View issues with Tan Seng Giaw

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Make it easy for foreign or returned experts to start work in Malaysia

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Prime Minister YAB Datuk Seri Najib to ensure that specialists such as good scientists would not take a long time to get work permit such as six months.

Specialists and skilled workers of various fields move from one country to another. What is important is that there are more of them remaining and coming to Malaysia.

On 22.6.2011, Dr Tan asked a supplementary question as YAB Najib talked on Global Science & Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC).

Having good scientists including those from the United States creating innovations such as for developing smart cities and smart villages in this country is a step in the right direction. If GSIAC projects are successfully implemented, the people can benefit from them.

There are weaknesses such as bureaucracy that must be overcome. If a good scientist or a skilled personnel applies for a work permit or returns from overseas,the duration to get all applications and formalities sorted out must be reasonable. Taking more than six months is unacceptable. An advanced country expedites these applications.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Friday, June 10, 2011

Need better IT facilities fo 1MPB

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry to get its act together including having better IT facilities for 1 Malaysia Pengguna Bijak or 1MPB portal so that millions of consumers can access it.

On 10.6.2011, Dr Tan follows the teething problems of 1MPB, hoping that the ministry improves its price watch portal.

A price watch portal such as 1MPB is a way of letting consumers check prices of goods. Since the ministry operates the portal on goods sold at 1,255 outlets in the country, there have been 3.5 million hits, paralyzing the system. Apparently, it only expected 300,000 hits. It would have to realize that there are 2.7 million Malaysians. There should be no abuse of the system.

The Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says that his ministry will improve the www.1pengguna .com portal. Consumers expect him to be true to his words. He also wishes that the recent increase in electricy tariff does not affect the prices of goods. He has to improve his enforcement, showing that he is tough but reasonable.

The hike in electricity tariff puts pressure on inflation. His words on the cut of super-subsidy may not help unless he shows that he is fair.

As millions access 1 MPB portal, the ministry has to pull its socks up and ensure that it has the technology and the facilities to serve the people.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Need effective enforcement against inflation

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that effective enforcement is important in controlling inflation.

On 8.6.2011, Dr Tan notes that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs has set up 1 Malaysia Pengguna Bijak (1MPB) portal for consumers to compare prices of goods in 1,255 outlets in Malaysia.

The recent increase in electricity tariff by 12.17% puts pressure on inflation in the country. Despite the Government saying that the prices of goods will not increase,the people are cautious. They are aware that inflation is due to many factors.

If consumers can look at the above-mentioned portal and compare the prices of goods, it may help. On the other hand,the Government has to be seen to be fair and to be able to enforce various measures effectively.

To have effective enforcement, we require a clean and trustworthy government. The people have an important part to play to bring about good governance.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Criteria for scholarships must be seen to be fair

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the new criteria for the awards of sholarships to be formulated and implemented by the Public Service Department(PSD) must be fair and seen to be so.

It is necessary to enforce the policy of merits and needs.

On 2.6.2011, Dr Tan comments on the announcement of the Cabinet decision to review the PSD scholarship scheme by YB Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri.

The awards of scholarships give rise to various reactions, some good and some bad. Those students with excellent results in Malaysian Certificate of Education Examination (SPM) expect to get scholarships. Yesterday, the Cabinet said it would sponsor 86 such students in local universities.

Next year, the Malaysian Cabinet will review the JPA scholarship awards. It will make public the findings and the decision. It seems that only those students who are accepted by famous univeisities will be given overseas scholarships and those with good SPM results will no longer be considered.

What is important is that the Government must ensure that the standards for conferring scholarships must be fair and seen to be so.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw