View issues with Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, August 30, 2010

Greater efforts to renovate 2010 schools in dire state

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to step up the efforts to renovate 2010 schools which are in dire state in the country.

Projects to improve these schools must be given to contractors who can do the jobs. Hence, the system must be improved, including ensuring that all tenders are truly open.

On 30.8.2010, Dr Tan continues to be concerned with the 2,101 schools which are in a very bad state.

There are 9,808 primary and secondary schools in Malaysia. According to the Education Ministry, 2,101 schools are in dire state, 1,553 primary and 548 secondary. Of these, 224 primary schools are in Sarawak and 73 secondary schools are in Pahang.

We do not know what criteria are used by the ministry to assess the conditions of these schools. How many more are in various state of disrepair?

Tan Sri Muhyiddin says that the Tenth Malaysia Plan contains projects to improve the physical conditions of these schools, including building new blocks, having special cabins and maintenance. He must give the schedule of implementing these projects and the ways contrators are appointed.

Previously, some contractors were not able to complete their projects because of various factors. The ministry must identify them to ensure that only good contractors are appointed for the projects. There must be no irregularities such as endless subcontracting.

We like to see a determination to improve our schools as Malaysians celebrate Merdeka. We must stress that 24% of our RM191 billion national budget are allocated for education.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Effective enforcement on express bus operators

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw stresses that the Central Government must improve efficienciy in its monitoring and enforcement on express and tour bus operators to maintain public safety. Lets prevent accidents on expressways.

Dr Tan notices some express buses speeding along expressways, ignoring safety measures of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1994, the Department of the same name prepares safety measures. It studies the causes of accidents involving express buses including the long hours of driving and tiredness of the drivers. How does it deal with these causes?

Express bus operators play their part in providing service to tourists. But, some operators are not good in ensuring the safety of their passengers and other road users. We can see that some express buses simply ignore the rules. Smaller vehicles avoid them.

According to the Home Ministry, from 2005 to 2009, there were 12,801 cases of accidents involving express buses, of which there were128 deaths. We shall continue to follow up with the latest figures.

Besides Transport Ministry and Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Tourism Ministry should also be concerned with safety of express bus passengers. Enforcement officers of all related agencies must have integrity.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Kuala Lumpur must improve at all levels

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw believes that KL City Hall (KLCH) must raise its administrative and developmental efficiency, so that KL will become a world-class city by 2020.

One aim should be to improve KL's ranking among the cities of the world. According to an assessment, KL is 48th among world cities.

On 18.8.2010, Dr Tan notices the american Foreign Policy Magazine pegging 65 cities, New York coming first, London second, Tokyo third and KL 48th.

Malaysia's objective is to make the country world class in economic, social, political and spiritual aspects. KL's aim is to become a world-class tropical city of light. This means that she would like to reach that status in working environment, standard of living, trading atmosphere and administration.

For example, What are KL's part in the globe, benefits to city folks, workers, and tourists. The allocation of public housing, stalls during Ramadan and so forth must be fair and just.

Comparing with New York, London and Tokyo, KL is lagging behind. Obviously, KLCH has been planting more green trees in the city, making her greener. It should go further.

City dwellers, workers, tourists and investors hope that infrastructure, administration. social, cultural and societal facilities will improve.The public would not like to see that in the middle of busy traffic intersections, a building such as Puduraya sticks out like a sore thumb. A similar view can be seen in other areas like Cheras and Kepong.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Police must raise its efficiency to combat crimes.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the police must improve its effciency in ensuring security such as in combatting crimes.

On 12.8.2010, Dr Tan reads the announcement of the Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Muhammad Abtu Osman of the increase of two district police headquarters (IPD), IPD Kiaramas dan IPD Wangsa Maju in KL.

According to the Economic Planning Unit, the Malaysian crime rate increased from 3.8 in 1990 to 6.2 in 2002. This year, the Home Ministry says that the street crime rate and the crime rate in Malaysia have fallen by 39% and 15% respectively. But, Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity says that the crime rate is worsening, particularly thefts and robberies.

In Parliament, we follow up on the correct statistics on crime rate in the country. The most important thing is for the police to improve its effectiveness in ensuring security.

To have two more IPDs in KL is a good thing. Apparently,Brickfields will come under the jurisdiction of two IPDs by the end of the year.The new IPD Kiaramas will police Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bangsar, Travers, Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas and Pantai.

The IPD Sentul is being divided into two, the other one being the new IPD Wangsa Maju.

We are concerned with security in all districts including Kepong. As the IPD Sentul headquarters in Jalan Ipoh is being renovated, its operations are temporarily divided between Jinjang and Kepong police stations. We hope that policing and crime prevention will not be affected.

Usually, after a complaint the police increases its patrol in say Kepong Garden, crime activities go down. On the other hand, crimes in other areas go up and vice versa. In this transitional stage, we hope the police increases its patrols and mobile stations.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, August 09, 2010

Repeal ISA and replace it with Anti-Terrorism Act.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Central Government repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA), to be replaced by Anti-Terrorism Act.

Builidng new block with new cells in Kamunting and coninuing to detain people under ISA cannot be considered reasonable.

On 9.8.2010, Dr Tan comments on media report of the Central Government spending RM7 million to build a new block at the 93.3 hectare Kamunting Detention Centre.

From 1987 to 1988, we were detained under ISA, staying at the old building in Kamunting. Now, media show that the Federal Government has spent RM7 million to rebuild the old block into two-storeyed structure with 20 cells, each accommodating three detainees.

At present, there are 274 detainees, of whom 12 are under ISA.

The authority abused ISA to detain us for rehabilitation--discipline, character and skills. None was applicable. after our release in 1988, we have continued with constitutional political struggle.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin repeatedly talks about amendments to the ISA. But, ISA was promulgated in 1960 against communists. In December, 1989, Malayan Communist Party laid down arms. Hence, the Central Government must repeal ISA, to be replaced by Anti-Terrorism Act.

A stable society does not allow any form of extremism including terrorism such as suicide-bombing.We need Anti-Terrorism Act to deal with extremists.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Saturday, August 07, 2010

Local governments must provide disabled friendly facilities

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Central Government including 154 local governments such as KualaLumpur City Hall (KLCH)to try the utmost to provide disabled friendly facilities like ramps and modification to raodside curbs as well as low-cost houses.

On 7.8.2010, Dr Tan atalk about some of the problems faced by the disabled in the country.

This year the national budget allocates RM224 million for the disabled. How is the allocation used to benefit the disabled? The National Housing Department builds 74,000 low-cost houses to be rented in 2010. How many are specially designed for the disabled?

The Gopvernment often talks about helping the disabled. for instance, KLCH a Portal with W3C to give web accessibility initiative (WAI), accesible to disabled persons. Apparently, there are adjustable text size, colour options, text reader like IE page reader and speech engine. some disaled organizations feel that KLCH is not so sensitive about the disabled--it forms Disabled Persons Unit (DPU, which does not have a single disabled person.

We hope that the private sector also look after the disabled. For example, Maybank is reported to allocate RM16 million for nationwide projects to make its branches more disabled friendly in keeping with its corporate social responsibilities. We wish the bank implement the project.

Local governments have to install many facilites such as ramps, modified curbs and low-cost hoses fpr the disabled.Let us hope that they including KLCH really try to provide these facilities.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Thursday, August 05, 2010

MACC should show that it is fair, just, reasonable & transparent.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should be fair, just, reasonable and transparent in dealing with all cases of complaints about corruption.

Only when it is seen to be acting without fear and favour, can the public have full confidence in it.

On 5.8.2010, Dr Tan refers to the the statement yesterday by MACC Deputy Chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Shukri Abdull that the Central Government has approved the hiring of additional 5,000 officers in the next five years. About half the officers will be doing investigation work, dealing with five to 10 cases each per year.

In 2008, MACC applied for 5,000 additional officers in the next five years. Only 33 additional posts were approved. Now, that the Central Government has given a nod, it should be able to get more personnel to do a better job.Hong Kong Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ICAC) has 1 officer to 7,322 citizens. MACC has 1:15,225. With the new recruits the ratio should improve.

Hitherto, factors such as Teoh Beng Hock case and the lack of high-profile cases being charged do not help the image of MACC. With more dedicated staff members, we hope that it can present a more positive image. From about 1,000 cases MACC investigate annually, we expect it to show more efficiency.

We notice that MACC has stepped up its publicity image, the Chief Commisioner and his officers getting into the media more frequently. But, dealing with cases in fair, just, reasonable and transparent manner is very important.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, August 02, 2010

Review the conditions of highrise flats and condos in the country

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Housing and Local Government Ministry to review the conditions of highrise flats and condominiums in the country and to find effective solutions to the woes of these flats and condos.

We shall continue to raise the problems of highrise housing in the House. As the population increases, cities and towns will build more highrise building.

On 1.8.2010, Dr Tan comments on the minister YB Dato' Wira Chor Chee Heung criticising local building commissions.

We have often brought the problems of highrise housing to the House. The ministry's replies tend to be ministerial. It has to come out with something more effective.

We do not oppose the promulgation of laws such as the 2007 Joint Management of Property (Maintenance and Management) Act. But, the ministry must truly understand the various problems, some of which are due to human weaknesses including the lack of civic consciousness.

Besides strata titles, highrise flats face problems like water, electricity, lifts, rubbish and noise. For example, flat dwellers at Happy Court, Kepong Garden, Kepong Central and Metro Prima present endless complaints.

Local governments such as City Hall Kuala Lumpur have representatives in various agencies such as joint management agency. The monitoring of these agencies is essential. The part played by the ministry is important.

The new minister has to try harder to find solutions to the myriad problems. He may want to leave a mark.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw