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Friday, May 30, 2008

Bandar Mahkota Cheras Turmoil is finally solved?

Finally, the Selangor PR government is putting its act together in behaving like a government in power, using its agency to solve the rakyat’s problem. You can be with the rakyat in opposing the project, but leaders are supposed to lead and not to be involved until violence erupts. As in this case, situation can get out of hand.

Finally, the state government realized that it has a stake in the whole project, flexes its muscle to government agency to solve the problem. After 2 weeks of high tension excitement, fear and frustration, finally it’s putting the act together. To oppose is easy, but to govern and solve problem is an entirely different matter.

Chua: Banning foreign cars from filling petrol within 30-50km from Malaysia borders is an illogical move/ 限制外国汽车添油非良策


文告
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马华前副总会长拿督斯里蔡细历医生促请政府考虑设施不同汽油价格,允许外国车辆继续在新山境内的油站自由添油。

他建议政府可考虑对外国车辆设定一个较高的油价,在这段期间允许他们如常自由添油,直到定夺新油价后再进行调整。

他强调,新山是柔佛州的经济心脏,加上政府正落力发展柔南经济特区,禁止外国汽车在新山边境30至50公里的油站添油是有欠合理,更不符合我国的外资友好政策。

他说,虽然贸消部表示这只是暂时性措施,但未说明会实施到什么时候。政府政策频频变动会让外资无所适从,也会直接影响外资对投资我国的信心和兴趣。

蔡细历对国内贸易及消费人事务部长拿督沙里尔指将在6月19日,将禁止入境南马的外国车辆在边境30至50公里内添油的措施,表示关注,在今日发表文告向政府反映他的担忧。

“新山是比较特别的经济区。它的经济收益主要来自新加坡人群。据了解,每天有约5万至10万名新加坡人进出新山,其中包括工作人士、商业人士和游客。周末、日则有8万至10万人自邻国到新山消费。”

他补充,在这5至10万人中,至少有10%是柔南的重要投资者。上述禁令不但限制外资的商业活动,也会让所有在新山境内消费的外国人感到不友善。

蔡细历强调,他同意外国人不应和我国人民共享国内的石油津贴,国人的消费权益应受维护。

“但站在经济的角度,我不希望政府的任何政策影响正在起飞的外来投资和旅游消费市场。”


Former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek today commented on government’s decision to ban foreign cars from filling petrol within 30-50 kilometres of the Malaysian border with its southern neighbour.

He urged the government to reconsider the move and instead, set a different set of petrol price for foreign cars so that foreign cars can continue to have freedom to pump petrol in Johor Bahru.
Chua proposed that the government can consider implementing this plan until a new petrol price is determined.

Stressing that Johor Bahru is the centre of economic activities and adding to it is the Iskandar Development Region, he said that the decision by the government to ban foreign cars from pumping petrol within 30-50km from the border of Malaysia is illogical and doesn’t match our friendly foreign investment strategy.

“Johor is a special economic area. Its main economy income comes from Singaporeans. According to my understanding, there are about 50, 000 to 100, 000 Singaporeans traveled to and from Malaysia. Among them includes workers, businessman and tourists. When it comes to weekends, there will be about 80, 000 to 100, 000 Singaporeans who come to Johor Bahru to spend,” said Chua.

He added that in this 50, 000 to 100, 000 people, at least 10 percent of them are Johor’s important investors and the above said move will not only restrict foreign investment activities but will also make all foreigners who spend money in Johor Bahru feel unfriendly.

Chua further stressed that he agreed foreigners should not enjoy the same petrol subsidy as Malaysians and that Malaysians’ benefit and rights should be protected.

“However, if we see from the perspective of economy, I do not hope that any decision or strategy by the government will influence and affect foreign investment and tourism,” he said.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

7th Anniversary of MCA Purchasing Nanyang Press Holdings

308 election is over and BN including MCA neglecting the new media had been cited as one of the reasons of bad election outing by mca. There is lack of trust in the main stream media because they are controlled by political parties within BN and today marked the 7 years of controversial sale of Nanyang Press Holdings to MCA. Although the stake was reduced to 20 percent, if I’m not mistaken, its time that MCA re-look at shareholding. Maybe we should sell it so that the Chinese mainsteam media do not have political baggage. Otherwise, people will view suspiciously whatever is reported in mainstream media that it is MCA spinning although the reports may be true. Since the stake is insignificant financially, but it still carries a heavy political burden. Therefore, it’s time to revisit MCA’s share holding at Nanyang Press Holdings.
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2001年5月28日,马华收购了南洋报业。今天已是528报殇7周年。

在已落幕的308全国大选,忽视新媒体的崛起和其力量被指为国阵和马华惨败的主要导因之一。人民对国阵政党掌控媒体集团感到厌恶,以致他们对主流媒体反感,也不再相信主流媒体的报道。

如果没记错,马华今天在南洋报业的股权只剩下20%。虽然不多,但我始终认为,马华应该重新检讨对媒体集团的拥有权,也许马华应该脱售南洋报业,让主流媒体得以卸下政治包袱。否则,读者将继续置疑主流媒体的报道,认为马华在背后干预和掩盖真相。

马华在南洋报业的股份并没有带来可观的收入,但却让党背着沉重的政治负担。因此,是时候再深思收购南洋报业之事。

Fake Student Visa

The government has not done a good job in the issue of student visa. It all boils down to greed, both by the private sector and some government officials. Students should have clearance from colleges that they attend classes regularly before renewing student’s visa. However, some dubious colleges (there are more than 500 colleges in the country) who even verified that students “attend classes” when they know they are working. It is not uncommon to find a lot of students working full time. Blacklisting these fraudulent colleges doesn’t seem to work. The colleges should be charged for fraud because aiding and abetting foreign workers coming into Malaysia as students. We only have about 50, 000 foreign students and we often wonder how many are really students.

These fraudulent colleges have damaged the reputation of Malaysia’s effort to be the centre of education excellence since we are unable to address the issue of weeding out fraudulent colleges, who are probably helped by immigration authorities. One wonders how the Ministry of Education conducts accreditation and registration of private colleges. Enforcement is weak or rather non-existence unless they are tightened; the issue of fake student visa will continue to plague private education in this country.

报警了,what’s next?

马青总团一行人昨天向警方报案,要求警方彻查偷拍光碟的事。

报警吧。这里是民主法治国家,马青当然有权去报警。


可是,当事人没出现,却动员众马青总团执委去报案,有点耐人寻味。

再说,我在今年一月已经就光碟事件报警,警方也已展开调查工作,如今获马青如此关心光碟事件的幕后黑手,我还得感激他们呢!

我不是律师,但据了解,除非得到总检察长的同意,否则警方不能,也不会随便公开个人案件的调查报告。

我也希望有关的动作,并非试图转移视线。

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

马华三人调查小组有名无实?

BY HOWARD LIM

敬爱的拿督斯里蔡医生,小弟才疏学浅,但也看得出不能对这个三人调查委员会寄以厚望... 原因有三:

1. 调查委员会的组成与代表性:

三人中,一个几乎完全没有政治工作的经验,而另两人嘛,虽然丹斯里石清霖德高望重,处事一向正直,任重道远,但毕竟不是专业司法程式的执行者,当然,我们不能就此对该委员会的公平公正产生置疑,但一个这么暧昧且牵涉多方的问题,在没有律法赋权的情况下,委员会成员也难免为难。

2. 调查委员会的作业模式:

调查委员会的工作过于公开,几乎每一个受邀出席听证会的人士都会马上成为媒体的追踪焦点,先勿论政治立场或背景,考虑到对个人及家庭成员的影响,一般涉及事件的人士都不会愿意露面供证(尤其是在这个所谓挺黄倒黄的关键时刻,所有的动作都变得极为敏感。),人证匮乏,当然物证也就不能提供有效的调查作用了。

3. 调查委员会的权威与专业性:

就箅"斩鸡头,立重誓",以人类这个物种而视,尤其是事关身份地位,别人眼中人格优劣的问题,为了确立及稳固本身立场,许多人是愿意使用这种手段的;今天看到调查委员会建议以"宣誓"来担保供证人的言词,实在让人错愕,甚至相当置疑调查委员会的权威性,试问有哪个被判有罪的人不曾大言不惭的手按经典立誓背书? 调查委员会必须以实在的证据为考量,并以公正的道德标准为依归,若三人小组一事子虚乌有,涉案三人必须得还清白,若真有此事,应予以严惩,还百万马华党员及马华的支持民众一个公道!而非选择以 "宣誓" 的方式来提升言论及供证的可信度,形同儿戏!再者,说到惩处,在三人调查委员会完成调查工作之后,所有的证物,结论及报告是否呈交马华会长理事会进行最后的定夺? 若然,则委员会的工作是否能起着决定性的作用也实在发人深思...

其实,小弟还有一个蛮有趣的迷思,成立三人调查委员会的动机到底是什么?是履行民主程序,还原事件真像吗?还是另有所图?或者,依逻辑检测其价值,是搜索传言中的秘密小组的运作程序及成果? 是确认该组织的存在与否? 是找出操作者的身份及目的? 是向党员交待事件的始末? 是清党归正的实在作业? 或... 仅仅只是为已经被确认的事实代赎?

Disease lurking in our house/ 潜伏家中的疾病危机

It is estimated that there are around 1.5 million legal workers in this country. Only God knows the number of illegal workers. Figure tossed around was above 800, 000. The medical examination of foreign workers in the country of origin is a contentious issue especially from Indonesia. Strictly speaking, patient will be rejected if unfit in country of origin. However, they can easily change their identity and get their medication examinations done by a different doctor in a different place, from unfit to become fit. When random checking was done in Malaysia at the point of entry, it was found about 4.5 percent medically fit legal workers found to be unfit at entry point in Malaysia

When I was still the Minister of Health, I made changes and decided that it is compulsory to have medical examinations on the first month the workers arrive since examination in some country of origin cannot be trusted. The influx of foreign workers have resulted in re-emergence of infectious disease in Malaysia. Glaring examples are tuberculosis, malaria, syphilis. TB is usually associated with people from poor economic background with lack of sanitation. However, it is not uncommon to find TB in Malaysia among the middle income and rich as well as children because the source of infection comes from the maid who lives in the house.

Medical examinations in Malaysia while it is coordinated by Fomema, some of Malaysian doctors are also not fault free. Laboratory tests are known not to be stringently conducted, X-rays done but not read, the range of laboratory tests are also restricted so that they save on laboratory expenses. While some of these black sheeps had been identified, nor all the problems are solved. Doctors should not just be blacklisted if found to be unprofessional, but should be referred to MMC for disciplinary action because of unprofessional conducts.

The laboratory fees paid to Fomema is suspected to be bloated (RM60 – 75) because of Fomema’s passing this job thru a trading company. Sometime in December last year when I was still the Minister, I managed to persuade Fomema (lab operator) to bring down the price of laboratory tests to RM40 and Fomema to abolish collection of laboratory fees through 3rd party. To be honest, I don’t know why this decision is still not implemented by Ministry of Health although it was agreed then by the Ministry, Fomema and the laboratory operators. Laboratory should be subjected to the Pathology Act so that they become more professional in their conduct of business. The laboratory test must be reliable and accurate. Once the Pathology Act is implemented, they too can be fine and deregistered.
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根据官方统计,我国有约150万名合法劳工,至于非法劳工的确实人数则无从估计,我想不会少过80万人。

外劳在来源国所进行的医药体检一直备受争议,尤其是来自印尼。严格来说,无法在祖国通过第一关体检的外劳将被拒绝录用。不过,他们却通过其他管道让其他医生鉴诊并取得体检合格证,瞒骗输出国和聘请国的官员。这就是为何执法当局对抵境的外劳展开抽样调查,仍会发现有约4至5%的外劳带病入境。

由于来源国的医药体检受置疑,我任职卫生部长期间,曾更改体检程序,强制所有外劳抵达我国的首个月内,须接受第2轮体检。这些年来,我国劳工市场对外援的需求日益增加,而外劳大量涌至也导致许多在我国已绝迹的传染疾病再度出现,肺痨、疟疾、梅毒是最明显的例子。尽管肺痨只发生在严缺完善卫生系统的贫穷或非发展国家,但在我国,却常闻那些来自中上和富有家庭的幼儿被家庭女佣传染的病例。

我国的外劳体检是由外劳体检公司(FOMEMA)负责,坦白说,这些指定的体检诊所医生也会有失误。我们常发现体检诊所没有严格进行指定的化验室测试、没有检阅X光扫描报告、为节省开支而局限化验室测试的项目等。虽然有关的害群之马被揪出,上述问题还是继续发生。我认为,这些违反专业操守的医生不该只被列入黑名单,也应交由大马医药理事会审讯,以对他们采取严厉的纪律行动。

外劳体检公司相信是由一家商业公司来执行其特许权,因此有传目前化验费的化验费已飙涨至60-75令吉之间。2007年12月间,我曾和外劳检验公司高层面谈,并成功说服该公司以及化验室经营者把化验收费降至40令吉,该公司也同意废除征收3令吉中介费。

有关收费的问题,卫生部、外劳体检公司及化验室经营者既已取得共识,我不了解为何卫生部至今还未落实。化验室的测试结果必须准确可靠,因此,所有化验室应受到病理学法令约束,只有在法令的监管下,国内各私人化验室才会遵守专业的商业准则。一旦病理学法令落实生效,违法的营业者将面对罚款及被吊销注册。

Monday, May 26, 2008

不要未吃辣椒先喊辣

马青总团长廖中莱日前说我影射他就是秘密3人小组的成员,公开要我收回有关言论以及道歉。

我很纳闷。

第一;针对秘密3人小组事件,我过去的言论从未直指谁是成员。

· 我已经清楚表明,我对这个秘密小组的了解全来自听闻,而根据揭密人黄日龙,该小组的其中一位成员当时是副部长,现在是部长。
· 根据黄日龙给媒体的报告也说,郑安泉是小组的总联络/协调员。
· 根据《号外》第376期,郑安泉承认和当时这名副部长有合作联系,并在16楼有一个办公室。
· 我也说过,当我巡访基层时,不少党员告诉我党内存有这么一个小组,警告基层不要和我接触太多,因为我不是领导层“要”的人
·我还接获一封没有署名的函件,内容和传言中的秘密3人小组小组有关。我也表明对所听闻的和接获的函件可信度有保留,为了公平,我已把所了解的告诉调查委员会,由他们处理和进一步调查。

第二;谁说过他是偷拍事件的幕后主谋?

·有人说, 这个秘密小组可能和偷拍光碟的事件有关。当记者问我的意见,我说了我不会随意猜测,也不敢猜测, 因为我没有确实的证据。
·我也多次表明,这件事由警方处理,我不会去追究幕后黑手,也不再想重提。其他人怎么看,他们觉得两者有关联与否,或者别人怎么去联想,这关我什么事?

如果说,我转达别人让你不中听的看法必须道歉的话,那些公开猜测和讨论3人小组与偷拍光碟有关的马华党员及市民,也要公开向你道歉谢罪吗?

我没有指名道姓点出他是“秘密3人小组”的成员,既没有指证他涉及偷拍事件,廖中莱何须壁间蛇影,徒自惊扰? 我说过,谁吃辣椒,谁会知辣。我只是转述别人所说的、报章所写的,调查委员会也还未定夺这个秘密小组的真伪,廖中莱应该清者自清,不需要急着对号入座,不要未吃辣椒先喊辣。


从一开始,我已经表明立场,秘密3人小组事件对马华整个组织打击和影响巨大,我因此对3人调查委员会寄予厚望,希望他们全面彻查,让事情水落石出。我也同意廖中莱的看法,马华在大选后面对重挫,党员应更注重党的团结,与党共赴时艰,但不代表和领导层分歧的意见可以被打压。

廖中萊對號入座我沒有必要道歉 



《东方日报》: 馬華秘密3人小組風波:指廖中萊對號入座沒必要道歉 蔡細歷:好戲在後頭

2008年5月26日
報導 - 林淑蕓

(吉隆坡25日訊)馬華前副總部長拿督斯里蔡細歷表示,自己從來沒有指名道姓點出誰是「秘密3人小組」的成員,而是馬青總團長拿督廖中萊對號入座,因此,他沒有必要向廖氏道歉。

蔡細歷今日笑對廖中萊要求他道歉一事,認為自己從來沒有指名道姓,是后者對號入座而已,因此沒有道歉的必要。他還揚言:「好戲在后頭!」

他接受《東方日報》詢問,如何看待廖中萊要求他公開道歉,并收回影射他是「鏟除異己小組」成員,并涉及性愛光碟事件的言論時,輕松地說道:「他以為坐上部長后,別人就要乖乖道歉嗎?」

他還留下了一句耐人尋味的話:「目前,我還沒有好好去了解這則新聞(廖中萊要求道歉),不過好戲在后頭!」不過,當本報進一步詢及「好戲在后頭」的含義,是否意味他準備反擊廖中萊時,他卻一笑置之,不予置評。

他解釋,關于黨內的「秘密組織」,他從來沒有說過廖中萊的名字,并且也多次表明不會去追究其性受光碟的幕后黑手為何人。

蔡細歷是在5月21日前往馬華總部出席「鏟除異己3人小組」聽證會后,召開記者會,聲稱本身早在2006年杪,到全國會見基層時,獲得基層告知,黨內存在「秘密3人小組」,并點名鄭安泉是一員,而另一個成員為「以前是副部長,現在是部長;以前的辦公室是布城16樓……」

雖然當時媒體不斷追問他另一名成員的身分,但他始終不愿指名道姓。
至于光碟事件,他一貫以「光碟已成過去,不會再去追究」作為解答。針對馬華基層猜測光碟事件是否與這個秘密小組有關,他則聲明,本身不知內情。

馬青總團長兼衛生部長廖中萊在昨天下午與馬華霹靂區基層領袖交流午餐前,接受記者詢問時,針對蔡細歷影射他與秘密小組有關,而要求蔡細歷向他公開道歉,並收回言論。廖中萊也強調本身與「蔡細歷性愛光碟」事件無關,也要求警方介入調查「性愛光碟」事件,早日還他清白。

Thursday, May 22, 2008

A Reply to Yatim's comment

This is to reply Yatim's comment as follows:

I am shocked by your comments expecting the PR state governments to do something abt the schorlarships. MCA & MIC were with BN for 50 years. How come we never come across what you mentioned in your article. IS it because MCA & MIC were cohort coverts in the BN govt. It is more sickening that you expect the PR state govt to come up with something. Shame on you.

Yatim's comments prompted me to make a reply. Pakatan Rakyat manifesto during the election promised a welfare state which included reducing assessment rate for houses and for properties, secondly to provide scholarship for poor students. They were unable to fulfill both of them after the election.

Are you aware that the MCA funded UTAR has trained more than 10, 000 graduates and KTAR 130, 000 graduates? Although we do not practice the quota system and admission is based on merit, 99 percent of students come from one particular race. We hope to see more non-Malays joining us. If we want the government not to practice the quota system, then MCA should set a good example by practicing admission based on merit. Don’t do to others when you don’t want others to do to you.

Education becomes the most important tool/instrument to eradicate poverty to raise the income of a person and to ensure economic independence and social mobility in any society. Hence, in Malaysia, it is also a powerful instrument under the NEP to restructure society, ideally to ensure that no race is identified with any economic function and also to eradicate poverty. While we have been successful in reducing poverty, restructuring of society has been hijacked by some Malays to deny the economic rights and participation of non-Malays and this is the greatest weakness of the NEP since the affirmative action is not based on economic needs, but rather on race.

To aggravate the matter, it is perceived to benefit only a limited number of Malays and this become the most contentious political issue in this country. Affirmative action should not be based on race but be based on needs and this should cut across all racial boundaries. The ultra-Malays and deviation in the government delivery system often would derail such policies which is the sore part among the non-bumis.

郑安泉4项疑点惹猜测



video link: http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/15865.html

今天,我受召出席马华听证会,针对马华“秘密三人小组”事件供证。听证过程约一小时。我也在较后举行新闻发布会,向传媒发表谈话。

早在2006年,来自各州的马华基层领袖和同志不约而同提醒我,党内有类似的秘密小组存在着,联络人是一名青团运前团长郑安泉,郑安泉在全国跑动会见各州马华代表时警告他们不要和我有密切的联系,因为我并非领导层属意的人。不过,那时候我并未加予理会有关传闻是否属实。

当时,我所听闻的并非“三人小组”,而是只有两个人操作的“二人小组”,成员是郑安泉及他效劳的对象--以前是副部长,现已升正。至于黄家定和黄日升的参与,在当时并没有听说过。

今天,我向调查委员会说出我对“秘密三人小组”所了解和听闻的,我也呈上一份由无名氏寄来我家的报告,以助调查。这份长达5页的报告,详细列出郑安泉和一些领袖会面的时间、地点、事项等,包括一些支会和区会的保密资料、有人争线当候选人,条件是不能支持我等等。

由于这份报告的真伪还有保留,我因此拒绝向媒体公开报告的内容。我认为应该由调查委员会进一步鉴定内容的真实性,因为只有特委会有权侦查和召见报告里提及的人士。

我也向调查委员会表明有一些基层领袖和党员愿意挺身供证助查,条件是他们的身份绝对被保密,包括听政会须秘密进行、特委会呈给会长理事会的报告里也不能公开他们的名字和身份,以免他们在即将举行的支会和区会选举中地位受影响和威胁。

在听证会里,我也告诉调查委员会3位成员,郑安泉在不久前接受《号外》访问,并承认和当时的16楼副部长有密切联系。有关访谈引起许多猜测,特委会有必要查实以向党员交代。

我们感到狐疑:

1)年届70岁的郑安泉,虽然拥有青年团体组织经验,但何以能出任年青体育部的顾问?
2)郑在《号外》访问中指因为必须久等应约见副部长,所以副部长答应其要求,让他在部门设一个办公室。他何以、何须能获得如此好待遇?
3)郑非马华党员,更非马华高层,如何有各支会、区会、领袖的详细资料,况且这些资料只有特定高层才能获取,我当了20多年区会主席和近5年副总会长,也没有这么多的资料。
4)如果郑只是青年事务的顾问,为何马华代表会找他帮忙筑桥争取当候选人、当议员?我任马华副总会长时,除了柔佛州的同志,并未曾接获其他党同志的类似请求。


“秘密三人小组”被揭发后,也有同志说认为我的光碟事件可能与它有关。不过,我不会随意猜测,因为我没有确实的证据。我也多次强调,光碟事件已经过去,我不会继续追究。不过,对于这个秘密组织存在的虚实,马华必须严正以待。没有人可以接受马华组织里,有着一个秘密小组密谋对付自己的同志,这种事情让党内外人士都会对马华失去信心,是马华的一大耻辱!
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Translated version from Sinchew Daily:

Former MCA Vice President Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek said that he started to hear about a “secretive 2-man group” in 2006 and it was not a “3-man group” and further said that he did not hear the President, Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting’s name being mentioned.


He said that from what he knew, the people involved in the “secretive 2-man group” was Tee An Chuan and another individual who used to be a deputy minister but has since been promoted to become a full Minister.When further asked about the identity of the Minister, Chua said “he used to be deputy minister on the 16th floor but is now a Minister…you (reporters) are all very smart, you all know who that is.”


Chua was speaking to the press after the hearing session held in MCA headquarters earlier today but he did not reveal the name of the person who “used to be a deputy minister but now has been promoted to a minister”.He said that since 2006, some grassroots warned him and told him that Tee An Chuan had approached them to remind them not to work closely with Chua Soi Lek because he was not a person favored by the leadership and that Tee was working for a deputy minister.


He said that he had told the independent investigation committee the above information and admitted that at that time, he thought that those statements were used to launch personal attacks against him, so he did not bother about it.He expressed that he had informed the committee the names of party members who were willing to provide relevant information and news but he hoped that the hearing session could be held under two circumstances, one is to have the hearing session in private and that the witness’ identity should remain confidential when the report of the snoop squad is handed over to MCA’s Presidential Council.


He pointed out that after he had been informed of the existence of snoop squad, he faced a lot of challenges including the sex dvd matter and this made some supporters started to suspect that the matter is connected to the snoop squad. However, he said that he is not willing to make any assumptions since the police has been unable to confirm who is the culprit behind the sex dvd, so as to be fair to the party involved. Chua also said that he had proposed to the committee to clarify Tee’s doubting statement in the interview with Special Weekly:

1) Why does a 70 year old man, although with rich 'experience' become a Youth advisor?

2) Tee kept saying that he went to the relevant deputy minister’s office often but because he needed to wait for long time, so he requested for an office in the deputy minister’s office. As a result, his request was permitted, this statement raises doubts;

3) Tee claimed that he knew very well MCA’s organizational struture even up to personal details of delegates and this is very suspicious as even as a VP, Dr Chua had no access to these details.

4) Why those members who wanted to become candidates must speak to Tee?

“I have been a division chairman for over 20 years and vice president for nearly 5 years and yet I do not hold any organizational information, but then, why can an outsider obtain information that is unknown to even many high-level party members? How did this outsider get this information so easily? Why did party members who wanted to become candidates have to meet up with this outsider and not me (a vice president)?” he said.

He revealed that he received a 5-page anonymous report and the content basically said detailed Tee's activities, of who he met up with including the venue and time.“There is very detailed information in the report, including which branches or divisions support who and whoever that wants to become MPs or ADUN cannot support me,” he said. He said that the report was in Chinese and that it was sent to his house and he found out about it from his family. He said that he has handed the anonymous report to the committee in order to assist the investigation.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Snoop Squad Tribunal

Today I testified at the ‘snoop squad’ tribunal. I spoke at length to them for over an hour with the testimony being recorded and also handed over to them 5 pages of documents which I have received anonymously by post, implicating the perpetrators involved in the whole underhanded snoop squad.

Even though I believe the terms of reference are too narrow, nevertheless, I have co-operated with them fully and handed over whatever evidence I have and told them what I know about the parties involved. I believe however, that 2 people, not 3 are involved in the day to day running of the snoop squad. As to who they report to, that I shall not comment on without enough concrete evidence.

Also, I have informed them about a further few witnesses which would be able to shed more light on the whole issue. However much I believe these witnesses would be able to provide further information, the final decision to call them to testify is in the hands of the tribunal and I hope that the tribunal will afford them some protection from retribution should they decide to come forward.

All I have to say at this point is that the speculation should stop and we should let the tribunal do its job. I truly hope that the committee will be able to act fairly, justly, with integrity and fearlessly in the current climate of fear and suspicion pervading MCA.

While I have my differences with the leadership, I still support and love the party. After all, I have been a member of MCA for almost all my adult life. The party still means a lot to me and I am saddened by the level it has denigrated to today.

I hope the committee would complete its investigations soon. The longer it goes on, the more MCA members and the public will lose faith in the party.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Malay Special Rights and Education/ 马来特权与教育

两天前,我在报章上读到这则让人暴跳的新闻:一名马来学者声称,奖学金是马来人的特权,任何人不得置疑。

这句话竟然出自一位饱读诗书、钻研学问的知识人的口中。现在,我可以理解为何国内大学的学术水平会逐年走下坡。我想,不用多久,马来西亚的大学将会跌出世界首500个最佳大学排行榜。

在我国的大学里面,依然有不少的学术人士以为,特权也可以赋予他们智慧。有些人把特权视为天生应得的待遇,但其实这只会为自己塑造一种拐杖思维。事实上,在学术领域知识超越一切,知识和种族没有任何关系。但由于我国实行“选择性入选和晋升”,年复一年的偏差,造成我国竞争实力滑落,无法与国外其他大学同席竞争。
每当有优秀生无法获得公共服务局奖学金,人民必然鼓噪喧哗;但人民也能够理解和接受世界上任何一个政府都无法赞助国内每一个优秀生;大家也能理解学术成绩优越不代表申请者必符合其他申请条件包括面试,成功被遴选。确实有些个案证明,一些优秀生只精于啃书,缺乏组织、领导、沟通、社交等技能。

可是,凡正义之士都无法接受当局在审核及颁发奖学金的过程中,存有偏袒或歧视。类似的课题也经常在闭门会议中被提出,而官员的解释是除了评估申请者的学术成绩,也包括30%的面试、经济背景和课外活动表现,这些都足以影响优秀生的申请成绩。

如果评估和遴选程序果真大公无私,那么公共服务局应该让广大人民对他们有信心。事实上,该局奖学金的程序有点含糊难懂,应该更透明化,否则只会让人民对该局产生更多猜疑及憎恨。人民联盟在大选期间承诺将为教育作出更多的贡献。如今,人民联盟掌政的州政府应该设立各自的教育基金,配合中央政府的努力,协助发展教育领域。
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2 days ago, I was shocked to read a Malay academician saying that scholarships are a Malay’s special right and should not be questioned by anyone. Coming from an academician, I can understand why Malaysian universities are going downhill. If this rate of decline continues, soon, there will be no university listed in the top 200, let alone top 500 world universities.

In Malaysian universities, there are still academicians who think that special rights for Malays also endow them with intelligence. Unfortunately, the stark reality is that in academia, intellectual prowess comes first and has nothing to do with race. However because of years and years of 'selective admissions and promotions' the standards have declined so much so that we are now on the brink of being unable to compete on a level playing field.

Unfortunately, special rights to some have become an entitlement by birth. This only serves to build the 'tongkat mentality'. Everytime a student gets excellent result and does not get any scholarship from the JPA, the rakyat can accept the following reasons: no government in the world can give scholarships to every qualified students, academic excellence does not necessarily mean that they will do well in the interview, more so when a lot of scholars are just bookworms with very poor social skills.

However, no right minded Malaysian can accept racial discrimination in the awarding of scholarships. This issue has often been raised in closed door meetings and somehow government officials seem to be able to come out with some reasons that why one of these students (academically) are knocked out in their application since 30 marks is given to interview, economic background and extra curricular activities. The JPA must do more to convince the rakyat that there is fairness in awarding of scholarships. The process as it is, is too opaque and can do with a lot more transparency. Otherwise, it’ll only breed suspicion and hatred towards the government.

Pakatan Rakyat during the election promised to do more in education. States under Pakatan Rakyat should start their own state education fund to complement the federal government after winning the states from BN. Instead, they have been keeping quiet about fulfilling their manifesto on education.

我看马哈迪退党/ Impact of Mahathir leaving UMNO

前首相敦马哈迪医生退出巫统!
这项决定无不让马来西亚人民震惊。已退休的敦马绝对不是一名普通的巫统党员,他领导这个国家和巫统长达22年,任期间为国家社稷贡献良多,虽然今天已卸下一切,但他在人民及党员心中年高德劭,为人敬重。
尽管如此,马哈迪其实也是个普通人,和一般人一样会有许多惹人非议的弱点。退党可谓是敦马使尽全力的最后一击来迫使阿都拉辞职,这项决定让巫统党员晴天霹雳,不过我相信他无法如愿,阿都拉不会因此辞职。
相反的,敦马这么做只会削弱巫统和国阵的力量,加剧阿都拉和党内亲敦马派系的裂痕,使原本应集中力量检讨308大选和整顿党的巫统,却把精力都放在修补内讧导致的破墙。
巫统过去在国阵及大马政治体系的主导和强势角色已走到关键路口,目前,巫统继308大选后遭受的非议声浪已越来越高。敦马退党效应若使巫统大受影响、扰乱政局,肯定在国阵牵一发动全身,殃及其他成员党。
我个人不太相信会有很多巫统党员步敦马的后尘,这是因为党员们觉得胆怯、有背叛感,而这种观念已根深蒂固。不过,不排除有许多党员会是如前副首相慕沙希旦形容的“肉中刺”,在内部继续暗中角力,上演永无止休的内部权力斗争。
国阵向来主张不干预各党的内政事务,因此其他成员党只能不断祷告,期望巫统结束这场互相指责的游戏,检讨并早日重振巫统。
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Mahathir leaving UMNO has come as a shock to most Malaysians. Mahathir is no ordinary UMNO member. He led this country and was president of UMNO for 22 years as well as being the Prime Minister of Malaysia. While he has done a lot for the country, Mahathir, like all human beings, has also many weaknesses of which we can be critical of. Leaving UMNO is the last straw to force the Prime Minister to resign, but I do not think Pak Lah will resign.

Mahathir’s action only serves to weaken UMNO and BN within UMNO. The divide between Abdullah and the pro Mahathir forces will be aggravated and the UMNO leadership will have to spend time mending fences and doing damage control rather then moving forward and addressing important and pressing issues in the post electoral aftermath.

Since UMNO is affected and destabilized, it will definitely affect other component parties in BN. UMNO’s dominance in BN and national politics has reached the crossroads and more and more people are critically re-evaluating the role of UMNO since the elections.

I sincerely doubt that large numbers of UMNO members will follow what Mahathir has done since the feeling of fear and patronage is still deeply embedded in UMNO.

Since BN practices the concept of non-interference in the internal politics of component parties, component parties of BN can only hope that UMNO re-evaluates and re-organizes itself, instead of being entangled in the blame game.

Friday, May 16, 2008

The Dilemma of National Service Training Program

Every time there is a death among the participants of the National Service (NS) program, it generates a lot of publicity, sympathy and anxiety among parents. The issue should be viewed more rationally. Last year, a comparison was made between the mortality of the general population of the same age group and the participants of the NS program. The Ministry of Health found that the mortality rate was very much lower in those undergoing the NS program. However, as the 'captured group' undergoing this program, any death attracts adverse publicity.

Further analysis showed that most deaths occurring during NS ccouldn't have been prevented by a compulsory medical examination. It was revealed during the study that if the participants could answer the medical questions more clearly and truthfully, it would have been more useful that just a medical examination. It was found that many did not answer the questions accurately.

When I made a surprise visit to some NS camps, the medical personnel manning the clinic were not properly trained, not sensitive and not well acquainted with medical emergencies. The medical equipment used was outdated and the range of medication was very limited. It was then recommended by MOH that when the NS program is on, MOH Medical assistants and nurses should be temprorily rotated to staff the clinincs. Meanwhile, as a long term measure, the Ministry of Defense should train its own staff to run the medical clinics in NS camps. It was also decided that they should also purchase their own ambulances and if a trainee did not get well within 24 hours, they should be sent to the nearest hospital as an urgent case that requires immediate medical attention. Equipment should be added and medication should be expanded. No trainee should be kept in camp for more than 24 hours when they are sick. This had been subsequently presented and discussed in the Cabinet late last year. I have no idea whether this has implemented in this training session.

We can understand the anxiety of parents sending their children to the NS camp and the camp commandant and medical personnel should be more caring and sensitive to the needs of the trainee. In order to convince parents that there is no cover up in any death, the cause of death should be revealed after detailed investigation has been carried out and any party proven to be negligent should face the consequences. Maybe parents should be allowed as part of orientation to visit the camp to convince themselves that the relevant authorities do care and do the utmost to ensure safety for their children when undergoing NS camp. It will be a shame to abolish NS training program since it has been proven again and again its positive value on the development of the children, especially on multiracial interaction, being more independent when leaving home. In one of my visits to the camp, a lot of participants said that they have never had a chance to stay outside and a lot have very sheltered lives, with very limited social interaction and friends.
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国民服务计划的推行是利还是弊?

每当发生国民服务学员逝世事件,即引起社会广大的回响,挑起父母怜悯之心和焦虑情绪。学员在营中或训练期间发生事故、意外或死亡,无不让人心痛难过,这都是我们不愿看到的。尽管如此,对于悲剧的发生,我们还是应该理智区去看待和探讨。卫生部过去曾对国内年届服役年龄的年轻国民的死亡率进行统计,研究报告结果显示发生在国民服务计划期间的死亡率,相对于全国以及参加的人数是很小的比例。但由于这些学员是“锁定”的一群,所以格外引人瞩目,任何意外、事故或死亡事件都只会引来反面的反应。

国民服务计划规定所有学员进营前需进行体检,并如实填写健康状况表格。尽管如此,学员逝世的悲剧还是发生。有关当局在事后进一步检讨和分析后,发现有关学员其实没有秉实公告自己的健康状况,在填写表格时,没有据实承认健康异样或承认患有表格上列出的某种病症。其实,如果学员们能诚实地回答,当局将会重审他们的参与资格,不符合健康条件的参加者将被豁免服役。这种双互配合的帮助更甚于医药体检。

我担任卫生部长期间,曾到数个营地进行突击访问,我发现在集中营驻诊的部分医药人员并没有经过严格的医药培训,对紧急病例缺乏应对能力;营里所采用的医疗设施和器材也过时了,药物种类也非常有限。因此,卫生部较后向当局建议,每当展开国民服务计划,卫生部将派医药助理和护士,轮值驻诊在营地的诊疗所。由于政府议医院的人手有限,长远之计,我也建议国防部必须培训和自组医药队伍负责和操作集中营的诊疗所。当局也决定购置救护车,派驻在各营地应急。此外,当局也同意卫生部的建议,如果学员在营内身体不适,在24小时内仍不见好转,必须即刻送往邻近的医院,院方得列紧急病例进行医救。与此同时,营中诊疗所必须添置医疗器材和药物。生病的学员不能逗留在营内超过24小时。以上的建议和措施在去年已经向内阁提呈让内阁成员一同讨论,我不清楚是否会在今年的服务计划落实。

我们深切了解父母对送孩子入营的担忧和矛盾。为了加强父母和学员对此计划的信心,国民服务集中营的教官和医药人员必须对学员的需求体现更关怀和敏感的专业态度。针对死亡病例,当局也应该公开调查报告和死因,证明没有任何一方有所保留和隐瞒。而被证实疏忽处理导致死亡的人员或单位,也须严正处罚。

我想,在迎新周期间,当局或许可考虑让父母参观集中营,让父母亲睹营中的实况包括安全措施,以让他们对孩子在受训期间的安全和保障有信心。国民服务计划推行至今,对孩子成长和品德塑造产生许多正面的价值和受认可的成果,特别是促进和加强年轻一代和多元族群同胞的交融,及离家后的独立生活能力。我在其中一趟访问中和学员们近距离交流,许多学员坦承从未体验离家的群体生活,和朋友聚集交流的活动也非常有限。这表示,国民服务计划确实有推行的价值,如果被废除,对国家培育新生的议程而言确是一大遗憾啊。

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

On Malaysian doctors serving in overseas/海外大马医生回流的困境

If all Malaysian doctors serving in Singapore, Australia and the UK were to come back to Malaysia, we would not only at one fell swoop solve the problem of shortage of doctors, but may even have a surplus of specialists. Many options have been deliberated to attract these overseas doctors to come back but it all boils down to:

1) Money

2) Working conditions

3) Prospect of equitable career advancement

4) Social and political environment

The compulsory service in the government is a hindrance to doctors coming back. During my tenure as the minister, on a case by case basis, doctors did not have to serve the compulsory service if:

1) Their age > 40 years old;

2) On a case by case basis especially when there is an acute shortage of specialists in a particular subspecialty, for example oncologists, they may be exempted and;

3) Service in the army and university -->regarded as part of compulsory service. The 3 year compulsory service is not full time for doctors and specialists.

The problem now is that, if we waive the compulsory service for foreign doctors, local doctors will protest. Not only that, they will feel demoralised and discriminated against.

When the above rules were implemented, we managed to attract a mere handful of doctors to return. Nevertheless a major stumbling block was the lumbering bureaucracy known as the MMC secretariat -with regards to basic accreditation. A particular case which comes to mind(bearing in mind that it was only one of a few I had encountered during my tenure)was a Malaysian serving as a professor of surgery in a reknowned South Australian University Pediatric Unit. He applied to be registered with the MMC in order to teach medical students and surgeons in Malaysia. To my horror, he was given the merry go round with conditions that he had to show where he did his housemanship and posting which was done by this particular professor 35 years ago. He was also asked to complete his O&G rotation to qualify for a practising certificate. Fortunately common sense prevailed in the end after intervention. But the very fact that intervention from higher ups was even needed speaks volumes about the hurdles that many doctors coming back face.

In the government service, a lot of well intentioned policies are often frustrated by faceless beaurucrats who apply rules and regulations without using their common sense. Efforts to attract overseas doctors to come back with the current working climate is an uphill task. Until such a time as many fundamental issues can be be adressed, it will remain so.
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我认为,如果所有在新加坡、澳洲和英国工作的马来西亚医生愿意回流,不仅能一劳永逸解决我国医生短缺的问题,我们甚至有额外的专科医生。多年来,政府采取各项措施致力吸引国外的大马医生回国服务,而海外医生的考量可归结为:
1) 薪金
2) 工作环境
3) 合理的晋升机会和工作前景
4) 社会及政治环境

在政府医院实行的强制服务制是让海外医生不愿回流的阻力之一。我担任卫生部长期间,是以个案方式批审海外医生要求豁免强制服务的申请,若申请者符合以下条件,将获免除执行强制服务,或无需全职执行强制服务:

1) 年龄超过40岁
2)特殊原因以个案处理,尤其当申请者所属的次专科在我国正面对严缺医生如肿瘤科
3) 在军队和大学里服务医生

目前,政府面对的考验是,如果废除对海外医生实行强制服务制,本地的医生肯定群起抗议。不仅如此,他们会觉得被剥削而士气大跌。

话说回头,当时我们虽实施上述三项条件,惟只成功吸引少数的医生回流。 我发现,主要的绊脚石是对这些医生进行资格基准鉴定的大马医药理事会,在处理他们的申请时非常官僚。在我任部长期间,基本上不常出现类似的情况,但有一个案让我印象深刻:一位在南澳一间医院任职的大马儿科外科教授,曾向大马医药理事会申请注册,以允许他回国后在政府医院任教和指导在职的专科医生。让我震惊的是,程序其实很简单,但这位教授却被领着不断地兜圈子,包括必须出示他在35年前见习记录、期间被派任的记录和报告等。理事会甚至规定这位教授必须到妇产科轮值,以获取实践证书。最终,幸得部门高层介入而顺利解决该教授的问题。

事实上,我们需要有关当局的高层更全面地检视外国医生回流所面对的障碍。在公共服务领域,因为一些官老爷的愚昧和官僚,许多善意的政策被曲解,无法让人民受惠。如果政府机构内续存这种不良的文化,吸引外国专才包括医生回流的努力,恐怕依旧事倍功半。

Monday, May 12, 2008

马华“秘密三人小组”密谋铲除党内政敌?MCA's secret group aimed to take down enemy?


今天下午,我在吉隆坡举行了一场新闻发布会,针对传闻中铲除异己的“马华秘密三人小组”
我被告知,由马华元老石清霖医生为首的独立调查委员会,今早举行听证会,传召马华八打灵再也北区区会顾问黄日龙。据了解,黄日龙在他提呈的书面报告中,我被列为有待铲除的头号目标。

事实上,打从去年开始,就有不少来自全国各地的马华同志告诉我、提醒我,马华里面有一个这样的秘密组织,当时我不以为意,还反责同志们道听途说。直到我被偷拍光碟事件后,该秘密组织的存在越传越烈,一些马华同志言之凿凿指这个小组很可能就是策谋偷拍行动的黑手。

如果证实马华内确实设有如此的秘密小组,而目的铲除党内的同志,对党员对华社来说,是个晴天霹雳的消息。以这种手段对待自己党内的同志,这种行为绝对不能被接受。目前外界对此组织的存在和行动绘声绘影,已经让党的声誉受损,调查委员会彻查真相的责任重大。至于我是否相信该组织和我被偷拍的光碟有关联、我如何看待这件事,我会否采取认行动……

我的立场是:
1) 我对该调查委员会给予厚望,希望三位马华元老能彻底审查真相,以免引发党员和领袖之间互相猜疑,使党形象受受影响。他希望独立调查委员会所举办的听证会,不会像林甘影片皇家调查委员会般,出现“看起来像我,听起来像我”的闹剧。如果这个组织只是谣传,委员会更要力证党的清白,以恢复党员的信心。

2) 至于被指涉嫌的马华领袖,也有必要出席听证会,出示可信的证据证明自己的清白,不要只一味否认而已,然后让事情不了了之。这种做法,只会制造更多疑点,让党员和华社对马华的公信力大打折扣。

有不少同志告诉我,总会长在大选后到各州进行大选后和党务汇报时,都有意无意地提及我的偷拍光碟事件,让我感到不解。我从来没有指黄家定是偷拍的幕后黑手,他既然和此事无关,也曾公开否认,为何在内部频频提起此事及作出否认呢?

我只是一个普通的人,我有缺点,也有优点。我只想善用我的有点和强处来服务、协助党和同志,我不会让这个光碟来困扰我的工作、思想和服务精神。就算调查委员会证实“三人小组”是光碟的黑手,我个人不会采取任何行动,也不想再追究下去。

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English version

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek yesterday claimed that his name was on top of the snoop squad's "hit list".

He said many MCA leaders and members had warned him that his name topped the list for allegedly not supporting the leadership.

"The group was tasked to remove some eight key members of the party.

"A lot of people have linked the exposure of the DVD featuring myself and another woman to this group."

He said when he admitted that he was the man captured on video engaging in sexual acts with a female friend, he announced his resignation from all party posts.

"I also said that I was not after anyone who was responsible for recording the tape. What is important is my family and their understanding, the party members and my friends," said the former health minister.

"I wish to focus on the development of MCA. I hope party members will accept that the tape is history. I want to move on with my life and continue my service for the party and nation."

Dr Chua appealed to MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting to investigate whether such a group existed.

"I am prepared to come forward with information on this group."

He also called on Ong to stop saying that he (Ong) had nothing to do with the DVD at the party's closed-door meetings and during his working trips.

"I don't understand why he has to bring up my name and the tape if he is not involved."

(NST, 13/05/08)


PETALING JAYA: Former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek claimed that many people had told him that his sex DVD was linked to the spy squad set up to oust those not favoured by the party leadership.

“I am disappointed if this secret group is true because I am among those who have been identified by the group as not supporting the top leadership and should be 'destroyed',” said Dr Chua who called a press conference over the matter.

He urged the three-men commit-tee to investigate the allegations of the spy squad thoroughly.

“I appeal to the top leadership to investigate thoroughly if the group actually exist because it has become a topic of conversation in MCA,” he said, adding that he was willing to provide information if needed.

Dr Chua said he had heard about the secret committee as far back as two years ago but thought it was just “coffee shop” talk.

“But when I kept hearing my name as one of those that would be struck out, I was afraid,’’ he said.

“I began to take it seriously after the DVD episode,” he said, added that he was not interested in finding out who was behind the tape recording.

On whether he would contest for the president’s post, he said he would announce when the time was right.

“I hope the MCA sees the DVD recording episode as history,’’ he said. “I will continue with my life and serve the party and the country.”

(The Star, 13,05,08)






Bandar Mahkota Cheras Toll Turmoil

A lot of people are euphoric about the Pakatan Rakyat state government of Selangor. They have been in power for less than 2 months, still too early to pass any judgement. We cannot deny the 'new broom sweeps clean' phenomenon. So far, there is no obvious infighting among the component parties of Pakatan Rakyat and this is a good start for them. However, Pakatan Rakyat’s Wakil Rakyat should be conscious that they are in the state government now and are a part of it. They should be solving problems and not just raising problems. They need to change their 'opposition mindset' and get down to governing.

Hence, whether they should take to the street on the Bandar Mahkota Cheras issue is debatable. They may be sending the message that if people are not happy with any issue, they can protest, demonstrate. The problem with any demonstration is that when it involves many people, it may be difficult to control and some may end up taking the law into their own hands. It is so obvious that this is not the most effective way to solve the problem. If you are a part of the government, unless of course you want to show that you are 'a man of action' and that you’re with the people thus taking part in the demonstration, you should not neglect the avenues available to you now that PR is the state government in Selangor.
Nevertheless, in the Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) incident, the use of excessive police force against the protestors was uncalled for and should not be tolerated in our society. Violence only begets violence. There has been too much of this inappropriate force used recently.

In yet another unrelated incident some time back, a Selangor state EXCO spent the night in jail because he apparently obstructed the police who were taking action against a hotel which was a front for illegal and immoral activities. Is this particular Wakil Rakyat doing the right thing?

Back to the case of BMC issue, firstly, it can be easily determined whether the toll concessionaire has the right to build the barricade. Secondly, the authority that gave the permission for the barricade to be erected - is it valid? Thirdly and most importantly, people who are affected by the toll have the right to demand an alternative road so that the toll road is not the only road of access.

All these could have been resolved through the state government since land matters fall under the purview of the state, rather than through direct confrontation(especially now that the Selangor state government is PR). A leader should lead, so when in power learn how to govern more effectively and not just protest and take to the streets. Imagine what would happen to Malaysia if over every issue Wakil Rakyat is involved in demonstration.
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民盟掌政雪州政府,让很多人欢欣不已。该政府当家还不到两个月,现阶段还不能对其表现下判断。所谓“新官上任三把火”,截至目前民盟执政团队里也表现得合作无间,未见分歧,这是好的现象。不过,在处理官民对立的课题方面,民盟政府就得格外谨慎了。

就谈近日来闹得沸沸扬扬得蕉赖皇冠城封路事件吧。在有关事件中,我严厉谴责警方行使暴力驱散人群,包括在试图逮捕林立迎时,却对他拳打脚踢。尽管如此,民盟代议士处理有关事件的方式也值得深入探讨。

当晚,我们看到几位代议士:雪州行政议员欧阳捍华、沙登区国会议员张念群和泗岩沫国会议员林立迎在现场和和大道公司对恃不果,号召居民推开石墩。议员在前线为选民卖命没有错,但这些议员似乎忘了他们已经是州政府的一份子,而不是反对党;他们忘了是受委托解决问题,而不仅是挑出问题等别人来解决。

问题既已挑出,他们不该等人家来呼应。身为州政府,他们应该想办法,例如先和大道公司商量折衷方案安民心、缓情绪,再研讨此风波涉及的合约和州权限等及解决途径,而不是带领居民群体在街头示威,使紧张场面继续升温而引发冲突。民盟政府议员这么做,可能会误导人民,举凡对某些课题不满都可以通过示威来解决。事实上这项做法往往让局势失控,一发不可收拾。他们是执法者,同时却用这种煽情和戏剧化的手法去应对问题,最终问题可能并没有获得解决,但却因此忽略和耽搁了州政府的事务。

在另一个场合,雪州一位州行政议员因试图阻止警方取缔一间非法营运的酒店,而被扣留。这些代议士所做的是正确的吗?

回到蕉赖皇冠城封路事件,当局应该确认该大道公司是否有权设路墩并、第二,谁授权设路墩,以及 第三,受影响的居民有权要求当局开设交替道路。由于土地权在州政府手中,上述这些事项都可以通过州政府解决。身为领袖应该学习如何有效执政,而不是上街示威。试想想,如果每一位代议士都参与示威,我国会变成怎么样?


Sunday, May 11, 2008

难凭308大选判种族政治末路民盟表现决定多元政治成形否


摘自《当今大马》黄凌风著

308大选之后,摇着种族政治旗帜的国阵惨败;相反地,打出多元种族路线的人民联盟却开始抬头。这引起一些关心时事发展者甚至是朝野政治人物的讨论,究竟大马过去50年所奉行的种族政治是否就此终结?


民政党顾问林敬益、马华前副总会长蔡细历与人民公正党副总秘书罗志昌,昨晚在寰宇电视台《就事论事》时事清谈节目上不约而同认为,不能单以308大选就盖棺定论下判说,种族政治已穷途末路。林敬益和罗志昌也认为,多元路线能否绽放光芒在很大程度上,还胥视人民联盟未来的表现,以及巫统是否能够做出改革。

罗志昌表示,虽然我国目前仍然无法完全抛弃过去50年来的种族性政治,但是这次大选至少提供了一个机会打破政治性政治。“接下来在民盟执政的5个州属表现很重要,有没有办法让非种族政治的生命走下去,如果这5个州所实施的政策是超越种族的。”“目前是无法完全抛开过去50年的种族性政治,但是至少我们这次做到,拉马沙美可以担任槟州副首席部长,在雪州可以拥有3名女性行政议员(编按:其实雪州拥有4名女性行政议员)。这个国家将可以拥有更多层面的思考,不会凡事都用种族来考虑。”“民盟的表现对于未来多元种族政治的发展是非常关键,作为民盟的一分子,我们需要在这方面更加坚定及表现更好。”


林敬益:民政党输掉议席赢理念至于在大选面对惨败的民政党
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也是民政党前主席的林敬益形容,民政党虽然输掉议席,但是却赢了多元种族政治的理念,因为这次大选证明人民开始接受多元种族性的政党。他指出,国阵原本就是一个多元种族性的政党,一向来都秉持着谅解与开放的态度,其政策所给人的印象都是公平的;但是,由于身为马来人政党的巫统“走火入魔”,以马来人主权的口号“霸占”国阵,才让非土著认为其他成员党在国阵没有地位。

尽管如此,林敬益坚持认为,马华与民政党不是“逃兵”,应该给予巫统一个尝试改变的机会,不能够一怒之下就脱离国阵。“我们不是逃兵,我们知道出现各种课题与态度的问题,假如巫统可以改变又怎么样呢?如果国阵拥有多元种族性,大家拥有公平与合理的对待......”

“很多人要我们退出国阵,但是我们并非逃兵,我们知道哪里有弱点需要修改,假如修改到,就继续下去。假如修改不到才找出路,不是今天就马上找出路。”“如果巫统不改变,还留在国阵做什么,不可以说退就退,假如需要退出的话,需要拥有一股势力,包括其他在国阵内面对相同问题的成员党。”“假如不可以(改革巫统),我们可以退出国阵成为第三股力量。到时候我们要看民盟的情况,假如他们又闹分裂,届时真正的多元种族政党将成为第三股力量。”不过,林敬益表示,虽然刚执政两个月的民盟目前处于蜜月期,却也已经开始出现一些矛盾,是否继续下去仍是一个问题。“民盟也是一样的,你说回教党是多元种族,但是99%党员都是马来人,公正党也是以马来人为主,但是还有其他种族,行动党虽然是多元种族,但是很高巴仙率的党员都是华人。不过,他们拥有密切的关系,有互相尊重以决定公平与合理的政策,因此人民觉得他们很好。”

不认为单一种族政党是政治恐龙蔡细历也表示,目前不能太快下定论,大选之后的单一种族政党如马华、巫统和国大党就成为政治恐龙。

“我认为不是,因为我们这次面对太多课题,是全民受到影响的,从治安到司法问题、通货膨胀、贪污和滥权等,我们应该自问,马来人投行动党是否认同行动党的议程?同样的,华裔投选回教党,是否就是认为回教党?或者只是暂时因为对国阵不满,所以才把票投给反对党。”

他认为,虽然马华继续作为一个华基政党,但是应该要有多元种族的概念看待国家问题。“马华要改变,以华族为主,但是不能只是重视华人问题,却也同时要重视其他种族的问题。”


马华不让蔡细历解释国阵两线制
--------------

针对一些观众认为马华与民政党应该离开国阵,蔡细历相反的提出一些问题。

“我不敢说不可能,但是以目前的情况,中央政权依然是国阵,如果目前马华离开国阵,由谁来捍卫与解决华人的权益?如果我们离开国阵,我们是否可以单独生存?如果我们不要单独生存,又要与谁结盟?跟行动党、公正党或回教党也是一样。”

他也再次提出国阵12个成员党结盟组成内部两线制的建议,以便能够在各领域达至共识,提升国阵的竞争条件,以免国阵议程完全受到马来人的主导。不过,他表示,他的意见没有获得马华领导层的正视,更没有给他机会针对其建议做出解释。

(Video)《就事论事》:种族政治是否已经穷途末路?


日期:5月10日,星期六
嘉宾:民政党顾问林敬益医生、马华前副总会长蔡细历医生,公正党副总秘书罗志昌



Saturday, May 10, 2008

Penang Syariah High Court's decision is much welcomed!

The Penang Syariah High Court's decision is much welcomed by all Malaysians. It is a well known fact that when a non-Muslim convert to Muslim, it is almost next to impossible to renounce Islam and to revert to its original faith.

I still remember there were some states that proposed that anyone planning to do so should be subjected to educational rehabilitation so that they have a better understanding of Islam in the hope of persuading them to remain in Islam. This landmark ruling by the Syariah High Court in Penang would strengthen the belief that non-Muslims will continue to enjoy religious freedom is the basic fundamental rights of all Malaysians to choose their own religion.
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槟城回教高庭宣判华裔回教徒陈燕芳脱离回教,恢复她原有的佛教徒身份,这项历史性判决,绝对值得欢呼雀跃的,因为它体现了宗教信仰自由的原则和精神。

在马来西亚,偶闻非马来回教徒力争脱教时面对的问题,一些个案还发展成为种族和宗教纷争。我还记得早前有些州属甚至建议把欲脱教的皈依回教徒送往回教改造中心,加强教徒对回教教义的了解。

随着槟城回教高庭的判决,我希望有关当局能认真检讨现有法律的矛盾,使人民能安心选择宗教信仰,也可避免重演不必要的宗教纠纷。

Friday, May 9, 2008

2-party system within BN will help to strengthen BN


日前,我提出马华与国阵12个成员党可考虑结盟。我要强调,是结盟,不是合并。结盟后国阵还是有14个成员党,各党的操作和结构也不会改变。
我倡议国阵立两线制旨于协助国阵贯彻更公平、民主和透明的政策。换言之,这项改变可以提高国阵的竞争条件,让选民重新接受国阵政府,并不会分裂国阵成员党间的团结。

今天,人民要看到国阵是一个维护和捍卫多元种族本位及全民议程的政党,不是由巫统一党坐大、马来议程至上的政党。政治往往离不开数字游戏规则,国阵14个成员党的总党员人数有500万人,规模最大的巫统就占了280万人,小的有些少过10万;而各成员党的国州代表比例悬殊也大相径庭。

因此,我提议非巫基政党结盟,用集体的声音去传达、争取非马来人的诉求,确保国阵政府在制定和讨论全民的政策时,不只让单一族群或特定群体受惠。与此同时,也让马来领袖了解、认同和接受非马来人发展议程。我们共同的目标,不仅是捍卫非马来人的议程,也要确保国阵政府的施政朝向多元种族方位,才会被人民接纳。如果这个内部“联盟”策略奏效,还可望削弱和改变巫统盛气凌人的作风。

与其坐以待“变”,我们为何不尝试新合作方式,反被动为主动在原有的合作上寻求突破?我想,如果我们继续有所不为,只会继续流失民心。
因此我不明白为何一些马华领袖急于对我的初步建议盖棺定论。
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I propose a loose coalition of non-Malay BN parties within the BN. I believe that it will not lead to a split or confrontation. Rakyat wants to see that BN is not dominated only by UMNO with its Malay agenda.

Since politics is a number game, a coalition of 14 parties with membership ranging from 2.8 million members in UMNO to some less than 100, 000 plus the great difference of representation both at state and parliament, it makes more sense that the non-Malay majority party should form a loose coalition to achieve consensus on the non-Malay agenda and this will enable us to better represent the non-Malays in the national development agenda. Malay majority party within BN also have to take recognition of the non-Malays’ development agenda.

Since we are all within BN, there is no direct confrontation or split within the party. It is for the common objective of making BN’s party agenda more multiracial and more acceptable to the rakyat. Hence, I cannot see the logic why some MCA leaders are so quick to jump into conclusion that this working relationship by the non-Malay majority party is construed as a threat to UMNO. If the non-Malays leaders are not assertive and not seen to be fighting for the non-Malay rights, we will continue to lose support. This loose coalition of non-Malay parties will also persuade UMNO leaders to change for the better.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

蔡细历:内部结盟,制衡巫统 Chua: BN non-Malay majority parties should close ranks

拿督斯理蔡细历医生文告

马华前副总会长拿督斯理蔡细历医生认为,马华可考虑和巫统及砂劳越土著保守联合党以外的12个国阵成员党结盟,以壮大和巫统谈判的力量。

他说,马华、民政、印度国大党等12个国阵成员党若连成一线,在谈判时比起目前个别的单薄力量,将能更有效地代表非马来选民,同时在国阵内部形成一股强而有力的制衡力量,争取与巫统平起平坐。

他指出,目前要马华与其他成员党合并还不是时候,但我们可以尝试与其他非马来人为主的成员党结盟,而巫统可以和砂劳越土著保守党结盟,以“两线制”来推进国阵的全民议程。

他进一步解释:“各成员党依然维持各自党性,基本上我们还是独立个体,但在会议桌上,我们是以两个阵线来进行讨论和谈判,确保结果对马来人和非马来人都是公平的。”

他今日在文告中指出,上述建议的概念旨于向成员党倡议更有效的合作方式,而不是要分裂国阵组织。

他也强调,这项建议并不会威胁马来主权,也不会分化国阵的势力,相反地能更公平和全面地照顾各族群的需求。


蔡细历认为,国阵目前共有14个成员党,除了巫统、马华、印度国大党和民政党,其他成员党规模较小,在现实生活里难于有效发挥他们的代表性和角色,对于一个政治联盟来说,若成员党的地位和权力不均悬殊太大是不健康的。

尽管选民在这次大选的票向跨种族,许多人认为种族政治将被瓦解,单元种族的政党也将逐渐消失,但他坚信单元种族政治还是有存在价值和意义。

“我也曾公开表达我的看法,族群为基的政党最终会否完全消失,目前定论还言之过早。只要宪法规定的马来特权还存在,包括语言、国家宗教、州务大臣必须由马来人或回教徒出任等,巫基政党如巫统的存在地位还是受到维护;同样的,只要华裔族群继续强调母语教育、宗教、神庙,华基政党的角色还不能被否决。”

他说,唯一不同的是,国阵成员党间的合作必须改变,要展现更多元化的作风和处事手法。所有成员党包括马华的斗争大原则,必须以全民利益为出发点。

在全国第12届大选,巫统和砂劳越土著保守联合党在国会共赢得93席,其他成员党的胜席总数为47席。

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English version (From The Sun)

by Kong See Hoh

Former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek is of the view that the party should consider forging greater cooperation with other Barisan Nasional component parties, apart from Umno and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), to strengthen their bargaining power with Umno.

According to a report in Oriental Daily News yesterday, he said a front comprising the MCA, Gerakan, MIC and the rest of the 14 BN component parties will be more effective than any single one of them in coming to the negotiation table with Umno, to fight for equal status with Umno in the BN; and in acting as a formidable check and balance in the coalition.

Chua pointed out that although it was not yet time for the MCA to merge with other BN component parties, "we can try to form an alliance with other non-Malay majority parties, whereas Umno can forge another alliance with PBB, to provide a 'two-party system' within the BN to implement the coalition's agenda".
He further explained: "Component parties retain their individual identities, (as) basically we are still independent bodies, but at the negotiation table, talks and discussions will be between two fronts to ensure the outcome is fair to both Malays and non-Malays."

Making the suggestion in a press statement issued on Tuesday, the former health minister said it is aimed at forging more effective cooperation among BN component parties, and is not intended to break up the coalition.
He stressed that such an alliance would not threaten Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy), nor weaken the BN. On the contrary, it would see to the needs of the various races equitably.

Chua said that aside from Umno, MCA, Gerakan and MIC, the 14 other BN component parties are smaller, and are in reality therefore less able to play their role. Too big a difference in position and power among components of a coalition is unhealthy, he said.

Although the voting trend in the March 8 general election had cut across racial lines, and despite the general belief that racial politics will wither away and race-based political parties eventually disappear, Chua is convinced that race-based politics is still relevant.

He said that for as long as the Chinese community continues to stress on mother tongue in education, on religion and places of worship, the role of Chinese-based political parties cannot be denied.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Press Freedom? So much ado about nothing?

This has been a much touted topic recently by politicians from both sides of the political spectrum recently. Press freedom is supposedly one of the cornerstones of a modern functional democracy and something which I believe the majority of Malaysians hope for.

The recent results of the general elections and the role the media has played in it has highlighted the growing credence and power of the alternative media in shaping opinion and thinking. At the same time it has challenged the traditional role and credibility of the
mainstream media.

The problem is that the traditional media is perceived to be biased, unfair and afraid to report independently and subservient to the views of certain political parties. On the other hand, the alternative media, having no such perceived allegiances is thought by many to be more honest, truthful and credible. Having the time these days to do more reading, I must say that there is some truth this. However, not all information found in the alternative media is the gospel truth as well, though people may perceive them to be. It is important thus to take a balanced view.

Despite the ‘noise’ made by certain political figures, having being an avid reader of newspapers since my student days, I can quite safely say that the changes are merely cosmetic. As far as those who walk in the corridors of power are concerned, it is business as usual.

The problem is that many political parties own controlling stakes in the press, MCA included. It has controlling stakes in both the Chinese and English press. As such, the editors and journalists working for those particular papers are ‘beholden’ to their 'political masters' and would have to toe the line or risk facing the sack. With this in mind, how can the press truly be free? How can it ever have credibility when all and sundry know they are owned by certain political parties.

Recently a particular senior MCA leader has been ranting and raving about the importance of press freedom. However it is a well known fact that at the same time he has been ranting and raving in public, behind the scenes he exerts an inordinate amount of editorial control and interference. Articles which are highly critical of him and his ‘special ones’ do not see the light of day(literally). In the rare instance when they are published, what we get is a highly watered down version.

I doubt I have to tell you who this particular leader is. He has very been busy making public statements these days.

I believe that one should walk the talk and put the money where the mouth is. Why talk so much about the importance of a free press while at the same time behind the scenes censoring what comes out? Why hang on to the stakes in these companies if you truly believe in media freedom? Why not divest the stakes and let them report not just freely, but more importantly, fairly? Not everything the press says is what you want to hear when you allow them that freedom. It is important, sometimes to be told what you need to hear rather then what you want to hear.

But the sad thing is that it is still business as usual for this particular leader who firmly believes that charity starts at home and who talks a lot now with no real results to show.

The Malay Supremacy: Should it continue?/ 谈马来主权

The recent gathering of 200 Malay NGOs was purportedly to discuss the status of Malays after the elections. From my reading in Utusan Malaysia, I must say that I’m totally disgusted and disappointed that many academicians who are involved in the congress are totally living in ivory towers, completely out of touch with the rakyat of Malaysia. Maybe they have been in the University for too long and they are there not because of their academic excellence, but because of the affirmative action program, so much so that they are so lacking in intellectual capabilities to come up with to put it kindly, hare-brained proposals. This is obvious as their standards have been going downhill, unfortunately, they are playing a leading role in this congress, presenting their papers and guiding the Malay NGOs.

Today, we are talking about globalization, competitiveness, equality, fairness, democracy and we have among us people who feel that they should be more equal than others by virtue of birth and hence, you can see some bumis who feel or who demand their entitlement as if by right of birth. To make things worse, this is sometimes reinforced by government agencies and this is often the cause of so much friction and dissatisfaction among the non-Malays towards the Malays.

It is because of this that I always feel that race and religion will continue to dominate our political landscape. If the Malays insist on “Ketuanan Melayu” (Malay Supremacy) and that they are supreme in this country, they should not be worried about the advancement by non-Malays since in their mind, they are always supreme. Problems arise because in order to be supreme, they want the non-Malays not to advance. They want to eat the cake and keep the cake. The PM always says that he is a leader not only for the Malays but all Malaysians. So, we hope that he will walk the talk and not be shaken by these 200 Malay NGOs with their emotional and racial rantings in Johor Bahru over the weekend.

Some Malays must accept the political reality that Malaysia today is different than Malaysia 51 years ago when we achieve independence. If this group of Malay thinks that we are still the same, then we are doomed as a nation. Obviously we have changed and we will continue to change to cope up with the changing time. It is those Malays who have not changed, unwilling to change or not knowing how to change that caused Malaysia growth to be slowed down in the last 15 years, while the rest of the world have moved on, we are still saddled with the problem of race and religion and who is supreme in a land that belongs to all Malaysian to be shared equally by all Malaysians irrespective of race and religion.
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全国马来作家联盟召集逾200个马来非政府组织,于上周五在柔佛新山举行了两天的马来人团结大会,重点讨论和维护马来人尊严与主权地位。据了解,主办当局谢绝华文媒体进入会场采访,动机不解让人纳闷。

如果这场大会正如《马来前锋报》所报道的,看来许多参与其盛的学者似乎在象牙塔太久,因而丧失外探的触觉,也完全与人民脱节。对于他们的见解和言论,我只能说对他们的彻底失望。我在想,这些学者不完全凭卓越的学术成就和表现而身居其职,有者只是获相关政策护航而拥有今日的地位。无奈这些未成气候的学者,竟然被钦点引导200多个马来非政府组织。
今天,我们在谈论全球化、竞争力、平等、公平和民主,很多人民因此觉得,我们既然是土生土长的马来西亚的公民,就应该享有平等的地位。这或是让部分土著有危机感而不断强调和捍卫他们“与生俱来”的超然地位。更甚的是,一些政府机构的运作也贯彻这种观念,在执权方面出现偏差,造成非马来人对马来人之产生怨言和摩擦。
这种现象持续存在,因而促使我认为族群和宗教本位将继续主导我国的政治生态。如果马来人坚信他们享有“马来主权”、惟我独尊,又何惧非马来人的进步和成就?问题就产生在,他们不让非马来人进步,以凸现他们族群的至尊地位。首相经常强调他是全民的首相,我们希望他坐言起行,不要因这200多个马来非政府组织的咆哮和情绪而动摇。
马来同胞必须接受,马来西亚已今非昔比。眼前的事实是,我们已经变了,并且将顺应趋势继续改变。但一些马来同胞却一成改变、也有不愿改变或不懂得如何应变的,他们导致我国过去15年来的发展停滞不前。
当别人不断前进,我们却还在原地踏步,在这片属于全民的国土上论尊卑,让人感到悲哀啊!

Monday, May 5, 2008

The Moral Uplifting Society fiasco in Johor Bahru/ 德教会字图余波

This recent incident involved Muslim religious enforcement officers armed with a police warrant going to the Moral Uplifting Society in Johor Bahru purportedly to remove pictures of Prophet Muhammad which was prominently displayed together with icons of other religions – Buddhism, Christianity and Confucianism.

This particular Moral Uplifting Society in Johor Bahru is situated next to the traffic police headquarter and has been in existence for nearly 50 years with no harassment either from the police or from the religious department until last Friday 2/5. Out of the blue, the religious officer insisted on removing what was displayed in the hall. There was actually no picture of Prophet Muhammad, there was only an inscription in Jawi of the name of Prophet Muhammad and it was not placed on the altar for prayer, but just within the hall together with other major religion icons as a gesture of respect. Despite persuasion, reasoning and explanation by the committee members, the inscription with the name of Nabi Muhammad was removed.

This news of course spread like wild fire to more than 100 branches of Moral Uplifting Society within the country. Low Teh Hian, the former Ahli Yang Berhormat was at the scene to reason with religious officers, but his explanation was obviously rejected. Subsequently, I received a lot of complaints by phone of the arrogant and high handed manner of the officers from the religious department.

I decided to call the Menteri Besar of Johor about the isuue, he expressed his dismay at the insensitivity of the enforcement officers . Subsequently, we met up over lunch in JB and after going through the relevant enactment related to non-Muslims, we found that it was not an offence to display the name of Prophet Muhammad if it is used only as a reference and not as a symbol of prayer by non-Muslims. On that basis, the Menteri Besar ordered that the picture be returned and that the police should not be involved in this case which is non-criminal and the whole episode came to a happy closure. I must thank the Johore MB Dato’ Ghani bin Othman for his intervention.

What I am amazed at was the total ignorance of the officer about the role of Moral Uplifting Society, where beside Nabi Muhammad, other major religious figure are displayed in the hall. In short, he was doing enforcement without knowing the reason. Over the years, you see the attitude of such high-handed religious officers and government officers that caused the rakyat to go against the government. Maybe time has come that enforcement officers should face disciplinary action if in the course of their duty they have shown disrespect and ignorance to the rakyat, then only will enforcement officer learn how to be humble, reasonable and knowledgeable, rather than be very gung-ho about what they are doing.
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新山德教会回教字图被取走风波发生只是短短几日,却在全国106间会员阁及华社掀起千层浪,几乎演变成宗教纠纷。

与新山交警总部毗邻的德教会紫书阁创会50余年来一直相安无事,从未受到任何方面的刁难,警方和宗教局也从未干涉,直至5月2日,突然被有7名宗教局官员以非法悬挂先知图像为由而拆走该字图。事实上,被取走的字图只是以爪夷文书写的“穆罕默德”字图,并非先知的肖像。全国各德教会都并列张挂回教爪夷文字图、基督教、佛教、道教及儒教教主画像,但只将这5大宗教的图像当作道德模楷展示,没有膜拜之意。事发时,新山德教会紫书阁第一副阁长暨马华柔州投诉局主任刘德贤在现场,尝试和7名官员解释,惟不被接受,众官员还和在场的人起争执,恫言对付抗命者。字图被取走后,许多会员纷纷拨电向我投诉官员傲慢无礼,此事也开始受全国瞩目。

因了解到事态严重,我决定寻求柔佛州务大臣介入,大臣也答应在翌日会见以作商讨。在两小时的会面,大臣确认回教相关条例允许以先知字图作为参考而非膜拜的做法,也确认德教会张挂的爪夷文字图属合法,于是指示有关方面立即归还糟没收的字图,并谕令警方不得插手此事。

这场风波迅速获得圆满解决,我必须感谢柔州务大臣的开明谅解和协助。在这起事件,让我惊讶的是宗教局和内政部官员对德教会的无知。简单来说,他们并不了解自己的任务。过去,我们也听闻有不少这样的政府官员和宗教官,他们常以高压手段对待人民,导致人民怨恨政府。

我认为,执法官员若被证实在执行任务时无礼傲慢、滥用权力和欺人太甚,应该受到纪律对付。如此以来,这些法律守门员才会谦卑、识分寸。

Saturday, May 3, 2008

蔡细历:宗教官员不能在非回教场所执行宗教职权

新闻稿
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马华前副总会长拿督斯理蔡细历医生今天将会晤柔佛州务大臣拿督斯理阿都甘尼,以向州政府传达不满柔佛宗教局官员私闯新山德教会会所并强权取走会所物件的鲁莽行为。

他针对7名宗教局官员在没有获得上司指示及未持准证,却率队到新山德教会取走该会所已悬挂51年的回教字图事件,在昨日(周五)通过电话向州务大臣反映,并于今天下午1时赴往大臣私邸会见商讨。

蔡细历说,有关官员没有权力,也不可恣意到非回教场所执行他们的职权,更不应该在没有准证下私闯私人场所及取走私人物件。

他是接获新山德教会理事及一些公会的投诉后,担心有关事件继续升温而引发宗教纠纷,决定亲晤大臣反映并要求大臣介入,以尽早解决有关问题。

蔡细历是出席由大马宗乡青吉打分会所举办的“308后,谁主皇朝”政治座谈会后针对上诉事件向记者发表谈话。

据他了解,新山德教会所悬挂的回教字图并非回教先知的肖像,而只是写有爪夷文的一个字图。事实上,德教会也了解非回教组织是被禁止悬挂穆哈默德肖像,而德教会阁所悬挂和朝拜佛、道、儒、回教和基督5大宗教的字图,是表达对这五大教义的尊重,同时希望全民得到众神的庇佑,国泰民安,没有并藐视回教之意。

“虽然这件事发生在新山,不过我担心会影响到其他州的德教会组织。因此,我们需要州政府的介入和协助,以在最短时间内解决问题。”

Thursday, May 1, 2008

现代化集中养猪计划惠民国 On Pig Farming issue

<文告>

马华前副总会长拿督斯理蔡细历医生非议国阵格拉那州议员拿督阿威仄莫反对现代集中养猪场的愚论,不满一些马来领袖执意将养猪课题政治化而罔视该行业的发展。

他说,现代化集中养猪区初时是由中央政府提倡,属于中央政府的重大政策,最后受惠的不仅是猪农也包括人民本身,阿威仄莫身为国阵议员显然并不了解国阵政府的政策。


他说,现代化养猪区采用先进排污系统,可以有效减少环境污染,但阿威却反指将加剧污染问题,证明他不但不了解现代化集中养猪场计划,对养猪业的基本常识也没有。


蔡细历今天针对阿威在吉兰丹州议发表不支持现代化养猪的言论,发表文告。
他劝请所有国阵国州议员,如果不熟悉、不了解养猪业,不要公开发表个人意见, 以免引起华社反感,致使国阵再进一步失去华社的支持。


针对阿威建议大马政府应向中国进口猪肉,蔡细历说,中国目前也面对猪肉供应短缺、价格飙升问题,我国既然有能力自供自给,为何要进口贵猪肉?


不过,也是前卫生部长的他也承认,不管是猪、鸡、牛、羊等,禽畜业都具有面对爆发动物传染疾病的风险,说猪只引发的疾病比其他饲养业严重是不合理的。
他举例,鸡和鸟类近年来在我国和世界多个国家引发禽流感,由于病毒变种而成为新兴的夺命病毒,该疫潮的杀伤力不会比其他动物传染疾病低。经过这场禽流袭击后,禽流感也被世界卫生组织公认为最危险的传染疾病之一。


蔡细历也补充,发生立白病毒事件前,柔佛州出口大量猪只到新加坡,当时的出口额高达1亿5千万令吉,不过该国在立白事件后便停止进口我国猪只和猪肉。“我非常支持在我国实行现代化集中养猪场,因为我国养猪行业有很大的发展潜能,问题是要如何协助猪农现代化管理养猪场和处理排污工作,以减少环境污染,提高卫生水平,促成猪农和人民双赢的局面。”


他坦言,当他还任部长时,也曾和马华总会长拿督斯理黄家定把集中养猪区的问题带入内阁讨论。“由于设立现代化养猪场的成本太高,我们向政府建议为参与的猪农提供低息贷款,以实际行动协助猪农,当时的农业及农基工业部长丹斯里慕尤丁原则上也同意和接受有关建议。”


与此同时,他也对一些领袖仍以狭隘思维看待民生问题感到遗憾。他说,往往政府宣布一些跨种族的决定,很多马来政治人物都会将事情种族化或政治化,使原本惠及国民的建议或计划复杂化甚至被迫搁置。

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Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek rebuked statement made by Dato’ Hj Che Alwi Che Ahmad from Kok Lanas state constituency where he objected to centralized pig farming.


Dr. Chua is not satisfied with some Malay leaders that purposely politicized pig farming issue and hindered the development of the said industry. He said that the modernization of centralized pig rearing area was introduced and promoted by central government and it was one of the central government’s important plan and those who will benefit from this plan is not only pig farmers but the nation as well and Dato’ Alwi who is a state assemblyman clearly did not understand BN government’s plans and strategies.

He said that the waste treatment system could efficiently reduce environment pollution but Alwi said that the system would do the opposite thing, which is to add on to pollution problem and this proved that he not only did not understand the plan of modernization in centralized pig rearing areas but also did not have basic knowledge towards pig rearing industry.

On the proposal by Awi to import pork from China, Chua said that at the moment, China is also facing the shortage of pork supply and the price is going up, since our country has the ability to provide pork for self consumption, why do we need expensive imported pork?

However, Chua, who is the former Health Minister, also admitted that no matter pork, chicken, beef or lamb, the livestock industry faces the risk of infectious disease and if said that pig is the only animal that spreads serious diseases compared to others is illogical.

He said that for example, the chicken and birds had spread the disease of pandemic flu and because of the constantly mutating virus; it has turned into a disease that kills people. Since the attack of this disease, the H5N1 flu has been recognized by WHO as one of the most dangerous infectious disease.

He added that before the case of Nipah flu, Johor had exported big amount of pigs to Singapore and the total amount went up to 150 million but Singapore has stopped importing pigs and pork from our country after the spread of the said disease.

"I fully support the centralized pig farms because our pig rearing industry has huge potential of development and the main problem now is how to assist the farmers to manage their pig farms properly and handle the waste treatment works so that the environment pollution can be minimized; the cleanliness level can be increased so that everyone could have a win-win situation,” he said.

He said that when he was still a Minister, he and Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting had brought the pig farm problem into the Cabined for discussion.

"The cost of setting up modernized pig farms is too high and we have proposed to the government that we can participate in providing low interest loan to pig farmers as to assist them. This proposal has basically been agreed and accepted by the then Minister of Agriculture, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin,” he said.

Therefore, he is disappointed by the opinions given by some leaders that are narrow-minded. He said that often when the government announced any decision that cuts across racial line, a lot of Malay politicians will politicize the issue or racially view it; so much so that the original plan that is beneficial to the rakyat will be made complicated or even forced to be put on hold.

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