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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Malaysians must unite to celebrate Merdeka

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on all Malaysians to set aside racial and religious differences. Let us unite to celebrate National Day.

Just as other countries, Malaysia faces myriad problems such as economic, racial,religious and regional issues. For example, religious issues come up, causing tension. What is the attitude of the Government? Can all concerned reduce publicizing religious issues in the media?

Lets unite to celebrate the 54th Merdeka Day.

Tan Seng Giaw

Monday, August 29, 2011

Greetings.Happy Hari Raya

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw sends greetings to all. Happy Hari Raya.

Lets hope that everyone is safe on the roads and at homes in kampungs, towns and cities.

Tan Seng Giaw

Saturday, August 20, 2011

What is the purpose of parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms?

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib to explain why the Cabinet has proposed the formation of a Select Committee to discuss electoral reforms in the coming October 2011 parliamentary session especially if it intends to hold the next general election any time..

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri has been saying that the Select Committee will come out with electoral reforms to ensure a fair and clean general election and that it's recommendations will be implemented in the next general election.

On 19.8.2011, Dr Tan comments on the statement by Najib that the next general election is not bound by the work of the parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms.

Malaysians wonder what the Prime Minister means when he says that the Government would strive to implement recommendations made by the committee before the elections. Once the committee is approved by parliament in the coming October sitting, it will take time, perhaps six months or longer for it to be able to give recommendations and the election laws to be amended and enforced. If Najib declares an earlier election, how would he implement the committee's recommendations?

His minister Nazri talks of amending electoral laws before the next general elections. He is now saying that these are not bound by the work of the committee.

Malaysians are left wondering what the Prime Minister wants to do with the select committee. Is he truly sincere? Does he mean business?

Now, the Election Commission is prepared to see Bersih that has been demanding for electoral reforms in the last few years. The Government has taken action against the organization. Why does Najib have a parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms when it intends to hold the next general election any time?

Tan Seng Giaw

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Need sincerity to form select committee on electoral process

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw stresses the need for the show of sincerity in the formation of a parliamentary select committee to discuss electoral reform in Malaysia.

There must be meaningful terms of reference, practical time limit and fair representations in the committee.

On 18.8.2011, Dr Tan comments on the Cabinet decision to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee to study the electoral process.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz says the Cabinet agrees to have the motion on the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee to be tabled at the parliamentary meeting in October, 2011.

Apparently, the committee consists of nine parliamentarians, five from Barisan Nasional, three from the Opposition and an independent. This ensures that BN's decision carries the day. Thus, the representation in the committee has already given rise to controversy.

Nazri talks about a fair and just general election, including promulgationg new laws. But, he must consider seriously the need for sincerity in the formation of such a select committee. To make sure that the Government is serious, electoral reform must take place before the next general election.

Let us have meaningful terms of reference on the setting up of the committee, the practical time limit, the scope of inquiry and the promulgation of laws on general election.

Tan Seng Giaw

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Find solution for the high infant mortality in Terenggannu

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw insists that there is an urgent need to find out the reasons for the high infant mortality (IMR) in Terengganu, then Malacca, Kelantan and Perlis compared with other states in Malaysia.

Having found the reasons such as poverty, we should then implement an effective solution to the problem.

On 10.8.2011, Dr Tan notices the findings of the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) on infant mortality in Malaysia.

The Director-General of LPPKN Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman says that Terengganu has recorded the highest infant mortality rate in Malaysia with an average of 9.2 fatalities for every 1,000 newborns. Malacca is 8.4, while Kelantan and Perlis are 8.1. The national average is 6.2.

Why should states such as Terengganu have such high IMR? With revenues also from petroleum for many decades, the state income is relatively big. Why should there be severe poverty in the state?

We need detailed study of those states with high IMR so that we know the true causes. Then credible solution can be found.

Tan Seng Giaw

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Effective monitoring of Malaysian environment

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Minister of Natural Resources an Environment YB Datuk Douglas Unggah to improve the monitoring, the coordination and the enforcement of the laws on environment in the country.

On 4.8.2011, Dr Tan comments on the statement by the Sabah State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun that there were enough guidelines for the authorities to make a difficult, but right decision.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib and his Minister Datuk Unggah have made much publicity out of the Klang River project. We wish they go all out to monitor, coordinate and enforce the laws on environment so that there is true priority to nature. We need development. But, it does not mean the destruction of nature.

Datuk Manun has been told of the clearing of nearly 4 hectares of mangrove forest and the reclamation of the wetland in Mengkabong. There are many other destructive activities. Just look at Mount Kinabalu and Sipadan. How effective is the enforcement of environmental laws? What happens to solid waste in Mt Kinabalu? How much is left of the coral reefs in Sipadan?

Let the minister show us the environmental preservation in these sites? What happen to others such as Kenyir, Bakun and the national forests?

Looking at all the dead rivers in Malaysia such as the Klang River and those in Penang and Johor, we wonder how the Prime Minister and his Minister are going to explain to us. It is true that all must cooperate. Civic consciousness must be cultivated. But, the Government must lead by example.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Improve the efficiency of biometric registration of foreign workers.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw presses the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin to improve the overall efficiency of biometric registration of foreign workers.

He should eradicate irregularities and reduce the inconveniences of all concerned.

On 2.8.2011, Dr Tan looks at the inconveniences suffered by people at the various immigration departments during the biometric registration under the amnesty programme.

In the last decades, millions of legal and illegal foreign workers have been earning their living in Malaysia. There are pros and cons. If we estimate the number of foreign workers as 5 million, their impact on the 28 million Malaysian population is huge.

Foreign workers constitute a developpment phenomenon of a country. It is not created by the Home Ministry. To register them is a right step. The ministry is registering them by finger-printing. To call it biometric sounds more scientific. First, record the illegals, then the legals.

Hisham seems fickle in his dealing with biometric. First, he announced registration of illegals at over 60 counters in the country. This was stopped temporarily because of what was said as technical problems. It was quickly resumed. Now, there are 198 Immigration Departments implementing the programme.

Yesterday, there were online snag and shortage of personnel, causing long queues and feeling of frustration. Apparently, there are only 700 staff members in the Immigration Deopartments in Peninsula. The shortage of staff may have contributed to the long delay.

The Government has appointed 1,600 agents to help register foreign workers. What are the criteria of these appointments? How much public fund? Why is it so difficult for foreign workers to go directly to the registration centres?

It appears that from today onwards until 14.8.2011, the registration of foreign workers under the amnesty programme is being conducted 24 hours a day. What happens after that?

The fickleness of Hisham in handling the biometric registration of foreign workers makes life difficult. The issue of foreign workers including domestic helps is complex. They come from various countries. It is not easy to solve. We hope that the overall efficiency of biometric registration under the amnesty programme will be stepped up, making life easier for all concerned. Irregularies must be eradicated.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw