DEFINITE ROADMAP TO ABOLISH EXTREME RACE BASED AFFIRMATIVE ACTION & REPLACE WITH POLICIES THAT BENEFITS ALL MALAYSIANS

I refer to the New Economic Model (NEM) which was announced by our Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak.

It was disappointing to see that there was no announcement of clear cut road map to address the issue of our country’s race-based affirmative action policy.

The previous New Economic Policy (NEP) and New Development Policy (NDP) had been acknowledged to have failed to achieve its aim to ensure equal distribution of the wealth and development of our country among Malays and natives. Even it was recently disclosed that out of the RM52 billion of shares allocated to Bumiputras since the induction of the affirmative action policy, only RM2 billion of these shared remains in the hand of the Bumiputras.

The continuance of such previous extreme race-based affirmative action policy not only fails to achieve its principal aims to assist Bumiputras, but non-Bumiputras too have to also suffer for the shortcoming of the race-based affirmative action policy.

Instead of letting all Malaysians to continue suffer at the expense of the race-based affirmative action policy, the New Economic Model (NEM) must have a clear cut road map and time frame (such as by year 2020) to abolish the extreme race-based affirmative action policy and replace with a policy that will benefit all Malaysians.

No doubt, Article 153 of our Federal Constitution provides for reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits, business opportunities, scholarship, university entrance, etc to Malays and natives, but there is no specific mention of the percentage to be allocated under the quotas.

I believe the provision in Article 153 was meant to assist Malays and natives that in need of assistance of the government and to ensure all Bumiputras get to enjoy equal distribution of our country’s wealth and development. Our government should ensure that only those Bumiputras who are in need of the assistance get the quotas. It should not be used to enrich any particular Bumiputras at the expense of other Bumiputras and non-Bumiputras.

Thus, without a clear cut road map and time frame by year 2020 to abolish the current extreme race-based affirmative action policy and replace with a policy that will benefit all Malaysians, the New Economic Model would continue just to be a rebranding of the old extreme race-based affirmative action policy.

PAS-led Kedah Government Fails To Ensure Open Tender For ALL State Contracts!

Today, Seri Temin Development Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd issued an advertisement to invite qualified developers and contractors for the housing development works involving 128 units of 1 ½ storey terrace house at Bandar Sejahtera in Pokok Sena, Kedah. A copy of the said advertisement is attached with this statement.

Seri Temin Development Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd is a wholy owned company by Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Kedah, a statutory body incorporated under the Kedah state government.

After the last general elections, the PAS-led Kedah state government announced that they will implement open tender system for all projects in the state.

It is now disappointing to read the advertisement by Seri Temin Development Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd that is contrary to the policies pledged by Pakatan Rakyat.

The said advertisement states that it is an “Open Offer” (“Tawaran Terbuka”) and call upon the interested parties to send their answers to a “Tender Box” (“Peti Tender”). However, in reality, this is “NOT an OPEN TENDER”

Under the said advertisement, it further states that it is important “only those firms that are found to be experienced and qualified would be called to submit their Bidding Price for the aforesaid project”.

So, who really determines who is experienced and qualified? Is it to be determined by people from PAS?

Thus, this is actually a “Close Tender” that is contrary to the policies pledged by Pakatan Rakyat. It looks like a tender only for those people deemed to be experienced and qualified as to be determined "subjectively" by PAS!

This is again another example of the failure of Pakatan Rakyat to fulfill their promises & policies in ALL Pakatan Rakyat states.

So, I would like to demand an explanation from Menteri Besar of Kedah, Dato Seri Azizan Abdul Razak to Kedahans on this matter.

IT IS FEDERAL CONSTITUTION THAT PROTECTS ISLAM & MALAY RIGHTS, NOT PERKASA

I refer to the official launch of Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (PERKASA) today by our former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir.

In the reported opening speech of its President, Ibrahim Ali, who is also an Independent Pasir Mas MP, Perkasa was described as a group that aims to "defend Islam, the special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras."

He went on further to warned political parties against making an enemy out of Perkasa. According to him, those that do so will find themselves losing at the elections

With due respect to Ibrahim Ali, who is also an Independent Pasir Mas MP, our Federal Constitution already provides protection to the special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras under Article 153.

Article 3 of the Federal Constitution also states clearly that Islam is the religion of the Federation, although other religion may practice in peace and harmony in our country.

So, I cannot comprehend why there is any further need for Perkasa to potray themselves as the ultimate defender of Islam, the special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras. All these rights are well protected in our Federal Constitution under our Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers of States.

No one in our country is currently threatening the abolishment of Article 3 and Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

On the arrogant warning to political parties against making enemy out of Perkasa, I believe many Malaysians do not need Perkasa and would actually distant themselves from Perkasa, save as their own members. Malaysian are fully aware of the contents and the protections accorded under the Federal Constitution.

So, I am quite amused as to how Perkasa would be able to significantly affect the results of any elections in our country.

REDUCE RATES FOR BASIC BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICES

I would like to congratulate the launch by our Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak of the new Telekom Malaysia Bhd's new UniFi high speed broadband (HSBB) service. The rates for the new services start at RM149 for a 5 Mbps package.

I can understand that the rates may be on the high side for any ordinary Malaysians, but that is the price to pay for a new technology and high standard internet services. The availability of the new high speed broadband (HSBB) services would remain a dream for many ordinary Malaysians as the rates are too high at this stage.

On a more important matter, it was disappointing to see that there was no announcement for the reduction of the rates for the basic broadband internet services.

Currently, the basic rates for Telekom’s streamyx broadband internet services are RM66 for an unlimited 512 kbps package and RM88 for an unlimited 1 Mbps package.
[source:http://www.streamyx.com.my/get_streamyx/get_streamyx.php?id=getstreamyx_package_standard ]

In line with the government’s effort to increase the penetration of internet services to all Malaysian, the basic rates for broadband internet services must be reduced to make it more affordable to all Malaysians. That I believe is the best method to increase penetration of internet services to all Malaysian by making it more affordable.

The previous announcement in the last budget to allow the RM500 tax relief for internet service charges are only savings enjoyed by those who are in the higher income bracket while the package for the RM50 netbook with broadband services are only meant for university students.

There was no provision in the last budget to promote internet services to the ordinary lower income Malaysians.

As such, I would like to call upon the government to review the existing basic rates currently charged by Telekom Malaysia Bhd for their 512kbps and 1Mbps streamyx broadband internet services.

I believe that the rates should be halved to RM35 and RM50 for the 512 kbps and 1 Mbps unlimited broadband internet services.

TIME FOR PAKATAN RAKYAT TO SET OUT TIME FRAME TO IMPLEMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN ALL PAKATAN RAKYAT STATES

In the last General Elections, Pakatan Rakyat made a pledge to the people that they will restore local government elections. At that time, Pakatan Rakyat did not provide any pre-condition for the implementation of the local government elections and neither did Pakatan Rakyat exclude any states from the implementation of their pledge.

After more than 2 years taking over the administration of several states in our country (namely Kedah, Penang, Kelantan and Selangor), there is no indication of any time frame by Pakatan Rakyat for the implementation of the local government elections in ALL the Pakatan Rakyat states.

To date, Pakatan Rakyat had not re-affirm their policy for the implementation of the local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat states.

Instead, what Malaysians have seen lately are steps taken by Pakatan Rakyat to delay the implementation of the local government elections in ALL the Pakatan Rakyat states. There are even attempts by certain Pakatan Rakyat leaders to break their pledge for local government elections in certain Pakatan Rakyat states (i.e. Kedah). We have also seen complete silence from Menteri Besar of Kelantan on this issue.

Although the Election Commission had stated they are unable to assist Pakatan Rakyat states to hold the local government elections, this should not be a reason for Pakatan Rakyat dishonour their pledge to hold local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat states.

There are clearly other ways (directly or indirectly) for Pakatan Rakyat to fulfill their pledge to hold local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat states.

As such, it is time for Pakatan Rakyat to let all Malaysians know their time frame to implement local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat states. There should not be any more delays after the lapse of 2 years from last general elections.

Otherwise, it would set a precedent for Pakatan Rakyat to dishonour their pledge in future.

PAKATAN RAKYAT SHOULD NOT PUSH THE BLAME TO ELECTION COMMISSION FOR PR's FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

I refer to the announcement by the Election Commission (EC) today that they are unable to assist DAP and PKR to hold local government elections in their respective states in Penang and Selangor as the EC are bound by the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171).

The Act clearly provides at Section 10 that the local councilors are to be appointed by the State Authority. Section 15 of the Act further provides that “notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any written law, all provisions relating to local governments elections shall cease to have force or effect”.

As in my previous press statement, I have called the government to amend the relevant laws to assist Pakatan Rakyat states to hold the local government elections. This is to prevent any ambiguity as there are certain parties who had interpreted certain provisions in the Federal Constitution or any other law that they claim allowed for local government elections.

I believe Pakatan Rakyat is fully aware of the current law in our country prior to Penang and Selangor writing to the Election Commission.

While I agree with the effort by DAP and PKR to consider the implementation of the local government elections in Penang and Selangor, I strongly condemn the harsh criticism by some Pakatan Rakyat leaders towards the decision of the Election Commission.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders must learn that decisions by the Election Commission or any other federal or state authority are bound by the laws of our country.

Thus, the criticism by Pakatan Rakyat that the EC is not independent in this issue is clearly lack of substance.

Even at this juncture, Pakatan Rakyat is unable to re-affirm their policy whether they want local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat’s states or otherwise.

The recent announcement by the Kedah PAS-led state government that they are not interested in such local government elections clearly shows that Pakatan Rakyat is not sincere in implementing the local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat states. The pledge to hold local government elections was made by Pakatan Rakyat and not just DAP or PKR in Penang or Selangor.

After the lapse of 2 years from last general election, Pakatan Rakyat should stop pushing the blame to the Election Commision or any other party for the failure of Pakatan Rakyat to fulfill their pledge to implement the local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat’s states.

AUTOMATIC VOTERS REGISTRATION WOULD GIVE ALL MALAYSIANS OPTION TO VOTE, NOT FORCING THEM TO VOTE

I refer to the statement today in Parliament today by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dato Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz, who rejected the proposal for automatic voters registration on the basis that all Malaysians cannot be forced to vote.

With due respect to our Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, the proposal for automatic voters registration would not force any Malaysians to vote.

There is no sensible requirement to force all Malaysians to vote under such automatic voters registration system. Even the current manual voters registration system does not force those who had registered as voters to vote.

Instead, the automatic voters registration system is an ideal system that would give all Malaysian an OPTION TO VOTE.

On the contrary, the current system only restricts the voters to only those who had registered with the Election Commission.

It would be unfortunate that a large number of Malaysians would be deprieved of their voting rights under the current manual registration system. As was previously announced by the Election Commission, there are some 28% or 4.39 million Malaysians over the age of 21 years old who have yet to register as voters as of end of last year.

The current manual voters registration system is also a costly exercise by the Election Commission. It is a waste of tax payers’ money.

As in my previous proposal to the government, I would hope that the government would reconsider allowing “automatic registration for Malaysians who attain 21 years old” and the default constituency should be based on the last known address given by the National Registration Department unless it is updated by the voters within one (1) year before the election date.

Democracy should be practiced from the voice of all Malaysians and not only those who had registered with Election Commission.

CLEAR THE POLICY OF PAKATAN RAKYAT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS, BEFORE MEETING PM

It was announced today that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng from DAP had submitted his request to meet our Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak to discuss the holding of local government elections in Penang.

While I agree with the effort by Lim Guan Eng to consider the implementation of the local government elections in Penang, I would nevertheless state that such an attempt by the Penang state administration to meet our Prime Minister is pre-mature.

Instead, Pakatan Rakyat should firstly re-affirm their policy whether they want local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat’s states or otherwise.

The recent announcement by the Kedah PAS-led state government that they are not interested in such local government elections clearly shows that Pakatan Rakyat is not sincere in implementing the local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat states.

Lim Guan Eng should be reminded that the pledge to hold local government elections was made by Pakatan Rakyat and not just DAP. He should firstly meet up with his superior, the de facto leader of Pakatan Rakyat, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the stand of Pakatan Rakyat on the local government elections before meeting our Prime Minister.

Thus, the first hurdle for Lim Guan Eng to clear on the implementation of local government elections is not the Prime Minister or the Election Commission. It is the policy of his own Pakatan Rakyat.

If there is no unity in Pakatan Rakyat in holding the local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat’s states, then any effort by Penang DAP leaders to meet our Prime Minister on the matter would be a total waste of time. The implementation of the government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat’ states would be doubtful.

Such a pre-mature effort would then be construed as a politically motivated attempt to absolve Pakatan Rakyat from fulfilling their pledge to hold local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat’s states.

IS PAKATAN RAKYAT SINCERE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS? OR WAS IT MERE RHETORIC?

I refer to the reported statement (in today’s News Strait Times) by Kedah Menteri Besar, Dato Seri Azizan Bin Razak that the PAS-led Kedah state government is not interested to hold local government elections. The same view was echoed by PAS Youth Chief, Nasrudin Hassan as reported in Harakah Daily, who said that local government elections are not suitable at this time.

The administration of PAS-led Kelantan had kept silence on this issue.

Previously, both Penang Chief Minister and Selangor Menteri Besar had confirmed their commitment to restore local government elections in their respective states.

There are even certain leaders in DAP who even suggested that there should be a national referendum on holding the local government elections. Some, like Lim Kit Siang even suggested that the cabinet should give the green light to amend laws to allow the local government elections.

However, with due respect to all Pakatan Rakyat leaders, it would be best if they could firstly clarify clearly, DOES PAKATAN RAKYAT REALLY WANT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS? OR WAS IT MERE RHETORIC?

There is no point for Pakatan Rakyat to continue talking about local government elections if Pakatan Rakyat is not even sincere in implementing such local elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat states.

A mere letter to the Election Commission by one of the Pakatan Rakyat states does not absolve Pakatan Rakyat from fulfilling its pledge to implement local government elections in ALL Pakatan Rakyat states.

In the last general election, the pledge by Pakatan Rakyat to hold local government elections was not only confined to Penang or Selangor.

With the recent announcement by the Kedah Menteri Besar, it is now even clearer that Pakatan Rakyat do not have the same policy for each and every state under their administration.

Malaysians must now be mindful as to the pledge by Pakatan Rakyat and should also ask which states would these pledge be applicable.

LET PEOPLE COMPARE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

I refer to the statement today by our Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak rejecting the request by Penang and Selangor state government to hold local government elections. Our Prime Minister believes that such an election would cause too much “politicking”.

Previously, I have stated that all Pakatan Rakyat states must follow Penang to fulfill their pledge to hold local government elections. Further to that, I have also called the Federal government to assist the Pakatan Rakyat states to hold the local government elections, including making amendment to the relevant laws to allow states to opt for local government elections.

I fully understand the statement by our Prime Minister that such an election would cause too much “politicking” and those who are contesting would be more focused into campaigning and not providing better services to the people.

On the contrary, I believe that local government elections would create a check and balance to the administration of the local government, which are mainly administered by the civil servants under the state administration. It would also create democracy at local level and promotes transparency in the administration of local councils.

Besides that, the local people would be able to determine the performance of the local councilors and vote them out should these councilors fail to perform. Those candidates who do not perform and prefer to spend more time campaigning and “politicking” would likely be rejected by the local people. They would be made accountable to the local people.

Thus, I believe the advantages of local government elections outweigh its rejection.

Due to this, I hope that our Prime Minister would reconsider to allow local government elections at Pakatan Rakyat states.

Let the people compare the administration of local councils in states who adopted such an election with the states without such elections.

GOVERNMENT SHOULD AMEND LAWS TO ASSIST PAKATAN STATES TO HOLD LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION

It was announced today that the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat state government would follow the move by Penang state government to consider holding local government elections. However, there is yet to be any announcement by the PAS-led Kedah and Kelantan state government on their decision to hold the local government election.

At present, Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1976 provides that “all provisions relating to local government elections shall cease to have force or effect.”

Due to the said provision, many had interpreted the suspension of the Local Government Elections Act 1960 (revised 1991) which prescribes the manner local government elections to be held.

Previously, Section 5A of the Local Government Elections Act 1960 provides that:

1. the State Authority may, after consultation with the Election Commission in respect of the boundaries of the local area and the number of Councillors to be elected to the Local Council having jurisdiction in such area, by order published in the Gazette of the State direct that the whole or a majority of the members of a Local Council shall be elected under this Act.

2. an order under this section may prescribe the number of Councillors to be elected and the number (if any) to be appointed. The order can also provide for a Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Council and prescribe the manner in which they shall be appointed or elected.

A similar provision in Section 5 of the 1960 Act applies to Town and Rural Boards.

In view of the existing law, I would like to propose to the federal government and the Election Commission to consider making amendments to Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1976 whereby “a state authority may opt to hold local government elections and all provisions under law relating to the local government elections shall then apply to such state”.

KERAJAAN NEGERI PAKATAN LAIN JUGA HARUS TUNAIKAN JANJI ADAKAN PILIHANRAYA KERAJAAN TEMPATAN

Saya merujuk kepada laporan berita bahawa kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Pulau Pinang telah meminta Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya untuk mengadakan pilihanraya kerajaan temptan bagi Majlis Tempatan Pulau Pinang dan Majlis Tempatan Seberang Perai.

Sungguhpun permintaan bagi mengadakan pilihanraya kerajaan tempatan tersebut dibuat 2 tahun selepas pilihanraya umum lepas, ia adalah lebih baik bagi Pakatan Rakyat menunaikan janji mereka tersebut di negeri-negeri Pakatan Rakyat dari tidak ditunaikan langsung.

Dalam perkara ini, saya berharap kerajaan negeri Pakatan Rakyat lain, khususnya Kedah, Kelantan dan Selangor akan mengikuti langkah rakan mereka di Pulau Pinang dan menyerahkan permintaan rasmi kepada Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya untuk mengadakan pilihanraya kerajaan tempatan di negeri mereka.

Pakatan Rakyat tidak mempunyai apa-apa sebab yang munasabah untuk hanya menunaikan janji tersebut di negeri Pulau Pinang. Di dalam pilihanraya umum lepas, Pakatan Rakyat tidak pernah menyatakan bahawa janji mereka untuk mengadakan pilihanraya kerajaan tempatan hanya akan diadakan di Pulau Pinang.

Sekiranya kerajaan negeri Pakatan Rakyat lain (iaitu Kedah, Kelantan dan Selangor) tidak berhasrat untuk menghantar permintaan kepada Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya untuk mengadakan pilihanraya kerajaan tempatan di negeri PR masing-masing, maka ia adalah jelas bahawa Pakatan Rakyat tidak mempunyai dasar pentadbiran yang sama bagi negeri-negeri di bawah mereka. Justeru, Pakatan Rakyat perlu menyediakan manifesto yang berasingan bagi setiap negeri yang mereka akan bertanding dalam pilihanraya umum yang akan datang dan menyatakan dengan jelas di negeri mana janji-janji mereka akan ditunaikan.

OTHER PAKATAN RAKYAT STATES SHOULD ALSO FULFIL PLEDGE TO HOLD LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION

I refer to the reported news that the Pakatan Rakyat government in Penang had requested the Election Commission to conduct local government election for the Penang and Seberang Perai municipal councils.

Although the call for the local government election is made 2 years after the last general election, it is “better late than never” for Pakatan Rakyat to fulfill their pledge in all the Pakatan Rakyat led states.

In this regards, I hope that all other Pakatan Rakyat led states, being Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor would follow the call by their counterpart in Penang to send their formal request to the Election Commission to conduct local government elections.

There is no reason why the pledge by Pakatan Rakyat in the last general election only need to be implemented in Penang. There is no mention in the last general election that the pledge by Pakatan Rakyat would only be conducted in Penang.

In the event that the other Pakatan Rakyat led states (i.e. Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor) do not intend to submit their request to the Election Commission to conduct local government elections within their respective Pakatan Rakyat led states, then it is clear that Pakatan Rakyat do not have the same policy for each and every states under their administration. Thus, Pakatan Rakyat would then need to prepare a separate manifesto for each state that they would contest in the next general election and spell it out clearly which state those pledge would be honored.