Expected announcement at an unexpected time

Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting’s announcement that he will not seek re-election as MCA President was not unexpected. However, it was expected to be announced only after division election. Certain events which are not known to me must have precipitated him to make the earlier announcement. I find it difficult to believe that he have planned not to seek re-election 3 months ago. Certain tactical moves undertaken by him within the party after the election in March indicated that he was more inclined to seek re-election. He declined the nomination as a minister in order for the brother to get into cabinet.

He must have encountered many problems in discharging his duty as a MCA President. I understand from reliable sources that he had great difficulty in trying to see the Prime Minister and this has rendered him impotent in trying to solve Chinese community’s problem. This may be one of this reasons that caused his premature announcement rather than agonizing it. His position then becomes untenable as President of MCA without a Cabinet post. He virtually became a lame duck. I respect his decision not to seek re-election and I hope MCA members remain calm and united to face the party election. While he may not seek re-election, I’m sure unseen hands will be at work to ensure members who are allied to him will be voted in at the division, state and national elections.

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马华总会长拿督斯里黄家定日前宣布在来届马华党选，不会寻求蝉联。事实上，总会长有这样的决定乃预料中事，惟却选择在区会改选之前宣布，则让人始料不及。大部分人都会以为，黄家定将在区会改选结束后才对其个人动向表态。我想，也许是出现了一些状况，促使他必须提早对外宣布。

我无法相信这是他3个月前的决定。黄家定在308大选后的一些举动和策略，显示他野心勃勃欲在党选中寻求连任，而原被推举出任部长的他却自动弃权，明显地是让路给胞兄入阁。

担任马华总会长期间，相信黄家定是面对了许多问题和困难，在执行时力不从心。根据可靠的消息，他屡屡欲约见首相不果，因此无法直接会晤首相反映华社问题，对这方面表现得无能为力。这也许是他提早作出宣布退位的原因之一吧。

由于不再是内阁部长，黄家定的总会长地位就显得弱势了，基本上他和跛脚鸭没有两样。无论如何，我尊敬他的决定，也希望马华党员能冷静待之，并团结一致面对即将来临的党选。尽管黄家定放弃连任，但我坚信幕后仍会出现隐没之手，来确保他的同盟在区会、州和中央改选中胜出。

A reply to Dr. Suresh K's comment in "Recognition of Unregistered Medical Degrees"

Prior to the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, private healthcare facilities were licensed under the Private Hospital Act 1971 which only enabled the control of 3 types of private healthcare facilities, namely private hospitals, private maternity homes and private nursing homes. The standards imposed were minimal and non-specific, and the private sector has little information on how to establish a proper healthcare facility. The control of such licensed facilities was confined to inspection visits only as there was no provision for proper enforcement. The only penalty imposed was for operating a private healthcare facility without licence and that too was minimal, not exceeding RM1,000. There was no provision for the registration of medical and dental clinics.

The introduction of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and Regulations 2006, and their enforcement from May 2006, changed all these. The new Act and Regulations enabled the setting up of dedicated enforcement units in all states and a dedicated section at headquarter to monitor, inspect and ensure compliance to the new Act and Regulations.

All medical and dental clinics have now to be registered, and this facilitates inspections and checks by our enforcement officers. Enforcement officers are now empowered to seal unregistered clinics and weed out bogus doctors and unqualified personnel, all for the sake of protecting the public from unsafe practices.

The new Act now provides for the licensing of 12 types of private healthcare facilities ranging from the previous 3 to new entities like hospices, haemodialysis centres and ambulatory care centres. Quality and safety standards on physical structure, facilities, equipment, manpower and processes are provided for. All new private healthcare facilities now have to apply firstly, for an approval to establish their facility, and then, within 3 years of approval, a licence to operate the facility. The licence to operate is renewable every 2 years. These provisions enable the Ministry to ensure that private healthcare facilities continue to comply with the required standards to ensure that the services provided are safe, effective and of quality.

PAS’ social value

Every time when I say that we should be suspicion of PAS, a lot of people will condemn me. Today, I’ll say it again. PAS with its Islamic agenda has not shown its true colours because it is not in control of the federal government. Even then, they will try hard to push for their Islamic value at the state level. First, they objected to the artist performance in Selangor and now they have this directive in Kelantan so that Muslim ladies are not supposed to wear high heels and red lipsticks.

The Muslim ladies are often blamed that such dressing would provoke the men causing rape and illicit sex. PAS leaders seem to forget what will happen to the non-Muslim ladies with red lipsticks and high heels? Are they going to be raped and sexually abused by men who cannot control themselves? While you and I may laugh at their beliefs, some of these Muslim leaders from PAS really believe in control environment and they will be very upset if their value system is challenged. Politicians should not continue to harp that women are the cause for all sexual abuses and have the simplistic view that if all women are in robe, then there will be no cases of rape.

Government servant as petty traders?/ 公务员兼商的利弊

通膨上涨，生活拮据负担日益剧增，人民无一幸免。政府体恤公务员，为缓和涨价和通膨对公务员生活带来的冲击，早前批准公务员兼职。因考虑到公务员兼职或引发的滥权、工作表现低落、恶性经济竞争等因素，关于这项决定，我不表示赞成，也在6月15日的部落贴中详析己见。今天，政府另有打算，计划批发短期小本从商执照予公务员。我认为这项计划弊过于利，因为：

1． 要启营生意需要一笔资金，若身无分文他们则必须向政府或MARA（土著）贷款。这种情况下自营生意，预见贷款摊还率将非常低。
2． 任何一种生意都需要特定的专业技术和经验。若从零开始，此刻才开始学习做生意的窍门，无可避免他们会分心，以致忽略正职，直接影响了在正职的表现。
3． 如果他们将营业执照出租，而没有亲身参与和经营这盘生意，可能会招致滥用资源等弊端。
4． 此外，这也会在传统的同行间制造竞争，促使同行迁怒于公务员。

要全面帮助低收入的人民，政府应该认真考虑为所有低收入者提供现金生活津贴，并鼓励私人领域仿效此策，以协助低收入群体渡过这个艰难时刻。别忘了，我国的1千万人力市场中，只有100万人在政府领域工作，其余的900万人来自私人机构。据了解，大部分在私人领域工作的低收入群体每月薪金低于1千500令吉，对一家三口而言，1千500令吉只能糊口。所以，在私人领域工作也不能保证生活宽裕。

据我了解，一些国家的政府每月都会为低收入家庭提供现金补贴，以拉近国民收入悬殊，更实际和有效地减轻低收入群体的生活负担。其实这项政策值得我国政府研究和效法。大马政府也应该认真考虑为低收入者直接分发现金补贴。随着石油价格逐年高涨，国际石油价格每涨一美元，作为原油出口国之一的大马每年就能赚取2亿5千万令吉。目前石油每桶已从60美元涨至143美元，以这两年的石油行情来推算，国油公司应该大唱丰收，而政府应该拥有绝对足够的流动资源，为低收入民众实施现金补贴。我的建议，并非要求国油将所有的石油受益捐作国内的燃油津贴，而是挪出将部分的利润，以现金方式帮助穷人。

我呼吁政府能慎重地考虑这项建议，因为这是帮助低收入人民最直接、简单的方法之一。政府需要做的只是鉴定低收入的定义和薪额组别，确保只有落在设定组别的人士受惠。

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First, the government talked about part time job for government servant and I’ve written about this in my blog 3 weeks ago. Now, the government is thinking to give license to government servant to be petty traders on short term basis. Again, I must say that this is not a well thought out plan.

1) To start a small business, you need capital and if they take a small loan from government or MARA if they are bumiputra, it is likely they will default.
2) Any form of business needs expertise and experience. It cannot start from nowhere. If they start learning the trick of the trade, they will neglect their work.
3) Abuse will definitely set in since they can rent out license and they become absentee operators.
4) It creates competition and makes the traditional small petty traders angry with government servant.

The government should seriously think of coming out with cash or Cash of Living Allowance (COLA) to help the lower income group to tie over this difficult period. In the same way, the government should impress upon the private sector to do the same. We must not forget, out of the 10 million workforces, only 1 million is with the government, the remaining 9 million is with the private sector. The lower income group in private sector is equally suffering since majority of workers are receiving less that RM1500 per month and it is difficult to survive for a family of three on income of only RM1500 per month.

Direct funding by cash is one option that government should seriously consider. It is simple and directly benefiting the lower income group. The windfall profit from the increase of the oil price can be a source of this funding. For every US$1 increase in oil price, Petronas will make RM250 million per year. Since oil price has gone up from US$60 to US$130 a barrel in the last 2 years, Petronas is looking to bumper profit this year. I’m not advocating that Petronas profit should all be channeled as subsidy for petrol, rather one of the options is direct cash aid to the poor. What the government needs to do is to determine at what income level before they are entitled to these funding.

Logging in Kuala Muda, Kedah/ 森林贮水保护区伐木，吉打州政府逆民意而行

尽管朝野政要和人民群起反对吉打州政府在贮水区推行伐木计划，但州务大臣却无动于衷，一意孤行，让我对该大臣的做法感到惊讶和失望不已。

在从政事业初期，我的职务与环境及森林发展密不可分。我曾担任柔佛州环境委员会主席9年，同时兼任柔佛兴楼云冰（Endau Rompin）国家公园技术委员会主席长达12年。在任职期间，我感到最高兴和欣慰的是成功说服丹麦环境发展合作(DANCED)局，赞助600万令吉在兴楼云冰野林展开环境生态的教育和研究计划。此计划推行后，州政府也在2001年成功举办第2届兴楼云冰科学考察。这些促进湿地生态复育和研究发展的行动，最终引起国际社会组织的注意，更接纳我的申请，将丹绒比艾及蒲来河列为RAMSAR（注）国际重要湿地。

注：RAMSAR《拉姆萨湿地公约》是全球唯一针对单一生态系统保护的环境公约。该公约于1971年在伊朗小城拉姆萨尔举行的湿地保护研讨会议上，由30多个国家接纳和签署又称拉姆萨尔公约。公约的全名是《水禽栖息地的国际重要湿地公约》，它是一个政府间的公约，作为各国在湿地保护及其资源合理利用的准则和国际合作框架。目前已有147个成员国参与此计划。

出任这两主席职，让我真正了解、学习和珍惜自然环境和森林的重要价值。因此，当吉打州务大臣宣布将砍伐乌魯慕达河的森林保留地，我非常震惊。他显然不懂什么是森林管理，才会被误导做出如此决定。难道州务大臣不明白，林木是上帝的恩赐？
话说回来，要监督以直升机进行局部性伐木的活动有一定的困难，一不小心干扰了贮水区范围或将造成土地侵蚀和水源污染，问题非常严重。也许对大部分的政治人物而言，伐木是让州致富最快对容易的途径，可惜伐木活动往往因缺乏良好的监管而不能持久，也破坏森林的自然生态。

