Ceramah tonight

We are going to have a ceramah tonight at Restaurant Busy Corner, 83, Jalan SS22/11, Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya.

All PJ DAP Candidates are speakers for the ceramah. All are invited, please bring your friends and family members to attend, especially fence-sitters and those who are apolitical.

My schedule on 29/2/2008

29 Feb 2008 Friday
7:00 am Taman Aman walkabout.
8:30 am Paramount Garden shophouses walkabout　
12:00 noon Paramount lunch-time walkabout
3:00 pm Walkabout Sea Park / Paramount houses.
7:00 pm Speaking at DAP Sekinchan dinner.
8:00 pm Ceramah at Damansara Jaya Busy Corner.

Election campaign #1

First of all, I would like to apology to readers of my blog for not being able to update this blog on a daily basis, which was my original target during election campaign.

For those who wish to know the latest situation in PJU, you can be assured that the PJ Rocket Team will and is already putting up a good fight this time against the might of the BN.

For the first time in PJ DAP election campaign, our banners, streamers and buntings are first put up ahead of BN candidates. Perhaps this is a good head start for us.

Walkabouts have been intensified during election campaign especially after nomination as we made rounds and rounds of visit to various hotspots i.e morning markets, line-dancing spots, tai-chi spots etc to meet and greet the residents.

I have spoken in various interviews with reporters that this is what had been done by the DAP Rocket Team in PJ for the past one year and what we are doing now are merely the intensified version of our previous works. We are used to it already.

On another hand, I am touched by the huge and warm supports coming from members of the public. Traders give discount and sometimes even donated generously in cash and kinds to the PJ Rocket Team. To date, we have received no less than 100 boxes of mineral waters, three water dispensers etc.

What is most important and touching is that my operation centre is basically manned by new members or volunteers. This is probably the first time I meet them but I am very touched by their commitment towards a better Malaysia. Without them, I will never be able to focus on my campaign and walkabouts.

I will try to update this blog with more information of my activity in my area – N35 Kampung Tunku.

My opponent is Sheah Kok Fah

My opponent is Sheah Kok Fah. My constituency is N.35 Kampung Tunku. The state constituency is a majority Chinese majority seat.

During the last General Elections, there was 67.7% Chinese in Kampung Tunku, 11.2% Indians and another 19.1% Malays in Kampung Tunku.

This time, the Malay voters has increased 1.6% while the Chinese and Indians voters percentage drop by 0.5% and 1.2% respectively.

For the people of Kampung Tunku, I can assure you that I will put up a good fight in Kampung Tunku

Fast Fact about N.35 Kampung Tunku

N.35 Kampung Tunku (30,183)
1. Sheah Kok Fah (BN-MCA)
2. Lau Weng San (DAP)
Malays: 20.7% Chinese 67.2% Indians: 10.0% Others: 2.1%
*2004: Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou (BN-MCA)
Total voters: 30,877 Turnout: 20,616 Majority: 3,612

ELECTION 2008: Size really does matter to some

From NST

KUALA LUMPUR: When it comes to attracting voters, does bigger always mean better?

The previous general election saw an array of posters, banners and buntings, in various sizes, promoting the various political parties.

Running high on election fever, Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd recently came up with a huge banner, covering half of its building, in a show of support for Barisan National.

The banner which carries the words Maju Bersama Barisan National (Progress with BN) will be up throughout the election campaign period.

A company spokesperson said the banner which covered 23 floors of the building was put up on Valentine's day.

Meanwhile, Kelana Jaya MP Loh Seng Kok, whose picture is on a billboard overlooking the LDP highway here, said the picture was originally meant for the Chinese New Year celebrations.

"The poster wasn't intended for the campaign. It was for my Chinese New Year greeting and was planned as a series of inspirational messages for my constituents.

"I might use the space later for the election campaign," he said.

DAP Selangor secretary Lau Weng San said the party had adopted a moderate approach in its campaign strategy.

"We just use buntings, banners and flags. We tend to focus more on the personal touch and the candidates.

"Malaysian voters, especially in urban areas, are aware of issues in the country.

"Big posters or billboards are not going to impact the voting. It's the track record of the candidates that matters," he said.

PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar said it all depended on the how much the candidates could afford to fork out on their campaigns.

"Advertising on billboards is expensive, plus some advertising companies won't want to rent the space for us," he said.

雪州州议会沦为州内最大的白象计划

雪州政府耗费数以千万令吉承建和装修现有的美轮美奂的州议会大厦，可是殊不知，当雪州国阵2004年大选在州议会赢获56个议席之中的54个（也就是96巴仙的州议席），雪州州议会就沦为州内最大的白象计划，因为不仅此次州议会仅开会一天，雪州国阵54名州议员绝大部分并没有积极向州议会提出口头和书面问题（必须扣除11名国阵州行政议员，州行政议员好比国会里的前座议员）。

其中曾经出现8名国阵州议员‘零提问’。上届不劳而获的梳邦再也区州议员，此届准备弃州攻国的李华民甚至连续三次会议没有发问。更可悲的是，州政府曾经在其中一次州议会会议只回答5道问题！

雪州州政府去年高姿态宣布雪州为先进州，可是若从州议会的表现来检验，我们可以断定，雪州距离先进州尚有一段距离。

出现这种情况，乃是因为国阵在雪州州议会获得比国会更高的代表率。绝对的权利将导致绝对的腐败，雪州州议会就是最好的例子。当雪州国阵牢牢控制州议会，国阵州议员还会认真发问吗？

雪兰莪州从山上到海里、从稻田到海港、从南到北、从东到西都出现问题。请问各州议员，如果不在州议会发问或提出这些问题，还有什么地方可以问？一旦中选，我们肯定将会在州议会里为民仗义执言，一扫雪州州议会橡胶印的负面印象。

The battle for Kampung Tunku

Tough fight: Sheah (left) will be taking on Lau for the Kampung Tunku state seat.

LAWYER Sheah Kok Fah is the new flag-bearer for the MCA in the contest for the Kampung Tunku state seat in Selangor.

Sheah, 43, a former councillor with the then Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ), was named as the candidate on Thursday.

Sheah said he was joining the political fray with equal measures of excitement and trepidation, as the battle was a tough one.

He said that while upgrading the existing infrastructures in the constituency was on his priority list, his main concern was to improve security in the area.

“The previous assemblyman must be credited for doing a good job, and I will continue with upgrading work in the area, particularly in the older housing estates like Taman Paramount and Taman Len Seng,” Sheah said.

“However, security is the main concern in my election manifesto. I believe public security and safety can be improved through more patrolling by the residents and police, and through using facilities such as CCTVs,” he said.

Sheah has also pledged to look after the welfare of the schools within the constituency.

Sheah said he would set out to build closer ties with the residents assocations, Rukun Tetangga units and other NGOs to better serve the needs of the people.

Slated to meet Sheah in a straight fight is 30-year-old DAP candidate Lau Weng San.

Lau, the political secretary of DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, is also making his electoral debut.

Besides seeking to improve public security and safety, Lau said his major task was to provide a vigilant check-and-balance to the local authority to ensure better and transparent town planning and maintenance.

“This is to avoid non-beneficial projects and waste of public funds,” he said.
First-timers: Gu (left) and Cheah are expected to battle it out in Damansara Utama.

Besides Lau, the DAP will also be fielding newcomer Dr Cheah Wing Yin, possibly for the Damansara Utama state seat.

Cheah, 53, was a political activist in the DAP during the last two general elections, but formally joined the party only last year.

Cheah, a private consultant physician, said his aim was to create greater interaction among residents to lessen their sense of alienation and apathy towards the political arena.

“It seems that the people have grown more disenchanted and apathetic towards what happens in the local government,” he said.

“What I am concerned about is that the local residents are increasingly feeling that they don’t have a part to play in the society and its political processes,” Cheah said.

If Cheah contests in Damansara Utama, he will face Victor Gu of the MCA, also a first-time candidate.

Nomination day in focus

From left: DAP candidates for the Kampung Tunku state seat Lau Weng San, Damansara Utama state seat Cheah Wing Yin and PJ Utara parliamentary seat Tony Pua Kim Wee with BN candidates for the PJ Utara parliamentary seat Chew Mei Fun, Damansara Utama State seat Sheah Kok Fah and Kampung Tunku state seat Victory Gu Chian Peow outside the nomination centre in SS2, Petaling Jaya.

A manifesto from DAP for Petaling Jaya

PETALING JAYA: DAP has unveiled a manifesto for Petaling Jaya covering contemporary urban issues.

The single page manifesto with the tagline "PJ to lead Malaysia forward" outlined their promise to lower crime rates, provide quality education, clean local government and decrease the cost of goods.

"For this year, core issues that would swing voters are inflation and crime," said the party's Damansara chairman, Tony Pua, who is also the economic adviser to party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

In the Petaling Jaya Utara constituency that has about 76,000 registered voters, 76.4 per cent of them are Chinese while 15.2 per cent are Malays with the rest being Indians with an even spread in the age breakdown.

"There are a lot of wealthy and socially aware voters in PJ, so we want to make this constituency the affluent and intellectual centre of the country," said Pua, 35.

Pua is tipped to contest the Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary seat against incumbent MP Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun who is also the Wanita MCA deputy chairman and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry Parliamentary Secretary.

An IT expert who made his millions in a public listed company in Singapore, Pua joined the party last year in DAP's strategy of fielding young professionals.

DAP kurang dana: Kit Siang

From Berita Harian 22/2/2008

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP yang menggelar diri mereka `parti orang miskin’ meminta sumbangan derma orang ramai bagi membantunya merealisasikan sasaran mengurangkan majoriti dua pertiga Barisan Nasional (BN) pada pilihan raya umum ini.

Penasihat parti itu, Lim Kit Siang dalam laman blognya membuat kenyataan menggesa penyokong dan mereka yang bersimpati dengan perjuangan parti untuk menyumbang kepada Tabung Pilihan Raya DAP.

“Masanya sudah tiba untuk anda mengotakan janji kerana kita memasuki perjuangan dengan sumber yang terhad. Kami perlukan sumbangan kewangan anda untuk membantu membentuk gelombang perubahan,” katanya.

Tabung itu yang diwujudkan khusus untuk membiayai perbelanjaan kempen parti itu membuka ruang kepada orang ramai menyumbang secara online menerusi kad kredit Maybank, Public Bank atau menghantar sumbangan secara terus ke ibu pejabat parti di Petaling Jaya.

Bagaimanapun, Tabung Pilihan Raya DAP adalah berbeza daripada kempen sumbangan setiap calon.

Hindu Temple squatting in a container in SS1

I just came back from a Hindu temple in Jalan SS1/25.

The devotees complained to the DAP that BN has been neglecting them in granting a piece of land to construct an all new temple.

The temple commitee had offered to demolish to relocate the 30-year-old temple which was built on a piece of private land in end 2006.

Apparently, they temple has to squat from one place to another around the same area and the devotees are afraid that eventually when the project finished, there will be no land for them to build back the temple.

Wong Sai Hou answered to the press that the matter has been taken over by MIC. Apparently all issues and problems concerning Hindu temples in Selangor is solely handledby MIC.

I doubt very much MIC can deliever something. The committee wish to have a piece of land nearby for their temple.

What is it so difficult so find a small piece of religious land for them? The committee even offered to construct an all new structure to house their God but approval was denied.

Poem about our country - simply hilarious

Oh man, I love this country
I called it the land of political absurdity
Full of ludicrousness amid stupidity
First in the pipeline is Mr. Badawi
The country's 5th Perdana Menteri
Hailed from notable ulama's family
In that spirit he created a new Islam Hadhari
The so-called modern Islam resembling Turkey
Some touted it as Islam Ada Hari
When the original Islam turned awry

He loves to travel in style like big celebrity
Making grand entrance in any opportunity
So he insisted a private jet paid by Treasury
He got it despite hullabaloo by bloggers community
He said the government didn't purchase it out rightly
The government is leasing it from SPM, a GLC
For him, this is a good strategy
By doing that he thinks he can save money
Oh yeah, he thinks people believe his story

Perth seems to be his favorite city
Last December he opened Nasi Kandar Puteri
And then went on sailing trip with Todt of Ferrari
Back home worst flood hit Johor Kota Tinggi
17 died and 90000 evacuated in that tragedy
But yet, the jet setting PM was outside the country
He might use remote control key

Badawi has son-in-law by the name of Khairi
He married Badawi's daughter Nori
Recently both blessed with the baby
That has longest name in the country
I can only remember the last name, Khairi
This young chap is Pemuda Umno deputy
Claimed to have "protection" from Mr. Badawi
Has a big wish to be PM by age of forty
So he is gathering support from Putera and Puteri
At the same time accumulated wealth aggressively
Through ECM Libra and some crony
Media was at his helm through NST
Now he has potent tools – money, media and machinery
And his father in law alias Perdana Menteri

Meanwhile Hisham is putting up a new strategy
His kris wielding attracts flak of Malay supremacy
It backfires especially to Chinese community
His reasoning draws conclusion that he is puny
Najib is not convince Hisham to be his deputy
Najib may consider a big mouth Nazri
Provided that Rosmah is okay to work with Nazri
You know why lah, Najib takut bini

We don't have to elaborate the story
You have to come here to enjoy the absurdity
We have quite a few funny ministers and MP
Such as hilarious Work Minister Mr.Samy
Before Hindraf he represents Indian community
The longest serving minister that heads MIC
In press conference he got agitated quite easily
When Umno conference was held on Deepavali
He said no "open house" as sign of hostility
He twisted the decision maybe after talking to Indrani
This MIC leaders share similar trait and personality
The latest one was Cameron Highland MP Mr. Devamani
He has broken ranks with fellow BN MP
When he accused government not doing enough for Indian community
After meeting with BN Whip, he regretted and say sorry

Let me continue my story
Well, you probably have heard it already
About the biggest anti-government rally
Not exactly same scale as 98 Reformasi
On Nov 10 more than 40,000 flooded the city
To protest unfair election practice against EC
Dirty ruling party tactics are legendary
Short-notice on Election Day is customary
Just a day before Pak Lah was basking in glory
In annual affair of UMNO general assembly
Full of hypocrisy and puji-memuji
Pak Lah shouted it loud "don't challenge me"
Despite threats and warning from Pak Lah and Khairy
People are defiant and take no heed from Badawi
They chanted God is Great, Daulat Tuanku and Reformasi
November is a month of illegal assembly
School holidays thus parents are quite free

The rally was given wide publicity
The rally was headlined in AlJazeera and BBC
Foreign media questioned our brand of democracy
Water cannon and tear gas were fired indiscriminately
Umno leaders are in denial state naturally
Such as Zam who head the Info Minsitry
Zam was trembling uncharacteristically
In an interview that becoming laughing stock in the country
Scrambling for words and chew out frantically
He can't censor it as we are in digital technology
You can just Google or YouTube easily

Well that is one example of political absurdity
What do you expect from half past six menteri
Some are in complete ignorance and dreary
Some will resort to unthinkable publicity
Giving broom as reward never in history
Some will slaughter cows in parliament for kenduri
To celebrate the matrimony of our own Sleeping Beauty
Another stupid joke by backbencher MPs

You can't find this in your country
A journalist like Michael Backman will agree
So many things to write for your Daily
No wonder he keeps coming here for juicy story
Malay tabloids prefer to write about ghost and celebrity
That's saleable among ordinary
Maybe they got sick of constant spat by political party
They prefers to idolize people like Siti or Mawi
Do you think they care who is their MP？

DAP PJ needs your help

Do your part! Ensure a clean and fair 2008 elections - VOLUNTEER AS A POLLING AGENT and/or COUNTING AGENT!

A polling agent is someone who sits in a polling stream (the classroom where the voting takes place) and observes the voting process. Each school may have a different number of polling streams (saluran mengundi) depending on the number of voters in that area. Each polling stream caters to a specific age group.

A counting agent is someone who observes the counting of the votes after polling closes at 5pm.

You don't have to be a member of a political party to become a PA or a CA. You have to be Malaysian and above 21 to register as a PA or a CA. This is done through the political parties.

A PA is armed with a copy of the electoral roll for that particular classroom, pencil/pen and a ruler. The PA basically observes the voter as he/she enters the room. The election officer will read out the voter's name, IC number and his/her number on the electoral roll. The PA will cross out the voter's name on the electoral roll to ensure that we know exactly how many people voted in that classroom.

A PA must be alert and take note if there are any irregularities, eg. the voter is female but the IC number denotes the voter is male, the voter is much much older or younger than the IC indicates, the voter is Indian but has a Chinese name, etc. The PA has a right to object and raise questions.

More details will be provided at the training. Its a 1 1/2 - 2 hour session depending on Q&A. Training is free of charge.
Location :

DAP DAMANSARA SERVICE CENTER (Location Map attached)

Address:

DAP Damansara Community & Service Center, 55M ，Jalan SS 21/1A, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya

Please forward this to all Malaysians. For more information, call the hotline 016 220 8867 (DAP Damansara). To ease our arrangements, e-mail your name, phone number and IC to pollingagent@gmail.com . Walk in participants will also be welcomed.

Nota bantahan terhadap pembubaran Parlimen semasa Tahun Baru Cina

14hb Februari 2008

Y.A.B Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi
Perdana Menteri Malaysia
Blok Utama, Bangunan Perdana Putra
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62502 Putrajaya MALAYSIA
Tel: 03-88888000 Faks: 03-88883444

Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri,

Nota bantahan terhadap pembubaran Parlimen semasa musim perayaan Tahun Baru Cina

YAB Dato’ Seri telah membubarkan Parlimen semalam dan ini merupakan satu kejutan dan penghampaan yang besar terhadap masyarakat Tionghua di negara ini apabila Masyarakat Tionghua masih merayakan Tahun Baru Cina.

Oleh kerana 13hb Februari 2008 merupakan hari yang ke-7 untuk perayaan Tahun Baru Cina, pembubaran yang dilakukan oleh YAB merupakan sesuatu yang tidak menghormati dan tidak sensitif terhadap perayaan Tahun Baru Cina yang disambut selama 15 hari sehingga Chap Goh Meh.

Lebih-lebih lagi, masyarakat Tionghua keturunan Hokkien akan menyambut perayaan Tian Gong pada malam hari yang ke-8 perayaan Tahun Baru Cina, iaitu pada malam ini juga.

Kami mendapati bahawa UMNO juga pernah mengadakan perhimpunan agungnya pada tahun lalu semasa masyarakat India merayakan Hari Deepavali. Peristiwa ini juga merupakan satu perkara yang tidak menghormati sensitiviti kepelbagaian kaum dan budaya di Malaysia.

Dalam kes ini, Dato’ Seri telah menyatakan sehari sebelum Parlimen di bubarkan bahawa Parlimen tidak akan dibubarkan pada 13hb Februari. Biarpun begitu, Dato’ Seri sendiri telah membelakangi kenyataan ini dan membubarkan Parlimen pada hari kelmarin.

Tindakan ini akan mengikis keyakinan orang ramai dan pelabur asing terhadap integriti pentadbiran kerajaan yang selama ini dilaung-laungkan oleh pentadbiran Dato’ Seri.

Adalah menjadi pendapat kami bahawa Dato’ Seri harus memberi satu penjelasan terbuka terhadap keputusan membubarkan Parlimen semasa perayaan Tahun Baru Cina demi memulangkan keyakinan orang ramai terhadap pentadbiran kerajaan.

Sekian, terima kasih.

Yang benar,

Ean Yong Hian Wah
Pengerusi DAP Selangor

Why can't Pak Lah wait for another 7 days?

DAP Selangor today went to the PM Office to submit our protest note to the PM for dissolving the Parliament during Chinese New Year festives.

The dissolution has seriously spoilt the Chinese New Year celebration mode among the Chinese community in Malaysia and as a result of this, several Chinese New Year open houses have to be either cancelled or down-scaled, including the one organised by DAP National HQ.

However, the person who received our protest note, Datuk Haji Ahmad Yaakup did not think so. He claimed that it is the opposite and according to the Federal Constitution, there is no provision for the PM of not to dissolve the parliament in any days. He even further claimed that the polling day is after the Chap Goh Meh celebration which itself does not affect Chinese New Year celebration.

It is not about the question of legality but the question of respect dan sensitiveness towards the culture of other races.

In addition to that, I pointed to him that the PM had said on 12th Feb that there is no dissolution on 13th Feb but he announced for the parliament to be dissolved the very next day.

All these are word of his mouth and he has to explain in his capacity as Prime Minister of why he can change his mind so fast, jeorpadising his personal integrity and credibility.

How are we going to attract foreign investment if our policy can be changed overnight?

Guan Eng has his comments on this.

Immediate Response on Parliament Dissolution

Why no 2/3 for BN in Parliament.

1. Barisan only briefly lost 2/3 majority once, in 1969.

2. Since 1957, it has amended the constitution 690 times to propagate its power.

By comparison, USA which is more that 200 years of has only amended its constitution 27 times; Singapore as little as only 4 times. Barisan's ability to amend the constitution as it likes (and make unjust and unfair constitutional changes) must be stopped now.

Here are the statistics from the 2004 election. UMNO received 35.9% of the popular votes but has 110 parliamentary seats (This is 50% of all parliamentary seats)

In total, Barisan received 63.8% of the popular votes but has 199 parliamentary seats. (This is 91% of all parliamentary seats)

The opposition received 36.2% of the popular votes but has only 20 parliamentary seats. (This is 9% of all parliamentary seats)

Why? Because of gerrymandering, or unfair election rules. The election rules are stacked against the opposition. No matter what happens, the opposition will never be able to win the next election.

3. Here is the decision making power process within our present Cabinet.

-- UMNO controls the parliament via Barisan. It has allocated itself 24 cabinet positions (or 71% of all cabinet positions)
-- MCA has 5 cabinet position (or 15% of the cabinet positions)
-- MIC has 1 cabinet position (or 3% of the cabinet positions)
-- Gerakan has 1 cabinet position (3% of the cabinet positions)
-- The Other component parties hold 3 cabinet positions (8% of cabinet positions)

One should take note that although UMNO controls 50 % of all parliamentary seats, it controls 71 % of all the decision making processes within the cabinet.

Many marginalization issues are the result of legislation passed by Barisan (UMNO). Component parties (MCA, MIC or Gerakan) cannot vote against what UMNO decides in whatever it likes, even if they wanted to.

4. If the opposition won all the seats it contested, no single opposition party can form the government.

Why? Gerrymandering has ensured that even if Barisan were to win 50 % of the popular votes, it will still control 2/3 of parliament.

Example: In 2004, Barisan took 64 % of the popular votes but ended up controlling 91 % of Parliament. Thus, it is easy to see why if they win only 50 % of the popular votes in the election, they will once again be able to dictate absolute power in the parliament.

And Zam, the Minister of Information has the gall to protest to ALJazeera (Satellite TV) that Malaysia is democratic because it has elections. What cheek!!!

Are these fair elections? Is this truly Malaysia Boleh...More like Malaysia Malu!

Do your maths!! Do your part!! That's why every single vote against BN counts!! Deny BN 2/3 in Parliament.

逐点回应马华的无理指责

随着大选的跫音越来越近，马华的竞选机器已经开始向在野党，尤其是行动党作出许多诸如以下的无理无情攻击。

• 1969年大选，行动党大胜，马华大败，马华失去了财政部长、贸工部长等，百多条不利华裔的条文也在那时候被通过，马华的代表不能再次被削弱。

1969年大胜的不只是行动党，还有当初在野，如今在朝的民政党和进步党。民政党当时已经可以独自成立槟城州政府。

马华失去的槟州首席部长是丢失给民政党，不是行动党。进步党当年大选几乎囊括所有马华败选议席，只差数席就可以独自成立霹雳州政府。

如果马华因为1969年大选大败导致百多条不利华裔条文在那时候通过，那么马华大胜的时候又能否提升华裔作为一等公民的地位？

在过去三届大选，华裔选民一直给于国阵强大的支持力量。1995年大选正值经济起飞，华裔选民在相对开放的情况下给于马华、1999年大选烈火莫熄，华裔选民要求安定稳定的生活，也把票投给国阵。

到了2004年，华裔选民相信新首相效应，大部分华裔选民（除数个行动党竞选的少数议席之外）都把票投给了国阵。当华裔选民在这三届大选都把票投各国阵，国阵的最大利益既得者就是马华。

既然马华获得华裔的支持，为何他们在3届大选的15年时间不能改善华裔的政治、教育、文化以及经济地位？

为何华裔选区越划越少？马华是国阵其中一个成员党，如果选区划分没有获得马华的点头，巫统主导的选区划分如何能够通过？

为何马华大胜的时候不能把华小、神庙、教堂和独中的拨款制度化，而必须要等到大选来临时才来打派糖果？

• 我国反对党是季节性政党，大选来临时才频频出现，平时并没积极服务，无法交出成绩单，比外国反对党落后。

‘季节性动作’这个字眼来源于马华副总会长翁诗杰。他当初使用这个字眼并没有刻意针对在野党，只是用这个字眼形容一些政客的举动。

马华内部的文抄公却拾人牙慧，大量抄袭和滥用同样字眼，以‘季节性动作’批评在野党大选才亮相。

尤其是一些马华高级领袖最近在电视提到一些重点选区如灵北，频频以这点诋毁行动党潜在候选人。

其实，本人自2003年尾加入行动党迄今一直活跃于八打灵再也、潘俭伟一加入行动党便全神投入灵北的社区服务、谢永贤医生是道道地地的灵北市民，自1999年便参与行动党的活动，也是灵北著名教会领袖。

在朝的平时不做事、大选才派糖果和红包，难道这不是‘季节性动作’吗？马华领袖滥用‘季节性动作’，殊不知他们也在指责自己。

• 我国反对党，只是为反对而反对，制造问题，将问题扩大，过去并没有实际的服务，只是在大选要来临时，才出来哄骗选民。许多两党或两线制的国家，非执政的政党虽然在大选中落败，但他们依然长期积极为人民服务，大选来临时把过去的服务成绩单交出来，由选民去作判断。

廖仲莱是提出这个看法的马青领袖。看来他搞错了什么是‘政党的服务成绩单’！

外国政治并没有所谓‘服务成绩单’，尤其是两党制或两线制成熟的国家，唯独马来西亚。

外国在野党的‘成绩单’并不是处理民生问题的‘成绩单’，而是监督施政的成绩单！

廖仲莱所说的服务是民生服务和外国政党的‘成绩单’有一段距离。马来西亚没有地方议会选举，所有县市议员都是由执政党直接委任。结果民选的国州议员不务正业‘捞过界’。

这是马来西亚政治体制的弱点，本来必须加以改善，但是廖仲莱却处理民生问题反过来当成‘成绩单’。

• 马华也扮演监督角色，任何有损害华裔权益的政策，我们都会在内部提出来，包括华小及宗教课题。后座议员并没有很多限制，马华依然可以提出本身的看法。

所有国阵议员必须通过内阁所通过的法案或修改草案，不能有异议。不管马华持有什么个人看法或立场，但是到了表决环节时，马华议员绝对不能行差踏错。

马华提出看法，巫统可以不听。如果巫统不听，那么马华即时提出千万个看法又有何用处？法案到最后还是要通过，马华不能投反对票！

这就是为何马华被指为虎作帐。投马华一票等于投巫统一票。

放弃高薪厚职加入政坛‧刘永山认清政治志向

http://www.sinchew-i.com/sciWWW/node/5498?tid=19

从政篇：大学时期成参政启蒙点

刘永山初期参政的启蒙点必须追溯到大学期间接触不同的人事，加上在1998至1999年的“烈火莫息”街头运动衝击下，从最初崇拜前首相敦马哈迪的强人政治逐渐转向反对党。

他表示，当年进入堪称学生运动堡垒的马大后，踊跃参加学生组职活动及留意政府以外的政治动態，加上从研討会或討论会听取不同政见人士的谈话后，再也无法接受国阵的治国政策。

大学毕业后出任工程师期间，刘永山开始加入行动党行列及积极参与行动党活动，当时不少行动党中央领袖不时联络及说服他转当全职政治工作者，接著在2004年杪正式踏上全职政途。

从政侧写：盼靠电子科技扭转劣势

刘永山认为除了辩才、思考、书写能力外，最直接改变人们思想及看法的途径就是现场照片或影像，他表示，隨著部落格盛行，行动党有望靠网路媒体及电子科技扭转劣势。

“我现在隨身携带数码相机把一切所见所闻拍摄下来，然后上载到网站或个人部落格，与民展开互动，所谓一图胜万言。”

他举例，网路文字及影像更具震撼力，其中林吉祥部落格是国內最火红的部落格之一，而影像网站也让人民战掌握最新的社会及政治动態。

家庭篇：转战政治工作曾遭家人反对

从工程师转战全职政治工作者，从家人的不满到家人的体谅，刘永山短短3年內认清自己的政治志向，儘管未来可能是一条艰辛大道，但他高呼今生无悔！

刘永山在参政前曾担任3年的工程师，优厚薪金及种种因素造成家人坚决反对他加入政坛，尤其是高风险的反对党政营；所幸经过一年多的沟通与交流，家人的不满情绪才逐渐获得释怀。

他指出，国会反对党领袖林吉祥在2004年大选中转攻怡保胜出后，或多或少改变家人的最初想法而开始接受孩子参政的事实。

“我在加入政坛后前后使用一年时间进行个人及財务管理，也常告诉家人行动党需要一些新血，国会內也需要更多的反对党声音。”

他说，目前最大的安慰是，家人逐渐开始针对一些时事课题与他一起討论和分享看法，这种“迟来的谅解”將成为他日后从政的最大推动力。

大选篇：披甲上阵须全力以赴

刘永山表示，大选无分所谓“安全”或“危险”选区，一旦获选披甲上阵就必须全力以赴，胜败则交由选民自行定夺，而选前进行的准备功夫及筹备工作是未来漫长政途的最大筹码。

他说，政治局势及大选战情变化无穷，未到最后一分钟不知鹿死谁手，一旦上阵就就必须勇敢完成使命及斗爭到底，这也是对选民的一项使命。

“就雪州选区而言，没有一个选区可称得上是行动党真正的“安全”选区，难道我们就此放弃了吗？那是不可能的事情！”

他指出，行动党当务之急必须加强与其他团体或反对党的互动，儘管行动党与回教党或公正党非站在同一阵线，但最基本的合作方式及共识必须存在。

◎新兵上阵：刘永山
◎年龄：30岁
◎学歷：马来亚大学化学工程师
◎党职：雪兰莪民主行动党秘书兼行动党秘书长林冠英政治秘书
◎个人部落格：http://wengsan.blogspot.com/

Income up 40%, you believe it?

Do you believe it? Malaysians are better off than four years ago.

With inflation flying sky high, the government can still claim that prices are all under control and inflation only increases 2%.

When there was a 30sen per litre hike on fuel prices, the government told the people not to worry as the government will improve public transportation. DPM also asked people to change lifestyle. Today we still see people waiting for hours to get their buses coming. LRT/KTM Komuter still got problems - delay, malfunctioned, passengers trapped in the cabins/stations etc.

Now, the Second Finance Minister claimed that we are earning more, than we did four years ago. According to him, the increment is 40%. Read the Star report below and rebutal from my colleague, Tony Pua:

Malaysians better off than four years ago

By K. SUTHAKAR

PENANG: Malaysians from all walks of life are better off now than four years ago.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the country’s per capita income had risen by 40% between 2004 and 2007, from RM15,819 (US$4,163) to RM22,345 (US$6,452).

“If we compare in terms of US dollar, the per capita income has risen by 55% during the period due to the depreciation of the dollar against the ringgit.

“The Barisan Nasional Government is confident that we will get the people’s mandate again, based on the improved economic resilience.

“However, there will be challenges and we are prepared to meet them,” he told newsmen after visiting the St. Nicholas’ Home yesterday.

Nor Mohamed, who presented RM25,000 to the home for them to buy an additional van, also said the average economic growth from 2004 to 2007 was 5.9%, compared to 5.1% from 2000 to 2003.

“The 5.1% growth is already good but we have improve on it. We are confident of reaching 6% by the end of this year,” he said.

He said the Government collected RM142bil in revenue in 2007, an increase of 53% compared to RM93bil in 2004.

In terms of dividend payments, he said the Employees Provident Fund declared a 5.8% dividend last year compared to 4.5% in 2004.

In comparison, Tabung Haji announced a 7% dividend last year compared to 4% in 2004.

He said the Government’s focus on smallholders had resulted in them enjoying higher income.

The average income of rubber and oil palm smallholders was RM3,041 and RM5,841 respectively last year, compared to RM1,226 and RM2,784 in 2004, he said.

This was an increase of 148% and 109% in income for rubber and oil palm smallholders.

Nor Mohamed said the market capitalisation of companies listed on Bursa Malaysia to date was RM1.05tril, an increase of 64% compared with RM640bil at the end of 2003.

He said inflation rate from 2004 to 2007 was 2.5%, which was low, while the unemployment rate was 3.1% last year compared with 3.6% in 2004.

And here is Sdr Tony Pua's rebutal:

Nor Mohamed Yakcop must be joking by saying that Malaysians per capita income increased 40%

The Star reported that Malaysia's per capita income rose by 40% in 2007 compared with 2004 according the Second Finance Minister, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop in Penang. He said that per capita income was now RM22,345 compared with RM15,819 previously.

Nor Mohamed Yakcop must either be completely out of his mind, or can no longer perform simple Mathematics or worse, attempting to insult the intelligence of ordinary Malaysians.

Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.0%, 5.9% and an stimated 6.0% in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively according to the Government's official statistics. (Source: http://www.statistics.gov.my/files/download.php?cat=2&id_file=1)

Based on the above growth rates over the past 3 years, Malaysia's GDP grew by approximately 17.9% from 2004 to 2007.

Income or GDP per capita is calculated by dividing the GDP with the total population. Therefore, it is completely inconceivable that our per capita income increased by 40% when our GDP grew by only 17.9%. Unless of course, the honourable Minister believes that our population shrunk by some 16%!

To achieve 40% growth, Malaysia must be growing in excess of 12% per annum. Hence, to grow by 40% over 3 years, with a population growing at just under 2% per annum, that will actually make Malaysia the fastest growing economy in Asia, outstripping even China and India.

The Second Finance Minister should refrain from getting intoxicated by the general election fever, in the attempts to paint a heavenly picture of the Malaysian economy. He must instead make an official public apology for his outrageous claims.