SJKT Ladang Escot finally gets Tenaga Nasional electricity because of Hulu Selangor by election.

(22.04.2010)

Two days ago, I have moved a parliamentary motion to cut RM 10 from the additional supplementary expenditures requested by the Ministry of Education.

I have made the proposal as a way to censure the Education Minister and the BN government for their neglect of Tamil primary schools, in particular, SJKT Ladang Escot, Ulu Behrang.

Despite the fact the nation has achieved Merdeka since 1957 and that the Prime Minister has recently declared that Malaysia will become a high income economy and developed nation in 10 years time, SJKT Ladang Escot has been without Tenaga Nasional electricity supply since its existence in 1940.

While the BN government has always liked the people to believe that the schools which are still without supply of Tenaga Nasional electricity are those located in the deep interior of Sabah or Sarawak, SJKT Ladang Essot is here in West Malaysia, and is only located about 300m from the Ipoh to Kulala Lumpur main road and the Universiti Pelajaran Sultan Idris campus.

The school is run with a generator and the diesel is supplied by the PIBG. Monthly the expenses come to about RM 300.

Since there is no electricity supply, the teachers can’t use computers to teach Science subjects and the students can’t use computers.

The generator is so noisy and this affects the students’ concentration to study.

After such long neglect, the BN government has suddenly woken up and I have been informed by the school’s PIBG Chairman this morning that the BN government has agreed to solve the school’s plight and Tenaga Nasional workers have started the work of laying of cables this morning.

I have no doubt that the school, being located in the constituency of Hulu Selangor, must thank the by election for such positive development.

If it were not for the Hulu Selangor by election where every vote counts, I believe the BN government will continue to take the people for granted and the school will continue to go on without supply of electricity from Tenaga Nasional.

Be that as it may, I must remind the BN government that the long standing land issue faced by the school must be resolved or at least there must be a concrete commitment from the Federal government to resolve the issue within three months, no matter which party wins in the Hulu Selangor by election.

The school was once asked to vacate its premises by the previous owner and the present owner, FG Manufacturing, has also in 2006 told the school to do the same.

The BN government must either allocate an alternative place for the school or acquire the present piece of land so as to solve land issue once and for all.

Lastly, I wish to remind the BN government not to take the people’s support for granted and only resolve their plight when election or by election arrives.

The people have eyes to see and they will not cast their votes for a government which has taken them and their support for granted for such a long time.

M. Kulasegaran
012-5034346

Speech by M.Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat while debating on the necessity to deduct RM 10 from the additional supplementary estimates for Education ministry

 (19/04/2010)

Our nation has achieved Merdeka since 1957. The Barisan Nasional government and the previous Alliance governments have been in government since 1955.

It was only on March 30 this year that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib announced the New Economic Model with the aim to make Malaysia a high income economy and a developed nation.

But today in Hulu Selangor, we still have a Tamil primary school which does not even have supply of electricity. This school, SKJT Ladang Escot, Tanjung Malim, is located at about 1 km from the main road- Ipohto Kuala Lumpur( old road) and University Pelajaran Sultan Idris(UPSI) campus.

The school is run with a generator and the diesel is supplied by the PIBG. Monthly the expenses come to about RM 300. Since there is no electricity supply, the teachers can’t use computers to teach Science subjects and the students can’t use computers. The generator is so noisy and this affects the students’ concentration to study.

For so many years the school PIBG has approached the former MP for Hulu Selangor Datuk G Palanaivel on this matter but there has been no outcome. It is therefore not surprising that based on ground feedback; Palanivel was not nominated as the BN candidate in the Hulu Selangor by election.

Another issue faced by the school is the land matter.I have been given to understand that the school was asked to vacate their premises in 1995 when it was owned by Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK).When the new owner Datuk Yahaya Koming of F.G Manufacturing bought the estate in 2006, the school was once again asked to vacate their premises.

The law firm Tengku Azlina, Rao, Low & Associates who represented the present owner F.G. Manufacturing, in their latter dated 3rd October 2006, had allowed the school to be there on a temporary basis and requested the school to find alternate site as soon as possible.

Dato K.Sivalingam the then EXCO of Selangor State in a letter dated 18th December 2006 addressed to the lawyers informed that the Selangor State EXCO had reaffirmed the condition that the employer/land owners must prepare 3 acres of land near the main road as replacement if the present school was asked to move.

In a meeting held on 28th December 2007,chaired by Tuan Norhisham Bin Ahmad Dahlan ,the Pegawai Daerahof Hulu Selangor to discuss the school land matter and which was attended by all the parties, the estate owner agreed to give 1 acre of land and they requested the balance 2 acres has to be discussed with the previous owner.

Why did MIC agree to 3 acres of land when it should be 6 acres?
According to the Manual Garis Panduan dan Piawaian Perancangan Negeri Selangor prepared by Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa Negeri Selangor :-

For Sekolah Rendah - Keluasan Tapak Tanah -a minimum of 2.4 hectar (6 acre) of land should be allocated if the ground is flat and 3.2 hectar (8 acre) if the site is slopey.The student per class ratio is 30-35 as per this guide line. And one school for a population of 3000-7500. But as of 2009, the school’s student per class ratio is about 50 and the size of fenced up area is only 0.5 acre.

The Prime Minister Datu Seri Najb has recently said that Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat has always been a BN stronghold which was “on loan” to Pakatan Rakyat in the 2008 general election and come April 25, Hulu Selangor must be returned to BN.

I say that the problems affected by SJKT Ladang Escot are examples of the years of neglect by the BN. It is a testimony that BN‘s pledge to bring development is only empty talk

Matters not addressed by Education Ministry

1) The government allocated RM130m, as part of the two stimulus packages, to build 133 Tamil Schools. All these school building are to have been completed by December 2009. How many of these schools have gotten their building? Many haven’t yet. Why not?

2) Around 70% of Tamil Schools are located in plantations; whereas 70% of Indian parents live in urban areas. There is a great need to relocate Tamil Schools in rural areas suffering depopulation to more strategic urban locations. Unfortunately, Ministry of Education is slow in allowing Tamil Schools to relocate. In Selangor, the State Government has already allocated two pieces of land in urban areas for Tamil Schools to relocate. Why nothing has been done?

3) The Education Act 1996 requires all National Type Schools (i.e. all Tamil Schools) to have board of governors. However, only around 10% of the schools currently boards. Moreover, the state school registrars regularly discourage Tamil School Headmasters from having school boards. What steps has the MOE taken to ensure every national type school has a school board?

4) The National Curriculum requires every Malaysian child to receive early childhood education. However, the Ministry of Education only has around 160 preschool classrooms catering to 4,000 children (10% of the total). What steps has MOE taken to rapidly increase these numbers? Why not work with private providers to ensure every Tamil School child receives early childhood education?

Hulu Selangor voters must not only reject BN on April 25, Parliament must today vote to cut by RM 10 from the expenditure requested by the Ministry of Education to censure the Education Minister and the BN government for neglecting SJKT Ladang Escot to the extent that it has been without the supply of electricity till today.

M.Kula Segaran
012-5034346

Media Statement by Dato’ Ngeh Koo Ham

(12.04.2010)

BN Perak Government successful in using the police to divert attention from its misrule. Call on the police to concentrate on its primary duty of maintaining law and order. The police must also observe law themselves
 
I am deeply sadden that the media and the people of Perak is focusing this morning on the police investigation against me purportedly for sedition. BN Perak Government has successfully diverted the people’s attention by using the police force. The media and the people should be focusing on the 216 questions raised by the PR elected representatives in the State Assembly which concern the Perak State and the people of Perak. The people of Perak wants to know if the BN Perak Government has approved or intents to approve 14,000 hectare of land to Rahman Hydraulic Tin Bhd for tin prospecting, why timber concessions in the State are not open for tender and the list of persons or companies who were approved land in the last one year since BN grabbed power in the State. There were hosts of other issues that affect the people of Perak which the Perak BN Government must answer.

The primary duty of the police is to maintain law and order. They should be going after criminals but in Perak they have been used by BN to act against Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives. The police instead of answering my demand and the demand of the people that the police stay clear of the Perak State Assembly now choose to act against me. I will continue with my demand that the police cease to descend in large numbers at the Perak State Assembly or its precincts when the State Assembly sits as it interfered with the independence of the State Assembly. I also question why the Police Force Commission has not commenced its investigation into the conduct of the Perak Police force when so many police reports have been lodge against them? I will continue with my struggle to uphold the democratic institutions of this country to ensure Perak and Malaysia will not become a police state.

This morning I also demand that police must follow the law. The Federal Court in Authony Gomez v Ketua Polis Daerah Kuantan 2MLJ 24 which were also followed in subsequent cases very clearly decided that a person who has any interest in a first information document including a police report is entitled to a copy of the document. Unless a police report is supplied to me I will not be able to give a proper statement to the police as I will not be able to answer in the proper context. I am also demanding this right for the Malaysian public because a person who is called to give a statement or arrested must know why he is called or arrested.

The police have promised me many months ago to get an opinion from the Attorney General’s office but till date has not done so. I call on them to get the legal opinion immediately if they are still of the opinion that the police report cannot be given to me.

Dated this 12th day of April 2010.


DATO’NGEH KOO HAM
Assemblyman for Sitiawan
MP for Beruas

Media statement from M. Kulasegaran, National Vice Chairman DAP, Member of Parliament for Ipoh Barat at Parliament on 6th April 2010

All 214 students who scored A+ in all subjects in the 2009 SPM examination should be automatic recipients of the National Scholarship.

Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government would create a special scholarship called Biasiswa Nasional (National Scholarship) under the Public Service Department (JPA) based totally on merit.

He said the scholarships would be given to the best qualified students irrespective of race, in line with the Education Ministry's decision to review the award of government scholarships.

"Only the best will be getting the scholarships. It is the government wish to place people first. We must consider the people's interest," he said.
    
Last week, it was announced that a total of 30 students have been awarded the National Scholarship.
    
Two days ago, DAP MP for Bukit Mertajam Sdri Chong Eng highlighted the plight of Edwina Tang Choi Wern, a top SPM scorer who was not awarded the above scholarship despite having scored A+ in all the 13 SPM subjects which she sat for.
    
When the SPM results were announced, it was reported that she was the best performer from Pulau Pinang.
    
In response to media query, the deputy Minister of Education Datuk Wee Ka Siong revealed that MCA Youth had also received complaints from top scorers who failed to receive the National Scholarship.
    
He said the 4 complaints comprised one student who scored 17 A+, one 14A+ and two 13A+.
    
The new grading of A-, A and A+ was introduced for 2009 SPM results to make it easier for identifying the cream of the cream. A student who scores A+ in all subjects can now be considered the top cream.
    
Why then can’t all these students who have scored A+ in all SPM subjects be awarded the National Scholarship? Why is it that the government has decided to cap the number at 30?
    
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday that the Public Service Department (PSD) would offer scholarships to 1,500 top SPM students to further their studies abroad up to their first degree.
    
Since in the 2009 SPM results, 214 students have scored all A+ .  I can see no logic why these 214 students cannot be given the National Scholarship automatically.
    
M. Kulasegaran
012-5034346

Media statement by M. Kula Segaran

PM and DPM have proven that they cannot walk the talk on 1Malaysia concept.

The 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme Roadmap has described the goal of 1Malaysia as – “to make Malaysia ….a greater nation: a nation where, it is hoped, every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second and where the principles of 1Malaysia are woven into the economic, political and social fabric of society”.
    
Malaysians were therefore shocked when the Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said, "I am Malay first, but being Malay doesn't mean I am not Malaysian,"
    
If he is committed to the 1Malaysia concept, he should declare that he is Malaysian first and Malay second.
    
Does not he realise that the Malays, Chinese and Indians , Kadazans, Ibans, Orang Asli and all other races can feel proud to be their own races, but they must always be Malaysians first.
    
Similarly, there is nothing wrong for any race to fight for their rights, but they must always put themselves first as Malaysians.
    
It is even more shocking that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak himself has today come out to defend his deputy's declaration that he considered himself "a Malay first".
    
When the special aide to the Prime Minister, Datuk Nasir Safar made the derogatory, offensive racial remarks in the recent 1Malaysia seminar in Melaka, questions have been raised as to whether the 1Malaysia concept actually receives the total and sincere support from the BN and government leaders.
    
With the top two government leaders saying that there is nothing wrong for  Malaysians not to put themselves as Malaysians first, it is obvious that they cannot walk the talk on the concept.
    
It is also now clearly proven that the 1Malaysia concept is just a political propaganda designed to hoodwink the voters.

Media statement by M. Kula Segaran

History must not be forgotten - Alliance Government did not honour its pledge to return local government elections

In response to the Penang state government's historic decision to restore local council elections, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had on March 9 made it clear that his BN government would not agree with and accede to the request.

The Election Commission 's yesterday's decision and explanation with regard to both the Penang and Selangor state governments' requests to hold local government elections is somewhat expected but still very disappointing.

While the two Pakatan Rakyat state governments will have to find ways to restore the voters their third vote, Malaysians must again be reminded not to forget history -- that the Alliance Government did not honour its solemn pledge to return  local government elections.

The Alliance Government had in 1965 suspended local council elections on the ground of the Indonesian Confrontation threat. 

The then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman gave a solemn pledge that the moment peace returned, local government elections would be restored.

But when the Confrontation had ended, the suspended elections were never restored and were instead later abolished.

All Malaysians who cherish democracy must therefore not forget history -- that the Alliance Government failed to honour its solemn pledge to return local government elections.

Local government election is part and parcel of a true, healthy and vibrant democracy. There can be no justification whatsoever for the BN government not to return the people’s right to third vote.

If Najib is not convinced that majority of Malaysians want the local government elections restored, then I challenge the government to hold a national referendum and let the people decide on whether such election should be restored.

Media Statement by Dato’ Ngeh Koo Ham

Call on the Police Force Commission to investigate into the conduct of the police force in Perak whose overwhelming presence at every sitting of the Perak State Assembly has negate the very notion that the Legislative Assembly must be free from outside interference.

