I regret the protest by a group of Malaysians, including PKR members, over the protest which caused the abrupt end of the Bar Council's forum on conversion to Islam. This include the support extended by a PKR MP to the protestors. I wish to point out that in the last General Election, the Pakatan Rakyat candidates were in the forefront in calling for respect for all religions and open debate. The Bar Council forum is an open debate which calls for various groups to engage in peaceful discussions to seek a solution to an issue which is important to Malaysians. The Pakatan Rakyat not only did not register their support for the Forum, but played a great part in protesting it.
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
My question in Parliament on Monday 7 July 2008 was whether the Ministry of International Trade and Industry plans to abolish the Approved Permit (AP) for the import of cars as the use of the AP is not constistent with the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Ministry’s reply to my question was that the WTO allows countries to impose control on trade based on requirements or specific interest. The Ministry went on to say that under the National Automotive Policy, the current AP System was still used to monitor and to gather data on the import of vehicles. I feel that the domestic automotive market should not be protected and that the government should allow the free flow of vehicles into the country. This will result in a wider choice of models for consumers and in the long run, will make the local automotive market more competitive. The continued use of APs will jeopardize the welfare and interests of consumers which will result in increased prices of vehicles.
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Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Mid Term Review, Ninth Malaysia Plan
Speech at the Dewan Rakyat
Thank you, Mr Speaker for giving me this opportunity to present my views on the Mid Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, which was presented by the Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last Thursday. The review no doubt, comes at a very important and challenging time of all of us – both the government and people. The government is trying to cope with the high price of fuel and the rakyat has yet to come to grip with the full impact of the increase in fuel prices on their everyday lives. As I am speaking now, the ordinary people are still trying to cope with adjustments as a result of higher prices – ranging from food to transportation and others.
First, I would like to congratulate the Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on several bold initiatives. The government’s commitment in allocating an extra RM30 billion for development is commendable. I also applaud the government’s commitment in alleviating poverty and for placing emphasis on people-centric projects. On this note, it is also heartening to note that the government has also decided to shelf several projects considered not essential at this point of time. This clearly reflects the government’s concern for the welfare of the rakyat.
Mr Speaker,
In the context of globalization, for the Malaysian economy to remain competitive and efficient, the economy should be free of protection or assistance. In this context, I fully support the government’s move to systematically and gradually reduce the fuel subsidy. However, it is also important for the government to ensure that the necessary assistance be given to the poor. The government must therefore, work out a mechanism to ensure that whatever subsidies are channeled to the targeted groups such as taxis, small and medium scale transport operators and poor individual motorists and motorcyclists and that the subsidies are not abused.
The government should also consider a more flexible wage system. It cannot be denied that the huge number of foreign workers has pushed down wages for Malaysians and had thrown many locals out of jobs. In this context, I urge the government to seriously consider steps to curtail the relatively easy entrance of foreign workers into the country. In line with this, the government should do away with outsourcing companies and allow those companies which are really in need of foreign workers to apply directly to the Home Ministry with justification. At the same time, the government should also set up a permanent Wage Council which can advise employers and the different sectors with respect to the appropriate wage levels.
Mr Speaker,
The government’s continued commitment to alleviate poverty, especially in reducing the overall poverty to 2.8 percent by the end of the Ninth Plan period in 2010 and to wipe out abject poverty should be applauded. The government should be commended for successfully reducing the incidence of overall poverty from 5.7 percent in 2004 to 3.6 percent in 2007.
Having said that, I feel that initiatives to address socio-economic inequalities should not take an ethnic approach. In this context, I urge the government to review its overall emphasis and address socio-economic inequalities where it really exists. Socio-economic inequalities transcend racial lines. The government should therefore reduce its emphasis on programmes based on ethnic groups and instead shift its emphasis on target groups – rural poor, pockets of urban poor - the majority of them being the Malays and other Bumiputera groups in Sabah and Sarawak.
In this respect, Mr Speaker, I disagree with three aspects of the Mid Term Review report.
First, creating new requirements for the non-financial assets such as ownership of commercial and residential buildings to evaluate ethnic participation. Commercial properties were developed decades ago as a result of economic needs. Take for example, Kuala Lumpur’s Federal Hotel, which was build during the time of Tengku Abdul Rahman in time for the celebration of the country’s independence. Emphasis on ethnic origin would be unfair to these past entrepreneurs and retard enterprise. Second, requiring Private Limited Companies, or PLCs, to disclose information on their human resource profile will be a step backwards for the country to be a global player. This will discourage the companies to employ the best talents, which is important to the companies concerned, if they want to compete with the best in the region and globally. Instead, these companies should be encouraged to attract the best manpower, regardless of race, if they are to become world-class companies. It should also be noted that these PLCs are also free to enlist in other bourses like the Stock Exchange of Singapore and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Stringent requirements may push them to seek alternative listing in these regional bourses. My third point, Mr Speaker, is the government’s move to review traditional instruments such as the Foreign Investment Committee Guidelines, public procurement procedures and the Industrial Coordination Act. In the context of globalization, any further tightening of government procedures will grossly retard economic enterprises and affect the country’s overall growth strategy. Instead of making guidelines more restrictive, the government should liberalize the economy to enable Malaysians of all ethnic groups to flourish and be more creative and innovative. In this spirit of encouraging and nurturing entrepreneurship amongst young Malaysians, the government’s provision to graduates with creative and innovative ideas to commercialize their ideas should not be limited only to Bumiputeras. The country should encourage all aspiring graduates to commercialize their ideas as in a global playing field, we want to benefit from the best ideas and creations of young Malaysians. At the end of the day, they will bring untold benefits to the nation. Mr Speaker,The government’s overall objectives as outlined by the ten main initiatives reflect the government’s noble and sincere moves to ensure the continued well being of the people at an economically challenging time. As the Prime Minister duly reminded us, the second phase of the Plan would be a more challenging one and we can all expect to see a new set of challenges. This will require the resolve and commitment of not only the government but the people to tackle. The government and the people cannot be different from their objectives – ie. to see the country’s continued resistance to new global and regional challenges and to ensure the country’s continued growth. Thus, the rakyat would like to see the government putting into action, what has been outlined in the Mid Term Review. The key word here is implementing effectively, this blueprint! At the end of the day, what the rakyat needs is for their bread and butter issues to be looked into. For the business sector, that they be allowed to flourish as entrepreneurs with the least bureaucratic restraints so that their spirit of entrepreneurship would not be curtailed and their enthusiasm dampened and that they can truly stand out tall among their regional and global counterparts. Young Malaysians should be encouraged to unleash their fullest potential, talents, creativity and innovations to make Malaysia proud in the eyes of the world. Thank you, Mr Speaker.
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Thank you, Mr Speaker for giving me this opportunity to present my views on the Mid Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, which was presented by the Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last Thursday. The review no doubt, comes at a very important and challenging time of all of us – both the government and people. The government is trying to cope with the high price of fuel and the rakyat has yet to come to grip with the full impact of the increase in fuel prices on their everyday lives. As I am speaking now, the ordinary people are still trying to cope with adjustments as a result of higher prices – ranging from food to transportation and others.
First, I would like to congratulate the Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on several bold initiatives. The government’s commitment in allocating an extra RM30 billion for development is commendable. I also applaud the government’s commitment in alleviating poverty and for placing emphasis on people-centric projects. On this note, it is also heartening to note that the government has also decided to shelf several projects considered not essential at this point of time. This clearly reflects the government’s concern for the welfare of the rakyat.
Mr Speaker,
In the context of globalization, for the Malaysian economy to remain competitive and efficient, the economy should be free of protection or assistance. In this context, I fully support the government’s move to systematically and gradually reduce the fuel subsidy. However, it is also important for the government to ensure that the necessary assistance be given to the poor. The government must therefore, work out a mechanism to ensure that whatever subsidies are channeled to the targeted groups such as taxis, small and medium scale transport operators and poor individual motorists and motorcyclists and that the subsidies are not abused.
The government should also consider a more flexible wage system. It cannot be denied that the huge number of foreign workers has pushed down wages for Malaysians and had thrown many locals out of jobs. In this context, I urge the government to seriously consider steps to curtail the relatively easy entrance of foreign workers into the country. In line with this, the government should do away with outsourcing companies and allow those companies which are really in need of foreign workers to apply directly to the Home Ministry with justification. At the same time, the government should also set up a permanent Wage Council which can advise employers and the different sectors with respect to the appropriate wage levels.
Mr Speaker,
The government’s continued commitment to alleviate poverty, especially in reducing the overall poverty to 2.8 percent by the end of the Ninth Plan period in 2010 and to wipe out abject poverty should be applauded. The government should be commended for successfully reducing the incidence of overall poverty from 5.7 percent in 2004 to 3.6 percent in 2007.
Having said that, I feel that initiatives to address socio-economic inequalities should not take an ethnic approach. In this context, I urge the government to review its overall emphasis and address socio-economic inequalities where it really exists. Socio-economic inequalities transcend racial lines. The government should therefore reduce its emphasis on programmes based on ethnic groups and instead shift its emphasis on target groups – rural poor, pockets of urban poor - the majority of them being the Malays and other Bumiputera groups in Sabah and Sarawak.
In this respect, Mr Speaker, I disagree with three aspects of the Mid Term Review report.
First, creating new requirements for the non-financial assets such as ownership of commercial and residential buildings to evaluate ethnic participation. Commercial properties were developed decades ago as a result of economic needs. Take for example, Kuala Lumpur’s Federal Hotel, which was build during the time of Tengku Abdul Rahman in time for the celebration of the country’s independence. Emphasis on ethnic origin would be unfair to these past entrepreneurs and retard enterprise. Second, requiring Private Limited Companies, or PLCs, to disclose information on their human resource profile will be a step backwards for the country to be a global player. This will discourage the companies to employ the best talents, which is important to the companies concerned, if they want to compete with the best in the region and globally. Instead, these companies should be encouraged to attract the best manpower, regardless of race, if they are to become world-class companies. It should also be noted that these PLCs are also free to enlist in other bourses like the Stock Exchange of Singapore and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Stringent requirements may push them to seek alternative listing in these regional bourses. My third point, Mr Speaker, is the government’s move to review traditional instruments such as the Foreign Investment Committee Guidelines, public procurement procedures and the Industrial Coordination Act. In the context of globalization, any further tightening of government procedures will grossly retard economic enterprises and affect the country’s overall growth strategy. Instead of making guidelines more restrictive, the government should liberalize the economy to enable Malaysians of all ethnic groups to flourish and be more creative and innovative. In this spirit of encouraging and nurturing entrepreneurship amongst young Malaysians, the government’s provision to graduates with creative and innovative ideas to commercialize their ideas should not be limited only to Bumiputeras. The country should encourage all aspiring graduates to commercialize their ideas as in a global playing field, we want to benefit from the best ideas and creations of young Malaysians. At the end of the day, they will bring untold benefits to the nation. Mr Speaker,The government’s overall objectives as outlined by the ten main initiatives reflect the government’s noble and sincere moves to ensure the continued well being of the people at an economically challenging time. As the Prime Minister duly reminded us, the second phase of the Plan would be a more challenging one and we can all expect to see a new set of challenges. This will require the resolve and commitment of not only the government but the people to tackle. The government and the people cannot be different from their objectives – ie. to see the country’s continued resistance to new global and regional challenges and to ensure the country’s continued growth. Thus, the rakyat would like to see the government putting into action, what has been outlined in the Mid Term Review. The key word here is implementing effectively, this blueprint! At the end of the day, what the rakyat needs is for their bread and butter issues to be looked into. For the business sector, that they be allowed to flourish as entrepreneurs with the least bureaucratic restraints so that their spirit of entrepreneurship would not be curtailed and their enthusiasm dampened and that they can truly stand out tall among their regional and global counterparts. Young Malaysians should be encouraged to unleash their fullest potential, talents, creativity and innovations to make Malaysia proud in the eyes of the world. Thank you, Mr Speaker.
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Sunday, June 29, 2008
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.
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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.
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Friday, June 27, 2008
'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
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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.
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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.
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Saturday, June 21, 2008
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