View issues with Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, October 29, 2007

KL International Radio Control Road Circuit delayed

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the City Hall Kuala Lumpur to take immediate action to ensure that the project to build KL International Radio Control Road Circuit (KLIRCRC) is completed. Hitherto, it is delayed.


This problem of delay or abandonment of projects is applicable to many of the 144 local authorities.

Meanwhile, CHKL must raise the standard of maintenance of all public parks, including the planting and care of trees.

Dr Tan visited the Kepong Metropolitan Park on 28.10.2007.

On 1.12.2006, Datuk Bandar KL announced a RM 2.2 billion budget for 2007, including the KLIRCRC project at the park, to encourage youths further to learn automotive technology. Ten months later, the project has scarcely taken off as though showing youths the way to delay or to abandon project.

On 6.8.2007, I contacted CHKL regarding the circuit. But, it has not replied. Besides initial piling and concreting, the project shows little progress. This means that the allocations have not been used effectively. CHKL must review such matters as tender and supervision of projects.

Now, CHKL maintains 12 public parks, including the Kepong Metropolitan Park that has an area of 127 hectares. This is the biggest park managed by the city hall which allocates RM 8.6million for maintenance of parks annually.

We need better maintenance of parks such as the Metropolitan. For example, motorcycles continue to use tracks meant only for pedestrians and cyclists. Fencing is damaged. Spoilt exercise equipment is not replaced. Litter bugs simply throw rubbish. Some use hook or net to fish as they please.

Just like other municipalities, CHKL would have to use more effective methods to overcome these matters. We need a better maintenance mentality.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Maintenance Unit for schools at the Public Works Department (PWD)

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Public Works Department (PWD) to consider whether it is feasible to set up a special unit for the maintenance of schools, irrespective of their streams, partially or fully aided.

The Education Minister Dato' Seri Hishamuddin and the Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu must investigate whether there is a suggestion from any quarters to stop maintenance works on schools. Meanwhile, the efficiency of maintenance must be improved.

Dr Tan comments on the the injury due to a falling ceiling fan on two pupils attending a class at the Kepong Primary Chinese School 1. 28.10.2007.

On 22.10. 2007 at 4 pm, a ceiling fan in a primary one class in Kepong Primary Chinese School 1 fell, injuring two 7-year-olds. The male pupil Li Jia Qin was sent to Selayang Hospital because of head injury. The female pupil Que Yu Tong injured her lips and went to Assunta Hospital. Both have been sent home. This is unfortunate. We sympathize with Jia Qin, Yu Tong and their families.

The Deputy Education Minister Datuk Hon Choon Kim has written to schools to inspect strictly all equipment. Besides individual school inspection, PWD must review its procedure and efficiency in maintenance works at schools. Some people have said that PWD will not carry out maintenance works at schools. Hisham and Samy must investigate whether this is true. They must consider if it is practicable to set up a special unit in PWD to deal with maintenance works in over 10,000 schools in the country. If there are 10,000 schools with each having say 500 fans, there are at least five million fans.

Education Departments introduce 3K scheme, Keselamatan, Kesihatan dan Kebersihan,( Security, Health and Cleanliness) at schools. These departments must ensure that the scheme is fully implemented. Recently, a teacher in a Chinese Primary School in Alor Setar, fell to his death because the floor at the school collapsed. The Kedah Education Department allocated funds to maintain some schools. Truly, we all have a duty to promote the scheme in schools. One way of ensuring safety is effective maintenance, for which education departments must pay much attention.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Congratulations to the Malaysian first spaceman. Formulate long-term workable plan on space science.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong proposes that the Government draw up a more workable plan for science including space technology and the financial allocations for short and long term.

We have to avoid wastage. We must not repeat the mistakes of Arab nations such as the space programme in Saudi Arabia.

On 21.10.2007, Dr Tan comments on the statement by the Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that the space project is expensive and that there must be long-term plan on space technology.

The Government has spent at least RM 568 million to put Dr Sheikh Muszaphar in space. He is returnig to earth today. Contgratulations to him. While celebrating this event, we must plan for a practicable science project such as space technology.

In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the world's first spaceman. Forty six years later, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar is Malaysia's first. He went to Baikonur, Kazakhstan, to board the Russian Soyuz spaceship, propelled by Russian rocket to the International Space Station where he did experiments designed by Malaysian scientists.

Sultan Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud is a prince from Saudi Arabia. In 1985, he emerged as the first Muslim spaceman by travelling in an American rocket and spaceship launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida. In the past 22 years, what has been the state of science including space technology in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world?

'In 1985 he flew as a Payload Specialist on STS-51G (June 17-24, 1985). As one of a seven member international crew, which also included American and French astronauts, he represented the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARABSAT) in deploying their satellite, ARABSAT-1B.

Upon conclusion of his space flight, he helped in founding the Association of Space Explorers, an international organization comprising all astronauts and cosmonauts who have been in space, and served on its Board of Directors for several years.

In 1985 he was commissioned as an officer into the Royal Saudi Air Force. He holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and is qualified in several military and civilian aircraft.

For several years he headed the Advisory Committee for the Science Oasis Project to be built in Riyadh. ' (Written by John Lawton dan Patricia Moody, Amerika Syarikat.)

On 17 June, 1985, 230 Arabs fro several countries congregated in Cape Kennedy to encourage Sultan Salman who did three space experiments designe dby Arab scientists. He declared that the Arab world was at a turning point

If we survey the state of science and space technology in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, we detect weaknesses. We must avoid these weaknesses. Saudi Arabia has some of the state-of-the-art facilities. What are the advances in her sciences? What happens to the Oasis Science Project?

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Need effective action against pollution such as in Taman Wangsa Permai, Kepong.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw stresses that the Government must take action as soon as possible to solve the pollution including noise at Jalan Wangsa 1/3, Taman Wangsa Permai, Kepong.

Such type of pollution in which illegal workshops operate near residential houses occurs all over the country. That local authorities like Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) can shut an eye over the matter is mind boggling.

Tago Industrial Area is next door to Taman Wangsa Permai, Kepong. Its slope adjoining the housing area is a green lung which the residents used to frequent.

Lo and behold, over three years ago a small group of people destroyed the green lung, replacing it with concrete and dividing it into lots. It has let these to workshops such as for car and lorry repairs, recycling and spraying of paints. Pollution together with inflammable materials such as paper and wood is horrendous.

Taman Wangsa Permai residents have complained to MPS and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. In September, 2006, Dr Tan sent another reminder to the minister YB Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid about the issue. One or two residents have moved because of the continued nuisance.

On 21.10.2007, Dr Tan revisited the site, in particular the victims nearest to the workshops at 67 Jalan Wangsa 1/3 in the housing estate.

The local authority behaves as though it sees and hears nothing. It cannot be bothered.

In the 2008 budget, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister YAB Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reiterates that the Government is committed to ensure a balance between physical development and preservation of the environment. Tomorrow, I am going to present another reminder to YB Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Friday, October 12, 2007

RM568.05 million to send a Malaysian astronaut into space. How much more for sustained interest in space & science?

On 11 October, 2007, the Government has spent at least RM 568 million to send Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor into space. That Muszaphar is trained to be an astronaut and that he carries out certain types of research in the International Space Station (ISS) mean something to Malaysians. The media go to town with the story.

Any Malaysian who achieves something should stimulate others to do well, to venture into things and to continue to commit to scientific advancement. We should go for continuous efforts and practical implementations consistent with the conditions in the country. One of the formulae for success is meritocracy.

Muszaphar rode the Russian Soyuz TMA from Baikonur, Kazakstan, together with American Astronaut Peggy Whitson and Russian cosmonaut Yury Malenchenko on a 12-day mission to the ISS. Many nations such as Russia, U.S.A., France, Britain, China, Canada and Japan contribute to ISS.

The first man in space was the Russian Yuri Gagarin who soared to space from Baikonur in 1961. Forty six years later, a Malaysian went up to space from the same site.

