Thursday, August 20, 2009

鼓励青年参加社团组织以让组织健全发展


节录自我在拉美士德教会紫泰阁联欢晚宴上的致词

首相上任后后提出的“一个马来西亚”概念,这个概念和我国社会是很贴切的。我国是多元种族和宗教的国家,而马来文和回教是我国的官方语文和宗教,不过在联邦宪法下,大家有权选择宗教,可以设立各自的膜拜场所,也可以选择母语。

在“一个马来西亚”下,我们的权力还是受到联邦宪法的保障。所以,我们应该支持“一个马来西亚”的概念,以促进各族的团结。

我举个例子,在“一个马来西亚”下,我们还是有权利设立宗教团体或非政府组织,包括以华人为主的非政府组织,就像德教会一样。

我了解到,一些拉美士马华的领袖有参加筹备这项活动,而且也活跃参加德教会。这是一个好的现象,因为根据我的了解,德教会是一个宗教团体,不过也做了很多福利工作。

我希望马华党员可以多参加非政府组织,以深入民间,更了解华社的心声,因为马华是一个以华人为主的政党,了解华社的需求是非常重要的。如果我们不明白华社要什么,那么马华就会和华社脱节。

当然,马华在为华社解决问题的同时,也不会忘记其他种族的问题,这是因为我国是多元种族国家,各族一起生活,需要互相支持,以维持社会的和平。


现在,不管是非政府组织或政党,都比较缺少青年参加。我国现在的2千700万人口中,有三分之一是40岁以下的青年,所以让青年参加社团组织,让青年培养贡献社会的醒觉是很重要的。

在这个情况下,我们应该尽量吸引更多青年参加,确保组织不会面对没有接班人的问题。我相信,一个组织如果要健全发展,就应该同时让长辈和青年一起推动工作,这样才可以结合大家各自的长处,让工作做得更好更顺利。

一年前我曾经为德教会的补习班主持开幕,而根据我的了解,拉美士德教会虽然才成立了两年,不过在1年前就开始为那些需要医药服务的公众免费看病和给药,这种精神是值得赞扬的,我们也要感谢德教会这么关注人民的福利。

人口老化与医药系统


节录自我在三合港海南会馆2009至2011年理事会就职典礼暨孝亲敬老感恩晚宴上的致词

我国虽然是多元种族的国家,不过,各族都保留了各自的文化和语言,而我们的祖先早期从中国来到这里的时候,也把方言带了过来,一直流传到现在。

当初,我们的祖先在这里生活的时候,成立了不同的会馆,例如海南会馆、潮州会馆、客家会馆、福建会馆等,来帮助刚来到这里生活的同乡解决生活上的问题。根据我的了解,我国最早的会馆在两百多年前已经成立。

不过,因为时代改变,会馆的角色已经不同。现在,会馆大多数的角色是来联络乡亲的感情,做很多慈善和福利的工作,同时也举办活动来发扬光大我们的文化。

就好像今晚的活动,“孝亲敬老”感恩晚宴。孝亲敬老是我们的美德,我们应该确保年轻一代会继续这个美德。

我们都是会老化的,不过,随着现代科学和医学的发达,人的寿命也延长了。数据显示,2003年我国男子的平均寿命是70.8岁,女子平均年龄71岁;到了2020年,男子平均寿命会延长到75.4岁,女子平均年龄80.4岁。

而且,根据一项调查,在2040年的时候,我国超过65岁的人口,会比2008年高出整整269% !

随着人口老化,国家的医药费用也会提高,这是很多国家正在面对的问题,例如日本。不过,我国政府一直都有通过政府医院和诊疗所,为人民提供医药服务。

今年,政府拨出137亿令吉来提升医药设备、增加药物供应、增加医药人员、增加医药研究工作、增加医院、诊疗所等。

根据我的了解,2008年政府提供的药物是20亿令吉,不过,因为一部分病人不珍惜,尤其是有的病人觉得自己已经康复,所以拿了药没有吃,没有完成整个疗程,一些病人是不见了药,一些病人是把药放到过期,结果其中的10亿令吉的药物是被浪费掉的。

目前,因为政府有给补贴,我国的医药服务可以说是免费的。政府是否能够继续补贴,让人民享有便宜或免费的医药服务,就要靠政府的收入。

我们知道政府的收入是有限的,所以为了确保那些需要协助的人优先获得政府医药服务,我希望在长期内,政府应该要全面检讨整个医药系统,让有能力的人给医药费。

这是因为人口老化,一定会增加医药开销,而政府如果没有检讨医药系统,医药开销就会一直增加,这会影响我国的经济和社会发展。

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Rumah Mesra Rakyat

Rumah Mesra Rakyat diwujudkan untuk membantu golongan berpendapat rendah yang tidak mempunyai rumah sendiri atau tinggal di rumah usang tetapi mempunyai tanah untuk memiliki rumah sendiri.

Saya harap maklumat seperti berikut akan membantu saudara-saudari lebih memahami program Rumah Mesra Rakyat, seperti cara pembiayaan, reka bentuk dan lain-lain: http://www.spnb.com.my/bm/corporate/projects_rmr.htm

Sila hubungi Pusat Perkhidmatan saya pada talian 07-9254153 jika memerlukan maklumat lanjut.

在"人民房屋计划" (Rumah Mesra Rakyat)下,没有能力拥有本身房屋,但是拥有适合建造房屋土地的低收入群,可以向国家房屋公司申请人民房屋。

我希望以下的资料,例如偿还贷款、房屋设计等,可以让大家更了解这项计划:http://www.spnb.com.my/bm/corporate/projects_rmr.htm

如有疑问,可联络我的服务中心,电话07-9254153

Monday, August 17, 2009

Teaching of Maths and Science in English extended to 2014

Recently the Ministry of Education has announced that the period for teaching of maths and science in English has been extended. The following are excerpts from NST ‘The current cohort of students studying Mathematics and Science in English can continue to do so until they finish their secondary school. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said although the reversal of the policy, known as PPSMI, was to be fully executed in 2012, the deadline would be extended to 2014 for this group.’

This news is definitely a relief for parents and students especially those that will be in the secondary school in 2012. Before this announcement I have heard numerous concerns and valid comments on the predicament faced by students stuck in transition period. I have advised these people to provide their feedback to the Ministry of Education through the official website or number. Purpose is to enable the Ministry to obtain direct feedback from the stakeholder.

By extending the period to 2014, it will enable the Secondary students to complete the crucial years of secondary school in the language that they have started with. Imagine the unnecessary stress and time required by the student to accustom back to Bahasa Malaysia. This is more so when a student is faced with the public exam SPM whereby its results holds the key to their future.

‘The cabinet’s decision on this was to allay concerns by parents fearing that their children would be adversely affected by the policy reversion.’

This shows that there is action taken based on the feedback received and the effort of the parents are not in vain. Recently the Parents teacher association (PTA) in a school in Hartamas has decided to do a poll on whether English should be used to teach maths and science. The teachers and parents were prevented from conducting this peaceful poll in the school compound. This has caught the attention of the Deputy Prime Minister which has also subsequently apologised for the actions of his officers.

It is a positive step that the Ministry allows PTA to conduct its own survey. Even though the turnout rate is not high, the survey shows that there are still parents that are concern on the effect of the policy. Maybe to get a better gauge on response of all parents and teachers, all PTA’s around Malaysia should carry out its polls to determine if teachers and parents are supportive of the move to reverse the policy. The polls should be transparent, free from interference and all parents/teachers must be provided with sufficient notice and be allowed to vote. I believe that the results from the poll will present a clearer situation on whether teachers and parents either in rural or urban prefer the teaching of Maths and Science in English, Bahasa Malaysia or in the respective mother tongue.

One of the reasons for the reversal of the policy is that there is a lack of sufficient manpower and resources to continue with the policy of using English as the medium for English and maths. If I am not mistaken, there are only 8% of teachers that are really proficient and confident in teaching Maths and Science in English. Meanwhile, the remaining teachers are having problems using English to teach the subjects. Thus it is argued that continuing with the policy may also not be in the best interest of the students.

Furthermore, the initial intention to use English was to improve the command of the English language but that has so far not yielded much positive results. This is expected as no efforts has been undertaken to introduce a proper teaching structure for English (i.e. grammar & literature). At the moment the English subject is being taught as communicative English.

However, the concern still persists for those students who will be faced with the problem of studying English at the start and ending with Bahasa Malaysia. Subsequently in university they would most likely have to switch back to English. It would have been better that all those who start in English completes in English. It may cause some inconvenience to the Ministry but the government should not cause inconvenience or confusion to the students as they are at the receiving end and have not had the chance to voice the agreement or disagreement when the policy was first implemented. Anyway the bulk of the financial resources and materials are still available and it would not pose too much problem to allow the entire batch of student to complete before the Bahasa Malaysia policy is implemented.

Using Bahasa Malaysia as a medium of instruction should only be carried out on a new batch of year one students from 2012 onwards.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Malaysia the HUB

The headline says it all. Malaysia is again getting international attention for the wrong reasons. Malaysia for the past few years, even though denied by the authorities have become known as a hub for a multi BILLION ringgit global trade in illegal wildlife.

The extent of activities has attracted the attention of United States to do a sting operation on a Malaysian, Mr Anson Wong who was apprehended and sentenced to prison. Can you imagine how lucrative and big the value of this illicit trade is? Apparently the trading and smuggling of wildlife/animal parts is second only to drug trafficking. The Interpol estimates that illegal wildlife trade worldwide is worth RM35bil to RM70bil a year as reported in the media. That is even more than what Petronas gives the government back yearly and at RM70bil it is half of Malaysia’s estimated revenue for 2009!!!

Why is wildlife smuggling and trade so rampant and Malaysia is considered a hub? One of the main reasons is that Malaysia has multiple transit points and is located at a strategic location in Southeast Asia. This is clear as there have been numerous cases of seizure on wildlife or animal parts since 2006 and the value are in millions. Those seized only represent a tip of the iceberg. The problem is compounded by the fact that there is a lack of resources in Wildlife department to enable effective enforcement or monitoring. From pangolian, tigers parts to even Indian star tortoises the list is extensive on the wildlife intercepted in Malaysia.

They say when the buying stops the supply chain will naturally also cease. But it is also equally important to curb supplies through education and punishment. The existing law in Malaysia is known as the toothless tiger and has been a major setback in serving as a warning to the culprits. There has been no amendment in the present law in terms of offence and penalty since 1988 and I would not be surprised if the definition of wildlife or endangered species is also incomplete.

It is reported a few months ago that a new law would be proposed to replace the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972. A new law is long overdue and I hope that it could be tabled in parliament as soon as possible. I would strongly support the amendments especially if heavy penalties are provided and more offences are included. I hope that the proposed amendments or law will be strongly supported by both BN and the opposition to enable the Wildlife department to have more bite. For example, under the current act the maximum fine is not more than RM15,000 maximum regardless of the number of wildlife being trafficked. In addition the court is reluctant to put the culprits behind bars. In 2006 a poacher caught was only given a slight slap on the hand with a fine of RM7,000 when the value of his chopped up tiger is valued at USD50,000 and no jail sentence was meted.

Now if I am the poacher, I would pay the fine willingly and then after that it would be business as usual. Based on what is reported in the media, the new proposed act can carry a maximum fine of RM500,000 for offences committed in possession of a most endangered wild animal without permit. In addition there are a few new provisions that I believe would help the authorities in curbing the wildlife trade and prevent Malaysia from being a hub in the future, whereby importing any totally protected wildlife without permit is an offence.

Even though there is a new proposed law with stiffer penalties, unless the court is willing to sentence the culprit with maximum penalty and jail terms, the proposed law will just be good in paper. Furthermore, it is also important that enough resources are allocated to enable the new proposed law to be fully enforced to avoid Malaysia being under the spotlight for the wrong reasons again. Furthermore there should also be clear guidelines, regulations and control over the issuance of wildlife permits to avoid abuse or loopholes. The moment a more strict and encompassing law is passed, automatically permits would be more valuable and the temptation of some to allow the trade to continue must not happen.

We cannot afford another Anson Wong in Malaysia. He has changed based on the media report and I wish the rest of the poachers will spare a thought for the crimes they have committed for they are also depriving their future generation as the animal they kill maybe the last.

Monday, August 10, 2009

马华拉美士区会党庆60周年联欢晚宴

(我在马华拉美士区会党庆60周年联欢晚宴上的致词)

首先,我要感谢大家出席今晚的马华拉美士区会党庆60周年联欢晚宴。

我要趁这个机会来感谢筹委会主席和所有筹委的贡献,以及大家踊跃出席,尤其是各位远道而来的嘉宾,使到今天的晚宴能够很顺利的进行,我们应该给他们和自己一个热烈的掌声。

在这一年里,有很多同志经常协助我,和以团队的精神来一起为拉美士选民服务,此外,通过地方领袖、民间团体和华团的配合,使到我的工作能够很顺利的进行,在这里我向大家致万二分的谢意,谢谢大家!

在这一年多以来,我有和拉美士选民进行对话、交流和沿户访问,以了解选民的问题。我会继续和大家合作,尤其是州议员、县议员、村长和民间团体,来为拉美士服务。

这一年多来, 我除了拨出款项提高拉美士的设备,我也协助华小和华团的发展。同时,我也会监督这些发展的进展和民生问题。

例如,原本拉美士华小新校舍工程不能动工,因为政府批准的拨款只有大概150万令吉。从去年到今年,我都有陆续跟进这个问题,而在今年,我和我父亲,也是卸任拉美士区国会议员,向副首相兼教育部长丹斯里慕尤丁,也是我们的教育部长,反映拉美士华小的问题,他答应会深入了解和解决这个问题。不久后,新校舍的工程就开始动工,而被批准的拨款也增加到500万令吉,这显示虽然政府面对经济问题,政府还是很关注华社和华教的问题。

今年我国的经济成长率有可能不超过2%,也或者可能是负成长。在今年第一季,我国的经济成长率是负6.2%,而从90年代以来,我国没有面对经济负成长的现象。是我国经济自90年代以来,第一次出现负面成长的现象。

我国的人口不多,大概有2千700万人,所以我国的经济成长经济不能够全靠国内消费来推动,出口业还是我国经济发展的重要部分。

不过,根据估计,我国今年的出口量会减少,因为我们的出口产品大多数都是天然资源和电子产品,而今年的油价平均是每桶50美元到60美元,至于棕油价格大概每吨2千令吉到2千500令吉,是去年的一半价格。

所以,政府推出了一共670亿令吉的第一套和第二套刺激经济配套来刺激国内经济,可是,刺激经济配套从宣布、执行和落实最少也要8个月才能看到效果,也就是说,应该会在第三和第四季才可以看到效果。

我们也要明白,因为很多我国的贸易伙伴都还在面对经济放缓和高失业率的问题,我国的出口量可能无法在短时间内恢复以前的情况。

关于拉美士的经济,棕油价格对拉美士人来说是息息相关的,在维持和提高棕油价格方面,政府进行了重新种植计划,而且也和印尼合作保持合理的棕油库存量,使到棕油价格维持在每吨2千500令吉。我也曾经在国会提过,我国必须和印尼合作,因为我国和印尼的棕油生产量占了全世界的80%。

除了刺激经济配套,首相也宣布一系列的措施来加强国家的竞争力,例如宣布开放27个服务次领域、取消上市公司30%土著股权的限制,和取消外资投资委员会,让经济市场更加开放。

如果国阵处理好经济问题,我相信这会加强人民对国阵的信心,因为对人民来说,饭碗比政治更重要。如果肚子不饱,还怎样谈政治?

谈到政治,自从308大选过后,我国的政治局面出现了两线制,可以说独立到现在,很少有这个现象。照理由来说,两线制应该是民主社会的健康现象。

不过很遗憾的是,反对党不断地玩弄政治伎俩,和做很多要引起人民和媒体注意的事情,例如,从跳槽到示威等,来证明他们的势力。这是不会解决问题,也不会恢复国家经济的。

自从首相和副首相上任后,他们已经公开说,国阵只有两年来恢复人民对国阵的信心,所以首相也在上任后,宣布很多对人民有利益的措施。

这些有利人民的政策,除了我刚才说的经济政策,政府在教育方面,也协助华小。在第一套和第二套刺激经济配套中,政府总共拨出了1亿5千万令吉,有些拨款是用来帮助半津贴华小,一些是用来迁校,一些是用来设立新学校。

在内安法令的课题方面,政府已经释放一些内安法令扣留者,现在还被扣留的内安法令扣留者只是那些恐怖分子或做假护照的人,已经没有政治人物。而且,政府也答应会重新检讨内安法令,来确保内安法令符合时效。

另一方面,政府也推出了关键表现指标(KPI)来提高部门的工作表现,另外也宣布了国家关键领域(KRA),拟定未来政策的主要方向。

我相信政府会推出更多措施来改善政府传递系统。

最后,我再次感谢各位给我的机会,如果有做得不好的地方,请多多包涵。过去一年里,如果我在工作上有什么做得不好的地方,我也要请求大家的原谅。

祝大家身体健康。谢谢。