View issues with Tan Seng Giaw

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Increase efforts such as Child Protection Task Force to fight child abuse.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Central Government and all State Governments to increase the efforts such as having Child Protection Task Force and Educational Programmes to deal with the crisis of abusing, killing and abandoning of children and babies.

On 29 March, 2010, the House put my question on the abuse of babies at number 60 out of 73. This shows that Women, Family and Societal Development Ministry has its own priority. Next time, we hope that the ministry will request that this type of question is scheduled as number one.

According to the Welfare Department, between 2000 until 2009, the number of child abuse cases was 15,968. In the same period, the Royal Malaysian Police recorded 815 cases of abandoned babies, 382 was still alive and 433 dead.

Last week, it was reported that a dead baby was found abandoned in Petaling Jaya Selatan; it was held in a dog's mouth.

Our society must find effective ways to deal with such a crisis including the awareness of its causes. The Welfare Department quotes several factors resulting in child abuses such as pressure at work, the behaviour of children and babies, financial problems, family crisis and the lack of religious education.

The factors that lead to the killing and abandoning of babies include pregnancy out of wedlock, lack of family support and lack of education on human values.

Besides National Children Policy and Child Protection Policy, effective measures such as forming Child Protection Task Force and promoting education on human values must be stepped up.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Review programmes to attract Malaysian experts to return to the country.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Central Government should review programmes to attract Malaysian experts to return to the country as part of the inclusiveness that is much emphasized in the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib's speech on 30.3.2010.

Dr Tan tries to absorb the meanings of the various aspects of the Prime Minister's speech in launching the New Economic Model (NEM) today.

In his speech, Najib spoke eloquently on the use of National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC) report as a roadmap to a new Malaysia, saying:

"There is a need to change rent-seeking and patronage system that has wracked our old system and the NEM must overcome this.

"NEM will focus on inclusiveness where all Malaysians of all races will contribute."

Since the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1970, we have repeatedly called for doing away with rent-seeking and patronage system. After 40 years, Najib promises that NEM must overcome it. We shall follow this up.

As NEM aims to take Malaysia to high income country with per capita income of US$15,000, from the current US$7,000 in 10 years. One of the steps is to attract as many experts to live and work in Malaysia, especially Malaysians who are working overseas. We do not know the actual number of Malaysians especially experts who work in other countries.

According to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister's Department, there are 314,000 Malaysians working in Singapore. The Government would have to ascertain the details on Malaysian diaspora.

There are two programmes to invite Malaysians from overseas. Brain Gain Malaysia Programme is under Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and Returning Expert Programme is sponsored by Human Resource Ministry. By 18 March, 2010, 622 Malaysians have returned. This is negligible.

Besides fluency in announcing NEM, Najib must look at the various programmes to attract Malaysian experts. For example, one of the hindrances is the delay in processing applications from potential returnees. Even if an applicant knows the rope, he or she may have to wait more than six months. 

An eligible applicant who applies to other countries such as Australia or Singapore, may require much shorter time to get an answer to his or her application. He or she would get higher salary and allowances, permanent resident status with a view to citizenship and facilities.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, March 29, 2010

Permata (precious stones) nurseries must be for all races

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Federal Government to ensure that the Permata (Precious Stones) programmes of nurseries and kindergartens are for all races. They must be value for money.

It is a good thing to provide nurseries and kindergartens for the children of poor people, whether rural or urban, so that they can be exposed to education and other activities before going to school.

Dr Tan follows the progress of various Permata programmes such as Permata Seni, Permata Pintar, Permata Insan and Perkasa Remaja (for youths at risk, 15 to 25 years old). The wife of the Prime Minister has been seen with these programmes.

In 2007, under the 9th Malaysia Plan RM 20 million were allocated for 14 Permata child centres. From the Economic Stimulation Package I, Permata got RMRM130 million, then RM100 million from the 2010 budget. Hitherto, the total sum is RM270 million.

The operational cost per child is RM 270 per month. How is it compared with the cost per child at private nurseries?

The Promata prgrammes are under Women, Family and Societal Development Ministry and Education Ministry. Apparently, it is agreed that these are put under the Education Ministry.

The nursery programme is based on Pen Green Centre, Corby, United Kingdom. It's curriculum stresses learning through play. This is to develop a child's mind through exploration, experimentation and experience.

Wishing these programmes every success, we stress on the need to ensure that they are open to children of all races and that they are value for money. There are many private nurseries and kindergartens. Ho do they campare with Permata?

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Need more efforts to eradicate urban poverty

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Government to put in greater efforts in the eradication of urban poverty including the definition of poverty line. We need better data.

On 25.3.2010, Dr Tan feels that the answer in the House by Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Senator Dato' Raja Nong Chik on urban poverty is unsatisfactory. Kuantan MP Puan Hajah Fuziah raises the question on the implementation and the success of Urban Poverty Eradication Programmes.

The minister says that urban poverty has been reduced from 0.4% in 2004 to 0.3% in 2007. He does not give figures on 2008 and 2009. He stresses the success of the Urban Poverty Eradication Programmes.

There must be continuous efforts to eradicate poverty whether urban or rural. In the tlast few years, the Government has admitted to the existence of urban poverty, saying that the rate was 0.4% in 2004. We need to know the Gini coefficient and the poverty line that is used.

We realize that a family of five with a monthly income of RM1,500 has difficulty in surviving in Kuala Lumpur or Petaling Jaya. Both husband and wife have to do more than one jobs to supplement the incomes.

