Deal with cases of electricity theft fairly

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that Tenaga Nasional Berhad, TNB, must be fair in handling suspected cases of tampering with electric meters, especially when it is using sophisticated methods and devices to detect elctricity theft.

On 30.11.2011, Dr Tan asked Energy Minister Datuk Peter Chin supplementary question on the tampering of electricity meters di Parliament.

Malaysia has millions of electricity consumers, such as seven millions in Peninsula. According to the Minister, in 2011, there are 9,450 consumers suspected of tampering with meters. In the last few years, 27 cases of electricity theft have gone to court; 23 cases settled out of court. TNB loses some. For example, in one case, it had to compensate a consumer RM1.2 million.

TNB uses sophisticated methods and machines to detect electricity theft, including public complaints, analyses and regular checks. In 2011, it has changed 1,183,701 old meters into new ones. TNB staff members involved in this type of illegal activities are: 2007-2008 2, 2008-2009 4, 2009-2010 1 and 2010-1011 2. The real figures are unknown.

For over 10 years, TNB has collected hundreds of millions of ringgits from suspected consumers. It continues to pursue the matter.

As the company is using sophisticated methods to detect tampering of meters, we hope that it is fair in dealing with consumers who are suspected of meter tampering.

Tan Seng Giaw

Subsidies amounting to RM33bil must reach the targets

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw presses the Central Government to ensure that all subsidies reach the targets, but not exploited by others such as the middle men.

On 17.11.2011, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Lim Siang Chai told the House that the total amount of subsidies was RM33 billion for 2012. The targets included paddy farmers and fishermen.

Replying to Dr Tan's supplementary question, YB Lim says that the total amount of RM33 billion subsidies includes petroleum (RM17 billion), paddy and rice, electricity for the poor, farmers and fishermen. The allowance of RM1,000 to each family with monthly income of less than RM3,000 is only one off.

Naturally, giving subsidy is easy, but withdrawing it is very difficult. It is correct to help persons who truly deserve it such as the genuinely poor. Those who are able are encouraged to be self-reliant.Problems appear when those who manage these subsidies are inefficient,deviating from the targets.

For example, syndicates abuse petroleum subsidy. There are tourists who make the best of it as there are weaknesses in the management.

We must ensure that the offering and the receiving of subsidies of RM33 billion fit into the targets. We prevent wastage and irregularities.

Tan Seng Giaw

Review the ways poor patients receive help

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Health Ministry to reviews ways which are used to help patients who cannot afford the treatment in public clinics and hospitals.

Make it easier for truly deserving patients to have access to Tabung Bantuan Perubatan (Medical Aid Fund).

On 16.11.2011, Dr Tan spoke at the committee stage in Parliament on the budgetary allocation of RM18.9 billion for the Health Ministry.

Poor patients in the world cannot afford medical treatment. This is particularly true for patients with chronic ailments such as heart disease.

To get medical treatment in public and private clinics and hospitals, patients often have to borrow, amounting to perhaps thousands of ringgits. Some who can afford it refuse to pay. Many are genuinely poor.

The minister talks of various ways for deserving patients to get reduction in payment, such as paying only RM500. There is Tabung Bantuan Perubatan (Medical Aid Fund).

We hope the ministry reviews the various ways to help deserving patients.

Tan Seng Giaw

Use indelible ink in General Elections

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that the Malaysian Election Commission use indelible ink to prevent irregularities such as phantom voters in general elections (GE).

On 16.11.2011, Dr Tan comments on the oral statement by the Attorney-General (AG) that the introduction of indelible ink in GE does not involve constitutional amendment, only amendment to Procedure.

General elections should be truly fair. After 54 years of Merdeka, the Central Government sets up a Parliamentary Select Committee to make recommendations to improve GE, ensuring its fairness.

One way of preventing irregularities such as phantom voters is to use indelible ink. In the 12th GE, the Election Commission did buy indelible ink;it was not used.

