The Battle Begins...

I'm at the DAP National Election Preparatory Conference this morning at Crystal Crown Hotel to kick off the DAP campaign. I'm assisting Jeff Ooi, who's heading the General Elections E-Campaign Strategy Team in our presentation this morning. Yes, work has to begin in earnest to ensure that we can come up with a good show on behalf of all Malaysians.

At the same time, as I'll also be standing for elections, I'll have to commence my own preparations as well. My own branch, DAP Damansara will be having a meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the next steps which need to be taken.

Once again, I'll like to call upon those who will like to be part of the campaign team, who will like to volunteer in helping out with our various activities, e.g., dinners, fund-raising, internet etc., please come forward to join me at the meeting, with details below:

Date: 21 August 2007
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: DAP Damansara (55M Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya)

Anyone with any queries, feel free to email me at tonypua(at)yahoo.com. See you! ;)

Merdeka Dialogue: Whither Bangsa Malaysia?

50 years ago, we were promised democracy. We were promised justice. We were promised equality. We were promised to be treated with human dignity. We were promised freedom.

In 1963, we became Malaysians and the notion of a Bangsa Malaysia was born. This was given form and substance by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his Vision 2020 that set out 9 challenges for Malaysians to achieve a developed country.

No mention is made of Bangsa Malaysia by the Abdullah administraton. Is the concept of Bangsa Malaysia still important or relevant in the light of failed promises in our original social contract?

The DAP is holding a Dialogue in conjuction with the 50th Merdeka Anniversary celebrations this coming weekend.

Date: 19 August 2007 (Sunday)
Time: 2.00pm
Venue: Crystal Crown Hotel, Petaling Jaya

The panel of distinguished speakers include:

• Y Bhg Tunku Abdul Aziz, former President, Transparency International Malaysia
  
• Datuk Param Cumuraswamy, former Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, United Nations
  
• Mr Yeo Yang Poh, former Malaysian Bar Council Chairman
  
• YB Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader
  

Following the session, a dialogue will be conducted with the participants hosted by another distinguished panel (subject to change):

• M Manogaran, President, Malaysian Tamil Education & Research Foundation
  
• Haris Ibrahim, Human Rights Lawyer
  
• Jeff Ooi, Prominent Malaysian Blogger
  
• Dr Oh Ei-Sun, East Malaysian Socio-Political Analyst
  

To ensure sufficient seats allocation, please register in advance with Lim Swee Kuan (03) 79578022 or via email at limsweekuan(at)gmail.com.

At the same time, the Party will take note of the views and opinions of the participants in formulating our vision for Malaysia, more pertinently, in preparation for the upcoming general elections. ;)

Expensive Gifts

As Pakatan Rakyat formed the state government in Selangor, its elected representatives have received increasing demands from corporate entities ranging from property developers to slimming centres to be the guest of honour at their launching ceremonies.

Some of the younger assemblymen have asked for advice as to whether they should accept such invitations. I told them to use their discretion, and by all means, if it is a reputable company with no intent of "using" you to endorse their products, feel free to attend such functions.

Corporations and businesses form the backbone of our economy and it is often useful to hear what are the challenges which they face. If some of the requests are valid such as unreasonable delays in processing normal business applications (whether to approve or reject), then we must certainly play our role to assist them in expediting the process. However, if we are asked to help secure approval for a particular project as they do not fully comply with existing by-laws and guidelines, then by all means ask them to follow proper channels.

I was the Guest-of-Honour at one such function last weekend, to launch a commercial property development project in Petaling Jaya. I was asked to replace one of the state executive councillor at the last minute due to certain urgent matters arising.

While I must say that I'm not at my most comfortable position doing so, I took the opportunity to add in my speech that as a part of the local community now, the developer and its management must have more dialogue and consultations with the local residents to ensure a balance between development and livability. While well-planned commercial development promotes vibrancy, excessive development kills livability.

Typically in such functions, the host will present us with tokens of appreciation, often things like plaques, pens or pewter mugs. But after having reached home and opening the gift parcel, I was taken aback by what was given. Yes, as the picture above shows, I received a Nokia E90 Communicator, worth approximately RM3,500.

Make no mistake, I love the phone and have been looking at it ever since it was first launched late last year. But surely, receiving such a "gift" for attending a launching function and saying a few words is more than a little excessive!

Subsequently, I did find out however, that it's not uncommon for certain elected representatives to receive these gifts, which ranges from luxury cars to Rolex watches(!)

The question then is, do I return the gift to the developer with apologies? Or do I sell the phone and use the proceeds for community purposes?

I wasn't the only party who received the gift. Loh Gwo-Burne of Kelana Jaya received the same item for attending the function. I had a quick discussion with him on what's the next best step.

After pondering over the issue for a short while, we agreed to sell/auction off the 2 phones to the highest bidders and use the proceeds to fund our respective service centres. After all, the financing of our service centres (rental, staff, equipment etc.) comes not from the Government (unlike Barisan Nasional MPs, opposition MPs gets zero assistance to set up such offices), but from public donations and out of our own pockets.

So, for all of you out there who are interested in a (or two) brand new Nokia E90 Communicator at a discounted price, please feel free to email me @ tonypua (at) yahoo (dot) com with your bid. Cheques should be written to "DAP Damansara Branch". Its for a good cause too! ;-)

Opposition Disrespects Women?

A few days ago, a senior member of Wanita MCA made headlines in the vernacular press that "反对党不尊重女权" i.e., the opposition does not respect women in Malaysia.

她今日在马华三春礼堂举办的“雪州马青州分团和雪州妇女组代表大会”联合开幕仪式致词时指出，安华是大马垂帘听政的慈禧太后，还明目张胆和大言不惭地说他才是实权主席。

她说：“这种做法是强奸民主和漠视民主，他们称人民公正党，但却公然对该党党员不公平、对民主不公正、对女性尊严进行严重打击、对女性权力不尊重、丈夫欺压太太，以及把家务与党务公私不分。”

她续说，可笑的是号称民主和标榜女权的行动党却和打击女性尊严的人民公正党抱在一起。

“这如果不是公然挑战人民支会，对民主的最大嘲弄的话，那就证明了民主行动党只是为‘赢取胜利’，而出卖最基本原则的机会主义政党。”

This well-respected member of parliament claimed that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is a party that does not respect women as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acts like an "Empress Dowager" (慈禧太后), he's the hidden hand behind the scenes, despite the fact that Datin Seri Wan Azizah is the "rightful" President of the party. She accused Anwar of failing to differentiate a spousal relationship from party politics, and hence it was an affront to democracy and to women.

Of course, no criticism, logical or otherwise, can be complete without dragging DAP into the picture. ;) She went on to accuse DAP of being motivated by political opportunism (赢取胜利) in our working relationship with PKR. As such, DAP also doesn't respect women. Errr...

If this isn't a clear case of the pot calling the electrical kettle black, then I really don't know what could count as one.

It wasn't too long ago when the nation was riled up over the "bocor" controversy perpetuated by 2 incorrigible Barisan Nasional MPs which insulted women all across the country. As blogged by Sdr Lim Kit Siang, when the censure motion was debated in Parliament, not a single BN MP, male or female stood up in support of womenfolk across the country.

In particular, even the right honourable MP who works in the Ministry of Family, Women and Community Affairs, was deafeningly silent, and very conspiciously absent from the Parliament hall despite being given plenty of notice from the Speaker on the motion. Only in the sanctity of the august house of Parliament can be the true test of her moral courage to represent and defend womenfolk - anything else is just plain politiking.

Which party instead took the issue nationwide, organised a gathering of influential non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well more than 300 concerned members of the public to pass an unanimous resolution for the two "bocor" MPs to apologise and to be reprimanded, which they eventually did, although in the most insincere manner?

Well, certainly not the Right Honourable MP herself, and not the Party which she represents.

Adjournment Speech on Crime in PJ - Ministerial Response

I blogged on my adjournment speech on crime in Petaling Jaya earlier, and I have received the verbal reply by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Dato' Chor Chee Heung on the issue.

By and large, I was disappointed with the Deputy Minister's reply on 2 aspects.

Firstly, with 1-2 exceptions, the Deputy Minister didn't give specific answers, especially with regards to Petaling Jaya but instead just gave very generic answers such as "the government will increase police staff", without mentioning how many are planned for Petaling Jaya. Without such information, we can never tell if the government's plans will or will not be sufficient.

Secondly, the Ministry appears to continue the emphasis that part of the blame for the high crime rates has to fall on the victims themselves for being careless, and the solution to that is to have more seminars. In addition, the Ministry and the police kept also harping on the fact that they need public co-operation to reduce and resolve crime. While I'll agree that yes, co-operation is necessary, it's not the most important of factors which is causing the high crime rates. There is little or no mention on how the police force can be made more efficient or more effective in fighting and preventing crime.

Anyway, read his reply copied here as a whole and judge for yourself his response.

Tuan Yang di-Pertua, Ahli Yang Berhormat Petaling Jaya Utara adalah membangkitkan isu-isu mengenai situasi jenayah yang semakin berleluasa di negara ini termasuk di Petaling Jaya dan langkah-langkah bagi menangani.

Sebagai maklumat Ahli Yang Berhormat, indeks jenayah bagi Petaling Jaya untuk tahun 2007 adalah sebanyak 10,357 kes ataupun 17.67% daripada jumlah indeks jenayah bagi negeri Selangor. Dari jumlah tersebut, 2,241 kes melibatkan jenayah kekerasan dan 8,116 kes adalah merupakan jenayah harta benda.

Tuan Yang di-Pertua, jumlah keanggotaan anggota polis Ibu Pejabat Daerah Petaling Jaya pada 31 Mei 2008 adalah seramai 1,338 anggota daripada 10,246 anggota di seluruh Kontinjen Selangor. Nisbah anggota polis dengan penduduk bagi daerah Petaling Jaya bagi tahun 2007 adalah nisbahnya setiap seorang anggota polis untuk 1,300 orang penduduk dan sehingga Mei 2008 adalah setiap seorang anggota dan penduduknya ialah 1,279.

Polis Diraja Malaysia sedang berusaha untuk menambah perjawatan keanggotaan polis di seluruh negara terutamanya yang melibatkan perkhidmatan kepada masyarakat.

Cadangan penambahan perjawatan di semua balai polis seluruh negara telah dikemukakan kepada agensi pusat dan akan dipertimbangkan mengikut keutamaan. Bagi Kontinjen Selangor terdapat 55 buah balai polis dinaiktarafkan dan penambahan perjawatan anggota polis dilaksanakan bagi mengurangkan beban tugas pegawai dan anggota.

Ini secara tidak langsungnya dapat mengurangkan nisbah antara penduduk dan polis negeri Selangor.

Tuan Yang di-Pertua, Polis Diraja Malaysia juga sentiasa berusaha menyelesaikan kes-kes jenayah. Walau bagaimanapun penglibatan dan komitmen daripada masyarakat juga perlu bagi membantu pihak polis dalam mencegah jenayah daripada berlaku.

Berdasarkan kajian, pihak polis mendapati bahawa terdapatnya peluang yang membolehkan jenayah itu berlaku. Kelalaian dan kecuaian pemilik harta contohnya penyebab utama kepada jenayah harta benda. Sehubungan itu, kesedaran masyarakat perlu ditingkatkan lagi agar menyedari betapa kerjasama daripada mereka dapat membantu pihak polis dalam mencegah sesuatu jenayah.

Dalam mengurangkan kadar jenayah, Polis Diraja Malaysia mengambil beberapa langkah dengan meningkatkan lagi perondaan bit, MPV dan motosikal, mewujudkan balai ataupun pondok polis baru dengan sewaan bangunan, kedai ataupun perumahan di kawasan yang mempunyai kekerapan berlakunya kejadian jenayah. Maklumat melalui Rakan Cop dengan penghantaran sistem pesanan ringkas dan sistem pesanan multimedia dan menambah kehadiran polis di kawasan-kawasan yang berkenaan.

Polis Diraja Malaysia juga mengadakan kerjasama yang erat dengan Kerajaan Tempatan dan lain-lain agensi kerajaan seperti JKKK Daerah, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri dan Ahli Parlimen, mengadakan kempen-kempen ceramah dan pameran-pameran berkaitan senario jenayah, menggunakan sistem kamera litar tertutup CCTV di kawasan tertentu, mengadakan kerjasama dengan NGO dan juga Malaysian Grant Prevention Foundation dan juga mengenakan tindakan undang-undang termasuk Undang-undang Pencegahan terhadap penjenayahpenjenayah.

Tuan Yang di-Pertua, pembukaan 60 balai polis dan 55 pondok polis komuniti baru bagi kontinjen Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor dan Pulau Pinang adalah merupakan strategi pendekatan oleh Polis Diraja Malaysia dalam usaha membanteras jenayah dan mengawal
keselamatan penduduk bandar. Dengan kewujudan balai polis dan pondok polis komuniti ini, dapat menempatkan anggota-anggota polis di kalangan masyarakat dan dengan secara tidak langsung, kehadiran polis dapat menghalang kegiatan penjenayah dan meningkatkan lagi keyakinan masyarakat.

Selain daripada itu, kewujudan balai polis dan pondok polis komuniti ini juga dapat mendekatkan masyarakat dengan pihak polis serta memudahkan masyarakat mendapat perkhidmatan polis. Masyarakat boleh turut membantu pihak polis dalam menyalurkan maklumat. Melalui kewujudan balai polis dan pondok polis komuniti ini, pihak polis dapat bertindak dengan pantas dalam menangani sesuatu isu. Polis Diraja Malaysia juga merangka Pelaksanaan Command Control Communication and Computer Integration System di bilik-bilik gerakan setiap kontinjen di seluruh Malaysia agar bantuan dapat disalurkan dengan lebih cepat dan sistematik. Dengan adanya sistem ini, respond time dapat dipendekkan dengan purata lapan minit bagi setiap laporan.

Sekian, terima kasih.

To be frank, I'm feeling a little helpless on how to help reduce crime, besides getting the residents to take the necessary measures to protect themselves. The government don't seem to have any specific directions in do so. I did speak to the Deputy Minister after that to request for specific numbers for PJ, and he said to write in again for the numbers.

So, what can we do next?

Adjournment Speech on Crime in PJ

I delivered my first adjournment speech on crime in Petaling Jaya 2 days ago in Parliament. It was focused on crime because that's probably the most pressing issue in my constituency, and in all likelihood, many others.

Basically, in this session of parliament, 2 MPs are given opportunities to present problems or issues to specific ministries for a reply by the Minister or his deputy. This is done at the end of each day, when the Dewan is nearly empty, but you'd need to book at least 7 days in advance, including submission of the speech text, subject to availability of time-slots. And it's limited to about 400 words

My speech is as follows:

Walaupun, saya hanya menjadi ahli parlimen selama 4 bulan, saya telah menerima banyak aduan mengenai kes-kes jenayah di kawasan PJU melalui emel, telefon dan pusat perkhidmatan saya.

Sebanyak empat puluh peratus semua aduan-aduan yang saya terima daripada penduduk Petaling Jaya Utara menglibatkan masalah-masalah jenayah, dan saya percaya, ahli-ahli lain di dewan di sini juga menghadapi masalah yang sama.

Kadang-kala saya berasa amat tidak berdaya kerana kuasa mengatasi masalah ini bukan berada di tangan saya.

Bilangan tinggi kes jenayah di Petaling Jaya adalah antara yang tertinggi di seluruh Malaysia. Di kawasan Petaling Jaya Utara sahaja, banyak kes yang dilaporkan setiap hari seperti pemandu-pemandu kereta dirompak semasa meletak kereta dan apabila berjalan-jalan. Adik saya dirampas ugut, isteri saya pun baru-baru dirompak di hadapan rumah!

Antara beberapa kawasan bawah Petaling Jaya Utara, terutamanya Damansara Jaya, Damansara Utama, SS20 and kawasan pinggiran, Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Sri Damansara, terdapatnya lebih daripada 200,000 orang penduduk, akan tetapi ahli-ahli polis yang ditempatkan di kawasan Damansara cumanya 124 orang.

Apakah langkah-langkah yang akan diambil oleh kementerian untuk menambahkan bilangan ahli polis dan juga pondok polis di kawasan Petaling Jaya, khususnya di kawasan yang mencatatkan bilangan kes jenayah yang tinggi?

Mengikut OCPD Petaling Jaya, nisbah anggota polis kepada rakyat di Petaling Jaya adalah kira-kira seorang anggota polis untuk 1800 penduduk, mengikut OCPD. Malah ada kawasan di Petaling Jaya di mana nisbah seteruk seorang polis untuk 4000 orang penduduk. Ini adalah jauh kurang daripada piawai dunia iaitu seorang bagi 250 orang penduduk.

Pada masa yang sama, OCPD berkata, untuk mengurangkan kadar jenayah sebanyak 30%, nisbah ini hendaklah dikurangkan ke 1:350 – soalannya, adakah kerajaan kita mempunyai tekad untuk melaksanakan langkah-langkah yang berpatutan? Apakah nisbah sasaran untuk PJ bagi setiap tahun yang akan datang sebelum tahun 2012?

Selain daripada itu, antara aduan yang sering sekali adalah masalah anggota polis yang bersikap “tidak kesah” ataupun dengan izin, apathetic kerana tiada "urgency" untuk menyelesaikan kes-kes, terutamanya semasa menerima laporan kes. Banyak juga mengambil masa yang tidak munasabah dalam memberi prihatin kepada kes-kes yang sedang berlaku, seperti masa tiga puluh minit untuk pergi ke kawasan jenayah.

Baru sahaja pagi ini, saya mendapat aduan mengenai Pejabat Polis Sea Park melayan seorang mangsa pembokaran dari Taman Paramount dengan cara yang kurang bersopan dan menyinggungkan perasaan. Walaupun penjenayah dapat melarikan dirinya apabila dikejar, akan tetapi, dia tertinggal kasutnya. Akan tetapi pihak polis enggan menerima bahan bukti tersebut dan enggan mengambil sebarang kesan cap jari di rumahnya.

[The paragraph above was added impromptu, which wasn't actually allowed, as the adjournment speech text was to have been provided a week earlier, but I wanted to make the point with an example]

Saya, dan juga keramai ahli parlimen di Dewan ini berasa, kes baru ini akan juga menjadi fail-fail yang kian bertambah yang tidak akan mendapat penyelesaian.

Oleh itu, saya meminta Kementerian Dalam Negeri menjelaskan langkah-langkah yang terperinci untuk mengatasi masalah jenayah di Petaling Jaya, terutamanya untuk menambahkan anggota polis yang mencukupi untuk menjalankan tugas polis dengan berkesan. Adakah pelan-pelan ini tengah dilaksanakan dan bagaimanakah perkembangan pelan-pelan tersebut?

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Dato' Chor Chee Heung responded to the issue raised, which is available here in the Hansard on page 187. I wasn't too impressed with the response, a fair bit of regurgitation of information without any real zeal to resolve the issue. I'll blog about it in the next post.

Damansara Uptown Charity Carnival

The spastic children delivered a rasa sayang performance

Just to lend support to the charity carnival at Damansara Uptown, right behind my service centre, which is being held for the Spastic Children's Association of Selangor and Federal Territory (SCAS &FT), and organised by See Hoy Chan Sdn Bhd Group.

The carnival will take place on July 27 (Sunday) from 9am to 2pm at the Uptown public car park in Damansara Uptown (opposite Uptown 37).

The following is the press report by The Star:

AT A time when many people are prudent with their spending, charitable organisations are in greater need of donations.

[...]

According to SCAS&FT president Datuk Dr Lam Peng Chong, the association needs about RM2mil a year to provide transport, food, education and living skills training to about 300 children.

The association is also trying to raise RM12mil to redevelop its 47-year-old building into a twin six-storey building, which would have rental space to generate revenue for the centre.

Also present at the press conference were See Hoy Chan executive vice-president Joe Tan, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin.

Armed with a keyboard, drums and tambourines, about 10 children from the home then put on a musical performance for the guests.

Pua, who took time out from the parliamentary sitting to attend the event, said issues at the Parliament bogged him down as he was on his way to the event.

“When I saw them performing, I knew that other matters can wait. We sometimes lose focus on the important things in life,” said Pua, who was moved by the performance.

See you there! ;-)

Billboard in SS2 II

Following my post here on the billboard which carried the contacts for Damansara Utama ADUN as well as mine on the controversial SS2 billboard, The Star Metro has taken the case up once again last Friday.

“The company has never asked us for permission to do so. I'm not against them putting up our numbers but I think it was rather discourteous of them not to ask us first,” Pua said.

He also said the company should specify on the billboard that it was sponsored for and not paid for with money from the state or the elected representatives.

According to Dr Cheah, there was no communication between the company and him before they printed his phone numbers. “They even got the name of my constituency wrong. It says Damansara Damai instead of Damansara Utama,” Cheah said.

Setia Media officials could not be reached for comments.

I've yet to receive any communications from Setia Media since the article was published, and I've not yet seen any change to the billboard. We'll see what happens. ;-)

Parliamentary Caucus Hearing on Crime

Let's Fight Rising Crime Rate!

Public Hearing on Crime in Klang Valley
by Parliamentary Human Rights Caucus

Date: July 11, 2007 (Wednesday)
Time: 8.00pm – 10.30pm
Venue: Dewan Sivik, Majlis Perbandaran Petaling Jaya (MBPJ)

"We want the public to take this opportunity to voice their suggestions and opinions." Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Minister in Prime Minister's Department

Caucus MPs present will include:

• YB Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Caucus Chairman,
• YB Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader,
• YB Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, MP for Permatang Pauh.

All are welcome to express your views, and make written submissions. Admission is free.

The Hall can occupy 1,000 people, hence for those who can make it, please do so to make a point on the seriousness of the issue of crime in our cities.

Billboard in SS2

For those staying in SS2 or who passes SS2 regularly might have noticed the above billboard right opposite RHB Bank, at the traffic light junction.

It's huge billboard, initially put up with just the mugshot of the Selangor Menteri Besar, the Selangor Government crest, and the backdrop of the Shah Alam mosque, and interestingly enough, Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel (whom I had initially thought paid for the billboard).


When newspapers covered the story, with concerns that the state government was extravagant with its expenses, it was found that the billboard company, Setia Media was the one who put it up.

And when residents complained that the billboard would have been more useful if the representatives' numbers were published, the company put up both Dr Cheah Wing Yin (ADUN for Damansara Utama) and my contacts almost immediately.

I don't have a problem having my service centre hotline and email details published. But I thought it was rather odd for the billboard company not to have the courtesy to inform us in advance. Hence I wasn't aware of it till I saw it for myself last week as I was passing by. Worse, they even got Dr Cheah's constituency wrong - it is published as "Damansara Damai".

And possibly more importantly, the billboard company should state clearly on the advertisement that it was sponsored by the company, and the state did not pay for anything for it. This will certainly go a long way towards clarifying to residents that the local politicians did not waste precious tax-payers money to "glorify" themselves.

Discrepancy in MBPJ Council List

This is an update to the post I wrote a few days ago with regards to a press statement issued by my DAP colleague, ADUN for Kg Tunku with regards to certain potential discrepancy in the local council appointments in MBPJ.

In MBPJ, it was announced that there will be a total of 24 new councilors of which four of them are from PAS, seven from PKR and six from DAP, with the remaining seven councilorship to be appointed from non-partisan nominees, i.e. NGOs and RAs in Petaling Jaya.

It is an important change, when compared to the previous Barisan Nasional Government, that NGO members are appointed to the local council to ensure increased transparency and good governance, and to ensure special and needy interest groups are taken into account, such as the appointment of Anthony Thanasayan, president of the Animal Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association.

However, I have been informed that a member of a political party replaced a non-partisan local Petaling Jaya residents' association president under the NGO quota in MBPJ. In addition, I've been made to understand that this was done at the very last minute to avoid possible objections to the move.

I'd like to express my regret and disappointment that such action has blemished an otherwise excellent step taken by the Selangor state government to include NGO participation while waiting for the local government to be democratically elected in the near future.

I'd like to call upon the Selangor state government to review its decision, to ensure that all party members are placed strictly within the party quotas i.e., 7 from PKR, 6 from DAP and 4 from PAS and only genuine and reputable NGO members as well as leaders of local residents' associations are given strict priority.

I would also be interested to find out if the above is happening to other local councils as well in Selangor.

New Petaling Jaya Councillors List Out?

I've received several calls from reporters and friends after reading a leaked list of councillors in The Star Metro yesterday. I couldn't comment much on the list as I wasn't directly involved in the final selection process.

However, my colleague, ADUN for Kampung Tunku has issued a press statement as copied below from his blog, and it's makes for some concerned reading.

A mockery for PR if partisan nominees appointed as councilors under NGO quota

It has been negotiated that there will be an average of 6 non-partisan councillors in each local council in Selangor excluding Orang Besar Kaya Besar Daerah (OKBD). In Selangor, there are altogether nine OKBDs in each local councils except for Petaling Jaya City Hall (MBPJ), Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).

In Petaling Jaya City Hall, there will be a total of 24 new councilors of which four of them are from PAS, seven from PKR and six from DAP, with the remaining seven councilorship to be appointed from non-partisan nominees, i.e. NGOs and RAs in Petaling Jaya.

The Star Metro has published a list of councilors for MBPJ today and I was requested to comment on it. For a city with various active NGOs in town, political parties should not hijack councillorship reserved for NGOs and RAs in MBPJ.

Sad to say, from the list of unconfirmed names reported in the Star Metro today, I can notice that there are efforts by certain party to insert party members as councilors in MBPJ under NGO quota as there are only six NGO and RA councilors in the list, namely Richard Yeoh (TI), Anthony Thanasayagan (Coordinator of Malaysians Against Discrimination of the Disabled), Dr Melasutra bt Md Dali (Town Planner), Cynthia Manonmani a/p Michael Gabriel (Suaram), Derek Fernandez (prominent lawyer on local governance) and Paneer Sivam (labourer activitist) with no representatives from residents association.

It is my stand that the seven non-partisan nominees should be purely reserved for non-partisan nominees, i.e. NGOs and RAs in Petaling Jaya. Else it will be a mockery for Pakatan Rakyat.

Will possibly blog more should I obtain more information.

Forum: Agenda Ekonomi Baru (AEB)

For readers who are interested in economic policies for this country, there's a perfect forum coming up for you, organised by the Institut Kajian Dasar this coming Friday.

Topic: New Economic Agenda: Hope & Challenges
Date & Time: 8:30pm 15 June 2007 (Friday)
Venue: Armada Hotel, Petaling Jaya (Asia Jaya LRT Station)

Panelists:

• Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad (Director, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia Research Centre)
• Prof Rajah Rasiah (Professor of Technology and Innovation Policy, Faculty of Economics and Administration, Universiti Malaya)
• Tony Pua (Economic Advisor to Secretary General, Democratic Action Party)

Ekonomi Malaysia terkongkong oleh Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) yang didakwa bertujuan menstruktur semula masyarakat dan membasmi kemiskinan, tetapi sebenarnya dirampas oleh para Umnoputra, kroni-kroni dan kerabat untuk menjutawankan sendiri. Untuk menghalang gejala ini daripada terus merebak, parti-parti alternatif dan masyarakat madani mencadangkan satu dasar baru yang dinamakan Agenda Ekonomi Baru untuk gantikan DEB.

Ramai sekali golongan cerdik pandai yang tidak dihargai di Malaysia terpaksa berhijrah ke luar negeri setiap tahun. Dengan kurangnya penyelidikan dan lembabnya sistem pendidikan, ekonomi Malaysia payah sekali nak berkembang maju.

Setiap tahun, negara jiran kita Singapura yang se-autokratik Malaysia berupaya menarik pelaburan asing langsung (FDI) lebih daripada segantang, sedangkan Malaysia di bawah rejim kukubesi Umno cuma dapat sechupak, malah Indonesia pun telah memperoleh lebih banyak pelaburan asing daripada Malaysia sejak kebelakangan ini. Ramai akan menuduh dasar Umno untuk memaksa para pelabur memperuntukkan 30% ekuiti kepada golongan Bumiputra salah satu halangan yang terbesar. Jadi macam manakah harus kita tanganinya?

Apakah harapan kita terhadap AEB? Apakah cabaran yang bakal kita hadapi? Saudara dan saudari yang kita kasihi sekalian, hadirilah forum terbuka kita beramai-ramai! Jamuan ringan disediakan.

Untok penerangan lanjut sila hubungi:

Sdr. Amiruddin Sari, Programme Coordinator, IKD - amir.ikd(at)gmail.com

See you there! ;)

Coming Near You This Weekend...

Just some quick announcements ;) The weekend's about to get busier for me.

For those who have Astro, and understands Mandarin, I'm on tonights talk show "Talking Issues" ("就事论事") at AEC Channel 19 @ 11pm. The issue being discussed is slightly relevant to the current civil service 'controversy' - "Who's Responsible For The Public Works with Major Defects?"

Brand new buildings and highways, as well as recently completed expensive renovations in Putrajaya, Parliament and the mega-Court complex are showing extensive and unbelievable defects. Who's responsible? The Government? The Civil Service (Public Works Department)? The Minister? Or The Contractor? Find out more tonight! ;)

In addition, for those living in the Petaling Jaya (PJ) vicinity, just a gentle reminder on the dinner event being held by the PJ Action Team in Sungai Way. I'll be speaking at the event together with other leaders like DAP Secretary General, Sdr Lim Guan Eng, and MP for Bukit Mertajam, Sdri Chong Eng. Click here for more details. ;)

Sg Kayu Ara

Amazing sight of squatter colonies, illegal makeshift steel bridges, untreated sewarage,
rubbish deposits, retained waters... it's like a different world

Construction debris, uncompleted embankments choking the river

All choked up...
(Pics courtesy of The Star)

I took The Star reporter on a tour of the Sungai Kayu Ara right at the border of my Petaling Jaya Utara constituency with the Subang parliamentary constituency 2 weeks back. Many of those staying in PJ probably don't know much about the river, unless you actually stay right next to it, but having been taken on tours on various parts of the the river by residents, it is a river which brings crime, health, flooding and other environmental problems to the city as a whole.

Have a read at the Star report here (excerpts below), and I'll try to upload more photos later.

River silting has become a major concern as it leads to flash floods and other social, environment and health problems. StarMetro visits Sg Kayu Ara in search of the real issues behind the siltation.

THE Sg Kayu Ara river in Petaling Jaya meanders through the city passing through residential districts and wellknown commercial landmarks.
Not complete: The embankments are either half complete or inadequate.

Yet what should be a seamless flow is blocked; heaps of rubbish piled up on the surface with construction rubble and earth lining the riverbanks.

During a visit to four sites along the river together with Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, we witnessed more than just river silting. The greater concern was the social and environmental impact the condition posed.

Further upstream we came across a settlement made up of mainly foreigners who had built wooden houses along the riverbank.

The foreigners have also illegally built bridges over the river to be linked to another colony.

Pua said most of these foreigners might even claim to have land titles since they were bold enough to build the houses.

[...]

Moving on to the second site in Jalan Jenjarom Damansara Jaya, further shock greeted us in the form of another foreign settlement clinging onto a hill slope well hidden from the main view of the roads.

The hill slope was also treated as a dumpsite with rubbish everywhere.

“I'm shocked to see this. This place reminds me of the 1970s Vietnamese refugee camp in Sg Besi! It's shocking to learn that we still have problems like these in an upmarket city like Petaling Jaya,” said Pua.

At the third site near Kg Chempaka in Taman Mayang, res-taurant operator Loke Moon Hoong, who has been running his business there for the past 30 years, said the surrounding area had experienced floods three times in the last two months.

“The worst flood was as high as two metres,” said Loke.

More importantly, we are in discussions with MBPJ and the Police to form a task force to deal with the issues and problems which arises out of the alien ecosystem of Sg Kayu Ara.

Donation Towards Relief Efforts in Burma and China

The DAP has designated this week for all its branches throughout the country to conduct fund raising exercises towards the disaster relief efforts in Burma and China.


DAP in Petaling Jaya started our efforts at the SS2 Pasar Malam on Monday, and will continue our presence, as far as possible at the various markets this week. RM4,945 was collected on Monday, while RM760 was collected on Tuesday at SS3.

We have also set up now an online mechanism for members of the public to donate here. You will be able to donate via credit card, Maybank2U and other payment methods. All funds collected will be announced on this blog, and it will all go towards organisations such as World Vision for disaster relief efforts in Burma and China.

Mothers' Day Celebrations

It was a great morning as DAP Petaling Jaya PJ team got into action at 7.30 am as we distributed carnations to all mothers at the SEA Park market in PJ. The ladies were certainly pleased to be receiving the flowers, many of whom were asking for more ;). We also distributed leaflets on our 3 wishes for this mothers' day.




At the end of the programme, we also had a small press conference whereby we protested against the uncouth and misbehaving BN parliamentarians who insulted the dignity of not only our MP for Batu Gajah, Sdri Fong Po Kuan, but also all mothers and women of Malaysia. Watch out for more details of a forum being organised on Thursday this coming week on this issue. ;)


After another press conference with Sdri Teresa Kok on a separate matter, she took me to lunch where she was invited as a special guest at the launch of a new funeral parlour by a Chinese clan association. There I was kindly introduced to many local clan leaders, many who were giving plenty of words of encouragement. (How am I going to remember so many faces and names, I have absolutely no clue!)

Found my way home soon enough, in time to send my missus to her dance class and to take the little angel to a former colleague's daugther's birthday party. When nap time came along, I found a little time to squeeze in this post and clear some of the cobwebs in my mailbox. ;)

After this it's Mother's Day dinner with the missus, yes, I can't be giving carnations out to all the mothers out there and not appreciate the one at home right? :) Unfortunately, that isn't the end of the day for I'll still have to leave the house to attend a funeral wake of a party supporter's (who is now a friend) father.

Yes, all in all, a packed schedule for the day, but thankfully, not every day is like today. ;) And thank goodness, there isn't anything scheduled early in the morning tomorrow. ;)

No IPCMC In Sight

Some 40-50% of the complaints I receive via email are on matters with regards to the state of crime in Malaysia, and in particular, Petaling Jaya. The matter never fails to raise its ugly head whenever we have held dialogues with the residents. So what is the government doing about it?

On my part, it is impossible for the MP or ADUNs is unable to do much about the matter without the co-operation of the police. We have tried to see the OCPD of Petaling Jaya since the 4th of April, twice the appointment was set, and twice it was postponed by the OCPD at the last minute. I've finally got another response today to have the dialogue on this Wednesday 3pm. Hopefully, it won't be postponed at the last minute again.

However, on the national front, we are looking pressing the Barisan Nasional government to set up the originally promised but much delayed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) in order to re-establish the credibility of the police force, as well as improving its efficiency and effectiveness.

IPOH TIMOR had on 7th May asked the Minister of Home Affairs:

...sama ada Kerajaan sekarang akan menubuhkan IPCMC untuk mengadakan satu perkhidmatan polis bertaraf dunia yang cekap, beramanah dan profesional demi mengurangkan jenayah, menghapuskan rasuah dan menghormati hak asasi manusia - mesej jelas "tsunami politik" 8 Mac 2008

And unfortunately, the reply was short and disappointing:

Kerajaan telah memutuskan untuk menarik semula Rang Undang-Undang Suruhanjaya Aduan Khas 2007 (Special Complaints Commission) yang telah dibaca untuk kali pertama di Dewan Rakyat pada 13 Disember 2007.

Which of course is totally and absolutely ignoring the question that IPOH TIMOR had asked. The Special Complaints Commission was nothing close to the IPCMC recommended by the Royal Commission on the Malaysian Police Force.

Mothers' Day Event

Mothers' Day falls on this coming Sunday. For DAP in Petaling Jaya, to celebrate the occasion, we will be giving out carnations to all mothers at the Sea Park market on Sunday morning from 8.30am. At the same time, we will also be addressing the press at 9.30am, in part to register our with disgust with Barisan Nasional MPs, in particular, Mohd Said "Close-One-Eye" Yusof and Bung Mokhtar Radin who insulted all mothers and women in Parliament with their vulgar remarks.

For those who are free, who shares our disappointment with BN MPs who thumped their tables with joy when our MP for Batu Gajah, Fong Po Kuan failed in her bid to refer the duo to the House Committee of Privileges, please feel free to join us, either at 8.30 or at 9.30. For details, please email me at tonypua(at)yahoo.com. Your support will be greatly appreciated. ;)

Below is our 3 Wishes for this Mothers' Day:

1. That Our Mothers' Dreams Will Come True

Mothers all over Malaysia have sacrificed immensely so we can be successful in our lives. Hence today, May 13 is a day dedicated to mothers across the country for their unconditional love and dedication in raising us. We should therefore be reminded to pause from our busy daily schedule to spend time with her and tell her how much we love her, hoping the our Mothers' dreams will all come true.

In honour of all mothers around the country and as a token of our appreciation, DAP PJ will be distributing carnations to all mothers in Sea Park, Petaling Jaya.

2. That Our Government Will Stop Breaking Up Happy Families

Rubber-tapper Marimuthu was happily married to Raimah Bibi a/p Noordin for 21 years with 7 children but was suddenly and forcibly separated from them because his wife was born a Muslim.

Although Marimuthu has gotten back all his children, the family is now broken up. Raimah Bibi is now separated from her husband and children – although there can be no doubt that they would want to be reunited as one family again.

All religions inculcate good values of family love, compassion and unity and no religion would work to disrupt happy families. Where is the justice in Malaysia if families who have been living happily together for decades are forcibly separated by the Government, leaving the children without the care and love of their mother?

The DAP wishes on this auspicious day, that Raimah, a dedicated wife and mother for the past 21 years, can be reunited her pride and joy.

3. That Our Government Respects Mothers & Women

It was a disgraceful act by BN MPs who insulted women all over Malaysia in Parliament. When our MP for Batu Gajah, Fong Po Kuan was debating the issue of leaks in the Parliament, the Bung Mokhtar Radin had retorted “Mana ada bocor, Batu Gajah pun tiap-tiap bulan pun bocor juga,” while Mohd Said Yusof added ““MP for Batu Gajah tiap-tiap bulan pun bocor juga.”

They abused of their parliamentary privileges to besmirch and dishonour the Parliament by making crude, vulgar, sexist and offensive remarks. They insulted not only Po Kuan but all Malaysian mothers and women.

DAP PJ will show our solidarity with Po Kuan this Mother's Day by asking why no woman BN MP was will stand up to speak up for women dignity and condemn the two sexist BN MPs? Why is our MP in Petaling Jaya Utara who is also the Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development staying elegantly silent on the issue?

Happy Mothers' Day!

Section 19 New Members

I was at a function this morning where Section 19 and other Petaling Jaya residents submitted some 300 membership forms to join the Democratic Action Party (DAP), as well as forming 5 new branches.

Chinasamy, the proposed pro-tem committee chairman of one of the PJ Section 19 branches
handing over the application forms to Charles Santiago (MP, Klang),
Dr Cheah Wing Yin (ADUN, Damansara Utama) and myself

It's certainly refreshing to find so many interested in joining DAP, as I believe that the "change" which occurred in the last general elections has given the people greater belief that "more" change is possible, and the "fear" of repercussions from a lobsided Barisan Nasional government receded.

The members of Section 19 are also looking to set up a mini-service centre at the Bistari low-cost flats to help resolve the problems of the residents in the area as well. In essence, we hope that these new branches will all be active in organising activities to strengthen neighbourly as well as inter-racial ties of the residents.

Well, for those of your supporters who are not yet members, and are interested in joining DAP in Petaling Jaya, please write to allypua (at) yahoo (dot) com, with the Subject header - "Membership", and we'll try to get the forms to you. Alternatively, you can just pop by our service centre at 55M Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Utama (10am-6pm weekdays).

Membership fees is RM5 per annum or RM100 for life membership. For those interested in actually forming a branch, the proposed new ruling is that you'd need 50 members, of which 10 are life members. Join us, support our cause and play a part in shaping the face of this country in the years to come! ;-)