Freeze on Foreign Workers/ 冻结聘请外劳自救

The world is facing an economic meltdown. Malaysia export is experiencing a double-digit drop. All sectors will likely to be affected.

A lot of people think we should be facing a technical recession in the 1^st half of the year. Retrenchment and unemployment will be going upward. How to save jobs for the rakyat became a challenge. In the midst of all this, I read in the papers that another 70, 000 Bangladeshis will be in country soon. This will swell the number of Bangla in our country to over 500, 000.

Honestly, I cannot see the logic of allowing more and more foreign workers into our country when there is economic downturn and granted approval was given. It is time to revoke the approval in view of the changed economic scenario.

There are already about 2.8 million to 3 million foreign workers (legal and illegal). If the government is not firm, a lot of establishment in order to save costs will then employ foreign workers whose pay is almost always only 60% to 70% that of the Malaysian.

The stimulus package is to create job or preserve jobs for locals. A minimal wage structures should be introduced for some of the sectors like plantation and services, if we are committed to attract local to this sectors.

Today, almost all hawkers centre, restaurants and hospitality sectors are dominated by foreign workers. Where have all our rakyat gone to?

Meanwhile, at least 100, 000 Malaysians have been temporarily laid off or retrenched. Establishment will always take the easy way by employing foreign workers to save costs.

Malaysians, especially unskilled workers should not be too fussy about jobs. It is not a workers market. Take it or leave it will be the employer’s attitude.

Saving job and skill retraining should be top priority by the government. Singapore recently introduced “job credit” – whereby the government will give the employee a cash grant to reduce the cost of employing Singaporean workers. The financial implication will be huge. There are about 8 million Malaysian workers and not all employers qualify for this job credit

In an economic slowdown, it is best to:

1) Upgrade skill of existing workforce;

2) Re-skilling for job switch

The government should fine tuned training programme especially for job switch. A generic formula for any workers will not work.

Tax incentives e.g. double tax deduction of their worker’s salary for specific period may be incentives for the retraining of workers. We seem to neglect human resource training. The HRD fund should be optimized fully during this period to run part time course.

There seems to be lack of information about the activities of the National Human Resource Development Fund. They should be stepping up their training courses and have more interaction with the workers.

The Human Resource Ministry should not be reduced to just releasing job vacancy and retrenchment figures. We do not need a Minister to do this. We expect him to tell us more about the role of Ministry in this slowdown, especially training and retraining.

世界正面临经济崩溃。在我国，出口贸易面对两位数的下跌，其他领域也将受影响。

许多人都认为我国在上半年会面对技术性的经济缓慢，裁员风潮及失业率会随着攀升，如何为人民保住饭碗是政府的大挑战。

当我们正为失业趋恶忧心之际，却从报章读知即将有7万位孟加拉外劳获聘来马。悉数一算，在我国工作的孟加拉外劳人数快超过50万人了。

坦白说，我国经济已陷入衰退，批准和引进更多外劳绝对不符逻辑。面对经济大逆转，撤销有关批准才是上策。

目前，在我国的合法及非法外劳人数已逼近300万人。如果政府不严格处理，许多雇主会为了节省成本而弃用本地人，转聘只需60至70％薪水的外劳。

政府推出振兴经济配套目的是为本地人制造新工作，或保留市场的就业机会。在一些如种植业的领域，就应该设定最低的薪金架构，鼓励和吸引国人投身有关行业。

今天，绝大多数的小贩中心、餐馆及服务行业都几乎聘用外劳，我们的人民去哪儿了？目前，已有至少10万名大马人被解雇，雇主为缩减成本，通常都会选择聘请外劳。

在经济不景之时，求职者没有优势，雇主对雇员的态度是“接受或离开 “。因此，人民尤其是非技术人员求职时不应过于挑剔。

保留工作和人力再培训是政府目前首要的任务。新加坡政府在上个月刚推行一项“雇用补贴计划”，为聘请新加坡人的雇主提供现金回扣，以减低雇主的聘雇成本。有关措施的财务效应相当庞大。目前在新加坡工作的大马公民有约800万人，但并非所有雇主有资格享获这项补贴。

我曾多次提出，在经济缓慢之时，最好的方法是：
1） 提升技术能力，让现有的员工增值
2） 技术再培训以协助转行

政府需要调整现有的培训计划，特别要检讨转行再培训方案，税务奖掖也很重要。例如，聘请被裁员工的公司，可扣除该员工年薪的双倍数额税务，此措施有助推行再培训计划。我国一向来都忽略了人力资源的培训。在经济艰难时期，政府更应善用人力资源基金，为国人提供业余课程。

此外，鉴于缺乏资讯，国人对人力资源发展基金（Human Resource Development Fund简称HRDF）的了解非常有限。人资部和雇主有必要加紧推行各种培训，并增进与员工的交流和沟通。

另一方面，人力资源部的职责不仅限于公布职位空缺及裁员的数据，我们不需要由部长来告诉大家这些数据。部长贵为部门之首，我们期望他能清楚告诉全民人资部在这经济严冬将扮演的角色，尤其要告诉大家该部将如何实行有效的培训及再培训计划。

Workers Victims of Doctor’s Ignorance/ 医生缺乏职场卫生意识

Recently, there has been a lot of publicity about doctor’s ignorance on occupational diseases. Hence, the employer goes scout-free while workers loses out on compensation, treatment and disability benefit.

Occupational health is a highly specialized course. There are a lot of diseases related to your working environment, what we call work related diseases.

This may include heavy metal poisoning, skin disease, cancer, bronchitis, asthma, and babies with abnormalities. These are some of the common diseases associated with the employment. Many of these diseases may have originated from their work place.

Malaysia employees take on average of 4.2 days of medical leave per year. This is higher than most other countries. However, the number of cases related to occupational diseases is about 500 cases annually. This is extremely small number of occupational diseases reported yearly.

Based on projection, Malaysia should have about 60000 workers afflicted with occupation related illness every year.

This should be of great concern to the workers and the authorities. Who should take the blame? I would say the employers and doctors should shoulder the blame.

Employers in order to reduce cost often cut corners on safety measures and often if there are any occupational diseases linked to their work place, rarely workers report to the authorities. The employees of course for fear of discrimination and dismissal normally do not report on their employers.

Doctors should take the major portion of the blame for the underreporting of occupational diseases in the country.

Most general practitioners are ignorant about occupational health and hence are unable to link diseases and health problems to work place.

Often doctors treat patients based on symptoms and because of ignorance, doctors find it difficult to link diseases to work.

Doctors should undergo training on occupational health so that they get better acquainted with the potential danger posed by working environment.

It is often said that doctors don’t think about a disease, they often miss the diagnosis.

A very casual history taking and examination will in no way detect occupational diseases. Often it needs detail understanding of illness and work place.

So, the call to have specialist in the Socso panel clinics is justifiable. Most of the time, when the most common occupational disease reported to Socso, it is grossly underreported. Employees should demand their rights according to the Socso Act.

There is a need for emphasis on health and safety of workers in their work place. An employer should be directed to provide safe and healthy working environment for their staffs.

Doctors obviously need better training on occupational health, otherwise this severe underreporting of occupational related disease will continue.

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近来出现不少批评医生对职场疾病懵懂无知的报道，因为医生缺乏对有关方面的认知，以致雇主没有履行职责，为在职场染病的雇员提供赔偿、治疗和残障福利。

职场卫生是一项高度专业的领域。我们工作的职场其实暗藏许多疾病，统称为“工作相关疾病”。这其中包括了重金属中毒、皮肤疾病、癌症、支气管炎，哮喘和诞下畸形婴。这都是与工作相关的常见疾病，大部分可能源于病人的工作场所。

马来西亚雇员平均每年放4.2天病假，这数字其实比很多国家要高。然而，我国每年却只有接获大约500宗职场病例，相对来说是非常小的病率。

根据预测，马来西亚每年会有6万人患上与职业相关的疾病。这是值得雇员和有关当局关注的现象。那么，谁该承担责任？我认为，雇主和医生须共同承担。

为了削减成本，雇主往往偷减安全措施，而雇员也很少向当局投报与职场相关的疾病病例。这是因为雇员害怕被排斥或解雇而不敢向雇主报告。

医生必须为漏报职场疾病病例或没有发出警惕负责。一般的医务人员显然对职场卫生这科专业懵懂不知，而医生基本上是根据病人的症状施诊，由于缺乏认知所以无法即时链接病症与职场的关系。

医生应该接受职场卫生与安全的培训，以更了解和熟悉职场或工作环境所潜在的卫生危机。

医学上有一句话，如果医生错误推断，则容易误诊。草率的病历诊问及检验是无法诊断出职场疾病，除非医生本人对该病症及有关的职场具有更深的了解和知识。

因此，社险机构指定诊所必须有专科医生坐诊是一项合理的要求。很多时候，尽管是最常见的职场疾病，呈报给社险机构后却未被重视。在这种情况，雇员应该要无惧行使社险法令赋予他们的权利。

雇主必须加以关注雇员在职场的健康与安全，确保为其员工提供一个安全和卫生的工作环境。医生显然需要更多职场卫生与健康的培训，否则，人们将持续忽视职场疾病的问题。

Better for gov't to take over Plus/ 国有化南北大道建议书

Adapted from Malaysiakini.com

By YB Chua Tee Yong

CHUA TEE YONG is the MCA member of parliament for Labis. A chartered accountant, he is former chief financial officer of a government-linked company.

UEM Group Berhad, the toll concessionaire for Plus, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad. Taking into account Employees Providence Fund (EPF) and Khazanah, the government has an effective interest of 74% in Plus.

Assuming the shareholding structure of the government agencies remains and no additional Plus shares has been issued or converted from bonds, the number of shares in the open market or free float shares amounts to approximately 1,297,514,414 (round up 1.3 billion shares).


Based on the price chart, the highest closing price for Plus has been below RM3.40. Assuming a share price of RM3.50 to RM4.00 per share is offered for the acquisition of the remainder shares, the total acquisition price is between RM4.55 billion to RM5.2 billion.

The offer price is 21% to 38% higher than Feb 10 closing price of RM2.90 and 3% to 18% higher than the highest closing price for Plus.

With the acquisition of the remaining shares from the open market, Plus would be delisted as it would not meet Bursa Malaysia’s listing requirements. The remaining shares could be acquired via Khazanah or UEM, and it should not be difficult to obtain a waiver from acquiring the 10% stake from EPF.

Upon completion, Plus is effectively ‘nationalised’ as the government would hold 90% stake, while the public through EPF would hold 10% stake.

Here are the advantages for such an acquisition:

Good returns and avoid ‘leakages’

Based on the recent review of the toll agreement, there have been numerous claims that the agreement is lopsided and only beneficial to the toll concessionaire. Through the takeover of Plus, the government and EPF would be the ultimate beneficiary. Dividend income or revenue sharing to be received could then form part of the government’s operating budget, or a similar structure to PETRONAS could be established. 



The accumulated profit before tax from financial year 2004 to 2007 is RM4.26 billion, and RM2.08 billion if toll compensations are excluded. Based on media reports, the total cost of construction for the Plus highway is RM5.94 billion. In short, the return on the highway to Plus is 71% (profit before tax/total construction cost) when the toll compensation is included and 35% if the toll compensation is excluded translating into average return of 17.75% per annum, or 8.7% per annum for the latter, during the four-year period.

Analysing the return on equity (ROE) (profit before tax/shareholders equity) would indicate that the business is viable as the ROE is ranging from 22% to 24% inclusive of toll compensation and 10% to 13% if toll compensation is excluded. Profit before tax is used in the calculation for easier computation as income generated through the concession is tax exempt hence taxation has minimal impact.



As Plus is guaranteed to be profitable through the various terms and compensation, the acquisition of the remaining shares would not be detrimental to the government. Currently the benefits of Plus is also shared with 25% minority shareholders and any major decision taken would require the board to take into consideration the welfare of the minority shareholders.



No need for toll hike every 3 years



The concession agreement was signed in 1988 and it is for 50 years, ending in 2038 unless there are extensions.

The toll rate currently is set at 14.96 sen per km and by 2038 the toll rate is expected to double to 29.16 sen per km. As Plus is listed and have minority shareholders, waiver or reduction of contracted toll increase would pose some problems.

Furthermore, Plus is expected to increase the toll rate in January 2009 and if the toll is not increased, the compensation expected to be paid by the government is approximately RM180 million.



However, with the acquisition of the remaining free float shares from the market, the shareholders of Plus would comprise of the government and EPF. With only two parties holding the stake in Plus, the impending decision of toll increase every three years can be waived or minimised.



From the financial aspect, if you analyse the profit-and-loss statement of Plus for the financial year 2004 to 2007, it indicates that Plus have generated a profit of RM400 million to RM600 million yearly even if the gross compensation from the government for not increasing the toll is excluded.



Meanwhile, the cash flow generated from operations excluding any receipt from government compensation for not increasing the toll is RM1.1 billion to RM1.4 billion yearly from 2004 to 2007.

This clearly shows that if Plus is taken over by the government and EPF, the possibility of waiving toll increase can be carried out both financially or legally. Even if there is a toll increase, it would not be based on contractual rates but more to sustain operations of the company and for loan repayment purposes.



How compensation owed to PLUS could be used



The latest quarterly reporting figures show that the government owes Plus RM1.7 billion as at Sept 30, 2008. If the amount is being fully paid, the government has a few options:

1) The amount can be used to pare down debt and hence reduce interest cost. Any savings in interest cost can be channelled back to reduce debt. Based on the financial results for Sept 30, 2008, the calculated interest rate per annum is approximately 6%. The expected interest savings is RM105 million yearly if the amount received is channelled towards repayment of debts.

2) Distributing the repayment of RM1.7 billion to shareholders of Plus. The distribution through dividend or capital repayment based on the new shareholdings structure would be RM1.5 billion to the government and RM170 million to EPF.

The dividend received would reduce the acquisition price of the government to RM3.02 billion (RM4.55 billion - RM1.53 billion) assuming offer price RM3.50 per share and the bumper payment of RM170 million to EPF can be distributed to the contributors.



Lower toll rates possible in future



As at Sept 30, 2008, the long-term borrowings of PLUS amounts to RM9.4 billion and the dividend announced for financial year 2007 is RM700 million. If yearly dividend announced and received is assumed to RM700 million and the entire amount is channelled for repayment of debts, PLUS can settle the long-term borrowing in 14 years based on this financial results. There should not be any problems on short-term borrowings as the cash and cash equivalent of the company as at Sept 30, 2008 is RM2 billion while the current liabilities is RM1.3 billion. 



With the reduction in borrowings, the cash flow savings and expenses is estimated to RM454 million yearly based on 2007 financial figures. This would reduce the cost of operations of Plus and hence a reduction of toll fee is possible. 



Easier implementation of ‘people friendly’ measures 



As the shareholders are only the government and EPF, decision making would be faster and new measures can be implemented to assist the people:

a) Providing a SmartTAG with Touch ’n Go card for every vehicle.

The cost of each SmartTAG with Touch ’n Go card is assumed to be at RM75 and the deposit for the tag is RM20. The initial capital cost for providing SmartTAG would be high but if the distribution is done in stages, this would alleviate the strain on the company.

The implementation of all lanes using SmartTAG would also reduce the company’s staff cost and overhead (air conditioning at workplace, cashier machine) for ticket collection and receipt of money. The staff can be transferred to other departments like setting up top-up counters at rest stops for easy reload or for administrative work.



In the long run, it would beneficial for the company as providing the SmartTAG would be ‘one-off expense’.

Assuming there are 15 million registered vehicles on the road and if vehicles maintains an average balance of RM50 monthly, the total amount cash in advance received by Plus would be approximately RM750million!

Not only this improves the cashflow of Plus, on a daily basis the company would be able to earn interest income of approximately RM61,000, or RM1.8 million per month, assuming interest rate is 3% per annum.


b) Providing discount during non-peak periods

Plus has announced some travel incentive package effective Jan 1, 2009, which includes a 10%+10% discount for off-peak travel during festive season and travelling done between midnight and 7am as well as a 5% rebate for heavy electronic toll-payment users. The expressways involved are NSE, NKVE, FHR2, SPDH and Elite. Calculations by Aseambankers indicate minimal impact from these incentives. As it is only for a two-year period, total earnings loss is about RM40 million. The 5% rebate would translate into a “revenue loss” of just RM2.6 million annually.


Hence, as a gesture of goodwill, with the takeover of Plus, the government could vary the discount provided or offer more incentive accordingly to control traffic during festive period instead of limiting only to midnight which has poses many health, security and safety issues. 


c) More efficient tag reader and tag lanes

With SmartTAG being the official tag reader for all highways, it is still a puzzle that a lot of road users find the tag still prone to error reading which cause long queues, especially during peak hours.

Some funds should be allocated to provide SmartTAG readers and SmartTAG lane that are both efficient and effective similar to Singapore and London, whereby cars do not need to slow down to enable the tag to respond.

We are always proud of Malaysia’s technological advancement hence problems like this should not exist and should have been resolved especially since SmartTAG is the designated tag used for all highways.



Summary

In summary, by acquiring the remaining shares of Plus, the government and EPF being the shareholder of Plus would be able to establish policies and measures to ensure that the rakyat are not burdened due to legal requirements and avoid the government from incurring additional toll compensation every three years.

Politically it would create transparency and at the same time mitigate some of lopsided terms in the concessionaire agreement.


(The full proposal for the proposed idea of takeover has been presented by YB Chua to MCA Presidential Committee on 3 March, 2009. Read full proposal at http://chuateeyonglabis.blogspot.com)

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马友乃德集团有限公司是国库控股有限公司的独资子公司，加上同属政府机构的公积金局和国库控股所拥有的股份，目前政府在南北大道公司拥有74%股权。

假设政府机构在南北大道公司拥有的股权结构维持不变以及PLUS没有额外发出新股股或从债券转换增加新股，,那么在公开市场自由浮动的股票约为1,297,514,414（总计13亿股） 。

根据过去8年的闭市股价记录，南北大道公司的最高收盘价从不高过3令吉40仙 。假设献议收购所有在公开市场自由浮动股票的价位为每股3令吉50仙至4令吉，那么收购总额为45亿5千万至52亿令吉之间。该收购价格比南北大道公司在2009年2月10日收盘时报的2令吉90仙高出21至38％,甚至比南北大道公司过去8年来的最高收盘价高出3至18％。

一旦完成收购，南北大道公司 90 ％的股份将归政府拥有，公众则通过公积金局持有另外10 ％的股份。

收购的有利因素:

1.优渥回酬，避免“疏漏”
根据最近公开的大道合约，有不少看法指责合约只对特许经营者有利。一旦完成收购，政府和公积金局将是最终受益者。相关的股息收入或均分收入可作为政府行政开销。

南北大道公司2004至2007年的税前盈利是42亿6千万令吉，扣除赔偿后则是20亿800万。根据媒体报道，南北大道的总建筑成本是59亿4千万令吉。简单来说，假如违约的赔偿金一起计算在内，南北大道路费的回酬是71％（税前盈利除总建筑成本），扣除违约的赔偿后还可取得35 ％回酬，平均每年的回酬为17.75 ％ 或在扣除违约的赔偿后，过去4年也取得平均每年8.7 ％回酬 。

南北大道公司的股本回报分析显示，这门生意是可行的，因为扣除大道赔偿前的股本回报率是22 ％至24 ％ ，而扣除大道收费赔偿后也有10 ％至13 ％股本回报率。

南北大道合约的各项条件和赔偿机制让该公司能取得保证盈利，因此收购剩余的股份并不会为政府带来不利。此外，南北大道公司目前有25％的少数股东，在做任何重大决定之前，公司都必须考虑和照顾这些少数股东的利益。


2．可减少甚至取消每3年调涨收费的要求

现有的大道经营合约是在1988年签署，有效期为50年，除非有关当局获得延长，否则合约将在2038年终止。目前的过路收费率定为每公里14.96仙，到了2038年预计会增加一倍，达到每公里29.16仙。

由于南北大道公司乃上市公司，而且有部分少数股东，因此取消或减少过路费会引起一些问题。另外，南北大道公司也预定在今年1月调涨过路费，如果不调涨预定的路费，政府将需要赔偿约1亿8千万令吉。

然而，只要完成收购行动，政府和公积金局就是南北大道公司唯一的两个股东。这表示，它们可全权决定减少或取消每3年调涨大道收费的措施。在财务方面，南北大道公司2004至2007财政年的盈亏报告清楚标明，即使扣除政府不批准涨价而作出的赔偿总额后，南北大道公司每年已赚取4亿至6亿令吉的盈利。而公司在同期的流动现金，不包括政府赔偿金每年也高达11亿至14亿令吉。

这清楚显示，如果政府和公积金局接管及拥有南北大道公司，在财务及法律上都增強取消过路费调涨的可能性。即使有任何的调涨，也不需遵照合约所规定的调率。

3．赔偿南北大道公司的数项方法

最新的季度报告显示，截至2008年9月30日，政府尚欠南北大道公司17亿令吉。悉数偿还后，政府作为南北大道公司最大股东，可以选择以下其中一项来善用17亿令吉还款：

~将17亿令吉用来削减公司的债务，从而减少利息成本，省下的利息成本可用来减少债务。若以公司2008年9月30日的财务状况来计算，每年的利息大约是6 ％ 。如果用这笔钱來缴付债务，就可省下1亿500万令吉的利息。

~将17亿令吉用来分发股息。若以股息或资本偿还的方式分发，在新的股权结构下，拥有最多股份的政府可得到的股息是15亿令吉，公积金局则获得2亿令吉。假设献议收购价格是每股3令吉50仙，政府通过上述方式所获得的股息，有助降低其收购成本至30亿2千万令吉 (RM4.55billion – RM1.53billion)，而剩下的1亿7千万令吉可以分发给公积金局的会员。

4．未来或减少过路费的可能性

截至2008年9月30日，南北大道公司的长期负债额为94亿令吉，2007年财政年宣布的股息是7亿令吉。我们以2008年9月30日的财务报告为准，假设每年宣布及收到的股息是7亿令吉，如果将这笔钱用來偿还债务，那么南北大道公司将可在14年缴淸这笔长期债务。此外，公司同年的财务报告也显示拥有20亿令吉及等值的资金而流动负债则只达1亿3千万，因此要进行(还清)短期借貸不会有大问题。

随着减少贷款，根据2007年的财务数据，公司每年可撙节出4亿5千400万令吉。这有助降低南北大道公司的运营成本，所以减少过路费是有可能落实的。


5．惠民亲民措施更易落实

由于至于政府和公积金局两个股东，因此决策速度更快，更能实行新措施以协助人民：

a)设定最低抵押金，为每部车子提供精明通行器和一触即通卡。

我们预计每个附有一触即通卡的精明通行器的成本是75令吉，而抵押金是20令吉，提供精明通行器的初始成本可能较高，但若分阶段进行反将减轻公司的压力与此同时，此措施也能减少公司的人资成本及开支如工作场所冷氣设备、收銀机等，然后把相关的工作人员转移其他部门，例如在休息站设立加额柜台，或处理行政工作。长远來看，提供精明通行器有利公司的盈收.

如果有1千500万辆车子注册上路，如果每辆车子平均每月保持着50令吉余额，这意味着南北大道公司每年预先收取的现金总额为7亿5千万令吉 ！ 这不仅能改善公司的流动现金，若以3％年利率计算，南北大道公司每月还能赚取月180万令吉的存息.


b）白天非繁忙时段提供折扣优惠

南北大道公司于2009年1月1日宣布了一系列的优惠配套，其中包括佳节期间非繁忙时段，以及午夜至清晨7时行车可享有10 ％+10 ％的过路费折扣。电子付费频用者则享有5 ％的回扣。提供上述优惠的高速公路包括南北大道（NSE）、新巴生河流域大道（NKVE）、联邦大道第二阶段（FH-R2），芙波大道（SPDH）以及宜利大道（ELITE）。根据亚欧美证券银行的计算，这些优惠的影响微乎其微，因为只为期两年期间，总收入( 盈利) 损失约4千万, 其中 5 ％的回扣将转化为每年只是260万的“收入损失”。

因此，在接管南北大道公司后为表善意，政府可以提供各项折扣优惠，或提供更多的奖励措施，以控制佳节期间的车流量。目前午夜行驶的路费优惠并不足够，而且还引起许多健康和安全问题的议论。

c）设立更多有效运作的精明卡车道及阅读器

目前，精明通行器或精明卡（smart tag）已在所有高速大道通用，但却经常发生精明卡阅读器在交通繁忙时段出现故障而导致大排长龙，让用户大吐苦水。因此，公司应拨出一笔资金，加固阅读器及精明卡车道的效率，以期达到新加坡和伦敦系统的稳定性，车子在无需减速情况下供阅读器扫读。

我们一直都以大马来西亚的科技进步感到自豪，因此，这类问题不应产生，更何况精明卡是我国所有高速大道指定的通行卡。

总结

总而言之，若政府收购南北大道公司，通过制定利民政策和措施，将能减低人民的负担，政府也无需承担额外的合约赔偿开销。从政治角度来看，此举可以使大道营运透明化，同时减少合约中的偏袒条件。

(上述译本取自“建议政府收购PLUS献议报告”。该报告已由蔡智勇国会议员本人，于3月3日向马华会长理事会成员提呈及做详细解说。)

Press Statement: I can work with anyone/ 文告:我能和任何人合作

I am responding to calls by party leaders that MCA leaders should work together.

I must emphasize that I can work with anybody including the President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. I have said this openly in the last year’s general assembly.

The President and me are elected by Central Delegates. We have to work together to fulfill the trusts and confidence placed on us.

The President and Deputy President working together is not an option but a necessity. This is something that MCA members and the Chinese community look forward to. This is the only way that MCA and BN can work together to strengthen the coalition.

I respect all those elected including the President. In the same way, I expect them to accord the same respect to the chair of Deputy President.

After my appointment as the chairman of MCA Government Policy Monitoring Bureau, the bureau has been working actively with 6 meetings and 6 press conferences. This shows that I take my work seriously.

I have a responsibility to the central celegates as a Deputy President. They voted for me and I have to demonstrate that I deserve their support.

MCA members and delegates and the Chinese community are mature enough to know that the party problem is not created by me. Cooperation and closing rank need sincerity and positive action, not just lip service and slogan shouting.

I am fully aware of my responsibility to the party and the Chinese community. I will not let minor issue distract my work. I have spent 25 years servicing the party and the community. In no way I will destroy the party.

I will work with anyone who can effectively transform MCA to meet the high expectation of the Chinese and the rakyat.

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

我响应众马华领袖要求马华领导层必须共同合作的呼吁。

我须强调，我可以和任何人包括马华总会长拿督斯里翁诗杰合作。我也曾在去年的马华代表大会上也公开表明。

我和马华总会长皆由中央代表票选而来。因此，我们必须共同合作，以实现中央代表给予我们的委托与信任。

总会长和署理总会长必须携手合作，这是一种需要，并非一项选择。这也是马华党员及华社的期许。只有这样，马华才能和国阵共同努力，强化国阵联盟。

我尊重所有当选者，包括总会长。因此，我希望对方亦能尊敬署理总会长职的中选者。自我受委马华政府政策监督局主任以来，该局已积极针对时局和要题召开了6项会议及6场新闻发布会。这足以表明我认真对待这项工作。

身为马华署理总会长，我对中央代表也有责任。代表们投选了我，我必须证明我值得他们支持和拥护。

我相信，马华党员及华社有成熟的心智去理解，党的问题非由我而起。合作是需要双方诚意和积极的行动，而不只是空口说说或高喊口号即可。

我充分了解我对马华及华社的责任。我不会让次要的问题干扰我的工作。过去25年来我一直为党及华社服务，我不可能要摧毁这个党。而我也将继续与任何能听取民意对

马华实行改革的领袖合作，以达到华社和人民对马华的期望。

DEWAN RAKYAT Chua sex video case closed, says PM

From New Straits Times, 27.02.09

THE Attorney-General's Chambers will not be taking action on the video clip showing former health minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek in a sex romp.

The case was closed, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a written reply to Tan Kok Wai (Cheras- DAP) who asked about the progress of the case.

He said 22 witnesses, including Dr Chua, were interviewed, but the authorities could not find the culprit who made the recording. "That is why a decision was made on Aug 28 last year not to pursue the case."

Meanwhile, in the NST paper yesterday (26 Feb), a Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin, who is also the Ampang MP said that the wing would back anyone who was a victim of gutter politics, including Dr. Chua, who is facing a police probe over an alleged oral sex offence.

Even Lim Guan Eng two days back also questioned the police on why would Chua’s sex dvd case is only opened for investigation when the matter happened 2 years back? He expressed shocked over the news of Chua being re-investigated over the old sex dvd matter.

“As a political party leader, what we should show is the concern to the nation development and not just concentrating to attack on someone’s privacy matter, moreover such privacy has nothing to do with other people,” he said.

Surprisingly, my own party leaders just keep quiet about this matter. 

Press statement from Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho regarding MCA

I must thank Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho who is the MCA Central Committee Members cum MCA Bandar Tun Razak’s division chairman and 4 other MCA members:

1) Datuk Ei Kim Hock (MCA Kuala Langat Division Chairman)

2) Loh Seng Kok (Former MP of Kelana Jaya and Central Committee Member)

3) Koo Chin Nam (MCA Putrajaya Division Chairman)

4) Daniel Ling (MCA Segambut Division Youth Chief )

for taking own initiatives to hold a press conference about the resurfacing of the DVD and the attitude of the President, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

I have taken the liberty to place the press statement given during the press conference into my blog.

PRESS STATEMENT BY DATUK SERI TAN CHAI HO

The Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar had on 25^th February 2009 stated in Parliament that the police is still unable to identify the person behind the recording of the Chua Soi Lek’s DVD.

He further reiterated that the police had completed their investigation and the Attorney General had on the 28^th August 2008 decided to close the case.

It has been more than a year since the sex DVD matter. Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek had apologized and relinquished all his posts. However, on the 18^th October 2008, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua made a successful comeback in the MCA election.

MCA leaders and members have voted for him to continue to serve the party and the nation despite the despicable action of certain quarters to continue practicing gutter politics.

The sex DVD incident occurred a year ago. Despite this, there are people who claimed to have high moral grounds and had used the same sex DVD to carry out political assassination.

We believe those who had surreptiously carried out the alleged recording of private life of citizens, or distributed pornographic material should be prosecuted and condemned by all right thinking people.

The sex DVD should not be used to tarnish the image of Datuk Seri Dr. Chua who had been elected in MCA by popular votes.

It is not good for the party and its members if one continues to harp on the issue.

A lot of party members and Chinese community are concerned with MCA’s reform plans and its future.

We urge all MCA leaders to stress on party closing rank and party unity to face the challenges of the economic downturn.

The party’s agenda is above personal agenda and vendetta.

我要感谢马华中委兼敦拉萨区会主席拿督斯里陈财和、马华乌鲁冷岳区会主席拿督余金福、中委卢诚国、布城区会主席许振南以及泗岩沫马青区团团长林世进，召开记者会针对再次流传的光碟以及总会长对待该事件的态度，反映基层的心声。

我也得到上述领袖的同意，张贴他们在记者会所发表的声明:

关于马华署理总会长拿督斯里蔡细历医生的性爱光碟事件，内政部长拿督斯里赛哈密前天在国会的书面回答中已说明，由于警方无法确认偷拍蔡细历的黑手，因此总检察署已在2008年8月28日年决定结案，不会采取进一步的行动。

不过，此事件沉寂多时后，由别有居心者旧事重提及散播，目的是打击蔡细历在党内和社会的形象和地位，灭杀他的政治生涯。

蔡细历在去年一月已经辞去官职和党职，也至诚向全国人民道歉寻求原谅，并要求大家给予他重新为党和社会服务的机会。蔡细历过后在10月的马华中央改选重新获得代表的委托，中选为马华署理总会长。这项选绩向我们传达了明确的信息：

1)马华党员和代表认同蔡细历的政治意愿和才华
2)马华的代表把光碟事件的议论和领袖的才能划清界限
3)马华的代表要蔡细历继续为党和社会服务

光碟事情已发生超过一年，如今再次在城中流传，明显地潜存着政治迫害的目的，此风不可助长！我们不能容许偷拍和利用光碟对任何人进行人格谋杀的行为，更不能让有心人借助这种歪风击跨其竞争者，包括政治领袖。因此，我们要求全民强烈谴责偷拍、录制和散播光碟的做法，促请执法当局务必揪出幕后黑手，将他们绳之于法。否则，或有更多优秀的政治领袖遭受这种政治屠杀，最终让人民和国家受苦。

我们也认为，有心人借助死灰复燃的光碟舆论，来打击蔡细历在党内的信誉，这种恶行也形同摧毁党的形象，以及削弱党员的士气。

我们常常教诲后人，知错能改，善莫大焉。我们能给予一个曾被治罪的人第二次机会，并协助他重新做人。蔡细历已为他过失付出代价，并勇于承担后果。如今，他愿为党和国家继续作出贡献，我们应该给予他新的机会，而不是苦苦纠缠旧事，置他于绝路。

我们也了解到，很多党员甚至华社都很关注马华的改革计划，及党的未来。马华必须正视308大选后党所处的颓势，全球的经济困境已让人民苦不堪言。因此，我们吁请马华领导层能抛开个人恩怨，以国家、人民和党为重，团结和整合马华，让马华以更强大的力量面对当前的艰巨挑战。

An Economic, Social and Education Consultative Council

Many of us are familiar with the Economic Consultative Council set up by Dr. Mahathir to discuss post NEP policy.

Today, a lot of people think the government should set up a council not just confined to economic, but to include social and education matters. 

We are confronted with a host of social and education issues beside economic. It is good that this council have representation from politicians from both the political divide, NGOs and professional bodies.

Let the government leaders listen to problems at the ground. This is a difficult time and it calls for a difficult decision. At least it shows that the government cares for the rakyat and is willing to listen and hopefully to respond accordingly.

If a mistake is made, the government must have the political courage to admit and even apologize to the rakyat.

Take this opportunity to hear the grouses and shortcoming of the NEP, the education policy and the social (including racial) issues starring at us.

Nobody can claim to have panacea that beset us.

The call for a total review of NEP becomes louder everyday. With the economic slowdown, it is timely to ensure that we are competitive so that even under the most difficult economic condition, because of our competitiveness, we have economic growth.

In Malaysia, economic growth and development is closely associated to social orders. NEP implementation has always been a contentious issue. Someway along the line, NEP’s objective of poverty eradication and restructuring of society was hijacked. This has caused a lot of distress and dissatisfaction, both among the Bumiputras and Non-Bumiputras.

A proper review without an emotionally charged atmosphere will be good for the nation.

While the nation develops, unfortunately the standard of education continues to slide. We have to take the bull by the horn; otherwise we continue to churn out graduates that cannot find job. Quality human resources and brain drain will be one of the major constraints in our nation development.

We will continue to slide in our competitiveness rating at the world stage if we have 3^rd class human resource.

Post 308, the intense and non-stopped politics have affected racial relationships. Racial harmony is the foundation of our nation’s prosperity and development. Nobody can afford to destroy this rather fragile racial harmony.

A relook at policy and how we cope with the daily stresses of work and living because of rapid urbanization will hopefully desensitizes our racial instincts. 

Pakatan Rakyat Can Do No Wrong, BN Can Do No Right

The political scenario is such that a lot of the younger generation thinks all is good with PR – in other words, it can do no wrong. What BN does is all wrong!

People are getting more critical of BN and forgiving of Pakatan. Even if its YBs do not serve its constituents well, there are less rumblings among the voters. PR is enjoying its political honeymoon.

Since coming to state power, some of the Pakatan policies are good and deserved our support e.g. freehold land for new villages.

However, its impact on the long term needs to be look at.

Since state revenue is very dependent on the land premium (on conversion of land usage or renewal of land lease), once it is freehold, the one off payment of land premium will be high but there will be no further payment since there is no renewal of land lease and no recurrent revenue.

This will have an impact on further generation in term of land revenue to the state bearing land premium is the primary source of state revenue. It will also have impact on long term planning and development within the state when land becomes freehold.

There is a need for BN to monitor the performance of the PR. We have to point out its shortcoming, in the same way PR scrutinize BN policy through a fine combination.

BN has not been able to play the role of an opposition member in the Pakatan controlled state effectively. That is the problem being in the government for too long!

We should monitor how PR govern its state:

1) Have PR fulfill its election pledges as contained in its manifesto – or it is just empty slogans e.g. free interest loan to government servants, grant to all kindergarten schools, cash aid to family whose children are going to university, land for Chinese schools, reduce land premium as promised in its manifesto.

2) Election for local councilors

Have Pakatan initiated policy changes to enable this to be implemented? Have Pakatan appointed NGOs to be councilors?

3) Are the local authorities more effective in PR states, e.g. the performance of the local authority?

Have they improved, less corruption and abuse of power, or it is business as usual. Have the towns (city in PR state) been cleaned up? What about garbage disposal problem?

4) What about the security problem?

At the state level, Menteri Besar or Chief Minister is chairman of the state security and is entitled to call for briefing on state security matters by either the State Chief Police on State Special Branch officers. Have Pakatan MB or CM done this briefing so that the necessary security measures can be undertaken on the request of the state government.

5) Transportation problem is with the state.

Is there any proposal to overcome the horrendous traffic system in Penang city?

If Pakatan wants to be the viable alternative government, it has to show that it can do its work better than BN. Short term pronouncement to curry favour the voters will not do.

I do not expect Pakatan to be perfect but they must show us better leadership and understanding of the rakyat aspiration. Hitting out the previous administration without remedial and better alternative is not long term planning for development.

BN leaders should be more alert about the shortcoming of the Pakatan administration.

Let there be healthy competition and it is the rakyat that calls the final shot. Then the 2 party system will see healthy competition and good political development. The rakyat gets nothing from political gamesmanship and political dramas enacted by PR and BN leaders.

当前的政治现实是，很多年轻人认为民联是最好的；换句话说，民联做任何事都错不了，国阵做的全是错。

人们对国阵越来越苛求，相反的对民联却很宽容，即使后者的代议士没有做好选区的服务工作，但选民也没有什么抱怨。民联迄今还沉醉在政治蜜月期。

无可否认，自取得州政权，民联确实推行了一些利民政策，值得我们支持。为新村居民争取永久地契就是一个例子。

无论如何，它对长远的影响还有待观察。

土地转换、征用或地契续期所收取的地税是州政府主要的收入。一旦土地获颁永久地契，当局只能收取一次性的高付费，不再有持续性的地税收入。

长期下去，将影响州内未来的土地收入，也对州内长远的策划及发展构成影响。

国阵必须监督民联的表现。监督之余，我们要指出对方施政的缺点。其实，这是一个很好的互相监督机制。

因为执政党太久，我们无法在民联执政的州属有效地发挥反对党角色。

其实，我们应该监督民联如何管治它的州，包括：

民联是否兑现其竞选宣言里的承诺 ？或只沦为空谈；如公务员可获得免息贷款、幼儿园可获资助金、孩子考进大学可获得现金援助、拨校地给华小、降低地税等。

地方议会选举。民联是否已推行相关政策，落实让地方议会选举？民联已经委任非政府组织代表出任地方议员吗？

在民联执政的州属，其地方政府是否比较有效率，例如地方政府的表现，是否大有改善？贪污和滥权是否减少？城市的清洁有提高吗？垃圾问题是否或妥善处理

治安如何?在州内，州务大臣或首席部长有权召见州警察总长或政治部官员，向他汇报州内的治安状况。民联的州务大臣或首席部长是否有这么做，以针对州内的情况采取应对措施？

州内的交通问题。民联州政府是否已有助纾缓槟城交通系统问题的建议？

民联要取代国阵，那它必须证明能比国阵做得更好。若只有一些讨好选民的话，而没有持续性的良好政策，是无济于事的。

我不指望民联的表现十全十美，但它至少得证明具有领导能力，及了解人民的期许。一昧的抨击或揭前朝政府疮疤，却没有更好的改善政策，绝非长远的发展策略。

另一方面，国阵领袖则须要更注意民联的施政缺点。

让国阵和民联进行良性的竞争，然后交由人民定夺。这是人民期望的两线制，也是促成国内健康政治发展的基石。若民联及国阵的领袖还一味耍弄政治把戏，吃亏的将是我国人民。

PRESS STATEMENT BY DATUK SERI DR. CHUA SOI LEK 马华署理总会长拿督斯里蔡细历医生文告

I went to Petaling Jaya police station today to identify a tape following a police report lodged by a resident of Petaling Jaya recently. 

I told the police it is the same tape as I have identified in January last year.

I strongly feel that there is an attempt by some quarters to revise these dvd tape to continue to discredit me, to threaten and cowed me into silence.  

I will give my fullest cooperation to the police.

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

(吉隆坡23日讯) 马华署理总会长拿督斯里蔡细历医生今早到八打灵再也警局录取口供，提供线索助查光碟重现的事件。

他今日在文告中说，基于一名格拉那再也的华裔男子早前携带一片性爱光碟向警方报案，警方需要他向他录取口供，及鉴定这片光碟的内容。

他说，有关光碟的内容和去年所流传的相同。

“我认为，这是有心人试图通过此光碟，再次恐吓和抹黑我，以胁迫我安静。”

无论如何，蔡细历强调，他会全力与警方配合助查此案。

Mini Budget and the 2nd Stimulus Package

The government will present the mini budget and the 2^nd stimulus package soon. This is a difficult time that calls for difficult and bold decision. I will not talk about the amount of stimulus package. I would rather point out things that Ministry of Finance should do.

1) Transparency

a)   The government must reveal why such an amount is committed.

b)   How the money will be spent.

c)    The effect of the stimulus package and this should be revealed at regular intervals the achievement of stimulus package. Since the money spent from stimulus package comes from budget deficit, we are actually spending money from the future. Transparency will go down well with the rakyat.

2) Projects should increase productivity to restore economic confidence and growth. Hence, there is no room or PET project.

3) As part of Corporate Social Responsibility, the government should get companies to take collective responsibility to care for its employer so that it is time to invest back in their human resources. The government is there only to help.

It is said that an economic crisis is a confidence crisis. At this juncture of confidence crisis, it is said the economic policy that will define the political situation in the country.

The new Prime Minister in line must give the rakyat hope by doing the right thing, if possible, on a bi-partisan manner. This will show that the BN government will truly care and will inspire confidence towards his leadership.

The excessive politicking has made the rakyat dislike and disdain politicians and do not trust politicians. They think that most politicians are just self-serving personality.

The stimulus package should be directed at the following:

a)    Improving infrastructure – especially public transportation, building connectivity between different modes of public transport; between residential clusters and between towns.

b)    Improving education, vocational training – retrain teachers; increase study loans for upgrade to postgraduate education – let the banks administer these study loans – ptptn has been a big failure as it boost very high default rates – the government should not be in the business of disbursement of these loans; make sure the banking intermediaries are responsible in assessing risk and collect.

c)     Give incentives and support to local food production – encourage each state to specialize in one type of food crop or meat production – build linkages with advanced agri-business countries through partnership. Just by saving our food import bill that can generate billions worth of business. There is never a better time for the nation to refocus on food security. Malaysia still has plenty of land – small plots of land to do garden farming – and we need to achieve a balance between commercial crops and food crops.

Those who are able and willing to farm must be supported – this is for the interest of all Malaysians. Speed up the lease of all possible farmland and put money into acquiring expertise on agri-business and farn economics.

Food production is a ready market for Malaysia as we are currently a net importer.

d)    Put the money into environmental infrastructure – for example the drains and pipes that carries the nation’s sewage system have not undergone maintenance and repair – they were built decades ago.

This investment will go a long way towards improving the capacity to produce a better quality of life. Massive cleaning up of the nation’s environment will also help with the current dengue epidemic!

e)    Health care and low cost housing for the poor.

I would strongly object to see this money going into new development zones such as Iskandar. We should see money going into repairing and reviving old cities such as Ipoh, Melaka, Seremban, and connect them up with the main arteries of communication and transportation. The nation’s telecommunication service is also sub standard.

Now, if BN do the right thing, we still have a fighting chance to win back rakyat’s support. 

This letter was also sent to the Finance Minister Datuk Sri' Najib Razak.

By-Election Festival

Since 308 election, there have been 2 by-elections, one in Permatang Pauh and the other in Kuala Terengganu, both won by Pakatan Rakyat.

Now the nation will face another 2 by-elections – Bukit Gantang in Perak and Bukit Selambau in Kedah, all are set on April 7. There may be another by-election in Bukit Lanjan, Selangor.

There will be another round of intense politicking while the nation faces an economic downturn. The voting date will be after the “Mini-Budget” to be tabled on the 10^th March and after UMNO general assembly and party election.

By then, Najib will be PM and a new man will lead UMNO and the nation.

The ‘mini budget’ and UMNO AGM and election will have a bearing on the nation and the voters.

Bukit Gantang Parliamentary Seat

With an ethnic presentation of Malays: 63%, Chinese: 27% and Indian: 9%, it is a ‘mini-Malaysia’ in ethnic composition.

It has been traditionally been a BN seat until its fall in 308 general election. Today, it is not a safe seat to BN or PR.

With the Perak fiasco and change of government, Perakians sentiment and emotion may be running high.

PR will go to town about how voters have been betrayed by the defection of 3 ADUNs and how fresh by-election should be called.

Voters’ angers will be palpable. Often we forget that it was PR Anwar openly encouraging BN MP to leap frog to PR.

In short, BN and PR cannot claim moral high ground, as both are players in this “frog game”.

However, we cannot deny that PR may have a lot of sympathy, although it was its own people that cause its downfall. The 3 ADUNs days are numbered with public opinion dead against them.

DAP ADUN Hee Yit Fong seems to bear the burnt of her constituency anger.

PR is going to spin this issue to gain vote, it needs no rocket scientist to understand. BN needs a more effective communication line to counter this.

BN should ban these 3 former PR ADUNs to come near Bukit Gantang. It will only add more anger and emotion to the Bukit Gantang folks.

Whether the palace issue will affect voters’ sentiment, especially Malays are still too early to gauge.

Off course the Sultanate is often a revered institution, especially among the rural Malays. Hence, we can see Karpal Singh’s move to take the Sultan to court becomes a personal undertakings.

No Malay politician from both the political divide in this country will dare to defy the Sultan and to be labeled as “penderhaka” or traitor.

Bukit Selambau State Seat in Kedah

This is one of the very few state seats with significant Indian voters – 29.5%, Malays – 50.2% and Chinese 19.2%.

After the Hindraf episode, Indian support for MIC dropped dramatically. MIC claim to rebrand (like other BN component party) but whether it gets Indian is doubtful.

The Malay votes will be split. This will also be another tough battle.

Having lost 2 by-elections, BN needs to win this 2 by-election.

The domino theory is well known. It is important to have local candidates who are friendly and well known. Campaign period is not the best time to introduce candidate.

BN election machinery needs to be fine-tuned. Talking about development, peace and prosperity will not do.

BN should point out the shortcoming of PR. Its leader admits that there is a lot of low caliber YBs in PR. They never expect to win during the 308 election.  

Comment on Elizabeth Wong’s matter

I can understand what Elizabeth Wong is going through in the last 48 hours.

I can only say that she has my sympathy and support. I feel that she has done the right thing by offering to resign as EXCO and state representative and I fully agree that everyone has the right to privacy.

Elizabeth Wong must stay strong and be brave to face the storm. This is not the end of the world.

Finally, it’s your determination, honesty and hard work that will earn you understanding, support and recognition.

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

我可以理解黄洁冰在过去48小时的心情和感受。

我同情她的遭遇，也支持她的决定。我认为，她献议辞去所有官职是正确的决定。我也绝对同意，每个人都有自己的隐私权利。

我希望，黄洁冰能坚强和勇敢面对这场风暴，这不是你的世界末日。

最终，是你的诚信、决心和工作表现，将为你赢得众人的谅解、支持和认同。

Ban on Highland Development Lifted

Now, the Minister of Work has announced to lift the ban on highland development.

While I agree that there should not be a total ban on highland development, I am surprised that when announcing the lifting of highland development, there was no detailed information about how highland development should be supervised during the project implementation, who should be the monitoring agency since there are many agencies involved.

It cannot be left to local council where there is a lack of expertise.

If private and government consultants are involved in highland project, they should be held accountable. When the project is completed, who is supposed to monitor and for how long.

I regret to say that while the government has not announced its detailed findings in Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy, it has chosen to pre-empt the study by lifting the ban.

Every landslide provides an opportunity to the authority to investigate the actual cause of the landslide – what went wrong and who is responsible. Often nobody seems to be accountable. The usual finger pointing and blame game starts. There seems to be lack of political will to ensure safety in highland development.

Meanwhile, buyers must be more careful in purchasing hillside houses. We have never seemed to learn from the human tragedy that strikes residents of Bukit Antarabangsa.

(文告)

（吉隆坡16日讯）马华署理总会长拿督斯里蔡细历医生认为，公共工程部应该先公布国际山庄土崩的调查结果，才决定是否让山坡地区发展解冻。

他认同不该全面禁止国内的山坡发展计划，但政府尚未公布土崩调查结果，却率先为山坡工程亮绿灯的决定让他十分惊讶。

“工程部长宣布解禁，却未加以说明政府将会采取的监督措施。山坡地区发展涉及多个机构，究竟谁将负责监管进行中的山坡工程？要如何监管？我们总不能把所有责任留待严缺技术专才的地方议会处理。”

蔡细历也是马华政府政策监督局主任。他今日发表文告指出，如果有关计划的咨询专家来自政府和私人界，双方都有责任。此外，政府也须鉴定竣工的工程，该由谁执行监察工作？监察为期多久？

他认为，每一起土崩事件给关当局机会深入调查土崩真正肇因，包括查出问题的症结、鉴定该负责的单位。惟事发后，没有任何一方愿意承担责任，互相指责则司空见惯。政府也似乎缺乏政治决心来确保高原发展的安全。

“我希望国际山庄的事件能让各造引以为鉴，勿重蹈覆辙。”

蔡细历也提醒购屋者日后必须加倍小心选购山坡地区的屋业。

Part of the speech given in Muar MCA Installation Dinner on the 8/2/09

Part of my speech delivered in the Muar MCA swearing in ceremony appeared in the Chinese Press. This is in relation to the fall of the Pakatan state government in Perak.

I felt that as a gentleman, BN should have the courage to accept plans and strategies beneficial to rakyat promoted by PR state government in Perak. At the same time with specific reference to Perak state government, it should continues to implement these plans, for example the freehold land title to the new villages to ensure its success. We should practice bi-partisan politic.

After 308 election, people have higher expectation of government and they will compare both government, BN and PR government to see which is better.

The crossover is an act of denying the system of democracy where the rakyat decides but the 3 Perak ADUNs who has quit PR has just chosen to be Independents that support BN and not “crossover” to BN. This will always generate a lot of controversy.

In the speech, I also encouraged more PR wakil rakyat to quit PR and become Independents that support BN.

At the moment, Perak BN state government is facing 2 major challenges; whether or not BN state government is accepted by the rakyat and whether or not they are welcomed by the rakyat.

People will not only request for country’s development, they hope that the society is stable and everyone live in peace, the most important thing is that whatever decision made by the government must be fair, democratic and transparent as to ensure that the rights and benefits of all races is being taken care of.

I also urged MCA leadership not only participates in interaction with MCA members and should participate in more non-MCA functions and try to understand Chinese who are non-MCA members.

We have about 6 million Chinese in Malaysia, apart from 1 million MCA members, there are 5 million of Chinese who we need to understand their thinking, then only we can claim to understand Chinese aspiration.

EXCO in Perak

Ever since the BN government forms its EXCO, I have been receiving a lot of calls and SMS complaining about the composition of EXCO in Perak.

MCA is not given its correct representation in the state government. There are 6 elected ADUN appointed as EXCO. Since there is only 1 MCA ADUN, he was appointed to the EXCO.

However, the state government appointed 4 advisors with the status of an EXCO and this is the part that has given rise to dissatisfaction about power sharing at the state level.

Of the 4 appointed members, 2 come from UMNO, 1 from MIC and 1 from Gerakan. In other words, the state EXCO is made out of 7 UMNO members, 1 Gerakan, 1 MIC and 1 MCA.

No MCA members were appointed as advisor with rank of an EXCO.

Before the 308 General Election, MCA had 2 EXCOs, there was 1 from Gerakan and 1 from MIC.

To add insult to injury, the Gerakan ‘advisor’ was to be in charge of Chinese affairs. MCA is a solely Chinese based political party. Gerakan claims itself to be multiracial political party, then why is Gerakan representing the Chinese?

So, on these counts, Chinese affairs should be given to MCA. There should be an appointment of MCA advisor. There is over representation of UMNO in the EXCO composition.

People will compare the composition of EXCO plus the advisor against the line up of the previous PR government.

I wonder the new MB has ever discussed with its component party before the appointment of advisors or is it a question of after appointment, then only inform.

Hence, today, there is the unacceptable power sharing at the state level. I am sure that this will be fully exploited by PR in the next by-election.

On a personal level, I will raise this up in the coming MCA Central Committee meeting on Sunday that the composition in EXCO is unacceptable to MCA and that the one in charge of Chinese affairs should be MCA.

Meanwhile, I’m given to understand that there is an intense lobbying from the both political divide to be the candidate in Bukit Gantang.

Often the choice of candidate does influence voter’s choice. Local candidate usually does better than parachute candidate, unless the parachute candidate is a national leader and a well-known personality.

Let’s hope when the new candidate is chosen, there will be no interruption from UMNO members that will jeopardize the chances of winning in election.

There is no safe seat to BN and PR. Both parties need to slog it out to achieve victory.

霹雳国阵州政府阵容公布后，许多人致电或通过手机短讯，向我表达对霹雳州行政议员结构不均的不满。

他们认为，有关委任未能适当反映马华的代表性。在新的州内阁，共有6名州议员受委为行政议员，包括马华在霹雳唯一的州议员。

州政府也同时委任4名享有行政议员地位的大臣顾问。而这正是掀起不满州领导层职权分配的导因。

在308普选前，霹雳州马华有两位州行政议员，民政党和国大党各有一位。如今，4位大臣顾问中有两位来自巫统，印度国大党和民政党各一位。换言之，目前霹雳州行政议员的结构是巫统7人，民政、马华和国大党各仅1人。

更甚的是，新的阵容未有马华代表受委为大臣顾问。反之，民政党的“大臣顾问”却受委负责州内华人事务。自称多元种族政党的民政，何以能代表整个华社？

马华作为纯华基政党，应该被委顾问一职并掌管霹雳州华人事务。巫统行政议员人数则未免过多了。

人民必会把新任政府的行政议员结构，与民联政府的阵容结构作比较。

我想知道，新任州务大臣事先是否曾与其他成员党讨论委任事宜，还是在事后才发出通知。

目前，霹雳州政府的职权分配并不能被所有人接受。我也相信，民联必会利用此课题，在下一场补选大做文章。

我个人将会在周日召开的马华中委会中表达我的看法。我也将提出，霹雳州华人事务应由马华掌管。

与此同时，我也了解到各政党皆对武吉干当州议席虎视耽耽，使尽全力争当候选人。
候选人将影响选民票向。一般而言，本地姜比天兵更能取胜，除非这名天兵是国家级领袖，声明显赫并受人欢迎。

希望补选候选人敲定以后，巫统党员不会进行干预，以免打击国阵的胜算。

国阵或民联，都没有所谓的安全区。在即将举行的两场补选，双方都得全力以赴，顽抗取胜。