Fong: Why I prefer to be a veep

Exclusive Interview with Malaysiakini
Stanley Koh
The MCA poll on Oct 18 can hold little trepidation for vice-president Fong Chan Onn, for this will be his fifth outing in a contest that he has comfortably won twice before.Having held the post for 11 years now, he explained why he has chosen not to aim higher, despite rampant speculation that he would do so.“The MCA is currently at the crossroads. With my experience and economic background, I can serve the party in specific areas,” Fong had written in his blogspot after declaring his candidacy for one of the four elected vice-presidential slots. During the interview, he elaborated on this: “My strength is in the area of economics. I believe that, with my knowledge, experience and expertise, I can help the party leaders to formulate an economic roadmap which in turn can contribute to our nation’s efforts in facing prevailing economics-related challenges.“….and this explains why I am not contesting the No. 1 and 2 posts. I truly believe that I am able to play a (better) role as a vice- president, contributing to economic development.”However, he is critical of the MCA policy to restrict the presidency and various top posts to a three-term tenure, saying this must be reviewed.Fong, 64, argued the policy creates more disadvantages than advantages: “While it creates more opportunities (for younger leaders), the disadvantage is that the party will lose more experienced leaders.”Asked why he had endorsed the policy when it was proposed, he said this was “because I was a minister then….with vested interests”. “There should be more flexibility in implementing it. In the past, it was an unwritten understanding (that a leader cannot hold a government post for a long time), but there was never a written guideline.“For example, hypothetically, if Ong Ka Ting (right) serves his third term until it expires in 2011 or 2012, a change in president will be necessary. (Since this will coincide with the next general election, it could) affect the party’s performance.”He agreed that the leadership profile should be representative of all age groups to ensure continuity and gradual renewal, and that “delegates will look at the leader’s capability and not the age factor”.

Vocal response
On the party’s relationship with Umno, Fong cited the existence of ‘inbuilt understanding’ by way of “body language” among the three major ethnic-based parties in the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN).“I was deputy education minister for 8 to 9 years. Whenever we mention Chinese education, they (Umno) know what the community needs,” he explained.“Although MCA is Chinese-based, Malaysians want the leadership to be more vocal on many other national issues affecting them, for example on issues like public safety, corruption and use of the Internal Security Act (ISA).“We spoke out in all sincerity against the ISA detention of (DAP parliamentarian) Teresa Kok. I am of the opinion that even (blogger) Raja Petra (Kamarudin) need not be detained under the ISA. He has written a lot. If the government thinks that these materials violate provisions of the (Sedition) Act, then charge him under this law.”On public perceptions of reform within MCA, Fong disagreed that the party’s vocal stand since the March general election was merely to project a new image. “This is what the people want to see. They do not want the party to react to issues in a week or two but immediately.”
Economic pie 'shrinking’
Fong, who is also the party’s Economics Bureau chairperson, has been a strong proponent of liberalising restrictive policies and reviewing outdated guidelines, to respond to globalisation.This, he said, would, improve the environment for trade and commerce, as well as enable more effective competition with neighbouring countries.On the New Economic Policy, Fong warned that the “shrinking economic pie” from year to year will affect bread-and-butter issues, especially with worsening inflation due mainly to higher petrol prices.“We cannot waste any more time. We must liberalise (our economy) from the quota system, relax this restriction and be competitive with China, India and other Asean countries like Vietnam,” he said.“If I am re-elected vice-president, I will help the party to draw up an economic blueprint. I will conduct a nationwide roadshow to explain (this to the grassroots) and obtain their feedback for consensus on economic-related decisions (and submit it via the party’s leadership) to the government.“Another important area is the government’s role in assisting small- and medium-scale enterprises. MCA will continue to contribute to this.”Fong further said Malaysia must be prepared for the fallout from economic and financial turmoil in the US, among other countries.“We must be prepared. We must explain to the ground and the government must prepare contingency plans to face these challenges just as we did during the 1997 financial currency crisis.”Another major challenge for the nation, he said, is to deal with the impact of the brain-drain. He cited Singapore’s success in stemming corruption and financial leakages by improving salary and wage structures. Fong, an electrical engineer by training, later obtained a doctorate in business administration. He was dean of the faculty of economics and administration at Universiti Malaya when former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik ‘helicoptered’ him into the party in 1990.(The term refers to a party candidate being recruited to a political post without undergoing the tedious process of rank-and-file promotion.)He was appointed deputy education minister (October 1990-December 1999), then promoted to cabinet minister with the human resources portfolio (December 1999 to March 2008). However, he was dropped from the cabinet following the general election in March, although he was one of only 15 successful MCA parliamentarians - he retained the Alor Gajah seat. During Ling’s tenure, he played a key role as party representative in the National Economic Consultative Council and in the Tunku Abdul Rahman University Council.

Fong is a blogger and a prolific writer on socio-economic issues like poverty, industrialisation and population. He has authored eight books and written 43 chapters for international journals
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Molotov Cocktail Attack on Kok Despicable

The Molotov cocktail attack on Seputeh MP Teresa Kok is a despicable act. We should respect other people’s views and opinions even if they do not agree with ours and showing our anger by resorting to such acts as hurling Molotov cocktails into the house of YB Teresa Kok should not be condoned. We may not all agree or see eye-to-eye on certain issues, but everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion and should be allowed to express that opinion freely. If we do not agree with what a Wakil Raykat does, then the proper way to voice your objection is through the ballot box and not through any form of violence. I urge the police to investigate this incident swiftly and arrest those responsible. We need to condemn such acts before it becomes part of our culture.

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以汽油弹攻击郭素沁，行为卑鄙

以汽油弹攻击士布爹区国会议员郭素沁，是一项卑鄙的行为。虽然我们应该尊重其他人的意见和看法，即使他们不同意我们的意见，但是，采用向抛掷汽油弹到国会议员郭素沁的家里，以发泄愤怒的行为，是不能受到宽恕的。也许，我们不可能完全同意某些问题，不过，每一个人都有权利表达自己的意见，他们应该获准自由表达他们的看法。如果我们不同意一名国会议员的做法，适当的方法是，通过投票去表达他们的反对，而不是通过任何形式的暴力行动。我促请警方迅速调查这起事件，并且把应该对这项攻击行动负责的人绳之以法。我们必须谴责这些行为，以免今后成为我们的文化的一部分。


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Fong for VP MCA

I am glad to announce that I will be offering myself to continue to serve as a vice president in the MCA in the October 18 Party Elections. I have served four terms as a vice president since I was first elected in 1996. Since then, I have served the Party diligently in various capacities, including the Presidential Council, the MCA Economic Bureau and state liaison heads. I wish to continue to serve the Party as I am confident that I still can contribute significantly to the Party.

The MCA is currently as a crossroad. The current political situation in the country requires the MCA, which is the second largest party in the Barisan Nasional, to be strong to face up to the challenges. To do this, the MCA must act as a united front to project itself as a strong voice, not only in the Barisan Nasional, but also in representing the Chinese community and Malaysians as a whole.

With my experiences and my economics background, I can serve the Party in specific areas, as I had when I first entered politics – the various national economic plans, the consultative councils to draw up national development plans, inputs to various government economic and business policies and Party and government educational, economic and development blueprints.

I hope that Party grassroots and central delegates will continue to give me their support – as they had during the past four Party elections – so that I can carry on with my responsibility in serving the Party.

Thank you.

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冯镇安攻打马华副总会长

我欣然的宣布，我会在10月18日的马华党选中竞选马华副总会长的职位，以便继续提供服务。自我于1996年第一次中选为副总会长以来，已经担任4届的副总会长。在任期间，我勤勉的执行各种职务，包括会长理事会、马华经济局以及州联委会主席的职务。我希望能够继续为党服务，因为我相信，我仍然可以对党做出显著的贡献。

马华现在走到了十字路口。目前的政治局势，使得作为国阵第二大政党的马华必须强大起来，以面对各种挑战。要实现这个目标，马华必须充当一个团结的阵线，使得它不但能够在国阵内，而且也能够为它所代表的华社，以及所有的马来西亚人，发出强大的声音。

以我的经验和我的经济学的背景来说，我可以在一些特定领域为党提供服务，因为我介入政坛以来，曾经先后落实各项国家经济计划；参与协商理事会，制定国家发展计划；为政府的各项经济和商业政策，以及党和政府的教育、经济和发展大蓝图，提供意见。

我希望党基层和中央代表，将继续给我大力的支持，就像他们在过去4届党选中给我的支持一样。这样，我才可以继续履行我的责任，为党提供服务。


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Najib’s Experience Will be an Advantage

I welcome YAB Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak’s move to the Finance Ministry. I am confident with his vast experience and background, he would be able to steer the country out of the current economic situation. I appeal to Dato Sri Najib to take all the necessary steps to liberalize the economy. For example, relooking at FIC requirements to encourage more foreign direct investments as he stated in his Ministerial statement during the tabling of the Mid Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan. I also hope Dato Sri Najib will further relax equity conditions – like requiring 30% Bumiputera equity before listing on Bursa Malaysia ‑ to bring Malaysia forward to the global era. I also hope that Dato Sri Najib will initiate steps to ensure speedier approvals for investment proposals. Vietnam, for example, takes just a week to approval investment proposals and we have to improve ourselves in this area or lose out to other regional countries.

I also call on Dato Sri Najib to remove subsidies and ceiling prices which are hindrances to economic growth. Subsidies and ceiling prices give a false picture of the current situation ie. they suppress the actual inflation rate and result in wages being kept low, thus encouraging a migration of workers to other countries. Removing these hurdles will put the country in tune with real economic conditions and in line with global development.

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纳吉的经验将是一个优势

我欢迎副首相纳吉接替财政部的职务。我深信，以他的广泛经验和背景，他将能够领导我国摆脱目前的经济情况。我敦促纳吉采取一切必要的措施，使我国的经济自由化。例如，重新检讨外来投资的条例，以鼓励更多的外来直接投资，就好像他在提呈第九个马来西亚计划中期检讨发表的部门声明中所说的一样。.我也希望，纳吉将进一步放宽股权的条件，例如公司在马来西亚股票交易所挂牌之前必须拥有 30% 土著股权的条例。这样才能使我国迈向全球化的时代。此外，纳吉也应该采取步骤，确保投资建议能够更迅速获得通过。以越南作为例子，这个国家只用一个星期的时间就批准了投资建议。因此，我们必须在这方面作出改善，否则外资将流到本区域其他的国家。

我也敦促纳吉撤销一些补贴和实行顶价的措施，因为它们会妨碍我国的经济成长。补贴和顶价措施令人对目前的情况产生错误的看法，也就是，这些措施抑制实质的通货膨胀率，同时导致工资被压低。这样会造成工人转移到其他国家打工。只有撤销这些障碍，才能反映出国家的实质经济情况，同时符合全球的发展。


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No Need For Race Relations Act

I personally do not see how the adoption of the proposed Race Relations Act will strengthen race relations in the country in the long term. I think we are looking at it from a wrong angle. Any law does not foster good relations. All it does is punish those who are found to have violated it. What we need is some form of social engineering. We should not adopt a “hard” stance in our long term objective to foster better relations amongst Malaysians. Instead, we should use the “soft” approach ie. educating and nurturing Malaysians to appreciate the values of respecting each other and enjoying each other’s friendship. Such values must be imbued in every young Malaysian so that they will grow up accepting other races as Malaysians. Instilling and not enforcing such values should be the focus of the government's effort.

I feel the situation is not as bad as we all assume it to be. Malaysians, in general, can mix well with each other. More often than not, it is the callous comments from some people, including political and community leaders, that spark off “tensions”.

So let us tackle race relations from the correct perspective.

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不需要种族关系法令

我本人不认同，接纳建议中的种族关系法令，长远来说将加强我国的种族关系。我觉得，我们是从错误的角度看待这个问题。任何的法令都不能促进良好的关系。法令只能用来惩罚违反它的人。我们需要的是社会关系的加强。对于促进马来西亚人民之间的关系的长远目标，我们不应该采取“强硬”的立场。相反的，我们应该采用“软”.的方法，例如教育，以及向马来西亚人灌输鉴赏互相尊重和享受彼此间友好关系的价值观。这些价值观更应该向每一名年小的马来西亚人灌输，以便在他们成长后，能够接受其他种族为马来西亚人。 灌输这些价值观的工作，应该成为政府做出努力的重点项目。

我认为，目前的局势并非人们所想象的那么坏。马来西亚人民一般上可以很好的相处。很多时候，由于一些人，包括政治人物和社会领袖的无情批评，而引发了“紧张”的局面。

且让我们从正确的观点来克服种族关系的问题。


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Decision Not to Review the ISA a Complete Disregard for Public Opinion

The recent spate of detentions under the Internal Security Act have sparked negative reactions from the people, including those in the government. It showed how a law, which was enacted during the Emergency in the 1960s, could be abused and is totally irrelevant in modern day. Following the recent detentions, there were calls from various groups – including myself and the MCA, several Cabinet ministers and the Bar Council - for the government to repeal or review the ISA as the country is no longer facing the threat of terrorists or communists.

I feel the government should not just brush these comments aside. Instead, it should do the right thing by relooking at whether there is still a need for such an Act, and if so, how to set up a mechanism to ensure that the ISA will not be used on civilians – as during the recent detentions. The country has legislatures which the government can use to prosecute those who were found to have broken laws and thus there is no need for the ISA which allows detentions without trial.

In the light of this recent development, I find Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s comments that the ISA will not be reviewed and repealed to be a complete disregard for public opinion. Syed Hamid was also quoted as saying that the various groups who have spoken out against the ISA “were entitled to their own views”. It shows that he is either out of touch with the people’s sentiments or he has total disregard for the basic human rights of the Malaysians.

As a senior minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid should realize that the government’s existence is based on the people’s support. Continued disregard of the people’s sentiments will further jeopardize the government’s position and the opposition will continue to ride on this diminished support to further their cause and destabilize the government.

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不检讨内安法令的决定，完全漠视舆论

最近发生一连串在内安法令下进行逮捕的行动，引发了人民，包括政府人员的负面回应。这显示，一项在上个世纪60年代紧急状态时期制定的法令，是如何的被滥用，而且在现代实行已经不恰当。随着最近发生的几项逮捕事件之后，好几个组织，包括我本人和马华，一些内阁部长和律师公会致电给政府，要求政府撤消或检讨内安法令，因为我国已经不再面对恐怖分子或共产党的威胁。

我认为，政府不应该对这些批评置之不理。相反的，它应该正视这个问题，重新检讨和确定，这样的法令是否仍然需要实行。如果仍然需要，要如何制定一项机制，以确保内安法令不会被用在老百姓的身上，就好像最近的逮捕事件一样。我国拥有各项法例，政府可以援引它们去提控那些触犯法令的人，而不需要援引只有扣留而没有审讯的内安法令。

鉴于最近的事态演变，我发现内政部长赛哈密发表有关内安法令不会受到检讨和撤销的评论，完全是漠视舆论。赛哈密也被引述说，发表反对内安法令的各组织，只是发表他们自己的意见。这说明，赛哈密如果不是不熟悉人民的情绪，就是完全蔑视马来西亚人民的基本人权。

身为一位资深的部长，赛哈密应该了解到，政府是依赖人民的支持，才得以生存的。如果继续漠视人民的情绪，将会进一步破坏政府的地位，而反对党就会乘机会利用这些已经被减弱的支持，进一步展开它们的斗争，以及颠覆政府。


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We should get down to business of governing

The political situation now is unprecedented in the country. The situation over the past few days will be uncertain – dogged by the opposition claims that they will take over the government within the next few days and the government’s pooh-pooh over the suggestion. But the greatest losers will be the common people. Over the past few months, leaders on both sides of the political divide have been caught in little battles of their own, diverting them from the attention of much bigger issues at hand – governing the country and winning back the confidence of the people and more importantly, the investors. And the sad thing really, is that this situation is threatening to drag on. And this happening over the period where we are supposed to be celebrating 51 years of independence is very unfortunate and shameful. It would seem that that the story of how our forefathers struggled to achieve independence was furthest from our minds now. 51 years and we are supposed to be reaping and enjoying the fruits of our labour – and here we are pushing back years of progress and development our former leaders had so painstakingly acquired over the decades.

I urged all political leaders – myself included no doubt – to refrain from saying or doing anything that will worsen the current situation – events have still to unfold over the next few days – and instead to undertake measures that will put back some form of sanity into the political scenario. I think what the people really want to see now is the government of the day getting back into their actual businesses of governing the country. What they really want, for us now and for their future generations, is a Malaysia that is united and progressive and dynamic, a place where we can celebrate (not tolerate) our multi-racial and multi-religious mix, somewhere we can all call home and be regarded as true Malaysians (not referred to by any other terms). We are ONE country, ONE people.

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我们应该认真看待监管事务

我国目前的政治局势是空前的。过去一些日子的局势非常不稳定- 反对党宣称，他们将在今后几天内接管政府，而政府认为，这个说法不可能实现。然而，最大的输家将是老百姓。 过去几个月来，政治分歧的双方领袖不时发生争执，而没有把注意力放在更重大的问题上，那就是，好好治理国家，以赢回人民的信心，而更重要的是，争取恢复投资者的信心。 然而，令人遗憾的是，双方的争执情况依然持续，而且是在我国庆祝独立51周年期间发生，这是不幸和令人感到可耻的事。我们的先辈为争取独立而展开斗争的故事显然已经远离我们。 51 年来，我们理应获取和享受到我们艰苦努力所取得的成果 – 如今，我们却把前任领袖过去几十年来煞费苦心取得的进展和发展往后推。

我促请所有的政治领袖 – 当然也包括我在内 – 应该避免发表或采取任何足以使目前的局势恶化的言论和行动。 一些事件可能会在今后几天内陆续发生，因此，他们应该采取一些措施，使我国的政治局势恢复正常和健全。我认为，人民现在真正要看到的是，现今政府恢复监管国家的实际任务。实际上，为了我们这一代和子子孙孙，人民希望看到的是一个团结、进步和朝气蓬勃的马来西亚，一个可以让我们感到非常庆幸（非容忍）的多元种族和多元宗教信仰的地方，也是我们大家可以称为家园，以及可以被视为真正的马来西亚人（没有附带任何条件）的地方。我们是 “一个国家，一个人民”。
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Release RPK and Teresa Kok

I strongly urged the government to release Raja Petra Kamaruddin and YB Teresa Kok from the Internal Security Act. The ISA should not be used against civilians. If the government strongly feels that the two had broken any laws of the country, then let them be tried in the open court. Detaining them under the ISA is not consistent with Malaysia's profile as a well developed democratic country.

Both RPK and YB Teresa Kok have written extensively on many issues in the country and if the government feels they have violated provisions of the law, including the Sedition Act, then the government and the police should have enough evidence to charge them.

Using the ISA to detain the two paints a very negative and bleak picture of the government and the investigative intelligence of the police.

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释放拉惹布特拉和郭素沁

我强烈促请政府释放在内安法令下被扣留的拉惹布特拉和郭素沁。内安法令不应该被利用来对付普通人民。如果政府强烈认为，这两个人违反了我国的任何法例，那么，就让他们在法庭上接受审讯。在内安法令下拘捕他们，不符合作为一个民主相当发达的国家 - 马来西亚的国情。

拉惹布特拉和郭素沁广泛撰写了有关我国的问题，如果政府认为他们触犯了法例，包括煽动法令，政府和警方应该拥有足够的证据提控他们。援引内安法令拘捕这两个人，只能让人对政府和警方情报局产生非常负面和失望的形象。
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Syed Hamid's Explanation on Detention of Sin Chew Daily News Reporter

I find Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s explanation that Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was detained under the Internal Security Act as police believed that her life was “under threat” to be totally unacceptable. It was a feeble attempt to justify the use of the ISA on Tan. By detaining her under the ISA, police has turned her into a “victim” of circumstances. By doing so, the police have caused added emotional distress and mental agony to Tan and her family.

Moreover, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid’s explanation that the detention was made by police without his knowledge is also not consistent. As the Home Minister, he should be responsible for any actions undertaken by the police, especially when it involves the sensitivities of the people. As a former member of the Cabinet, sensitive issues are discussed at the weekly Cabinet meetings before any decision is taken. As a senior Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid must be very familiar with these procedures. Also, an important decision such as detention under the ISA should be referred to the Prime Minister for his advice.

In view of the recent developments, the government should abolish the ISA or relook at the ISA to put in place a rigorous system of checks and balances before any decision is taken to detain someone.

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赛哈密对星洲日报记者被扣留事件所作的解释

内政部长赛哈密对星洲日报记者陈云清在内安法令下被扣留所作的解释是，她的性命面对威胁，我认为，这种解释完全不能被接受。以这个理由援引内安法来逮捕陈云清是站不住脚的。警方利用内安法拘捕她，使她成为了大环境的牺牲者。警方这么做，令她和家人的情绪和精神都感到痛苦万分。

此外，赛哈密解释说，他并不知道警方采取这项逮捕行动。这个解释也不符合事实。身为内政部长，他应该对警方所采取的任何行动，尤其是涉及人民的敏感问题的行动负责。我担任内阁成员时，所有的敏感问题在做出决定之前，必须先在每周的内阁会议上讨论。身为一位资深的部长，赛哈密必须非常熟悉这个程序。 此外，援引内安法令进行扣留这么重要的事件，应该先向首相请示才能做出决定。

鉴于最近的事态演变，政府应该废除内安法令，或者重新检讨这项法令，以便实行严格的调查和衡量体系，才可以做出逮捕任何人的决定。
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Act Decisively on the Perpetrator!

The government should act against Ahmad Ismail and not on the reporter who was merely carrying out her duties assigned to her. Arresting Tan under the ISA is tantamount to taking action against the person carrying the message and not against the messenger himself. The people have registered their disgust at this recent arrest and I personally share their feelings. Ahmad Ismail should not be allowed to escape with just a three-year suspension from UMNO for making sensitive remarks while Tan has been "victimised" This goes against the tenets of democracy as espoused by the Barisan Nasional in the 8 March General Election and not consistent with the spirit of the Barisan Nasional coalition.

Similarly, the government should not detain YB Teresa Kok and Raja Petra. If the government feels strongly that they have broken any laws, then charge them under the relevant laws.

( Mand version click "more" )

果敢地对付滋事者！

政府应该采取行动对付阿末伊斯迈，而不是对付只是执行被指派任务的记者。当局在内安法令下逮捕陈云清，等于是采取行动对付传达信息的人， 而不是对付发出信息的人。人们对最近的逮捕行动感到厌恶和反感，而我本人也有这个感受。阿末伊斯迈由于发表敏感的言论而受到的惩罚，不应该只限于被中止巫统党员籍三年，而陈云清则成为了牺牲者。这是违反国民阵线于3月8日大选时维护的民主原则，而且也不符合国阵联合政府的精神。

同样的，政府也不应该逮捕郭素沁和拉惹布特拉。如果政府强烈认为，他们触犯了法例，那么，就应该援引相关的法令提控他们。

逮捕星洲日报的记者

我万分不同意，而且非常反感政府援引内安法令逮捕星洲日报的记者陈云清。身为一名记者，陈云清只不过执行指派给她的任务。此外，她所写的新闻稿，在刊登以前已经被编辑审阅过。

援引内安法令逮捕陈云清，不但违反了言论自由的本质，而且也让民众觉得，政府封锁资讯，进而引起人民的不满，可能还会导致谣言满天飞。这也将造成人民从阅读传统的主流媒体，转为浏览部落格和互联网，而有些部落格和互联网，则可能被某些集团所利用。如果政府认为，陈清云触犯了任何法例，当局应该援引相关的法令提控她。
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Arrest of Sin Chew Daily News Reporter

I strongly disagree and am utterly disgusted with the government’s use of the Internal Security Act on Sin Chew Daily News reporter Tan Hoon Cheng. As a reporter, Tan was only carrying out her duties as assigned to her. Her story had gone through the due editorial process before it was printed.

Detaining Tan under the ISA would go against the grains of freedom of the press and give the public the perception that the government was keeping information from them, thus further stroke discontent among the people and may spin off rumours arising from the issue. It will also turn the people further away from the mainstream media as a source of information and encourage them to turn to blogs and Internet which may be exploited by certain quarters. If the government feels that Tan had broken any laws, she should instead be charged in court under the those laws.
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2009 Budget: Bolder Measures Needed!

While the proposals of Budget 2009 seek to address the concerns of the people and help them to cope following the increase in fuel prices and goods and services, it lacks punch and most of the measures just trickles at the margin. For example, the reduction of the income tax from 28 percent to 27 percent works out to just RM150 a month. I feel that bolder measures at the micro and macro levels are needed to boost the economy and to pass the benefits of this growth to the people. In the medium term, more incentives are needed to encourage local investors as well as foreign direct investments. These measures should reflect the challenges of an increasingly open and competitive global economy.


At the macro level, the government should remove any hindrances or constraints to economic growth and investments – both domestic and foreign. The Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak mentioned at the Mid Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, that the guidelines under the Foreign Investment Committee needed to be reviewed to encourage investments, but the Budget fails to highlight this important aspect. The government should give serious thoughts to removing any hindrances to investments, especially when we are facing fierce competition from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia. Such hindrances and obstacles are also not consistent with globalization. The requirements for listing on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, Bursa Malaysia, also needs a relook. Companies are now free to list on regional bourses like Singapore and Hong Kong. If the government does not remove restrictions such as the 30 percent requirement on equity ownership, more and more companies will seek to list in these bourses. The local bourse used to be a major stock exchange in Asia after Tokyo and Hong Kong. Now, it has been overtaken by Singapore, Korea and China and Jakarta and Bangkok are fast catching up. Budget 2009 also does not have any comprehensive proposals to help the small and medium enterprises which are the most affected by rising materials and operations costs. What is needed to push the SMEs to the next level are advisory centres or incubators to help them. The government should not just pump in the funds per se but should assist the SMEs in areas such as upgrading of technology, human resource development and marketing. Killing the goose that lays the eggs! The windfall tax on oil palm estates needs a relook. The windfall tax was introduced about 10 years ago when the breakeven was RM600 per tonne. But this has increased to about RM1300 per tonne. If the government wants to maintain the windfall tax, they should consider moving the level to RM2500-RM2700 per tonne. On Human Resources, as a former Minister of Human Resources, I feel that the requirement of having to report ethnicity make-up in the workforce (as proposed in the Mid Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan) is a step backwards. This will indeed be a constraint to companies, including multi-national corporations in Malaysia, to employ the best talents and will deter Malaysians from improving themselves to compete on a level playing field. At the people level, the people are still feeling the effects of the rise in prices following the increase in fuel prices. While the government has lowered fuel prices a little, the people are still affected by the increase in prices of commodities and goods and services following the initial increase in fuel prices. Now, the government should look into measures to pass down the reduction in fuel prices to the people. More important is the lack of emphasis on a Social Safety Net. One way is to set up a fund to help the unemployed by providing them with financial assistance over a period of 6 months until they get another job. The government can kick-start the Fund by providing an initial grant of RM200-RM300 million and contributions from both the employers and employees can sustain the Fund. The measures proposed to upgrade private transportation are not comprehensive enough. Assistance should not be confined to Rapid KL or Rapid Penang, but should be more nationwide as an efficient national private transportation system is important. The government should look into problems faced by commuters, including a more efficient feeder service, enough car parks at LRT/commuter stations, besides ensuring comfort and punctuality of services. I am sure that if such facilities are in place, more people will be encouraged to use these services. Toll charges should be reduced by half for all and not just for buses. The government should seek to renegotiate the compensation with Highway Concessionaires as revenue has increased with the increase in traffic volume from the time their compensation were first negotiated. Similarly, the estates should also pay their workers higher wages and provide better welfare services. This way, they will also encourage more Malaysians to work as estate workers and not have to rely on foreign workers. ends
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It's seditious!

Bukit Bendera division chief, Datuk Ahmad Ismail should be charged with sedition for calling the non-Malays "pendatang". What he said was racist. The citizenship of the non-Malays should not be questioned just as some religious issues should not be called into dispute. We are celebrating the 51st year of independence and such statements or comments by an UMNO leader is very damaging to the unity of Malaysians.

It is not enough for Ahmad to just apologize and action should be taken against him to reflect on the severity of his comments. What he said should be viewed seriously as it borders on non-respect to the non-Malays. What is more disturbing is that such remarks from UMNO leaders and members were occuring too often. The remarks had offended the Chinese and also MCA grassroots. I will forward the issue at the next MCA central committee meeting.

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