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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

DAPSY Perak shall never allow nor tolerate dirty tactics employed by certain quarters in manipulating the opportunity to tarnish the image of DAP and the same shall not and should never be condoned by any of the DAPSY members.

Know the facts before you portrayed yourself as DAPSY committees,
Kah Woh tells the protestors.

It was reported that the group of some 20 members gathered in front of the state DAP Perak Headquarter carrying banners yesterday in criticisms of the Perak DAP leadership were DAP Youth committees and members from Buntong. There were even being addressed as “PR youth group” by some writers.

As far as Pakatan Youth and DAPSY Perak are concerned, we have verified that none of the protesters are DAP members from the Buntong branches or Pakatan Youth in Perak.

I have further obtained the confirmation from the Perak Dewan Pemuda PAS (DPP) Chief Sdr. Zawawi Hassan and Angkatan Pemuda Keadilan (AMK) Chief YB Abd Yunus Jamhari that DPP and AMK had never consented to the said protest and none of their youth members were involved.

The purpose and genuineness of the protest is highly questionable and doubted. We have reason to believe this is one of the dirty tactics being employed by the opposite party to tarnish the image of DAP. Some of the protestors had portrayed themselves to be the committee of the DAP youth wing in Buntong. This clearly shows that the protestors do not even know who actually they are or purported to be. The DAPSY Statute provides that DAPSY Division is formed by the name of the relevant Parliamentary constituency and as far as Ipoh Barat Division is concerned, it was formed in 2008 in a meeting chaired by me and none of the protestors are seen to be the committee. There will also never be any DAPSY organization formed by the name of a branch or state constituency.

The Perak DAP issue is an internal matter to be resolved and shall be dealt with internally. We shall never allow nor tolerate dirty tactics employed by certain quarters manipulating the opportunity to tarnish the image of DAP. This dirty tactics shall not and should never be condoned by any of the DAPSY members.

The police shall conduct immediate investigation to identify the person portraying themselves wrongfully as DAP members and the Black Hand behind the scene.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***DAP Canning***

Press Conference by the State Assemblyman for Canning and DAP Perak Publicity Secretary YB Wong Kah Woh on 23.03.2010 (Tuesday) at DAP HQ Ipoh:

 Press Conference at DAP HQ Ipoh. Left: YB Lim Pek Har, YB Wong Kar Woh

(23.3.2010)

I have submitted a question to this coming State Assembly regarding the Barisan Nasional Perak Government stance on the issue of issuing freehold title to Rancangan Rumah Tersusun and Chinese New Village in the state. The original text of the question sounds:

“Ramai warga Negeri Perak yang mempunyai hartanah di Kampung Baru dan Kampung Tersusun telah menyerah balik suratan hakmilik hartanah mereka kepada Kerajaan Negeri pada tahun 2008 untuk tujuan pemberian hakmilik kekal oleh Kerajaan Negeri pada ketika itu.

(i)    Sila nyatakan samaada Kerajaan Negeri berhasrat untuk meneruskan polisi pemberian suratan hakmilik kekal kepada warga Negeri Perak yang memegang hartanah di Kampung Baru dan Kampung Tersusun dan alasannya; dan

(ii)    Apakah status pemberian suratan hakmilik kekal bagi mereka yang telah menyerah balik suratan hakmilik hartanah mereka kepada Kerajaan Negeri pada tahun 2008 untuk tujuan pemberian hakmilik kekal.”

Despite the fact that the current State EXCO Dato’ Mah Hang Soon had given his open concurrence and agreement, during the time he was in the opposition, over the issuance of freehold title and which he had even further suggested “for more” – a 90% discount on the Premium payable instead of 80% discount as adopted by Pakatan Rakyat, he has failed to walk the talk when turning into power and the Barisan Nasional State Government has refused to continue the implementation of the freehold title policy adopted by Pakatan Rakyat during the 10-months-regime.

The Barisan Nasional had in Decemer 2008 through its National Land Council objected to the freehold title policy in Perak, the Barisan Nasional especially UMNO had blamed that the then Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Mohd Nizar bin Jamaluddin for giving away lands to the Chinese community in Perak by adopting the freehold title policy, and the Barisan Nasional had eventually formally put a stop to the freehold title application in the State after the grabbing of power. All these clearly show that Barisan Nasional is still confining themselves in the racial circle, and has no Political Will to continue the good policies set up by Pakatan Rakyat.

If Barisan Nasional has no political will to do, we will do it after we come back into power. However, the refusal of BN in continuing this policy had caused uncertainties, difficulties and hardship for the Rakyat who had earlier surrendered their original title back to the State Government and submitted their application for freehold title and which the BN State Government is obliged to answer and resolve. We have received complaints and I quote 2 cases here:

Case 1: refer appendix                Case 2: refer appendix

The above cases show that the Rakyat are not only not getting freehold title from the BN State Government, they will even need to pay more than what they are supposed to pay under the PR’s freehold tile, for only a 99 years old lease. Some of them who only wish to apply for freehold title and do not wish to have further leasehold as the current lease are still long way to expiry. They are stuck in between, whereby they cannot get their freehold title as wish, and they are facing the risk of their original being retained or even forfeited by the State Government if they do not pay for the premium f the extended lease as offered as the title had been surrendered.

The Rakyat want an explanation from BN over this issue. It is utmost important for Barisan Nasional to answer the questions on freehold titles and to allow more supplementary questions be asked in the assembly. Let’s walk the talk.



Appendix:

Case 1：
A resident in Kg Simee had in the month of July 2006 paid the Premium of RM1705.00 for the extension of 60 years leasehold title. In January 2009, he has surrendered the title back to the State Government for the issuance of new freehold title at the estimated cost calculated at RM3285.00.

He received a letter from Ipoh Land Office 3 weeks back whereby the Land Office requested him to make an extra payment of RM1616.00 to procure a 99 years leasehold title. In other words, while the title is still with 57 years lease left, the BN Government had charged another RM1616.00 on the resident for another 42 years lease (because he will only get 99 years lease calculating from 2010, whereby the 57 years unexpired lease is considered burned). Bear in mind, the estimated cost for him in getting a freehold title with security of Property which no renewal in future is necessary, is around RM3285.00 only.

This has caused a dilemma on the resident. His intention from day one is to get the freehold title, and yet he was now offered 99 years which practically had made no difference with the leasehold title he is holding. It is only a matter of time for the lease be expired although both might not expired until after this resident passed away. The dilemma is that: if he wants back the title, with no choice he has to take the 99 years lease as offered and pay RM1616.00 for the title which is practically extended for 42 years; or he will have to face the risk of the title being retained or even forfeited by the State Government.

BN is to be fully responsible for this.

Case 2:

There is another case from Kg Simee. The leasehold was expired in year 2009. The landowner was given 2 choices: either he needs to pay an estimated cost of RM8000 ++ for a 60 years leaseholdor pay RM13000 ++ for a 99 years leasehold title. Comparing this figure with PR’s offer for freehold title, for the same piece of land, the landowner needs only to pay an estimated cost of RM11,000++.

If BN is for the People, why do they slash the People on this? Wouldn’t be it is ridiculous for a 99 years leasehold be more expensive than a freehold title?