/4路的草场置放两个集装箱,充作巫统临时会所。这个集装箱已经非法占据儿童游乐场长达8个月。巫统也在同一个花园3/8路上置放一个集装箱。

当地居民的代表律师尤津麦卡曾经向传媒指出,当居民在1月27日在该处展开签名运动,争取向市议会下令拆除或迁移这两座集装箱时,他们曾遭一群20多名自称是巫统党员的男子粗言恐吓,当众有数位男子更与居民发生肌体冲突,所幸居民并没有受伤。当地居民也曾经向当地国会议员卢永平投诉,但是卢永平却临阵退缩,也没有为居民提供任何援助。

梳邦再也市议会不但没有采取行动对付这些无法无天、目中无法、甚至是公然违反法律的巫统领袖,最后还批准有关集装箱继续留在该处占据居民的休闲空间。我们对此感到非常不满。更何况,市议会和雪州州务大臣之前曾经表示集装箱主人必须向土地局申请临时地契,方能在任何公共场合,如公园游乐场置放集装箱。

市议会也表示只有‘一小撮’居民反对巫统在该处置放集装箱。我们认为市议会不应该转移视线,因为问题的重点是市议会是否已经依据正常的程序来处理这个问题。

现在市议会主席却反过来说这个条例只适用于用洋灰建筑的固定建筑物。雪州行动党无法认同市议会这种前后不一的言论。市议会是否受到某方面的政治压力而必须扭转之前的决定呢?如果是,到底这个政治压力是谁?为何这个政治压力能够把当地的民政党国会议员卢永平也压下来?

卢永平身为蒲种区国会议员,理应有勇气站出来为居民所写公道话,而不是一直畏首畏尾,患得患失地避开整个问题。他应该知道,他是一名人民选出来的国会议员,不是巫统选出来的国会议员。卢永平是不是希望靠拢巫统来获得来届大选代表国阵的上阵蒲种的机会?如果是的话,那么他本人已经不配成为当地居民的喉舌。

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Coffee Talk On Current Economic Affairs by DAP PJ Action Team


Coffee Talk
On Current Economic Affairs
by DAP PJ Action Team


Date: 15/3/2007

Time: 8:30pm

Venue: DAP HQ, 24 Jalan 20/9, Taman Paramount,
46300, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Speaker: Sdr Tony Pua, Economic Advisor to the Secretary-General.

Moderator: Sdr Lau Weng San, Chairman of PJ Action Team.

Medium of Language: English

All are invited!

Reduce oil price despite better quality

The Director-General of Department of Environment Datuk Rosnani Ibrahim tow days ago commented in News Straits Times that low-sulphur petrol and diesel with 0.05 percent of sulphur which comply with EURO II emissions standards will be available next month.

With lower sulphur content, it is believed that the fuel would become more environmental friendly. Rosnani also elaborated that oil companies should be able to absorb any extra cost in coming out with lower sulphur content fuel.

DAP welcomes the introduction of low-sulphur fuel in Malaysian market but would like to reiterate that until there is an alternative for motorists, either in the form of an improved and efficient public transportation system, lower oil price or introduction of alternative fuel like biofuel in the market, else the introduction of low-suphur fuel in Malaysian petrol kiosks will be less meaningful if it is not coupled with any of the three alternatives above, especially the latter two.

When the government decided to increase oil price by 30 sen on 28th February 2006, international crude oil price is only USD 60 a barrel. Although it has surged to more than USD 70 a barrel, international crude oil price later stabilized at price below USD 60 per barrel, a level which is lower the level it was when the government increased the price. At one time, it even dropped to close to USD 51 per barrel, raising much concern from motorists to demand the government to reduce oil price.

Government assurance in early January 2007 that there will be no price hike for petrol and gasoline is equally meaningless as the valid concern of motorists today is not about the government is going to increase the price or not, but of whether the government is ready to cut the price to reflect it’s actual level in international market as what the government justified when oil price was increased one year ago.

Although the introduction of B5 biodiesel (5 percent palm oil mixed with 95 percent diesel) is much lauded when it was launched in mid 2006, there has not been much improvement except that the production of biodiesel is mainly to serve foreign markets. Worst still when there are only five companies out of 90 companies are active biodiesel production companies.

This is not quite encouraging when the fuel has not been able to be marketed in domestic market to serve as alternative fuel for motorists. Is the government more interested to market the fuel in oversea markets rather than benefiting domestic motorists with more affordable and cleaner fuel?

The question is clearly not so much on the quality of the fuel we use but more on the right-to-choose we have as consumers and motorists.

虽然燃料素质将会提高,但是政府更应降低油价

环境局总监拿督罗斯纳妮•依布拉欣两天前在《新海峡时报》针对国内所有石油公司将会在4月份推出的低硫磺成分的燃料,取代现有的高硫磺燃料而表示欢迎。

她说这种燃料的硫磺成分只有0.05巴仙,和现有燃料的0.15巴仙硫磺成分来的低,而且也符合欧盟EURO II标准,降低环境污染。罗斯纳妮也希望各大石油公司能够吸纳额外的成本,以鼓励驾车人士使用这类染料。

虽然行动党固然欢迎国内各大石油公司推出环保型的低硫磺燃料,但是我们依然认为如果真的要驾车人士提供廉宜的替代性方案,当局应该提升国内的公共交通系统、降低燃油价格以及积极推广生物柴油的使用。要不然,石油公司所推出的第硫磺燃料对广大的驾车人士意义不大。

当政府在去年2月28日决定把汽油、柴油以及石油气的价格纷纷调高30仙的时候,当时的国际原油价格是每桶60美元。虽然去年国际原油价格曾经突破至每桶70美元,但是现在的价格已经稳定在每桶60美元以下,而且曾一度下降至每桶51美元。人民也随此要求政府依据国际原油价格的下降而降低石油价格。


政府在这方面的回应是令人失望的。政府在今年1月通过第二财政部长丹斯里诺莫哈默耶谷表示政府不会跳高汽油价格。其实这句话是没有意义的,因为驾车人士关心的不再是到底起又会否再次被调高,而是为何政府迟迟不敢根据国际原油价格的下降而调低石油价格。


虽然政府在去年年中正式推介ENVO5生物柴油,但是我国的生物柴油生产似乎没有什么显著的进展。目前马来西亚生产的生物柴油只是供出口用途,完全没有在本地销售。更严重的是政府虽然已经批准多达90张生物柴油生产执照,只有区区5件公司是活跃的公司。


如果政府真正要为驾车人士提供替代性的燃料,那么政府更应该首先照顾国内的驾车人士的利益。难道政府更有兴趣输出生物柴油,为的就是赚取更多外汇?


问题显然不是在于燃料的素质,而是身为驾车人士和消费者的人民到底拥有多少选择权?

Monday, March 12, 2007

The call for an Islamic State in a plural society like Malaysia is not only unconstitutional but also incompatible with the plurality of this country

It seems that PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has not given up the hope to turn Malaysia into an Islamic State.

Hadi Awang also twists and turns the fact that there was no reason why they (the non-Muslim) could not accept the concept of an Islamic state, since non-Malays accepted capitalism, socialism and other Western ideologies, as reported in today News Straits Times.

DAP Selangor would like to remind Hadi about the very fundamental foundation of the country – despite that Islam is the religion of the Federation, Malaysia is not an Islamic State and other religions can be practiced in peace and harmony in any part of the Malaysia.

It is this main idea of the doctrine of separation of religious elements from various nation building agenda including the administration of governments from various levels.

And therefore for Hadi Awang to call for an Islamic State in a plural society like Malaysia is not only unconstitutional but also incompatible with the plurality of this country.

To accept that Malaysia is an Islamic State is no difference from abandoning the 50-year Merdeka “social contract” that Malaysia as a democratic, secular and multi-religious nation with Islam as the official religion but not an Islamic State - whether ala-PAS or ala-UMNO, whether through the UMNO and Barisan Nasional “Islam Hadhari” or the PAS Islamic State Document.

In fact, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the second Prime Minister, Tun Razak and the third Prime Minister, Tun Hussein Onn publicly and the fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir (for the first 20 years as PM) had championed and defended the Merdeka compact of Malaysia as a secular democracy with Islam as the official religion.

It is a fallacy that just because the majority of the populations of a country are Muslims, the country must become an Islamic State, as the majority of the countries in the world with Muslim majorities are not Islamic States.


The best example is our neighbour, Indonesia, whose population is 88% Muslims or over 200 million Muslims out of 230 million population. Indonesia, however, is not an Islamic State, but a secular republic and a motion to turn Indonesia into an Islamic State based on shariah law was defeated in the Indonesian Parliament four years ago by the overwhelming majority of Muslim MPs!

Therefore, Hadi Awang should acknowledge that Malaysia is a plural society and that any call to turn the country into a state of any religion, be it Islamic State, Catholic State, Christian State, Buddhist State or Hindu State is unconstitutional, incompatible in Malaysia and violate the fundamental basis of nation-building process.

呼吁大马非穆斯林接受回教国概念不仅不符合宪法,也与我国多元社会的面貌相互冲突

回教党主席拿督斯里阿都哈迪阿旺看来对回教国依然眷念不忘。

不仅是这样,今日的《新海峡时报》更引述这位回教党主席扭曲性的谈话。他说既然非穆斯林能够接受资本主义、社会主义以及其他来自西方的注意,那么他们没有理由拒绝接受回教国概念。(见今日《新海峡时报》)。

雪州行动党谨此提醒哈迪关于马来西亚立国最重要的基石——虽然伊斯兰是马来西亚的官方宗教,但是马来西亚并不是回教国,各宗教信徒有权利在马来西亚的任何地方自由与和平地进行他们的宗教局活动。

这就是所谓的政教分离,那就是国家的建国议程,包括各阶级政府的施政,都应该和宗教区分出来。

因此,哈迪的这项呼吁在一个属于多元社会的马来西亚来说不仅是不符合宪法,也与我国多元社会的面貌相互冲突。

要求非穆斯林接受马来西亚是一个回教国无异与要求非穆斯林放弃长达50年的社会契约。这个社会契约的重点就是马来西亚是一个民主、世俗和多元宗教的国家,伊斯兰虽然是马来西亚的官方宗教但是马来西亚并不是一个回教国,不管是巫统的回教国,还是回教党的回教国;不管是通过巫统的‘现代伊斯兰’来实现,还是回教党的‘回教国文件’来进行。

其实,我国首三任首相,以及第四任首相在位首20年内极力维护这项社会契约,即马来西亚是一个世俗民主的国家,虽然伊斯兰是官方宗教。

如果因为马来西亚是一个以穆斯林居多数的国家而认为马来西亚必须是一个回教国,那么这将会是一大谬论,因为世界上大多数穆斯林占多数的国家都不是回教国。

最好的例子就是印尼。虽然印尼88巴仙的人口(也就是总人口2.3亿人口中的2亿人)是穆斯林,但是印尼本身并不是回教国,而是一个名副其实的世俗国。另外该国国会在四年前还推翻一项要把印尼变成回教国的动议。推翻这项动议的大多数国会议员还是穆斯林!

因此,哈迪阿旺应该认清马来西亚多元社会的面貌,即任何要求把马来西亚从一个世俗国家转变成一个以任何宗教为治国之本的国家都是不符合宪法、与马来西亚的多元面貌相冲突,违背我国立国之本。

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Tony talks on RHB takeover by EPF

My friend, Tony Pua, has been talking about RHB takeover by EPF.

It is in fact very inspiring to read the "economy savvy" statement from Tony with more analytical stuffs rather than normal "bombarding" remarks.

I am certain that he started his political career in the DAP on the right footing and I am glad to work with him.

雇员公积金局收购拉昔胡申事件——财政部和国家银行应该严格监督这项交易

针对雇员公积金局(EPF)收购拉昔胡申(RHB)事件——财政部和国家银行应该严格监督这项交易。公积金局也应该基于公信力和透明度原则,公开所有详细资料,让公积金缴纳人相信公积金局是以诚信(prudence)来处理广大缴纳人的血汗钱。

数以百万计的马来西亚雇员把他们的养老金存放在公积金局,由于这项涉及公积金局庞大资金的交易,政府尤其是财政部和国家银行必须采取积极的态度,终止这项交易的进行,更何况政府有权力这么做,因为所有的交易最终必须得到财政部和国家银行的核准方能进行。

我们也呼吁公积金局能够基于公信力和透明度原则,公开所有关系这项交易的详细资料,而不是一再黑箱作业。

雪州行动党将会致函给财政部和国家银行,强力要求两者插手处理此事,并且将会把这课题通过行动党国会议员带上国会。

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Celebrating International Women's Day 2007 in Petaling Jaya



Let us strive for a safe, stable and secured society for Women


The theme for International Women’s Day 2007 is “Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls”.

In Malaysia, although there are national legal and policy frameworks which have been established, covering many different forms of violence in public as well as in private settings, progress in the development of such legal norms, standards and policies has not been accompanied by comparable progress in their implementation. It remains insufficient and inconsistent in all parts of the world.

The Government has the obligation to protect women and girls from violence, to hold perpetrators accountable and to provide justice and remedies to victims. The failure to meet these obligations is unacceptable. When the Government fails to hold the perpetrators of violence accountable and society explicitly or tacitly condones such violence, impunity not only encourages further abuses but also gives the message that male violence against women is acceptable and normal. The result is the denial of justice to the individual victims/survivors, as well as the reinforcement of the prevailing gender inequality.


Eliminating violence against women remains one of the most serious and urgent challenges of our time. Every one has a responsibility to act when confronted with violence. Each one of us has a duty to support and sustain a political and social environment where violence against women and girls is not tolerated; where friends, family members, neighbors, men and women, intervene to prevent perpetrators to go unpunished.

In order to achieve this, women participation in the political arena is a vital factor. Although women nowadays are as capable as men in various fields of the society, the continued lacks of women participation in politics and decision making must be seen as a cause for concern for all Malaysians.

While politics concern almost on all aspects of lives, women shall play and shall be able to take a much influential position in the decision-making process.

Women in Malaysia do not only suffer from unequal pay but also dwindling security protection, occurrence of sexual abuse and sexual harassment in work places. Such worsening situation shall serve as a major cause for concern for women to be more actively participated in political reform to ensure the safety of women. Moreover, one cannot ignore the enormous economic contribution by women in this country that the economic performance of this country will be severely jeopardized if women’s rights are not upheld or looked into.

Only by encouraging more women to participate in politics and policy decision making process, then it would become more meaningful to talk about upholding rights of the women. If the rights of the women are not upheld, similarly there will be no uphold of basic human rights.

Let us strive for a safe, stable and secured society for Women in this country.

为妇女们携手打造一个和谐、和平和和睦的安定社会


今年的国际妇女节标题是“终止向妇女及女孩施暴而不受惩罚的情况”。

我国虽然已经建立相当程度的法律和政策框架,把许多不同形式的公共以及非公共场所发生的暴力行为包括在内。然而,这些法律规范、标准和政策的制定虽然取得进展,但是其执行工作没有取得相应的进展。在执行方面,世界各地的努力仍然不足和不一致。这种情况在马来西亚也是一样。各阶层政府在处理妇女课题,尤其是家庭暴力、性侵犯、性骚扰等等关系妇女尊严和权力课题都无法尽如人意。

虽然如此,政府有义务保护妇女和女孩不受暴力侵害,有义务追究暴力行为人的罪责,并为受害者伸张正义和提供补救。不履行这些义务是不能接受的。

如果政府一直不追究施暴人的法律责任,如果社会明显纵容或默许这样的暴力,那么,有罪不罚之风不仅助长更多的虐待行为,而且还会发出这样的讯息:以暴力侵害或言词侮辱妇女是可以接受的、是正常的行为。由此导致的后果是受害者/幸存者无处得到正义,当前的两性不平等情况变本加厉。


消除暴力侵害妇女仍然是我们这个时代所面临的最严重、最紧迫的挑战之一。每个人在面对暴力时都有责任采取行动。我们当中的每个人都有责任支持和维护一个不容忍暴力侵害妇女和女孩行为,而且朋友、家庭成员、邻居、男子和妇女都进行干预,以防止暴力行为人不受惩罚的政治和社会环境。

要达到这点,妇女的参政程度扮演非常重要的角色。虽然今天的女性能够和男性顶半边天,但是美中不足的是一般妇女对政治抱以冷感的态度。

从巴刹柴、米、油、盐、酱、醋、茶的价格,到她们所享有的产假、托儿所福利、生活环境的安全等。没有一样不跟的政治决策有关。

女性在工作场所面对性骚扰,或在公众场所面对性侵犯的威胁,这些对妇女的身心来说都是有形和无形的威胁和压力。社会治安持续败坏,其实更应该促使女性积极参与政治改革,以保障女性的生命安全。女性对国家经济成长贡献良多,而她们投入职场的比率也与日俱增。如果政府无法保障女性的安全,国家的经济发展肯定停滞不前。

唯有鼓励更多女性投入政治改革工作,尤其是通过手中一票表达自身的心声,再不然直接走入议会舌辩群雄,那么女性参政才显得更有意义。如果没有女权,我们甭用谈人权,因为女权就是人权。不尊重女权的国家,肯定不会尊重人权。为配合今年的主体,让我们为妇女们携手打造一个和谐、和平和和睦的安定社会。

Friday, March 02, 2007

Letter: Damanara Utama BN rep ‘a shame’ too

Damanara Utama BN rep ‘a shame’ too
Abdul Kader

I refer to the letter Bkt Antarabangsa folks fed-up with BN rep.

It is a good observation which is typical of what’s happening in all constituencies where BN representatives rule.

Thanks to citizen Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan for taking time to write. In my constituency of Damansara Utama, I don’t even know who is the rep is although I did vote for him (BN-MCA) in last election.

I was actually voting for the PM for all his empty ‘walk the talk’ talk. The rep never visited the constituency and never bothered to avail himself to the people.
What a shame on this BN-MCA rep.

I fully agree with Rafick’s advice of ‘don’t vote for the PM or the flag’ but vote for the person who can provide services and is accessible to the people.

In the next election, my vote will be for the person and not the flag or PM.

Letters: Bkt Antarabangsa folks fed-up with BN rep

Bkt Antarabangsa folks fed-up with BN rep
Dr Mohamed Rafick Khan Abdul Rahman

During the last general election, being residents of Bukit Antarabangsa in Ampang, Selangor, we gave our family votes (a total of five votes) to the Barisan Nasional state assemblyperson for Bukit Antarabangsa whom we know as YB Azman Wahid.

For your information, Azman was my schoolmate in Ipoh way back in the late 70s at the Sekolah Raja Chulan in Ipoh, Perak. Out of an ‘espirit de corps’ and being an old friend, I told my family members to give this green politician a chance. Because of our five votes (and many others), he was elected.

Now after three years, this is my report card on the YB (since the PM and menteri besar has said many times that they also have a report card system). Below are several reasons why we will not re-elect him or any BN candidate at Bukit Antarabangsa.

Has the state assemblyperson made himself accessible?

My own survey among friends in Bukit Antarabangsa show that they don’t even know who YB Azman is and what he looks like. He has failed to advertise himself and publicise how the people of Bukit Antarabangsa can reach him. No one knows where his office is. In the era of e-mails and handphones and SMSes, this is not acceptable.

What was his plan for Bukit Antarabangsa?

As far as I know, we have seen no development for the last three three years. This for a population of educated people. Maybe he has plans which he has kept to himself. But not telling us is equivalent to having no plans at all. We can see the deteriorating basic infrastructure without any new projects planned. We have no schools, no permanent police ‘pondok’, no library. We only have the poor and rapidly deteriorating facilities built by MBF 15 years ago.

The deteriorating infrastructure at Bukit Antarabangsa

The name Bukit Antarabangsa means International Hill. Sadly, the environment and infrastructure is far from its name. Road conditions are extremely bad and are worse than the roads at Kg Jabi, Terengganu (my wife’s kampung). We should be ashamed of our infrastructure. I wonder how often the YB drives into our area to notice the famous Bukit Antarabangsa Motocross.

Has the state assemblyperson ever listened to the voice of the people of Bukit Antarabangsa?

At the entrance of Bukit Antarabangsa is a failed food court project. When the project was initiated, there were plenty of objections from many parties. The state assemblyperson failed to convey the feelings of the people to the MPAJ and the state government. Today, the food court is an eyesore. It reduces Bukit Antarabangsa’s status to that of a low-cost neighbourhood.

Mosque and no mosque

My suggestion to the mosque president to organise a signboard placement at the site of the new proposed mosque was quickly done by the mosque committee. The YB came and people had to open the door for him. At the signboard placement ceremony, this state assemblyperson promised the sun and the moon to us but so far nothing has come of it yet.

This mosque project has been delayed for nearly 10 years now. What has the YB done? He claims this has been brought to the MB’s attention. Well, it appears that both the MB and the state assemblyperson have failed to keep the people informed of progress on this matter.

Has he initiated any community-relations fostering programmes in Bukit Antarabangsa?

Not that I know off. All I know was that he did officially open one such programme but this programme was not initiated by him but rather by some residents of Bukit Antarabangsa.

National and state-level issues - where is he?

Have you ever heard of this guy bringing up important state and national issues related to the environment, the community and the grassroots? During the recent major floods in Johor Baru, I had expected our state assemblyperson to organise some charitable activities that could help the affected people. Did we hear his voice. Did we see his picture? You know the answer.

My dear fellow residents of Bukit Antarabangsa, I have only one advice for all of us. All of us are educated to a certain extent. Let’s judge the performance of an individual based on his contributions. Evaluate objectively the performance of our state assemblyperson.

Don’t evaluate the flag or the logo or the party. Cast your vote wisely. Choose the person and not the flag or the picture of the PM. Choose someone that we know. In my case, I knew him in school and since 1978 but did not meet until almost 25 years later. One thing I can say now is that people change.

I am not going to make the same mistake again. Azman, you still have time to redeem yourself. Do something concrete, otherwise you will lose five votes from my family.

DAP Chinese New Year Gathering 2007 - You are invited