伐木工和森林管理员都很清楚，伐木活动开始前，必须在森林内辟建道路供载木罗里行驶，为了开辟这条道路就先要平白牺牲许多树木，不该伐的也被伐下，成为轮下凋材。而乌鲁慕达河的伐木计划，他们将建造约至少300公里长的道路，试想想多少林木被浪费，这是无法节制的大破坏啊！

做决定前，吉打州政府应该事先听取大马环境协会（MNS）和世界野生动物基金会（WWF）的意见。这两个非政府组织是环境生态事务的专家，它们的代表曾参与我主持的森林保护和发展会议，为我提供了许多宝贵的意见。要有效监督减缓森林破坏的措施确实知易行难，因此必须要认真地展开环境影响评估的研究和审查。只是此项评估工作非常学术性，无奈我国的森林和环境局正严缺这方面的专才。

早前，我不时听闻雪州民联政府非议和抨击前超州政府批准在斜坡展开建筑工程，这时候是否应该和吉打州政府的盟友进行沟通，劝劝盟友，让他们了解在贮水区伐木的后果？

也许雪州政府说了，只是吉打州政府充耳不闻？谁知道？

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I’m surprised and disappointed that despite the chorus of protest, the Kedah Menteri Besar is still adamant about logging the catchment area of Kuala Muda. I understand that this is the source of water for Penang island.

In the early part of my political career, I’ve always been closely associated with environment and forest development. I was the chairman of the Environment Committee in Johor for 9 years and also the chairman of the Technical Committee for Endau Rompin, Johor for 12 years. Hence, I can claim it was during this time that I managed to convince a team from DANCED (Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development) to finance an education and research project of RM6 million, deep in the jungle of Endau Rompin, an area that stretches to 45, 000 hectare on the Johor site. The second scientific expedition into Endau Rompin was also launched in the year 2001. I managed to get Tanjung Piai, the southern most tip of the continent of Asia and Sg. Pulai to be listed as the Ramsar site.

I must admit that it was during these years as chairman that I learn a lot to value the forest and the environment. Hence, I’m surprised when the MB of Kedah announced that he’s using helicopter logging which has never been tried in this country before and it is only suitable for a large forest area. He may known very little about forest management and hence ill advised. To the Kedah MB, it is God send money.

It is difficult to monitor selective logging through the helicopter. Any disruption in the catchment area will lead to erosion and pollution, often a disaster in the catchment area. Most politicians can only think of logging as revenue for the state since this is the easiest and fastest way of deriving revenue. Unfortunately, this is often unsustainable since monitoring and supervision is poor in the jungle. Loggers working hand in hand with the forestry officer are a well known fact that when they build track roads, trees which are not supposed to be chopped off will be chopped off. That’s where they derive most profits and in the case of Kuala Muda, they are supposed to do a track road of 300km. This will be to unmitigated disaster. The state government should get the advice of the Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for proper professional advice. These 2 NGOs used to sit in my committee in Johor for the development of forest area and I find their advice invaluable. EIA studies are often academic since it is difficult to supervise mitigating measure done in the jungle. The forestry and environment department are sadly lacking in manpower and expertise.

The PR state government of Selangor should be communicating with the PR government of Kedah since I’ve read a lot about the PR government of Selangor, criticizing the previous state government for allowing development on the slope in Selangor. Maybe they are in communication that I’m not aware off, or advice has fallen on deaf ears.

Speak But Not Heard

自我辞官以后，我发现要通过平面媒体传递我的信息相当困难。中文媒体似乎不太热衷采访我对时事和民生课题的论解，只一心一意想从我口里旁敲侧击马华党选的情势。我不想每次开口都只谈马华，如我之前多次强调，除了马华，还有很多影响普罗大众、国家生计的经济和社会课题值得我们关注。我尽量避谈马华，也是考虑到马华党选已近在眉睫。

过去半年来，我受邀参与无数个公共政治论坛，与民联阵线的国州议员同台辩论。除了在星报和星洲日报主办的两场论坛以外，我的其他演讲和言论鲜少被报道。我也曾主持多个由非政府组织主办的活动，在会上谈国家时事、政治两线制、马华的方向和前景、也分析热门经济课题如油价飙涨、通膨上升等，但最终见报的却少得可怜。

这就是政治现实。在马来西亚，尽管你言论空洞、毫无建设，言辞没有半点新闻价值，一旦你受委为部长后，媒体无不蜂拥争相报道。但若你辞职，已无一官半职，很快地便会消失在媒体世界里。如果出言批评马华或国阵领导层，你的新闻寿命更短。而那些指向马华领导层的批评或评论，相信经过一些无形的手“悉心剪裁”后，见报时基本上已肢离破碎甚至面目全非了。

我的读者们，这是否解答了你们不惑为何我突然之间在媒体中沉寂如消失了？并非我不愿通过主流媒体表达论见,只是开讲无门啊。

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After I have resigned, I find difficulties in getting my message into the mainstream media. Chinese press is only interested in interviewing me about the forthcoming MCA election, but not on the current issue that affects the community. I try not to talk about MCA election since it is still 4 months away.

