Chua: MCA is not afraid

By CHRISTINA TAN

YONG PENG: The MCA will not be intimidated by the lawsuit which the Selangor government has threatened to file over allegations concerning deals worth more than RM1bil, said its president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Dr Chua said he welcomed the lawsuit and hoped Selangor Mentri BesarTan Sri Khalid Ibrahim would not use the legal action to suppress MCA from talking about the controversy.

The Selangor government has been challenged to explain how a debt recovery exercise to get back RM392mil from a public-listed company ended in questionable deals worth more than RM1bil.

Dr Chua said the people had the right to question the matter.

“Don't use this (lawsuit) to threaten us, we will not feel threatened and will continue to speak up.

“He (Khalid) has the right to sue, but let's hope that the suing is not like a gag order against the MCA to cover the facts and divert attention.

“We raise this because we want the state government to enlighten the rakyat as it involves public funds,” he said after attending a dinner organised by Sam Shen Kuan Association here on Thursday.

Dr Chua said the Opposition always championed its ketuanan rakyat (the people's supremacy), transparency, credibility and performance, so it had the responsibility to explain the controversy.

“We just want to know the restructuring of Talam because it is the rakyat's money,” he said, adding that MCA would continue to do whatever is necessary to protect the rakyat's interests.

Dr Chua also praised MCA leaders nationwide who had been more vocal and urged them to continue to speak up as long as it was right.

The state government is said to have acquired land worth RM392mil and bought additional assets for RM284mil from Talam Corporation bringing the total acquisition to RM676mil.

MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong said the state government also received a RM392mil grant to facilitate the debt recovery exercise.

Khalid had said on Wednesday that the allegations were untrue and the state would sue those who had accused it over the issue. Yesterday, he again reiterated that the state would sue.

Selangor MCA Youth chief Dr Kow Cheong Wei said the people deserved to know the truth, adding that the state government, instead of explaining to the people, was trying to cover up by threatening legal action.

“We do not expect the state government to explain the intricate details regarding the circumstances surrounding this issue, but they must at least be made accountable to the people,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Source: The Star

Chua: No more debate with Guan Eng

When a debate that does not result in fruitful discussion but resort in personal attack, the outcome is meaningless. 
Using the debate platform to attack MCA ministers was not a gentleman's action and certainly unhealthy. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was aware of DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's strategy, thus called an end to that.
We hope to see mature debators that can really deliver critical yet construction arguments for the benefit of the people.

***

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said he would not have anymore debate with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as the later would turn it into a political campaign.
Chua said if the two debates he had with Lim recently were anything to go by, Lim had avoided answering questions tailored to the topics, and instead took the opportunities to hurl lies against MCA ministers.
"He (Lim) did not lay out strategies beneficial to the people, instead he just know how to make slanderous remarks, to campaign, and did not fully answer the questions," he told reporters after chairing the MCA Central Committee meeting here today.
Chua challenged the Selangor government to respond to the people's complaints on water woes which were brought up the Selangor MCA Complaints Centre.
Source: Mysinchew.com

Rakyat needs not taglines but a clear socio-economy plan

Looking at the debate between MCA president Dato' Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, we found out that Lim had totally averted questions posted by Dr Chua.

Dr Chua has consistently sought explanation from DAP on how implementation of Hudud Law would affect the Chinese community but no one from the party would give an answer to that. Even during debate when Dr Chua raised this question, Lim did not bother to give a clear view on DAP's stand.

In return, Lim used all sorts of tagline to mock MCA and the BN government.

As much as many people enjoy quirky taglines or slogans purportedly raised by the DAP, we need to come to realisation that such sarcastic tagline will not do us any good - especially in terms of socio-economy development. In other words, a rational person would know that it is just a gimmick from Lim to draw attention.

Dr Chua had stressed that any government to replace BN government must have a clear policy on socio-economy development.

He said any political party that did not have a clear layout plan to push for economy growth is not worth supporting.

Getting to know the socio-economy needs of the rakyat can solve the bread and butter issue of the rakyat, hence it is more important than all the politicking.

Dr Chua gave a very clear explanation on what is needed by the country as he responded to Lim's question. His arguments were delivered not for the sake of refuting Lim and his manners at his capacity as the MCA president was commendable.

Youths need to play a part in govt

Registering to vote is one way

Of the over 16 million Malaysians who are eligible to vote, it is thus shocking and disappointing to note that almost a quarter of them, 23% or 3.7 million, have yet to register themselves as voters.

Voting is the civic duty of a country’s citizens, and everyone should play a role in shaping Malaysia’s future, especially the youths. Youths are a country’s future, and as such it is important for them to be balloters as they are the ones who will be voting in the government of their choice - a government which would continue to look after the public’s interests and welfare while pushing Malaysia forward to become a high income nation.

The spirit of democracy in Malaysia is also very much alive, and to ignore such a blessing is sheer folly, as even former dictatorial countries like Myanmar have taken steps to become more democratic. Therefore I urge all Malaysians, especially the youths, to make full use of our democratic process.

In the Middle East, we have seen that it was the youths who played a crucial role in reshaping the country. However we do not condone such street demonstrations as we have the ballot box to express our dissatisfaction or gratification to the government.

As a great American author Louise L’Amour once wrote: “To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.”

Creating Awareness Helps

However, registering oneself is not simply enough. Everyone should also do their part to encourage their friends and family members who are eligible to vote but have yet to register to do so. While previously one may complain that it was cumbersome to do so, there is no such excuse now as the registration process is simple and easy and is easily available at any post office in Malaysia.

It is important to create awareness on the importance of voting, and steps have been taken by various quarters to do so. I myself have taken part in a music video by Pete Teo entitled ‘Undilah’, which is meant to create awareness on the importance of voting.

Finally, I also congratulate all who have taken the initiative to register themselves. However, I urge them to check their voting status at the EC’s website to ensure that their details are correct so as to avoid any accusations of misconduct by the EC during the next General Elections.

Datuk Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong
MCA Youth National Chairman
Deputy Minister of Education

Acknowledge the hurt caused against the media fraternity

MCA Youth Perak to DAP Perak – Act responsibly, acknowledge the hurt caused against the media fraternity

It becomes more and more apparent each day that the “sorry” offered by DAP elections preparations chief Hew Kuan Yau following the storm of indignation against his facebook posting referring to reporters as prostitutes was half-baked at best.

New Straits Times (16 Feb 12) reported of Perak DAP Dato’ Ngeh Koo Ham coming to Hew’s defence reasoning that “Hew was merely referring to several reporters and not all.”

Please be precise YB Datuk Ngeh. Are you openly implying that there are reporters in the flesh trade? If so, care and dare you identify which ones? What authority has been bestowed to you that you may cast aspersion against journalists by categorizing the ones whom DAP does not favour as being involved in vice?

Rather than chastising Hew, Ngeh has also resorted to the oft-used excuse of “statement was taken out of context,” thereby choosing to overlook the sully.

As the National Union of Journalists has rebuked Hew, I urge YB Datuk Ngeh to empathise with the press corp who in the course of performing their duties to earn an honest living have to endure the bigotry and insults which DAP hurls at them.

All of DAP’s claims of championing press freedoms are sheer hypocrisy as they violate the very occupation they claim to fight freedoms for.

Why are DAP female elected representatives mute?

I am astonished that DAP women wakil rakyats like Fong Poh Kuan, Chong Eng or Teo Nie Ching still have not rebuked Hew. Does “dignified” silence imply acceptance of Hew’s insults?

DAP Perak never owns up to mistakes

This is not the first time that Ngeh conveniently overlooks bigoted slurs uttered by his DAP members. Back in November 2011, when his cousin cum Perak DAP Secretary Nga Kor Ming was recorded stereotypically labeling dark complexion people as “black metallic b-st-rd” only to offer another half-baked apology in face of mounting pressure, Ngeh added insult to injury via his twitter message that “Indians not as stupid.”

Ngeh is a lawmaker at both federal and state levels. Carrying such an exalted responsibility, he should know that when a mistake has been done, he should acknowledge it rather than spurting out other forms of excuse to cover up such derogatory remarks.

Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon
MCA Youth National Deputy Chairman
MCA Youth Perak Chairman
State Assemblymen for Chenderiang
Perak Executive Councillor for Health, Local Government and Environment

No respect for journalists

Despite his bold personality had won him many fans, DAP election publicity chief Hew Kuan Yau had never exercise moderation in his speeches. His using of vulgar words intends to degrade a person or an entity only reflects the type of person he is.

As he played along his definition of 'creativity' in labelling people in any ways he could think of, he had not shown any respect to people or certain community.

Calling journalists prostitutes in an insult to the profession. Journalists are reporting news that are of public interest. For Hew, who had no respect for journalists when he made speeches during DAP events, journalists are BN tools and often find fault in his words. But have he ever thought is it possible for curses or extreme points he raised in his speech to appear on print?

The newspaper is not politicians battlefield. It is a platform to convey messages that are beneficial to the public. If you are not using the media the right way, then do not blame the journalists for not siding you because you are the one who misuse the media first.

***

NUJ disappointed with DAP's Hew and Tan

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) is disappointed with DAP election publicity chief Hew Kuan Yau for making a sweeping statement that journalists were "prostitutes".

NUJ general secretary V. Anbalagan said the union was equally appalled by DAP disciplinary committee chairman Tan Kok Wai's stand for giving tacit support by saying that Hew was merely stating a fact.

He said Hew's statement had tarnished the image of journalists working in the print, electronic and online media.

"This is unfair as he has cast aspersions on journalists, a special category of people to serve the public and raise issues of public interest," he said in a statement Sunday.

It was reported Sunday that Hew had apologised for the controversy caused by his remarks.

Anbalagan said Hew should have backed his statement with a specific case like, who the person was, and which organisation he/she worked in.

"Hew should have complained to the organisation so that action could be taken, irrespective of whether the journalist was an executive, bargainable employee (most of whom are NUJ members), contract employee or stringer.

"We demand that the DAP leadership take action against Hew and Tan as truth or fact must be supported with evidence.

"Anything short is baseless and unfounded allegation against journalists and the profession," he said. - Bernama

Who is the Real Black Sheep in PAS?

More is revealed with the sacking of Datuk Dr Hasan Ali from PAS.

He said parasites were found within the party and these people were the ones who betrayed to party's struggle for the Islam.

PAS itself has to identify who are the real defenders of the religion and who are the "parasites".

The question is, are they willing to take notice of the "outcast" Datuk Dr Hasan Ali's observation and take action to gauge out the black sleep or remain focused on taking over Putrajaya?

If, by any chance, PAS becomes one of the ruling parties after the coming general election, can it be sure that the "parasites" would not strike back and stir up unnecessary political drama?

Will the “group of parasites”, who opposed whenever Datuk Dr Hasan Ali raised issues relating to alcohol and apostasy among Muslims, be a hindrance to PAS endeavour to implement the Hudud Law?

Above all, could PAS guarantee peace in the country?

Are you, as voters, willing to take the risk?

***

PETALING JAYA: A defiant Datuk Dr Hasan Ali continues to blast PAS, this time accusing his former party of being infested with “a group of parasites” who betrayed the party’s struggle for Islam.

PAS, meanwhile, seeks to quell the uncertainty surrounding the fiasco by presenting its candidate to replace Dr Hasan’s vacated state executive councillor post to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today.

Dr Hasan, the former Selangor PAS commissioner, claimed there was a “group of parasites” who would oppose whenever he raised issues relating to alcohol and apostasy among Muslims in Selangor, he was quoted as saying in Sinar Harian.

Dr Hasan, however, did not name who the “parasites” were.

He said he would not appeal his sacking from the party as he could not see himself staying on in the party with the group continuing to betray his struggle to fight for Islam.

Dr Hasan claimed the “parasites” preferred to please “others” and support their struggle rather than the party’s own struggle for Islam.

Dr Hasan was sacked from PAS for acting against the party’s interest and has been given time until Feb 7 to appeal his removal.

Source: News by The Star; mugshot of Datuk Dr Hasan Ali by New Straits Time.

Hefty Sum on Licence Burdens Entertainment Operators

Imposing licence fee payment onto entertainment outlet operators adds on financial burden to the people. As renewal of licence would be needed to operate entertainment businesses, operators might find it hard to come out with a lump sum of money in every six month or a year.

Though there were certain quarters who refused to pay licence fee, the Kedah state government should not punish those who play by the rule.

It should, instead, get to the root of the problem, and identify the black sheep among all the operators in Kedah. With the ability of the PAS-led state government, it shouldn't be too difficult a task to do so, right?

***

MCA: Kedah govt's biannual licence fee payment a half-baked solution

By EMBUN MAJID

ALOR SETAR: Kedah MCA has described the new six-month entertainment licence fee payment as a half-baked solution to the problems faced by entertainment outlet operators.

Kedah MCA chairman Datuk Chong Itt Chew said the new ruling still put financial burden on the operators.

"They would then have to impose higher charges on their consumers to recoup the expenditure.

"The current monthly scheme was practical as operators may opt to halt operations should business be slow and there would be no need for them to renew their licence for that particular month," he said.

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak was reported as saying that entertainment outlet operators could now pay their licence fees every six months or yearly.

He said the state executive council made the decision following complaints from operators that they would be financially burdened with paying a hefty sum every year.

The directive affected all entertainment outlets, including cinemas, karaoke and snooker centres and cybercafes.

He added that the decision was made following several cases of operators who skipped paying the monthly licence fees.

Chong said despite the outrage by operators against the directive, the response given by the PAS-led state government by reverting to biannual payment still did not address the hardship of the operators.

Chong said in a statement Thursday that the six-month payment endorsed by the state executive council meeting showed the failure of the three PKR non-Muslim exco members to protect the rights of non-Muslims and the income of the licence holders.

Meanwhile, MCA Gurun assemblyman Dr Leong Yong Kong in a statement said the state should investigate the reason why some operators skipped paying the monthly fee instead of punishing about 3,000 operators by imposing the lump sum payment.

"Could it be that they did not pay the licence fee due to poor business turnover for that month?

"Or maybe they decided to cease operations altogether?" he asked.

He said a reminder should be sent to licence holders who missed payment, including notices to pay up the sum before legal action was taken against them.

Source: The Star

Gag Order = Conventional Practice of Pakatan Rakyat?

Below is the message of MCA Perak secretary Datuk Tan Chin Meng

DAP, along with Pakatan Rakyat claims to champion openness and transparency. However, when the infighting between DAP and PAS spilled over to the public domain, thereby negating their chances of depending many seats, issuing gag orders become the standard order of the day.

However, what is more harmful is DAP’s act of not ordering investigation into matters that affect public interest especially concerning possible practices of nepotism on awarding projects in exchange for favours.

Perak

DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang was hasty to instruct a gag order on the issue of DAP vice chairman Kulasegaran giving DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming a dressing down over his wife’s company Ethan and Elton Sdn Bhd awarded the tender to tailor lounge suits for Ipoh city councillors despite offering the highest quotation of RM650 over Goodman Tailor’s RM450. A more interesting point which must be alerted is that Ethan and Elton was registered with the Companies Commission Malaysia barely 42 days after Pakatan formed the Perak government.

Penang

Failure by DAP 3-men panel comprising DAP life adviser Dr Chen Man Hin, advisor Lim Kit Siang and Secretary General Lim Guan Eng to launch any internal probe into Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr R. Ramasamy’s allegations for projects and favours demanded from DAP grassroots point to DAP wanting to wash their hands off any responsibility on possible cronyism occurring which involve public funds.

Earning a rebuke from his own DAP state assemblyman for Seri Delima R.S.N. Rayer who remarked that “people are looking at us as if we are no longer the competent, accountable and transparent (CAT) government we’ve claimed to be.” If DAP top honchos are deaf to the pleas of their own members to come clean, the welfare of the rakyat who do not have any contact whatsoever with Pakatan rakyat elected representatives will be given a worse rebuff.

In both cases, these are not personal funds being used but taxpayers’ hard earned salaries which are being utilized for practices that warrant further probe. Thus, not only should DAP launch internal probes if there were any power abuse by the state top administrators, the police and MACC also should be called in to pre-empt any accusations that DAP internal investigations are influenced by personal bias.

Gag Order = Conventional Practice of Pakatan Rakyat

When taxpayers funds are at stake, another gag order is the standard order of the day from Pakatan

DAP, along with Pakatan Rakyat claims to champion openness and transparency. However, as DAP’s and PAS infighting spill over to the public domain, thereby negating their chances of defending many seats, issuing gag orders become the order of the day!

However, what is more harmful is DAP’s act of not ordering investigation into matters that affect public interest especially concerning possible practices of nepotism on awarding projects in exchange for favours.

Perak

DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang was hasty to instruct a gag order on the issue of DAP vice chairman Kulasegaran giving DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming a dressing down over his wife’s company Ethan and Elton Sdn Bhd awarded the tender to tailor lounge suits for Ipoh city councillors despite offering the highest quotation of RM650 over Goodman Tailor’s RM450. A more interesting point which must be alerted is that Ethan and Elton was registered with the Companies Commission Malaysia barely 42 days after Pakatan formed the Perak government.

These public monies could have been better saved if the tender had been awarded to the lowest bidder but expectedly, Kit Siang would rather this fact be wrapped away from public scrutiny.

Penang

Failure by DAP 3-men panel comprising DAP life adviser Dr Chen Man Hin, advisor Lim Kit Siang and Secretary General Lim Guan Eng to launch any internal probe into Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr R. Ramasamy’s allegations for projects and favours demanded from DAP grassroots point to DAP wanting to wash their hands off any responsibility on possible cronyism occurring which involve public funds.

Earning a rebuke from his own DAP state assemblyman for Seri Delima R.S.N. Rayer who remarked that “people are looking at us as if we are no longer the competent, accountable and transparent (CAT) government we’ve claimed to be.” If DAP top honchos are deaf to the pleas of their own members to come clean, the welfare of the rakyat who do not have any contact whatsoever with Pakatan rakyat elected representatives will be given a worse rebuff.

In both cases, these are not personal funds being used but taxpayers’ hard earned salaries which are being utilized for practices that warrant further probe. Thus, not only should DAP launch internal probes if there were any power abuse by the state top administrators, the police and MACC also should be called in to pre-empt any accusations that DAP internal investigations are influenced by personal bias.

Other examples of DAP gag orders on matters involving public interests or funds

The recent cases in Penang and Perak are not the only cases where DAP leaders had sought to muzzle the speech and hearing of party members.

In Selangor, when Selangor exco Ronnie Liu’s letterheads and office seal were misused as support letters by a former Klang councillor and released to obtain businesses for his family and friends. But Karpal then ordered every DAP members to cease talking to the media. Despite calls for Ronnie’s sacking, he remains in office.

Also in Penang, it is well known that Penang state chief of staff Jeff Ooi are at logger heads with each other over the allocation of low-medium cost public housing. But Chief Minister Guan Eng stepped into the fray and directed that no DAP members speaks to the press. Meanwhile, the low-medium cost unit recipient namelist is still not properly disclosed.

Datuk Tan Ching Meng
MCA Perak Secretary