Monday, February 16, 2015

My view on "Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali has put a stop to the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project"

In upholding the principles of fairness, accountability and transparency, the state government has given ample notices to Kidex Sdn. Bhd. to fulfill the requirement set by the Selangor State Government​. 

Today, the state government has made an important announcement not to continue with the project. The major pressure group, Say No To KIDEX (SNTK) has been voicing out against the project, and to certain extends, in my opinion, went ahead against the PR-led State Government, even before the State Government announcing its decision of the project (owned by the Federal Government).

As I have always said, a responsible state government ought to listen to both sides before a decision is made. Many a time the state government was vehemently attacked, especially in social media by quarters with hidden political interest, for allowing Kidex Sdn. Bhd. to present their views.

Highways and expressways are very much needed in linking up cities previously served by trunk roads. That is why the people of Selangor and Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives did not object when the Federal Government commenced and finished the construction of Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Selangor Highway (Latar) from 2008 to 2011. 

When the government announced its plan to construct West Coast Expressway from Taiping to Banting, it does not face much objections from the people of Selangor as we believe that the highway will relieve traffic congestion along Klang – Sabak Bernam Federal Road 5 while boasting tourism and economy activities along the coastal areas of Selangor.

However, the same cannot be said on Kidex and many other highways that are cutting through the hearts of major cities in Klang Valley. Constructing more highways will only translate into growing ownership of private vehicles in the city centre and it defeats the noble purpose to improve usage of public transportation.

In contrast with the views of SNTK, I believe the more appropriate concern is how could the Federal Government keeps allowing such highway(s) to continue in years to come. Please note that the Federal Government gave Kidex Sdn Bhd a nine month extension not too long ago (from Feb 15, 2015 to Nov 14, 2015) to fulfill the condition precedents of the concession agreement. There must be merit in allowing these highways in Selangor.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

張盛聞的行為證明馬華已淪為微不足道的蚊子黨

馬青總團團長張盛聞最近和巫統農業及農基工業部長拿督斯里伊斯邁沙比利引發的口角以及隨後發生的一連串事件,證明馬華在國陣已逐漸淪為微不足道的蚊子黨。

伊斯邁沙比利最新表態,表示內閣已經下令“杯葛華商論風波應該就此告一段落,因此他對本身的言論表示遺憾。而張盛聞在此之前一直針對伊斯邁沙比利窮追猛打,似要伊斯邁沙比利鞠躬道歉非可。直至伊斯邁沙比利的遺憾論之後,張盛聞也只能以心中有數的消極言論應付。

這一切,包括張盛聞在整個風波的言論,只是一而再,再而三地證明馬華本身非常卑微的地位。

當伊斯邁沙比利在推特發帖譴責華裔商家不願意下調物價,呼籲杯葛華裔商家後,張盛聞在第一時間譴責伊斯邁沙比利。雖然伊斯邁沙比利不應發表種族性言論,但是這事件迅速演變成種族課題,以致巫統內部的右翼分子成為力挺伊斯邁沙比利。

到底伊斯邁會否因為他的種族性言論而向華裔商家道歉,還是他是否願意道歉?這個問題已經變得不重要。如果馬華在國陣的地位是舉足輕重的,如果巫統領導人尊重馬華,如果其他國陣成員黨也認同馬華的做法,那麼今天要求伊斯邁道歉簡直是易如反掌,甚至伊斯邁沙比利當初可能出於尊重馬華的地位,他根本不敢發出這樣的言論。

既然要求伊斯邁沙比利道歉會是如此困難,加上伊斯邁沙比利和馬華總會長廖中萊多次發表模棱兩可的言論,這證明馬華在國陣的地位可能比我們想像中還要卑微,即馬華的立場除了無法獲得巫統的支持之外,其他國陣成員黨除了發表一些官腔文告之外,也無法對馬華的立場展示大力認同和支持。

為什麼事情會變的如此嚴重?馬華在國陣還有什麼地位?事實證明,馬華的議席數量和馬華在國陣的地位是不成正比的。這點可在1999年大選看得出來。巫統在當年的大選因安華事件而無法贏取超過一半的國會下議院議席,因此被迫以來非巫統國陣成員黨的議席才能獲取過半議席,繼續執政。當年大選馬華打著伊斯蘭國的旗號攻擊傳統宿敵——民主行動黨,結果民主行動黨再次吃敗仗。此外,林吉祥和卡巴星也第一次在檳城輸掉大選。馬華應該可以籍此獲得更多的內閣部長,但是結果依然一樣,馬華只能屈就於四個內閣部長。

只要馬華繼續留在國陣,這等於馬華將繼續俯首於巫統的政治霸權,不管馬華最終如何敢怒敢言,馬華在國陣的格局已成定局,根本無法破格。如果不要愧對選民,尤其是華裔選民,馬華應該痛定思痛,善用其殘餘的政治生命和價值,即除了嚴厲譴責巫統領袖之外,也應該宣布退出巫統主導的國陣以加速巫統政權的瓦解和垮台。

這番話是聽在許多馬華老黨員的耳中非常刺耳,但是忠言往往是逆耳的。唯有這樣,馬華才能在馬來西亞政治歷史中佔有一席可歌之地。

劉永山
lauwengsan@gmail.com