View issues with Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, April 19, 2010

More effective implementation of programmes for SMEs

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw repeats his call for more effective implementation of various programmes to development small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

On 19.4.2010, Dr Tan spoke in the House on SMEs as the International Trade and Industry Ministry asked for the approval of RM350 million on programmes for skill training and soft loans for SMEs as Supplementary Supply. The Deputy Minister YB Dato' Mukhriz replied, saying that the ministry did follow up the trainees.

SMEs play an important part in economy. Of the total number of registered companies in this country, 99.2% are SME companies. The 2005 Censor of Societies by the Statistics Department shows that there are 548,267 SMEs. But, they contribute only 31.4% to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in 2008. We need up-to-date statistics.

In 2009, the Central Government allocated RM2.68 billion to main programmes of SMEs.
We must ensure that all allocations are used correctly.

There are always gaps such as rich and poor in human society. It is imperative that we try to narrow the gaps irrespective of race and region. This is applicable to SMEs. But, there must be effective implementation and follow-up.

Although Mukhriz says that his ministry has spent RM226.6 million on Cluster Scheme Human Resource Skill Training, mentioning 665 trainees with the percentages for those who go for further studies and those we get into the job market or starting on their own, we must have long-term follow-ups.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

How does the Cabinet rate the inter-faith panel?

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Cabinet to explain how does it truly rate the inter-faith panel. What is the true meaning of this panel?

Religious followers are very sensitive to things such as this. Is it possible for Tan Sri Muhyiddin not to use such term as "small fry" to describe the panel if he really thinks that it is important? Now, he has said it, how does he propose to make the panel meaningful?

On 13.4.2010, Dr Tan wonders whether the Deputy Prime Minister slips his tongue deliberately or unconsciously out of habit.

Recently, Muhyiddin slips his tongue deliberately, saying that he is Malay first and Malaysian second whereas Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1 Malaysia proffers Malaysian first. Najib says his deputy is right.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz defended Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s "Malay first" racial call" quoting the Federal Constitution.

Today, Nazri condones Muhyiddin's “small fry” remark when describing the cabinet’s inter-faith panel, saying that the deputy prime minister was protecting it from religious groups rather than reducing its role.

“I think we should look at DPM’s reply in the context of the objection from the Mufti of Perak because Mufti of Perak objected. What the DPM is trying to say is that don’t make it into a big deal. That is all,” Nazri told The Malaysian Insider last night.

The Perak Fatwa Committee led by state mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria yesterday objected to the committee. He insisted that other religions could not be placed on equal footing with Islam which had a higher position by Allah's side.

The panel will be headed by former Kota Bharu MP Datuk Ilani Isahak, comprising religious leaders. Apparently, the panel will discuss various issues and provide advice to the Cabinet via Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.

Whether or not the cabinet can repeal the formation of the panel, it must be credible to function meaningfully. Muhyiddin would have to come out with something more acceptable. Perkasa and Perak Mufti are on one side, MCCBCHST (Malaysian Consultative Council on Budhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism) is on the other. Attempting to deal with religious issues is like walking on a tight rope.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, April 12, 2010

Lets have full report of Work From Home Programme

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the Central Government to publish the report of the experimental Work From Home Programme involving 39 staff members at the Ministry of Works.

There are many ways to work from home as practised by some countries and corporations. What are the best ways in the Malaysian environment?

On 12.4.2010, Dr Tan asked a supplementary question in the House on the Work From Home Programme. Dungun MP YB Matulidi Jusoh posed a question on the outcome of the programme to the Minister YB Tampin, Shaziman Abu Mansor. The idea was mooted by the Prime Minister YAB Najib.

Shaziman says that Work From Home Programme began from 1.1.2010 to 31.3.2010, involving 39 personnel at the Works Ministry. Among them, the productivity went up from 30% to 85% or even 90% in certain fields. There was a close supervision. Apparently, two or three participants felt bored; a wife did not want her husband to work from home.

As Shaziman is gathering the feedback from the programme, we hope that he would make it public as soon as possible. There are over 1.2 million civil servants in the country. When can the Government introduce the Programme suitable for Malaysia?

One advantage from this programme is the saving of working space. If each person has 5 square metres of working space and each square metre costs RM40, the rental per person is RM200 a month. For 39 persons, the saving is RM7,800.

There are ways and means of monitoring personnel who work from home. We require those that are practicable in the Malaysian milieu.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Sunday, April 11, 2010

More mobile police stations, patrols & efficiency for security

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Home Ministry must have more mobile stations, patrols and efficiency in high crime areas such as Jinjang and Kepong. We need to improve security.

On 11.4.2010, Dr Tan visited Jinjang North, commenting further on the need to enhance the police in addition to pay rises.

Recently, the police have increased patrols in some areas such as Metro Prima in Kepong. This is good. Other areas in the country like Jinjang also require more patrols, especially in Jinjang North where there is a police station--a beautiful one after the rebuliding.We must not allow criminals to have the audacity to commit crimes in front of the police station.

According to Home MInister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin, the national crime index has dropped, such as 20% at the beginning of 2010. Apparently, in the past three years, crime index has gone down 5% every year. We do not know the true meaning of the index. We only hope that there is security for the people.

Last week, I asked about the crime situation of the country in the House, including Jinjang,Kepong,Kuala Lumpur, The Home Office explained that it had put a mobile station and increased patrols in Metro Prima, Kepong, reducing crimes.

More should be done to make it safe for the citizens anywhere in the country. We still have a long way. We need more efficient police personnel, more mobile stations and more patrols.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, April 05, 2010

Ensure that RM1.24 b scholarships award is based on merit

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Central Government should ensure that the RM1.24 billion scholarships are offered strictly on merits.

The Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should be certain that all criteria used for scholarship awards are fair and that the committee should comprise members who are truly just.

On 6.4.2010, Dr Tan follows the statement by Tan Sri Muhyiddin who said in Paris that scholarships would be awarded to the best students.

The Deputy Prime Minister is reported to have said: "The government, through the Public Service Department (PSD), will offer 1,500 scholarships to top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students under the overseas undergraduate scholarship programme, with sponsorship totalling RM1.24 billion."

For years, the impression among Malaysians is that scholarships are not based on students' ability or performance, but on race and on who their parents know. Judging from Muhyiddin's explanation, it seems that he is going to change this type of impression. We hope he does.

Undoubtedly, the best brains with the best qualifications are able to help the country to achieve greater heights. Hence, we see countries such as Singapore offering scholarships and facilities to bright students within and outside the country. Singapore may offer scholarship to a bright student from Malaysia without conditions. At the age of 18 to 20, he or she goes to, say, Singapore University. After graduation he or she is likely to work in the country, meeting up with a life partner, whether Malaysian or Singaporean. Usually, the couple settles in the country.

As a Johorean, Muhyiddin is very familiar with this type of things. He sees 340,000 Malaysians going to work in Singapore.

The criteria on the award of the scholarships should be fair. There will be thousands who apply for 1,500 scholarships. The awards should be seen to be just.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

RM4.5 m for delapidated columns & field.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw requests the City Hall Kuala Lumpur to explain why after spending RM4.5 million to build International Radio Circuit for remote controlled cars project, only a few columns on a wild grass field are left. Why has the project failed?

On 4.4.2010, Dr Tan and residents visited the project site at the 120-acre Kepong Metropolitan Park. A field at the park is popular with kite enthusiasts.

At the beginning of 2007, the City Hall started to implement the project, appointing K Wisdom as the main contractor. It seems that the subcontractor could not get money from the main contractor. The project stalled, leaving a few columns and fencing enclosing the project site. By the beginning of 2009, the fence broke down,wild shrubs grew with insects such as Aedes mosquitoes from discarded containers.

Why was a subcontractor needed for such a project? Another rent-seeking and patronage arrangement?

Now, the authority has removed the fence and cut down some wild shrubs, leaving the dilapilated columns and grass field at the project site.

On 21.8.2007, we visited the site, asking the City Hall why the project stalled. On 1.4.2008, we revisited the site, noticing no action taken. On 19.4.2009, we again went to the place, reminding the Datuk Bandar two days later of the failed project. On 4.12.2009, the subject was again raised in a dialogue with the Datuk Bandar who answered on 15.4.2001 that the City Hall had spent RM4.5 million on the project.

A new contractor is supposed to be appointed in March, 2010, and the work is to be completed in four months. During our visit to the site on 4.4.2010, works has not begun. If and when the project is revived, will it need another RM5 million?

City folks would like to know the whole truth about the delay of the project for nearly three years. It should have been completed within four months.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Child Offenders' List

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw proposes that the Central Government register child offenders in the Offenders' List. These offenders must be prevented from getting in contact with children and babies, including their own.

On 4.4.2010, Dr Tan makes the proposal as cases of ld abuse and murder and abandoning of babies are getting more serious.

According to Welfare Department, from 2000 to 2009, there were 15,968 cases of child abuse. In the same period, police recorded 815 cases of abandoned babies, 382 still alive and 433 dead.
How many unreported cases are there?

Children and babies do not have votes. Polical workers do not pay special attention to this social problem. On humanitarian ground, all people should pay much attention to child abuse and murder and abandoning of babies.

Last week, we propose setting up Child Protection Task Force at various levels in the whole country--police stations, welfare departments and hospitals. All members must be screened and trained to deal with such cases.

During investigation of cases of child abuse and abandoned babies, it is difficult to find evidence and witnesses. Once a person is convicted in court, he or she should go on the Child Offenders' List. Offenders should not be allowed to get near children and babies, even their own.

Now, all hospitals, police stations and welfare departments must raise their awareness of child abuse and killing and abandoning of babies, finding solutions that are suitable for the Malaysian environement. This requires human and financial resources.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw