DAP Perak - English

Nga filed a defamation suit against blogger sekupangdua today

2012-01-03T15:53:00.001+08:00

DAP PERAK PRESS STATEMENT

Perak DAP State Secretary Nga Kor Ming today filed a defamation suit against blogger sekupangdua, whose true identity is Ahmad Sofian Yahya at Ipoh High Court today.

In his suit against Ahmad Sofian, Nga claims RM 10 Million general damages, exemplary damages, aggravated damages and an order of injunction against further publication of defamatory words.

Nga, who is also the Member of Parliament for Taiping and State Assemblymen for Pantai Remis filed the suit at the Ipoh High Court registry through his solicitor, Messr Leong & Tan, while accompanied by his lawyers Leong Cheok Keng, Augustine Anthony and Nga Hock Cheh. Other prominent Perak PR Leaders including Dato Seri Mohd Nizar Bin Jamaluddin, Dato Ngeh Koo Ham, YB V Sivakumar, YB Zainuddin Bin Abdul Latif, YB Wong Kah Woh, YB A Sivasubramaniam, YB Ong Boon Piow, YB Lim Pek Har were also present to show their support and solidarity with Nga.

In his statement of claim, Nga claims that the blogger in his posting meant for public viewing had posted numerous articles which contain defamatory remarks namely calling Nga as" A Big Robber of Perak”. The general public may now understand such words as meaning that Nga is a “corrupt person who had abused his power whilst as a Perak state EXCO and is unfit to hold any public office”

These defamatory words are aimed at undermining Nga’s integrity and calculated to lower his public image as a prominent leader.

DAP Perak stresses that MBI’s award of tailoring contract is done by the council’s tender board by way of open tender. The subject matter is only for 24 lounge suit for MBI councilors at the price of RM600 each and the total price is RM14,400.00.

That at all material time, Nga was not a member of the tender board, neither was he involved in the decision making process when the board members made the decision at their meeting. It is stressed that Nga was never informed of the meeting date and the decisions made during the meeting at all material times.

As such, the words published by the Defendant is not only libelous, but malicious with clear intention to undermine Nga’s integrity.

It now raises serious questions that by his own admission, the blogger visited The Perak Menteri Besar's office before lodging a report with the MACC.

Speculation is rife that the 13th general election will be held very soon and the sudden and intense publications of these defamatory words of events that happened in 2008 raises curious questions, DAP Perak believes the publication of these defamatory words that is calculated to tarnish Nga's outstanding and impeccable public image is politically motivated and is aimed at destroying his political career.

As a young high achiever, Nga is the recipient of TOP 10 Outstanding Youth Malaysian Award(TOYM) in 2007 and he is legal adviser to many Non Governmental Organisations and corporation.

DAP Perak condemns all forms of gutter politics that engages in character assassination that proliferate the spread of lies and falsehood.

DAP Perak also expresses full confidence in Nga’s leadership and integrity, the party vows to stand by him in his quest to clear his name and reputation.

DAP Perak
3rd January, 2012

Zambry making a cartoon (joke) out of the State of Perak.

2011-12-08T22:03:00.001+08:00

Media Statement by YB Dato' Ngeh Koo Ham

Najib & Zambry supported by MCA & Gerakan guilty of making a cartoon (a joke) of the State of Perak. The people of Perak suffer in consequence. Inabilility to restore the telephone lines to the State Secretariate & the Director of land and mines buildings after 3 weeks is the latest joke Zambry create out of Perak.

Fresh from the ‘success’ of spinning the ‘Black Metallic Zambry’remark, BN appointed Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Zambry bin Abdul Kadir in trying to split YB Nga Kor Ming’s one remark into 2 to try to score further political points. The remark made the YB Nga Kor Ming was ‘Hitam Metalik Zambry Menteri Besar Perak Darul Kartun’

‘Black Metallic Zambry’ was a humour adapted from the Black Metallic Camry which the BN opposed when the Perak PR government bought Black Metallic Toyota Camry cars to replace the ailing Proton Perdanas. The phrase was used because it rhymes.The skin colour of a person is never described as metallic. Zambry knew that Kor Ming was referring to the colour of the Camry car but played racial politics by twisting it to say it refers to the human skin colour. He makes a cartoon of himself when he twisted the remark to refer to darker skin people.This in the level BN appointed power crazy Menteri Besar will stoop.

Now Zambry in trying to spin and say that YB Nga Kor Ming is disrespectful of the State when he described the State as ‘Perak Darul Kartun’

Najib & Zambry supported by MCA & Gerakan are guilty of making the Perak State a cartoon (a joke) and yet Zambry is accusing others of being disrespectful of the State.

I am astonished that Zambry still did not realize that he has made the Perak State a joke due to his actions. Unfortunately, the people of Perak became victims and suffered in misery.

The following incidences have made the Perak State a joke to many people : -

(i) Democratically elected government ousted by non democratic means

(ii) Refusal of BN to respect the wishes of the people by calling a fresh election.

(iii) Not allowing the State Assembly Speaker (undisputed at that point of time) to convence a sitting at the State Assembly Hall and he was forced to conduct the sitting under a tree.

(iv) The State Assembly Speaker was forcibly removed from his seat in the State Assembly and imprisoned in a room.

(v) State Budget passed within 20 minutes without debate.

(vi) Microphones of opposition elected representatives switch off so that their speeches will not he heard and also not recorded in the Hansard.

(vii) Using the Police to invade and control the State Assembly.

(viii) Elected representation not allowed to enter the State Assembly without permission of the police & civil servants stationed at the locked doors of the Assembly.

(ix) Elected representatives allowed into Assembly only if issued with a pass by the State Secretary. Even former BN Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Dato Seri Di Raja Tajol Rosli was offended and described it as demeaning.

(x) Judges do not follow the law (precedents) when deciding on Perak crisis cases.

(xi) Laws are selectively applied (especially Article 72 of the Federal Constitution prohibiting interference of the Judiciary in matters of the State Assembly)

(xii) A court Registar can appoint a Court of Appeal Judge to sit and stay (suspend) the decision of the High Court judge who has declared Dato’ Sri Nizar Jamaluddin as the legitimate Menteri Besar when there were 2 other panel of 3 judges each of the Court of Appeal sitting on that day. The stay was granted within 24 hours!

(xiii) The swearing in of Zambly as Menteri Besar was obstructed and spontaneously objected to by thousand of protestors.

(xiv) BN Government refused to answer questions asked in the State Assembly without valid reason

and the list can continue.

Zambry should stop making a clown of himself and continue to make the Perak State a cartoon by continue to spin falsehood.

Many investors have expressed their unwillingness to invest in the State of Perak until the illeginate government of Zambry is replaced. The Perakeans are unfortunately the victims who continue to suffer in consequent of Zambry continuing to make a cartoon of the Perak State.

The latest joke Zambry created out of Perak is that the telephone lines to the State Secretariate and the Director of land and mines buildings (both buildings form the seat of administration of the Government of Perak) have yet to be restored despite having been down for the last 3 weeks.

Let the people of Perak be reminded of these black days of Perak after the grab of power by BN since February 2009 and be united to oust the undemocratically installed BN government in the coming General Election.

Dated this 8^th December, 2011.

YB Dato' Ngeh Koo Ham

State Assemblyman for Sitiawan

Member of Parliament for Beruas

Ipoh,Perak.

M Kula : New contract for temporary teachers is too unfair and must be reviewed.

2011-12-08T13:13:00.001+08:00

Media Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on Thursday, December 08, 2011

New contract for temporary teachers is too unfair and must be reviewed.

There are roughly over 400 temporary teachers now in Perak. They are what it is called the Guru Sandaran Tidak Terlatih (GSTT). Many of these teachers have been teaching for 3-4 years.

All these teachers who are teaching in Perak were recently asked to attend a briefing held on 25/11/11 in a school in Silibin, Ipoh.

At the briefing, they were told that all temporary teachers would be now employed on a “contract for service” basis instead of the traditional contract of service.

This change came as shock to the teachers present. The new contract entails new unfair terms which include among others:

1) No payment of EPF by the Government;

2) No payment of COLA;

3) Restricted medical coverage;

4) Daily paid instead of the previous monthly paid

Temporary teachers have made immense contribution to the nation, yet the government has decided to implement a new system which removes their right s, rather than protect them.

The change means the relationship of master and servant or employer /employee relationship is done away with and replaced with sort of a self employed relationship.

With this new arrangement, effective 17th November( last day of school) all temporary teachers will cease to be paid till December 2011 unless the schools request the teachers to report to work and for that they will be paid daily.

I have been given to understand that at the briefing, top education officers form Putrajaya and Ipoh were present. The meeting was very tense and the temporary teachers felt their years of service had not been appreciated.

In fact during question time, many questions were posed by the temporary teachers who were shocked with the new terms and conditions. The meeting lasted for over 4 hours.

At the meeting, a top officer from Putrajaya retorted that the teachers should be “grateful” to the offer as the government had the discretion in not even providing or offering any employment.

How could an officer make such an unfair and unacceptable comment?

He should be hauled up and given a tongue lashing by the Education Minister as not only the officer was rude but he had substantialily damaged the name of the Ministry of Education.

Instead of asking the teachers to be grateful, the government should be thankful for their contribution to the nation.

To add insult to injury, the change was made without any prior consultation with the teachers.

It was recently reported that Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong had revealed that about 7,000 temporary teachers were affected and that the move to restructure the contract of temporary teachers was because the Ministry had “insufficient funds”.

If truly the government is cash strapped, then the first thing it must do is for Ministers and Deputy Ministers to take pay cuts.

Wee‘s explanation is therefore unconvincing and in any case, insufficient funds cannot be a justification for introducing such unfair contract for the temporary teachers.

I urge the Ministry to review the unfair terms and to give appropriate opportunities for all the temporary teachers to be trained and be employed on a full term basis.

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

Issue on " Black Metallic" by YB Nga Kor Ming

2011-11-30T22:00:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR TAIPING

First, ever since the illegal power grab of Perak in February, 2009, Pakatan Rakyat Negeri Perak had launched a campaign with the main theme known as “1 Black Perak” to express the people’s anger and frustration over the unlawful conduct by the Barisan Nasional to form government without mandate from the people.

As I always believe, the only legitimate government in the world is the : “ Government from the people, by the people and for the people.” Anything fall short of that shall not be legitimate and must be chastised.

In that context, I said that : “ Kini negeri Perak ada Menteri Besar Hitam Metalic yang haram dan masuk ke pejabat SUK menerusi pintu belakang menaiki kapal selam Najib.” In absolutely no circumstances that my speech was referred to skin colour or Indian race as it simply means the Menteri Besar is illegal and the state government is unlawful.

However, my speech was taken out of context, spinned & distorted by the BN cyber trooper coupled with some irresponsible media which play up the issue to inflame racial sentiments which is most regretted.

I wish to maintain that I am a Malaysian. All Malaysians are my brothers and sisters including Dato Seri Zamry bin Abdul Kadir. I have no hatred against him personally but I will never recognize him as Menteri Besar simply he did not have the mandate from the Rakyat.

I always cherished our country’s diversity and I believe diversity is our strength and all races must be united for our nation to march forward.

To all who feel offended by my abovesaid remarks, I wish to say sorry and apologize to them including Dato Seri Dr Zamry bin Abdul Kadir but I will continue to fight any form of undemocratic regime in this country. It must be emphasized that the above apology should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the illegal power grab by Barisan Nasional which all Malaysians must oppose and must never forget.

I will continue to soldier on.

YB TUAN NGA KOR MING

DAP PERAK

30-11-2011

Irregularities in the award of contracts by Rural Development Ministry costing the people at least RM 500 million

2011-11-10T21:57:00.000+08:00

Media Statement by YB Ngeh Koo Ham, Member of Parliament for Beruas in Parliament on the 10^th Nov 2011:

Irregularities in the award of contracts in the Ministry of Rural Development, at least Five Hundred Million Ringgit (RM 500,000,000.00) could have been saved! MACC must conduct investigation immediately.

The Minister of Rural Development must explain the irregularities in the award of contracts in his ministry. There are reasons to suspect the existence of rampant corrupt practices. As much as RM 500,000,000.00 could have been saved had the Ministry followed the proper practice of awarding contract to the lowest qualified tenders.

I stayed up till 10.30pm in Parliament on Monday (8/11/2011) to debate and to wait for the answer from the Ministry of Rural Development with regard to the issues I had raised. I was greatly disappointed when the Deputy Minister of the Ministry refused to answer my questions.

The Rural Development Ministry is awarding 209 projects for the year 2011 and they are numbered KKLW 1/2011 – 209/2011. The Ministry has announced only the award of 129 projects. I have asked what has happened to the other 80 projects. The Deputy has refused to reply.

The projects under the ministry were given by direct negotiation, limited tender or open tender.

I have asked why projects like the Sarawak Rural Water Supply worth RM638,910,000.00 was given through direct negotiation. The Deputy has refused to give an answer. Other projects given through direct negotiation were the Sarawak Rural Water Supply recticulation system worth RM83,860,000.00 and the Sarawak Special Rural water Supply 2011/2012 project worth RM555,050,000.00

I have informed the Deputy Minister that I have received complaints that the companies that submitted the quotations for projects under limited tender category in many cases were in fact submitted by the same person using different names. The Ministry did not invite separate independent companies to bid for the job. The Deputy Minister also refused to answer whether the allegation is true. Projects No. 9–13, 23–40, 43-46, 51-56, 60, 69-75, 82-92, 100, 101, 110, 115 116, 118-124, 131, 132, 143 and 144/2011 (68 of them) were projects awarded through limited tenders.

Although open tenders were conducted for the 68 projects as listed in the schedule hereto, all were not given to the lowest priced bidder except for one. Many of them were awarded at many times more than the lowest price tendered.

The Government lost RM403,857,592.72 for its failure to give to the lowest qualified tenders. The proper way to conduct an open tender is to first determine those qualified to bid for the job. Once the qualifying criteria for the tender have been met, the contract must be awarded to the bidder who submits the lowest bid. Such a system will save the government money and be fair to all those who have make the effort to submit the tenders.

After taking into consideration, the loss the government suffered through direct negotiation and limited tender projects, I estimate the people lose at least Rm500,000,000.00 through the improper way the above said contracts were awarded.

I call on the government to award the balance projects that have yet to be given out to be done in accordance to the abovesaid accepted proper procedure of open tender system.

Unless a satisfactory answer is forth coming from the Minister, I call on the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to immediately conduct investigation as the facts show prima facie that rampant corruption exists in the award of the above said contracts.

Ngeh Koo Ham

Schedule of 68 contracts awarded by open tender. Comparison of contract price awarded with that of the lowest bidder

No.	Project No	Lowest Bidder (RM)	Awarded to	Amount (RM)	Difference (RM)
1	KKLWT1/2011	7,775,000.00	8th lowest	41,736,809.77	33,961,809.77
2	KKLWT2/2011	30,774,266.00	9th lowest	50,000,000.00	19,225,734.00
3	KKLWT3/2011	31,819,957.00	10th lowest	46,479,946.70	14,659,989.70
4	KKLWT4/2011	27,543,000.00	23rd lowest	55,864,389.65	28,321,389.65
5	KKLWT5/2011	12,461,000.00	6th lowest	45,212,680.00	32,751,680.00
6	KKLWT6/2011	9,519,000.00	14th lowest	53,303,701.79	43,784,701.79
7	KKLWT7/2011	25,175,862.90	3rd lowest	25,287,395.00	111,532.10
8	KKLWT8/2011	18,949,394.86	7th lowest	23,007,412.00	4,058,017.14
9	KKLWT14/2011	8,188,000.00	14th lowest	10,606,000.00	2,418,000.00
10	KKLWT16/2011	14,907,734.30	lowest	14,907,734.30	0.00
11	KKLWT17/2011	38,317,840.00	9th lowest	44,753,169.50	6,435,329.50
12	KKLWT19/2011	23,980,000.00	13th lowest	26,906,373.30	2,926,373.30
13	KKLWT21/2011	15,940,880.00	17th lowest	18,998,935.00	3,058,055.00
14	KKLWT22/2011	4,014,525.80	3rd lowest	4,940,029.50	925,503.70
15	KKLWT41/2011	7,903,269.00	8th lowest	10,255,000.00	2,351,731.00
16	KKLWT42/2011	12,658,519.10	17th lowest	17,066,668.00	4,408,148.90
17	KKLWT48/2011	33,200,000.00	11th lowest	44,950,336.22	11,750,336.22
18	KKLWT49/2011	19,564,411.00	10th lowest	24,791,993.20	5,227,582.20
19	KKLWT50/2011	13,632,609.50	10th lowest	16,005,736.00	2,373,126.50
20	KKLWT57/2011	4,453,561.00	4th lowest	4,695,656.00	242,095.00
21	KKLWT58/2011	3,999,000.00	6th lowest	4,280,332.00	281,332.00
22	KKLWT59/2011	1,695,423.00	7th lowest	1,778,590.00	83,167.00
23	KKLWT61/2011	3,964,450.00	6th lowest	4,382,653.00	418,203.00
24	KKLWT62/2011	2,630,000.00	6th lowest	2,920,285.00	290,285.00
25	KKLWT63/2011	5,060,000.00	12th lowest	6,188,888.00	1,128,888.00
26	KKLWT64/2011	5,043,124.00	9th lowest	7,185,650.00	2,142,526.00
27	KKLWT65/2011	5,699,000.00	10th lowest	8,050,500.00	2,351,500.00
28	KKLWT67/2011	37,189,000.00	26th lowest	81,475,281.42	44,286,281.42
29	KKLWT77/2011	21,336,333.40	9th lowest	24,896,997.98	3,560,664.58
30	KKLWT78/2011	19,000,000.00	9th lowest	22,176,223.00	3,176,223.00
31	KKLWT79/2011	21,280,142.40	9th lowest	24,297,795.30	3,017,652.90
32	KKLWT80/2011	18,221,634.00	14th lowest	35,500,000.00	17,278,366.00
33	KKLWT81/2011	20,503,925.50	10th lowest	26,640,000.00	6,136,074.50
34	KKLWT82/2011	6,045,771.00	12th lowest	11,912,202.00	5,866,431.00
35	KKLWT93/2011	741,033.20	4th lowest	1,526,400.00	785,366.80
36	KKLWT95/2011	1,391,941.00	11th lowest	1,782,367.00	390,426.00
37	KKLWT96/2011	1,657,385.00	12th lowest	15,076,251.43	13,418,866.43
38	KKLWT98/2011	7,763,788.00	8th lowest	10,422,536.00	2,658,748.00
39	KKLWT99/2011	12,500,774.00	18th lowest	20,791,446.18	8,290,672.18
40	KKLWT105/2011	8,660,014.25	7th lowest	11,369,684.00	2,709,669.75
41	KKLWT106/2011	3,000,000.00	6th lowest	3,778,933.00	778,933.00
42	KKLWT107/2011	1,100,900.00	9th lowest	1,480,000.00	379,100.00
43	KKLWT108/2011	12,348,370.00	5th lowest	16,537,921.90	4,189,551.90
44	KKLWT109/2011	15,160,246.70	2nd lowest	16,348,147.20	1,187,900.50
45	KKLWT114/2011	13,000,000.00	24th lowest	17,839,488.40	4,839,488.40
46	KKLWT125/2011	13,749,759.45	7th lowest	16,484,752.00	2,734,992.55
47	KKLWT126/2011	4,081,600.00	13th lowest	4,466,627.00	385,027.00
48	KKLWT130/2011	9,358,419.00	9th lowest	10,280,339.00	921,920.00
49	KKLWT134/2011	10,300,000.00	14th lowest	12,140,059.35	1,840,059.35
50	KKLWT135/2011	12,382,391.39	5th lowest	21,954,971.00	9,572,579.61
51	KKLWT138/2011	32,619,302.80	7th lowest	35,887,197.90	3,267,895.10
52	KKLWT139/2011	60,571,391.30	2nd lowest	64,444,000	3,872,608.70
53	KKLWT140/2011	8,361,900.10	lowest	8,361,900.10	0.00
54	KKLWT141/2011	5,570,000.00	5th lowest	5,976,000.00	406,000.00
55	KKLWT142/2011	23,089,683.00	10th lowest	27,468,000.00	4,378,317.00
56	KKLWT145/2011	9,008,104.00	12th lowest	10,237,377.00	1,229,273.00
57	KKLWT146/2011	43,444,000.00	3rd lowest	47,588,012.70	4,144,012.70
58	KKLWT148/2011	17,614,726.10	3rd lowest	18,888,000.00	1,273,273.90
59	KKLWT149/2011	25,587,256.50	12th lowest	27,977,000.00	2,389,743.50
60	KKLWT151/2011	11,818,121.42	5th lowest	13,862,680.00	2,044,558.58
61	KKLWT152/2011	9,144,200.00	7th lowest	9,730,267.00	586,067.00
62	KKLWT153/2011	10,389,789.00	2nd lowest	10,680,000.00	290,211.00
63	KKLWT154/2011	15,460,000.00	16th lowest	23,495,935.00	8,035,935.00
64	KKLWT157/2011	18,811,011.00	10th lowest	23,888,888.00	5,077,877.00
65	KKLWT163/2011	1,193,316.80	4th lowest	1,373,282.20	179,965.40
66	KKLWT178/2011	5,039,694.60	5th lowest	6,150,279.00	1,110,584.40
67	KKLWT179/2011	5,648,991.90	4th lowest	6,975,249.00	1,326,257.10
68	KKLWT183/2011	1,846,160.00	4th lowest	1,999,142.00	152,982.00
				Total wastage:	403,857,592.72

YB V. Sivakumar : Let’s Move On Approving The SRJK (T) Gunung Rapat’s Land Application

2011-10-10T17:02:00.000+08:00

MEDIA STATEMENT BY YB V.SIVAKUMAR, ADUN TRONOH, DAP PERAK DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, ON 10TH OCTOBER 2011 ON

LET’S MOVE ON APPROVING THE SRJK (T) GUNUNG RAPAT’S LAND APPLICATION

Referring Dato’ S. Veerasingam’s to media statement in the Tamil daily Makkal Osai on 10th October 2011, I would like to stress to him that the SRJK (T) Gunung Rapat’s land application is not a new application. This matter has been dangling for many years. What is MIC doing all these while on this matter? Are they sleeping with silent snores on it?

Because of MIC’s total inefficiency, the school’s 2 (two) other land applications which were initially applied, had not been successful.

The latest application was made in April 2011 and now it is October 2011. Why does it take a very long duration to work on this issue? When many hundreds and thousands of acres of lands can be issued in various places, why can’t SRJK (T) Gunung Rapat’s be issued and approve a 4-acre land in a period of 6-months’ time? This clearly shows that MIC is good for nothing. As what as Dato’ S. Veerasingam said proudly, the file pertaining the school’s land matter is at the Land Office, but why is it moving slower than a tortoise?

The recent land which was identified and applied by the PIBG, had been physically constructed by Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh with, some kiosks and a walking track. Has Dato’ S. Veerasingam visited this land recently? Now, with these structures been set up at this land, it will definitely be an excellent excuse to be given as a reason to the school. The school’s authorities will be told to identify another land and submit the application as usual. There will be repentance in the procedure which will be back as status quo. In the long run, with the entire process takes place as a roller-coaster, the school will not be able to get any piece of land for its own in the near future.

I am worried that the MIC leaders will do nothing about it. This worry had led me to call for the peaceful demonstration. There is no bad intention as what was mentioned by Dato’ S. Veerasingam.

The recent peaceful demonstration held was to highlight the issue to the entire nation so that a special attention will be given to this particular application. The news had been captured widely in the local media. And I am glad to say that it was a fruitful occasion for the school itself because I was told that now, the Ministry of Education has asked the school’s authorities to provide full information on what is actually going on about the land matter. At least now, after by the lit up of firecracker at it’s tail, the tortoise has begun to move a little faster.

The Perak MIC should be ashamed when the MCA president, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek had announced that he will help to get a piece of land for the SRJK (T) Gunung Rapat school. It is a transparent indication that the MIC had failed and MCA daringly wants to put their head in and work on this Tamil school matter.
How long does Dato’ S. Veerasingam and Perak State Government needs to approve a small piece of land to the SRJK (T) Gunung Rapat school? Can it be resolved in the next 3 weeks?

I call upon Dato’ S. Veerasingam to give us the details of what work has been done so far pertaining the SRJK (T) Gunung Rapat land application matter apart from sending that 1(one) letter? Please tell us in which stage is the land matter now? Is it in the initial, middle or the final stage?

MIC constantly shouts its favourite team chant “continuously put in effort”.

But I do not understand Dato S’ Veerasingam’s remarks, ‘put in effort’ or ‘work on it’ as though the land belongs to some foreigners. I would like to remind him that this piece of land belongs to the Perak State Government and can be approved by the state immediately. The statement by Dato’ S. Veerasingam undoubtedly shows that he is helpless and powerless in the Perak State Government.

I am sure that if Pakatan Rakyat comes into power, we will solve this issue within 2(two) months. I will personally take the responsibility on completing this Tamil school matter within the said period.

YB V. SIVAKUMAR
ADUN TRONOH
10 OCTOBER 2011

YB Dato' Ngeh Koo Ham : ‘We Can. We Must. We Will.’

2011-10-10T00:25:00.001+08:00

Speech by Sdr Ngeh Koo Ham, DAP Perak Chairman at the DAP Perak 16^th Annual Convention at Ritz Garden Hotel, Ipoh on 9^th October 2011 at 10.00 am

‘We Can. We Must. We Will.’

1. We can take back State authority in Perak and also to take Putrajaya.

Immediately after BN’s grab of power in Perak on 6^th Feb 2009, a survey conducted showed that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) would be able to win 40 out of the 59 State Assembly seats in Perak had the State election been held then. There was outrage throughout the State and nation wide. The outrage has subsided but a survey conducted in July this year showed that PR can still win 33 out of the 59 seats if election is called.

We can take back State authority with the support of the people of Perak.

We must however, not be complacent. PR has 8 seats where we won in 2008 with less than 1,000 votes. On the other hand, we can also win big as BN has 10 seats which they won by less than 1000 votes (3 of which won by less than a 100 votes). We can win 41 seats to form a very stable government if these seats fall into our hands. PR won 31 seats in 2008. We can do it. Let’s work hard to achieve it for the people.

In every disaster, there is a silver lining. In every crisis there is opportunity. The grab of power by BN in Perak will probably be proven to be instrumental to the defeat of BN at the Federal level in the coming general elections. The people will be able to see the true self of the chief architect in the Perak power grab, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak. They will not fall for his slogans. They will not give him the chance people normally do when a new Prime Minister comes to office. Similarly Dato’ Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir will not have the benefit of newly assuming office as the new Menteri Besar. The people see him through and through. His thousands of banners and billboards (the largest number in the history of Perak) trying to portray himself in good light will not be able to deceive the people.

The people also see the true colours of Parti Gerakan, MCA and MIC who participated and endorsed the power grab. In every democratic country, from USA to UK to Japan, we see Prime Minister, Ministers and even police chiefs bow apologically in shame and resign from their posts if there is a scandal or failure on their part even though they were legitimately elected or appointed.

Only in Perak and in Malaysia, we see Najib and Zambry after grabbing power trumpeted their success, putting up banners and billboards to promote themselves.

2. We Must

We must rectify the situation. We must restore morality, integrity, dignity and righteousness to this beloved nation of Malaysia. If we allowed the grab of power in Perak to go unpunished, we are sending a message to our children and our children’s children that robbing and stealing are permissible so long as we achieve our purpose. A nation without morality, integrity, dignity and righteousness is doomed to fail.

We must save our nation from BN’s corruption, abuse of power and mismanagement which will eventually lead us to bankruptcy. We must strengthen the democratic institutions in our country. We must ensure transparency, good governance and democratic principles and values are upheld.

We must ensure that which has happened to the Perak State Assembly must never be allowed to occur again. We must restore the Perak State Assembly to its rightful place. We must make right the Perak crisis court cases where judges do not follow the law.

Under the impression that he is secured with the police on his side and immune from the law, Zambry has approved 60,561.33 acres of industrial/agricultural land at an average price of RM375 per acre since the grab of power. Despite repeated demands, he has refused to disclose the names of the receipients. We can only assume that most of these lands were approved to his or BN cronies. If Zambry and his or BN’s cronies were to benefit RM20,000-00 per’s acre from these approvals, they would have made a staggering RM1.2 billion far exceeding the Perak State Government’s annual budget! We must demand transparency.

Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn expressed his worry when our nation was indebted in the sum of RM20.0 billion. Tun Mahathir has allowed it to balloon to RM238.3 billion when he left office in 2003. Tun Abdullah Badawi allowed it to grow to RM313 billion.

Today our nation is indebted to the tune of RM455 billion about 53.8% of our GDP. Argentina became a bankrupt nation when its national debt reached US95 billion (RM285 billion). Many more nations in Europe are facing bankruptcy. Malaysians must not think that our nation can never be bankrupt. Each Malaysian is now indebted about RM16,000-00 or RM80,000-00 per family of 5 persons!

2012 Budget sees us in deficit of another RM51.2 billion. Estimated income is RM181.6 billion while the expenditure is RM232.8 billion. Repayment of debt for 2012 has reached RM20.45 billion.

Unless a debt is incurred in order to earn more money, every debt incurred by us is to use up the money belonging to our future generations. We must let the people realize that the goodies given by BN during elections to cover up their excesses and corruption only add on to their sorrows to come. We do not want our children to curse us for the sufferings they have to endure due to our failure to prevent BN from making our nation a bankrupt nation.

We Will

We will together with other Pakatan Rakyat parties work tirelessly to save this nation from possible bankruptcy. We will work to enhance the quality of education and the quality of our universities. We will restore, uphold and strengthened the democratic institutions of this country. We will make Malaysia a better place for all Malaysians. We will surmount the challenges ahead of us together. We together reaffirm that we can, we must and we will take back state authority in Perak and take power in Putrajaya.

We Can. We Must. We Will.

NGEH KOO HAM

DAP PERAK CHAIRMAN

Tun Zaki’s admission nullifies Federal Court Judgment.

2011-10-09T01:16:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT BY YB V.SIVAKUMAR

- Tun Zaki’s admission nullifies Federal Court Judgments relating to rulings by Speaker of Perak Assembly [(a) suspension of Zambry and others; and (b) the refusal by Election Commission to hold by-elections relating to Jelapang, Behrang and Changkat Jering]

Supreme Court ruling in 1988 holds that all sittings not convened by CJ are illegal

1. According to Hashim Yeop Sani, CJ (Malaya), in Malaysian Bar v Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Omar (1989) 2 MLJ 281 at 282, any sitting convened by any other Judge other than the Chief Justice is not a lawfully constituted court. Reference was also made to the Tribunal Report against the five Judges that their sitting was “illegal and without jurisdiction.”

2. The Federal Court ruled that the Supreme Court which sat on 2 July 1988 was convened in contravention of ss 38 and 39 of the Courts of Judicature Act and in the result the court was not a lawfully constituted court and so has no jurisdiction to make the purported order for interim stay.

3. Likewise, a panel not properly constituted by Zaki cannot make any proper orders. The equivalent provisions today are ss 74 and 75 of the Courts of Judicature Act, 1964:-

74 (1) … every proceeding in the Federal Court shall be heard and disposed of by three Judges or such greater uneven number of Judges as the Chief Justice may in any particular case determine.

75 (1) The Court shall sit on such dates and at such places as the Chief Justice may from time to time appoint.

Suspension of Zambry and Exco

4. Tun Zaki J, retired Chief Justice admitted on 21.9.2011 that he did not convene or select the Judges for cases relating to the Perak crisis. He told Malaysiakini “In Sivakumar’s case, as I said, I did not constitute the panel. I do not know whether the President of the Court of Appeal (Alauddin) consulted with then Chief Judge of Malaya (Arifin Zakaria).” A suit in question is Zambry Abd Kadir & ors v myself and the Attorney-General as Intervener vide Notice of Motion No. 06-64-2009 (A).

5. The Judges who sat were Alauddin Mohd Sheriff PCA, Arifin Zakaria CJ, Nik Hashim FCJ, Augustine Paul FCJ, and Zulkefli Makinuddin FCJ.

6. The Court held that the Committee of Powers and Privileges had no power to suspend the Menteri Besar and his EXCO.

Refusal by Election Commission to hold by–elections

7. Another such hearing affected by Tun Zaki’s admission is the Federal Court Application vide Notice of Motion No. 06-3-2009 (A) filed by Jamaluddin, Osman and Hee Yit Foong and heard by Alauddin Mohd Sheriff PCA, Arifin Zakaria CJ, Nik Hashim FCJ, Augustine Paul FCJ and James Foong FCJ on 8.6.2009.

8. That application asked the Federal Court to set aside my ruling that the seats of Changkat Jering, Behrang and Jelapang were vacant. As I was then the Speaker, I had accepted the resignations of the assembly persons namely, Jamaluddin, Osman and Hee Yit Foong

9. As the Federal Court judgments are now undeniably bad, all rulings made by me as Speaker must stand. Therefore, the seats of Changkat Jering, Behrang and Jelapang are vacant and the suspensions should not have been set aside.

All State Assembly sittings after 3^rd March 2009 are illegal

10. By reason of the illegal sittings of the Federal Court I am still the Speaker of the Perak State Assembly and the recent admission by Zaki reinforces my stand. As I did not preside in sittings called by Zambry, those sittings are unlawful. The last valid sitting was the one under the tree on 3.3.2009.

11. Therefore, regardless of whether I was physically evicted from my chair on 7.5.2009, the legal position is that the Perak Assembly sittings were attended by persons who should not be present.

12. After all, they had acted as they did by relying on the void judgments of the Federal Court.

13. The entire legal basis relied upon by Zambry to hold the Assembly sittings on 7.5.2009 and other sittings have now collapsed in view of the admission by Tun Zaki that he did not empanel the Judges.

Zambry and EXCO must vacate their seats

14. This illegal Menteri Besar and his EXCO should step down to prevent further embarrassment and hardship to the people of Perak.

15. I call on them to respect the law. A copy of the Federal Court Judgment is annexed.

YB V.SIVAKUMAR

ADUN Tronoh

8.10.2011

2011-09-22T12:59:00.001+08:00

Media Statement by YB V.Sivakumar, Tronoh State Assemblyman on 22/9/2011.

Tamil Schools In Perak

Out of 523 schools in Malaysia, Perak has the highest number of Tamil schools with a number of 134 schools. There is 25% of Tamil schools in Perak and 65% of the schools are in the estate.

Issues:

1. Due to economic reasons and limited job opportunities, the Indians have left the estate and moved to urban areas. This had reasoned the under-enrollment of students in Tamil schools is unavoidable.

2. So, how will the community and MIC going to safeguard the Tamil Schools?

3. For the past 3 years, Dato’ Veerasingam had been saying that the MIC had identified lands here and there but there is no constructive work has been materialized.

4. In many meetings, Dato’ Veerasingam said they have identified new sites for these Tamil Schools :

a) Gunung Rapat

b) Jelapang

c) Langkap

d) Sungai Siput

e) Changkat Salak

- but there has been nothing concrete taken place as at-to-date.

- Has MIC secured the so-called identified lands and has it been gazette for the schools. Hope it is not simply an empty promise for the coming general elections.

- Can Dato’ Veerasingam ask the state EXCO to pass an order to gazette those lands which they said had identified? It has to be done immediately before the general elections.

5. Can MIC Perak come out with a blue-print for the Tamil schools in Perak?

YB V.Sivakumar

ADUN Tronoh

Foreigners Can Vote in Malaysia!

2011-09-22T11:51:00.002+08:00

Media Statement by YB Dato' Ngeh Koo Ham

Dated this 22^nd day of September 2011.

Clear proofs that non citizens have been registered as voters.
Deputy Prime Minister and the Election Commission must no longer be in denial mode.

I am disappointed that Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the Election Commission continue to deny that there are foreigners who are registered as voters in this country.

The following and foreigners are registered in my constituency of Beruas ;

Name Mykad No. Origin

1. Ghafar Bin Kaum 631020125267 Pakistani

2. Hawa Binti Ochik 201028715448 Indonesian

3. Ahmaddin Bin Rasid 600210125119 Pakistani

4. Bo Rashid Bin Jabboonam 091231617267 Indonesian

5. Arudkanth a/l V. Rajandran 690606085119 Sri Langka

6. Jahatanor Binti Ahmad 480811085446 Jawa

7. Matali Bin Yasir 470110105759 Jawa

8. Esah @ Pesah Binti Mat Saman 301102715082 Siamese

However, a check with the National Registration Department shows that there are no person with such Mykad numbers. The likelihood is that these foreigners have been issued unauthorised Mykads and they have manage to register themselves as voters. On polling day they will be allowed to vote using their Mykads because nobody will know that their Mykads are fake ones. As their names appear in the Voters’ list, they will be allowed to vote.

I also discover the following foreigners who have successfully applied for genuine Mykads and have registered as voters in my constituency:-

Name Mykad No. Origin

1. Ngoh Boi Teong 420815715105 Siamese

2. Janah Binti Toh Kee Jo 520417085636 Jawa

3. Eyam a/p Ooi Ah Kie 600210095124 Jawa

4. Baharudin Bin Throot 540617085479 Siamese

5. Nor Asiah Binti Hamsin 620529085380 Jawa

6. Sugumaran a/l Murugan 761130086065 Bangladeshi

7. Mustapa Bin Haji Jamil 370817085159 Jawa

8. Chaali a/p Ai Klin 720727025256 Siamese

9. Bahorom Bin Ngadir 510110085747 Jawa

10. Hassan Khan Bin Rahnatullah Khan 730403085227 Pakistani

11. Munaver Ahmad Bin Nazir Ahmad 730822085045 Pakistani

12. Sugarang @ Sughran Bibi Binti Md Yusof 440202085268 Pakistani

13. Mohamad Bin Ibrahim 591028125065 Pakistani

14. Barry Patrick Morgan @ Yusof Bin Abdulla 260902715189 European

15. Jariah Binti Wagiman 470913085616 Jawa

It is a well known fact that many foreigners have been able to obtain Mykads with ease. The complaints I receive is that it will be easier for foreigners to obtain the Malaysian citizenship if they are Muslims.

It has been so difficult for many Malaysian born residents to obtain citizenship for various reasons. Just like the case of Chan Ming Ying, aged 31 who was born in Malaysia and has been living in Malaysia whole of his life. He studied in Sekolah Rendah (c) in Sg Batu and Sekolah Menengah Pantai Remis both in Perak and subsequently in the Johor Bahru Polytechnic. His only ‘sin’ is that his Chinese parents adopted him without going through the proper legal procedure. His adoptive Chinese parents have put their names into his birth certificate as the natural parents which is quite a common practice. His case was detected because his natural father was a Chinese and mother an Indian. His natural parents can no longer be traced. So, his skin is a little darker and therefore, the NRD refused to recognize him as a citizen. He is now a state less person holding a green card which allow him to stay in Malaysia only temporarily.

I call on the Home Minister and the Election Commission to clarify and rectify the above said matters.

YB Dato' Ngeh Koo Ham
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan

YB Dato' Ngeh Koo Ham : Dato’ Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir must come clean with regard to the clearing of 74 ha of land at Sungai Mendelum area in the Royal Belum and the Temengor Forest Reserve and the 68,503 acres of land which he has approved since the grab of power by BN on 6 Feb 2009.

2011-09-20T19:23:00.002+08:00

Media Statement

Dated this 20^th day of September 2011.

Dato’ Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir must come clean with regard to the clearing of 74 ha of land at Sungai Mendelum area in the Royal Belum and the Temengor Forest Reserve and the 68,503 acres of land which he has approved since the grab of power by BN on 6 Feb. 2009.

Dato’ Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, BN Menteri Besar of Perak must own up to the clearing of 74 ha (183 acres) of land at Sungai Mendelum area in Royal Belum and the Temengor Forest Reserve and the approving of 68,503 acres of land since he became MB of Perak.

Perak Forest Department Director, Datuk Nik Mohd Shah Nik Mustafa has confirmed that the BN Perak State Government has approved the logging of the above said 74 ha of land. Zambry has approved or alienated so much land away in the last 2 ½ years that he has no knowledge of the locations of the lands he has approved.

Logging has also been rampant in many areas and I have received complaints from locals that rampant logging activities have been carried out in Segari and Beruas.

Internal sources have informed me that Dato’ Seri Zambry has approved a total of 68,503 acres of land since the grab of power in Feb 2009 till July this year! 60,561.75 acres of which are industrial or agricultural land which was approved at the rate RM375 per acre! Obviously the cronies who received such lands will reap huge profits. They are expected to reap profit of at least 40 times the premium paid. The cronies will profit a staggering RM900,000,000 which is more that the Perak State Government annual budget of about RM800 million ! Despite repeated requests at the State Assembly sittings, he has refused to disclose the recipients of these lands.

Under the Pakatan Rakyat Government we only approved land to the landless and the poor at the nominal premium of RM1,000 per ha. All lands approved for commercial farming will be by open tender which will reap in much higher premium for the people.

I believe that Dato’ Seri Zambry has no confidence that BN will win in the next general election or be retained as the Menteri Besar. As such he and his cronies hope to reap as much benefit as possible before the 13^th General Election. He will leave behind a host of problems when his cronies who have been alienated the lands or those who bought from them institute eviction proceedings against the farmers who have toiled on their lands for decades.

I challenge him to clear his name with regard to the above matters.

YB Dato' Ngeh Koo Ham

Chairman of DAP Perak

MP for Beruas &

State Assemblyman for Sitiawan

YB V.Sivakumar: Problems faced by SJK (T) Gunung Rapat

2011-08-24T11:18:00.000+08:00

Press Conference by YB V.Sivakumar on 24/8/2011.

To highlight problems/issues faced by SJK (T) Gunung Rapat.

Speech by M Kula at Tapah : Najib should walk the talk and tell Malaysians what electoral reforms will the government bring about before the next general election.

2011-08-07T14:02:00.007+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at Bukit Paggar, Tapah on Saturday, August 6, 2011

Najib should walk the talk and tell Malaysians what electoral reforms will the government bring about before the next general election.

Six months before the 2008 general election, it was evident that there was the general mood for political change that was favorable to the Opposition.

But despite our optimism of a better performance, we were not really sure how well could the Opposition perform.

The political tsunami which took place and caused the BN to suffer its worse electoral debacle was therefore an unexpected shock for the Opposition as well as the BN leaders.

The result simply showed what people power could do. People power made BN lose its traditional two thirds parliamentary majority and power in 5 states.

With present speculation going on that the next general election may be held anytime after Hari Raya Aidil Fitri celebration, the political question that is being asked by many Malaysians is whether there could be a greater political tsunami that will bring about a new federal government.

I dare say that the chances of the Opposition taking over Putrajaya are there. It is certainly not a pipe dream.

In fact, I believe that the recent internet portal reports that there have been loss of confidence in the prime minister's leadership within Umno is due to dry run results indicating the existence of favorable political mood towards the Opposition.

Recently, a report in the internet portal " The Malaysian Insider" revealed that BN could lose Perak and Negri Sembilan in the next general elections, according to results of a recent dry run, unless component parties put popular faces and ensure the grassroots machinery garner support from voters.

The report too says that Opposition will make gains in BN traditional fortress state of Johor.

Undoubtedly, UMNO leaders have begun to have daily political nightmare and some have even begun to think of changing the ship.captain

They saw how the then prevalent mood of change among voters during the 2008 general election campaigning period translated into a political tsunami against BN.

They also saw how once campaigning period started in the recent Sarawak state election, massive crowds turned up every night at DAP ceramahs.

Though they will not publicly admit, the greatest fear that is gripping the BN leaders is that they now cannot say with certainty that Putrajaya will not fall at the next general election.

Previously, BN leaders would never ask who would be the Prime Minister if Opposition becomes the federal government, but MCA leaders have over the last few months been asking Pakatan Rakyat this question.

This shows that BN does actually think that they can lose federal power.

However, we must bear in mind that the next election is not going to be an easy battle for PR.

In fact, the next general election is going to be the dirtiest in the nation's electoral history.

There will be politics of money, threat, blackmails lies and falsehoods. Spectre of May 13 may be raised.

There could even be electoral fraud.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has revealed that Penang state saw a sudden surge of 32000 voters in just 3 months and a staggering 1,400 postal votes were inserted into Batu Maung state constituency, currently held by state Exco member Abdul Malik Kassim from PKR.

The Election Commission must explain such strange surge of voter numbers.

Last month, the prime minister Dato Sri Najib said that government was all for fair elections.

Talk is cheap.

Najib should walk the talk and tell Malaysians what electoral reforms will the government bring about before the next general election.

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

DAP Kinta Valley "Yellow Saturday" Campaign Pasar Besar Ipoh, Perak

2011-08-02T09:55:00.000+08:00

Press Statement by YB Wong Kah Woh, the State Assemblyman for Canning and DAP Perak Publicity Secretary on 30.07.2011 (Sunday) at the “Yellow Saturday” Campaign Pasar Besar Ipoh, Perak:

It is imminent for the BN Government and the Election Commission to accept and implement the 8 Demands for a Clean and Fair Election as proposed by Bersih with a view to improve and reform the electoral system in the country and to restore the confidence of the People in the democracy system.

The DAP Kinta Valley reps were here in Pasar Besar, Ipoh this morning kicking off the Kinta-Valley wide campaign of a Post-Bersih electoral reform campaign. Those who are presence include YB M Kula (MP for Ipoh Barat), myself (Canning), YB V Sivakumar (Tronoh), YB Shum Cheok Leng (Bercham), YB Lim Pek Har (Menglembu), Human Rights lawyer Sdr. Augustine Anthony, Mulan’s Branch Chairlady Sdr. Wong Chee Yen and the members from various service team in Kinta Valley. It is notable that everyone were presence in yellow shirt in support of a “Yellow Saturday” and this had led to a wave of yellow in the market itself.

As part of the “Yellow Saturday” campaign, the DAP Kinta Valley reps will be having programmes and walkabout every Saturday in the designated areas in every State Seat of Kinta Valley. We hope that we can create more awareness of the people on the importance and Clean and Fair Election and to let the people understand the truth that cannot be covered at the peaceful rally on 9th July 2011.

The Election Commission had presented some proposals for the improvement of the electoral system in the country. However, we can hardly see the proposals such as the biometric identification system and the repositioning of the postal balloting by the name advance voting will carry any weight in the improvement of the electoral system or bring to a total reform of the system.

As far as the biometrical identification is concerned, there are fear of manipulation of the system and it will also involve gigantic cost. The indelible ink system which was supposed to be implemented in the last General Election and as proposed in the 8 Electoral Reform Demands by Bersih will be a better and more practical choice with a much lower cost.

At the same time, the introduction of advance voting system in place of postal balloting provides no difference between the two. The shifting and manipulation of the numbers of arm-forces votes can still be easily done by the authority, with the latest example of the Draft 2011 2nd Quarter Electoral Roll where the there is drastic unjustifiable increase of the postal votes in the past 3 months in Ipoh Timur and Canning. This has further reaffirmed the importance of another demand for a clean and fair electoral system, the reform in the postal votes.

We urge the people to join and support our event of “Yellow Saturday”, by wearing anything in yellow every Saturday.

WONG KAH WOH

This is how the Election Commission helps BN to cheat voters Written by Kenny Gan, Malaysia Chronicle

2011-07-29T14:30:00.004+08:00

This is how the Election Commission helps BN to cheat voters
Written by Kenny Gan, Malaysia Chronicle

EDITOR'S PICK The hallmark of a democratic system is the holding of elections at periodic intervals to allow the people to choose their government. A government which must renew its mandate from the people should result in better and more accountable governance in contrast with an authoritarian system where the ruling regime does not have to face elections.

However elections do not necessarily result in better governance in a one party system where only the ruling party has any chance of winning the election. In a functioning democracy the people must have choice. Regimes which cannot bear democratic competition but still have to face the inconvenience of elections will try their best to remove the choice from the people. One of the most favoured methods is to compromise the electoral process.

In Malaysia, the Election Commission is tasked with conducting elections. It is supposed to be an independent and impartial referee under the direct auspices of the Agung but sadly it has not behaved as independently or impartially as it should. In this article I will point out the many ways in which the EC tilts the playing field to BN’s favour to spare BN from intense democratic competition.

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating geographic boundaries to establish a political advantage for a particular party. This term was coined after Governor Gerry of Massachusetts who signed a bill to redraw district boundaries to favour his party. The shape of the district formed was likened to a salamander.

The EC has relied on gerrymandering on a large scale. To quote from Bersih 2.0 chief Ambiga Sreenevasan:

“We shared our research, presented slides on the delineation process in 2003. There were astoundingly unusual features, with some constituencies crossing boundaries of local authorities and creating funny shapes,” -

One gerrymandering tactic is to create more seats in pro-BN areas. Needless to say, there were no new seats created in Kelantan. As rural areas are perceived to be pro-BN there is a propensity to create more rural seats and less urban seats. This leads to a big disparity in urban and rural seat size - for example Kapar has 112,224 registered voters while many rural seats have registered voters in the region of 50,000. The Putrajaya seat which is composed mainly of civil servants has a mere 7,000 voters.

After the 1999 general election the EC preferred to create mixed seats in favour of Malay majority seats which may be a hard fight with PAS. These mixed seats were seen as safe seats and unwinnable by the opposition due to voting along ethnic and religious lines with respect to opposition candidates (mainly PAS and DAP) while BN was seen as the only multi-ethnic party. However the 2008 general election has blown this premise apart.

The next delineation exercise started in March 2011 and may take at least a year to complete. Then it has to be approved by a two-thirds majority in parliament but BN is currently short of this majority. Hence it is uncertain whether the 13th general election will be based on any new delineation which must be a relief to Pakatan Rakyat.

Shuffling Voters Around

Even without new delineation the EC can try to assist BN by shuffling voters around. This is illegal as voters can only be moved in a parliament approved delineation exercise (unless requested by the voter with a change in address) but specious excuses are sometimes given such as refining electoral boundaries.

Voters can be moved to different constituencies either to dilute opposition supporters or to concentrate them in a few sacrificial seats. In 2008 DAP’s Teresa Kok achieved the distinction of the MP with the biggest majority of 36,492, assisted in part by many opposition supporters sent to vote for her. More recently the Hulu Selangor and Sibu by-election has seen the EC moving some of pro-opposition voters out of the constituency.

Another trick is to move voters to other polling centres within the same constituency without their knowledge and without informing them. In the Hulu Selangor by-election 20% of the voters were moved from their 2008 polling centres for no good reason. It is unclear what the EC hoped to achieve with this but it could be a strategy to reduce the number of voters by causing less determined voters to give up after turning up at the wrong polling centre.

Postal Votes

Postal voting is available to police, military and other security personnel who by the nature of their duties may not be able to vote in normal polling centres on election day. There is longstanding criticism and suspicion regarding postal votes as observers are not allowed. As postal votes are always overwhelmingly skewed towards BN there are doubts whether the balloting is really secret or even whether votes are genuine. Between the times the votes are collected and produced at the counting centres anything could happen due to the lack of independent monitoring.

Postal votes have been known to save marginal seats for BN after a first count show that BN has lost. A notable example is Najib Razak who lost in the first count of his Pekan seat in 1999 but was saved by postal votes in a recount. There seem to be an uncanny ability by the EC to produce postal votes to save marginal seats even though postal votes are supposed to be tied to the constituency where the postal voter is based. The practice of producing postal votes after and not before a count is extremely dubious.

The Malaysian Territorial Army of reservists is being expanded aggressively. The Defence Ministry is planning to set up additional Territorial Army companies in 58 parliamentary seats by year end and there are rumours that they will be granted postal votes before the 13th G.E.

Phantom Voters

Phantom voters are another shady category. Although the EC insists that electoral rolls are clean it has been proven time and again that they are not with duplicate voters, multiple voters sharing the same address who do not live there and an unlikely number of centenarians. Recently the Perak electoral roll was found to contain more than 1600 centenarians with the oldest voter at an astouding132 years old.

Not removing deceased voters from the rolls has its advantages to BN. It provides more scope for phantom voters without the mathematical inconvenience of the total number of votes cast exceeding the number of registered voters.

The use of indelible ink will help to curb phantom voters as they are usually executed by people voting multiple times. However the EC has refused to implement the use of indelible ink. A proposal to use indelible ink was withdrawn 4 days before polling day in 2008 G.E. after purchase of 47,000 bottles of ink.

Picking Overseas Voters

Under the election laws, four categories of Malaysian citizens living aboard are allowed to cast their votes as "Absent-Voters" which includes military personnel, public servants, full time students and their spouses who may cast their votes in the high commission or consulates in the countries they live in.

So the machinery exists for overseas Malaysians to vote and there is no reason why this facility cannot be extended to all Malaysians residing abroad. Although the law specifies all full time overseas students are eligible to vote in practice only government sponsored students are allowed to vote while privately funded students who probably been denied scholarships are given the shoo-off.

There are an estimated 1,000,000 Malaysians living abroad. Most of them are not supportive of the BN government, having fled to escape race based social injustice so the reluctance of the EC to allow them to vote is understandable.

Making it Difficult for Some Voters

Holding elections on working days is devoid of any logical reason but the EC has held several by-elections on working days where the voter sentiment is seen to be unfavourable to BN. Where the condition is seen to be favourable to BN such as the Bagan Pinang by-election in Negeri Sembilan it is held on Sunday.

Obviously this is a tactic to make it inconvenient for young voters working in urban centres to return to vote. These voters are not perceived to be BN supporters.

The EC’s fear of young voters can be seen in the extraordinary long time needed to register a new voter which can take up to 6 months. In the 1999 G.E., at the height of the Anwar crisis, 650,000 young voters were prevented from exercising their voting right on the specious excuse that there was no time to register them.

The EC has refused to implement automatic registration of eligible voters to replace the present cumbersome process of applying to be on the electoral rolls. There is no reason why the NRD’s database cannot be tapped for automatic registration.

One can only draw comfort from the fact that a regime which fears young voters is on its last leg with more and more young voters replacing old voters with each election.

Non-Enforcement of Election Laws

There are election laws against vote buying and promising favours in return for votes but they have been routinely broken by BN candidates without any action by the EC. This has been done by none other than the prime minister himself made famous by his blatant “I help you, you help me” line used on Sibu voters in a by-election. In the Sarawak state election held in April 2011, vote buying was rampant with several documented cases but the EC has refused to act.

The use of government machinery for campaigning is also not allowed but this is usually ignored by BN. Some government departments like the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli are actively involved in canvassing for votes with threats, intimidation and goodies to the Orang Asli.

Unequal access to the media is another complaint which the EC can act on but does nothing. Not only is the state controlled mainstream electronic and print media is totally inaccessible to opposition parties to broadcast their message but are also used to conduct vile propaganda campaigns against them. Widespread access to the online world in urban areas has helped to negate this BN advantage but the opposition is disadvantaged in rural areas where internet penetration is low.

To press home the BN advantage in information dissemination the EC sometimes set short campaign periods to limit the ability of the opposition to spread their message via ‘ceramah’ (gatherings).

No Fear of Losing Power Means No Democracy

By helping BN retain its grip on power by unfair means the EC is subverting the right of the people to choose their own government. Even worse it encourages the ruling party to be corrupt and abusive by removing or reducing its fear of losing power. There is no functioning democracy if the ruling party can depend on compromised elections instead of popular support to win.

The truth is that Malaysia has never been a real democracy even though we have all the trappings of democracy and hold elections every 4-5 years. No democracy could have survived the sordid execution of Sodomy I and the barefaced attempt to push through Sodomy II. We have been a one party system since independence and all the institutions and instruments of government have been subverted to serve BN and assist BN in maintaining power. This includes the press, the police, the MACC, the Judiciary, the Attorney-General chamber, the Registrar of Societies and the Election Commission.

After the 12th general election there were hopes that Malaysia will evolve into a two party system where democratic competition for votes will help to keep the ruling party in line. On the face of it we should already have a two party system as surveys have shown that 30% of the people will welcome a PR govt while 20% are undecided. Such figures should make any government worry.

However we do not have a two party system yet because the electoral playing field is wholly tilted in BN’s favour. Only when there is free and fair elections will a two party system materialize.

- Malaysia Chronicle
Article Link

Wong Kah Woh : The Residents in Taman Kemuncak (Ipoh Garden East) has initiated a signature petition to oppose the application from Haluan Ikhlas Sdn Bhd

2011-07-02T10:53:00.001+08:00

Press Release by YB Wong Kah Woh, State Assemblyman for Canning on 01.07.2011 (Friday) in Ipoh:-

The Residents in Taman Kemuncak (Ipoh Garden East) has initiated a signature petition to oppose the application from a company known as Haluan Ikhlas Sdn Bhd for the conversion of category of land use for 4 pieces of land here from “none” to “Building” and the express conditions from “none” to “religious house”.

We received calls from the residents of Taman Kemuncak last week informing that the Local Council, Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh, had served the residents a notice stating that the Council had received an application from haluan Ihhlas Sdn Bhd for the conversion of 4 pieces of land in Taman Kemuncak.

We have met with the residents last Saturday and a petition was prepared. The residents were unsure whether the owner has the intention of building a crematorium at the site. It is the view of the residents that the whole area is a residential area and shall not be used for religious purpose. The other feedbacks were that on the worries of the issue of traffic congestion together with the potential noise and air pollution.

We will continue to co-ordinate with the residents of Taman Kemuncak on this issue and arrange for the submission of the petition by the residents to Majlis bandaraya Ipoh. We have also texted the Mayor, Datuk Hj Roshidi Hashim of the same and we urge MBI to initiate a session of hearing to hear the views of the residents.

Call to resolve problems related to conversion in and out of Islam immediately

2011-06-25T12:20:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT

Illegal for Government to subject non-Muslims to be tried by the Syariah Court. Call on the Government to resolve the problems related to the conversion in and out of Islam immediately and to implement a quick and easy way to determine the religious status of a person

政府把非回教徒交给回教法院审判是非法的。呼吁政府立即解决有关改变信仰，皈依回教和脱离回教的问题。并采取快速与简便的方法，来确定一个人的宗教地位。

The clarification by Minster in the Prime Minister’s Department, Mejar Jeneral (B) Datuk Jamil Khir Bin Baharom that the 135 applicants who managed to renounce Islam were actually non-Muslims who were mistakenly registered as Muslims by the National Registration Department (NRD) because of their names and these victims have to apply to the Syariah Court to change their religious status shows that something is very wrong with the Government administration.

首相署部长，Mejar Jeneral (B) Datuk Jamil Khir Bin Baharom 澄清：135人申请者脱离回教，实际上是国家登记处（NRD），因为这些非回教徒的名字，误登记他们为回教徒。这些受害者必须向回教法院改变其宗教地位，|这显示政府的行政，出现非常错误的施政。

Firstly, if it is a mistake made by the NRD why can’t the NRD rectify it?

首先，如果是NRD犯了错误，为什么NRD不能纠正它呢？

Secondly, the Syariah Curt has no jurisdiction over non-muslims. The Syariah Court Judges should reject such application due to lack of jurisdiction and asked that the matter be resolved by the NRD. Any decision by the Syariah court over a non Muslim is illegal.

其次，回教法院没有权力对非回教徒作出审判。回教法院的法官，由于缺乏司法权力，应拒绝有关的申请，并要求该事项交由NRD解决。任何由回教法庭对非回教徒作出的审判都是非法的。

Thirdly, courts are constituted to settle disputes not for confirming the religious status of a person. Articles II of the Federal Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion of every Malaysian and therefore, the religious status of a person is determined by the person concern. A statutory declaration made by the person should suffice. Muslims are complaining that there is huge back log of cases in the Syariah Courts. Therefore, Syariah Courts should spend their time giving priority clearing the cases rather than getting themselves involved with matters which they do not have jurisdiction.

第三，法院是用于解决纠纷的，不是为了证实一个人的宗教地位。联邦宪法第二章条文保障每一个马来西亚公民信仰宗教的自由，一个人的宗教地位是由个人的决定。一个人作出的法定声明已经足够。回教徒抱怨说有在回教法庭有很多累积的案件等待处理。因此，回教法院应该花时间优先清理自己的案件，而不是参与自己没有司法权力的事务。

Subjecting non-Muslims to the Syariah Court is oppressive as these non-Muslims have to go through ‘counselling not to leave the Islamic faith’ which may take months, some cases years and in many other cases never approved.

非回教徒遭受回教法院的压迫是因为这些非回教徒要经过“不要离开回教信仰的辅导”，这可能需要几个月，在某些情况下需要多年的时间。甚至有许多其他案件从来没有获得批准。

A person after becoming a Muslim registers himself/herself with the respective State Islamic Council. Depositing a statutory declaration declaring that he/she has left the Islamic faith with the same Islamic Council should suffice to confirm that he/she has left the Islamic faith.

一个人成为回教徒后将会到各自的州回教理事会进行注册。在相同的回教理事会里，法定声明宣布他/她脱离回教信仰，应足以确认他/她已经脱离回教信仰。

Conversion to Islam has been abused by many. Some have converted to Islam to escape their legal duty to provide maintenance for their wives and children. Others converted to Islam to get custody of the children as the Syariah Courts will grant them the custody of the children. The civil courts regretfully now hold the view that they have no jurisdiction to interfere. Islam promotes justice but it has now been used to perpetuate injustice.

皈依回教已被许多人滥用了。有些人皈依回教，为维护他们的妻子和孩子，以逃避法律责任。其他人皈依回教，是为了得到子女抚养权。因为回教法院会把子女抚养权给予他们。现在民事法庭遗憾的认为，他们无权干涉。回教提倡正义，但它现在已经被用来延续不公平不公正。

I know of people who do not profess the Islamic faith, never seen or read the Koran before and have never entered a mosque but due to various circumstances have a muslim sounding names. They want to be non-Muslims and get married to non-Muslims. Since there is no avenue for them to get married, they stay together out of wedlock and give birth to offsprings who will then be victim of circumstances like their parents. By refusing them an avenue to get married and have a normal family, we become a cruel society and by our cruelty we breed further social problems.

我知道一些人，不信奉回教的信仰，从未见过或阅读可兰经，也从来没有去过回教堂。但由于各方面情况，拥有一个和穆斯林相似的姓名。他们希望成为非回教徒和与非回教徒结婚。由于他们没有结婚的途径，他们只能同居在一起。他们的孩子出生后就会像他们的父母的情况下，成为牺牲品。拒绝他们结婚的途径和拥有一个正常的家庭，我们成为一个残酷的社会。我们的残酷，将进一步制造社会问题。

All persons above the age of 18 should be given full liberty to choose the religion of their choice.

所有18岁以上的人士应给予充分的自由，选择他们所信仰的宗教。

I call on the Government to resolve the issues related to the conversion in and out of Islam immediately by following and respecting the provisions and the spirit of the Federal Constitution so that the untold miseries of those affected by the said issue can be put to an end.

我呼吁政府立即解决有关改变信仰，皈依回教和脱离回教的问题。根据和尊重联邦宪法的规定和精神，结束这些受影响的人士，面对这些问题，所带来数不清的痛苦。

Dated this 25th day of June 2011.

2011年6月25日

NGEH KOO HAM
Deputy Secretary of DAP Malaysia
MP for Beruas &
State Assemblyman for Sitiawan

倪可汉
民主行动党全国副秘书
木威区国会议员
实兆逺区州议员

M Kula Segaran, Where in the world has a fiction been used as a history book?

2011-06-08T17:11:00.001+08:00

Media statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat, in Ipoh on Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Where in the world has a fiction been used as a history book?

Professor Anthony Milner, currently with the International Studies Department of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), has been reported to say that despite complaints against the Interlok novel, he felt that the author of the book national laureate Datuk Abdullah Hussain attempted to provide an idea of the lives of the Chinese and Indian community and their relationship with the Malay community.

He therefore suggested that the controversial "Interlok" novel should be used as a model for history text books as it's is quite "inclusive" in its narrative and depiction of non-Malays.

I find his suggestion most shocking and unacceptable. I wonder if he is aware of the strong and continued public objections against the novel's usage as a school text.

I wish to ask Professor Anthony Milner if he is also aware of the following:-

1) that the novel contains factual inaccuracies? That many matters written are unsubstantiated?

2) that the Government itself has set up an independent committee to review. the book's contents but 3 of the panel members have later resigned in protest?

3) that the novel can destroy the fabric of national unity in a multiracial country?

On March 30, Chinese groups have also joined the Indian community and voiced their strong objections against the continued usage of the novel.

I reproduce below an extract of media report of the stand and views taken by the groups:-

In a statement today, Chinese associations from across Malaysia said the book was not only offensive to Indians but Chinese as well, as it depicted the character Kim Lock as a "miserly opium addict and callous adulterer" and his son, Cing Huat, as "cunning, greedy, unscrupulous and someone who would happily sell his daughters".

"'Interlok' in its totality propagates the ideology of ketuanan Melayu. In our considered opinion, this novel is not only unhealthy but an insidious poison," the statement said.

"In fact, 'Interlok' is barely a step away from the Biro Tata Negara (BTN) brainwashing that promotes racism and disunity. 'Interlok' conveys the central message that Chinese, Indian and other minorities are second-class citizens in addition to perpetuating the divisive notion of a host community (the Malays) versus foreigners ('bangsa asing' Cina dan India )."

The groups also condemned the "major thread" in the book, which depicts the Chinese "cheating and oppressing" Malays or as "nasty and immoral" communist guerrillas.

The statement was signed by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), LLG Cultural Development Centre, Malaysian-China Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Chinese Associations Johor, the Penang Chinese Town Hall and 40 others, including the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) and several Indian organizations. Why is Professor Anthony unable to see all these despite his claim that he has read the novel?

Has he chosen to play politics by ignoring the truth?

Finally, I wish to also ask him where in the world a fiction has been used as a history book.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
MP, Ipoh Barat
http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran "Religious tolerance the way forward to Malaysia’s stability and growth "

2011-06-03T16:37:00.004+08:00

Speech by M.Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat held on 02/06/2011 at Dewan Leong Wan Chin, Jalan Kampar in Malaysian Kadhampa Buddhist Association event.

Religious tolerance the way forward to Malaysia’s stability and growth

I thank His Holiness the 18thDromtug Rinpoche Losang Chockye Pelden for inviting me today to witness the ongoing relic’s exhibition in Ipoh.

I visited and was briefed of the workings of the relics this morning. I must say I and my entourage were greatly informed and educated on the relics of Buddha and his disciples.

From the brief presence this morning here, I felt, the deep connection and direct benefits from the relics.

We thank the Malaysian Kadhampa Buddhist Association for arranging His Holiness‘s blessing through this event.

We are fortunate that right at our door step, we can have the privilege to see and observe the beauty of the relics.

The number of relics is too numerous to be counted. The most interesting part of the relics is that it is a living item and is said to be growing in size over time.

We were also shown a turtle of over 100 years old which likes to linger around the relics area.

Malaysia has a population of over 28million. Although Malaysia is a Muslim majority country, it has a very thriving non Muslim population.

According to the latest statistics, the break down as according to races is as follows:

1) Race: Malay (53.3%), Chinese (26.0%), Indigenous (11.8), Indian (7.7%), Others (1.2%).

2) Religion: Islam (60.4%), Buddhism (19.2%), Christianity (9.1%), Hinduism (6.3%), other/none (5.0%).

From the above, we can see that Malaysia has a very big Buddhist population. Thus this explains the existence of many Buddhist temples all over the country.

We are fortunate that notwithstanding that we are a Muslim majority country, we get to practice our faiths as we choose as this is enshrined in the Federal constitution which states under Article 3 Islam is the religion of the Federation but other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation.

We should be grateful to the framers of our Constitution who had the foresight and had incorporated this important protection for the people of this country.

In many of the countries around the world, thousands of people have been killed due to religious strive/misunderstanding

Many a time the religious freedom in our country has been strained but somehow due to sheer tolerance and understanding, no major incidence has happened to the extent of civil strife taking place.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
Ipoh Barat, MP
http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

Screening of Interlok Video in Bercham

2011-06-02T14:41:00.000+08:00

Speech by M.Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at the talk held in Bercham, Ipoh on June 1, 2011

We thank the management of the Sri Kaliamman Temple for inviting us to meet up with its members and the local Indian community to discuss Indian related issues. Over 200 people from all walks of life attended the talk.

Among the speakers were Lawyer N.Selvam, Sdri. Kamachee, and Sdr. Kalimuthu and myself.

We also screened the parliamentary debate on the issue of interlock at the talk. It was well received and many attendees took copies of DVD for distribution to others who could not make it to the talk. In my speech I spoke on the following issues.

“Interlok”

Inetrlok literature text being used in Zone 2 of the country is the most controversial book ever to be used, despite the wide spread criticisms against its usage by the civil society.

The contents of the book are not only misleading as the facts stated are false but the novel will destroy the fabric of the multiracial strength of our country.

Malaysia is a multiracial, multi lingual and multi religious society. Any written work or book to be used as a text book should not be offensive to any community. It must be acceptable to all the communities of the country.

All communities must be well treated and due respect must be accorded to them. But the book is just doing the opposite as the contents are poisonous and are offensive especially to the Indian community.

It is puzzling why this particular book is retained as a school text though it is so clear that it is simply unsuitable as a school text.

The Education Ministry should do what is right and substitute the novel with a suitable one.

Tamil Schools

Upon the request of the local community in Sg.Petani, I and concerned citizens recently visited the Harvard Division 2 Tamil school at Gurun, Kedah.

This school started operation in 1935. At that time there were nearly over 200 Tamil families who were employed as rubber tappers. Thus to cater for the children of the labourers the estate management built this school.

At one time it had a student population of over 200. But over the years the number of labourers started to leave and migrate to the towns.

Presently there are only less than 30 families left and the student population has dropped to 26.

We were given to understand that the head master and the teachers of this school have all been transferred to other schools. This means the school will cease to operate.

All these years the BN has always stated that no school will be closed even if there is only one student left.

Why then this particular school is being closed down? Why has the BN Government not kept its promises?

In 1957, there were 1082 Tamil schools in the country. But over the years, the migration of Indians from the estates to the urban areas has resulted in the drop of student population in estate Tamil schools.

If the closure of Harvard Division 2 school becomes a precedent, then 30% of Tamil schools all over the country will face the fate of being closed down.

We therefore need a clear statement and guarantee from the Government that it will keep this school operational.

Presently the interest to send children to Tamil schools has grown stronger. Today, over 60% of the Indians parents are sending their children to Tamil schools.

In the 80’s, there were less than 80,000 students in the Tamil schools. Now,

the enrollment has ballooned to over 120,000 and is still growing every year.But there is an acute shortage of class rooms in most of the urban SJKT.

The government must therefore allow estate schools to be relocated to urban areas and /or build new SJKT in the urban areas.

Surely MIC, the so called sole Indian representative in the BN, cannot be unaware of the serious problem of the Tamil schools. Can the MIC spell out in detail how this problem will be attended and resolved?

What is required is a clearly set out blue print on Tamil schools for the whole country.

M.Kula Segaran
Ipoh Barat

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

Ngeh Koo Ham : Call on Dato’ Mah Hang Soon Perak BN government Exco member in charge of local governments to solve the public transport woes in Manjung and other districts.

2011-05-31T18:05:00.000+08:00

Call on Dato’ Mah Hang Soon Perak BN government Exco member in charge of local governments to solve the public transport woes in Manjung and other districts. PR is willing to offer its services for the sake of the people to solve the public transport woes though the state power has been taken from them.

One of the top priorities when PR Perak became the state government in March 2008 was to solve the woes of public transportation in Perak. There were no flight services to Perak and bus services were poor or non-existent in many areas.

BN Perak Government had been debating for years whether to extend the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport and whether to build the Ipoh Central Public Transportation Hub in Perak. Meanwhile, the people of Perak were without flight services and public bus transport were poor or non-existent in many areas.

PR Perak Government sprang into action and concluded a deal with Firefly to fly between Ipoh, Singapore and Subang. Firefly is now flying regularly 2 flights a day in and out of Ipoh.

PR Perak government also gathered all the bus operators in Kinta Valley to form a company called The Combined Bus Services Sdn Bhd, which then concluded a deal with the Perak State Government to build the Ipoh Central Public Transportation Hub in Meru Raya. 250 new buses would replace the old buses and they will be plying Kinta Valley and to other parts of Perak and Malaysia within 2 years from the date of the Agreement.

PR Perak government was also finalizing an Agreement with a developer to develop Manjung Central public Transportation Hub in Seri Manjung in the Manjung District but the same was abruptly terminated with the grab of power which occurred on 6th February 2009.

More than 2 years have lapsed but we see very slow progress of Ipoh Central Public Transportation Hub taking shape. Old buses in Ipoh have yet to be replaced.

Last year, the BN Government announced a subsidy of RM70,000.00 per month for a bus company to operate in Manjung District and it was to commence operation the beginning of this year but nothing has materialized. The poor especially those who are sick continue to suffer. They could not go to the hospital with the cheaper mode of public bus transport. Many have to pay as much as RM30 per trip to the Manjung Hospital using taxis.

If BN Government does not know how to solve the public transport problem, the Pakatan Rakyat is willing to offer its services for the sake of the people though the state power has been taken away from us.

31st May 2011
Ngeh Koo Ham
DAP Perak Chairman
Member of Parliament for Beruas
State Assemblyman for Sitiawan

Ngeh Koo Ham : Perak Eco Industrial Hub is another “pie in the sky” announcement by BN perak Government

2011-05-31T09:56:00.000+08:00

Media Statement

Perak Eco Industrial Hub is another “pie in the sky” announcement by BN perak Government. Dato’ Seri Zambry bin Abdul Kadir should prove himself by solving the simplest of the state problems like public transportation in his own house district of Manjung and issuing titles for renewal of expired leases within 1 month as was done by the PR Perak State Government.

______________________________________________________________________________

The announcement by Dato’ Seri Dr. Zambry bin Abdul Kadir, BN Menteri Besar of Perak that an Eco Industrial Hub will be set up in Perak is another BN Perak Government’s “pie in the sky” announcement.

BN Perak Government is well known for making “pie in the sky” announcements of mega projects that never materialize. Amongst them, multi-million and multi-billion ringgits projects such as the Aluminium Plant, Gulf Petroleum Project, International Halal Meat Hub, Aerospace Tourism from the Ipoh Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, building luxury homes in Tronoh where residents own personal planes, producing ethanol from mangrove palms (Nipah) and the seaweed project. The list can go on.

BN Perak Government tries to give the impression that it has brought much development to Perak to deceive the people when in fact it has failed to do so. An inquiry from an interested investor is announced as if the project is taking off in Perak.

The PR Perak Government announced a project only after the details have been worked out and the project is ready to be launched.

BN Perak Government under Dato’ Seri Zambry cannot even solve the simple transport problem of his home district of Manjung.

The BN Government has announced last year that the public bus service will start operating at the beginning of this year but we see nothing out of the announcement though we are entering the month of June.

PR Perak Government has cut down unnecessary procedures and was able to issue new titles for renewal of expired land leases within 1 month after an application is made. I have received numerous complaints that such titles could not be issued even though 2 years have lapsed under BN rule.

I call on Dato’ Seri Zambry to actually serve the people rather than making rosy announcements to deceive the people . I hope the people can see clearly that the BN grab of power in Perak is for power and not to serve the people.

Dated 30th May 2011
Ngeh Koo Ham
Assemblyman for Sitiawan
DAP Perak Chairman

JPA scholarships—Merit category should be based purely on academic result

2011-05-25T14:18:00.000+08:00

Media statement by M.Kula segaran MP Ipoh Barat and DAP Vice Chairman in Ipoh on 25/5/11

JPA scholarships—Merit category should be based purely on academic result Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Nazri said SPM students who scored 9As and above must meet the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam's strict guidelines which include passing the interview and special test, and having a good set of curriculum activities, as there were just 1,500 overseas scholarships available.

He also said that of the 1,500 scholarships, 300 (20%) were allocated under the merit category, 900 (60%) under the racial composition category, 150 spots (10%) under the Sabah and Sarawak bumiputera category and 150 (10%) under the socially disadvantaged category.

It is revealed in today's media that for merit category, an applicant is evaluated according to the following criteria:-

1.       Academic result (85%)

2.       Co curriculum activities (10 %)

3.       Interview performance (5%)

For the racial composition category, the following criteria are used:-

1.       Academic result (75%)

2.       Co curriculum Activities (10%)

3.       Family background (10%)

4.       Interview performance (5 %)

The major differences between the two categories are therefore the different percentages given to the academic result and the family background being the additional factor for the racial composition category.

Public perception has always been that for the merit category, the award of overseas degree scholarships is based purely on academic result.

The announcement has come as a surprise to many. In previous years, there have been complaints by top scorers that despite their impressive co curriculum record and interview performance, they have also not been selected.

Cabinet intervention by way of increasing the number of scholarship places has always been the necessary solution.

This year, the same complaints have surfaced.

Many top scorers have complained that they have not been selected for the overseas degree scholarships.

The basic question is –why can't academic result be the sole criterion of selecting the applicants for the merit category?

Using academic result as the sole criterion will mean comparing the marks obtained by the students for the subjects used as assessment for scholarship selection.

Surely JPA can easily obtain the students' detailed results from the Ministry of Education.

I also wish to reiterate my call that the JPA must be transparent in the award of scholarships.

JPA should, firstly, publish how scores are awarded for all thefactors, viz academic result, co curriculum activates, interview performance and economic background.

Secondly, it should publish the names of all successful scholarship recipients, with details like results and scores obtained by them, type and place of academic programmes approved by JPA to them.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
MP, Ipoh Barat

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran, JPA must be transparent in the awarding of scholarships.

2011-05-24T17:12:00.000+08:00

Media Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP
for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on Tuesday, May 24, 2011

JPA must be transparent in the awarding of scholarships.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Nazri said that the government had allocated 1,500 overseas scholarships to top students but stressed that of the total; only 300 were given based entirely on merit to students scoring straight 9A+.

The remaining 1,200 overseas grants, he said, were distributed according to those qualified within four categories — Sabah Bumiputeras (five per cent), Sarawak Bumiputeras (five per cent),
social composition or the population's racial composition (60 per cent) and socially handicapped (10 per cent).

He explained that currently over 360 students fell within the merit category which offers only 300 awards, resulting in over 60 failing to obtain the overseas scholarships.

"This means they may or may not qualify for remaining 1,200 grants. It depends on how they fare in the interviews.

The first question that DAP wants JPA (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam) to answer is how were the 300 recipients selected from 360 who qualified when the only criterion used was academic result?

All 360 students have scored straight A+, so how did JPA decide? How much weightage is given to interview, even to the extent that who have scored all A+ could lose out when competing for the remaining 1200 places?

Second question is why can't the Cabinet increase an additional 60 scholarships so that those straight A+ students will not have to compete for the remaining 1200 places?

Public complaints of unfairness against JPA have become an annual phenomenon. It is unsatisfactory for the government to merely cite keen competition for limited places or performance in interviews as reasons why qualified students are unsuccessful in obtaining JPA scholarships.

A few days ago , Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong revealed that government officers who failed to follow Cabinet directives is one of the main reasons why top students failed to get the JPA scholarship awards.

He said that many students who deserved the scholarships did not get the grants, but those who did not deserve them had successfully obtained the financial assistance.

He even described the situation – where qualified students were unsuccessful in their scholarship applications – was the worst this year in all the years when he handled appeals.

It was also reported in the media that a student, Chai Sheng Min from SMK St Joseph in Kuching, had obtained 10A+ in the SPM examination but only got a scholarship to study engineering at Universiti Teknologi Petronas. He said his friends who got 4A+ and 5A+ were awarded
scholarships to do Pure Science in the United States .

It is time that the JPA must be transparent in the award of scholarships. It should, firstly, publish how scores are awarded for all the factors, viz academic result, co curriculum activates, interview
performance and economic background.

Secondly, it should publish the names of all successful scholarship recipients, with details like results and scores obtained by them, type and place of academic programmes approved by JPA to them.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
MP, Ipoh Barat
http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran, DAP will continue the demand on the withdrwal of INTERLOK

2011-05-23T13:04:00.000+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at the Indian ceramah held in Malacca on Friday, May 20, 2011

DAP will continue to demand that the Interlok novel which has hurt the Malaysian community's feelings to be withdrawn as a school text.

Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib launched the 1 Malaysia concept and slogan more than a year ago.

This concept is basically about ensuring fairness for all and forging the people's unity.

While BN has been successful in publicising this slogan, 1 Malaysia slogan still rings hollow because the BN government cannot walk the talk.

Unfair policies which have been in place for decades still remain unchanged despite BN having suffered its worst electoral defeat in the 2008 general election.
A good example is the continued lack of fair treatment to Tamil schools.

1 Malaysia concept stresses on unity but can Najib proudly say that the nation's ethnic relation is at its best of times since we achieved Independence from the British?

The truth is that the nation's ethnic relation is at one of its lowest ebbs today.

The BN government must take the rap for such a situation.

The BN government talked about zero tolerance against racism yet when school principals uttered derogatory racial slurs against Chinese and (Indian students, they got away with lenient penalty.

Utusan Malaysia has been indulging in irresponsible reporting which can cause racial misunderstanding, tension and hatred in the nation and yet no action has been taken against it.

Recently, Perkasa chief made the seditious speech about launching a crusade, yet the Home Minister has chosen inaction as the answer.

BN government cannot get its priorities right. It lacks the will to do what is right.

Worse, it is not prepared to listen to legitimate voices of the people.

This is why till today the BN government has still not decided to withdraw the offensive Interlock novel from the schools in spite of the fact that the novel's contents have especially hurt the Indian community and will sow the seeds of racial misunderstanding among the young.

If the government is serious about 1 Malaysia concept and the civil servants have understood this concept, the novel would not have been introduced as a school text in the first place.

It is ridiculous and irresponsible even for the Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin to say that the Interlock issue is over when the truth is otherwise.

May be the Indian voter support for BN in the recent Tenang and Merlimau by elections have made Muhyiddin to think that Interlok is no longer an important issue to the Indian community.

Perhaps the MIC has convinced the BN leaders that the Interlok issue will not hurt BN in the next general election.

DAP will continue to demand that the Interlok novel which has hurt the Indian community's feelings and that of the Malay and Chinese to be withdrawn as a school text.

If the BN government is not willing to do what is right but continue to ignore the calls and feelings of the Indian community, then the Indian voters must once again teach the BN a lesson in the coming general election, just like what they did to BN in the 2008 general election.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
MP, Ipoh Barat
http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran, "Government must carry out a full probe into the JPA scholarship scandal."

2011-05-20T10:27:00.000+08:00

Press statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on Wednesday, May 19, 2011

"Government must carry out a full probe into the JPA scholarship scandal."

The month of May is described as the JPA scholarship complaints and appeal season.

This is the time when JPA releases the results of scholarship applications and where there will be public complaints of unfair decisions made by JPA.

Despite government assurances that the scholarships would be awarded fairly, there have been allegations of unfair practices by JPA in the past every year, so much so that this annual phenomenon has been described as the complaint and appeal season.

The major past complaint was that some better qualified students were not awarded overseas scholarships.

The usual explanations given by JPA were that there was keen competition and some students had been unsuccessful due to their interview performance.

But such explanations were never well accepted by the public and the prime minister or Cabinet always had to intervene and solve the complaints by approving more scholarship places.

This year, the situation is more serious and scandalous.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong has revealed that government officers who failed to follow Cabinet directives is one of the main reasons why top students failed to get the JPA scholarship awards.

He said that many students who deserved the scholarships did not get the grants, but those who did not deserve them had successfully obtained the financial assistance.

He even described the situation – where qualified students were unsuccessful in their scholarship applications – was the worst this year in all the years when he handled appeals.

Media report also quoted him saying as follows:-

Dr Wee said students who scored full A+ in the SPM examination were not given priority during the selection process, and were only offered open scholarships for government matriculation programmes or vacancies at local universities.

"However, students who obtained poorer results were awarded scholarships to study at universities overseas," he said.

A student, Chai Sheng Min from SMK St Joseph in Kuching, was present at the press conference held by Wee.

Chia obtained 10A+ in the SPM examination and he said he only got a scholarship to study engineering at Universiti Teknologi Petronas while his friends who got 4A+ and 5A+ were awarded scholarships to do Pure Science in the United States .

When the deputy prime minister announced recently that unlike last year where only 9 A+ students were qualified for JPA scholarships, students with 8+ are also qualified for this year's JPA scholarships, everyone has understood that the minimum qualifying result is 8A+.

Why then could students with 4 A + and 5 A+ be awarded overseas scholarships? Worse, when better qualified ones were not awarded.

Is this not ridiculous, unfair, unjust and scandalous?

Why are there such unfair and unjust decisions in the award of JPA scholarships?

Why have the officers failed to follow the criteria set by the government? Is it sabotage? Practice of favoritism or corruption?

DAP demands that the government carry out a full probe into the JPA scholarship scandal.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Ipoh Barat, MP

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran, Don't leave out Tamil Schools in nations progress. A Blueprint needed for Tamil schools

2011-05-18T16:46:00.000+08:00

Media statement by M.Kula Segaran DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on May 17, 2011

Don't leave out Tamil Schools in nations progress. Blue print is needed for Tamil schools and the DAP is willing to have heart to heart talk with MIC.
________________________________
There are 523 Tamil schools in the country. In Perak alone there are 134. From our studies, it has come to our knowledge that 80 of the schools have less than 100 student enrollments. The remaining 54 can be considered safe as they each have over hundred students.

We are most concerned with the 80 schools as many are on danger list as their enrollment is small.

We need a blue print to chart very clear policies on the Tamil schools. Presently the Federal and state Government are implementing and announcing policies on an ad hoc basis. As an example, the Perak State MIC Chairman Dato Veersangim has now announced that 4 areas have been identified where Tamil schools will be relocated to. These are i) Jelapang ii) Langkap iii) Taman Gaya iv) Tun Sambathan Sg. Siput.

From our investigations, we cannot ascertain where these 4 Tamil schools would be relocated to.

Can Veerasingam be more specific and reveal where actually are the lands already been identified and whether are the land measuring at least 5 acres as required by the Federal Education guidelines on
building schools.

We are concerned that this announcement could just be an election gimmick and for mere publicity.

Many times previously statements have been made by MIC leaders on Tamil schools but at the end of the day, new schools have not been built.

Here are some examples.

In 2008, then MIC President said a new school would be built although there is no land available to build a school.

In Merllimau, Malacca, for over 20 years at every election, promise of relocating the Tamil school has been made.

Tamil schools are squatting on shop houses at Lukut since 2003.

At Ladang Brausnton, Jeram Kuala Selangor, a Tamil school is in a cinema.

In Kajang there is only 1 school for about 1800 students in about ½ acre land, whereas in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, there 3 parcels of land measuring about 5 acres of land kept vacant and this land belongs to the Education Ministry. Why can't this land be given to Tamil schools?

Though the nation has achieved Merdeka for so many decades, many Tamil schools still don't have direct electricity and water supply.

In Perak there are over 17,000 students studying in Tamil schools, 9000 in National schools and over 1500 in Chinese schools.

So over 60 % of Indians send their children to Tamil schools. This trend is also nationwide.

Over 70% of the Perak Tamil schools are located in the former estates where the enrolment is low. In most of these areas the Indians have moved to urban schools but there aren't enough Tamil schools in the urban areas. Clearly there is a miss match in the need of Tamil schools.

We urge the authorities to have a new mind set on Tamil school problem and address them in a holistic approach.

As a start, we ask MIC leadership to open their mind and meet the top leaders of DAP to discuss the Tamil schools issue and to work out a "win win "proposal for the community, which shall then presented as blueprint for Tamil schools to the federal government.

Thanks

M.Kulasegaran
http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/dapsugu

M Kula Segaran, Possible parliamentary censure motions against two Ministers

2011-05-16T10:29:00.000+08:00

Media Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat, in Ipoh on May 12, 2011

Possible parliamentary censure motions against Datuk Hishammuddin Hussien and Datuk Seri Rais Yatim.
________________________________

It is quite a surprise that two Penang Umno assemblymen have said that they do not believe last Saturday's front page report in Utusan Malaysia that DAP and a group of Christian pastors were plotting to establish the country as a Christian state.

Hilmi Yahya (BN-Teluk Bahang) and Muhammad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betong) have said so at the Penang State Assembly meeting.

I have expressed surprise because it not easy for any Umno politician to say they disbelieve the Utusan Malaysia report for two reasons.

Firstly, the top Umno leadership has not categorically and immediately distanced itself from the report.

Secondly, a couple of government leaders have chosen to believe the report without having it investigated and verified first.

Home Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussien and the Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim had chosen to accept without question the Utusan Malaysia report and had even warned Malaysians to not question Islam's position as the official religion of Malaysia.

These are two government leaders in charge of ministries which should immediately investigate the malicious and baseless report, yet instead of giving immediate orders to investigate the report and calling for calm among the people, they have chosen to play politics.

Being seasoned politicians, they know too well how dangerous the Utusan Malaysia report is as it can incite resentment and threaten religious harmony and racial peace in the country.

There is therefore no justification for them to accept without question the Utusan report which has been labeled as a dangerous lie by DAP Secretary General, Sir Lim Guan Eng.

In fact, I believe that any rational politician who is prepared to give an honest answer will say they do not believe the Utusan Malaysia report.

Datuk Hishammuddin and Datuk Rais should apologise for their accepting without question the Utusan Malaysia report, failing which censure motions will be moved against them in the Budget parliamentary session.

Thanks

M.Kulasegaran
Ipoh Barat, MP
http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

Press Stmt by M.Kulasegaran on "Fully support Penang government’s move to bar displaying the Interlok"

2011-05-10T17:16:00.000+08:00

Media Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on Monday, May 9, 2011
_____________________________________________________________________________
Fully support Penang government's move to bar displaying the Interlok novel in Penang public libraries

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy revealed in the Penang State Assembly meeting last week that the Penang state government had made a decision to bar displaying the Interlok novel in Pennag public libraries.

He added that the state government was of the opinion that certain contents of the book were racially offensive despite the Education Ministry having made several amendments to remove the alleged offensive contents.

I welcome and fully support such a decision by the state government. It is plain obvious that the book is unsuitable as school text, yet the Ministry has refused to withdraw it from the schools.

Whether the state government's move is a protest against the Ministry's stubbornness or is aimed at preventing more students from being poisoned by the offensive contents of the novel, it is a necessary and correct decision.

The move is also within the right of the state government.

There is no necessity for any quarter to try making this into a racial issue.

Perkasa's comment that the move to bar public display of the novel is an insult to the Malays shows not only the failure of Perkasa to understand why the book is still offensive to the Indian and Chinese community, it also shows Perkasa's habit of exploiting and racialsing issues.

The public calls for the withdrawal of the novel from schools is due to the fact that the novel still contains racially offensive contents and is therefore totally unsuitable and unacceptable to be used as a school text.

It is not because the novel is a Malay book.

Hence, it is totally irresponsible for Perkasa to make this into a racial issue.

DAP will not allow our young to be poisoned by the inaccuracies and distortion of the novel.

We insist that the only solution to the controversy is the novel's withdrawal from the schools.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
Ipoh Barat MP
http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kula Segaran "Ipoh structural plan suggestion and inputs from the public is just a publicity exercise?"

2011-05-07T12:58:00.000+08:00

Media Statement by M.Kula Segaran DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on May 6, 2011
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ipoh structural plan suggestion and inputs from the public is just a publicity exercise?"

Today, DAP comrades, Sdr. Wasoo, Muthu, Tan and Susan together with my press secretary P.Sugumaran appeared with me and presented views on the Ipoh Structural Plan hearing.

Ipoh City Council (MBI) has set out the proposed Structural Plan for comments and inputs.

MBI first exhibited its findings in early August last year and then had it extended for another month. MBI should have extended it for at least 6 months.

We felt there was lack of participation from the public. The lack of interest from the public is nothing surprising.

It took over 5 years for the MBI to prepare the draft Structural Plan. Experts and people involved in the day to day work at MBI were roped in to work out the Draft plan. Why then a short period of only 30 days was given to the public for inputs although it was extended for another 30days?

Inner City Housing.

Waller Court and Sg.Pari flats were built some 50 years ago. Both these flats are not well maintained and they are in dilapidated situation.

The occupancy rate at the flats is less than 50%. Although hundreds of homeless people and many of them from the lower income group have applied to rent the flats, yet many are waiting in the queue for years.

Ipoh City is very quiet in the night. This quietness is because many of those staying in the flats are no more there. Many commute to the City center in the morning for work and to schools. There is substantial congestion in the city.

There is a need to the inner city vibrant in the night, what is needed is to upgrade all the flats. Unless this is done, the shortage of housing in the inner city housing will continue.

In fact new flats need to be built to accommodate the ever increasing demand for affordable housing.

Light Rail Transport System

Ipoh has always been known as a City with little or no traffic jam. Traffic flow used to smooth even at the busiest of times. But in the last few years this has changed. Ipoh City has over 700, 000 people residing an area covering 637kmsq.

The need to set up an underground rail system is long overdue. Many cities of Ipoh size have trains of this nature.

Car Parks at Old Town

Old town business has been affected very badly as there is an acute lack of parking bays. Over the years, little attention and effort has been put by the local authorities to set up new additional parking bays.

Worst still in 2004, over 60 existing parking bays were removed (near the water front project) and a mamak shop was allowed to operate there. Underground parking and/ or multi storey car park should therefore be constructed.

At the hearing of the above views, I asked the State Financial Officer as to when we would be told of the outcome of our suggestions. We were shocked when told whatever views we gave were only for internal consumption and they are not obliged to revert back to us.

Irrespective whether views submitted are accepted or rejected, the relevant authorities must inform and justify their decisions to those who have made submissions, otherwise this whole exercise of soliciting public suggestions and inputs could well be just a publicity exercise with no consideration for public accountability.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran, DAP is prepared to launch a protest campaign against rare earth plant

2011-05-03T16:31:00.000+08:00

Media Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at Bukit Merah on 29th April 2011

Unless the BN State Government makes it clear and firm that there will not be any rare earth plant in the state, DAP is prepared to launch a protest campaign to compel the government to declare such a policy.

Following public disclosure that CVM Minerals Limited had entered into an MoU with the PKNP to explore and mine rare earths in Bukit Merah, we have seen different reactions from the government leaders.

Mentri Besar Datuk Zambry said that he was left in the dark over the agreement. Perak Health, Local Government and Environment Committee Chairman Datuk Mah Han Soon said that as far as he was concerned, it was just a MoU (memorandum of understanding) between the state investment arm and a private firm, and no permit had been issued to start any ground work.

But he added:

"Even if the project was given approval, there would not be any construction of a rare earth processing plant".

Perak g executive councilor Hamidah Osman said that the Perak government would not allow a second rare earth plant to be built in Bukit Merah.

She said the MOU was merely a "low-level" agreement and CVM Minerals would not get authorisation for any rare earth project under any circumstances.

DAP is shocked that PKNP could sign such an agreement given allegation that the people are still suffering health problems due to the first rare earth plant built in Bukit Merah some 20 years ago.

How could the Mentri Besar who also chairs PKNP be totally in the dark about such an agreement?

How many more low level agreement are there that he is not aware of?

I can't help but wonder why Datuk Zambry did not give a categorical and immediate assurance that there will be no rare earth plant in Perak when informed of the MoU.

Why should it be Hamidah who declared that the government would not issue any permit?

Why Mah Hang Soon should qualify his statement by saying that "even if the project was given approval……….?
Is there some confusion among the government leaders or is there more than that meets the eyes?

The first rare earth plant should serve as a good lesson for Perak and the government must never repeat the mistake and allow the set up of another rare earth plant

It was recently confirmed that 80,000 two hundred litre drums containing radio active waste are currently being kept at the dump located in the Kledang Range behind Papan town. The site is 3km from Bukit Merah and Papan and about 15km from Ipoh . And the waste is thorium hydroxide. Cancer-causing radon is released during decay.

Hence, not only the Perak state government must declare a no more rare earth plant policy for the state, Perakians must also make their stand and voices loud and clear that they reject the set up of any rare earth plant.

Unless the state government makes it clear and firm that there will not be any rare earth plant in the state, DAP is prepared to launch a protest campaign to compel the government to declare such a policy.

DAP and Pakatan Rakyat assure Perakians that under the Pakatan Rakyat policy and government, no rare earth plant will ever be allowed.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
MP Ipoh Barat

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

Speech by M.Kulasegaran at Pantai Remis Kg. Tun sambathan on DAP Ceramah.

2011-04-25T11:47:00.003+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, Dap National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at DAP Ceramah on "interlock" on 24th April 2011 in Kg.Tun Sambatan, Pantai Remis

Come the next general election, the Indian voters must play the King Maker role again to bring about a second political tsunami and deal the arrogant BN and spineless MIC with their worst ever electoral defeat. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Muhyiddin said that the Interlok issue has been resolved.

But the government knows s too well that the issue is not over.

The government knows the Indian community still demands that the novel be withdrawn as a school text.

The government knows too that the book is not suitable for use as a school text.

It knows that the factual inaccuracies and distortions in the contents of the novel have hurt the feelings of the Indian community.

Why then is the government still so adamant in its stand not to withdraw the novel from being used as a school text?

The reason is because the BN government is still the same insensitive and arrogant government that it was before the 2008 general election.

Despite having suffered its worst electoral debacle in the previous general election, it has not learnt its lesson.

It is obvious that the BN government now believes that the Interlok issue will not affect the BN's electoral performance in the coming general election.

It is also obvious that, with the swing back of some Indian support towards BN in the recent by elections, MIC is also confident that Interlok has become a non issue.

This explains why though the Interlok issue is still unresolved; MIC Youth chief Mohan could openly declare that Indians have backed BN again.

Let me ask MIC what is its stand on the Interlok issue? Does MIC regard the issue as resolved?

Interlok issue is only over for the BN government which is insensitive and arrogant.

Interlok issue is only a non issue to the MIC which has no backbone to fight for the novel's withdrawal as a school text.

Interlok issue is certainly not over for those who can see that the novel is not suitable as a school text.

It is not over for those who know that its usage will spew poison among the young and will not help in forging racial harmony.

Interlok is definitely and cannot be over for those who have been hurt by the novel's contents as well as the BN's government's insensitivity and arrogance.

If BN government continues to ignore the people's voice, then the Indian community must make their demand through their powerful weapon – their votes in the coming general election.

The Indian community's King Maker role in the 2008 general election has dealt BN its worst electoral debacle.

Come the next general election, the Indian voters must play the King Maker role again to bring about a second political tsunami and deal the arrogant BN and spineless MIC with their worst ever electoral defeat.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Ipoh Barat MP

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran's speech in Miri, Sarawak.

2011-04-13T12:35:00.001+08:00

Speech by M.Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat and DAP National Vice Chairman in Miri,Sarawak on 12/4/11

Let April1 6 be a day of political tsunami which will cause Taib to go and bring about a better Sarawak for all.

Enough is enough. 30 years is long enough. Taib must not be allowed to stay even one day longer.

Prime Minister Najib said Taib will quit after the state election. Taib said he would quit in few years. PM Najib can bargain with Taib. Taib can negotiate with Najib. But the Sarawakians must say "no bargaining, no negotiations from us, Taib must go".

Bargaining only takes place in the pasar, even then a fishmonger and his customer will bargain over the price of a fresh fish, not a rotten fish.

Taib is just like a rotten fish that stinks and must be thrown away.

It is obvious that Najib is powerless and unable to ask Taib to go. So the Sarawakians must do the job by sending the strongest signal through the ballot box that Taib must go.

Come April 16, Sarawakians must vote for change.

When speaking at the 1 Malaysia night concert in Kuching last night, PM asked what is change.

He said, "What is the change? There must be a reason. If we want change, we shouldn't change for the sake of change. We must change for the better."

If Najib truly does not know or see the reason why Sarawakians are now clamoring for change, then he has only been listening to the shouting of the 1 Malaysia slogan and has not been listening to the voices of the Sarawakians.

Has he not heard about the people's anger against corruption and nepotism that has been happening for so long in Sarawak?

As such, Sarawakians must now shout louder "enough is enough" and let " UBAH" fly higher.

Let Najib and his ministers bring in all the goodies, be they tupperware or allocations or what not, let Najib repeat his "you help me, I help me" words or shout his 1 Malaysia slogan, but the brave Sarawakians must continue to shout "enough is enough" everywhere, whether at coffee shops, pasar or long houses.

Most important of all, let the enough is enough sentiment be translated into votes for change on April 16.

In the 2008 general election, the then prime minister Abdullah Badawi warned the Chinese voters of lesser Chinese representation in the Cabinet if MCA and Gerakan did badly, the voters refused to be cowed and helped create an unprecedented political tsunami that caused BN its worst electoral debacle.

When people don't fear, when people say "enough is enough", it is the BN which will fear about the occurrence of a political tsunami.

Let April16 be a day of political tsunami which will cause Taib to go and bring about a better Sarawak for all.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
Ipoh Barat MP
http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

Konvensyen Kaum India Pakatan Rakyat Negeri Perak

2011-04-07T09:39:00.000+08:00

Dear YB / Comrade / Friends,

Good day to you.

Secretariat PR is organising a Konvensyen Kaum India Pakatan Rakyat Negeri Perak as per details below :

Date/Time : 10th April 2011 ; 9am-1pm
Venue : Heritage Hotel, Ipoh

Hereby, we need your kind assistance to circulate and fwd this message to all your Indian friends as to encourage them to attend this convention which is first time being held in Ipoh.

Please highlight this program via your blog/facebook/twitter, etc.

As this is a pre-registration program, the participants can email their names & contact numbers to :

vshasha@hotmail.com OR call 0125599104
duntronoh@gmail.com OR call 0162808357 / 05-2882105 - Sdr Kumar or Ms Kong

before 9th April 2011.

Your assistance in the dissemination of this program's info is utmost appreciated.

Please do join us in this convention...

Tq & Regards,

V. SHASHA
Prog Assistant Secretary
+6012 5599 104

M.Kulasegaran "BN government is still the same arrogant, insensitive and non responsive"

2011-04-05T12:01:00.000+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and Mp for Ipoh Barat at Ceramah held at Kg Tawas , Ipoh on Friday, 1st April, 2011

The Interlok issue has clearly proven that the BN government is still the same arrogant, insensitive and non responsive government that it was prior to the 2008 general election.

On 30th March, 2011, Chinese associations from across Malaysia in a statement issued said the Interlok was not only offensive to Indians but Chinese as well, as it depicted the character Kim Lock as a "miserly opium addict and callous adulterer" and his son, Cing Huat, as "cunning, greedy, unscrupulous and someone who would happily sell his daughters".

"'Interlok' in its totality propagates the ideology of ketuanan Melayu. In our considered opinion, this novel is not only unhealthy but an insidious poison," the statement said.

The statement added, "In fact, 'Interlok' is barely a step away from the Biro Tata Negara (BTN) brainwashing that promotes racism and disunity.

'Interlok' conveys the central message that Chinese, Indian and other minorities are second-class citizens in addition to perpetuating the divisive notion of a host community (the Malays) versus foreigners ('bangsa asing' Cina dan India)."

The statement was signed by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), LLG Cultural Development Centre, Malaysian-China Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Chinese Associations Johor, the Penang Chinese Town Hall and 40 others, including the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) and several Indian organisations.

I am glad that the group has come out to lend support to the voice calling for the withdrawal of the novel as a school text book.

The issue has been allowed to drag on long enough by a government which has declared the era the government knows best is over.

It is so plain for all to see that the novel is totally unsuitable as a school text. It is so clear that the book will not be able to promote unity.

In the statement released d by the group, some excerpts appended as evidence of the book's alleged racism include:

* "We eat anything. Roots if we can get them. We beg. We steal. We don't have a daughter. If we have a daughter, we can sell her." (Kim Hock, pp 119-120)

* Kim Lock takes Mei Hwa to smoke opium and has sex with her every time they meet like that. (p 200)

* In a big and strange city like this, people cannot be kind, if they are kind they can't be rich. Here money becomes the measure. In this world, money is the number two God. (pp 155-156)

* "Cina Panjang says all that land rightfully belongs to him. The cows we kept are also his. My father pawned it to him." (p 88)

* Seman said he gave all the land to Cina Panjang, and the Chinese man then asked Seman to leave the kampung. (p 92)

The Indian community has been hurt by the factual distortions and inaccuracies in the novel as well the demeaning words contained therein.

Yet the government is not prepared to do what is right and necessary.

The Interlok issue has clearly proven that the BN government is still the same arrogant, insensitive and non responsive government that it was prior to the 2008 general election.

It is obvious that the BN government has not learned the lessons of the 2008 general election when it suffered its worst ever electoral debacle.

If the BN government is unwilling to change its stand on the Interlok issue, then the people must be prepared to teach BN a bigger lesson come the next general election—Change the federal government.

Thanks

M.Kulasegaran
Ipoh Barat MP

M.Kula Segaran "Pakatan’s situation viv-a-vis Indians "

2011-04-05T11:53:00.000+08:00

Speech by M.Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat and DAP National Vice Chairman at the PR INDIAN LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE SESSION in Penang on 2/4/11

Pakatan's situation viv-a-vis Indians

First things, first. Indian or, more precisely, Hindu sentiment played a galvanizing role in the prelude and culmination of the last general election.

Indians were aggrieved by the videotape of the destruction of a nearly century-old temple in Shah Alam that took place in July 2007.

Hindraf disseminated the tape widely and used it to draw a huge throng of supporters to their famous gathering of 25th November, 2007. Some say, Chinese voters took heart from the display of Hindu solidarity and were moved to join Indians and disenchanted Malays in rejecting BN in the general election of March 2008.

The spectacle of Hindu activism which helped deny BN their customary two-thirds majority in Parliament and the loss of four states - Penang, Perak, Kedah and Selangor - to the opposition Pakatan Rakyat, in addition to Pas' retention of Kelantan, inevitably stoked unrealistic expectations on the part of Indian Malaysians.

This was understandable given the magnitude of results of the general election. Pakatan, despite granting due recognition to Indian electoral support by giving a deputy chief ministership and a speaker's post to Indians, were at a disadvantage when trying to meeting the broader expectations of the community.

Increased allocations for Tamil schools, land for squatters for residential and agro-based enterprises, scholarships for poor Indian students, higher intake of Indians into the civil service, allocations for welfare programmes targeting Indians, and allocations for the upkeep of crematoriums, were measures that required Pakatan' control of the federal government rather than merely the control of a few, albeit, significant states.

The Kampong Buah Pala issue on Penang island underscored the helplessness of Pakatan in trying to satisfy the needs of Indians in the face of the control of bureaucracies and ancillary matters by authorities if not hostile, then unsympathetic to Pakatan.

What more could the Pakatan Government have done in the Kg. Buah Pala case?
The MIC manipulated and gave a negative picture of the Kg.Buah Pala issue successfully to the voters in the by-elections for the state seat of Bagan Pinang in Negri Sembilan in October 2009 and in the parliamentary seat of Hulu Selangor in April 2010.

The euphoria over Indian success at helping to change the political scenario in the country had waned by the middle of 2010, causing analysts to think that the Indian voter was drifting back to BN.

BN by-election victories in Tenang in Johor, Kerdau and Merlimau in Pahang and Malacca respectively earlier this year only underscored the talk of Indian disenchantment with Pakatan and a return to BN.

How do we check and reverse this trend?

There is no magic formula for Indian betterment that does not require Pakatan's occupation of Putrajaya. A Pakatan central government would improve the fortunes of Indians across the board -- from employment in the civil service, to mother tongue education, to land for the deserving landless.

But short of occupation of Putrajaya, what can Pakatan do tell Indian Malaysians that their future is better sticking with Pakatan than returning to BN.

Fortunately, for Pakatan the Interlok issue, which Indians brought up for national attention, has now stirred the Chinese to anger and denunciation of the novel.

Pakatan has to fight this novel's retention as a literary text in schools not only because it is derogatory to Indians, Chineses and also Malays, but also because the book mirrors the intention of the Umno-directed bureaucracy to infuse the non-Malays with a subservient mind-set.

Therefore, Pakatan has to sustain a concerted effort to reject the novel's use in schools and tell all races that cultural imperialism is a big 'No-No' in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, in the run-up to the general election, which is expected in the middle or late this year or early in 2012, the Pakatan governments of Penang and Selangor must be conspicuous in dealing out aid in the fields of welfare and education to Indians.

When such aid is rendered, we have to publicize these deeds so that Indians can see that Pakatan is certainly not indifferent to their plight.

Thanks

M.Kula Segaran
Ipoh Barat MP

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kula Segaran " Indian last policy a form of clear discrimination against the employment of Indians"

2011-04-01T12:02:00.000+08:00

Media statement by M.Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat and DAP National Vice Chairman in Kuala Lumpur on 31st March 2011

Indian last policy a form of clear discrimination against the employment of Indians must be done away with.

During question time in Parliament today I posed the following question to the Human Resources Ministry :

a) why Government says we have full employment when many have difficulty getting jobs and any plans for unemployeds?

b) why there is no unemployments benefits for those in need?

The Human Resources Minister in reply said that only 3% of Malaysians are unemployed namely about 420 thousand of them. He gave 4 reasons why graduates are unemployed;

1) the field of study possessed by the graduate is not much in demand

2) Many employers wants experience before employing

3) Lack of communication skill

4) Not proficient in the English language

Also he said in the cases of non graduates 4 factors are responsible:

1) too choosy to choose a place of work

2) hopping for a high salary

3) lack of information on job opportunities

4) offer of jobs is insufficient to meet costs of living

He further said that it is the priority of the Governments policy to employ locals rather then foreigners.

Its hardly believable that Malaysia has only 420 thousand people unemployed. Infact I said the reality is nearly a million or more could be unemployed and these can be seen if one is on the ground. Although the Ministry disputes the figures I gave there is no doubt at least among the orang asli and the Indians the unemployment is very high.

"Indian last policy"

Of late it is said "employ Indian last" policy is being practiced in the private sector. It is well known that in the private sector the reluctance to employ Indians and Orang Asli is well known. Although the minister refuted my view but the truth on the ground is that most lowly paid job in the private sector are held by Indians. Office boys, cleaners, drivers and the like are all most all Indians. Why?

Why there is a Indian last policy being practiced actively without any concern by the government?

Even in the Government sector its no different! Invariably the lowest paid jobs are occupied by the Indians. The Minister cannot just pretend this is not a factor to be looked into and a solution to be worked out the soonest possible.

The employing of Indians as the last choice should stop. Indian last policy a form of clear discrimination against the employment of Indians must be done away with.

Unemployment benefits

In almost all countries which professes to have full employment there is adequate protection to workers who can be gainfully employed but cannot find a job.

The rational for unemployment benefits, is to ensure that those workers who cannot be gainfully employed the state will provide a minimum sum until such time the worker finds a employable job. A people concern Government will have such a policy.

The absence of such a policy in Malaysia is most unfortunate.

Thanks

M.Kulasegaran
Ipoh Barat MP

012-5034346

Ubah vs Taib

2011-04-01T10:22:00.000+08:00

Indira Gandhi on going court saga, M.Kulasegaran

2011-03-31T14:53:00.000+08:00

Media Statement by M.Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat at the Ipoh High Court on 30th March 2011

Attorney General and the Government should explain why the delay in presenting the necessary amendments to Parliament in conversion cases.

Indira Ghandhi married her husband Patmanathan in 1993 according to Hindu rites. They have 3 children.

The eldest child is now 14 years old the second, a boy, is 13 years old and the youngest is 2+ years old Indria and her husband started to have marital problems for sometime.

As a result on 11th March 2009, he converted to Islam and adopted his new name as Muhammad Riduan Bin Abdullah

On 2nd April 2009; three children of the family were also converted into Islam by their father Patmanathan at the Bahagian Dakwah, Jabatan Agama Islam, Ipoh, Perak.

The conversion was without the knowledge and or consent of the children's mother.

There after the family got separated and the husband took the youngest t child of the family and went missing. He is still hiding at an undisclosed location.

In the mean time Muhammad Riduan Bin Abdullah filed an application at the Syariah High Court in Ipoh and obtained an interim order of custody of the 3 children. Indira had no knowledge of this case.

Subsequently she filed an application and after numerous hearings, the Ipoh Civil High Court gave order of custody on May 2010. The case is pending appeal to the Court of Appeal by the husband.

He has not adhered to the Court's order in that the youngest child has not been handed over to Indira.

The husband has no permanent employment and has been willfully avoiding in handing over of the youngest child to the mother. The two elder children are schooling and living with the mother who works as a kindergarten teacher.

On 9th June 2009, Indira filed a motion at the High Court to quash the decision of the Syariah Court dated 8th April 2009 which Court had given custody and control of the 3 children to Muhammad Riduan Bin Abdullah. The case has been filed against 6 Defendants namely

1.PENGARAH JABATAN AGAMA ISLAM PERAK 2.PENDAFTAR MUALLAF 3) KERAJAAN NEGRI PERAK 4) KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA 5) KERAJAAN MALAYSIA 6) PATMANATHAN A/L KRISHNAN

(known as Muhammad Riduan bin Abdullah) On 28th July2010, the Ipoh Civil High Court gave leave to quash the decision of the Syariah Court to Indira notwithstanding to the strenuous objections from the Attorney General's office.

To day the High Court is to hear the application to quash the Syariah Court's decision.

The panel of Lawyers ( Mr. K.Shanmuga, En.FahriAzzat, N.Selvam, and M.Kula ) of Indira feels that Indira's case is very much similar to the famous case of Shamala Vs Dr Jayaganesh.

As serious, fundamental and public importance issues are involved the case ought to be transferred and heard in the Federal Court.

In April 2009, it was reported that the Cabinet has decided that children of parents where one of them opts to convert must be raised in the common religion at the time of marriage.

The news report dated 24 thApril, 2009 says: -

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri said it was decided in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that a spouse who has converted into Islam would also have to fulfil his or her marriage responsibilities according to civil marriage laws. "Religion should not be used as a tool to escape marriage responsibilities. Conversion is not a ground for the automatic dissolution of a marriage," he said at a press conference at Parliament building Thursday.

"The children should be brought up in the common religion. For the spouse who intends to convert into Islam, he or she would also have to come clean," he said.

Nazri said religious conversion must come with the innocent party being protected from being victimised, as well as protection being affored to the new religion of the converted person.

"Civil marriages have to be resolved according to civil laws. The conversion takes effect on the day of conversion and is not retrospective. "The convert would have to fulfil his or her marriage responsibilities according to civil laws prior to the conversion," he added.

Nazri also said the Cabinet has instructed the Attorney-General to look at all relevant laws which needed to be amended in line with what has been decided on civil marriage laws and others.

The Attorney General and the Government should explain why there has been such long delay in doing what is necessary?

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Ipoh Barat MP

012-5034346

http://twitter.com/mkula

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com

M.Kulasegaran, Just withdraw to avoid further crisis

2011-03-22T13:06:00.000+08:00

March 22, 2011 - Media Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on Monday,

The Interlok controversy has dragged on long enough. It is time that Palanivel should tell Tan Sri Muhyiddin what the Indian community is saying, that is, "enough is enough".

According to today's report in The Star, the three Indian members who quit the Interlok book review panel are staying firm in their decision and are not interested in being coaxed back into the committee.

In a joint statement yesterday, the three– Dr N. S. Rajendran, G. Krishnabahawan and Uthaya Sankar SB said: "We were forced to withdraw because several members of the panel had betrayed us." "They were insistent on amending only the pariah word and rejecting other changes that had been agreed to at the March 4 meeting."

The three said they were firm on the decision to withdraw. I commend the three for staying firm with their decision to withdraw from the review panel as that was the only and right decision they could take after having been betrayed.

I had said last month that I had no confidence that a satisfactory solution could be produced by the panel. Time has proven that I was right.

Instead of playing the role of persuading the three panelists to rejoin the panel, MIC president Datuk G Palanivel should declare support for their decision to withdraw from the panel.

In fact, Palanivel should have the courage to do what is right—to tell the Education Minister that the only practical and acceptable solution is to withdraw the Interlok novel as a school text book.

The Interlok controversy has dragged on long enough. It is time that Palanivel should tell Tan Sri Muhyiddin what the Indian community is saying, that is, "enough is enough".

If Palanivel is not willing or is not bold enough to send the message, then come next general election, the Indian voters will and must tell the BN government that " enough is enough" through their votes.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Ipoh Barat MP

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran, Malaysia joined Rome Statute of ICC

2011-03-22T11:38:00.002+08:00

21st March 2011 - Media statement by M.Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat and DAP National Vice Chairman at Parliament House Kuala Lumpur

Bipartisan group of Parliamentarians for Global action welcomes Government of Malaysia's decision to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Government of Malaysia has reached the historic, unanimous decision to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the first permanent institution mandated to put an end to impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crime.

The decision follows the Asia-Pacific Consultation on the Universality of the Rome Statute of the ICC held on 9-10 March 2011 in the Parliament of Malaysia and organized by the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), a global network of over 1,300 Legislators in more than 126 countries worldwide, and with 35 Members in the Malaysian Parliament alone.

The Consultation was opened by the President of the ICC, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, who also met with the Prime Minister the Hon. Dato' Sri Mohd Najib and the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs in the Prime Minister's office, YB Datuk Seri Nazri. Minister YB Nazri announced at this Regional event that a Cabinet-decision concerning accession to the ICC Statute would be shortly forthcoming.

A Memorandum of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs was subsequently written for Cabinet endorsing this step and the Cabinet gave its approval at the end of last week.

Malaysia's decision to join the 114 countries that have already become party to the Rome Statute of the ICC to date reflects its strong commitment to the Rule of Law and accountability worldwide and its rejection of impunity for any crimes, in particular those of most concern to the international community, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, as set out in the Rome Statute itself. Prior to this important step, Malaysia has always been committed to the principles enshrined in, and the integrity of the Rome Statute of the ICC.

While accession to the treaty is taken place through a decision-making process within the Executive, in accordance with the Malaysian Constitution, there is a need to progress with the importance of a law-making in Parliament on implementing legislation: "Parliamentarians are ready to start to work on legislation to implement the obligations contained in the Rome Statute, including procedures to fully cooperate with the Court and norms to incorporate international crimes and general principles of international criminal law into the domestic legal order".

Minister YB Nazri, concurred with the views expressed by us and reaffirmed the complementarity character of the ICC jurisdiction: "The ICC is a Court of last resort. It only intervenes when national prosecutions would be unavailable or ineffective.

Malaysia will therefore promptly adapt its laws to ensure full compliance with the complementarity principle that governs the relationship between the ICC and National Courts"Malaysia shall now call upon all countries that have not already taken this step, in particular our neighbouring countries in the Asian region who have not yet done so, to give serious consideration to becoming a State Party to the Rome Statute without delay.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Ipoh Barat, MP

012-5034346

Background Hon. Kula-Segaran, MP, Joined PGA in November 2004 when he attended the 3rd Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the ICC & the Rule of Law organised by PGA in the Parliament of New Zealand in Wellington.

In August 2006, he actively participated in the first Asian Parliamentary Consultation on the Universality of the Rome Statute held in Manila, at Congress of The Philippines.

In December 2006, Mr. Kula-Segaran, MP joined the 4th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the ICC & the Rule of Law, organised by PGA in the Parliament of Japan, in Tokyo, an event which was instrumental to the bipartisan votes of the Japanese Diet Lower House and Upper House (on 27 February and 27 April 2007 respectively) that allowed the accession of Japan to the Rome Statute.

In April 2010, Kula-Segaran, MP tabled a set of parliamentary questions to the Government of Malaysia concerning the first Review Conference to the Rome Statute of the ICC, which was held in Kampala, Uganda, on 31 May-11 June 2010.

Minister YB Datuk Seri Nazri responded to the questions and accepted the invitation of PGA to attend the pre-Review Conference event hosted by the Parliament of Uganda in Kampala on 27-28 May 2011, namely the 6th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the ICC & the Rule of Law.

Minister YB Datuk Seri Nazri delivered a forceful closing statement at the Consultative Assembly, announcing that Malaysia would have started the process of accession to the Rome Statute.Over the past 9 months, PGA has worked with its Members from Government and opposition in the Parliament of Malaysia to support the visit of the President of the ICC in the II week of March 2011 and to organise a regional event aimed at maximising the impact of this very important decision of Malaysia to join the new system of international criminal justice.

More details will be soon available at http://www.pgaction.org/ICC_Kuala_Lumpur

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.comhttp://twitter.com/mkula

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran's speech in Seremban

2011-03-20T17:49:00.001+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at the DAP Diner in Seremban on Friday, March 18, 2011

Come next general election, Malaysians should rise up to the occasion and votefor change to bring about a better Malaysia for all.

Forty-five years is a long time in the life of a man, but in the life of political parties, the period isn’t long. The genesis, evolution and maturation of a political organization would easily take that long or even longer.

What matters is whether the party has the ideals that can withstand the test of time and having those ideals it has the leaders who can propound them with not only eloquence but with the sacrifice of their sweat, tears and, sometimes, even with their blood.

The DAP has been fortunate in that it has had those ideals that were sustained by a set of indomitable leaders. No matter what their adversaries have said about them, the founding pair of Dr Chen Man Hin and Lim Kit Siang which was bolstered in later years by the redoubtable Karpal Singh, have seen the DAP through years of tribulation to its current triumph as the party with the largest representation in Parliament.

Though this is a huge achievement, this is no time for a vicarious triumphalism. The road ahead is long and arduous but the sense of a threshold being passed and the anticipation of great possibilities is balm for tired minds and hearts.

More than ever, the farsightedness of the DAP’s unwavering support for mother tongue education appears like the idea of democracy itself, an idea whose universality and wholesomeness are now unquestioned from Damascus to Denpasar.

Sdr Dr Chen still attends party meetings to offer his valuable advice while Sdr Kit Siang still travels all over the country to spread our political message.

Yes, DAP’s political mission is not yet complete. Come next general election, together with our Pakatan Rakyat partners, we want to capture more state power including the Negeri Sembilan state power as well as the Federal power.

I have often heard public say, BN tak boleh pakai lagi. MCA dan Gerakan pun tak boleh harap lagi.

So our massage to the people is “Tukar!” Go for change and suffer no more the arrogant and incorrigible BN governments.

The Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib recently said BN has changed after the 2008 electoral debacle.

Is this true? Just take a look at two issues. Firstly, the treatment of national type schools.

Despite the unprecedented electoral debacle it has suffered in the 2008 general election, the BN government has not reversed its unfair policies towards the national type schools.

The amount of allocation spent on the national type schools is pittance when compared to national schools. Under the 9th Malaysia plan the following sums were spent by the Ministry of Education namely

1) For National schools- RM33.30 per student per month
2) For Tamil schools --RM10.55 per student per month
3) For Chinese school -- RM4.50: per student per month.

The above figures speak volumes. Is this in line with 1 Malaysia concept? '
This is one of the many examples that proves that 1 Malaysia is just an empty political slogan.

Secondly, on the Interlok controversy. I have asked the Education Minister to ask himself five key questions on the novel, namely,

1. Is it not true that the book contains inaccuracies and demeaning words which have hurt the Indian community’s feelings?

2. Can such a controversial book be used as a school text book?

3. Can the book truly promote better racial understanding and forge unity?

4. Is it not justified for the Indian community to demand the withdrawal of the book as a textbook for SPM students?

5. Has not the controversy been allowed to drag on long enough?

Anyone can give the right answers. I believe Muhyiddin also can give the right answers. But yet he cannot come out with the right solution—that is, to withdraw the book as a text book.

There are many examples I can cite to show that BN is no longer fit to govern this country.

Suffice to say that come next general election, Malaysians should rise up to the occasion and vote for change to bring about a better Malaysia for all.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
Ipoh Barat MP

Royal Address by M.Kulasegaran

2011-03-17T13:13:00.000+08:00

Speech by M. Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat and DAP National Vice Chairman will debating on the Royal Address on 15thMarch2011

No one can deny that the poor and helpless need to be helped. The poverty affecting Malaysians does not look at race and it is across the board in our country.

1. Recently the MIC President Senator Palanivel has come out with a unique way of overcoming the poverty affecting the Indian community in the urban areas.

The majority of Indians who left the estates some thirty years ago are in the fringes of urban areas and are generally earning a meager income. Planivel has suggested that, as a temporary measure, these people to return back to estates to increase their earning power.

Palanivel further said that estate workers can now earn some RM1500 a month. Workers in estates have generally been provided with housing water and electricity.

Palanivel needs to be reminded that for a family to be uprooted temporarily so as to earn a better income in the estates is illogical and a step back ward to the progress of the community. I suggest that the Government forms a Parliamentary Select Committee to ascertain the causes of urban Indian poor and make recommendations to solve the problem as a long term solution.

2. Interlok novel controversyThe government has introduced the Interlok novel as a literature text book for usage at the form 5 level. The novel has many facts which are misleading and distorted. The novel is demeaning and it has hurt the Indian community.

Many NGO's and related parties have taken objection to the book being used as a text book. With so much of objections, the novel should be withdrawn as a text book.

3. Protect our WildlifeThe authorities must buck up and be more serious in protecting our wildlife. Recently it was widely reported in the major local newspapers that our soldiers had caught a pied hornbill (Buceros bicornis) and eaten it. The photo of the slaughtered bird was put up in face book and only then the world came to know about this cruel act. The most well known poaching area in Malaysia is around the Thai/Malaysia border in particular the Belum forest.

The act of these soldiers can be summed up in the old Malay proverb "harap pagar, pagar makan padi". (Translation Trust the fence the fence start eating up the rice!) Hornbill is an important partner which spreads out the seeds it consumes, thus a necessity in our natural eco-cycle.

Hornbill, Sumatran rhinoceros, orang-utans, Malayan tigers and clouded leopards, are fighting a losing battle for their existence.

When the Wildlife Act was passed, a lot of hope was expressed in that it will protect wild life and address the poaching issue. Some how it looks like much still needs to be done by the authorities to overcome poaching which is wide spread.

Authorities say an illegal animal sale is second only to narcotics among all illegal trades, with wildlife smuggling being worth between 10 billion US dollars and 20 billion US dollars a year. So there is a lot of money to be made and we need much effort to overcome the issue of poaching.

4. Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC)The Rome statute came into being on 17.7.1998. The ICC started functioning from the 1.7.2002. The court's primary jurisdiction is to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. Over 114 countries have become members of the ICC.

The Attorney General at the Regional Consultation meet which took place in Parliament on the 9th and 10 th March had a list of baseless and unfounded reasons to object in Malaysia subscribing to the Rome statute of ICC. Malaysia reluctance is totally unacceptable. The earlier we become a member, the better it will be for our image as a country which adheres to the rule of law worldwide

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Speech by M Kula Segaran : A fairer allocation policy needed for all Malaysian students

2011-03-17T13:07:00.000+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at Karak, Pahang on Wednesday, March 16, 2011.

The government has to be fair and just to all schools and students so as to be able to make Malaysia a truly competitive nation, one which is able to compete against the world.

During his recent trip to Australia, Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib said the Government would continue to provide scholarships for deserving students to go abroad. This, he said, was an investment and not expenditure.

"People are the best form of investment and if we continue to invest in the people, we will become a nation which is more competitive, especially in helping to realise our ambitious goals," he was reported to have said. No one can disagree with what Najib has said.

Human capital development is essential in propelling a nation's development and progress and investment in education must be an essential part of the government's human capital development policy.

However, Najib needs to be reminded that the government has to be fair and just to all schools and students so as to be able to make Malaysia a truly competitive nation, one which is able to compete against the world.

The Government must therefore adopt a global view that Malaysians must be competitive against the world, and not against the fellow Malaysians of other races.

As such, in terms of allocation, the government must be fair in its treatment to all schools, irrespective of whether they are national, national type, technical or religious schools.

However, it is a sad fact that till today and despite the unprecedented electoral debacle it has suffered in the 2008 general election, the BN government has not reversed its unfair policies towards the National type schools.

The amount of allocation spent on the national type schools is pittance when compared to national schools. Be fair to all students and policies must be color blind.

Under the 9th Malaysia plan the following sums were spent by the Ministry of Education namely

1) For Malay students RM33.30

2) For Tamil students RM10.55 and

3) For Chinese students RM4.50:per student per month.

The above figure speaks volumes and is totally against all norms and is very discriminatory. Is this in line with 1 Malaysia concept. Will the amount to be expended to all our children be fair and equal in the 10th Malaysia Plan? Is this too much to ask as a loyal citizen?

Year in year out, there are complaints aired through the media about the unfairness in the granting of government scholarships and intakes by Matriculation colleges and local public universities.

Such unfair policy and treatment must cease as Malaysia can only become truly competitive and compete against the world if the government provides opportunities to all, regardless of race.

As Mandarin is becoming a commercial and widely used language worldwide, it should be taught to students who are keen in the language in both National and Tamils schools.

Presently, if one teaches Bahasa Malaysia and is unable to speak Tamil, one can be posted to Tamil school.

This should cease.

Only Chinese speaking and Tamil speaking teachers should be sent to Chinese and Tamil schools.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Ipoh Barat MP.

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran's Press statement : Dire Indian poverty demands urgent solution

2011-03-13T09:56:00.004+08:00

12/3/11

Media statement by Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament & DAP National Vice Chairman, M.Kulasegaran on Dire Indian poverty demands urgent solution

With the fragmentation of estates in the late 1960s and coupled with the decline in rubber commodity prices from the 1970s, estate labourers of Indian origin began to migrate to the towns and urban areas of Peninsular Malaysia in search of their livelihood.

Thus began a pattern of their lives that saw them exchange the discreet poverty of their estate existence for the grinding poverty of their urban lives.

Their lack of education and the higher cost of living in urban areas meant that these rural-to-urban migrants were hard put to eke out a living. They began to languish in hopelessness, their poverty turning endemic because their children's low educational attainment, in part due to gloomy home conditions, meant their further immersion in the poverty trap.

Within two decades of this migratory drift from estate sufficiency to urban depression, Indian Malaysians began to top the indices of social pathology. The unemployment rate, school dropout rate, crime rate, and high incidence of single parents, all testified to social malaise among Indian Malaysians.

Now MIC new President Planivel has suggested the urban poor Indians who are earning a meager income to move back to the estates to earn a better and higher income as a temporary solution.

Palanvel is out of touch of the real problem of the Indians. A temporary solution cannot work. What is needed is a long term solution to the hard core problem of the Indian poor.

It is suggested that a Parliamentary select committee consisting of the government, opposition and eminent personalities to be established to ascertain the real cause of the hard core poverty among the Indians.

The select Committee can then make due recommendations for a permanent and long term solution for those Indians who are suffering in the urban poor net. Thus a safety net of a sort is needed like a "tongkat" for the community to progress from the slumber.

The Committee can and should visit and ascertain the real issues affecting the Indians in all areas where the Indians are residing.

I will raise this issue next week during my turn to speak during the Royal address in Parliament.

Will MIC,Gerakan, MCA and PPP support me? Or as usual they will pretent not to hear me for fear of UMNO their big brother?

The Parliamentary select committee could also encompass to look into:

1) poverty affecting Malaysians as a whole;

2) Gangstersim and High criminal activities among the poor;

3) Why many thousands do not possess birth certificates and identity cards;

4) Why many urban Indians are said to earn only RM500 per month;

5) The present per capita income is RM26, 000 per head per month which makes out to over RM2000 a month. Why in reality average Malaysians are earning less then this? Can the target per capita income of RM50,000 be reached by 2020 as vision by the Government;

6) Why in 1970 the civil service had 17% Indians now down to 4% and Chinese from 30% to presently 5%?

7) Why academically well qualified Malaysians students are denied scholarships and financial help from the Government:

8) Why the present workforce is relatively unskilled with 80% educated to Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or it equivalent

9) Why is there a growing population of single mothers;

10)Social matters like alcoholics and drugs, unemployment, the over dependence on foreign workers and the need for a minimum wage.

There are definitely many other pressing matters which need urgent and concrete action. The select committee can delve in it if the necessity arises.

Finally urge the report to be made public and to follow up with concrete action.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
Ipoh Barat MP

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran : Datuk Kong Cho Ha and or Chor Chee Hong must provide immediate and satisfactory answers to the deceased’s families

2011-03-05T10:00:00.000+08:00

Photo note : Ipoh Barat MP M.Kulasegaran with family of deceased ; Father Mohd Norzila sitting next right to M.Kula, mother Fawziah Binti Salleh (standing end of left), brother Mohd Fahdli Bin Mohd Norzila (standing 2nd right) and uncle Mohd Jamil Bin Mahyuddin (standing end of right).

Press Conference Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on Saturday, March 5, 2011

Fair Park incident: Datuk Kong Cho Ha and or Chor Chee Hong must provide immediate and satisfactory answers to the deceased's families

On October 2, 2009, the building in Jalan Kamaruddin in Fair Park which was being demolished to make way for new shop houses collapsed on a Perodua Viva, killing two passengers in the car.

The deceased were Zairi Mohd Sabri, and Firdaus Mohd Norzila, who were then aged 25 and 23 respectively.

The driver, Abdil Kudus Ismail, was discharged after receiving outpatient treatment at the Hospital.

When Ex-Housing and Local Governmnet Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha visited the site the following day, he announced that a temporary work order was issued.

Below is an extract of additional comments which he said and were reported in the media on October 4, 2009.

The former Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said the Ipoh City Council had also been instructed to prepare a preliminary report on the matter to be submitted to the ministry by tomorrow.

"We want to find out whether precautionary measures were taken during the demolition work," he told reporters here yesterday after visiting the site.

He added that the Public Works Department, police, Fire and Rescue Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) would also be asked to prepare reports.

The statements of eyewitnesses and workers at the site would also be taken to assist in investigations.

"Action will be taken if the consultant was found to be negligent in using the wrong method to demolish the buildings," he said.

In 8thDecember, 2009, I had also this issue in Parliament.

I had questioned Datuk Kong Cho Ha on what lessons had his Ministry learned from the collapse of the CS Supermarket incident which happened 6 months before the Fair Park incident.

I said that after the Supermarket incident, a report was presented to the Cabinet with the necessary re commendations.

The important question which the Minister must answer was what actions were taken by his Ministry and the local governments in the country to prevent similar occurrence?

I am sure that if the necessary recommendations had been implemented, the Fair Park incident would not have happened.

What is most unacceptable is that although the Fair Park incident has happened for more than a year, yet no party has been declared as the negligent party/parties to be held responsible and hence, no action has been taken against anyone or party.

Let me remind the Government that the Fair Park incident is no small matter as two lives were lost.

The deceased's families have a right to know who must be held responsible for the deaths and why till today there has been no action taken against the culprits.

There can be no justification whatsoever for such long delay and there cannot be any further delay even for one day.

Datuk Kong Cho Ho and or its new Minister Chor Chee Hong must provide immediate and satisfactory answers to the families.
MBI( local council)

The Ipoh local council (MBI) is the supervising authority in the Ipoh area. MBI must give the necessary approval before demolition work can commence. Thus MBI has more then a moral duty to state publically what went wrong that resulted in the two innocent persons to be killed.

We urge the Mayor and its councillors to tender public apology on the incident. Further the Council should press charges on those who were negligent/dereliction in carrying out its public duty.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Ipoh Barat MP

Via

P.Sugumaran

Press Secretary to Ipoh Barat MP

010-29396364

M.Kulasegaran : SOSCO must get back to its core business as a safety net for the needy

2011-03-04T16:24:00.001+08:00

Media statement by M.Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on Friday, March 04, 2011.

SOSCO must get back to its core business as a safety net for the needy

Selvenesan s/o Singaravellu. 38 years old, is married with 3 young children. The eldest child is 9 years old, the second child is 8years old and the third child is 3 years old.

The first child is schooling but the other two children are handicapped who cannot walk and talk.

Selvanesan is the sole bread winner of the family.

On the 8th of June 2010, he met a nasty accident while riding his motorcycle to work. The person who knocked into him ran away, thus Sevarasan got no compensation.

The injuries were so severe that he was unconscious and hospitalized for over 2 weeks. Due to the shock and the injuries sustained, he has lost total use of his voice box.

He had immediately lodged a claim with SOSCO. However, for months SOSCO had not responded and even visits to the office did not bear any fruit.

3 weeks ago, Selvanesan and his family met us to get our help to speak to SOSCO. We immediately contacted SOSCO.

SOSCO has acknowledged Selvanesan's claims and has now started paying him his monthly claims.

SOSCO was set up to assist those injured in work related matters. It was formed to help the lower income group.

But over time, SOSCO has been delaying legitimate claims lodged with the organization. In many ways SOSCO is acting like a business concern trying to save monies.

SOSCO must be reasonable and be reminded its core charter is to be a safety net for the lower income group. It must be focused and achieve excellence in it!

Thanks

M.Kulasegaran

012-5034346

M Kula Segaran : Call on the police to respect the people’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly

2011-02-26T12:08:00.000+08:00

Press statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat, from Yong Pyong, South Korea, on Friday, February 26, 2011

Call on the police to respect the people's constitutional right to peaceful assembly and approve the application to protest the Interlok novel.

According to media report, the Dang Wangi police has rejected the Human Rights Party's (HRP) application for a permit to carry out a peaceful march against the novel Interlok on Sunday.

The party has on Feb 11 submitted the necessary application to the police for a permit. I call on the police to respect the people's constitutional right to peaceful assembly and approve the application to protest the Interlok novel.

The Interlok issue hurt the Indian community yet the Government has not shown the political will to quickly resolve the issue.

The Education Minister's announcement on Jan 27 that the novel would remain as the textbook for Form Five, but with amendments to those parts deemed offensive by the Indian community is not an acceptable solution.

It is puzzling how a book that is so controversial and hurtful to the Indian community could not be withdrawn.

According to new report, Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI) director Lim Teck Ghee has added his voice to calls for the novel Interlok to be removed from the Form Five Malay literature syllabus due to its perpetuation of "offensive stereotyping" of minorities.

The Malaysiakini has reported as follows:-

In remarks e-mailed to Malaysiakini today, the former academician-turned-social activist said some may be tempted to invoke freedom of expression to justify maintaining the book as required reading in secondary schools.That same "freedom to offend" would not, however, be granted if the offence were against Malays, he noted.It is most unfair that the government has not done what should be done – to withdraw the book as a school text book.

It will be doubly unfair if people who exercise their constitutional right of peaceful assembly to protest against the novel are denied such rights.

Thanks

M.Kulasegaran
Ipoh Barat MP

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran, Malaysians must rise to the occasion and go for change

2011-02-18T13:23:00.000+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at the Chinese New Year gathering organized by Chui Chak Branch New Village, Langkap on Wednesday, February 16, 2010

Come next general election, Malaysians must rise to the occasion and go for change through the ballot boxes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to Chui Chak members for inviting us to the Chinese New Year dinner.

Among leaders present were Chairman,committee members and members of DAP Chui Chak branch,YB Seah Leong Peng, Sdr. Keong Meng Seng, Sdr. Chong Chee King, Sdr. Segaran(Chairman Ipoh Barat branch and also many locals.

Teoh Beng Hock‘s tragic death more than a year ago shocked the entire nation.

How could a young man who had made all the necessary preparations to marry his fiancée ended up dead after being called up by the MACC to assist as a witness in an investigation—this was the question that everyone asked.

And everyone wanted to know why.

However, after more than a year since his tragic death, there is still no answer as to how he died.

The Coroner’s court could only return an open verdict.

Although a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) was finally set up to investigate into the cause of Beng Hock’s death, Beng Hock’s family had decided today to boycott the RCI.

The decision came as the RCI ruled against the family's request to have the hearing postponed until the disposal of a judicial review filed by the family against the coroner's 'open verdict' on Teoh's death.

Teoh family lawyer Karpal Singh had today said Teoh's family had ordered the lawyers to withdraw from the RCI as they could not accept the attorney-general's decision to pursue a revision of the inquest's open verdict, while at the same time sending three officers from his chambers as conducting officers at the RCI.

The government and the RCI ought to know that the nation has been waiting for the truth as to how Teoh Beng Hock died and any investigation must be totally fair and independent.

The RCI must also be able to command full confidence of the Teoh family and the public.

Unfortunately, the Teoh family does not have full confidence in the RCI and the only option for them is to withdraw from the proceedings.

I call on the public to support the Teoh family’s decision to withdraw from the RCI proceedings.

It has been strongly speculated, a snap poll will be held in March or April this year.

Although the Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib has said that BN has changed and reformed, it is still more talk than action.

The fact that Najib talked about ‘BN has changed” shows that he realized the need for change.

But has BN really changed or can it change?

The answer is big NO!

BN has not changed as its major policies have remained.

Even on the fight against corruption, the government has not shown much political will.

BN has been in power too long to be able to make significant and real changes which can bring about a better Malaysia.

Egyptians who had long suffered the dictatorial and corrupt rule of President Hosni Mubarak had recently toppled him through in just 18 days of display of people power.

The wave of change is now sweeping across the Arab nations.

Come next general election, Malaysians must rise to the occasion and go for change through the ballot boxes.

I call on the voters to demonstrate the people power through their votes and vote PR coalition to bring about a better Malaysia for all Malaysians.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
MP Ipoh Barat

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran : Enough is enough; Lets start new journey with PR Government

2011-02-14T10:14:00.003+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at Chineses New year function in DAP Service Centre Teluk Intan on Monday, February 14, 2011

Come next general election, Malaysians who have long yearned for change for the better should also say "enough is enough" and rise to the occasion to vote PR to form the new Federal and Perak state governments.

When delivering his speech at a Chinese New Year open house and briefing on the Malaysian Innovation Agency held at SJK (C) Sungai Way in Petaling Jaya on February 11, the Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib warned the business community that for the sake of their future, they should not take chances by supporting the opposition.

It was reported in the media that although he did not exactly indicate what he was referring to, it was indirectly meant that they should not support Pakatan Rakyat.

He was quoted as saying:-

I share your dreams and aspirations (to build the country). What I want to achieve is a tall order, and I am asking you to join me in this quest.

"The journey may be long, but let us take the journey together. This is not the time to experiment and take chances with your future. I am sure you know what I am referring to... business people are always pragmatic and astute"

I agree with Najib that business people are always pragmatic and astute. And I also agree that no one should simply take chances with their future.

But it is through change that better future can be brought about. And Malaysians must support the opposition for change.

The change that will be brought about by PR is definitely going to be change for the better.

The people's desire for change resulted in the political tsunami of the 2008 general election which caused BN its unprecedented electoral debacle.

It is coming to 3 years since Malaysian voters made the historic and courageous decision to vote for change.

What has the "change" brought about?

Better or worse for the people, including the business community, in the states governed by the PR state governments ?

In Penang, open tender system has been implemented to encourage transparency and fairness. Good FDI has been attracted. In Perak when PR was in power, various policies which would benefit the people eg freehold and for new villages, land and fund allocations for Chinese independent schools were introduced.

There are more examples which I can quote but suffice to say that the political change which took place in the last general election did not wreck businesses.

PR is therefore a coalition that the people can trust to being about a better Malaysia for all.

In fact, the business people and all other Malaysians who want a better Malaysia should vote for change through the ballot boxes in the next general election.

A few days ago, the courageous Egyptians decided that enough was enough and fought against all odds to topple the dictator Hosni Mubarak.

Come next general election, Malaysians who have long yearned for change for the better should also say "enough is enough" and rise to the occasion to vote PR to form the new Federal and Perak state governments.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M Kula Segaran : The might of people power in overthrowing a dictator.

2011-02-13T10:13:00.002+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at the Chinese New Year Open House in DAP Canning service center in Ipoh on Sunday, February 13, 2011

The fall of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak shows the might of people power in overthrowing a dictator.

It was indeed a great and courageous victory for the Egyptians who had fought against all odds.

Earlier last week, Prime Minister Najib had warned against any attempt to usurp political power in Malaysia, using demonstrations like those in Egypt.

"Don't think that what is happening there must also happen in Malaysia. We will not allow it to happen here," he was reported to have said in the Star.

I wonder why Najib wanted to issue such an unnecessary warning. Opposition parties have been fighting through the ballot boxes for decades and we will aim to achieve our target of bringing about a better society for all though the electoral process.

Yesterday, he commented on the Egypt issue again. He was reported to say that one cannot equate what is happening in Egypt with Malaysia because things are very different in the two countries.

According to media report, the premier also later said that it is the BN's 'People First' policies that will ultimately be the main difference between Malaysia and former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's 30-year regime.

It is true that the conditions in Egypt and Malaysia are not totally similar. However, there is one similarity. People do want change for the better.

In Malaysia, the desire of the voters for change has resulted in the BN suffering its most unprecedented and unexpected electoral debacle, losing its traditional parliamentary majority in the Dewan Rakyat as well the governmental power to rule in five states.

Malaysians' power lies in their votes. In a democracy, change will be brought about through the ballot boxes and Pakatan Rakyat is determined to call on the people to vote for change in the next general election.

The Egyptians' victory against the dictator has also shown the power of social networking media and internet tools in organizing and mobilizing people.

In preparing for the coming general election, PR must maximize the effective use of these tools to effectively spread our message of change to the voters.

It has been speculated for some time that a snap poll will be held in March or April this year.

The Prime Minister's meeting with Umno divisions is certainly another reason why it is likely that a snap poll will soon take place.

The coming general election is undoubtedly going to be the most important election in the nation's history.

Unlike all previous elections where the talk and possibility of the Opposition toppling the BN government would be regarded as a political joke, the political landscape since the 2008 general election has changed.

In the coming general election, BN will have to face with the real possibility of being toppled from power. Hence, we can expect the coming electoral battle to be the dirtiest in the nation's history as BN will do all it can to cling to power.

Pakatan Rakyat must therefore be better prepared.

I therefore propose that the PR leadership Council to immediately set up a Seat Negotiation Committee to begin the process of seat negotiations among our component parties, including if need be and for strategic reasons, the swapping of seats.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M Kula Segaran : BN government simply cannot change ; A new PR government to bring about a better Malaysia for all

2011-02-01T10:23:00.002+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at the DAP Hutan Melintang Dinner held on Monday, January 31, 2011

BN government simply cannot change. Come next general election, Malaysians must support a new PR government to bring about a better Malaysia for all.

BN has won the Tenang by election as expected. PR did not expect to win but we had hoped to reduce the BN’s majority of 2492 obtained in 2008 general election.PR has to conduct deep analysis into the result to understand how the voting trend will affect or help in our electoral objective of Marching towards Putrajaya.

From the preliminary analysis, it is obvious that as consistent with past public survey findings, the Malay support or rather the rural Malay support for BN has increased.It also appears that there was increased Indian voter support for the BN candidate.This is an important area that PR must look into and quickly plan new strategies to win the people’s support.

Nevertheless, It is very encouraging to note that the Chinese support for the PR candidate in the Tenang by election has increased by some 10 %., despite the fact that the PR candidate is from PAS and MCA has campaigned hard on the Islamic state issue to frighten the Chinese voters.

Somehow MCA still believes that Islamic state issue is its” killer weapon” against the PR, especially the DAP.

But the result has proven that the lie that “a vote for PR is a vote for Islamic state “cannot work anymore.

However, in order for PR to achieve our target of capturing Putrajaya, we will need the support of all races in the country, Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans, Orang Asli and all other minorities.

It has earlier been strongly speculated that a snap poll will be held in March or April this year. It is imperative that PR must reach out more to all communities and to effectively spread our message of Change to them.

It will soon be 3 years since BN was dealt its unprecedented electoral debacle. But has it truly learned its lessons?

According to 9th Malaysia Plan, the government allocation per student per month is as follows:-

National school- RM33.30
Tamil school –RM 10.55
Chinese school –RM 4.50

How could the deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong justify his claim that the BN government has been fair to all schools?

Why the disparity of expenditure of monies between the 3 type of schools on our school going children? Are all our children not born under the Malaysian Sun?

BN government simply cannot change. Come next general election, Malaysians must support a new PR government to bring about a better Malaysia for all.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran
MP Ipoh Barat
http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

Speech By M.Kulasegaran : Why the long delay in building a new Tamil school in Merlimau?

2011-01-29T10:21:00.002+08:00

29/01/2011 - Speech By M.Kulasegaran : DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat on:

Why the long delay in building a new Tamil school in Merlimau?

As a follow up on our visit to Merlimau, to day with local residents made a visit to the local Tamil school. I gave a speech and among other matters are as follows:

SJKT Merlimau, Melaka was built some time in 1968. It was built on government land. The total area of the school is less then ½ acre. It lacks basic facilities like a field for the children and for other recreational activities.

The Merlimau area has more than 7 estates and the bulk of the workers are Indians. Together with Sdr Guna, Sdr Gandhi and local PR leaders we visited the area.

We received numerous complaints about the school lacking up to date facilities. We were indeed surprised to see that the school is exactly the same plank built school that it was as in 1968.

With such condition which is so uncondusive for studying, it is not surprising that the school enrolment has not been encouraging. Many parents prefer to send their children to national or other schools which have better facilities.

This lack of facilities has been known to the BN leaders but the problem remains unresolved till today. In fact, over 10 years ago, the local BN leaders had promised to rebuild a new school on a 2 acre land which will also have a field and some open space. But it was an empty promise.

At every election, in order to win votes, the locals would be promised that a new Tamil school would be built. With the upcoming by election in this area, the local MIC leaders are now playing the same music again.

The latest news to go around is that a sum of RM4 million has been set aside by the state government for the building of a new Tamil school in Merlimau. If the news is true, will it be another election gimmick to fish for votes only?

Building of a school is a federal matter and since when does a state government have to take over the responsibility? Before BN makes more promises, it should at least do two things:_

1. Apologise to the Indian community for its failure to fulfil its past promises to build a new Tamil school.

2. Explain the reasons for not fulfilling its promises

Nevertheless, we are here to push for the government to keep its promise.

Questions that need answers are:-

1) Where has the land been identified for the building of a new school?

2) Will the school have the best facilities for the children?

3) What is the overall cost of building the new school and when will it be completed?

There are a total of 21 Tamil schools in Melaka. Out of this total, 11 schools are partially aided schools and are built on private land.

The Indian community has, over the last 53 years, been pushing the government to make all

partial aided schools as fully aided. But the government has been giving unacceptable excuses.

One of the excuses is that it is costly to acquire private land and/ or impossible to acquire the land.

There is a specific Act of Parliament- the National Acquisition Act which allows for the acquisition of land for public use.

This act has been used many times before and we see no reason for the government's reluctance to do what is the easiest. The government should therefore stop finding excuses.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

MP Ipoh Barat

http://ipohbaratvoice.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mkula

M.Kulasegaran : Islamic State is not and will not be the PR's policy and agenda.

2011-01-24T00:15:00.007+08:00

Speech by M Kula Segaran , DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at the launching of "Year of the Rabbit- Change" campaign at Jelapang Market, Ipoh on 24 January 2011.

Islamic State is not and will not be the Paktan Rakyat's policy and agenda.

In the Galas by election, MCA had campaigned on the Islamic State's agenda of PAS. It is obvious that MCA now believes that this is the killer weapon that it can use against the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat.

There is no doubt that Islamic State issue will be the main issue MCA will want to exploit in the coming general election.But MCA's campaign whether in the Tenang by election or coming general election that " A vote for Rocket is a vote for Islamic State' or ' A vote for PR is a vote for Islamic State ' is not true and is a lie.

Islamic State is not and will not be the PR's policy and agenda.DAP's stand on the Islamic State is very clear.
Our stand and principle is that Malaysia is a secular nation, with Islam as the national religion.

Malaysia is not an Islamic state and Malaysia must remain a secular democratic nation. We will not compromise our stand and principle. PR has been formed to bring about political change and save Malaysia. Islamic State is not and will not be the PR's policy and agenda.

Islamic State is therefore a false issue in Tenang and coming general election. Voters must vote for PR to bring about political change in the nation. Today, together with YB Fong Po Kuan, Chong Chee King, DAP members and supporters, we are all gathered here to launch the "Year of the Rabbit—Change" programme.

Besides spreading the political message of change, the two activities of this campaign are to register new voters and to provide checking of voting status for existing voters.

In November last year, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dato Nazri revealed that 11,381,193 citizens were registered as voters. 4,304,620 who were above 21years old and eligible have not registered as voters. Thus nearly 30 per cent qualified citizens have yet to sign up as voters.

The new voters will definitely be able to determine the outcome of many state and federal constituencies. Hence, it is imperative that those who want to see and bring political change in the next general election must quickly sigh up as voters.

Just as it is our duty to save Malaysia through political change, we also want to save the Earth by encouraging the public to minimize the use of plastic bags.

Hence, as part of our public awareness exercise, we are also giving out free recycle bags to those who come forward to register as new voters or to check their details in the electoral rolls.

Thanks.

M.Kulasegaran

MP Ipoh Barat

BN Perak State Govt promoting falsehood in a religious event

2011-01-13T17:37:00.000+08:00

MEDIA STATEMENT

Dato Mah Hang Soon must not be allowed to promote falsehood in a religions event. The public demand a product as advertised, not a fake one.

On 6th January, BN Perak State Government Executive Councilor, Dato' Dr Mah Hang Soon announced that the well-known Christian Music group, Hillsong from Australia will take centre stage during the Perak State level Christmas and New Year celebrations at Stadium Indera Mulia in Ipoh on 23rd January, 2011.

Immediately, on the same day, the manager of Hillsong Music, Australia Mr. Timothy Whincop issued a letter confirming that the group performing at the event is not sanctioned or endorsed by Hillsong Music or Hillsong Church.

I have been given to understand that this matter has been brought to the attention of Dato' Dr Mah. Despite the said knowledge he insisted that the group performing on 23/1/2011 be promoted as from Hillsong from Australia.

Yesterday, Hillsong issued another letter confirming that Hillsong is not and will not be performing in any event in Ipoh, Perak on 23/1/2011 and reiterates that Hillsong's name may not be used without prior permission. Copies of their letters dated 6/1/2011 and 12/1/2011 are attached herewith.

Christianity promotes truth and respect for the rights of others. It is a shameful affair for Dato' Mah to promote falsehood. Dato' Mah must let the public know exactly who is performing at the Christmas event. As the exco member in charge of consumer affairs, Dato' Mah has the duty not to mislead the public but to describe a product accurately.

Christians and other Malaysians are upset that Dato' Mah is not telling the truth. The public demand that they get the product as advertised, not a fake one.

Dated this 13th day of January 2011.

NGEH KOO HAM
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas &
State Assemblyman for Sitiawan

BN State Government Celebrating Christmas out of season

2011-01-12T17:47:00.000+08:00

BN Perak State Government fixing 23rd January 2011 to celebrate Christmas defeats the spirit of celebrating the event.

I note with regret that the Perak BN Government deems it fit to celebrate Christmas 2010 out of season to celebrate it only on 23rd January 2011. Christmas is celebrated worldwide on 25th December 2010.

The purpose of a celebration is to observe the significance of an event, in our instant case the birth of Christ. Apart from that, a celebration uplifts and liberates the human spirit to bring happiness, gladness and joy.

The people of Perak are starting to feel the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year which falls on 3 February 2011. Therefore, to celebrate Christmas only on 23 January 2011 when the people are in the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year will overshadow the message and significance of the Christmas event. The festivity which Christmas brings to uplift the spirit of the people will also be lost.

I hope in future the State Christmas program will be celebrated during the season of Christmas.

Dated this 12th day of January 2011.

NGEH KOO HAM
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas &
State Assemblyman for Sitiawan

Perak DAP urge Najib to accept open Debate with Anwar

2011-01-12T15:56:00.000+08:00

(Picture ) 1 : Nga Kor Ming urge Najib to accept open debate with Anwar Ibrahim.

(Picture) 2 : DAP Perak demanded that the Royal Commission of inquiry must probe the real cause of death of Teoh Beng Hock and none other than that in order to find out the TRUTH.

(Ipoh 12-1-11)

Perak DAP today urge the Prime Minister， Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak to accept the challenge by the Opposition Leader, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim for an open debate over Pakatan Rakyat’s 100 days new policy in order to let all fellow Malaysian to judge both the coalition’s performance.

Perak DAP Secretary, Nga Kor Ming，who is also Member of Parliament for Taiping said, as Najib had accused the Pakatan Rakyat policy been “too good to be true” and will cause the country become insolvent, it is timely that both the Top leadership from BN and PR sit at the same platform and justify their own stand.

He said， this is crucial and important as such open debate will give people a golden opportunity to assess for themselves before they decide who should lead the nation.

Quoted the American Presidential Debates and the British premiership debate, Nga said that it is timely that the leader of the nation shall advocate their views and policy in an open and neutral platform before they seek mandate from the people. He said, Malaysians deserve better and there is no reason the candidate aspired to be Prime Minister hide himself behind the media but refuse to meet face to face.

Pakatan Rakyat in its 2nd convention held in Kepala Batas on 19th of December last year resolve to a 147 new policy to govern the nation including the 100 days programme which among others promised to offer free PLUS highway, paying RM1,000 to all senior citizens and RM500 increment of salary for all school teachers. The reform policy had drew critism from the BN and Najib had even accused the Pakatan will cause the country bankrupt should they implement the populist policies.

Nga said， Malaysia will never go bankrupt if there is no corruption. He quoted Auditor General Report by saying that，under the BN, the country now suffered a huge debt of RM408.2 billion national debt, which is about 52% of the GDP. The National Debt had grown 453% since 1997 when the debt duringt that time was RM90 billion. Such deteriorating trend at the rate of 34% annually had brought fear to certain quarter that the country may be insolvent when reaching 2019.

“If we eradicate corruption, the country will safe RM28 billion annually, it is sufficient to implement all the pakatan rakyat’s policy which will benefit the people and the nation.”Nga said.

Nga issued the media statement after the dialogue and peaceful demonstration with DAP Batu Gajah Parliamentary liason committee which demand for through investigation on the real cause of death for Teoh Beng Hock. The 19 DAP branches in Batu Gajah demanded that the Royal Commission of inquiry must probe the real cause of death and not other ancilliary issue if the Government is sincere to find out the truth. At the same time, Perak DAP also offered RM40,000 to the public whoever can provide evidence which lead to the conviction of the party who caused the death of Teoh Beng Hock.

DAPSY Perak today calls for the abolishment of the much disputed Postal Votes system in the coming General Election to ensure a clean and transparent election system.

2010-12-09T15:42:00.001+08:00

Press Statement by YB Wong Kah Woh, State Assemblymen for Canning and Perak DAPSY Chief in Ipoh on 09.12.2010:-

DAPSY Perak today calls for the abolishment of the much disputed Postal Votes system in the coming General Election to ensure a clean and transparent election system.

It is shocked to learn that the Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya Raya is again contemplating to widen the scope of coverage for Postal Votes to include doctors, nurses and reporters on duty as part of those who are eligible to vote by post. The first attempt by SPR for the same purpose was announced in January 2010.

Despite the calls for the improvement in the country’s election system, we couldn’t see the SPR had taken any initiatives to improve the system. Yet, today the SPR has come out with this new idea which will lead to a higher number of Postal Votes.

The transparency of Postal Votes is highly questionable. There were doubts in the process of determination of the number of voters and the demarcating of the electoral boundaries, sending out of the ballot papers, the casting of ballot papers and the counting of the ballot papers.

DAP had experienced that the number of Postal Votes in Ipoh Timur and Canning had increased dramatically and drastically for almost 100% without the knowledge of the incumbent DAP’s representatives prior to the 2008 election.

The local constituents will be deprived of their rights to have their own representatives being elected if the number of Postal Voters, who are basically not the residents in the area, is considerable high. One may have obtained the majority support of the local constituents but yet losing out eventually due to the high number of Postal Votes.

Let’s allow the local constituents to choose their own representatives, let’s not deprive them of the rights of deciding their own future.

DAPSY Perak

YB Wong Kah Woh : We regret to note that the BN Speaker had ordered for the proceedings be started off with the winding up speech by Dato’ Seri Zambry Abd Kadir without further debates being called.

2010-12-03T14:55:00.005+08:00

Press Release by YB Wong Kah Woh (ADUN Canning –DAP) at the State Assembly on 03.12.2010:

Sorry the People of Canning, I have tried my best and yet be deprived of the rights. I felt sad and disappointed over what happened this morning but the BN’s hegemony will never get me defeated. My spirit is even higher now and I shall continue to serve. YOUR MANDATE, YOUR VOICE, that is my promise.

We regret to note that the BN Speaker had ordered for the proceedings be started off with the winding up speech by Dato’ Seri Zambry Abd Kadir without further debates being called.

I have stood up for 17 times, ADUN Tronoh had stood up for at least 16 times and similarly to BN’s ADUN Slim had stood up many times requesting for the chance for debate yesterday. The Speaker had announced at 7pm yesterday that the sitting be adjourned and we presume that debates will be continued today (03.12.2010). There is no indication of any order for winding up speech by Dato’ Ganesan and there were at least 7 to 8 ADUNs still standing and requsting chance for debate at 7 pm yesterday.

I have complained to Dato’ Ganesan when I raised my supplementary question earlier on that I have stood up for 17 times yesterday and yet not being given the chance. The reply given was that “Jangan bimbang, saya akan beri peluang nanti.”

When the Question and Answer time lapsed at 10.10am, Dato’ Seri Zambry was asked to deliver his winding up speech. I got a shock. I stood up and told the Speaker that we still have a lot of ADUNs stood up before and not debated, among others include Canning, Tronoh, Tebing Tinggi, Pokok Assam, Bercham, Menglembu, Slim and Tualang Sekah. My mic was switched off when I tried to address my concern and request for the sittings be extended for another 2 days. The Speaker had turned down my request without assigning any valid reason.

The former MB Tan Sri Tajol Rosli stood up and said he had also not debated and he is not protesting. I replied him, the reason very simple, because he never asked for the chance to debate since yesterday!

This is a Budget involving RM863 million expenditure and RM30 million deficit. Dato’ Ganesan had once told ADUN Hutan Melintang on the very first day that “if your oral questions cannot be answered, you still have chance to raise during the debate.” But what happened now? My oral questions were listed No. 28 on the first day, No. 7 on the third day and No. 25 today and all were not answered. And now, I was being deprived of the chance to raise the same in my debate.

I have prepared my speech for hours and same to ADUN Tronoh. It had been 21 months since the grabbing of power in Perak and we were unable to speak. We wanted to raise the problems of the Rakyat and not our personal interest. Why are we being deprived the rights?

Sorry the People of Canning, I have tried my best and yet be deprived of the rights. I felt sad and disappointed over what happened this morning but the BN’s hegemony will never get me defeated. My spirit is even higher now and I shall continue to serve. YOUR MANDATE, YOUR VOICE, that is my promise.

YB WONG KAH WOH

Extend number of days of sitting DAP reps:answer all submitted questions

2010-11-30T08:39:00.001+08:00

Press Release by YB Wong Kah Woh, DAP Perak Publicity Secretary and the State Assemblyman for Canning on 29.11.2010 (Monday) at Wisma DAP Perak:

The DAP State Representatives in Kinta Valley have submitted questions on issues and problems in Kinta Valley to the State Assembly of Perak. The DAP State Representatives will ensure that the voice of the People of Kinta Valley be brought into this coming State Assembly.

The DAP Reps in a Joint Press Conference today urged the BN State Government to take this coming State Assembly sitting seriously, and extend the number of days of sitting in order to answer all questions submitted by the State Reps.

Apart from raising questions on the main issues regarding the State Government Policies, in an attempt to improve the welfare of the People of Kinta Valley as a wholem the DAP State Reps had submitted the questions relating to some unresolved local issues, including the efforts in improving the infrastructure in the market (questions raised by ADUN Canning, Tebing Tinggi and Kepayang), flood problems (by ADUN Canning, Bercham, Buntong and Menglembu), 2020 Ipoh Master Plan and CCTV Issues (by ADUN Bercham), insufficient parking in Ipoh General Hospital (by ADUN Kepayang), Ipoh airport (by ADUN Bercham), Telco Issues (by ADUN Canning), Rumah Pangsa and Squatters issues (by ADUN Buntong), development in Little India (by ADUN Buntong), lack of efficiency in street lights’ applications (by ADUN Menglembu), resurfacing of roads at old residential estates (by ADUN Tebing Tinggi) and the inhumane shooting of stray dogs (by ADUN Canning and Pasir Pinji).

BN Government should give answers and replies to all the questions raised and the Rakyat will never want to see another slip-in-duty by the State Government by holding another One-day assembly.

The practice of BN after the grabbing of power in February 2010 has proven that BN is not sincere in resolving the issues relating the welfare of the Rakyat. Not even a single question was answered during the sitting on 07.05.2009 and 28.10.2009, whereas in the Assembly on 30.03.2010 and 03.08.2010, not more than 15 questions were answered in the respective only day of sitting. It is also to be noted that a total of 127 oral questions (the entire number of the questions accepted) were listed on the first day of sitting on 03.08.2010, evidencing that BN State Government from day one had no intention at all to extend the sittings for more than one day.

Again, this shows that the BN State Government which was formed through an undemocracy process is lacking in People’s mandate, and the State Assembly is not functioning. The purpose of the aforesaid 4 State Assembly sittings were only to fulfill the constitutional requirements of not more than 6 months gap in sitting, so as to extend the life span of the BN State Government.

The PR Selangor State Government had managed to answer 80 oral questions in the 6 days assembly sitting recently. Whilst Dato’ Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir is talking about a developed state in the year 2015, there is no reason why the Perak State Government is unable to do the same in this coming sitting. It is all depends on the political will and sincerity in serving the Rakyat.

Those who are present at the Joint Press Conference including YB V Sivakumar (ADUN Tronoh), YB Lim Pek Har (ADUN Menglembu), YB Wong Kah Woh (ADUN Canning), YB Ong Boon Piow (ADUN Tebing Tinggi), YB Sum Cheok Leng (ADUN Bercham), YB A Sivasubramaniam (ADUN Buntong) and YB Loke Chee Yan (ADUN Kepayang).

BN will be holding a one day Perak State Assembly sitting again!

2010-11-29T09:37:00.000+08:00

BN seems to be planning a one day sitting again from the agenda sent to Perak State Elected Representatives. Pakatan Rakyat Elected Representatives call for sufficient time to be allocated for elected representatives to debate the matters before the House for this coming State Assembly budget sitting commencing on 30/11/2010.

Last year the Perak 2010 budget was past without debate in 20 minutes by BN elected representatives because Dato’ R. Ganesan position as a Legitimate Speaker was in question and they do not allow that question to be raised.

In the last sitting on 3/8/2010, the BN appointed speaker, Dato’ Ganesan intentionally did not want allow the PR elected representatives to speak on behalf of the people. He decided that the sitting should be for one day only and allow opposition leader Dato’ Seri Mohd Nizar Bin Jamaluddin (who should rightfully the Menteri Besar) only 15 minutes to speak. The Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives protested as it makes a mockery of the State Assembly. Traditionally, there is no time limit imposed on the opposition leader to bring the State matters before the house just as no time limit is set for the Menteri Besar. So long as the matters spoken are relevant and relate to the State of Perak they would be allowed. On one occasion, I spoke for 3 hours as opposition leader and when PR was in government Dato’ Seri Tajol Rosli as opposition leader spoke for 2 ½ hours.

The PR elected representatives protested as they were expected to be given much lesser time to debate especially matters pertaining to their respective constituencies.

Dato’ Ganesan and the BN Perak Government accused the PR elected representatives of making a scene when our objection was to defend democracy. BN Perak Government had planned to make the State Assembly a rubber stamp without a debate. They use hundreds of police to surround and control the State Assembly to ensure that the State Assembly will be a mere rubber stamp to approve what they want.

Just like the last sitting where the matters to be transacted for that sitting were contained in a one day agenda, and subsequently all matters were approved within the same day, all matters that needed to be transacted in this coming State Assembly sitting are also listed a one day agenda.

The matters to be transacted are as follows:-

1. Oral Questions Session.
2. To pass the Perak Malays Higher Studies Scholarship Fund (Amendment) bill.
3. To pass the Perak Nationals (Non-Malay) Scholarship Fund (Amendment) Bill.
4. To pass Wood – based Industries (Amendment) bill.
5. To pass the supply 2011 bill (Budget) amounting to RM832,417,100.
6. To pass a motion to approve the use of RM273,000,000 from Consolidated Development Fund and
7. To pass a motion to approve the Perak Constitutional Amendment to include 4 other titled Raja (Raja Kecil Besar, Raja Kecil Sulong, Raja Kecil Tengah, Raja Kecil Bongsu) as members of the Dewan Negara.

The Perak State Assembly will become meaningless if the above said matters are past in a day without meaningful debate.

The BN Perak Government is expected again to use the police force to ensure that they will achieve their purpose in passing the above said matters without being questioned.

I call on Dato’ Ganesan to declare that he will allocate at least 4 days for debate and call on the BN Government to support my call.

If BN fails to restore democracy in Perak, let the people of Perak oust them decisively in this coming general election.

Dated this 28th day of November 2010.

DATO’ NGEH KOO HAM
(MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman
for Sitiawan)

Ngeh says jealousy behind ‘dictator’ label

2010-11-18T21:46:00.001+08:00

By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider
November 18, 2010

AYER TAWAR, Nov 18 — Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, who easily won re-election last weekend as Perak DAP chairman, is claiming that jealousy is behind the widely-held perception that both he and his cousin Nga Kor Ming are dictators.

In an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider earlier this week, the veteran leader, who is now into his seventh term as state party chairman since 1998, lamented that the term “dictator” was likely pinned on him by people who disliked him and Nga were jealous as they had become so popular in the party.

Describing it as the scourge of Malaysian politics, Ngeh pointed to the example of the father-son team of DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

“We see it often in Malaysian politics. And like Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng, even though they have both served time in prison, people call it a dynasty.

“What dynasty, I would like to ask? I would like to point to the example of how the church preaches that a pastor who does not push his son to become a pastor like him is not setting a good example. Because being a pastor is a sacrificial position and before you ask someone else to sacrifice, you have to be willing to sacrifice your own son first,” he charged.

He pointed out that Kit Siang’s willingness to sacrifice his own son in prison to fight for the rights of the people should be considered as “exemplary” instead of a “dynasty”.

“I know them so well. They have sacrificed so much for the people and both even went to prison for it,” he said.

Ngeh noted that the reason why both he and Nga were accused of being dictators was purely psychological as it played on the basic human instinct of jealousy.

“It is just about that... the basic human instinct: jealousy. They see us up there as cousins and they call us dictators because we are both in power and we are cousins.

“It is totally unfair,” he said.

Ngeh (picture) pointed out that if he was a substandard party leader and had a bad track record, he would not have been voted back into power during Sunday’s polls.

“If Ngeh and Nga are lazy, if Ngeh and Nga are corrupt, if Ngeh and Nga are seeking benefits for themselves and not sacrificing, if Ngeh and Nga are not doing work, if Ngeh and Nga are for any reason, negative, then by all means reject us.

“But do not reject us when we have been sacrificing so much; our time, our money, our family and personal lives, do not reject us simply because we are cousins... it is totally unfair,” he said.

Ngeh added that the negative perception of him and Nga had prolonged because they had always chosen not to react to accusations.

“I have said that I would willingly suffer the injustice of being denied the right to reply and be subject to hurtful attacks assailed against me than to put my party in jeopardy and cause the mission of the people to be derailed.

“A good soldier is willing to keep a secret to safeguard a nation and risk being shot. This bad impression is given because I do not reply in the media. But it is a cost I would rather pay than to speak on the outside and cause the whole party to suffer,” he said.

Ngeh acknowledged that the accusations had begun even during the time when Pakatan Rakyat helmed the government in Perak, noting that they were merely “a pack of lies”.

Among others, former PKR assemblymen Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu, had levelled numerous complaints against both Ngeh and Nga, claiming that the duo often bulldozed decisions through during state executive council meetings.

All were a part of the state executive council line-up following Election 2008.

Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman had claimed in earlier interviews that their anger with Ngeh and Nga had been one of their primary reasons for abandoning Pakatan Rakyat (PR), a move which had caused the downfall of the Perak PR government in February 2009.

Besides them, former DAP assemblyman Datuk Hee Yit Foong had done the same and had also complained that the cousins had sidelined her when they refused to offer her a spot on the state executive council line-up.

“Firstly, both Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman never spoke out in our meetings. We made hundreds of decisions and only on one or two issues they spoke out and we were in agreement with their arguments.

“We were very professional and (former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad) Nizar (Jamaluddin) was very good. We would always go one round and ask everyone for their opinions... it was a perfect power-sharing formula and never before was it ever this democratic in the government,” Ngeh said.

On Hee’s case, Ngeh claimed that he had been very fair to have offered her the post of deputy Speaker in the state assembly.

“Her qualification was only up to Form Five and not that I am saying it’s a bad thing or I am looking down on her. Then, she is also a polio victim and she often complains about travelling. To be an exco member, you have to travel.

“So I thought that the perfect position to give her was the deputy Speaker’s post,” he reasoned.

Ngeh also denied that he had manipulated the votes on Sunday, pointing out that it was close to impossible for him to have forced such a large number of delegates to vote for him.

“We have 175 branches and over 1,200 delegates. It is impossible for me to control the minds of all the voters to choose me. In fact, one-third of them did not vote me and this shows there is freedom to exercise the right not to vote for me.

“How could I be dictatorial just because people voted for me? I do not have a gun to threaten them, I do not have anything to entice or seduce them to my side. But if the people, by my track record, want to vote for me, if they think I am popular, then what is wrong with having a huge majority?” he said.

During Sunday’s polls, the Ngeh-Nga cousins made a near-clean sweep of the 15 posts on the Perak DAP state leadership committee and sailed to an easy victory.

While the duo had polled the top two highest number of votes, their arch-rival in an opposing camp led by former state deputy chairman M. Kulasegaran failed to even make it onto the team.

Kulasegaran and team members like Thomas Su Keong Siong, Keong Meng Sing, Cheong Chee Khing, Seah Leong Peng and Frankie Wong failed to secure a spot on the state committee.

Only one person in his camp scraped through in last place — Jalong assemblyman Leong Mee Meng.

The results were a resounding slap in the face for Kulasegaran, the Ipoh Barat MP, who for months had been attacking the cousins, accusing them of being difficult to work with and too top-down in their leadership style.

The leadership crisis flared last month when an angry Kulasegaran threatened to quit his state posts in the party following an unresolved dispute with the Ngeh-Nga cousins during a special meeting in Ipoh.

Although the leader was finally convinced to stay, tension between the two warring factions continued to rise and Sunday’s polls were a crucial stepping stone for Kulasegaran and his team to topple the cousins in Perak.

Despite their failure, the cousins and the newly-elected team of state committee members decided to co-opt Kulasegaran back into the state leadership as vice-chairman.

But Kulasegaran has yet to decide on the offer.

He has instead charged that there were irregularities during Sunday’s polls, claiming that there were 50 questionable branches represented by 350 delegates who were allowed to vote in the convention.

Ngeh however refuted this, pointing out that the state leadership did not have a hand in conducting the polls.

“Let us just move forward. The delegates have spoken. And I would like to clarify that everything was organised by the central executive committee. All our agents were from out of state.

“The qualification of branches was decided by our party headquarters and the Registrar of Societies so I think we should no longer question that. Everything was done professionally... let us move ahead and plan for the future,” he said.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ngeh-says-jealousy-behind-dictator-label/

DAP Perak - English

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Zambry making a cartoon (joke) out of the State of Perak.

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Issue on " Black Metallic" by YB Nga Kor Ming

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Tun Zaki’s admission nullifies Federal Court Judgment.

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JPA scholarships—Merit category should be based purely on academic result

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DAPSY Perak today calls for the abolishment of the much disputed Postal Votes system in the coming General Election to ensure a clean and transparent election system.

YB Wong Kah Woh : We regret to note that the BN Speaker had ordered for the proceedings be started off with the winding up speech by Dato’ Seri Zambry Abd Kadir without further debates being called.

Extend number of days of sitting DAP reps:answer all submitted questions

BN will be holding a one day Perak State Assembly sitting again!

Ngeh says jealousy behind ‘dictator’ label

Irregularities in the award of contracts by Rural Development Ministry costing the people at least RM 500 million