I refer to the media statement issued by the Perak Chief Police Office (CPO), Dato’ Pahlawan Zulkifli Bin Abdullah yesterday that I will be investigated under Section 4(1)(a) Sedition Act, 1948 with regard to the State Assembly sitting on 31/3/2010. This is a clear indication that the police is actively involved politically to side the BN Perak State Government that was not democratically elected. They have deviated from their primary role of maintaining law and order. They are now actively involved in helping BN find fault with the PR leaders.

I call on the Police Force Commission to investigate into the conduct of the police force in Perak whose overwhelming presence at every sitting of the Perak State Assembly has negate the very notion that the Legislative Assembly must be free from outside interference.

Perak is effectually a police State. The police is used to protect and ensure that the BN  which has been rejected by the people in the last general election but grabbed power through undemocratic means stays in power. The overwhelming presence of the police during Perak State Assembly sittings negate the idea of a Legislative Assembly that is free from outside interference.

The police is now trying to find fault with me not because they want to uphold the law. The BN is trying to use them to oppressed the opposition.  I will not fear intimidation as I have my oath of office to uphold. If the police truly uphold the rule of law they should have the policemen who invaded the State Assembly and forcibly removed V. Sivakumar from his speaker’s seat on 7/5/2009 charged in court. I challenge  the CPO to reveal the names of all those policemen who entered the Perak State Assembly. The police have refused to disclose their names thereby hampering the course of justice. Due to the refusal to disclose the names, the Legislative Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar could not sue them.

The CPO said that the police  acted because they followed the instructions of the Speaker. The police followed the instruction of BN and not the Speaker. On 3/3/2009, when V. Sivakumar was recognized by both BN & PR as the legitimate Speaker why did the police ignored his instruction to allow the State Assemblyman and women to convene the sitting of the State Assembly thereby causing the infamous Assembly sitting to be held under a tree? Police have clearly breached Section 124 of the Penal Code when they prevented the elected representatives from performing their duties. Why was no one charged in court? Police takes instruction from Dato Ganesan because he is BN installed.

Police have been violent against V. Sivakumar on 7/5/2009 and 28/10/2009 and other elected representatives on other occasions. We believe they can be violent when instructed. Therefore, there is real fear that they will be violent on 30 & 31/3/2010 when hundreds of them surrounded the State Assembly and occupy the corridors of the State Assembly. The police have permitted many plain clothes strangers into the State Assembly which from past experience could also be members of the police force.

The Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives view the huge presence of the police as an intimidation to overwhelm or overawe them. The State Assembly has always been conducted in an orderly manner with only one Sergeant At Arm in his ceremonial clothes. Even assuming that police presence is needed, 4 or 5 of them will be more than sufficient. In the whole Perak crisis, the elected representatives from both the BN and PR have never used physical force against each other. It was always the police who have acted violently.

I would like to remind the CPO to observe the law and not act on the wishes of BN because he will find himself one day charged in court once he is out of favour with BN or the police force. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Dato Ramli bin Yusoff are examples that he must always be mindful of.



DATO’ NGEH KOO HAM
- Assemblyman for Sitiawan  
- MP for Beruas

Media Statement by YB Wong Kah Woh, SA for Canning and Perak DAPSY Chief on 02.04.2010 (Friday) in Ipoh

Apart from fulfilling the Election Manisfesto of “Your Mandate, Your Voice” by tackling and pressing on the State Government on various policies, the DAP Canning Rocket Action Team has vowed to continue its weekly visit to the constituency to receive and understand the People’s problem and seeking ways to resolve by maintaining closed working relationship with the Dato Bandar.

The issues raised by the State Assemblymen for Canning, YB Wong Kah Woh, lately notably include the revelation of the attempt by the State Government to implement the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 which was put to a stop by the previous Pakatan’s Government, and the quandary faced by the villagers in Perak as a result of the refusal of BN’s led State Government in granting freehold titles.

While conducting the weekly constituency visit, the DAP Canning Rocket Team had received complaints from the residents of Taman Perak on the problem of cleanliness and unsatisfactory environment of the field near the residents houses in Lintasan Perajurit 2. The complaints include the grass surrounding the field was not cut and the fallen tree branches were uncleared. The workers had left the mud from the drain by the side and the grass is even seen to have grown on the road shoulder.

Some denggi cases were detected earlier at the area, possibly due to this unresolved problem.

The residents were also hoping the MBI can make good the road at the back of the houses.

Wong said he will be meeting with the Mayor constantly and to forward the issues received for MBI’s immediate action. The DAP Canning Rocket Team will be keeping an eye on the effectiveness of MBI.

***DAP Canning***