Chua Tee Yong 蔡智勇 Member of Parliament for Labis 拉美士区国会议员 Deputy Minister of Finance 财政部副部长
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
China complains about 2 M’sian bird’s nest factories using dangerous chemicals
SEREMBAN: Two swiftlet nest processing factories have been using dangerous chemicals to make the nests look reddish so that it can be categorised as top quality.
However, China, the main importer of the nests, spotted the bid by the factories to cheat buyers and filed a complaint with Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, according to the ministry’s deputy minister Chua Tee Yong.
He said the factories have been ordered to stop operations and action would soon be taken over the use of the chemical, which could cause cancer.
Speaking to reporters after opening a course on swiftlet farming here Saturday, he also said that a guideline on swiftlet farming would be introduced this year to facilitate regulation by authorities on the industry.
He said there were about 6,000 swiftlet farming operators registered with the ministry, but believed the actual number of operators involved was twice the number. – Bernama 23 Oct 2010
However, China, the main importer of the nests, spotted the bid by the factories to cheat buyers and filed a complaint with Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, according to the ministry’s deputy minister Chua Tee Yong.
He said the factories have been ordered to stop operations and action would soon be taken over the use of the chemical, which could cause cancer.
Speaking to reporters after opening a course on swiftlet farming here Saturday, he also said that a guideline on swiftlet farming would be introduced this year to facilitate regulation by authorities on the industry.
He said there were about 6,000 swiftlet farming operators registered with the ministry, but believed the actual number of operators involved was twice the number. – Bernama 23 Oct 2010
蔡智勇：提高稻米生產量‧2億重整灌溉系統建水壩
（彭亨‧雲頂30日訊）農業及農基工業部副部長蔡智勇說，該部將落實多方面的計劃，包括興建水壩和重整稻米生產區灌溉系統，以提高國內稻米生產量。
12億作津貼用途
他說，在這次的財政預算案中，政府將撥出2億2千500萬令吉在吉打稻米區全面規劃灌溉和排水系統，同時撥出1億5千萬令吉在登嘉樓興建水壩，加強稻米的水供需求。
蔡智勇今晚出席大馬米糧批發商公會33週年紀念暨國稻聯營簽約十週年紀念晚宴上致詞時說，政府考量到國內的稻米有必要進一步提高產量，因此通過多項計劃落實。
他指出，財政預算案中另外一項撥款為12億令吉，作為國內米糧及價格的津貼用途，確保供應順暢，尤其是讓赤貧的一群能夠買到價格低廉的白米。
他希望國家稻米和大馬米糧批發商繼續密切合作，為國家米糧市場的穩定作出貢獻。
吳子聯：建議未被接納
落實碎米津貼問題叢生
大馬米糧批發商公會會長吳子聯說，政府提供15%的碎米津貼原本是協助貧窮一群，但是發現落實方式不夠完善，導致問題叢生。
他吁請政府關注這項問題，尋找適合的途徑解決，否則政府發出的龐大津貼最終“不翼而飛”。
他說，公會曾經多次提呈建議給農業部和貿消部，但是所提出的發放津貼建議沒有被接納，他希望蔡智勇擔任農業及農基工業部副部長後，對這項課題深入瞭解，並一起尋求解決方案。
峇克里：合作10年見成果
國家稻米局貿易風集團董事經理峇克里說，國稻和大馬米糧批發商公會建立合作關係已經達10年。
他說，雙方在建立密切合作付出很大的努力，目前已經看到成果，並且希望今後能夠繼續打造新的合作基礎。
星洲日報‧2010.10.31
12億作津貼用途
他說，在這次的財政預算案中，政府將撥出2億2千500萬令吉在吉打稻米區全面規劃灌溉和排水系統，同時撥出1億5千萬令吉在登嘉樓興建水壩，加強稻米的水供需求。
蔡智勇今晚出席大馬米糧批發商公會33週年紀念暨國稻聯營簽約十週年紀念晚宴上致詞時說，政府考量到國內的稻米有必要進一步提高產量，因此通過多項計劃落實。
他指出，財政預算案中另外一項撥款為12億令吉，作為國內米糧及價格的津貼用途，確保供應順暢，尤其是讓赤貧的一群能夠買到價格低廉的白米。
他希望國家稻米和大馬米糧批發商繼續密切合作，為國家米糧市場的穩定作出貢獻。
吳子聯：建議未被接納
落實碎米津貼問題叢生
大馬米糧批發商公會會長吳子聯說，政府提供15%的碎米津貼原本是協助貧窮一群，但是發現落實方式不夠完善，導致問題叢生。
他吁請政府關注這項問題，尋找適合的途徑解決，否則政府發出的龐大津貼最終“不翼而飛”。
他說，公會曾經多次提呈建議給農業部和貿消部，但是所提出的發放津貼建議沒有被接納，他希望蔡智勇擔任農業及農基工業部副部長後，對這項課題深入瞭解，並一起尋求解決方案。
峇克里：合作10年見成果
國家稻米局貿易風集團董事經理峇克里說，國稻和大馬米糧批發商公會建立合作關係已經達10年。
他說，雙方在建立密切合作付出很大的努力，目前已經看到成果，並且希望今後能夠繼續打造新的合作基礎。
星洲日報‧2010.10.31
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Agriculture a fruitful venture
The Star 11.07.2010
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong normally prefers to stay out of the media spotlight. But he is keen to talk about the potential of the agricultural sector, targeting his message to the youth.
HIS boyish looks belie the determination in him to make his mark in politics.
Chua Tee Yong, the second son of MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, says he will not be distracted by talk that described his recent appointment as Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister as nepotism.
Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, he says. “What matters most is whether the criticisms can add value, or if they can make everyone’s lives better.”
At 33, Tee Yong’s rise in MCA over the last two years, described as a “helicopter ride”, has drawn diverse reactions – from admiration to envy and jealousy – but this is part and parcel of politics.
And the first-term Labis MP who is also the youngest deputy minister in the current line-up is taking it in his stride.
“I want to focus on the larger picture – to carry out my duties and responsibilities expected of me,” he stresses.
When asked how he would respond if someone just said point blank to him “You are a deputy minister because of your father”, Tee Yong says he would reply: “I respect your opinion. Thank you.”
There is certainly no reason for him to allow himself to be drawn into the topic, especially when the other party has made up his or her mind, he explains.
In fact, he says, he has been very busy of late, attending one briefing after another with the departments and agencies under his ministry.
One aspect about agriculture that has struck him is the fact that youngsters are not drawn towards this sector.
“Agriculture is not something that is seen as hip, cool or sexy,” he says, but expresses confidence that the youth will be interested in the sector once they see the potential.
“Do you know that you can take a soil sample from your garden and ask the Agriculture Department what can be planted on it?” he quips.
On a more serious note, Tee Yong, a chartered accountant with a Masters in Business Administration, points out that agriculture is a promising sector, and figures speak volumes of its potential.
Business ideas
Malaysia’s birds nest industry, for instance, was worth RM1bil in 2007, and this was only 8% of the world’s production. Another 70% was from Indonesia.
He notes that there is a booming market in China for the product, which is said to be good for health and beauty.
Ornamental fish rearing is also another business worth exploring, says Tee Yong, pointing out that Malaysia only accounts for RM700mil of the world’s RM27bil worth of ornamental fish exports a year.
Other businesses worth exploring include organic vegetable farming, contract farming for fruits like papaya and bananas, and aquaculture, he says, adding that the ministry will also come up with more user-friendly information, especially on the grants available, for those who are interested in venturing into the agriculture business.
On how he is coping with the sudden switch to agriculture, Tee Yong says his past experience as an auditor is helping him in a way.
“I always approach things with an open mind. I do not just focus on the issues. I also do a lot of reading and have dialogues with others at all levels to get a better picture of things.”
On the political front, Tee Yong says the MCA’s approach now is going to the ground to reach out to and interact with the people, especially the young. “We need the people’s feedback to help us serve them better. Our performance will be gauged by the people eventually.”
With three children aged between one and five years old, Tee Yong says he is grateful to his wife for all her support, especially in taking care of their children.
Bonding with the children is very important to him, and he tries to have dinner at home before going for night functions, and has breakfast with them during the weekends before proceeding to his Labis constituency.
Bonding is something he learnt from young, and he probably got himself drawn into politics in the process as he used to follow his father, a doctor-turned-politician from Batu Pahat, Johor, around.
“I remember people coming to our house to discuss politics with my father. As a teenager, I also used to go with my father when he visited his constituency,” recalls Tee Yong, who is the only one among Dr Chua Soi Lek’s three children to follow their father into politics.
His older brother, Tee Joo, 35, did follow in his father’s footsteps in another way, as he became a doctor.
Born and bred in Batu Pahat, Tee Yong, who received his tertiary education in Melbourne, says he does follow his father’s style in politics: having dialogues with the people to get to know them, looking at things from different perspectives, and meeting and interacting with people on the ground.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong normally prefers to stay out of the media spotlight. But he is keen to talk about the potential of the agricultural sector, targeting his message to the youth.
HIS boyish looks belie the determination in him to make his mark in politics.
Chua Tee Yong, the second son of MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, says he will not be distracted by talk that described his recent appointment as Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister as nepotism.
Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, he says. “What matters most is whether the criticisms can add value, or if they can make everyone’s lives better.”
At 33, Tee Yong’s rise in MCA over the last two years, described as a “helicopter ride”, has drawn diverse reactions – from admiration to envy and jealousy – but this is part and parcel of politics.
And the first-term Labis MP who is also the youngest deputy minister in the current line-up is taking it in his stride.
“I want to focus on the larger picture – to carry out my duties and responsibilities expected of me,” he stresses.
When asked how he would respond if someone just said point blank to him “You are a deputy minister because of your father”, Tee Yong says he would reply: “I respect your opinion. Thank you.”
There is certainly no reason for him to allow himself to be drawn into the topic, especially when the other party has made up his or her mind, he explains.
In fact, he says, he has been very busy of late, attending one briefing after another with the departments and agencies under his ministry.
One aspect about agriculture that has struck him is the fact that youngsters are not drawn towards this sector.
“Agriculture is not something that is seen as hip, cool or sexy,” he says, but expresses confidence that the youth will be interested in the sector once they see the potential.
“Do you know that you can take a soil sample from your garden and ask the Agriculture Department what can be planted on it?” he quips.
On a more serious note, Tee Yong, a chartered accountant with a Masters in Business Administration, points out that agriculture is a promising sector, and figures speak volumes of its potential.
Business ideas
Malaysia’s birds nest industry, for instance, was worth RM1bil in 2007, and this was only 8% of the world’s production. Another 70% was from Indonesia.
He notes that there is a booming market in China for the product, which is said to be good for health and beauty.
Ornamental fish rearing is also another business worth exploring, says Tee Yong, pointing out that Malaysia only accounts for RM700mil of the world’s RM27bil worth of ornamental fish exports a year.
Other businesses worth exploring include organic vegetable farming, contract farming for fruits like papaya and bananas, and aquaculture, he says, adding that the ministry will also come up with more user-friendly information, especially on the grants available, for those who are interested in venturing into the agriculture business.
On how he is coping with the sudden switch to agriculture, Tee Yong says his past experience as an auditor is helping him in a way.
“I always approach things with an open mind. I do not just focus on the issues. I also do a lot of reading and have dialogues with others at all levels to get a better picture of things.”
On the political front, Tee Yong says the MCA’s approach now is going to the ground to reach out to and interact with the people, especially the young. “We need the people’s feedback to help us serve them better. Our performance will be gauged by the people eventually.”
With three children aged between one and five years old, Tee Yong says he is grateful to his wife for all her support, especially in taking care of their children.
Bonding with the children is very important to him, and he tries to have dinner at home before going for night functions, and has breakfast with them during the weekends before proceeding to his Labis constituency.
Bonding is something he learnt from young, and he probably got himself drawn into politics in the process as he used to follow his father, a doctor-turned-politician from Batu Pahat, Johor, around.
“I remember people coming to our house to discuss politics with my father. As a teenager, I also used to go with my father when he visited his constituency,” recalls Tee Yong, who is the only one among Dr Chua Soi Lek’s three children to follow their father into politics.
His older brother, Tee Joo, 35, did follow in his father’s footsteps in another way, as he became a doctor.
Born and bred in Batu Pahat, Tee Yong, who received his tertiary education in Melbourne, says he does follow his father’s style in politics: having dialogues with the people to get to know them, looking at things from different perspectives, and meeting and interacting with people on the ground.
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