View issues with Tan Seng Giaw

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Police must be transparent and fair in solving cases that may spark racial emotion.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw proposes that the police adopt an open, transparent and just attitude in tackling crimes especially deaths committed by a person of one race on victims belonging to a different race, such as the deaths in Jinjang North, Kepong Baru and Sri Segambut.

This statement is issued by Dr Tan on the death of a 16-year-old Malay in Sri Segambut after an attack by an Indian gang on 20 May, 2006.

In this plural society, every person has a duty to preserve racial peace and harmony. In the last few years, the changing society and the pattern of crimes cause concern. A criminal of one race maims or kills a victim of another race, sparking off racial sentiment. We must douse this sentiment.

On 2 March, 11 May and 20 May, this year, I have communicated with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohd Bakri, reflecting cases of death that give rise to disquiet. On 28 January, 2006, a Chinese youth in Jinjang North was injured and he subsequently died. On 2 February, 2006, a male university student of Chinese origin was stabbed to death in Kepong Baru. The attackers were Indian. Now, all eyes are on Indian and Malay gangs. What happens to Chinese gangs?

Last week, a Malay gang terrorized and injured an Indian youth from Jinjang Selatan Tambahan. I have been told that a police report was lodged. What did the police do? On 13 may, 2006, in retaliation an Indian gang killed a 16-year-old Malay boy in Sri Segambut, Jinjang South. The police action has been noticeable: the rounding up of Indians in Jinjang Selatan Tambahan and relevant areas and road blocks. This is to prevent reprisals of Malay gang on Indians.

Some have asked: Why had the police not taken similar measures on 28 January, 2006 and 2 February, 2006 in Jinjang North and Kepong Baru respectively? It has to be seen to be fair.

The police know of these gangs. What is the relationship between them? What has the police done to curb their activities? Are they involved in robberies, snatch thievings, break-ins, dadah and so forth?

Residents of Indian descent in Jinjang Selatan Tambahan and Malay areas nearby are under pressure. What are the ways used by the police to calm and protect the different societies?

News on the above-stated cases can be suppressed. But, racial feelings take time to go away.

Robberies, snatch thievings, criminal injuries and murders occur in the whole country. We hope the incidence decreases. The police must be seen to be open and fair in solving these cases. This year, the allocation for the police is over RM5 billion. The implementation of the 125 recommendations by the Royal Commission will make it easier for the police to overcome the problems.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Complete the KL flood mitigation projects as soon as possible

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw presses the contractor for Kuala Lumpur Flood Mitigation Package II, Peremba, to resume work and complete the project, relieving traffic jams, flash floods and dampening effects on business, otherwise the Government should take action against the consortium according to the contract.

Dr Tan issued the statement on 19 May, 2006, when Peremba did not resume work on the package II flood mitigation project.

Kuala Lumpur has two flood mitigation projects: package I, smart tunnel, costs about RM2 billion and package II, Peremba Jinjang, Segambut and Gombak project (Jinjang River, Keroh River and Gombak River) RM800 million. Peremba project is delayed over 10%. Two weeks ago, a subcontractor removed its machineries because of certain reasons. These two days it has shifted back some of the machineries, but has not resumed work in full.

Works at the Jinjang stage causes traffic jams, flash floods and bad effects on business. The public look forward to a speedy completion of the project.

On 4 May, 2006, the Director of the National Drainage and Irrigation Department, Datuk Keizrul Abdullah, briefly touched on the RM800 million package II project while giving a briefing on the package I smart tunnel project and its safety. He appeared at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting in Parliament.This design-and-build project is under the Project Management Consultant (PMC), and the DID supervises it indirectly.

People have asked: why has Peremba been appointed the contractor for the package II? Is the consortium reliable? Why has the Government not used the open tender adopted internationally?

The Federal Territory DID must ensure that there is determination by Peremba to complete the project, solve the problem bewteen it and the subcontractors, and complete the project by the middle of next year. As the project is delayed by over 10% and a subcontractor has removed the machineries, can the contractor catch up and finish the project in time?

The Government must be firm in getting Peremba to resume works, otherwise it should take action against the company. The works should be completed according to specifications.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Is there any hope of a world-class public transport?

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Government to review the role and effectiveness of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB).

What has it been doing in the efforts to make public transport efficient? How integrated has the transport been or will be?

Dr Tan made this call when he took part in the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill in Parliament on 2 and 3 May, 2006.

The Government has expressed its desire to make the public trransport efficient in the past decades. For example, private companies such as Park May and Intrakota were formed to take over from family-owned bus companies that had been in operations for many years. Companies such as Tong Fong and Len Bus in Kuala Lumpur ceased to exist. In the Klang Valley, only Selangor Bus and Lian Seng remain, plying on limited routes. Despite the fanfare in the initial period, Park May and Intrakota failed miserably.

The Government has bailed out these companies including Putra and Star for the Light Rail Transport (LRT), pouring in billions of ringgits, over eight billion. It has formed such a company as Rapid KL to integrate buses, LRT, Monorail and Commuters. It creates Transport Fund, hoping to use the RM4 billion from the reduction of petroleum subsidy. World oil price has gone up further, to over US$70. There is no more saving from the reduction in subsidy. Where does the Government get the money for the fund?

What is the true part played by CVLB? Previous bus companies have failed. Can the public-funded Rapid KL survive without big subdidy?

The Entrepreneurs' Development and Cooperative Ministry scarcely gives additonal permits to private bus operators such as Selangor Bus that has existed for 60 years. Even diesel subsidy to deserving bus companies shows disparity with that given to fishermen. Subsidy of 15 sen per litre is given to private bus companies whereas RM1 per litre is given to fishermen.

What is CVLB attitude towards companies such as Selangor Bus and Lian Seng? Is it the intention of the Government to get rid of private bus companies?

While protecing the interest of the public, in particular the low-income group, there should be no wastage of public fund. Efficient private operators should be encouraged, not punished.

Let us review the role and the effectiveness of CVLB in the creation of world-class integrated public transport.