I have been invited as a panel speaker in a lot of political forum together with the Yang Berhormat from PR Coalition. Except the public forum with The Star and Sinchew Daily, the rest of the forums do not make it into the media. I have also officiated many functions organized by NGOs, in a same way; it did not make it to the press. In all these functions, I spoke about current affairs of the country, the emergence of 2 party system in Malaysia, the future direction of MCA, major economic issue such as fuel hike, inflation etc. Unfortunately, very little of this make it to the press.

I have said it before in Malaysia, when you are appointed as Minister today the media will pay attention although what your say is not news worthy. But if you resign as a Minister, you become invisible to the press, more so if what you have said is critical of MCA or BN leadership. As for criticism that is directed at MCA top leadership, there seems to be some unseen hand manipulating media contents so that it will not go public.

Therefore readers, please bear with me. It is not true that I am not articulating my thoughts in the main stream media, it just that I have less chance to get into the print media.

Minimum Wage in Malaysia/ 私人领域实行最低薪金

近年来，全球因面对通膨压力持续上升，在通膨加速和就业市场走软夹击之下，受薪人士无一不为通膨所苦。在公共服务领域，中央政府已迅速表示关注，也着手研究数项措施如何减轻低薪公务员的负担，这里暂且不谈有关措施的利弊成效，至少政府已有所行动。因此，私人领域也该正视有关问题，制定雇员的最低薪金或基本薪金（或称基薪）。

根据国际劳工组织（ILO）的定义，基本/最低薪金或工资是雇主必须付给绝大部分雇员的最低薪额，它可以按日薪、日薪或月薪计算。基薪薪额必须能反映国家现有的经济和社会实况，须能应付领薪者及其家人的基本生活需求。目前，全世界超过90％的国家已立法实施最低薪金政策，马来西亚尚未达致。

马来西亚职工总会曾多次呼吁政府为国内所有劳工实施法定基薪，该总会于2007年6月18日呈给首相的备忘录中，亦再次提出有关诉求。设定合理的基本工资，相信可吸引更多大马人投身本地劳工市场，以减低对外劳的依赖，更重要的是有助于缩小贫困，改善低收入人民的生活。

该总会以单身人士的基本需求为标准进行估算，建议一名劳工应享有最少900令吉的基薪。这900令吉当中，伙食和基本的维生消费就占了450令吉（50％）、住135令吉、交通130令吉；剩余还得缴交公积金、社会保险及支付其他生活消费。除了基薪，该总会也建议私人雇主应付给雇员300令吉的生活津贴（COLA），让他们能应付日益高涨的食物和生活开支。

实施法定基薪惠及受聘人士，然而有关政策亦存有一些争议，包括对雇用市场、生产力、竞争能力和通膨的效应。 有关当局担忧会加剧失业问题，而尤以低生产力员工和短工的失业率会大幅度增加。大马制造业雇主联合会（MEF）也认为，基薪政策或导致大马的生产成本增加而失去竞争力，也会迫走外资，这会直接影响雇佣市场。

纵观上述几点，是否要设立最低工资制度仍会争论不休。与其在利弊之间躇踌，我国其实可以效法一些国家，在选择性的特定领域推行职业性基薪制。基薪可以由中央政府或委任第三机构制定。由于在大都会、郊外、城镇、沙巴和砂劳越的生活消费成本皆不同，因地而异，故设定基薪必须考虑社会因素如职业性质、生活指数、薪金阶级；经济因素包括经济走势、雇用和生产水平，不能一概而论。

落实基薪政策，劳雇双方都必须作出调整。为求聘用，雇员须纠正工作态度提高生产和发挥高度工作表现，这绝对有助于提高生产力和效率。由此以来，我国无需再依赖廉价和缺乏技术的外劳。反之，我们要扭转国内的经济型态，吸引更多以熟练技工为主的资金密集型投资和工业。至于从事非公会组织性行业者，如农场、种植和工厂劳工，也会受到基薪政策法律保护。

此外，实行基本时薪制亦有助于吸引大马人从事兼职。兼职的概念应被大事鼓励，以唤醒更多大马人民的经济意识，尤其吸引青年和妇女们兼职。例如许多高技术女员工，婚后离职了，在照顾家庭之余也可选择伸缩性兼职，不但能继续发挥一技所长，也带动了国内的经济和消费市场,而我国亦达到提倡国内经济自主，减少依赖外援的目标。因此，我国中央政府应该成立一个薪金理事会，汇集政府和私人领域的专才和代表，深入检讨目前的劳雇薪金制和研究最低薪金制的可行性，确保人民领取的薪金，符合时下的经济趋势。不得忽略一点，调整薪金也是应付合降低通膨的其一方法。

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With inflation crippling up every day, It is time to think of a minimium wage in the private sector.

According to International Labour Organisation (ILO), minimum wage is the amount that must be paid to the majority of a country, generally on an hourly, daily or monthly basis. It is fixed ideally to cover the minimum needs of the worker and his/her family based on national economic and social conditions. More than 90 % of countries have legislation regarding minimum wage and Malaysia is not one of them. The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has called for this legislation and in its latest memorandum to Prime Minister on 18th. of June 2007, has requested the government to pass a minimum wage legislation to be applicable to all workers. By having a decent minimum wage, it will attract more Malaysian workers and reduce dependency on foreign labour. What is more important is to alleviate poverty and improve their livelihood.

The MTUC has requested RM900 minimum wage based on the essential and basic needs of a single person. Out of the amount, 50% goes to food and subsistence and other components include RM135 for accommodation, RM130 for transport and the rest contribution to EPF, SOCSO and other expanses. MTUC has also requested a RM300 payment for cost of living allowance (COLA) for all private sector workers due to the recent increases in food and other costs of living.

Some of the current issues in minimum wage policy include its impact on employment, productivity, inflation and the country’s competitiveness. There is fear that it will increase unemployment especially the very low productivity and casual workers. According to Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), it will make Malaysia a more costly place to do business and thereby deter foreign investment and make Malaysia less competitive.

Instead of a single country-wide minimum wage, Malaysia can still adopt a minimum wage policy based on sectoral or occupational minimum wage. The cost of living differs from urban, rural, towns and Sabah and Sarawak. It can either be set by the government or through tripartite body. Factors that can be taken into considerations include both social and economic. They include cost of living, level of wages, safety net and economic factors include economic situation, employment and productivity levels.

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. Instead, we have to change our economy to attract more capital intensive investment and industries that require more highly skilled and trained workers. Those who work in the non-unionised sectors such as farm, plantation and factory workers will be protected with such legislation.

With an hourly minimum wage level, it will be more attractive for Malaysians to work part-time. The concept of part-time work should be encouraged so that more Malaysians can be put to work especially the youth and women. This will make them more independent and the country less dependent on foreign labour. Many highly trained women have left their careers to look after their families and they can be encouraged to go back to work with more flexi working time.

Hence, the time has come for the Government to set up a Wage Council with representatives from the government and private sectors in order to ensure that workers’ pay is reflective of the current economic scenario. All this should be adjusted to cope up with the inflation.

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我喜欢称网络媒体为新媒体。过去，网络一词对许多不谙电脑和网络科技者言，没有太大的说服力，更庸说普及。今天，影响人民思想和视野的网络媒体形式包罗万象，层出不穷，最普遍的计有电子报、部落格、网站、网络电视、电台等，这些电科时代的产物，随趋势所至竟形成一股强而有力的新媒体势力。要与时并进，与时代接轨，就得接受新元素这些的兴起和存在。我感谢voicemedia.com，一个新的网络电台的盛意邀请，给我机会分享对时下时事课题的己见。我也邀请您，闲时到www.voicemedia.com.my收听这个电台。

谢谢。

Recognition of Unregistered Medical Degrees

The Malaysia Medical Council (MMC) recognizes more than 340 Medical Universities in the world. For a small nation like Malaysia it is a huge number. Even when I was a Minister I strongly felt that we should not continue to take the easy way out by recognizing more and more Medical Universities. Some of the existing Universities we recognize may have deteriorated in their standards and some may not even exist in their previous forms. It will be a difficult task to do a scheduled audit in view of the huge number of Universities involved. A good example is the University of Iraq which is recognized by MMC but I am sure is living on its past glory.

While some of the ‘unfit’ universities are being recognized, we cannot deny that some better universities have not been recognized. In the long term, it is good to have a common entry exam for all foreign Medical graduates. If they pass the examination they are allowed to practice in Malaysia. In the same way we should also promote a common entry exam for our local Medical Faculties.

While we are aware of the acute shortage of doctors, we should not compromise on the quality and recognize degrees from dubious universities. Our problem is that in our haste to overcome the shortage of doctors, we produce more locally or recognize more foreign medical degrees. In the process, the quality of doctors is compromised.

Unlike what the parents think, we actually allow graduates from unrecognized Medical Universities to sit for the local examination with maximum of 3 tries. If they fail in 3 attempts, I personally think they should think of changing their profession. It’s cruel to say this but it is a fact. There were a few who took my suggestion seriously and changed paths to medical related disciplines instead of medicine and they are happy with the choice.

Credit transfers from unrecognized Universities to a recognized University is another way. But it only partially solves the problem. I have had the opportunity to talk to some of the examiners. What they told me made me worried about the quality of some of the doctors who are practicing in Malaysia. We must not forget, ultimately the majority of these doctors will find their way into private practice.

One step taken then was to increase the housemanship to 2 years without affecting their promotion and their eligibility for post graduate studies. For doing that I was condemned by a lot of junior doctors. Every year on an average 3-5% of doctors are not signed up at the end of the housemanship. Supervision by the senior doctors in government hospitals is poor and often it is very people centric, and very much depends on the senior doctors concerned whether they are committed and dedicated to the job.

I would prefer to have shortage of doctors but the doctors who are practicing in the government or private hospital are of good quality, rather than a full house of doctors but who are no better than sin-seh. After all, if a doctor is not sure, he should do no harm to the patient.

Never DUMP Unexported food into Local Market!

I feel sad that we have to suspend our exports of seafood to EU pending auditing of Malaysian exporters. The export of seafood is a big industry in Malaysia where the export value is about a billion per year. It is indeed sad to see that the quality of frozen seafood has deteriorated to a stage where EU bans its import. In 2007 when I was a Minister of Health, I still remember that EU Inspectors who were in Malaysia were so enthusiastic about the quality of seafood from Malaysia, EU will not compromise and tolerate when come to the standard of food products.

The EU nations are known to very strict in enforcing all the health conditions before accepting any import. This goes to show that our seafood exporters have neglected the basic hygiene, storage and transportation of seafood after inspection and auditing by EU. Malaysia seafood exporters should not take for granted that once they are accepted by EU, they will remain so forever.

I hope this frozen seafood which will not be exported will not be dumped into Malaysia market for local consumption. This will be grossly unfair to Malaysian that what is not suitable for EU nations are suitable for Rakyat Malaysia. This reminds me that Johor, which is exports vegetable, chicken, eggs and fruits to Singapore almost daily which valued about RM300 to 400million per year. The Singapore government is equally stringent on the control of pesticide and bacterial contamination on our products. When the products are rejected by the Singapore Government, the Johor State Agriculture and Health Departments has to ensure this product will not be dumped in Johor market. Some years ago, there was some controversy when some of the exporters dumped their products in Johor and were subsequently exposed.

In short, enforcement agency of Malaysia must ensure that what is not good for consumption by others is also not good to Malaysian.

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大马的冷冻海产因不符合特定的卫生条例，被禁止出口至欧盟。为了避免永远被欧盟除名，政府自愿向欧盟卫生及消费保护单位提出除名。虽然只是暂缓之策，但仍不免让我对此事的发生和演变感到难过。冷冻海产出口是我国一大出口项目之一，每年出口额约10亿令吉。我国育有丰富海产，本可为国家赚取丰厚的外汇，带动我国经济，但却因素质剧降被欧盟庞大市场拒于门外，实在可惜让人难过啊。

我任卫长期间，处理出口食品的安全卫生事务时曾和欧盟的卫生检察官接触，亲眼见证他们在进行任务和职责时的坚持和认真，对食品的卫生安全和品质绝不妥协。欧盟对进口的品质要求向来严格，我国的海产被禁，显示我们的海产出口商不符合最基本的卫生条例，包括储存和运输程序，以致无法通关。我国海产出口商必须紧记，今天获准进入欧盟市场的通关令并非永久准证，进口国每回都会以既定程序条例进行审核。

与此同时，我希望这些被打回国的冷冻海产不会被抛入本地的消费市场，这么做对本地消费者极不公平。有关海产若在食品卫生安全的前提下被鉴定不适合欧盟人民食用，也代表着不适合本地人民食用。远的不谈，我国南马大州――柔佛，就几乎每天出口新鲜蔬果、鸡肉和鸡蛋到新加坡。新加坡对食品安全的严格要求和欧盟不逞多让。当出口的食品被拒，柔州农业局和卫生局必将确保出口商无法把有关食品转售到本地市场。曾几何时，就有出口商把无法通关的食品售给本地消费者，被揭发后掀起很大的争议，引起人民强烈反弹。

关于食品卫生和安全如此重要的事项，对全球任何一个国家或民族，我们都必须一视同仁，希望我国的执法当局能确保本地消费者，也能食用高品质的食品，在执行任务时切记“他所不欲，勿施我民”。

Another political drama

SAPP’s motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister is one from the high political drama. But it is unlikely to lead to a mass defection on Barisan Nasional’s partnership. SAPP has only 2 members of Parliament and 4 state assemblymen in Sabah. So pulling out of BN draws a lot of attention and it only serves to shake UMNO. But BN will be continuing in power.

In this context, a favorite question is why MCA not leaving BN?

MCA’s association with UMNO has a long history dating back to pre-independence. Through thick and thin MCA, MIC has been with UMNO. In the post 308 change political landscape, MCA has been often been accused as a running dog of UMNO. The younger generation has forgotten the early days of Malaya and the later days of Malaysia, It was through a close collaboration of MCA, MIC and UMNO that provided a solid foundation of 3 major races to work together. This formed the basis of the political and social stability in this country.

Unfortunately this is often been disregarded and dismissed by many younger generations that MCA like to live on the past glory and forget the future challenges. There is a tendency of taking for granted the social cohesion and stability which is in reality is fragile. MCA leaving BN is a big issue that needs detail deliberation. When we leave the government and the cabinet, who looks after the Chinese interest? Will PAS, DAP or PKR who has no representation in the cabinet be able to do so? It is often easier said than done.

While we may not be performing up to the expectation of the Chinese but this crucial role should not be taken lightly. I have the opportunity to serve at the state cabinet as EXCO for 3 terms and Federal Cabinet Minister nearly 1 term, my concern is if MCA leave BN, can MCA stand alone? Even DAP found it difficult and has to join forces with PAS and PKR.

I have said many times, can we trust PAS? Work with the devil you know than the devil you don’t know. Until we are clear and sure the long term objective of PAS, we will not, and should not be comfortable sleeping with PAS. Not many people are aware that PAS has the biggest organization, better resources and more members than PKR which very Anwar centric. Until then, MCA will still remains with BN and together we weather the storm.

In the post 308 we have seen the likely emergence of the 2 party systems in this country. In the long term its good for the Rakyat. However, if everybody condemn and desert BN, again we are left with one party system, the PKR. So don’t be too euphoric. While BN may have messed up and not performed to the expectation, PR is still untested. Choose the partner that you know with all its defects and deficiencies, or a partner who is untested and of unknown quality? Be rational in our thinking and not be too emotional. We may be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

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沙巴进步党欲通过动议投不信认票倒伐首相，这可是大马政史上的一大政治剧。 尽管该党来势汹汹，但要致使国阵严重分裂似乎不太可能。现有2名国会议员和4名州议员的沙巴进步党若决定要退出国阵，确实将激起层层涟漪，引来全国瞩目，但最终或只能撼动巫统，不至于击跨国阵，国阵还是会继续稳坐中央。

沙进步党的举动，自然而然促使民众对国阵其他成员党的去留表示关注。那为何马华不脱离国阵？

马华和巫统的结盟始于独立前时代。从携手抗敌到共谋独立，马华、印度国大党和巫统不避艰险、共同赴汤蹈火。但自308政治版图大变脸以来，马华一直被指盲从巫统，俗称为巫统的“走狗”，这项指责不公也不对。新生代渐渐忘了，早前的马来亚和现在的马来西亚的建立和存在，是这个联盟紧密合作所达致的成果。通过马华、印度国大党和巫统的领导和带动，我国三大种族方能在牢固的基础上共同合作，并为我国的政治和社会稳定立下根基。

不幸的，政党在建国史上的努力和付出并未确确实实受到新生代的重视和理解。部分新生代以为马华只沉醉于昔日的荣耀而忘记了未来的使命和挑战。不难发觉，有者趋于视我国当前的社会凝聚力和稳定为当然，事实上他们无法看清，这股凝聚力是脆弱的。马华是否应该退出国阵是个大课题，需要深思熟虑。若马华脱离国阵，在中央政府内，谁照顾华社的利益呢？没有中央政府代表的公正党、行动党和回教党可以做到吗？（我这么一说，肯定再度招致部落客抨击）但这是事实。很多时候，不在其位焉知其政？

我们能相信回教党吗？所谓明枪易挡，暗箭难防，除非我们对回教党的理念、长期和终极目标了如指掌，否则不该轻易和此陌生的政党“共眠”。目前，马华仍坚持与国阵相守，同舟共济。不说不知，许多人还不了解，若媲比以安华为本的公正党，回教党其实拥有更多资源、更多党员和更完善的组织架构。

308以后，我们喜见两党制雏形的诞生，长远而言，这对人民有利无弊。不过，若所有人都一味言谴国阵、遗弃国阵，失去人民支持的国阵将无立足之地。届时，我国的政治格局将打回原形，换由安华独大的公正党领导国家。因此，人民不应过于开心而忘形。

观察员无不排除部分国阵成员党将跳槽民联。国阵的表现虽未达致人民期望，但人民联盟和其成员党是否经得起考验，仍是个未知数。一个你已熟知其本性包括缺点的伙伴，及一个未经考验未知质量的陌生人，该选择哪个为盟友呢？我们必须理性思考，万不能因个人得失而感情用事，以免误下判断，因小失大。

Questioning PAS’s motive

I must congratulate and support the Sultan of Selangor for coming down hard on the state PAS Youth who protested against 2 artistes performing at the Selangor Cup matches between Selangor and Singapore. This is one example where ruler still has the role to play in a democratic society which is a multi-racial country. Nobody including PAS can impose Islamic value and others social values on other races. I hope it would serves as a warning to other Muslim leader not only from PAS but including UMNO who wanted to impose their Muslim value on other races.

Of course from this incident, as I have always said we should always be suspicious of the PAS leaders because even at the state level where they have no control over the Federal Government but are eagerly imposing their Islamic value to everyone, what’s more if PAS becomes the government at the Federal level?

So we hope the non Muslim should wake up to the political reality that we faced when PAS really comes into power at the Federal level.

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雪州回青团抗议2名女艺人在雪兰莪苏丹杯赛前表演，让雪州苏丹大发雷霆，更严厉申斥回青团的举动。我非常感谢和支持苏丹的回应。这起事件，证明在大马这个民主之国，各州统治者仍有一定的要角，雪州苏丹的反应也体现他对多元种族社会的认可和肯定， 而且绝不允许任何一方面包括回教党，对其他族群实施回教教义，或有违该族群本质的其他社会价值。我希望我国所有的回教徒领袖，包括回教党和巫统能引此为鉴。

我说过，回教党的言论不能尽信。这件事进一步让我们省思，回教党领袖真正的目的和居心。瞧，在这个非由回教党掌政的州属，回教党领袖也肆无忌惮，欲对州内全体人民实施回教教义，若让该党执政中央，结果会怎样？

所以，我们不能忽视回教党的野心，所有非回教徒必须认清、面对这个现实，以免后悔莫及。

Fuel increase and inflation

Talking about the increase of oil prices, it is an unpopular move by the government, more so with the sudden steep increase that cut across and affects everybody. I’ve always said that the BN government should do more to help the poor and the service industries. If the BN government is unable to control inflation, then I am sure it is difficult to be able to get the support of the rakyat. It is a difficult job trying to control inflation. There are many forces at play outside of the control of the government. Meanwhile, the PR leaders will continue to play on these dissatisfactions without offering any concrete proposal. Not to increase the price of oil is not the solution in the long term

MCA MPs crossing over? Very unlikely!

With regard to Anwar’s comment that MCA MPs crossing over to PR, I think Anwar is behaving in his usual self. He’s trying to pull a fast one and he is bluffing. Reason is simple, there are only 15 MPs in MCA, 10 of them have position in the government, 4 as Ministers and 6 as deputy minister and it is unlikely that any of these with government position would defect to PR. The remaining 5 MPs from MCA who are backbencher includes the President, the vice President Dr. Fong, my son Chua Tee Yong and 2 other senior MCA MPs, and the 5 backbenchers are unlikely to defect to PR. Imagine the President of MCA crossing over to PR, which is unlikely, very, very unlikely.

Anwar has been feeding the rumour mile of BN MPs crossing over to PR. If this occurs, it will be unlikely to be from MPs in Peninsular Malaysia. If there is, it is very likely (with due respect to Sabah and Sarawak) to be from the smaller coalition partners of BN in Sabah and Sarawak.

As for me, I have been with MCA for nearly 30 years. There is no reason for me to crossover to PR. I feel that PR which is a marriage of 3 political parties is able to be together, basically because of Anwar Ibrahim. Any form of cooperation, especially in a multiracial country which is dependent on one person is a very dangerous form of cooperation.

We have not seen the real PAS with its Islamic agenda. Personally, I am suspicious of PAS leader. I feel that they are not talking about the Islamic agenda because they know it will be a waste of time since they are not in control of the federal government. Any changes that can be done at the state level is more likely to be cosmetic, unlikely to be substantial and it will only drive away the non Muslim from supporting PAS and PR. PAS, which has a bigger organization, more resources and also with better experience in running the state government is not foolish to talk about Islamic agenda openly until they are ready to do so when they are in the federal government.

What a weekend!

Last week, it was a busy weekend for me. I started the day at 8.00a.m. officiating the charity run, organized by the INTI international University in collaboration with the ROLF blue ribbon campaign. I was surprised by the good turn-up with more than 1000 people. I was given the opportunity to give away the prizes and also the presentation of the mock cheque to the Malaysian Pediatric Association. Basically, this run is organized by ROLF which is a charity organization with specific theme and campaign every year. This year, it’s called the Blue Ribbon Campaign whose main focus is to raise money so that they will be able to provide funding to childhood cancer and hopefully campaign like this would also help to raise not only money, but also the awareness of childhood cancer in this country.

Childhood cancer is in fact an important cause of cancer and often it is one of the leading causes of death among children. Unfortunately, like other developing country, childhood cancer is often detected late and treatment is often at a very late stage. In most cases, it look like a death sentence once the diagnosis is made. This should not be because with modern therapy, most childhood cancer have fairly good prognosis if they are detected earlier. Often, parents are in the state of denial when the childhood cancer is diagnosed. Often, they think that why should their young kid come down with cancer and they tend to associate cancer with the adult and often they will go shopping for doctors in order that the diagnosis may not be cancer and because of this delay and denial and unwillingness to subject the child to further treatment that cancer in children are detected late in this country and the prognosis are bad. So, campaign like the Blue Ribbon Campaign will help to instill people that childhood cancer does occur and every year in Malaysia, it affects about 1500 children. As I’ve said earlier, it can be treated if it is detected earlier but more can be done especially in the schools. Treatment is affordable in this country because it is heavily subsidized by the government. The Ministry of Health hospital treatment for childhood cancer for school children will be free. For those who are not school children, the maximum charges will not be more than RM500. Compared to the private centre, childhood cancer treatment can be very expensive and can reach up to about RM100, 000 – 200, 000. In fact, there’s a need for funding by the private sector for those who for some reasons because of backlog of cases in the hospital have opted out to receive treatment in the private sector. I am glad that I have been associated with this movement in the last 2 years.

At night I was in Batu Pahat to raise fund for Sichuan earthquake victims in Batu Pahat. It was quite an innovative way of raising fund through basketball involving Singapore Broadcasting artistes and also Malaysian artistes. I am not surprise that Singapore artistes seriously received a more enthusiastic applause and response from Malaysian crowd in the stadium in BP. The stadium can accommodate 4000 people was fairly packed and I was told by the organizer that they raised about RM300, 000. Congratulations for the good work done.

The next morning on Sunday, I officiated a fund raising ceremony for the Cheng Siew Chinese primary school. The fund raising was basically to kick off a series of fundraising by the board and PIBG of Cheng Siew in order that they can collect enough money of RM3-4 million to build 42 new classes and also a new canteen. Of course, to raise fund for Chinese schools has always been part of the work of MCA leaders. In fact, most MCA leaders and elected representatives spend at least 30 percent of their time attending Chinese school functions, including collecting money for school development. This has also been a sore point among Chinese that the government has not been fair in dispersing money to Chinese schools because under the Education Act, most of the land of Chinese schools that belong to the school board are not entitled to full funding when it comes to development. Any form of funding that is required is always very dependent on the hard work of the PIBG, the school board and the generous contribution from the Chinese community. This has always been a sore point for the Chinese educationists and this is also a point that causes the lost of confidence and votes to MCA and BN government. There is a need to find a better solution to funding and since there is a 5 year development plan every year in our country, the needs of the Chinese schools even where the land belongs to the board (bantuan modal school) should also be entitled to a more fair and democratic way of funding from the government and this should be done in a more transparent way so that the school funding will not be too dependent on contribution from Chinese community and also from who you know especially through political connection, then only can they get some funding from the ministry of education. Often, these funding would be announced just before the general election. This is often regarded as distributing sweets or goodies to the community and has been counter productive and some Chinese has regarded this as an insult to the community that the government is only keen to help Chinese school when election is nearby in the hope that because of the funding, Chinese vote will go to BN.

MCA should now advocate that since the Chinese education is part of the main stream of education and education is democratic rights of every citizen and that education freedom is enshrined in the constitution, the time has come for the government to be more fair and democratic in distributing funding to Chinese schools and that they should not be waiting until near election or visits by some ministers before the election and announcing the funding. This I am sure would help to restore a lot of confidence in BN government. Meanwhile, the Pakatan Rakyat government has been saying things which the Chinese like to hear about Chinese schools, but till this date, they have not done anything significant or to show what they said been translated into policy.