While Raja Nong Chik takes pleasure in painting such a glorious image of Malaysia on urban poverty compared with The Philippines, we would like him to let us know how KL fares compared with Singapore.

Let us have up-to-date data on urban and rural poverty in the country. We require a more realistic account on the number and the performance of urban poverty eradication programmes.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Friday, March 19, 2010

The police must be transparent in focusing on Police Bantuan

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the Home Ministry to be more vigilant and transparent in focussing on Polis Bantuan and Sukarelawan Simpanan Polis.

On 18.3.2010, Dr Tan shows his continued concern with the creation of multiple policing systems in the country, especially in the fight against crimes. On 18.3.2010, the Home Ministry answered Dr Tan's question on two systems of policing in the country.

All countries require police. There must be continued attempts to increase the trust and confidence of the people towards the police. A major concern is to combat crimes. For example, in January, 2010, there were 16,116 cases in Malaysia.

While we are looking at the enhancement of the police with the increase pay and the personnel increasing to 92,000, we are seeing the increasing number of private security firms, gated and guarded communities. This gives the impression that the police cannot cope, resulting in two or even three systems of policing in the country.

Besides the regular force, the police appears to be focussing on Polis Bantuan and Sukarelawan Simpanan Polis. For instance, until January, 2010, 89 Polis Bantuan agencies have been formed. One security company such as IBEX Security Sdn Bhd has been given the power of Polis Bantuan to operate at the Custom, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Johor Baru.

There are many questions unanswered. These include the period and type of training for personnel under Polis Bantuan. It is obvious that all the security companies involved with gated and guarded communities do not even have the power of Polis Bantuan which has yet to be defined for the benefit of the public.

The police need to show transparency and accountability in dealing with the two or three systems of policing in the country. We require a world-class police force.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The Health Service needs better and fairer deal

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Malaysian health service requires not only a truly better deal but also a fairer deal, based on merits.

What the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has to bear in mind is the need for comprehensive review of the health service, in particular as the population starts to age.

On 10.3,2010, Dr Tan comments on the announcement of Najib on a better deal for Malaysian health service and teaching staff members. Apparently, this exercise will cost the Government RM200 million more every year.

The Prime Minister announced on 9 March, 2010 a range of initiatives that the Government has started to increase salary and expedite promotions of doctors, dentists, pharmacists and top teaching staff in the public sector.

Datuk Seri Najib believes that the career advancement plan for public health care experts would enable this group to be promoted to Grade 54 (a higher grade) within a shorter period of time.

It is always a good thing to give a better deal for health professionals and teaching staff members. But, we have to look at the details of the proposals and the ways these can be implemented. It should not be piecemeal.

There are many shortcomings in the health service including working conditions. What we really need is a comprehensive review of the service, so that all these can be identified and rectifed subsequently.

Now, a good consultant tends to lose his or her way in the health service, being uncertain of the deal he or she is getting. This also applies to teaching personnel in universities. Najib's initiatives may be an attempt to plug this hole. We hope he succeeds.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Implement projects in KL

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw presses City Hall Kuala Lumpur (KLCH) to implement its projects in KL such as the multistoreyed interchanges in Jinjang and at Enterpreneurs' Park and Metro Prima, 7th Mile Kepong, as well as the widening of Jalan Kepong Baru. This will relieve traffic jams.

In 2007/2008, KLCH announced several projects, including the above-mentioned in Kepong. Because the economy was not good, these projects have been shelved.

Now, the Government has announced the economic growth of 4.5% in the fourth quarter of 2009 and probably 6% this year. Some do not agree, saying that the economy is not bright.

At the end of last year, the House approved two stimulus packages, amounting to RM7.3 billion. Although the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib has said that projects under this stimulus are successfully carried out, there are suspicions that contractors to these projects are not fairly appointed and that there has not been fair open tender. We hope that these projects are done properly.

As the number of people, houses and cars increases, there is traffic congestion. Since Najib prattles about the economic growth of 6% this year, we urge KLCH to implement the abovesaid projects soon, so as to ease traffic jams.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Friday, March 05, 2010

The police must be truly professional in all aspects

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the police must be truly professional in all aspects, trying its utmost to prove to the people that it is not biased either to politicians or anybody else.

On 5.3.2010, Dr Tan responds to the statement by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hasan, who, yesterday said that the police had never conspired with any political party, including the Barisan Nasional (BN), in handling cases.

Tan Sri Musa says: "We have never conspired with anyone and all investigations are done in an apolitical manner."


He said this when asked to comment on a statement by Parti Keadilan Rakyat's vice-president Azmin Ali that the BN had conspired with the police and the Election Commission (EC) in detaining the party's leaders.

The 98,000 police personnel are performing their duties to ensure the security in Malaysia. We hope that. after the recent pay rise, the efficiency, the transparency and the accountability go up.

The police must be paid adequately. Then, they must be genuinely professional, avoiding unbecoming behaviour such as stopping motorists and taking away their identity cards unnecessarily.

There are many aspects of policing. The perception of the public on security is important. The incidence of snatch theiving, robbery, break-in, cheating, kidnapping and murder is perceived as rising. The increase in gated and guarded communities and security companies is seen as a weakness of the police. The mushrooming of sleezy joints and human trafficking is regarded as involvment of immigration departemnt, police and local authorities.

The IGP has stressed that the police are not biased. I hope that he shows clearly that police action, in particular on politicians, is seen to be evidently professional. He must try to dispel the scepticism.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw