Earlier this month (8th June 08), the People’s Representatives in BM organized a get-together with the Rakyat at Mengkuang Dam to celebrate Parents’ Day.
It was a warm event with the kids coming for art competition, gifts presentation to their parents, musics by talented young people, performance by line dancers and tai chi groups.
Some photos below.
Family pic with my “boys”…
With the energetic working team
E-Youth, the new kids on the block in Bkt. Mertajam
Prize presentation with YB Lydia Ong
More photos from my photographer here
Education Minister’s lackadaisical-beating-around-the-bush reply to my question in Parliament this week showed that the BN government has no plan to include SRJKC (sekolah rendah jenis kebangsaan cina – Chinese-type vernacular primary school) development plan in the 9th Malaysia Plan (RMK9) in its mid-term review.
My question was:
Minta Menteri Pelajaran menyatakan sama ada Kememterian sedar mengikut ketetapan Perancangan Desa dan Bandar, Negeri Pulau Pinang perlu mmenambah 13 buah SRJKC dalam tempoh 2006-2010. Apakah Kementerian akan mengkaji balik RMK-9 supaya penambahan SRJKC dikandungkan dalam RMK-9.
[Translation: I request the Education Minister to state whether the Ministry is aware that following the recommendation from the Town and City Planning Dept, Penang requires 13 new SRJKC in the period of 2006-2010. Will the Ministry review RMK9 to include these SRJKC?]
Reply from the Minister:
Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia (KPM) sentiasa berusaha menyediakan kemudahan pendidikan yang sempurna dan mencukupi mengikut keperluan dan keutamaan sesuatu kawasan. KPM juga sentiasa memastikan kemudahan pendidikan yang disediakan adalah untuk semua kaum atau golongan masyarakat. Dalam hal ini , projek-projek pembangunan dirancang dan dilaksanakan berdasarkan bilangan penduduk sesuatu kawasan ataupun kewujudan kawasan perumahan baru.
Disamping itu, KPM juga terus berusaha kearah menyatupadukan rakyat dan salah satu pendekatan yang digunakan oleh KPM adalah dengan menubuhkan lebih banyak sekolah aliran perdana bagi semua golongan masyarakat selari dengan dasar pendidikan Negara untuk mengekalkan perpaduan nasional melalui institusi pendidikan.
Namun, KPM tidak pernah mengabaikan sekolah-sekolah aliran lain khususnya bagi SJKC dan SJKT. Pelbagai usaha dan cara telah diberi bagi mengatasi masalah keperluan SJKC dan SJKT. Bagi SJKC sahaja, dalam RMK-9, KPM telah memperuntukkan sebanyak RM174.34 juta untuk SJKC dan RM64.84 juta untuk SJKT bagi kerja-kerja pembinaan baru, gentian dan tambahan serta ubahsuai dan naik taraf.
Untuk makluman ahli Yang Berhormat, selain daripada pembinaan dua buah SJKC, yang telah diluluskan oleh KPM dalam RMK-9, pada Januari 2008 kerajaan juga telah meluluskan pembinaan 6 buah lagi SJKC baru. Disamping itu, bagi mengatasi masalah sekolah berenrolmen besar di SJKC khususnya dikawasan kepadatan tinggi dan di Bandar, dari tahun 1999 hingga Januari 2008, KPM telah meluluskan perpindahan sebanyak 75 buah SJKC yang mana sebahagian besar adalah sekolah kurang murid, ke kawasan yang mempunyai keperluan yang tinggi.
[Translation: The Education Ministry (KPM) always ensures sufficient education facilities according to the needs and priorities in an area. KPM also always ensures that the education facilities will be utilized by every races and all parts of the society. Towards this regards, all development projects are planned and executed according to the number of residents in a given area or in new housing settlements.
KPM also works towards integrating the multiracial society and one of the measures taken by KPM is to build more national type school for everyone in line with the National Education Policy to ensure national integration through educational institutions.
Nevertheless, KPM has never abandon the vernacular schools especially SJKC (Chinese-type school) and SJKT (tamil-type school). Many efforts and steps were taken to overcome the problems of SJKC and SJKT. For SJKC alone, in the RMK-9, KPM has allocated RM174.34 million while RM64.84 million is allocated to SJKT for new building projects, renovations and improvement projects.
For the information of the Honorable Member, other than building two new SJKC which has been approved by KPM in RMK-9 in January this year, the Government has also approved the building of 6 more new SJKC. In addition, to solve the problem of high enrolment in SJKC especially in high population areas and in the city, from 1999 until January 2008, KPM has approved the move of 75 SJKC a majority of which were schools with low students’ population to areas where the needs are high.]
See how Minister beat around the bushes
The first one and a half hour in every parliament meeting is for Members of Parliament to ask questions and for frontbenchers, either a minister or her deputy to answer. The frustrating thing is, many times the Ministers will reply, but alas no answers were given. The whole question sessions seemed to be pointless when the highest level of Government executive beating around the bushes and ignoring the substantial issues.
Besides the reply above, here is another example.
My oral question on 7th may 2008:
“Minta Menteri Pelajaran menyatakan: (a). sama ada Kementerian akan mengkaji balik dasar kerajaan yang tidak membina SJKC dan SJKT baru mengikut keperluan , dan (b), apakah bantuan yang akan diberi kepada SRJKC Chong Tek untuk membina semula banguan tidak selamat dan menempatan semula SRJKC Yang Cheng dan SRJKC Beng Teik di Negeri Pulau Pinang.
[Translation: I request the Education Minister to state (a) whether the Ministry will review the government’s policy of not building anymore new SJKC and SJKT when the needs arise and (b) what sort of aid will be given to SRJKC Chong Tek to rebuild its building which are currently unsafe for usage and for the relocation of SRJKC Yang Cheng and SRJKC Beng Teik in Penang?]
And this was the “answer” given:
(a). Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia (KPM) sentiasa memberi perhatian terhadap sekolah-sekolah di bawah kelolaan kerajaan sama ada Sekolah Kerajaan atau Sekolah Bantuan Kerajaan. Dalam hal ini, KPM memberi peruntukan kepada semua jenis aliran sekolah termasuklah sekolah jenis kebangsaan (SJKC dan SJKT). Berhubung dengan pembinaan sekolah baru pula, pada Januari 2008, KPM secara prinsipnya telah membenarkan pembinaan 6 buah SJKC baru dan perpindahan 13buah SJKC.
(b). Untuk makluman ahli yang berhormat, sekolah bantuan kerajaan (SBK) perlu mmengumpul dana sendiri bagi pembangunan fizikal sekolah. Walau bagaimanapun, pihak sekolah boleh memohon peruntukan memohon kebenaran KPM untuk membina bangunan sekolah. Berkiatan dengan SJKC Chong Teik, permohonan kelulusan membina bangunan tambahan dan dewan akan dibincang dalam Mesyuarat JK khas Bil 2/2008 pada bulan Mei 2008. Bagi SJKC Yang Cheng, KPM tiada halangan terhadap permohonan perpindahan sekolah ini ke tapak baru di Daerah Barat Daya, Pulau Pinang.
KPM telah membantu Beng Tek Pusat dalam proses menyediakan kertas cadangan perpindahan dan pembinaan banguan baru di lokasi baru Lot 1992 MK 10 Seberang Perai Tengah untuk dibentangkan dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa khas BPPDP mengenai projek pembangunan Bil 2/2008
[translation:
(a) The Education Ministry (KPM) always give attention to schools under the directives of the government whether they are Government Schools or Government-aided Schools. In this case, KPM has provided allocation to all type of schools including SJKC and SJKT. In regards to the building of new schools, on January 2008, KPM on principle has approved the building of 6 new SJKC and the relocation of 13 SJKC.
(b) for the information of the Honorable member, Government-aided Schools have to raise their own funds for the physical development of their schools. Nevertheless, the schools can apply for aid from KPM. In regards to SJKC Chong Teik, the application for approval of an additional building and a hall will be discussed in the meeting of a Special Committee Bil 2/2008 in May 2008. For SJKC Yang Cheng, KPM has no obstructions towards the application to relocate the school to a new location in the North West District of Penang.
KPM has helped Beng Tek Pusat in the process of preparing a proposal for relocation and building a new facility in Lot 1992 MK 10 Seberang Perai Tengah to be discussed in the meeting of Special Committee BPPDP regarding development project Bil 2/2008.]
There is just so much work, so little time. But I am enjoying every single bit of my work especially in the new political climate. We all are working to improve things since getting the mandate of the people. There are many things coming on in my constituency, there’ll be a Parents’ Day celebration, youth events such as paintball competition and also events coming out from my state portfolio as head of the Chinese Education Affair Coordinating Committee. It’s going to be an exciting time for all of us and my fellow Rakyat in Bukit Mertajam before the year closes.
I’ll be posting some stuff from Parliament soon, but for now, show you some of my latest photos. It was taken during an interview recently.
(Btw, I am stealing some time to take up weekend courses! Let you know more in the near future)
Loved the partial rocket pic behind. Blends well with my red shirt.
More “official” pose
In pensive mood…
Another “official” pose
Parliament will be in session from 28 April until 27 May. I am excited to go to the Dewan again especially in this new political climate. Below are 10 questions which I have submitted to the respective Ministers for oral answers. They generally cover issues from vernacular education, general education, crime, gender, foreign workers and Pakatan State-Federal Government relation.
Let’s hope for a good answer from our new Cabinet and not just long winded “menolak dalih” excuses.
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Soalan - soalan untuk jawapan lisan Mesyuarat Pertama, Penggal Pertama, Parliamen ke-12
1.Selasa , 6 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Menteri Dalam Negeri mengatakan indek jenayah kebangsaan dan lima dearah di negeri Pulau Pinang tiga bulan pertama 2008 berbanding dengan tempoh yang sama tahun 2007. Apakah “community policing” telah dilaksanakan di mana-mana kawasan dan apakah keberkesanannya?
2. Rabu 7 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Menteri Pelajaran mengatakan langkah-langkah yang telah dan akan diambil untuk mengatasi kekurangan guru berkelayakan bahasa mandarin dengan jadual masa dalam Negara ini.
(b) Nyatakan apakah penyelesaan kepada masalah ramai guru tidak minat dinaik pangkat menjadi penolong guru besar.
3. Khamis 8 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Menteri Pengangkutan mengatakan samada beliau sedar terdapat banyak aduan terhadap perkhidmatan Puspakom? Apakah sebabnya bayaran periksa kenderaan telah dinaikkan baru-baru ini? Nyatakan jumlah dan jenis aduan terhadap PUSPAKOM dan apakah tindakan kementerian?
4. Selasa 13 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Menteri Pelajaran mengatakan :
(a) Samada kementerian akan kaji balik dasar kerajaan yang tidak membina SRJKC dan SRJKT baru mengikut keperluan?
(b) Apakah bantuan yang akan diberi kepada SRJKC Chong Tek untuk membina semula banguan tidak selamat , dan penempatan semula SRJKC Yang Cheng dan SRJKC Beng di negeri Pulau Pinang?
5 Rabu, 14 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Menteri Pelajaran mengatakan samada beliau sedar mengikut ketetapan Perancangan Desa dan Bandar, Negeri Pulau Penang perlu menambah 13 buah SRJKC dalam tempoh 2006-2010? Apakah kementerian akan kaji balik RMK9 supaya penambahan SRJKC dikandungkan dalam RMK9?
6. khamis, 15 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Menteri Sumbar Manusia mengatakan apakah langkah yang akan diambil oleh kerajaan untuk mengurangkan bilangan pekerja asing supaya tidak menjejaskan peluang pekerjaan rakyat sendiri?
7. Rabu, 21 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Menteri Pembanguan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat mengatakan apakah tempoh masa untuk mencapaii matalamat sekurang-kurangnya 30% pembuat keputusan disektor awam terdiri daripada kaum wanita? Nyatakan usaha-usaha kementarian yang bertujuan mengarusperdanakan pandangan wanita .
8 khamis 22 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Perdana Menteri mengatakan dasar perhubungan kerajaan persekutuan Barisan National dengan kerajaan negeri Pakatan Rakyat , khasnya dalam aspek pemberian peruntukan dan pelaksanaan projek-projek infrastruktur.
9 selasa 27 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan mengatakan samada kementerian telah sediakan peraturan-peraturan dan sumber manusia untuk pelaksanaan Akta 663, iaitu Building and Common Property ( Maintenance and Management) Act 2007 di peringkat negeri.
10 Selasa 27 Mei
Puan Chong Eng minta Menteri Dalam Negeri mengatakan apakah langkah akan diambil untuk menghentikan jual-beli barang-barang curian supaya dapat mengurangkan kes curian barang-barang besi dan dawai “copper”.
槟州首席部长林冠英於27-3-2008发表之声明
槟州政府决定成立华教事务协调委员会，並分别委任大山脚区国会议员章瑛及首长特别助理魏祥敬为协委会主席和秘书。
槟州政府华教事务协调委员会的其他成员将来自州内的华教团体，其中包括槟州董联会，华校教师公会，校友联合会等；州政府也将委任有志贡献设热心华教者成为委员。
这个协委会主要是协助掌管教育的行政议员拉玛沙米博士处理州内的华教事务，所有成员，包括主席与秘书，都是义务性质。
由於批準建校和师资的训練和调派都是中央教育部的权限，教育政策亦由联邦政府制定，州政府对教育的权限相对的有限；不过由於槟州是华裔居多的州属，华社对华文教育极为注重，所以州政府特成立华教事务协调委员会，以在有限的权限之内援助州内的华小、华文独中和国民型中学。
目前，州政府能给华校的援助基本上是拨给土地、拨款及向中央政府反映州内华校所面对的问题，扮演桥樑的角色，洽商解决问题的方法，我们希望联邦教育部以人民的利益为重，配合解决问题。
由於槟州人民的所得稅都缴交给联邦政府，槟州的资源有限，不过州政府仍会沿续前政府的作风，继续象征式的拨款给需要援助需要援助的各源流学校，不过我们会把拨款制度化，不会把教育拨款当着大选红包和糖果，因为剛结束的大选成绩显示，人民所要求的是制度化的建华校和公平拨款。
州政府也决定进一步的将独中的常年拨款从每所四万增加到五万令吉，而且考虑以提供奖学金的方式鼓励独中教师升造，进而提升独中的师资素质。
简而言之，州政府了解教育是强国之本，也了解华教在我国所面对的种种问题，所以州政府将竭尽所能援助州内的各源流学校。
槟州政府华教事务协调委员会主席章瑛呼吁副教育部长魏家祥立刻着手处理槟州华小尚欠缺教师及副校长的问题。
My good blog reporter Joreen stood for a good 15 minutes holding her camera to record this during the 42nd DAP Anniversary convention in Red Rock Hotel Penang
Part 1
Part 2
I am overwhelmed by the mandate given to DAP and myself, especially by the Rakyat of Penang. Since the election results were first announced, and as many of you may already know, the candidates and leaders have been constantly on the move, either to attend internal meetings, or meetings with leaders of our Barisan Rakyat partners or attending press conferences.
We are now in transitionary times and everything must be managed with utmost care so as to not let the victory of the Rakyat be short-lived. Hence, I am not able to handle personally many of the emails and messages which I received from you. But my heart is with you all, grateful, honoured and humbled. I hope to be able to attend to your requests soon.
I want to assure you that it goes without saying, DAP (and I am sure our BR partners though I cannot claim to speak on their behalf) will appreciate and value the trust given to us and use this as an opportunity to serve the Rakyat and bring Progress to our beloved Malaysia.
Finally, we join the Rakyat in excitement of the new times we are living in, we are not only witnessing a historic landmark in our Country’s annal, but we, everyone of us, are the makers of this landmark. The air we breath today, will in time to come be remembered as the air of a New Malaysia, a Malaysia of true Democracy, Justice and Progress.
Thank you and congratulation to you, this victory belongs to the Rakyat!
Many of you must have heard or read news about the victory of the Barisan Rakyat. My phone has not stopped ringing since an hour ago. For DAP live updates on the result, pls check here: http://dap-elections.com/
Malaysiakini also have live updates for all the seats contested: www.malaysiakini.com
We are very close now to break UMNO’s political hegemony, but the most important thing right now is to be CALM. Heed the advise of the police chief, not to hold any political parade now. The official results are not released yet, we are all waiting with bated breath. Chong Eng and other BM DAP candidates are now on their way to Penang island to attend a meeting with other leaders.
Chong Eng’s advise to all DAP supporters and Rakyat Malaysia: pls remain calm and go home, watch the news from home and from the Internet. Do not provoke others and do not parade our victory just yet. Barisan Rakyat must learn how to handle victory or loss with maturity.
I’m back @ the polling centre now. My place have been taken by a comrade but I will resume once balloting begins @ 5pm.
Frm since I left the polling duty till now, I’ve received calls every few minutes mostly from unknown persons reporting election discrepancies. One EC worker even told me to check on integrity of ballot papers in another center. Another person called to report on a purportedly 3000 phantom voters in Seberang Jaya.
We followed up on all the cases though we are aware that there are many rumour mongers out there to create smoke screen confusion. We will not let any chances slipped to ensure election as clean as possible despite the tremendous compromise by EC themselves. I even alerted MAFREL folks on the reports received. We are short of manpower but we promise we’ll do our BEST!
My Malay and Indian friends called me a few times too. Those were Malaysian moment, my friends from different cultural background encouraging one another & reassuring one another of a new Malaysia era we hope to achieve tonight. Yes! Together We can make it!
May God bless Malaysia!
I’ve just managed to get out from the polling centre duty and travel to another centre to cast my votes. Two ROCKETS GOING UP, on the house!
One noticeable thing in all polling centres around BM areas are the DAP and Barisan Nasional service booths. But while we cannot compete with them in terms of manpower (as W told me this morning, the polling agents are paid and one of my friends’ parent was also paid to be part of the BN cheer team - not sure how true this is), the spirit is high on the grassroot in support of the Barisan Rakyat parties.
I received a call from one Nora who travelled back this morning all the way from KL to cast votes with her friends and families in Bkt. Mertajam! Another friend Joshua came back all the way from Singapore yesterday to vote today. No votes will go wasted. Malaysians everywhere wanted to make sure their voices are heard, they WANT CHANGE!
Btw, as promised earlier, the pay those ppl working with BN today received are as follow (rounded to the nearest ringgit as I receive different price tag from different ppl involved):
1. Polling agents - RM20/hour
2. Driving/providing cars (this would include fixing BN banners and flags on ones’ car) - up to RM200
3. Cheering team - RM50 for two hours in the morning
I have no way to confirm if the above quotes are true, so take it with a pinch of salt. If this is indeed true, for Bkt. Mertajam alone, I estimate BN paid out about RM20,000 just to the polling agents. Talk about “money politics”…well, in one sense. I wonder if anyone has breached the limit of campaign money set by EC. I mean, come on, there were huge billboards banners hung almost on every billboards, and if the recent chap who proposed to his girlfriend via billboard in KL can be trusted, one billboard advert would cost about RM40,000 already. And what about the fully coloured glossy A4-size manifesto booklets our MCA candidates in Bkt. Mertajam were distributing?
I’ll go home to rest for a while (slept at 3.30 a.m. yesterday trying to upload videos - but failed…sigh). Later at 5 p.m., I’ll be back at the polling centre to monitor the ballot counting. That’s the most crucial part…wish me luck and pray for me, for us all!
