DAP-led Penang state Gov’t by 2012

 Kek Lok Si with a thousand lights once a year.

It seems that 2 out of 3 Penangites are talking about voting for DAP and other opposition in the coming general elections. The Penangites have many reasons to do so and many of them were greatly disappointed with the performance of the long-time Chief Minister Tan Sri Khor Tsu Khoon.

DAP has responded positively to the call of the people and it has announced publicly that the party is ready to take charge in two terms. It’s now up to the Penangites to make a decisive move in the coming general elections. The first hurdle would be to ensuring the opposition parties to win enough seats to deny the BN the two-third majoriyty in the state assembly. This is vatal because slightly more than half of the current seats were Non-Malay majority seats. Only a denial of the tw-third majority is sufficient to stop the BN coalition to amend the Penang State Constitution in order to redraw the boundaries (delineation excersice). With the denial of the two-third majority of seats, the Penangites should be “more” ready by then and go all out for  a change of government. It’s not just a dream if the Penangites could throw their support behind the DAP and other opposition parties in the state.

If you look back at history, the Panangites were capable of voting in a new government. They have trusted the then opposition leader Dr Lim Chong Eu of Gerakan to rule Penang.

But Dr Lim Chong Eu has betrayed the trust of the Penangites when he brought Gerakan to join the newly-formed Barisan Nasional through the invitation of the late Tun Razak. Gerakan, as an opposition party, has striked an electoral pact with other opposition parties including the DAP during the 1969 general elections. No one expects Gerakan to join the ruling coalition after its victory. Several other opposition parteis (PPP,PAS,SUPP, SNAP) also joined the BN except the DAP. DAP remains as a responsible opposition party and stood its ground until today.

If the DAP were given the mandate to rule Penang, you can rest assured that it would not forego its principles and join the ruling BN coalition. DAP is not another Gerakan.

But DAP would certainly need the cooperation of other opposition parties like Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Pas to win the mandate. We trust that the DAP Penang leadership together with the national leadership wil find a winning formula in Penang, with the full cooperation from other opposition parties in the state.

But time is not on our side. We  have reasons to believe that the next GE is getting closer by the day. The stock market rally is certainly orchestrated and the euphoria was hyped-up not for no reasons. Do not be too surprise if AAB suddenly calls for a snap election and the first possible date could be as early as MAY 19. This year.

It’s not right to ban fast food advertising

In my tele-interview with Malaysiakini, I predicted that the authority would soon realise that they have no basis to ban fast food advertising in this country. To begin with, it would be very difficult for both Zam and Chua Soi Lek to prove that fast foods were unhealthy or lack of nutritional values. And moreover, if the reason for the banning of fast food advertisements was to take care of the wellness of the people, will the government also start to extend the ban to food and beverages such as soft drinks, coffee and tea, sweets and candies, tit-bits, instant noodles, potato chips and prawn crackers? There is really no end to it. The Ministry of information and the Ministry of Health should not make any decisions before a proper consultation with the representatives of the food and beverages and the advertising industries. They should know that any drastic actions may dampen the already sluggish market and hurt the national economy in the long run. Malaysiakini has the story… 禁播快餐广告剥夺人民选择权 广告人预言禁令最终不了了之

实习记者刘国伟 07年2月23日 晚上10:09 调整字体大小:

大马国营电视台宣布立即停止快餐广告播出的决定，除了使到国内数个快餐公司及商家感到十分震惊之外，也遭到评论人及广告业者的强烈批评。根据报章报道，新闻部长再努丁已决定在大马国营电视台抽起快餐广告，以便能鼓励市民拥有更健康的生活习惯。 傅向红：家长式管理不信任人民 对此，时评人傅向红（右图）认为政府以家长式的管理方式来禁止快餐广告的播放是在剥削人民的选择权力。   “其实此举也影射政府当人民是傻瓜，需要政府替人民做出选择，这样下去的话，久而久之，人民就算不傻也变傻” 她补充说，此举也证明政府不相信人民有能力做明智的选择。 也是新纪元学院媒体系讲师的傅向红表示，政府禁止快餐广告的播放也如同违反了资讯传播的自由，只会让人民无法独立思考。 “我觉得政府应该花钱去制作宣传短片，让更多人知道了解身体健康的重要性，劝导人民少吃快餐，而非禁止快餐广告的播放” 因此，她认为从教育着手，灌输国人良好的营养吸收知识才是更明智的做法。 刘天球：外国没有禁播快餐先例 在广告界服务超过20年的刘天球（左图）也指出，外国政府只有禁止赌博广告播放的情况，并没有禁止快餐广告播放的先例。 “零食多吃也对身体不健康，那我们是不是也要依样画葫芦，禁止零食广告的播放呢？而且快餐广告只是呈现自己的特性而已，并没叫人民多吃。” 他也认同傅向红有关健康饮食应从教育人民开始的做法，并强调禁止快餐广告的播放对快餐业者不公平。 “我们需要一份完整及详细的报告去证实快餐对于人民是不健康的，而且还要清楚知道是那种类型的快餐。” 刘天球表示此举除了违反商业自由之外，也将破坏我国的经济。 “禁止快餐广告的播放不止影响我国的广告业，也影响到快餐业者的产品销售。同时，我国的自由开放的市场也将会开倒车” 预言禁止播放措施最终不了了之 日前在报章上，卫生部长蔡细历（右图）也表示，该部将向内阁建议，禁止所有快餐的广告，并形容它为“无声的杀手”。 蔡细历更说，许多疾病是由于生活方式及饮食习惯不健康所致。其中，快餐内的盐、糖及脂肪含量，远远超出身体所需，导致肥胖问题产生，也造成糖尿病、肾病、心脏病及高血压等病例不断攀高。 对此，也是天球创意坊创意总监的刘天球表示，卫生部长蔡细历禁止快餐业者在媒体刊登广告的言论犹如外行人看内行事，并扬言前者将无法禁止快餐广告的播放，最后将会变成不了了之的局面。 “虽然蔡细历的出发点对的，但是他根本无法证明所有的快餐都是危害人民的健康，所以我相信整件事情到最后的时候，他一定会打退堂鼓。” 刘天球也批评蔡细历此举过于操之过急，并希望卫生部向快餐业者、非政府组织及消费人学会等讨论后再下定论。 “市面上有形形色色的快餐，他（蔡细历）也不能一竹竿打翻整船人，难道汽水、汉堡包和面包也对身体有害吗？” 另一方面，营养师也曾分析说，虽然快餐含高油量（油炸食物），但是华人传统熟食也并非十分健康。 大马麦当劳与肯德基公司发言人在接受马新社访问时指出，他们双方的领导层将尽快召开会议讨论有关课题，并将针对有关会议的结果发表文告。 与此同时，大马雀巢公司发言人的文告表示，该公司尚未受到任何来自新闻部或电视台抽起该公司快熟面广告播出的通知。 该公司发言人也对此课题不愿置评，更表示尚未确定快熟面是否属于快餐产品。但是该公司将向有关单位确定禁止快熟面广告播出的详情。 另外，另一间也是出产快熟面的公司Mamee Double-Decker发言人米尼哈新指出，该公司也尚在等待新闻部对有关课题的进一步通知。 米尼哈也对此宣布及快餐被标旁不健康的饮食文化感到遗憾，不过他将遵守政府进一步的指示。

OSA threat: AAB should not follow the footsteps of Dr M

Merdekareview.com criticised AAB for using the “dictatorial legacy” of Dr M (such as OSA, ISA and other draconian acts) to silent the dissenting voices in the country. OSA, ISA , Printing and Publication Act and Police Act were the usual “governing tools” of the Dr M era but AAB seems to be using them rather conveniently these days.  Merdekareview is right. As the Home Minister, he holds the power to release all ISA detainees including those who were put away by Dr M. If he is not prepared to do so, his spin doctors should stop putting the blame to Dr M. As the prime minster , he also holds the power to get all toll concessionaires to review all toll agreements (or even buy up the highways on behalf of the government), instead of resorting to OSA to silent the dissenting voices. Merdekareview also calls for the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to be passed by the Parliament under the AAB administration. 阿都拉应与独裁统治遗物切割！
■日期／Feb 08, 2007   ■时间／05:41:02 pm ■新闻／独立社论   ■作者／社论
【《独立新闻在线》社论】民间组织近两年来十分积极推动制订《资讯自由法》（Freedom of Information Act），这场运动才刚始于足下，还有千里待行；不过，何其悲哀的是，就在制订资讯自由法运动的号角才吹响不久，与资讯自由法对立的《1972年官方机密法令》竟再度成为执政集团的“消音器”，用以打压抗议高速公路过路费不断涨价的异议。自从工程部长三美威鲁去年12月宣布，雪隆巴生谷五条高速公路的过路费在今年一月一日高涨20%至60%不等后，民间怨声四起，在野党及民间组织联组“反对过路费涨价联盟”，不但定期号召抗议集会，更在今年一月四日召开新闻发布会，揭橥政府多年来都不肯公布的高速公路特许经营合约的内容！“反对过路费涨价联盟”首次揭露合约内容的三个星期后，三美威鲁才向媒体宣布，内阁决定将大道特许经营合约列为“官方机密”， 并建议总检察署采取行动对付公开大道合约的人。政府一再欺瞒百姓 三美威鲁的言论实际上说明了几件事，而这几件事值得关心我国民主建制、法治及政府诚信的读者深切关注： 一、“反对过路费涨价联盟”在一月四日公布合约内容时，这份文件并非“官方机密”；不过，警方后来竟然援引《1972年官方机密法令》调查“反对过路费涨价联盟”的四位主要领导人（蔡添强、刘天球、哈达蓝利、卡立依布拉欣），仿佛有“往后追究”之嫌，是否切合法治原则，乃大疑点。 二、过去多年来，每逢过路费涨价，民间党团都放话力促政府公布“只有政府赔钱，大道公司稳赚”的不平等合约的内容；但是政府不时祭出“合约乃官方机密文件”的托词，总是不愿公布。如今，三美威鲁的言论恰恰证明了大道特许经营合约并非“官方机密”，而政府过去都在撒谎欺骗百姓。 三、即使大道特许经营合约已被列为“官方机密”，并不意味着永远不能公布，因为政府或相关内阁部长有权将官方机密文件解密。易言之，政府以“官方机密”为托词，不公布大道特许经营合约，实乃欺骗对《1972年官方机密法令》无知的平民百姓，如假包换的“愚民政策”。 官方机密法令是马哈迪的统治工具 《1972年官方机密法令》几乎是逐字抄自英国在1911年制订以防止谍报活动的机密法令。1920年以后，马来属邦及海峡殖民地都经制订了各自的官方机密法令，后来在1952年划一；1972年，联邦政府划一西马半岛、沙巴及砂拉越三地的官方机密法令，并定案为《1972年官方机密法令》。 《1972年官方机密法令》成为媒体、党团、学者及其他异议份子头顶上的“达摩克利斯剑”（Sword of Damocles），治国22年的前首相马哈迪乃罪魁祸首，因为正是马哈迪在1983年第一次修订加重谍报活动的刑罚，1986年第二次修订则无限度扩大“官方机密”的定义，赋权政府首长可未经国会批准便将任何文件列为官方机密（而且法院无权以任何理由推翻），以及确立“强制性监禁”（mandatory prisonment）一年的刑罚。 马哈迪在1986年修订《1972年官方机密法令》时，正值土著金融丑闻的高潮及与皇室处于激烈的修宪危机之际；许多人认为，马哈迪修订官方机密法令，无非是要阻止媒体及在野党挖掘土著金融丑闻的内情及削弱皇室权限的修宪法案内容。 易言之，马哈迪修订《1972年官方机密法令》乃为了维护其政权，更甚于所谓“国家安全”与“公共秩序”的官方说词。1998爆发“烈火莫熄”改革运动后，马哈迪政府援引《1972年官方机密法令》提控前副首相安华依布拉欣的追随者、公开反贪污局调查国际贸易与工业部长拉菲达（Rafidah Aziz）及前马六甲首席部长拉欣（Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik）贪污报告的莫哈末依占（Mohd Ezam），修订官方机密法令的政治企图更是昭然若揭。 阿都拉汲取马哈迪遗荫阿都拉巴达威在2003年就任首相时，不断包装民主、开放、温和、包容异议及肃贪形象，试图凭此凸显自己和独裁专断的前任者马哈迪大不同。然而，无论是以《1972年官方机密法令》向揭露大道特许经营合约的人追究责任，或是去年一再以《1984年印刷机与出版法令》惩戒报社，莫不凸显了阿都拉巴达威不断因利乘便，汲取马哈迪的遗荫来巩固自己的权位，而不是与马哈迪制订的不民主法规切割。或许这正是阿都拉巴达威的悲哀，对一个没有雄才大略、未能着眼于打造历史地位，只汲汲于近利的从政者，要他和马哈迪遗留的专断统治便利切割，这样的要求或许有点强人所难。（2007年2月8日）

Stop playing the “fireman” role, DAP.

 Is DAP playing the role of “fireman”?

A friend of mine thinks that DAP is playing the role of “fireman” in Malaysian politics. He said DAP in the past has helped to put off many fires set up by the BN parties . He said the time has come for DAP to play a different role if the party is serious about challenging the Umno-led BN Government.

He said that the BN is lucky because the DAP is always there to point out their weaknesses and mistakes, giving the BN  the opportunity to make the necessary corrections. He said criticism coming from the DAP has in fact benefited BN. 

He suggested that from now on, the DAP should allow BN to make more mistakes and let them rot to their core. For instance, he said the DAP should be lying low and just allow BN to increase prices of fuel and toll as they like. Let corruption and abuse of power grow unchallenged and we should also stop demanding for more Chinese and Tamil schools.

He argues that if the DAP continues to put off the fires set by the BN parties, the Malayisian people would find BN “bearable” and would continue to give their support to BN parties.

He said that without the intervention of DAP, BN would rot very quickly and the Malaysian people will eventually turn to DAP. Otherwise, the entire Malaysian people will rot and go down slowly together with BN. And there will be no more hope for Malaysia.

Do you find his thoughts illogical/ improper/unpractical/unacceptable? What do you think?

Say “No” to banning of Amir’s movie and Aru’s book

It’s a real pity that Malaysians were denied the opportunity to watch a movie by Amir and to read a book by Aru. Both Arumugam and Amir are towering Malaysians ( borrowing the word from AAB) . Both of them were well- known for their love for the Malaysian people and their bold, critical and fresh views on issues important to culture, education and history in this country.It’s Amir and Aru’s rights to present their views on such so-called sensitive issues. Banning such movies and books only goes to show that the authority has no guts to allow Malaysians to know the naked truth of these important historical events. We urge the authority to lift the ban immediately. Malaysiakini has the stories… Another ‘communist’ movie banned

Feb 22, 07 4:34pm Adjust font size:

Local film-maker Amir Muhammad’s latest offering Apa Khabar Orang Kampung (known abroad as ‘Village People Radio Show’) has been banned for allegedly glorifying the struggle of the “communist united front”.Disclosing this on his blog today, Amir said the movie was sent to the Malaysian Censorship Board for approval on Jan 18 and the decision to ban it was made on Feb 12.The board cited seven reasons for this: The theme of the movie portrays the struggle of the ‘communist united front’ as something noble which deserves recognition. The film also shows that the Malaysian government had acted unfairly by not appreciating their struggle. The film carries the views and stories from the communist side alone regarding their stand and objectives of their struggle in order for society to feel sympathetic towards them and be appreciative of their actions. There are clear criticisms against the Malaysian government for offering a rehabilitation scheme which could not be accepted as opposed to the Thai government which offered them land, houses and basic amenities once they stopped being communists. The film also featured insults against the sultanate and Malays. The film also attempts to ridicule Tunku Abdul Rahman as the person who caused the Baling Talks to fail when in actual fact it was the communists who had refused to lay down their arms. Former communist members likened their struggle to that of Malay warriors who fought against the British such as Dato’ Bahaman, Mat Kilau, Tok Gajah, Dato’ Maharaja Lela, Tok Janggut and others. This is a distortion of historical facts. This film is not suitable for public viewing as its inaccurate facts touch on the sensitivities and painful memories of members of the security forces and public who were victims of the communists. According to Amir, whose previous movie Lelaki Komunis Terakhir (The Last Communist) was also banned, has until March 10 to appeal. Lift the ban In an immediate reaction, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) condemned the ban and called for it to be lifted. “The reasons given by the censorship board blatantly transgress Article 10 of the Federal Constitution’s guarantee of free speech. The right to criticise government policy and behaviour is a vital aspect of any democracy,” said its executive director Sonia Randhawa in a statement. “Resorting to banning the movie, rather than engaging in the concerns raised there by the former communists, indicates insecurity and makes it increasingly difficult for Malaysians to assess and relate to this period of history,” she added. She said lifting the ban on Apa Khabar Orang Kampung and its prequel Lelaki Komunis Terakhir would indicate that the government’s commitment to an open and transparent society is more than just rhetoric. “CIJ is also concerned that banning locally made films encourages a culture of self-censorship among local film-makers, which is opposed to Malaysia’s policy of establishing itself as a ‘global centre and hub for communications and multimedia information and content services.’ “We urge the Internal Security Ministry to encourage local film production, regardless of politics, and to repeal the Film Censorship Act,” she added. Apart from banning films, the government has recently banned 56 books deemed objectionable by the authorities.

Banned book’s author to file for judicial review

Fauwaz Abdul Aziz Feb 22, 07 3:03pm Adjust font size:

The author of March 8 - which details the Kampung Medan clashes of 2001 - will file for a judicial review against the government’s decision to ban the book.K Arumugam is expected to file the suit with the Kuala Lumpur High Court tomorrow to seek damages for the proscription.Apart from media reports and personal research, March 8 also contains eye-witness accounts on the clashes that left six people dead and over 90 injured. The victims were predominantly Indians. Contacted today, Arumugam’s lawyer Edmund Bon said it appears that the ban is aimed at ending public discussions and questions about the incident. Arumugam’s book suggested that the incident was not a ‘racial’ or ‘internal’ conflict between residents of Kampung Medan as claimed by the authorities. Challenging move Bon argued that the ban infringes on the fundamental rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution. “They’ve breached my client’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression as well as the public’s right to information. “Arumugam was not even informed of the ban but found out after reading about it in news reports. Plus, he was never given the opportunity to be heard before the ban was imposed,” he said. Bon conceded that the attempt at a judicial review would be “challenging” given the wide discretionary powers held by the internal security minister under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. However, he said the attempt must be made for the sake of Malaysians’ right to record and know about their own history. “As my client himself has said, this is a denial of history,” he noted. March 8 was among 18 books banned by the Internal Security Ministry. The other books include Kamasutra: Apakah Kebaikannya (Kamasutra: What are its benefits) by Drs Munir Rahmat, Pengakuan Mangsa Rogol (A rape victim’s confession) by Ayu Mayangsari, Negara Tuhan (God’s country) by Tigga, The Origin of Species by F Susilohardo Basuki Hernowo, Islam and the West: A New Political and Religious Order Post September 11 by Robert Van de Weyer, and numerous others.

Dr Lim wants gov’t to release full details on economic data

Yes, all official data should be read “with a pinch of salt”. The Umno-led BN government has not been honest about disclosing social and economic data in the past. The bumi equity fiasco was just one of the many glaring examples.Of late, the government has “selectively” released several economic data through the mainstream media. Such “cooked up” data and figures seem to have an impact on boasting the confidence of the stock market investors and speculators. It appears now that the KLSE CI is set to break the all time high figure of 1,314 (before the Great Asian Crisis in 1997/98) in a matter of weeks.Khoo Kay Peng of SEDARIn today’s Oreintal Daily, Gerakan leader (also the Deputy Minister of MITI) Ng Lip Yong criticised his colleague Khoo Kay Peng for “giving negative comments on national economic situition without data and solid evidence”. Khoo is the executive director of SEDAR, a think-tank set up and controlled by Gerakan.Khoo has openly questioned the veracity and accuracy of such national economic data in his interview with Oriental Daily on Tuesady.Ng Lip Yong could easily take his colleague to task but could he also answer our questions with facts and figures, and also the full details and methodology used as suggested by Dr Lim Teck Ghee? We challenge Ng to tell Malaysians on the real data and figures ( with full details and methodology) on issues like bumi equity, national debt, annual losses suffered by all GLCs, total profits made by Petronas and total amount spent in bailing out mega projects and GLCs, total profits made by all the 23 toll concessionaires, total taxes paid by the respective ethnic groups… Also recently, Tan Teng Boo, a reknown stock market specialist,  has cautioned the investors to be more circumspect rather than exploiting the current stock market rally. Tan has warned that ” the stock market rallies for all kinds of reasons and some times, the market rally can be self-deluding or what is worse, the rally generates comlacency among the politicians and policymakers and painful but necessary decisions are not made or postponed until it is too late.”  Tan’s warning cannot be taken lightly. The stock market, in the eyes of the punters and speculators, is like a huge gambling den. The ups and downs of the stock market, more often than not, has nothing to do with the real market situation. The stock market would just collapse before you know it.  PM cum Finance Minister AAB is certainly one such politician and policymaker described by Tan Teng Boo. He has irresponsibily opened his big mouth and say that the KLSE CI would hit the 1,350 mark this year.What AAB should have done is to carry out the necessary decisions and structural reforms to improve the national economy at the macro level. Yesterday, the DAP Sec Gen Lim Guan Eng, an Australian-trained accountant, criticised the Prime Minister for making a forecast on the KLSE Composite Index. He said investors could sue AAB if the CI eventually do not reach the said level this year. Lim is right because AAB has no power to stop punters and speculators from leaving the KLSE.They have no obligation to inform AAB. They can leave the stock market as and when they think is right.  AAB has been wearing far too many hats. They were signs everywhere that the man has not been able to cope with his jobs.To put on another hat as a “stock punter” certainly would not served him any good.As the prime minister cum Finance Minister, he should refrain from making such sensitive statements. But if the man is thinking about holding a snap general elections, no one then could stop him from painting a rosy picture of the KLSE in particular and the national economy in general. After all, he cannot rely on portraying himself as the modern Justice Bao (corruption fighter) anymore. (BTW, AAB is now known as ” Bao Ka Leow” (Sapu Semua, in Malay) to the former PM Dr Mahathir and many Malaysians out there). Economic figures: Gov’t urged to release full details

Feb 21, 07 3:51pm malaysiakini

Apart from ensuring the veracity and accuracy of national social and economic data, the government must also release the full details of the sources of the data, the methodology used and any other information that can throw light on the findings, said an academic.Dr Lim Lim Teck Ghee was responding to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s reassurance that the government did not ‘cook up’ the economic indicators and figures.“A government that engages in deception, spinning or concealment of social, economic and other national data is one that is not only disrespectful to the public but it is also one that betrays the trust bestowed on those with the reins of power,” Lim said in a statement.He said by making public the sources of data and methodology used will not only ensure public confidence, but also ensure the right conclusions and policy lessons and outcomes are drawn.“Otherwise, we will find that incomplete or unreliable data is being used to justify policies that would otherwise have little or no rational basis for adoption. Such a move is necessary for all official statistics - not just trade or selective economic data,” he added.Strict measuresIn developed countries, he said, strict measures have been adopted to ensure that all official statistics and data are shielded from inappropriate political influence and from being compromised through professional defects, bias, corruption or falsification.“It is high time that the government takes the necessary steps to ensure the independence and integrity of our official statistics. “ These steps should include the establishment of a scientific social statistical commission that would focus on the independence and integrity of official statistics and act as an independent guardian for public interest,” he added. Lim said Malaysia is also lagging behind many countries in ensuring that its statistical system is accessible and transparent. “Until these misgivings are addressed, there will continue to be concerns over the honesty and dependability of the official statistics provided to the public,” he said. On Saturday, Najib said the economic indicators and figures disclosed by the government to show the country’s economic achievements reflected the real situation. The deputy premier was asked to comment about speculations and accusations that the government “drummed up” the economic indicators to boost public confidence. “The figures are real. That’s absolutely real. You don’t make wild accusations like that… we have never cooked-up the figures. Our books are very transparent. The people from the World Bank and the IMF (International Monetary Fund) come and examine our books on a regular basis… there is absolutely no way we can cook-up the figures,” he had said.

Health Minister missed the point in banning fast food ads

I told OrientalDaily in my tele-interview yesterday that Health Minister Chua Soi Lek has missed the point when he talked about the banning of fast food advertisements. In my opinion, the minister does not understand what he was talking about.To begin with, Chua would have a tough time to prove that all the different kinds of fast food being sold in the market were unhealthy or “not nutritious”, and hence losing his ground of justification. Chua should be focusing his energy on improving the standard of public health service which is said to be declining in the country. He also owes the Malaysian NGOs an explanation on the pending privatisation of public health service.  Orientaldaily has the story…  業者批蔡細歷言論「外行人看內行事」 - Wednesday, February 21, 2007

（吉隆坡20日訊）在衛生部探討落實禁止媒體刊登快餐廣告之際，廣告業者卻非議這項措施可行性欠奉，屬于「外行人看內行事」的另一敗筆。 衛生部長拿督斯里蔡細歷日前相繼接受各報「專訪」，放話說該部將禁止快餐業者在媒體刊登廣告，以讓普羅大眾警覺快餐對人體健康的危害性。 不過，廣告業者對此不表認同。在廣告界服務超過20年的行動黨非政府組織局主任劉天球說，蔡氏的本意是好，但在此事的態度卻顯得不對，發表的言論也存有問題。 他接受《東方日報》訪問時表示，就算市面上某些快餐存有不健康的成份，但不代表全部快餐都對人體有害，而且同樣品牌下的各式快餐烹調的材料與成份不同，有害程度也相異。 「蔡細歷不能一竹竿打翻整船人。市面上有形形色色的快餐，難道漢堡包和麵包也不健康？」 劉天球說，蔡細歷該番言論猶如「外行人看內行事」，相信有關措施也難以推行，因此廣告業者對此並不感到特別擔心。 據報導，馬廣告代理公會(4As)主席拿督李福龍對此也有異議。他認為，全面禁止媒體刊登快餐廣告的措施，並不可行。 他說，就算在歐美國家，也沒有全面禁止快餐廣告的做法。 他強調，目前已有廣告代理和客戶，試驗性地「自我控制」快餐廣告，比如把目標群鎖定在7歲以上的食客。 此外，該報也引述大馬營養學協會主席鄭怡祥博士談話，指快餐愛好者並不會因為廣告的關係，而減少快餐食用量。 他認為，與其禁止快餐廣告，倒不如從教育著手，灌輸國人良好的營養吸收知識。

“KLSE CI is now only some 80 points away from its all time high of 1,314…

and surpassing this would seem to be a breeze.”

The above comment came from a local stock market specialist. But he cautions Malaysians to be more circumspect rather than exploiting the current market rally and be patting ourselves on the back.

He commented that “for the politicians and policymakers, stock market rally can be very ego boasting (when the market rallies, they would claim all the credits but when the market drops, they would pass the buck to people like George Soros).”

“Why?A stock market rally seems to be telling the whole world that everything is fine with its economy and that the government has adopted the right policies”.

“Generally speaking, this is true but the stock market rallies for all kinds of reasons and some times, the market rally can be self-deluding or what is worse, the rally generates complacency among the politicians and policymakers and painful but necessary decisions are not made or postponed until it is too late. Then, the market crashes. The Great Asian Crisis in 1997/98 is a classic example of how rallies in stock markets can camouflage structural problems until it is too late and the day of reckoning comes in full blast”.

The specialist opines that the way to manage a country or company is in a sense , very simple and commonsensical. ” When things are fine and dandy, do not become overconfident;instead get ready for the storms ahead. This way, when the storms come, which eventually they will, one will not be so wounded or so devastated that one cannot recover forever or that the recovery takes such a long time to come. The storms, like the bright sunny days, will eveuntually pass and the whole cycle repeats. Take advantage of the storms and and use them to ensure that the eventual bright sunny days do not get to be so blinding”.

The essence of this specialist criticisms was that the government under the leadership of the former prime minister implemented very short-term measures that greatly reduced or attempted to reduce the pain of the Great Asian Crisis. “In so doing, the government ignored the the adverse long-term implications of its actions and decisions. Instead of using the Great Asian Crisis to implement serious structural reforms, the government went for quickies. And we all know what quickies are like. Instead of using the crisis to prepare Malaysia for more and greater challenges, it went round blaming others for its follies.”

” In many respects, Malaysia has paid a heavy price for this and is still paying the price for ignoring long-term problems. By shielding Malaysia from the harsh and painful realities of market economy, we now have a Malaysian workforce that is hopelessly complacent and in the process, losing out to the many fast rising regional competitors.”

With the KLSE CI rallying, the specialist is deeply worried that our world-class complacency would become universe-class. “As the LKSE CI rallies, the politicians and policymakers would surely sit back and pat themselves for a job well done . Such self-prasing and complacency can be very infectious and soon Malaysians from all walks of life would fall into the same mental trap. Then, when the next crisis hits us, totally unprepared again. A few rounds of such a crisis, very quickly Malaysia would be in an economic quicksand”.

The specialist’s analysis is directed at the politicians and polymakers and Malaysians from all walks. Do not be seduced by the current market rally into thinking that we are on our way to developed status. Do not postpone the major structural reforms needed.

OSA threat: Orientaldaily calls for FOI Act

The local Chinese daily, in its editorial today, urges the Government to “take the bull by the horns” by passing the Freedom of Information Act in the Parliament. It says that ” to reveal the agreements of toll concessionaires is not sufficient and good enough”. Yes, BN must respect and recognise the basic rights of the Rakyat, including the right to know.It’s time for FOI, Mr Prime Minister. 直面問題：請訂立資訊自由法 - Wednesday, February 21, 2007

2007年伊始，巴生谷5條大道收費大漲，引起民眾譁然，隨即展開一系列的示威抗議，而在反對黨、許多民間團體及非政府組織不斷窮追猛打之下，工程部長三美威魯日前終于福至心靈地披露，首相已同意公開所有私營化大道合約，惟須先致函給大道公司征求同意，以及進一步獲得內閣通過，始能將合約內容解密。 華人農曆新年正酣，加上較早前媒體不斷對選舉日期捕風捉影、內閣放話將承認中國北大和清華的中文系學位等動作，此刻政府態度放軟愿為大道合約內容解密，很難不讓人理解為：這是一份充滿試探意味的政治紅包，選舉跫音確實已近。 經過多少人士的鍥而不捨，如今若說連這種「公諸于世」的法子都深獲好評，甚至被譽為貫徹政府打造廉正政治文化的典範，不但有過于矯情之嫌，更模糊了問題的核心。說到底，公開大道合約不過是當局面對民間壓力下的被動反應，相較于首相阿都拉不斷重複「時機一到，就宣布大選日期」，我們有必要指出，廢除官方機密法令，另訂資訊自由法，尊重人民「知的權利」，才能展現改革誠意與擔當。除此之外沒有別的，任何大費周章的解密或開封，都不過是顧左右而言他、迴避焦點的短線操作。 在民主國家裡，國民對政府政策的內容及執行的情形享有知的權利，也是必須被保護的基本權利，政府也有將上述資訊告知人民的義務。因此，要提升與維護民眾「知的權利」，不是譏諷反對人士為「街邊嬉耍的孩童」、「明知故犯」，而是得推動類似「資訊自由法案」與「陽光法案」的立法工作，將公共事務領域的資訊放在人民面前，促進民主社會的理性討論。 在法制國家中，涉及人民權利義務之法令，乃是引導政府施政、民眾生活及市場機能的規範基礎。基于「公開政府」（open government）之理念，政府機關的組織、決策與執行，都應力求透明公開，並接受公眾的監督。政府透過健全的公報制度，主動且有系統地為人民提供施政相關的動態資訊，具有滿足民眾知的權利的作用。 為保障人民「知的權利」，分享政府資訊，增進對公共事務了解，基于「資訊共享」及「施政公開」理念，當局應參酌瑞典、美國、加拿大、日本等國的經驗，理解施政公開化與透明化需要，儘速擬定政府資訊公開法草案送交國會審議。在這項原則下，當局應主動對國民公開各項資訊，刊載出版、于政府網站公布或其他足以使公眾得知的方式公開，絕非如三美威魯所言「把文件放在工程部辦公室，供有興趣者審閱」這般簡單。 隨著社會急速變遷及政府職能的擴增，民眾為參與制訂公共政策、監督政府施政作為、或是從事各項經濟活動，都有賴大量且正確之資訊，而政畦翱O各項資訊的最大擁有者，為達施政公開化與透明化，政府資訊公開乃成當前重要施政目標和首要條件。不過，政府資訊的公開必須兼顧國家機密，程序正義與民眾個人權利，但是這其中的定義不應由當局單方面主導。 總之，資訊公開旨在讓「潘朵拉的盒子」變成透明，而建立一套完善的政府資訊公開法制乃民主國家之必然趨勢，只有在民眾與政府之間資訊不對稱的情況改善后，才能透過民主機制，揪出幽闇之處的魑魅魍魎，朝清明廉正更進一步。

Chong Eng tells AAB to take actions instead of merely pointing out about the problem

DAP Deputy Secretary General Chong Eng opined that the Prime Minister must not stop at pointing out that some 85% bumi contractors sold their contracts to non-bumi. She said that as PM, AAB should be coming out with solution to stop such unhealthy practices in the country. Chong Eng is also the MP for Bukit Mertajam.She also said that AAB’s government must not run away from its responsibility for the numerous failures in mega projects such as the 12- years -delayed Matrade building (Original building cost :RM167 m. Additional building cost : RM 287.5m) and the RM120 m MRR2 (cost of repair: RM70m ). 章瑛：首相在其位要谋其政 应有方案杜绝土著转卖工程
■日期／Feb 16, 2007   ■时间／11:15:19 am ■新闻／家国风云   ■作者／merdekareview记者
【本刊记者撰述】民主行动党副秘书长章瑛表示，首相阿都拉巴达威身为当权首相，在其位应谋其政，不要只是提出土著承包商转卖工程的现象，而是要有杜绝土著承包商转卖工程的应对方案。章瑛也是槟州大山脚区国会议员，他回应阿都拉前天的言论时说，很多人都知道土著承包商转卖工程的问题所在，但是他们不在其位不谋其职，阿都拉则是坐在有权力和责任解决问题的官职上，所以他不的只是指出问题，他还应该有解决问题的方案，并坐言起行。 阿都拉前天在沙巴州亚庇说，他遗憾土著承包商将政府交付他们的85%工程合约转卖给非土著，因为此举有违政府扶助土著从商的努力。 阿都拉批评这些土著不但只走捷径，还抱着不愿工作的态度，不重视政府给予的机会，导致新经济政策不能如期达到既定目标。章瑛指出，她当选大山脚区国会议员初期，就已在国会促请政府检讨新经济政策及杜绝专以转卖工程为生的土著承包商，並建议政府以绩效制和竞标方式遴选承包商，以杜绝专以转卖工程为生的土著承包商。 首相在其位要谋其政 “可惜国阵政府对在野党存有很深偏见，来自在野党的再好建议，也不能接受。” 章瑛说：“首相公开批评这个存在己久的现象，做法正面，但应有更进一步的对策，因为他是当权首相，发生这种现象他也难辞其咎。他除了批评问题之外，人民所要看到的是他采取措施，确保土著承包商不能转卖合约。” 她认为，土著承包商转卖合约是政府偏重扶助土著承包商又没设监督机制的后遗症，再加上以输送利益换取政治支持文化的滋长，及不透明竞标的做法，造成越來越多与高层巫统领袖有交情者成为承包商，及通过政治管道获得工程，然后转卖给非土著牟利。 “这种做法也伤害种族关系，非土著承包商感到受边缘化，有一些工程被转卖多次，以至出现马币三万元拨款只做三千元的工程；数年前也有许多学校的电脑室不能如期完工，或未啓用就成危楼，結果政府被迫再拨款修理。” 章瑛说，政府委任不当承包商导致很多大小工程不能如期完成，甚至半途搁置，或在完成后出现严重问题，例如新医院未啓用就生霉，外贸大厦拖延了12年，原本的承包费是1亿6700万元，现在必须再注入2亿8750万元修理才能啓用，还有甲洞高架天桥低成本是一亿二千万元，啓用不久就因出现结构性问题而关闭，最近工程部长说需要七千万修理费；这些都是可避免的浪费，可用来增建很多所华小；所谓解铃人还需 系铃人，国阵政府的不良施政还有待首相尽早纠正。 人民公正党全国宣传主任蔡添强昨天也发表文告表示，首相阿都拉巴达威为土著工程转手予非土著而感到伤心，无助于改善我国经济状况；阿都拉反而应正视新经济政策对我国经济基础的破坏，及时取消这个不合时宜的政策，并以全民利益出发的“新经济议程”取代。【点击：伤心工程转手无济于事 首相应取消新经济政策】