At the Dewan Rakyat (23 June – 27 June 2008)

Compulsory Service for Medical Students
I asked the Health Ministry why are some medical doctors are subjected to a long waiting period for their evaluation report by the Malaysian Medical Council and the local medical board. The wait is laborious and unnecessary, especially when the country needs the services of these doctors urgently. The Ministry should respect the evaluation done by foreign professional bodies in the United States and Western Europe and the returning Malaysian doctors should not be subjected to the need to undertake another evaluation. The move by the Ministry to exempt only those above 45 years of age from compulsory service should also be revisited as many Malaysian specialists who wish to return to serve are in their mid-30s. Instead of the compulsory service, I suggest that for these doctors, their compulsory service be translated into community service such as 2 days a week at government clinics and hospitals. Or, they can be required to supervise or train new medical graduates. I am confident that doctors will have no objections in participating in these people-oriented programmes. In this context, I am disappointed that the Health Ministry is not making compulsory service more flexible. Medical experts are not against serving the government, just that they are not used to the bureaucracy and general can’t function in a complex bureaucratic environment.

Application for Citizenship and PR Status
Most of those applying for Permanent Resident status are spouses of Malaysians and many are experts in their own rights. The government should grant them PR status automatically as these experts can be of service to the nation. The granting of PR statues or citizenship to spouses of Malaysians would definitely encourage more Malaysians to return to serve the country.

Matriculation vs STPMRegarding my question to the Education Ministry on the number of non-Bumiputera students taken in for the Matriculation Programme each year, I feel it not fair for those whose application into the Matriculation Programme has to wait another six months before they can begin their STPM studies. If students applying for the Matriculation Programme has to sit for a special examination before they are selected to enter the programme, why not have a common examination for both students entering Matriculation and STPM courses. This way, they will both start at the same time. It is also important that the same syllabus be used for the examinations so that the two systems of assessment would be compatible. I feel there should be no reason why one examination should be different from the other. This way, it will encourage more students to opt for the STPM examination.
More...

'The government’s objective of eradicating poverty by 2010 under the Mid-Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan is notable and should be supported.' - Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, MCA vice-president
More...

Friday June 27, 2008
Government has to get rid of ethnic report requirement, says Fong. The Government should do away with obstacles like requiring public listed companies to report their employment profile by ethnicity, MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said. “The creation of new property sectors that would see differentiation by ethnicity will also cause dissatisfaction among non-bumiputra entrepreneurs,” he said. Fong said the Government’s continued reliance on traditional instruments like the Industrial Co-ordination Act and Foreign Investment Committee to restructure society was disappointing and not in line with globalisation. However, Dr Fong (BN - Alor Gajah) said improvement of revenue collection and restructuring of subsidies would make the economy more efficient.
Hidden text
More...

Teachers Day Celebrations at SJK(C) Machap Umboo.

At the function, RM6,000 were given to organize activities in the school.
More...

Visit to SJK(C) Chabau, Melaka.

Taking note of problems faced by SJK(C) Chabau, especially the lack of classrooms.

A meeting will be arranged between the school's Parents-Teachers Association and the Ministry of Education as part of efforts to overcome the problems.
More...

Choice of candidates partly to blame: Fong

Yes, it is a pity that in the last several months, the public's focus was in the
Snoop Squad.

MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn says the party’s choice of candidates partly contributed to its setback in the March 8 general election. Party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who holds absolute power to appoint candidates, should indeed be held responsible for this, he said, but added that the party can pick up its pieces without having to change its chief. In an interview with Oriental Daily News, he said to reform the party does not necessarily mean removing the president, as reform depends on the collective decisions and efforts of the party as a whole. The ever low-key party heavyweight who defied pundits by defending the Alor Gajah parliamentary constituency with a thumping victory in the general election but was dropped from the cabinet, is not at all pessimistic about the party’s future despite it being plagued by a series of incidents Snoop Squad¡, anti-Ong Ka Ting movement, and rows within branches and divisions after being shaken by the March political tsunami. He is convinced that MCA is still strong at its foundation, and despite the low morale in the face of the polls setback, as long as the party central shows party members the way, they would repay with strong support for the party.

Excerpts of the interview:
Q: Some people deem choice of candidates was a big factor for MCA¡¯s March 8 polls setback. How do you see it?
A: The setback suffered by Barisan Nasional, including MCA, was due mainly to discontent with the government that had built up over the years with its policy and implementation bias, an overly powerful Umno etc. Besides, everyone had the “BN sure win” mentality, which was another factor. It cannot be denied that MCA’s setback was also due to its choice of candidates. Some former candidates who were still young and who enjoyed support in their constituencies were dropped.

Q: Some say the president should take the rap for this, while others say the whole leadership should be held responsible. What do you think?
A: Based on tradition, this (fielding of candidates) is the top leader¡’s right, which was entrusted upon the president by the central committee. The president indeed has the power to make his choice and we can’t do much. The party and BNhave to support those he picks. This is our discipline and tradition. Of course the president has to shoulder a big responsibility, but he only makes the final decision after consulting the state liaison chairmen and local (branch or division) leaders. And we, as members of the party leadership, could only offer our opinions. In other words, the president is responsible as the decision on a candidate was his, but if there was sabotage, the party is responsible.

Q: Was sabotage a serious problem in the March 8 general election?
A: It is a debatable question, but what is more important is we want to treat it as a learning experience and forge ahead. This is because in the next general election, MCA will not have any more safe seats, even in Malacca and Johor. The Opposition had in the past concentrated its attack in the north, and having established itself in the north, it is bound to expand its bases to the south. We better get prepared.

Q: Although you said the party wants to forge ahead, to date we have yet to see anything tangible on reforming the party?
A: Yes, it is a pity that in the last several months, the public’s focus was on the Snoop Squad¡. It is important that we don’t waste time, because the grassroots are waiting for analyses (of the polls setback) and the party’s new direction of its struggle from the party leadership. We have to focus our attention these next few months on setting new direction for the party to bring back its former glory.

Q: How will the party boost members’ morale after suffering the polls setback and being beset with internal bickering?
A: MCA has a strong point, i.e. the branches and members throughout the country have not abandoned the party. Though they may be low in morale, if we have the opportunity to explain to them the party’s future direction and plans, they will be even more supportive of the party. The party will kick off its nationwide roadshow to brief party members on its new plans this month in Penang, followed by Perlis and Negri Sembilan.

Q: Some say, to expedite reform in MCA, it has to change its president. What do you think?
A: MCA elections are around the corner, so leave it to the central delegates to decide. The focus of party goals is decided by the party, so there is no need to change the president to be able to effect reform in the party.

Q: Is there a possibility that MCA might leave BN or become a multi-racial party?
A: I personally feel it will not be a good decision for MCA, which has, for decades, been with the BN in developing the country, and to leave the coalition over the results of a general election.

More...

Engaging The Media

With General Manager of Oriental Daily, Ng Nyen Fah, Executive Editor, Eng King Sia and reporter Lim Siok Yean, Kuala Lumpur, 2 June 2008.
More...

JKKK Kampung Padang Keladi

Calling on victims of a fire at Kg. Padang Keladi, Durian Tunggal, Melaka.
More...