Dong Jiao Zong Internal Fight...Again!

If you do not read Chinese paper, you may not aware that the "Highest Chinese Education NGO" in Malaysia, Dong Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia) is having another round of internal fight, again! This time its happen when Dr Kua Kia Soong, Principal of New Era College, a private university in Kajang run by Dong Jiao Zong had openly slammed Dong Zong Chairman, Dr Yap Sin Tian for intervene into the appointment of New Era College personnel and "technically" sacked Dr Kua from the Malaysia Chinese Independent School Committee (MCISS).

Dr Yap Sin Tian took over the powerful pressure group Dong Jiao Zong and start his "new leadership style" that had led to a serious split within the NGO. Not long after he was elected to the post, a stern action in removing one of the longest serving CEO of Dong Jiao Zong, Mr Mo Tai Shi, now a headmaster in one of the Chinese independent secondary school in Kelantan. Dr Yap's way of managing DJZ has made many staff felt uneasy. Not only this, his "provocative" way dealing with the government has also damage the goodwill built by former Dong Zong Chairman.

The latest fracas between New Era College and Dong Jiao Zong has it history repeated again in Chinese NGOs. According to DJZ press statement, Dr Kuo was not sack but he was "not proposed" by anyone to be appointed in the meeting held on 15 June 2008. Later, as "tradition", Dr Kuo received a "thank you letter" as an appreciation for Dr Kuo's contribution http://www.djz.edu.my/resource/wengao/pdf/2008/wengao080619.pdf

Whatever it is, this fracas has made another severe damage to the Chinese community and for those who have continuously contribute to the Chinese education in this country will surely felt disappointed. DJZ must stop trying to control New Era College because the Chinese community has always believe in "free campus" and "free thinking" in tertiary institution. So just let it be and let it blossom and isn't that is what DJZ has always ask for?

Sabah Political Storm Hit Malaysia

Yong Teck Lee, President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) announced yesterday that the party will stay in Barisan Nasional (BN), the ruling coalition, but will table a motion of no confident to the Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament sitting scheduled to be resumed on Monday. He also threaten that the party may pulling out of the coalition on Friday. For the second time in his career, Yong declared he was leaving a government because of a purported loss of confidence in its leaders. He did this before in 1994 when he abandoned the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan. Yong led a group of Chinese assemblymen and members of parliament to leave the PBS and form SAPP.

However, SAPP deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan said he was confused and embarrassed about the party's move to move a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister. He said that the party's supreme council had not been consulted on the matter, accusing SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee of acting arbitrarily. Saying he would attend the party supreme council meeting scheduled tomorrow, he however questioned the party's rationale of having made the decision first.

"It is not proper for us to do it when (Datuk Seri) Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) is the Barisan chairman. It is disrespectful to the Prime Minister," said Tan, who is Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and Infrastructure Minister. On the meeting, Tan said: "If it (the no-confidence motion) was already pre-planned and decided, what are we going to discuss? The damage is done." He said the move was embarrassing as the SAPP won its seats on a Barisan ticket.

Tan said he was not making any stand on the issue at the moment before attending the meeting.
He said SAPP had been very vocal and even blunt on Sabah issues and the Federal Government had been responding to various requests. Tan had on Monday denied speculation that the SAPP would be pulling out of the Barisan. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/19/nation/21595164&sec=nation.

Barisan Nasional will have their Supreme Council meeting today to discuss about the political storm created from Sabah. Many BN component parties want SAPP to be penalised or even sack from BN. However, since its only Yong Teck Lee who are dissatisfied with PM for not getting what he wants, it is unfair take action on the party. We need to closely monitor the progress of Sabah politics now, who know? A new party may form out of SAPP, from those who are not happy with Yong's selfish move.

Its the Economy, stupid!

What has happen to our country these days? We are facing the world food crisis, high oil price era, steel, cement, sand's price are all increasing. US Dollar is weak, causing Ringgit Malaysia to raise and this affected our export. Share market in US has slammed due to votality in oil prices, China stock market in Shanghai and Shenzen index has dropped by 44% this year, triggered a crisis alarm to the world. Vietnam had just suffered a financial crisis, India is the next one to be hit. China Sichuan earthquake and the recent flood in southern china had cost billion of dollar and had slowed down China economy growth. Asian economy after the Beijing Olympic game is still uncertain...We are facing economy issue, a real economy issue!

But look at our politicians, they are still busy "playing politics". Anwar Ibrahim, reiterated that PKR and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had gained enough MPs to grab the central government, now that he wants MCA to join PR to strengthen their power. He started by saying he has more than 30 MPs to join him, now that he said more political party from Barisan Nasional (BN) will join PR. Many "stunning news" had been announced but so far nothing happen. Only one thing is certain, whatever the cost, Anwar Ibrahim just want to be Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Tun Mahathir, Tengku Razaleigh and even Muyhiddin Yassin want Abdullah Badawi to step down, to give way to new leader in a process call "transition of power". Transition of power? now? In the midst of facing economy uncertainty? What are you guys thinking? You just want Abdullah to be replaced and you think that would solve all our economy issues? By urging PM to step down now is just creating more uncertainty to the country and deter more investors from investing to our country. What are these peoples doing is just another round of UMNO internal power struggle. They have never think of the country and rakyat's difficulties.

Sabah politicians were even more shameful by openly threaten federal government to give them more money, oil royalty, more allocation and more projects. If not, they will simply cross over to PR. The calculation and equation is simple: to gain as much profit as possible while federal government is weak and politics is uncertain. Have they ever think of the country? Do they know what crisis we are about to face in near future? I know that the federal government had not treated them fair in the past, but trying to gain everything now by threatening is only making the economy worst.

Since the March 8 general election, has anyone really put some thought that the world is facing crisis, from economy to natural disaster, and our beloved country has no exception from it. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, though is not popular now and being strongly criticised, has work hard in managing the economy. Stern action in reducing petrol subsidy, cash rebate for motorists, cash allowance for the poor, lifting steel ceiling price, lifting cement price soon and reducing income tax were few measures taken to ease the economy problem. He has not openly responded to many political drama, mostly from Tun M and Anwar Ibrahim. He waste no time in "playing politics" but focus so much time in dealing with the economy issues this country is facing now.

This country is not facing a political problem. BN has strong majority in the parliament, 8 seats away to gain 2/3 majority. 5 major states under PR has also started their reform. So why focus so much time trying to grab power, do your part in making sure the office you hold now can perform well. Abdullah had announce that the "transition of power" will be taken place after UMNO election. Let him finish his job and everyone should focus in helping to reduce cost.

After all, its the economy, not the politics that affect our life now, stupid!

DAP Does Not Agree with PKR On Reducing Fuel Price

Petaling Jaya Utara MP from DAP, Tony Phua said DAP does not agree with Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto leader of PKR, that Pakatan Rakyat will reduce petrol price if they take over the government. Tony Phua is against Anwar Ibrahim's stand on reducing fuel price. He said what DAP oppose is fuel price increase without a comprehensive package of incentives to ease the burden of the rakyat. For further reading in chinese: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84288

Tony Phua supports government policy to reduce subsidy and increase petrol price, but must fairly distribute incentive and upgrade our public transportation. Even though he insist that the government has the ability to continue to subsidies fuel price, but he agree that the government should cut down fuel subsidy and the previous low fuel price is not a right way to manage the economy.

Well, at least at this time we saw someone from DAP is brave enough to say something sensible, even if it would be perceived as supporting the government and against their de facto leader of Pakatan Rakyat. Tony Phua had set up a good example for politician in Malaysia to express what is right. "Do the right thing not do the thing right".

If others DAP leader could follow Tony Phua's way of telling the truth, then DAP has an exit point from a dead lock haunting them now, i.e the wearing songkok issue and whether or not they should seek for datukship title from the Palace.

People such as Tony Phua is very rare in DAP, if he insist on his way to become a true politician, he may found himself traped in the wrong side of political camp. History shows that many good man who had joined DAP eventually leave the party because the party just can't accommodate those who pursue real politic and does not follow the foot steps of their ultimate leader. Dr Kua Kia Siong is a good example.

YB Tony, hope you can stand your ground and i would respect you as a good opposition.

Pakatan Rakyat To Reduce Petrol Price?

De facto Leader of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Anwar Ibrahim criticised the government for raising the petrol fuel price from RM1.92 to RM2.70 per litter on 4th June 2008. He urged Barisan Nasional lead by UMNO to step down as responsible for making the people suffer. He said if Pakatan Rakyat (Alliance formed by PKR, Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS)), they would reduce the petrol price immediately, or else he will resign (obviously from the position of Prime Minister, if he ever succeeded to become one). Ironically, he never mention how much he is going to reduce the price? RM2.00, RM1.00 or just 20 cent, as a token of appreciation for letting him and his gang to govern Malaysia?

I have recently invited by NS Chinese Assembly Hall for a political talk in Seremban, together with DAP Youth rising star YB Loke Siew Fook and newly elected state assemblyman, who is also my secondary schoolmate, YB Cheah Kee Chin. To my surprise, YB Loke had openly urging the government to take away fuel subsidy (2 weeks before fuel hike) and let the price float and use the money for more incentive to help the poor and needy. He added that fuel subsidy is only benefiting the rich with expensive car such as BMW and Mercedes. I totally agreed with him.

I think most people who are aware of the international trend in oil price would agree that the government, sooner or later, has to reduce the fuel subsidy. But sad to see when the government does reduce the subsidy, DAP, together with their new leader, PKR had strongly oppose and try to gain credit by organizing mass demonstration on July 12, 2008. YB Loke should have agreed with this policy but he has not stood on his ground.

I know it is tough and i suffer too, but let us be more understanding. The economy has been damaged by subsidy, our economy is unhealthy with subsidy, we all know that but we have been tampered by subsidy and addicted to it. We need to restructure our economy and make it healthier. How to use the money saved by reducing the subsidy is the focus, not how much has been reduced.

Do you think Pakatan Rakyat should have reduce the fuel price by increasing more subsidy? Of course it would make people happy, but in the end the whole economy will be jeopardize. Please do not try to make more sugar coded promises which you know best is harmful to the economy, Mr Anwar Ibrahim.

Petrol Price Hike! Its now RM2.70

Government had announced the petrol price to be increased starting from 4th June 2008, from RM1.92 to a record high of RM2.70. Diesel price even higher by increasing RM1.00 to RM2.58 per litter.

This increase is inevitable by looking at the international oil price touches record high of USD145 per barrel. However, it is certain that the public will oppose strongly and fix and lower income group will suffer the most.

However, the government had also announced some incentive to help the poor by cash rebate of RM625 per annual when you renew your road tax. But many think that this is insufficient to help the needy and more helping hands need to be introduce to help the lower income group to face the high oil price era.

I suggest that the money saved from petrol subsidy, together with huge profit made by Petronas should be used to buy over Plus Highway and to reduce the toll rate to minimum as for maintenance purposes only. This will surely reduce the rakyat's burden and to ease the impact of increasing transportation cost, which in the end will make all goods price to increase.

Also, government needs to review all highway concessions contract and stop the nonsense of increasing toll rate every 3 years or else government needs to compensate the concessionaire company. Stop all these nonsense contracts, or simply buy over this highway to reduce the transportation cost!

The huge subsidy monies saved should also use to upgrade public transport. Extend the LRT system to more residential area: Cheras, Puchong, Kajang, Sunway, Kepong, Rawang and Klang. Connect Putra, STAR and Monorail and make more parking space and stop charging parking fees at LRT station.

We all know it is a hard time, we will face this challenge together but the government should stand with us. Stop wasting public money and stop all white elephant projects. You show us the example and we will follow. You want us to change our lifestyle, no problem, you should also change the public administration style, be more efficient, more transparent and more rakyat friendly.

The Wealth of Tun M Family

This Article Has Been Deleted

The information contain in this article cannot be proven and to be fair to Tun M and his family, and as a responsible blogger, I decided to delete this artilce