As there is no need to amend the Federal Constitution, the Government should amend the Procedure so that indelible ink will be used in the coming GE. Further, recommendations of the Select Committee should reflect the views of the people. The EC should then incorporate and enforce them as much as possible in GE, consistent with the wishes of Malaysians.

Tan Seng Giaw

World Diabetes Day

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Central Government to take effective steps including more campaigns, discussions and education on diabetes and obesity in Malaysia.

All must pay attention to the intake of foods such as carbohydrates like sugar and rice as well as oils.

On 14.11.2011, Dr Tan asked a supplementary question in the House on alternative sugars that are claimed to contain harmful chemicals on health.

The Deputy Health Minister YB Rosnah says that 18 kinds of natural and artificial sugars in Malaysia are safe to take. Action is taken against the sale of illegal alternative sugars such as 74 and 62 samples tested positive in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

She reminds the House that today is World Diabetes Day. Malaysia has about three million diabetics. Many take excess sugar: each eating more than seven teaspoonfuls , that is, over 50 gm daily. Obesity in this country is top in ASEAN and sixth in Asia-Pacific.

We must pay more attention to diabetes and obesity in Malaysia. Besides the activities of the Health Ministry, all must be concerned. Continuous education is important. Although exercise is vital in keeping fit and healthy, it is the amount and types of food eaten that affect a person's weight. The control of intake of carbohydrates such as rice and sugar as well as oil is necessary.

Tan Seng Giaw

Greater efforts to prevent cyber crimes such as hackings.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to step up its efforts to prevent cyber crimes such as hackings.

On 10.11.2011, Dr Tan asked additional question in Parliament on Global Cyber Security Association (GCSA) which involves many organizations, public and private, internationally.

The cyber world develops very rapidly and its crimes increase proportionately, threatening the security in many fields including banking. What is powerful for good is also powerful for evil.

In 2009, the loss due to cyber crimes in Malaysia was estimated as RM13 million and in 2010 RM22 million. In the next five years, it is projected as RM2.73 billion.

Among the activities of GCSA are international platform, cooperation between private and public sectors and professionals dealing with increasing cyber threats.

Hackers can operate from within and outside the country. Malaysian hackers do not lag behind as shown in the conviction and imprisonment for 10 years of a Malaysian in America recently. The convicted person hacked into banking facilities.

Keeping up with new technology and cyber criminal activities is difficult. Besides cooperating internationally, all concerned especially the ministry have to step up the efforts to prevent and to track them.

Tan Seng Giaw

The Treasury must improve its performance

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Finance Ministry to improve its performance and effectiveness including economic analysis.

Finance Minister must review all aspects of his ministry to ensure rapid economic growth, compared with the part played by Bank Negara.

On 2.11.2011, Dr Tan took part in the debate at committee stage in Parliament on the allocation of RM34.7 billion for the Finance Ministry in 2012.

The Finance Ministers and their deputies reply to questions on economy and finance in Parliament. But, the ministry shows its weaknesses in some aspects including economic analysis.

Meanwhile, the ministry is trying to make its electronic acquisition world-standard with the allocations of RM5 million and 5.5 million for electronic administration and information technology management respectively. It is correct to create world-class and sophisticated technology. We would like to know the world-class company that has been appointed.

The Treasury must improve its performance on all aspects such as economic analysis. For example, Eurozone crisis with rescue package for Greece affects world economy. China's assistance has been reported. Japan intervenes on Yen with threat to sell more of it. The US firm of MF Global with asset of US$41 billion has filed for bankruptcy. Although it is not as big as Lehman Brothers that failed, it still has deleterious effects. The implications of floods in Thailand are expected. Her manufacturing sector is badly affected. In 2010, Thailand had foreign direct investment of US$5.8 billion and Indonesia US$13.3 billion which was bigger than that in Malaysia.

Tan Seng Giaw