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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Public Transport

Public transport, especially in the major towns like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu need to be fixed. Over the years, while the government has done well to improve the road system in our country, it has failed to address public transport system. Hence, the usage of public transport has dropped dramatically to only about 16 percent.

While good road system is important, we need to improve the public transport system, otherwise our roads will continue to be clogged by motor vehicles. It is a chicken and egg situation whereby because of the poor public transport system, then having your own mode of transport becomes a necessity and not a luxury. It is not uncommon to find an employee not coming to work because his car or motorbike breaks down. Many areas in Kuala Lumpur are not served by public transport. Hence, the ownership of motor vehicle by Malaysians is one of the highest in Asia.

Najib chairs the Cabinet Committee on Public Transport and this is tasked to improve public transport so that the usage of public transport would increase to 25 percent in the short term and ultimately 40% in the long term. This may be a difficult target to achieve until greater commitment is shown to improve the public transport system.

The latest budget shows that the government has announced a number of initiatives to improve the public transport. However, this looks like a piece meal effort. The major cities need an integrated transport master plan. Until there is better connectivity between the various mode of transport, people will shun public transport. The various public transports available in KL are not inter-connected. When you buy a bus ticket, you cannot travel in a commuter train. The first act of improving the connectivity is to make travel in the public transport system hussle free.

There are too many departments involved in looking after public transport. The latest count is 13 departments. There should be a body like the Cabinet Committee on public transport that is the supreme body that oversees all public transport problems from application of licenses, planning of routes, better equipments, more efficient service and cost-effective way of delivering the service.

Right now, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad has done a poor job in the procurement of buses and equipments. RapidKL is not as rapid as it should be. It is hoped that through better coordination, the development of the public transport system will not be in an ad-hoc and haphazard manner.

A land transport commission may be required so as to bring different agencies in line and engage the public in order to plan a more people’s friendly route. The support of the rakyat is important if we want to promote better usage of public transport system. There is a need to educate the taxi and the bus drivers that they are not kings of the road.

蔡細歷:更有協調性‧應設監管公共交通委會

(布城)馬華前署理總會長拿督斯里蔡細歷建議政府成立一個全權負責監管所有公共交通問題,如同內閣委員會的機構,負責所有執照申請、路線規劃、更好的設備、更有效服務和具有成本效益載送服務等事項。

發展不會雜亂無章的進行
蔡細歷也是國陣總協調,他於週四(10月29日)在部落格貼文中指出,政府可能需要成立一個陸路交通委員會,結合不同的機構和徵詢公眾的意見,以便策劃更友好的路線。

他說,大馬的公共交通,尤其是主要城市如吉隆坡、檳城、新山和亞庇的公共交通服務有必要整頓,吉隆坡的公交系統更是互不連接。

公共交通使率降至16%
“主要城市需要一個綜合交通大藍圖,只有在各種公共交通有更好的連接系統,人們才會改搭公共交通工具。”

他說,政府多年來盡力改善公路系統,但是卻未解決公共交通系統,使到公共交通的使用率急降至只有16%。

他說,這是雞和雞蛋的問題,因為公共交通系統的不完善,車輛變成一種需要而非奢侈品,由於吉隆坡很多地區交通不便,導致大馬成為亞洲擁車率最高的國家之一。
由首相拿督斯里納吉主持的內閣公共交通委員會會議,期望在短期內將公交使用率提昇至25%,並在長期達致40%的目標。

他認為,除非政府對改善公共交通服務有很大的承諾,否則這項目標將難以達致,政府在新出爐的財政預算案中所宣佈的若干改善措施,看來很零碎。

星洲日報‧2009.10.30

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

A response to the 2010 Budget

The Budget 2010 that was announced on Friday, 23rd October 2009 is overall a good budget, especially under this challenging economic condition. The Budget deficit will be reduced from 7.4% to 5.6% and there are no higher taxes. Generally, it does not burden the rakyat and is business friendly. I had the opportunity to gather some professionals for a brainstorming session on the budget and below are some essences of the discussion that I would like to share.


Real Property Gain Tax (RPGT)

The 5 percent Real Property Gain Tax (RPGT) as announced in the Budget 2010 will be effective from January 1, 2010.

It is seen as a counter-productive move in encouraging real property investments among local and foreign investors and less attractive compared to other countries that offer lower RPGT or no tax than Malaysia.

Goods and Service Tax (GST)

The time has come for the Government to seriously consider the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The Goods and Service Tax is more equitable compared to the sales and service tax. However, appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that the implementation of the GST is properly done.

The country’s oil and gas industry although contributing 40 percent of the government’s revenue will continue to drop in future and the GST could be another source of revenue to the government.

The GST has been implemented in many countries. You pay for services and goods. Hence, it is more equitable. Educating the rakyat and ensuring its proper implementation is important. There is a lot of red tape involved in its implementation. Hence, GST should not be introduced in haste.

Green Technology

In view of the current problem of global warming and climate change the PM Najib has announced a fund of RM1.5 billion soft loan in order to provide assistance to companies dealing with green technology and hopefully help to reduce carbon foot prints for the nation.

Apart from the tax exemption on the Green Building Index (GBI) certificate and the RM1.5 billion fund, the government should also consider implementing plastic bag tax. Many plastic bags are non-biodegradable and it causes great harm not only to the environment but also to the human beings. Countries like Ireland has passed a plastic bag tax in year 2002 and within weeks, it showed 94 percent drop in plastic bag usage.

The government should consider implementing before the plastic bag tax an educational program on reducing the usage of plastic bag. There should also be a tax for non-environment friendly practices such as usage of Styrofoam containers. Green taxes will also spur technological innovation.

As for the green technology, there are foods for thoughts by an environmentalist as follows:

1) Energy and water efficiency

· New Green Building Indexed building should result in 40 – 60 percent less energy and water usage.

· The rain water should be recycled and reused via inbuilt technology in the house via storage tanks (underground) and etc.

· Solar panels and photovoltaic cells to generate electricity and heating power

· Wind power whenever possible

2) Indoor environment quality

· Using good architectural design for better natural air flow and directional placing of buildings;

· Use of non-toxic paint and materials and environmental materials.

3) Sustainable building and development

· Using GBI buildings and more eco-friendly and energy efficient buildings.

· Cheaper and more eco-friendly low cost homes.

4) Usage of renewable and recyclable materials

· Using wood materials or waste materials using old tyres for retention wall and more cooler energy efficient homes (smart and cool homes)

5) Using new technologies

Quick build system that is 1/3 less cost, e.g. solar energy, green power, biomass power generation, sewerage systems that generate power, recycle water (drinkable) and produce fertilizer.

SME

The SME is an important component in the engine of growth in the country. Hence, there is a need for continuous support from the government in the form of soft loan or grant for SME entrepreneurs. Although there is a special funding under the stimulus package, the government should introduce a system for SME owners to be able to purchase their own factories rather than paying for the renting of the factories.

There should be more grants so that the entrepreneurs could:

1) Upgrade their equipments;

2) Acquire new technologies;

3) Expand the capacity and productivity of their factories and products and;

4) Research and technology.

Right now, we are told that the yearly fund allocated have often been fully utilized before the year-end.

Creative Industry

A total of RM200 million of fund is allocated for creative industry. This is the first time that such allocation is given. However, the amount of fund is inadequate since there are many fields in the creative industry. The creative industry has great potential and if the government wants to develop the service industry to achieve 65% of the GDP by 2020, then the creative industry is one field that holds great promise. We need to overcome:

1) Internet access problem;

2) Content development problem

Often, you notice the film industry and advertisements in the electronic media have to buy content from overseas. There is little support from the local community and the government for the development of local content in the creative industry.

As for performing arts, there should be room for people who are creative and space for the freedom of expression. If a minority of people likes to impose their own values on local and foreign artists, then we can forget about developing performing arts in Malaysia.

A grant of RM50million for branding is grossly inadequate. Right now, SME can apply for grant when they do promotion overseas as part of their branding exercise. If they do not have a strong local brand name, then no way can they compete overseas. Hence, there is a need to identify the top 30 local brands and establish a strong local brand with government assistance, then only they are ready to go overseas.

There is a lot of red tape in applying for these grants. Hence, the procedure to apply for the grant should be simplified.

Security

Security is a big issue in this country. This is one reason why we have suffered a drop in our competitiveness. We welcome the RM1billion funding to beef up security. However, having extra patrol car and better equipment will not ensure better security. It is the security personnel’s professionalism, dedication, right attitude, less corruption and abuse of power that will improve the security in this country.

Minimum Wage

It is disappointing that the minimum wage issue was not mentioned in the 2010 budget.

I have mentioned in the blog before that Malaysia needs a minimum wage policy for certain sectors that have potential for growth. It will increase productivity and efficiency as producers or employers will have to make these adjustments. Workers will have to change their attitudes towards work and increase productivity to be employed. Malaysia will not be dependent on cheap and low skilled foreign labour to drive its economy.

More than 90 % of countries have legislation regarding minimum wage but Malaysia is not one of them.

There are about 3.5 million foreign workers in Malaysia. Last year, foreign workers remitted RM18 billion to their own countries. If minimum wage is implemented, this amount of money will not flow out of the country. It will definitely boost up local consumption.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

PRESS STATEMENT BY DATUK SERI DR. CHUA SOI LEK

PRESS STATEMENT BY DATUK SERI DR. CHUA SOI LEK

I would like to thank MCA central delegates and all party members for their enormous support that lead to my reinstatement as a MCA member.

I accept the decisions made by all central delegates and I hope that the MCA central leadership will respect decisions made by the central delegates in the MCA EGM.

Thank you.

拿督斯里蔡细历医生文告

我感激全体马华党员和中央代表的支持,让我恢复党籍。

我接受中央代表的所有决定,也希望马华领导层尊重中央代表在特大的票决。

谢谢。

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

PRESS STATEMENT BY MCA CENTRAL DELEGATES’ EGM ACTION COMMITTEE/马华中央代表特大行动委员声明

The MCA Central Delegates’ EGM Action Committee urged all MCA Central Delegates to attend the EGM on the 10th October, 2009. This EGM is called by Central Delegates to determine the destiny of the party.

Post 308 General Election, MCA is at its lowest point. Under the leadership of Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, the situation is worsening and the party is divided. Since the party election last year, Datuk Seri Ong has made no plans to revive the party.

We have to admit that MCA today has NO impact on national politics. It has NO influence on the policies and plans of this country. We have NO direction.

For this reason, the MCA Central Delegates’ EGM Action Committee has put together the 3R Manifesto to restore 60 years of legacy and influence.

We believe that this manifesto of REJECT, REUNITE, RESTORE will provide a road map for our party leaders and members to return the MCA to its place of respect and prominence.

Today, we want a strong and united MCA. We want a party leader who serves the party and not his own interest.

Nothing is more important than the wishes of the majority. This EGM is important.

If we make the wrong choice we are doomed.

Attend this 10 October 2009 EGM and Vote FOR all the resolutions to be part of the change for MCA.

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马华中央代表特大行动委员会呼吁全体马华中央代表出席于1010日,早上10时举行的特别代表大会,利用手中一票决定党未来的命运。


308大选后的马华处于最低谷,拿督斯里翁诗杰主政以后更每况愈下,党内出现分裂。翁诗杰当选以来,并未提出任何重整马华的计划和方向。


我们必须承认和面对一个现实:今天的马华,在我国政治已没有影响力,对国家的施政也毫无影响力。我们已失去方向。


有鉴于此,马华中央代表特大行动委员会拟就了以“纠正·团结·振兴”为3大方向的宣言,力挽马华60年来的威望和影响力。


我们深信,有关宣言提供清晰的政治版图,引领马华领导层和党员协助恢复我党强大的政治地位。


今天,我们要一个强稳团结的马华。我们要一位全心全意为党奉献而非只照顾个人利益的领袖。


大多数群体的意愿比一切更重要。这项特大至关重要。


一旦选择错误,马华将步向末路。


请依时出席20091010日的马华特大,对大会5项议案投选“赞成”,成为马华改革的一分子!

纠正· 团结· 振兴, 振兴马华60年声誉和威望的3大宣言

纠正· 团结· 振兴

-------------------

马华已临存亡关口,未来风潇雨


虽然我们生活在变化莫测的年代,然而,马华的前景却从未如此充满悬念。


马华创党至今60年,从未如此衰弱。


它从未如此名不符实,毫无绩效;


也从未如此四分五裂,人心各异;


更从未如此乱无章法而无采取任何补救行动。


在现阶段,马华虽贵为国家重要政党,却陷入没有实权的困局。


它对国家的施政毫无影响力。


更糟糕的是,它辜负了人民的需要和期望。


过去12个月,我们就像汪洋中的一艘船。


任风吹雨打,漫无目地的漂流。


我们的总会长无法面对眼前挑战、无法团结马华党员、更无法将马华发扬光大。


我们的总会长已经彻底摧毁了马华的一切。


我们别无选择,唯有召开特別代表大会寻策解决。


抑止对马华公会的破坏免让它万劫不复。



纠正


我们对总会长失去信心。


308政治海啸以后,我党总会长的改革只闻楼梯响,形容他毫无作为贴切不过 。


过去12个月,总会长无法对党作出承诺。


上任以来仅召开6次会长理事会 ( 本应每周一次) 6次中委会。


他忽视马华和基层,为了己利不惜典当马华60年的斗争和成就。


我们不信任现任总会长,并要否决重视己利胜于党前途的总会长。


我们要能团结马华的领袖

现任总会长以个人利益作决定,分化党员导致党内分裂。


我们要公正、合理及不偏不倚行使党赋予权力的领袖

现任总会长在党内排除异己,只重用对他俯首恭维的人。他根据个人偏爱,对毫无经验及绩效资历的党员委予重任;凡不站在同一阵线者则遭忽略和羞辱,甚至被标签为私会党


我们要懂得尊重基层和华社的领袖

现任总会长常以英雄自居,不断把自己悲情化,以博取公众的同情。然而,他却持续忽视基层的意愿及存在。


我们要推行共识政治,而非对抗政治的领袖

现任总会长在党内打造恐惧和焦虑文化。他善于心计,不断假以他人口舌代他发言。他拒绝任何对话和会谈,以致马华遭受孤立和隔绝。


我们要重视党务而非个人议程的领袖

现任总会长混淆视听,扰乱基层与公众对他的党、官职表现的判断。他利用党掩盖本身为官的弱点。为了个人政治目的,他甚至滥用职权操纵党部资源。


我们要能与政盟伙伴、非政府组织及广大基层合作的领袖

现任总会长似乎尽量疏远所有人,而且自持己见,态度傲慢,做事盛气凌人。他只选对他唯唯诺诺的人共事,不能容纳异己。


我们要立场坚定、明确的领袖

总会长本身无法果断决定,发表的观点又不服人心,而且立场朝夕令改,随心所欲发表无知论见。



团结


致所有比总会长更爱马华的党员。


党必须立即行动。


立即行动,以助马华恢复昔日的强大力量和荣耀。


立即行动,维护马华先贤创党的心血和功劳。


马华必须重新整合,凝集和发挥领袖及党员的团队力量。


团结,让人们对马华恢复信心

为了所有党员及基层,我们必须挽回马华党誉,重振党威。


团结,以建立共识政治及包容文化

华必须建立一个有效的工作团队,而非空談不做。


团结,实现委任贤能之士担任中委会、会长理事会及州联委会要职位

我们必须重新委任具有不同经验、才干及和态度积极的领袖,以确确实实反映基层所愿。


团结,以恢复党员士气及拼搏精神

马华领导层及党员必须彼此信任,互相尊敬以并肩合作。我们需要在党内建立一個具冲劲及热诚的文化。


团结,以助恢复党内民主。

不可忽视基层和党员的意愿。党部的决策必须容纳基层党员的想法和意见。唯有如此,马华才能重新团结,凝结一股更强大的政治力量。


团结,以用心地聆听基层与人民的需求。

聆听人民的诉求,付诸行动解决问题是马华的职责。


团结,以在党内建立公平和任人唯才文化。

党员知人善用、不惧强权、不偏私的情操,能让马华茁壮强大。我们不允许在党内发生任何的政治迫害或秋后算帐,所有党员对党和人民的付出与贡献,必受党之肯定。



振兴


我们对马华的动荡不安感到忐忑不安。


身为一国大党,如果整天正事不做,不迅速行动,马华将会被唾弃,无法在马来西亚政治领域发挥效能,也无法在国阵立足,以及被取代。


我们必须重新振作,让拥有60年历史的马华,展现它与人民和国家密不可分的强大地位。


马华需要要自我振兴,维护本身在国阵第二大党的地位。


振兴马华,以在第13届全国大选赢取辉煌战绩

重拾华社信心、重赢华社认同是马华的责任。我们要率身维护马来西亚全民在宪法、民事法所享有的人权和利益。


振兴马华,以助马华达致一个马来西亚目标

马华必须体现 以民为本,绩效为先的精神。


振兴马华,以在国阵扮演重要和平等的伙伴角色

马华必须积极与内阁对话,确保国家重要的决策与运作公正。马华要在国家政治里当家和当权。


振兴马华,强化马华属下所有区会

党部的财务与人力资源必须让全马各区会均分。党部也必须支援基层的活动基金,让基层得以为人民提供更好的服務


振兴马华,善用马华100万党员,人尽其材以为人民提供更完善的服务

我们必须善用基层及党产资源,为人民提供最好的服务。唯有如此,马华才能全心全意和有效服务人民,才能重获民心。


振兴马华,让它成为社会经济繁荣的火车头

马华能促进马来西亚的和谐发展。我们应与人民分享宝贵的知识与经验。


振兴马华,让它成为教育的监护人

  • 我们必须努力保护接受母语教育的权力
  • 我们的目标包括为母语教育开发更制度化和计划性的政府资助管道
  • 马华必须持续增建和搬迁华小
  • 马华必须说服政府承认独中统考文凭,让独中毕业生顺利进入师训及其他高等教育机构深深造

振兴马华,要更专业地管理《星报》,使它达致更大成就

马华需要承认和定位《星报》是独立运作、不屈于政治干预的媒体。我们必须让该报管理层及编辑部自我管理,自食其力。


振兴马华,以更有效、负责及透明处理党部资产及投资

我们必须由合格及精于管理的专才协助管理马华的庞大资源。然而,党员将被赋予追究权,以防止领导层滥用或用之不当。


振兴马华,成立最低基薪委员会为特定行业争取最低工资福利

马华需要为特定行业争取最低工资的福利,确保有关领域的雇员享有合理的收入,并根据雇员的技术和生产效率争取调涨幅度。这么做有助减少依赖外劳。


振兴马华,吸引和激发马来西亚的新生代

马华必须缔造一个积极而正面的环境,肯定年轻一代的潜能,制造机会悉心栽培这些未来的栋梁。


振兴马华,更积极及透明調查巴生港口自贸区弊案

政府既已決定严查巴生港口自贸区弊案,马华必须扮演应有的角色,公正无私及透明处理案件,让案件还原真相。


马华的未來掌握在您手中。


立即行动,振兴马华60年的根基大业!


纠正· 团结· 振兴

Welcome to my Blog

As a concerned MCA member, I am trying my best to help in the process of rebuilding and repositioning of the party.

Therefore, I welcome party members and members of public to post your constructive suggestions and opinions on my blog on how to rebuild and reform the party, eventually enabling MCA to regain support from all party members and the community.


Thank you for your suggestions.