木兰本色 7-2-2010
308后以安华为首的民联一心一意向布城迈进，支持者信心满满，紧握拳头，说：一定boleh！即使在失去霹雳州，雪州丧失赵明福之后，很多人仍然有信心乐观，至到最近突然风起云涌，民联各党频频发生状况。
首先自称回教第一的公正党国会议员朱基菲针对回教党议员卡立沙玛的非回教徒可使用“阿拉”言论报警，过后其峇央峇鲁同僚，去年才受州元首封赐Dato Seri的再林突然枪口向内，猛批槟州首长林冠英“独裁”、“沙文主义”，“有共产主义思想”，并说他来自马六甲，所以不适合当槟州首长。
接下来承认为“倒再林”发起人的高渊公正党国会议员陈智铭跳出来支持再林，再次证明在政治，敌人的敌人果然就可结盟。在国会近两年几乎不曾发表辩论演讲的他批评林冠英没有水准，还上了电视。
与此同时，法庭被告知他们在赛夫的肛门找到安华的精液，肛交案的结果肯定对马来西亚的未来政治有影响，民联在下届大选能否抵达布城，此案的判决更是关键。
2月5日，当吉隆坡高庭在聆审肛交案，半岛马来学生联盟号召50个非政府回教组织成立的SEDAQ醒觉运动在槟城示威，斥槟州政府打压巫裔。这与前几天另一组人声称州政府只取缔马来小贩，边缘化马来人的言论相呼应。
资深评论员朋友感觉民联和两线制正处在崩裂边缘，去布城的路没有这么容易走，现在占据布城的人不会轻易“退位”或“礼让”，相反的，他们肯定会力拼到底，若为了保住政权而不择手段，做法呼风唤雨力阻对手攻陷布城绝不足为奇，此乃古人所言“兵不厌诈”。
指人独裁总得拿出证据，否则就是当选民是笨蛋，还有一个曾经为了捍卫一个未成年马来少女之权益而吃官司，搞到被判坐牢，失去国会议员资格的林冠英甚可能是沙文主义者？从古自今，抹黑、扣高帽和标签，都是攻击敌人的手段。再林是林冠英的民联战友，出招却是“敌”而非“友”，目的何在？目前一时或许难于看清楚，但狐狸总会露出真面目的时候。从巫统来的人是否会回到巫统去呢？大家等着瞧！
在这全球化的时候还强调本土，认为只有槟城人适合担任槟州首席部长更是跟不上时代的思想。马华也曾经说过章瑛非大山脚人不懂得大山脚的状况，但是大山脚选民用选票说话，槟州人民也在308用选票说了话。政治人物都应尊重人民的选择，林冠英做得好不好，不是再林和陈智铭两人说了算。人民心中有数，下届大选他们会以选票打分，公正党峇央峇鲁区会已向再林喊话：不收回攻击首长言论及道歉就不再支持他，公正党已与他划清界线。
其实，在308之前，民政党所提出的三个“候任”首长谢宽泰、丁福南和邓章耀都不是本土槟城人，当时还在民政党的范清渊和被民政党开除的陈智铭为何没有反对？陈智铭也非高渊人，但却中选该区议员，证明选民早已思想开放。他们是跟不上选民的脚步，落在人民的后头，抑或是另有目的？眼睛雪亮的选民自有判断。
马来西亚的政治在308出现曙光，国会首次有强大可与国阵较劲的在野民联阵线。五州人民选择民联政府，国阵硬夺去霹州，对雪州虎视眈眈，现在又在槟州“起坛做法”，这些都非君子风度文明手法，应受到严厉谴责，以还马来西亚一个“正道”政治！
种种迹象显示，民联的对手正以种种手段，多管齐下进攻，来势汹汹，往布城之路势有明刀暗箭，风云突起，目的就是造成分裂，打垮民联，目前已打出“肛交案”、“窝里反”和反马來人的“种族情绪”狠招，民联需沉着应战，见招拆招。才成形不到两年的两线制若果真崩裂，又回到巫统一党独大的霸权时代，那对国家和人民肯定有弊无利，所以，看官，现在发生的政治事肯定对你及你的下一代的生活有影响，请多关心！
Below are my response to Deborah Loh’s questions in the Nut Graph MP Watch: Eye on Parliament project.
The original post can be found here: http://thenutgraph.com/mp-watch-chong-eng
——————–
BUKIT Mertajam Member of Parliament (MP) Chong Eng’s response to the MP Watch: Eye on Parliament project, which asks all 222 MPs six questions.
Chong Eng
(source: parlimen.gov.my)
Name: Chong Eng
Constituency: Bukit Mertajam
Party: DAP (Opposition)
Years as MP: Since 1999
Government position: None
Party position:
Wanita DAP chief
Membership in parliamentary committees or caucus:
Women’s Parliamentary Caucus deputy head member
Standing Order Committee member
Blog/Website: http://chongeng.org/
Would you support the abolition/review of the Internal Security Act (ISA), in particular the provision that allows for detention without trial? Why or why not?
As a peace-loving and law-abiding citizen of Malaysia, I fully support the abolition of the draconian ISA. We say it is draconian because the principle of justice presumes a person innocent until proven otherwise; but [it is] not so with the so-called pre-emptive ISA where a person can be detained without trial.
The ISA also disregards the rule of law and the judiciary by placing the power of prosecution in the hands of the police and a politically-appointed minister. The home minister has the power to order for a person to be detained without trial for up to two years. It is no surprise then that ISA has been abused to persecute and weaken political opposition.
Malaysia has sufficient laws to prosecute criminal and civil offenses, so there is no reason why the outdated ISA should not be totally abolished.
Do you think Malaysia should be a secular or an Islamic state? Why?
I think this is a western political categorisation which is unnecessarily forced on Malaysia. If by a secular state we mean that the government or the country is atheist and has no respect for religion, then obviously we are not a secular state and we can never be one.
Article 3 of our Federal Constitution accords the religion of Islam as the religion of the federation, while Article 11 provides for the freedom to profess other religions. The first principle of our Rukun Negara states a belief in God. Religion is therefore in-built in Malaysia. We have had no problem with this all this while.
Our problem begins when overzealous politicians manipulate religion to further their political interest. We have seen how, [for example], Umno tries to portray themselves as the defender of the Islamic faith against self-created invisible enemies. They want to scare everyone into toeing the line.
While we cannot deny our society’s religious nature, we must not allow a monopoly of a single religion to the point that other beliefs are oppressed. We also cannot subject non-adherents to religious laws, which is why the nature of our constitution is neutral, rather than secular.
How do you define your role as an elected MP? Does Parliament provide you with the necessary infrastructure and support to fulfill your role?
As a Member of Parliament, I represent the wishes of the people in my constituency in the Dewan Rakyat. We are, so to say, proxy rulers and administrators, that is, we make decisions on this country’s direction on behalf of all citizens of Malaysia.
Which is why it is important that we must take into consideration not only voters, but also those who are not yet voters and also those who cannot vote, including future generations. It is a heavy responsibility, almost sacred, but sadly, some people see an elected office as an opportunity to enrich themselves.
My colleague in Parliament, and party comrade, Liew Chin Tong, said in his bookSpeaking for the Reformasi Generation that the primary task of Malaysian MPs is [assumed] to be [about] attending social functions rather than to discuss and debate in Parliament, because while we are given transport allowance, we are not given allowance for research staff.
Let’s not talk about the western world. We can take the examples of our Southeast Asian neighbours. The Cambodian Parliament allocates an office and one assistant to each MP, while our Thai counterparts are given five assistants. MPs in Singapore are also given allowance to hire secretarial and legislative assistants.
If we are aiming to be a first world Parliament, then the quality of our debate must be improved. MPs must be given adequate research facilities because our country’s fate lies in the results of parliamentary decisions.
Would you support a Freedom of Information Act? Why or why not?
I fully support a FOI Act because I believe it will promote accountability and combat the rampant abuse of power and corruption within the government. A government of the people should not be afraid to divulge information about its operations to its people.
We can understand if it is sensitive information about homeland security. But other than that, the people should have the right to access information such as details of budget, contracts awarded to private companies, government departments’ operations and cabinet decisions on these matters.
If there was one thing you could do to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Malaysia, what would it be?
Refer below.
Do you believe in separation of powers between the government, Parliament and judiciary? Why or why not?
The purpose of the separation of powers is to reverse the old system of autocratic rule by a dictator, whether a king or an elected ruler. The saying, “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely” applies in this case. When power is concentrated in the hands of a single person or a single political party, corruption ensues.
There is a need for check-and-balance of power. In this aspect, it is sad that the Malaysian Parliament is not playing its role as an independent ombuds[person] of the executive. Rather, it is now seen to be the executive’s rubber stamp. The same can almost be said of our judiciary. When this happens, the people will be denied of both justice and good governance.
To answer Question 5, it is vital that we restore the independence of the three branches of government — the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. Only then can Malaysia move forward with a more accountable, competent, just and transparent government. 
Last Thursday, I went to visit the morning exercise groups at Taman Sri Rambai, Phase 3 field. When I arrived at about 8am, there were three groups of them doing their daily exercise routines at different spots on the field. The Tai Chi group which started very early had just finished and I managed to catch up with members who were already going back home.
The first group was about 20 ladies doing the ”3-2-1″ pressure point exercise led by Madam Yeoh. The exercise is believed to improve blood circulation and general health. Then there was a group of line dancers, male and female led by a young man, Mr. Yeoh (unrelated to Mdm Yeoh above). Looks like the Yeohs are very active in these sort of community exercises. The third group was playing basketball at the court. There were about 20 of them as well, mostly retirees. But their basketball matches were no less exciting.
I managed to join in the 3-2-1 and the basketball game. Score a point! I used to play basketball when I was in the varsity, but not anymore now. Though I think I can still strike a pose, if not score a goal.
Community exercises like these are very good not only in the sense that elderly persons or those who take part are leading an active sporting lifestyle, but also these groups are excellent for networking and friendship. Many people, especially after retirement found themselves at lost not knowing how to manage their time since they now have alot of time on hand. That’s the irony of life. Some will just stay at home and may even develop bitter relationships with family members because of the pent up frustrations of adapting change from working life to non-working life and from being financially-independent to financially-dependent. Participating in community activities therefore help to fill up a persons’ time meaningfully, especially when the retiree can share her years of working experience by contributing through social groups. Making new friends and strengthening old ones helps a person to fulfill a natural and crucial psychological need for relationship.
Here are some photos from my visits to Sri Rambai:
With the “3-2-1″ ladies
I wonder if any veteran team in the Country wants to recruit me?
Bukit Mertajam | 010210
The recent press statement by UMNO Perak senior executive councillor Hamidah Osman that women cannot be a Menteri Besar represents a thinking of the chauvinistic past.
I would like to encourage Hamidah Osman to take the step forward and in fact have more confident in herself and other women leaders to strive up to the highest level in every arena which we are involved.
What we want is the best person to lead the State or the Country. If the best person is a woman, I do not see any reason why she should not be appointed to be a Chief Minister or a Menteri Besar or even a Prime Minister.
In Malaysia, the head of government is appointed by majority support. The party which win the most seats in Parliament or State Assemblies will form the government, and the head of the winning party is usually appointed the head of the government. The head of party is in turn appointed by majority votes in party election. The spirit of democracy prevailed, no matter how imperfectly, at various levels of Malaysian politics.
Therefore, when a woman leader is able to garner popular support, there is no reason why she should not be allowed to take up the role of MB or PM. There is no reason why after decades and centuries of effort in gender mainstreaming, we still think that women are incapable of becoming top leaders.
Women can and have proven to be able to perform our duties professionally. Women in Malaysia and elsewhere have taken up the roles of leading organizations, corporations and even governments. Women such as Benazir Bhutto, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Corazon Aquino, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Soong Ching Ling and Pratibha Patil have been heads of Governments in Asia.
Hamidah should not be afraid to take the lead even at the highest level because she was also given the mandate by the people as a state assemblyperson of Sungai Rapat. We will be very happy to see another glass ceiling smashed broken by a fellow female politician, even from the other side of political divide. The Federal Government, especially the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development led by Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, UMNO’s Women Chief, has been talking about gender mainstreaming and achieving CEDAW’s 30%. This should give all women in Malaysia, including Hamidah, the confidence and the platform to face the challenges of traditional glass ceilings and achieve their highest potential, in consistent with our National Women Policy:
“to ensure an equitable sharing in the acquisition of resources, information, opportunities and benefits of development for men and women. The objectives of equality and justice must be made the essence of development policies which must be people oriented so the women, who constitute half the nations population, can contribute and realize their potentials to the optimum.”
Chong Eng
Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam
DAP Wanita Chief
h/p: 012-4286629
Dear Readers and Friends,
Parliament will begin session on March 15th. As usual, send me your questions if you want to raise them in Parliament. I will try my best to submit questions sent to me, but understand that there’s limitation in terms of numbers of questions, so I will have to be selective.
For the context, I am planning to raise questions on healthcare and education.
I appreciate if questions can come to my office by 8th February the latest. Kindly send the questions to my assistant Steven Sim: scheekeong@gmail.com
Press statement by YB Chong Eng
Bukit Mertajam | 010210
The recent criticism of certain state PKR leaders towards Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was more political than substantial. It has malicious elements pointing to the possibility of coup against the elected Pakatan Rakyat State Government, just like what happened in Perak and what we are seeing in Selangor.
This is a sign that Pakatan Rakyat has matured and is beginning to be felt as a threat more and more for our opponents.
In the past two years of Pakatan Rakyat-rule in Penang, many reforms have been initiated which benefits the people as a whole. Allegations that the Malays community have been marginalized were totally unfounded and the people of Penang, including the Malay community can see for themselves Pakatan Rakyat’s commitment towards eradicating poverty and socializing the economy of the State for the benefits of all, regardless of race, religion and gender.
It has been pointed out more than once that when PR took over the State administration, annual financial allocations from the State were given out for the first time to religious schools and the salary of religious teachers were increased. The State Government has also been spearheading the project of turning Penang into an international halal hub, thus not only strengthening the value of our products and services and increases income, but also put Penang on the map of the Islamic world.
When the critics could not fault the State Government for abuse and mismanagement, they turned to personal attack on the Chief Minister himself. Some kept harping on the fact that Lim Guan Eng is not a native Penangites and therefore should not lead the State. This is quite irrational given the fact that in a globalized world, organizations rope in capable people from around the world to lead them. We, In a democracy, we want the best person to lead us and Penangites have spoken in the 308 General Election that they wanted Pakatan Rakyat and Lim Guan Eng.
Critics including those from Barisan Nasional should be aware that there is no point politicking at this moment. Honour the mandate of the Rakyat and let democracy play out its due process. We must be able to present ourselves as the choice of the Rakyat not through illegitimate coup and other underhanded tactics, but rather through our performance in administrating the State and prospering the economy. Then we compete in a democratic election.
Given the fact that both Wanita PKR and AMK have come forward to criticized the malignant PKR leaders and expressed support for the CM and State Government, this is not a quarrel between Pakatan Rakyat component parties. This is an unfortunate rebellion by a few leaders who were still dancing to the tune of the old politics of race, threat and fear.
Chong Eng
Chairperson, Bkt Mertajam DAP Parliamentary Liaison Committee
Deputy Secretary-General, DAP National
Chairperson, DAP Wanita
木兰本色 31-1-2010
民主行动党秘书长林冠英在党大会上所发表的《中道马来西亚》引起了数个不同看法的回响，有正有负的意见，也有不正不负的分析性文章，也有以马来文在马来报发表的蓄意歪曲成“中华，华文沙文主义”的马来西亚。这就是言论自由的可贵，只要不煽动不诽谤，大家可发表自己的看法。当然，人家也从你的文章判断你的为人。
中道有儒家有佛学。大致上儒家说“中庸之道”，勿极端，用在保健就是七分饱，勿过饿也别太饱。佛家说不偏就是中。释家摩尼在修行初期，也跟随过苦行僧，不吃不喝不眠静坐，搞到身体虚弱，觉悟到没有体力不能长久修行精进，改走中庸，适量的吃喝睡觉，所以有惮师说：“饿了吃饭，睏了睡觉，倦了休息”也是修行。当然这是我个人对儒、佛两家的中道学说肤浅的认识，若有错误，是在下不才，非佛陀和孔子之中道有问题。
儒、佛有中道，政治有中道吗？弃政从商的丘光耀写过“第三条路”，也可称之中间的道路。政治思想主义可分左右，左代表社会主义，最左就是共产，右就是资本主义，不左不右即中间。行动党和很多东欧国家服赝社会民主主义，以中间偏左定位，在经济发展之同时也兼顾社会公正。必须再一次声明，我对这些政治主义理论的认识也是皮毛，这可是可撰写博士论文的议题。
行动党是政党，所提的中道自然是政治中道，这个“中”肯定不是代表中国或中华的“中”。在政治主义中行动党原本就“中间偏左”，所以如果林冠英在117所提的中道就是“中间偏左”的意思的话，那就毫无新意，他也应该毫无困难地明讲中道就是“中间偏左”的政治主义立场。他即没有这么做，就表示中道另有所指。
林冠英的选战策略顾问刘镇东国会议员在一、二个月前曾经发表过中间选民将决定下届大选战绩的言论。他指出，我国有100个国会选区在2008年大选的多数票是在总投票数的10%以下，他结论在这些选区，只要有10%的选民转移，就足以改变结果。他们支持哪个阵线，哪个阵线就做政府。这些不死忠于一个政党的选民，我们惯于称之为“流离选民”，镇东称他们为“中间选民”，因为他们不是以支持国阵或民联为投票依归，而是视个别政党、候选人和整个联盟的表现做为投票的准则。
所以“中道马来西亚”的中道新元素是指“中间选民”的投票行为，及这些选民对政治的要求。与此同时，在这现今政治乱象及官方宗教似乎有倾向极端的当儿，中道有中庸、协商、不对立、兼容的意味。道乃包罗万象，故有“道可道，非常道”之说，《中道马来西亚》亦是如此。
“马来西亚人的马来西亚”和“一个马来西亚”是以超越种族、区域与宗教的公民平等为目标。《中道马来西亚》是对政治行为的要求，中庸是一种态度、一种待人处世之道，政治的中道是从政者和政治领袖的问政态度，及处理政治管理国家之道。
中道若能推广，政治领袖都不极端，能兼容各族文化，不诉诸踏海报、恐吓、抹黑、离间、无间、卧底、收买、威迫利诱、霸权等手段，都以泱泱君子风度，以问政表现赢取支持，那就是理想的政治之道，人民的福气！
木兰本色 24-1-2010
在马来西亚我们叫people who use drug为吸毒者。吸毒者以前叫drug addict，后来在推广防范爱滋病教育时，改为叫drug user。从21至23日在曼谷举行的《预防与毒品有关的爱滋病传染》第二届亚洲咨询会议，发现最新的名词是people who use drug。这是进一步的去负面批判，drug也可以是药品，people who use drug也可以指服食糖尿病和高血压药物的人，他们也是依赖药物。
同样的，在与爱滋病有关的研讨会，以性换钱，不论男女，一律称之男、女性工作者，名称重要吗？重要，你称美国黑人Negro，可能招来怒目相视，正确的称呼是American African ；人家叫中国人为“支那伯”你一样不高兴。这是让你知道防范爱滋病工作者的用心，他们尽量使用不会带有负面影射的词语，以消减对用药物者和性工作者的歧视。
在曼谷的会议，people who use drug、性工作者、防范爱滋病工作者和国会议员齐聚一堂。主办当局的主要领袖包括曾进出牢狱的people who use drug，有约四成的出席者为people who use drug。有些是主讲者，有些代表国际组织出席，有些则是进行防范爱滋病工作者。在这个会议里，他们所扮演的角色与国会议员一样重要。
在很多亚洲国家，如马来西亚，染上爱滋病的最普遍途径是通过共用针筒。注射毒品者买不起针筒，又无法戒毒，为了避免他们共用针筒染上爱滋病，然后又通过性交把病毒传给太太或性伴侶，太太若怀孕则可能生下染有爱滋病毒的婴儿，主导全球防抗爱滋病传染的世界卫生组织和联合国等，因而主张harm reduction program“减少伤害”策略，即以新针筒换旧针筒及免费分派避孕套给people who inject drug。
马来西亚在2006年开始低调地在一些城市推行harm reduction program。在曼谷的会议里，大马因推行此项目而受赞扬。现在防抗爱滋病传染和提供经费的国际组织一致认为强制性地治疗吸毒者是没有经济效应的政策，因为他们受到强制性的戒毒后，仍然“重蹈覆辙”，等于浪费资源，所以他们主张自愿性的戒毒，即除非吸毒者同意，否则他应有其他选择，如harm reduction program，不应被送到戒毒所强制治疗。
他们的逻辑是：使用毒品者所带来的后遗症是一种病状，就如高血压或癌症一样，需要治疗，但是我们没有法律对高血压或癌症病人进行强制性的治疗，政府也没有经济能力强制治疗所有的高血压、糖尿病、肾病和癌症病人，那为什么政府要花钱强制戒毒呢？
强制戒毒除了浪费纳税人的钱外，还产生其他问题。吸毒者因害怕被强制戒毒，在生病的时候也不敢求医，更加不去检验是否染上爱滋病，到迫不得已求医时，已病入膏肓，有时则是已怀孕的太太被检验到已染上爱滋病才发现是受丈夫所传染。这样的情况，槟城也有多宗，但是因为很多人对爱滋病仍有偏见，受传染者都“有苦自己知”，不敢向人说。
此外，强制戒毒也令people who use drug常受警员骚扰和勒索。警方为了鉴定吸毒者常拉大队去扫荡检举验尿，消耗警力却不能减少罪案改善治安。所以，国际组织主张，使用毒品就如抽烟，是个人行为，无需劳动警方执法，可节省警力和资源，减少贪污。
吸毒者若犯罪，当然如其他人一样受法律制裁，他们若原意可接受治疗和戒毒，若不愿戒，则采用代替品如美沙铜。他们不会因为使用毒品而被逮捕，爱滋病教育将更容易传达，有助预防传染。从强制到自愿戒毒，这需要国会修改法律和政策，这就是国会议员受邀出席的原因。
Some photos from DAP National Conference, titled “Transformasi Malaysia”
Secretary General, Sdr. Lim Guan Eng delivering the Central Executive Committee report to a hall packed with delegates, observers and members of the media (Photo by Sdr. Ooi Leng Hang)
CEC leaders arm-in-arm (Photo by Sdr. Tan K W)
Had the famous Ipoh “Nga choi kai” (Bean Sprout Chicken) for dinner. Bumped into Sdr. Ronnie Liu and other Comrades from Selangor. (Photo by Sdr. Tan K W)
A Community Leadership Program By YB Chong Eng’s Service Centre
The Bukit Mertajam Community Learning Centre (BMCLC), a community project initiated by YB Chong Eng’s Service Centre to promote life-long education has recently completed one of its major programs. In August 2009, BMCLC in collaboration with EDS Asia-Pacific, a renowned regional education provider organized a six-month long leadership course, titled “Essential Management Skills for Leaders”. The cost of the program was sponsored by Epic Valley Sdn. Bhd.
The six-month course consisted of one full-day seminar every month from August 2009 to January 2010, introducing hot management topics, including “Creative Communication and Social Intelligence”, “Blue Ocean Strategies”, “Understanding KPI and KRA”, “Transformational Leadership”, “How to Build a Sustainable World Class Organization” and “Understanding the Future Today”. Each of these courses on their own would have cost the participants thousands of ringgits, but due to gracious sponsorships from , participants only have to pay RM60 per seminar covering the cost of breakfast, luncheon and seminar notes. Facilitators of the seminars are highly-sought after MBA and DBA lecturers from EDS Asia-Pacific. A total of 40 participants registered and completed the 6-month course which ended on the 10th January 2010.
Besides, CEOs and businesspersons, participants of the Essential Management Skills for Leaders include those who are active in local community organizations such as Rukun Tetangga, Residents’ Associations, clan’s associations, temple committees, youth organizations and women organizations. YB Chong Eng’s vision is to enable more community leaders to be trained in the latest management and leadership skills to increase effective leaderships especially among grassroot movements.
In line with the objectives of BMCLC to encourage continuous life-long learning and facilitate self-learning in the community, the BMCLC is in the process of planning more community-based learning programs at its centre in Kg. Baru Bukit Mertajam and also elsewhere in Penang. Some of the planned activities include, language lessons and movie screening and discussions, talks on various topics such as the economy, finance, good governance and gender equality.
YB Chong Eng and one of the lecturers, Prof. Dr. Arivalan
Some of the participants present at the certificate presentation ceremony
