Control inflation, 15.5.2008.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong calls on the Special Cabinet Committee on Controlling Inflation and the Special Task Force on Handling Price Increase to work harder to control prices of goods in the country.

Although the Government insists that the current inflation rate is 2.8%, the situation is of great concern. The price of foods such as rice has gone up by leaps and bounds. One litre of kerosene was RM 2.70 in January, RM 2.90 in Mac and RM 3.20 in May this year. The price of insecticides has increased 100%, that of fertilizers from RM 1000 per 50 Kg to RM 3,000, 300%.

The Government increases grain stockpiles. We cannot keep rice for long. When goods price goes up, people tend to hoard. The Government is not able to buy 500,000 tonnes of rice from Thailand. It offers US$ 800 per tonne, but Thailand asks for RM 1,000 or more. On 14.5.2008, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister announced that Malaysia had bought 200,000 tonnes of rice, but he did not disclose the price. The first 100,000 tonnes from Thailand will be sold between RM 1.65 to RM 1.80 per kilogramme. Apparently, Thailand would rather we do not reveal the price.

I hope that the Prime Minister will let us know, from which country he will purchase the ramaining 300,000 toones. Will it be from Vietnam, United States, Cambodia or other rice-producing countries?

Energy and food subsidy in this country is RM 45 bilion a year. Rice subsidy is RM 725 million.

International factors aggravate the rice price. This includes petroleum US$ 126 a barrel and hoarding of rice in countries such as China, India, Vietnam, Rusia dan Thailand.

I propose that the Special Cabinet Committee to Control Inflation and the Special Task Force to Handle Price Increase work harder to deal with inflation. From January 2008 to 20 April, 2008, the Ministry for Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs made 328,352 inspections on factories, wholesalers, retailers, supermarkets, night markets and so forth, confiscating goods from 550 premises worth RM 731,055.95.

The opening up of 100,000 acres of paddy land in Sabah and Sarawak with modern seed and technology may take ten years. The improvement of irrigation such as Kada, farm transport and the use of new form of energy will take years. Biofuels from palm oil has to be reviewed; unedible oils should be better alternatives.

The uncertainty in the world agriculture market, the hoarding by nations and America and Japan sending rice not cash as aids to poor nations complicate the situation. The Prime Minister should review the measures to face the world market of US$ 30 million tonnes a year.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

In Malaysia, the rights of any race must not be taken away.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the rights of all races must be protected and that no one or no race can rob the rights of other races.

Dr Tan said so as part of his speech during the debate on the Royal Address in the House on 13 Mei, 2008.

The cyclone disaster in Myanma and the earthquake in China caused severe loss of lives. Malaysia express her sympathy and condolences for people of the two countries. We extend our help.

In the present parliamentary session, we welcome the 99 new members to the House. Hitherto, some have made meaningful speeches, showing their potential.

After the March 8, 2008 general elections, the House has been boisterous. During the elections, each party portrayed its policies. After the people have made their decision, all parties must be able to work together to develop the nation.

Gunung Tahan sama didaki,
Sungai Pahang sama direnang;
Jikalau semua bersatu hati,
Kerja yang payah menjadi senang.

UMNO champions the rights, custom and history of Malays; MCA cries out about the rights and education of Chinese and MIC spells out the rights and citizenships of Indians. They use tonggan, the big wok placed above a hole in the ground. Tonggan UMNO, MCA, MIC and other component parties of the National Front (BN) cooks racial issues to work up the feeling of various races. But, this type of cooking utensil is no longer practical. The emergence of China and India is changing the scenario. Now, we are using microwave and other modern cooking utensils. Our aim is to attain a developed nation status by 2020.

We must avoid brandishing the keris during party conventions; the Education Minister recognises that this is not the right thing to do. All races have rights in politics, economy, health, agriculture and so forth. There should not be any race that would usurp the rights of other races. The poor and the weak must be protected, irrespective of race and religion. We must always try our best to narrow the gap, whether it is wealth, digital or region, with courage and commitment.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Stop the monopoly of rice import;review the policy of 70% self-sufficiency.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Government to review seriously whether:

(1) to stop the monopoly of rice import by Bernas, (2) to decide if the policy of 70% self-sufficiency is still reasonable, (3) to open more land for paddy cultivation, (4) to ascertain whether the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs or the Ministry of Agrculture and Agro-based Industry or both are effectively in charge of the price of rice.

Recently, many factors contribute to the hike in the price of rice in the world. There is a pressure on the price of the commodity in this country. Bernas does not have competition in the import of rice. Although for many years we have asked the Government to review the part of Bernas in rice import and the strategy of 70% self-suffciency in rice. But, this fell on deaf ear.

Now, Bernas does what it likes. The relationship between consumers and Bernas can be liken to that of a sheep and a tiger, or the weak against the strong. It is time for the Government to study this state of affair and to find ways to introduce competition in rice import.

Rice of ordinary grade contains 15% broken grain and that of super grade between 5 to 10%. Ordinary grade is a controlled item. There is shortage of supply. Most Malaysians eat super grade rice.

When Bernas bought paddy from farmers, it paid RM 700 per tonne. Two months ago, other companies offered RM 1150, forcing Bernas to pay RM 1,000. The increase in rice price is not reflected in the price of paddy.

Two days ago, I said that the effort of the Government to open up land (100,000 acres) to plant paddy in Sabah and Sarawak may show its result in 10 years. The Government bases its policy of 70% self-sufficiency of rice on strategic factors. 30% are imported. It is relatively cheaper for countries such as Thailand to produce rice. Now, for the first time in history, Malaysian rice is smuggled into Thailand.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry says that a plot of paddy land (1.2 hectares or 3.3 acres) can produce 8 tonnes of paddy. That in Endau Rompin, Chui Chap and Sekinchan can reach 12 to 13 tonnes.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

It is correct to continue with the direct telecast

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek to be fair regarding the direct telecast of the parliamentary session and to get his fact right.

On 8.3.2008, the people spoke out for transparency and accountability. On 30.4.2008, there was a direct telecast of the question time for only 30 minutes. Because a few of both the Opposition members and the Backbenchers did not follow the Standing Order, it was chaos.

The Information Minister had no patience, threatening to stop the direct telecast. He apologized on 1.5.2008 for agreeing to the telecast, blaming a few Opposition members. Don't forget, a daily parliamentary session is from 10 am to 5.30 pm.

Today, the Cabinet agrees to continue the telecast for a short while. We do not know how short it will be. It is correct to continue. Let members of parliament get used to the new thing.

Ahmad Shabery Cheek should get the fact right. He should not be telling the world that there was only one queston asked in the one and half hours of the question time on 30.4.2008. Three questions were asked. We expected more. Perhaps, over ten. I repeat: a few members of both sides of the House did not adhere to the Standing Order. The Speaker must not be biased.

The minister should be fair to both sides of the House. After all, he is a minister for all Malaysians.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Members must adapt to the new situation in the House

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw hopes that all concerned will adapt to the new atmosphere in Parliament, so that big issues will be debated.

On 30.4.2008, Dr Tan was in the House during the question time when the proceeding was telecast directly for half an hour for the first time in the history of Parliament. What happened was arguments between a few members and the Speaker mostly over the Standing Order (S.O.)


The Member for Bukit Gelugor began with S.O.,saying that on 28.4.2008, some members swore in without holding up their right hand rendering it invalid. The Speaker rejected it, saying that he had made a decision that the swearing-in of all 222 members were valid.


After the Prime Minister answered the first question about enhancing the quality of life for the people, such as setting up a Cabinet Committee on Inflation and elevating the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) into a Commission, the Speaker would not allow supplementary questions. This caused an uproar. The Member for Ipoh Timur protested. The Question Time must have supplementary questions. The PM said that the Speaker must allow one or two supplementary questions for each question. Order returned.


Some members picked at one another. The Member for Pasir Mas remarked that the Member for Bukit Gelugor should stand when he spoke (he was in a wheelchair as he was weak in his legs). This type of remark should be avoided.


In about one and a half hours of Question Time only three questions were answered. Then the debate on the King's Speech , that was presented on 29.4.2008, began.


The Speaker must be fair and just. Members must follow the S.O. All concerned must adapt to the new situation in the House.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

EC must be fair to all who use the new technology in election campaigns

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Election Commission (EC) to be fair and just to candidates and political parties that campaign using website,blog and SMS during elections.

More people will be using the new technology to spread their message during elections. Let us make sure that they get a fair deal.

Dr Tan comments on the statement by the Deputy Chairman of EC, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, who says on 27.4.2008 that action can be taken by EC against those who campaign using the new technology, if they are found to infringe the regulations.

The Election Offences Act, 1954, does not cover the newer technology such as blog and SMS. This means that EC is considering amending the Act to acquire wider power that covers campaigns through the modern technology.

We hope that all those who use the new technology will speak the truth, relying on proven facts.
What is important is that EC must be fair and just in dealing with all who use the new technolgy to campaign during elections.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

How many rooms in Parliament have been renovated for ministers?

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw asks the Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed the number of rooms that have been renovated for ministers in Parliament.

Today, 25.4.2008, Dr Tan responds to the statement by the Minister who says that Parliament House is all set for the sitting of 222 MPs. He inspected ministers' cubicles, media centre and the rooftop area.

We look forward to the the Parliament that will no longer leak. We notice that the Public Works Department has increased the number of engineers to look after the building. Mohd Zin should let us know how many engineers do we need. Apparently, the number has been increased from two to four.

In April 2005, when I stood up to ask the Deputy Speaker to stop the proceedings in the House which was leaking. He reassured me that it was fine. Then, the leakage was severe, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House the next day.

It seems that for ministers who do not have a house in Kuala Lumpur, the Government has renovated about 20 rooms in Parliament for them. As Cabinet meeting will no longer be on Wednesdays, does this mean that the House will see more ministers at any time?

Meanwhile, we want to know how much has been spent on all the repairs and renovations in Parliament including ministers' rooms.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw