View issues with Tan Seng Giaw

Friday, October 29, 2010

DPM should look at Malaysian broadband speed

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Central Government including the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to improve greatly the Malaysian broadband speed so that the Malaysian Communications and Multimrdia Commission is able to look at the Ultrabroadband Future.

The Broadband Action Brigade should act so that Malaysia will not be lagging so far behind in broadband speed. Korea is looking for wireless broadband.

It is important for Tan Sri Muhyiddin to access his computer in the House so that he will understand what is meant by broadband penetration and download speed. Since the House installs a computer for every member of parliament over a year ago, we are constantly struggling with the snail pace of the braoadband.

On 29.10.2010, Dr Tan issues a statement believing that the Deputy Prime Minister's perception on broadband penetration in the country as surpassing the 50% target set for the end of this year has not reflected the full picture.

Even though my statement may not be accepted by the traditional media, readers can see it in the Internet.
Muhyiddin said statistics up to the middle of this month showed that the initiatives and programmes launched under the National Broadband Initiative, which included expansion through the use of technologies on various platforms, had increased broadband penetration to 53.5%.
He said the increase was a vast improvement from the 22% penetration recorded in 2008, which meant that the country was well on its way towards achieving the target of 75% broadband penetration nationwide by 2015.
“On the Universal Service Provision programme under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Muhyiddin said RM800mil a year was used to buy laptop computers for needy students nationwide. There should be stringent supervision of this fund. to prevent irregularities.

South Korea's current broadband speed is 10 megabytes, increasing to 1 Gigabytes by 2012. Her download speed is 33.91 Mb/s, ranking as number one in the world compared with Malaysia's 1.94 Mb/s which is 104th in the world. Ghana is 44th, Rwanda 65th, The Phillipines 93rd and Uganda 95th. The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) is spending US24,6 billion to upgrade Korean IT infrastructure including wireless broadband.

We hope that by 2015, Malaysia's broadband penetration will reach 75% and very soon 100%. But, broadband penetration without the speed is unacceptable. Why is Malaysia lagging behind Uganda, The Phillipines, Rwanda and Ghana?

Every time I enter the House, I cannot help but think about the Malaysian broadband speed. Is it possible to have an Ultrabroadband Future?

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Friday, October 22, 2010

Truly improve technical and vocational education

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Federal Government must truly improve technical and vocational education, regardless of race or colour. Good technical and vocational education is one of the factors in the development of a country.

On 22.10.2010, Dr Tan continues to be concerned with the state of technical and vocational education in Malaysia.

In the June session of parliament, the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin answered my question on technical and vocational education, reassuring me that the Federal Government would like to have better techinical and vocational education in the country. It is clear that in the last ten years, there has been very slow progress in this field of education. About 10% of students enrol in this. In developed countries such as Finland and Germany, the figures are 60-70%.

In Malaysia, many youths join private companies as apprentices, learning to be skilled workers.

The Education Ministry aims to get 100% enrolment in technical and vocational scools. Its Technical and Vocational Education Department will be increasing the number of courses from 6 fields to 11 fields, such as having 5 more vocational secondary schools, introducing vocational courses in state secondary schools and turning a few secondary schools into vocational schools. The Ninth Malaysia Plan allocates RM86 million for technical and vocational courses.

2011 budget intensifies training and technical courses such as allocating RM470 million to raise productivity and skills of non-graduate youths and workers. We are looking at this closely. We hope the Government will be able to make the best of this allocation.

Normally, the Government sends people to study the state of technocal and vocational education in advanced countries. Is it applying some of the methods which are suitabe for this country?

I have told Tan Sri Muhyiddin that I shall follow up this matter.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, October 18, 2010

Accountability of GLCs

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that there should be better accountability and transparency of all government-linked companies (GLC) which like Sime Darby,Guthrie, Maybank and Mas attract much public attention.

On 18.10.2010 Dr Tan listens to the reply to an oral question on GLCs in the House by Deputy Finance Minister on the good performance of G20 which consists of 19 biggest GLCs.

GLCs play an important part in the economy of the country. The aggregates of G20 rising from RM9.6 billion in 2004 to RM RM19.3 in 2008 and RM17 billion in 2009 as well as seven GLCs achieving all 51 Key Performance Indices (KPIs) appear impressive. Malaysian Airline System (Mas) made a profit of RM490 million in 2009. The Chemical Company of Malaysia incurred a loss of RM5.8 million in 2009.

It is expected that whatever a GLC does arouses the interest of the people. For example, Sime Darby, which is a big multinational Corporation, was involved in certain transaction that has been of concern. Hitherto, we have not had a full report of the transaction.

The Employment Provident Fund and Khazanah National are said to be involved in the takeover of PLUS. If it is true, it would cost multibillion ringgits. What does it mean to the public?

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak heads a supervisory committee to oversee 31 GLCs. We hope it truly monitors the performance, the accountability and the transparency of these companies.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Control of e-mail and SMS?

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw stresses that all forms of supervision or control on e-mail, SMS, Blackberry and other services should not affect the good things that are offered by these services.

On 13.10.2010, Dr Tan comments on the reply in parliament by Information, Communications and Culture Minister YB Datuk Seri Rais Yatim concerning the control on e-mail, SMS and Blackberry Messenger.

The minister says that the Central Government has no intention of banning the services of e-mail, SMS, Blackberry Messenger and others. It uses Multimedia Communications Act, Sedition Act and Criminal Code to charge those who act against the laws. Under the laws, a guilty person can be fined up to RM50,000 or imprisoned up to a year or both.

Although Arab countries such as Dubai have taken action against Blackberry, it is only a temporary measure. They continue to allow the service.

According to Rais, there are 8 billion SMS's daily in Malaysia and billions more e-mails. It is not possible to control them.

What is powerful for good is also powerful for evil. This is a phenomenon of human earth.

It is clear that good things do come out of SMS, e-mail, Blackberry and other services. A small number of people misuse and abuse them, causing difficulties. If a government does not tell the truth, these services can provide the real pictures. Then, the government concerned may feel unhappy.

Rais talks about Research In Motion (RIM) which provides information on Blackberry. The Government doe not want to ban the service.

What is important is that all controls or supervisions should not affect the good things that come out of SMS, e-mail and Blackberry.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Integrity and coordination for NEPT?

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls for integrity and better coordination between the ministries in the implementation of the National Economic Transformation Programnme (NETP) and the whole New Economic Model.

On 12.10.2010, Dr Tan listened to the reply in parliament by a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department on the implementation of the New Economic Model by 2011.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak sets out the roadmap to NETP to increase the per capita income of Malaysians from US$7,000 to US$15,000, hoping to attract RM1.4 trillion investments by 2020, 90% of which from the private sector.

The above-stated reply sounds good with eight ministries leading the way, 585 invesment-friendly initiatives. Would these be enough to attract investors?

There are many factors that affect the investment atmosphere. These include consistent policies, integrity, coordination, human resources and efficiency.

In Asean, countries such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanma are attracting investors. Why would investors come to Malaysia when the atmosphere in these countries is more conducive for them including human resources?

Besides the need to improve integrity and bureaucracy, the poor coordination between the various ministries has been affecting investments in the country.

Although the Prime Minister's Department has gathered expert in many fields to draw up the New Economic Model, it has not told us the ways to deal with integrity, bureaucracy and coordination.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Talent Corporation & political, economic & social changes

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to ensure that the setting up of the Talent Corporation is accompanied by positive changes politically, economically and socially.

The changes should include the policy on media freedom. Although there may not be such thing as absolute freedom, Najib should at last show that Malaysia's main stream media are not virtually one- sided as they are today.

For example, my suggestion to Najib on attracting and retaining talents may not be taken up by any traditional media. His people would only get it in my website, blog or twitter.

On 5.10.2010, Dr Tan takes note of the Prime Minister's announcement on the formation of Talent Corporation from Brussels where he is attending the Asia-Europe Summit (Asem).

Yesterday, Najib said that he formed Talent Corporation under the Prime Minister's Department to identify shortages in key sectors, attract and retain the necessary skilled human capital, and provide an integrated skilled human capital blueprint. We would like to know the details and the practical aspects.

The PM says,"We are creating more exciting things to attract Malaysians and foreigners to come and play a part in our next level of growth. If we can create more opportunities, some of you might want to come back and those married to Belgians can bring (your) spouses with you; they will be allowed to work.

"Our policy is to be more open because a society tha is open will thrive in the 21st century. A society that is closed will not attract the best brains, you will attract mediocre people and the good ones would have left the country and we would be a lot poorer as a result."

These have been said by others. We wish Najib well in his implementation. Apparently, the Talent Corporation will start recruiting Malaysians and foreigners overseas. from January, 2011.

There are many factors that keep talented people in other countires, including salaries, working conditions, promotional criteria and prospect for the family. Needless to say, Malaysia's salaries are much lower than those in advanced countries such as Belgium, UK and USA. Some who have returned leave very soon because of factors such as the atmosphere and the mentality.

Lets talk on the mentality and the attitude of those in an established institution such as a university. Following Najib's call, a Malaysian expert may return from England to work in an established university. While he and she may be highly regarded overseas, he or she may find that unless he or she toes the line or sucks up to the boss, he or she may not get anywhere. The conditions are neither open nor free. Frustration may set in.

I shall follow up the progress of the Talent Corporation and the ways the Prime Minister deals with those who have returned to the country.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, October 04, 2010

Improve public transport

Improve public transport

(Part of the speech by Dr Tan Seng Giaw at the DAP FT Convention on 3.10.10)

The Government is constructing a RM570 million KL Tasek Selatan Terminal for buses, connecting with Light Rail Transit, Commuter trains and other modes of transport. It has promulgated Public Land Transport Commission Act and appointed Tan Sri Syed Hamid as the commissioner.

Now, only 10% of commuters use public transport to enter KL. The figure should be 60 or 70% or more to ease the congestion. But, public transport services are abysmal. For example, KTM Berhad has 22-24 old 3-coach trains while it needs at least 26. The order of 35 new 6-coach trains from China will take at least one year to arrive. Meanwhile, passengers wait for 30 to 90 minutes, the coaches are congested and the service is poor.

We continue to follow up the situation of the public transport which should be improved. Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Be cautious on economic growth

Be cautious on economic growth

(Part of the speech by Dr Tan Seng Giaw's speech at the DAP Ft Convention on 3.10.10)

Let Malaysians be cautious on reports of economic performance and growth in the country. We would like the Government to reflect the true situation.

Bank Negara predicts that 2010 economic growth is 4.5% to 5.5%. The Prime Minister and Finance Minister 1, Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak repeatedly says that economic growth in 2011 will be 6% or higher.

According to Najib, his Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) with 131 major projects, including the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) can help economic growth by 0.6 to 0.7%.

By 2020, ETP is projected to attract RM1.4 trillion investments, more than 80% of which will be from the private sector. In the same period, China hopes to get US$3.4 trillion investments for infrastructure.

Despite these forecasts, Malaysians should be cautious in their assessment. Now, Malaysia’s per capita incomes are US8,000 compared with US$ for Singapore. BY 2020, the Prime Minister intends to increase the per capita incomes from middle income to high income.

At peak time, Malaysia’s local and foreign investments were 37% GDP. Now, it is 10% GDP. How will ETP attract these investments?

We propose that the Government create conducive atmosphere for economic growth and investments by dealing with political, economic and social issues such as racial and religious harmony, projecting truly open and liberal economic policy.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Take comprehensive measures to prevent racial and religious conflicts

Part of the speech by DAP National Deputy Chairman, FT Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw at the DAP FT Ordinary Convention on 3.10.2010

The Federal Government must take more comprehensive and dynamic measures to prevent racial and religious conflicts, such as by taking truly fair and justifiable action against anyone who incites racial or religious resentment.

Since the March 8, 2009 general elections, we have witnessed a serious of racial religious issues. The general perception is that the Government is not seen to be truly fair.

In the use of the word Allah by non-Muslims in the Peninsula, the talk of substituting it with Yaweh adds to the unhappiness. The Government would have to show that it takes everything into consideration regarding this sensitive matter.

Statements by such organizations as Perkasa have given rise to various reactions. The Government seems to be unmoved.

Recently, media reports on one headmaster in Kedah and Johore respectively, spewing racial language. Similarly, a deputy director of Biro Tatanegara is reputed to have done a similar thing. The Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says that he has no power to deal with the alleged action of the two headmasters. Then, the Chief Secretary stresses that the Government does not compromise on such type of cases.

Let us have a full report of the investigation on the three cases as soon as possible. If there is evidence of an offence, the Government should let us know what punitive action it has taken.

On all sensitive racial and religious matters, the Government should not sit idly by.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Friday, October 01, 2010

FT Minister must explain why the current FT anthem must be replaced?

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Federal Territory Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik to explain clearly why he wants the present FT anthem to be replaced by a new one.

He should ask the FT people including 11 Members of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur, one in Labuan and one in Putrajaya about the FT anthem.

Anthem should be sung in public places. We hope as many people as possible learn it just as we are familiar with Negaraku, the tempo of which has ben upped.

Since YB Raja Nong Chik becomes the minister from March 8, 2008,his ministry has addded two more words, urban wellbeing, becoming Ministry of Federal Territory and Urban Wellbeing. If he intends to add urban wellbeing into the anthem, that can be done.

Anthem is serious. It is not a pop song. Mew pop song tops the chart. But, anthem does not usually top the chart.

If he finds that the tempo of the FT anthem is too slow to cater for the hiphop people, then experts can up the tempo.

Is it the song that does not suit the minister? Is it the tempo? Is it the lyric?

Please ask for the opinions of FT people including the MPs about the desire to drop or change the anthem.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Let Central Government announce the amount of taxes from gambling industry

DAP Deputy National Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges UMNO to ask the Central Government the total amount of taxes from the various activities of the gaming industry such as Genting Highlands and the Four Digit. How much does each state especially Pahang get annually. How does the Government use the multibillion ringgits?

On 1.10.2010, Dr Tan answered the questions of reporters about UMNO's allegation against the Penang State Government that the funds for senior citizens and the poor were from RM2 million contribution of the Penang Turf Club.

Gaming industry, whether legal or illegal, thrives in the whole world. There are various activities of the gaming industry in Malaysia. Now, the same applies to Singapore.

Penang Government has favourable balance of the budget of RM88.2 million and RM27.3 million in 2008 and 2009 respectively. It allocates RM20 million for the senior citizens (Program Penghargaan Warga Emas)and the hardcore poor (Program Rakan Anti-Miskin)in the 2010 budget. The UMNO allegation has no basis.

On the other hand, the Central Government collects taxes from various activities of the gaming industry. UMNO must question it on the total amount it has collected yearly, including the amount received by every state especially contributions from Genting Highlands to Pahang. Then, how does the Government manage the multibillion ringgits?

Dr Tan Seng Giaw