Malaysia buys 18 Russian fighters, Sukhoi, and sending Malaysian to space is an offset from the purchase. The offset is said to cost at least USD 185.9 million. The Science Fund contributes RM 3 million, the Astronaut Programme amounts to RM 12 million and the insurance for Muszaphar RM 2 million, totalling RM 568 million. The 2008 national budget is estimated at RM 176.9 billion.

We must consider the actual conditions in the country. How much do we need for long-term research on space? Is it practical for the country to develop a launching site like Baikonur? Is it feasible for us to develop rockets capable of carrying spaceships? Can we contribute to ISS? Can we develop the various things that are needed in rockets and spaceships such as special chips? What is the niche in which we are interested?

After the media blitzkrieg on the Malaysian astronaut, we look forward to the Government programmes on science including space technology. We want to know the long-term cost and the practical implementations.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

The Government is not too bothered with ECM Libra Avenue. But,we are.

It is important that there is accountability in the use of public fund. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should strive to achieve this. Every member of PAC should play an active part. The following is a reply to the PAC chairman:

Shahrir's unexpected snag on ECM Libra Avenue investigations is a guffaw

Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, Deputy Chairman of PAC on 28 September, 2007:

Dato' Shahrir Bin Samad did not reflect the true situation when he said that 'unfortunately no questions were asked' about ECM Libra Avenue when the Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop appeared at the PAC on 26 February 2007 to answer questions on government-linked companies.

In his interview with Beh Lih Yi posted on 27 September, 2007 in Malaysiakini, Dato' Shahrir said investigations on ECM Libra Avenue hit an unexpected snag.

"He (Tan Sri Nor Mohamed) came (before PAC). He was there to answer our questions but unfortunately, [pauses] no questions were asked," he said.

"I guided everybody to a point that anyone could have picked up from the minutes left off but...nobody did. why do I always have to do the work?" asked Shahrir.

The verbatim report of the PAC proceedings was presented to Parliament on 4 September, 2007.

Three members of PAC asked about ECM Libra Avenue.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw: Tuan Pengerusi, sebenarnya saya mempunyai banyak soalan...

Tuan Pengerusi ( Dato' Shahrir): That's why we give you second last.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw:

................The ECM Libra. Kita dengar Tan Sri. Saya berterima kasih kerana Tan Sri dapat bersama-sama kita dan saya pun berpendapat, Tuan Pengerusi, kita pun berharap, Menteri yang lain pun boleh berbuat demikian.

You explain to us that (with) the ECM Libra, you are not 'too bothered' (with letting the company go), that you (have) got CIMB, you (have) got Maybank. This (ECM Libra Avenue) is chicken 'feed'. You didn't say that chicken 'feed' stuff....[Ketawa]. Now can you tell us, we see the merger (ECM Libra and Avenue) and then look at quarterly result, ECM Libra loss and is that true that there is a reduction in the staff by 23%. Reduction of the staff. Now why is that so? Are you using Avenue to cover the losses of ECM and now Tan Sri Azman has taken over. What makes the Government want to part with this so fast, within a few months? That's very interesting. How does a merger happen and then there is a reduction of staff by 23% and tremendous losses. An then the government said,"Oh, okay. Let's give it to Tan Sri Azman. Let see how he can solve our problem". I think this is unacceptable. How can you do that? How can the Government do that? You've got the EPU, you've got everything and now you talk to us about how good your staff is. Now you work out something like that and within a few months you 'part' with it. It's not acceptable...

Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop: I disagree. Maybe I'll come back to them...........On the issue of ECM Libra, interesting Yang Berhormat. Kita jual ECM Libra kena marah. Kita beli Pantai Holdings, pun kena marah. Dua-dua kena marah. Beli pun salah, jual pun salah. But anyway, we addressed it now but there will be another forum that we can decide.....

Dr Tab believes that the PAC would need more time to ask Tan Sri Nor Mohamed about ECM Libra Avenue. He suggested another forum.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw