'Towards Selangor's Sustainable Future' Conference

"International Conference on Urban Regeneration - Towards Selangor's Sustainable Future"; 30 Nov - 1 Dec 09

The 2-day Urban Regeneration Conference will be held at the Sunway Resort Hotel from 30 Nov - 1 Dec 09. A faculty of renowned international and local experts are slated to share their skills and knowledge on the concept and process of Urban Regeneration.

The conference will cater to about 400 participants made up of Residents' Association representatives, community-based organisations, local councillors, civil servants, professionals (planners, architects, surveyors, engineers), developers and politicians.

Conference Secretariat:
Malaysian Institute of Planners, B-01-02 Jln SS7/13B, Plaza Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03-7877 0636, Fax: 03-7877 9636, email: mip@mip.org.my, website: http://www.mip.org.my/

Enquiries may also be directed to REHDA Selangor (03 7806 4853) and RICS Asia (03-7955 3279).

PRESS RELEASE

11am, 6 Nov 09, Bilik MTES, SUK, Ground floor, Bangunan SSAAS, Shah Alam

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on URBAN REGENERATION
'Towards Selangor’s Sustainable Future'
30/11/09-1/12/09

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Good morning. Thank you very much for coming to today’s Press Conference on this very important 'International Conference on Urban Regeneration', themed ‘Towards Selangor’s Sustainable Future’.

This conference is very unique in at least several ways.

To begin with, it is about Urban Regeneration. Urban Regeneration, or Urban Renewal, is one of the 6 (six) Economic Stimulus Packages embarked on by the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat State government to boost the State’s economy. In a time of global economic downturn and challenges, the Selangor State government undertakes Urban Regeneration to achieve a) job creation, b) enhancing quality of lifestyles, better amenities and infrastructure, c) better management of the state’s assets, and d) more revenue for State and Local Governments.

The obvious question posed is why Urban Regeneration?

The majority of Selangor’s population live in cities and town, many of which are aging. Many of these aging town centres may need to be renewed in order to meet the higher expectancy needs of increasingly affluent residents. The transformation of these old urban areas is called Urban Regeneration. Successful and sustainable Urban Regeneration require a unique process that calls for input from various stakeholders at various levels and along various dimensions, i.e. a unique combination of design planning, socio-economic considerations, community and political inputs and design planning, construction and management activities. The key is effective partnerships both community, private sector and state institutions.

This conference is unique in that it starts at the beginning phase. At this early stage, we bring together in this conference all important stakeholders (the politicians, the state government, the local councillor, the civil servants, the private sectors such as the developers, surveyors and planners and most importantly the rakyat, the community, resident association and community-based organisations) to appreciate, discuss and understand Urban Regeneration. The Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government views this conference as an initial part of the overall process. We want to facilitate dialogue and understanding as every stakeholder is important in the Selangor economy.

The conference is unique in that the participants are divided and grouped around discussion tables of about 10 – 12 persons per table. Active discussion is encouraged after the paper presentations to enable feedback and generate maximal discussion.

This conference is unique in that its organisation involves a cooperative effort from both the State (public) and private sectors. The latter must be commended and acknowledged here – MIP, REHDA and RICS.

We take great pains to invite excellent speakers (experts in their own field), both overseas and local, to ensure that the concept of Urban Regeneration is fully appreciated and its potential fully grasped. To this the Selangor State provides funding to allocate at least 30% of registrants to community groups and CBOs. Members of the press media are strongly encouraged to attend the full conference not only to appreciate the processes of Urban Regeneration but also to interact with the stakeholders and participate in the ongoing discussions.

We are very grateful for the enthusiastic presence and involvement of our Chief Minister YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Khalid Ibrahim.

We appeal and look forward to the participation and financial support from developers, planners, architects, surveyors, builders, politicians, local councillors, resident groups, etc. We thank them in advance.

YB Dr Cheah Wing Yin / YB Haniza Mohamed Talha
Organising Commitee Chairpersons
International Conference on Urban Regeneration

YB Ronnie Liu

Selangor EXCO (Local Government, Research & Development)

29 Oct - 5 Nov 09

5 Nov 09 - Drawing lots for their stalls at the new Taman Megah Market

The wet market hawkers congregated at the Balairaya Taman Megah to draw lots for their new stalls.
Francis, Yap and Andrew were present to help MBPJ conduct the draw to ensure transparency and fair play in the 'new system of doing things'.
Local councillor Darren Tiong and I were present as well.



4 Nov 09 - Meeting with Tamera (Taman Megah Residents' Association) and market hawkers

Francis , chairman of Tamera chairman, arranged this meeting for area local councillor Darren Tiong and me to meet the residents and hawkers.
The audience were briefed on my present work as ADUN and given an update on the status of the new Taman Megah market. We also discussed other oustanding local issues.
Darren reminded the hawkers present that lots will be drawn at 2pm the next day for the selection of their stalls at the new market site.



1 Nov 09, 8.30am - Hari Keluarga & Kesihatan Taman Impian Ehsan, DUN Balakong

I gladly agreed to Exco YB Dr Xavier Jayakumar's request to represent him at this event, as a sudden and unavoidable scheduling had prevented his attendance. This was at Balakong, an area that I rarely chance to visit.

With Balakong Adun, YB Yap Lum Chin; local councillor, Tuan Hj Razali; Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pendudok Taman Impian Ehsan, Encik Abdul Shafie (with cap)

The crowd numbered about 400 people

The event was well-organised, with participation (and exhibitions) from the Polis Diraja Malaysia, Agensi Anti-Dadah Kebangsaan, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM).

PPUM conducted free blood pressure and glucose checks, as well as a Blood Donation Drive.

I had to join a long queue to donate blood.

30 October 2009, 8.30pm - Malam Anugerah Kejiranan Terbaik & Penghargaan Pemimpin Masyarakat Berjasa

The annual awards for 'Best Neighbourhood & Community Leadership' was suitably graced by Menteri Besar YAB Tan Sri Dato' Khalid Ibrahim and Puan Sri, and Mayor Dato' Hj. Mohamad Roslan Sakiman.

Awards for best neighbourhood in MBPJ went to DJROA (1st) and RT SS20 (2nd), both of which are part of the Damansara Utama DUN.

Seen here are the Menteri Besar, MBPJ Mayor, Yew (DJROA President), Eileen (RT SS20) and other prize recepients

The MB witnessed the receipt of the MS ISO 9001 : 2008 by the Mayor of PJ. YB Ronnie Liu was also present at this happy occasion

I felt at home among the well-represented Damansara Utama crowd, from the RAs and RTs

29 Oct 09, 7.45pm - Fire at No. 4 and 6, Jln SS26/13, Taman Mayang Jaya

A DUST member alerted me about a fire in the Light Industrial Estate at Taman Mayang Jaya. When I arrived at the scene, the Bomba was already efficiently putting out the blaze.
As the place was rented out to car-spray painters, owner Chua suggested that some thinner might have caught fire.
Fortunately, the fire was quickly contained and no one was injured.

29 Oct 09, 8.45pm - Funeral of the late father of Kg Damansara Dalam JKKK member Wong

I attended the funeral to lend support to Wong Yew Kong and his family.

"Worried about Selangor"

I thought I would reproduce on my blog this correspondence of August 09 , as the issues are still pertinent today.

On 10 August 09, Sdr Lim Kit Siang forwarded to all DAP leaders a comment that he received in response to his blog post "Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government facing a life-and-death threat with a high-powered Umno-BN conspiracy to topple it at all costs and restore Umno-BN rule in Selangor as in Perak six months ago"

#41 by john wong on August 10th, 2009 21:53

I am very concerned as businessmen friends in Selangor who have voted DAP all their life now say they will not vote for PR anymore.

This is because their dealings with the Selangor EXCO have left them extremely angry and frustrated. The EXCO regard them with suspicion, as though businessmen are all out to rape and plunder and cheat the people.

EXCO members are not familiar with the issues at hand and yet will not seek advise/input from others (for e.g. staff/ civil servants who are familiar with the issues). There is no harm in asking for opinions to get a better idea of issues. You do not have to listen 100% to what others say… you digest information and then form your own opinions.

Instead, EXCO members either do not act at all on the matter at hand (no decisions> are made) or else they make populist decisions without regard for the concerns of the business community.

EXCO must stop thinking as though they are still members of the Opposition trying to get the popular vote.They are running a State and there has to be a regard for all parties in the State.

The State Exco has to stop regarding Business as enemies of the people. The people need Business and Industry and vice versa.

I write this as a person who is extremely disturbed by the increasing voices I hear, declaring they will no longer vote for PR. State EXCO please do something to save the situation or our struggles to get this far will come to nought.


I emailed my views to several colleagues on 12 August 2009.

Re: Some of my thoughts of PR/DAP Selangor & worries/concerns over Selangor

There is certainly the "need to be worried" matter in Selangor. One quote going around from some prominent businessmen is that "It took BN 50 yrs to become so arrogant, but it took PR only 1 (one) year to be just as arrogant".

Nowhere is that business sentiment more acutely felt than amongst some housing developers.
The aetiology is of course multifactorial. Many unscrupulous and other less-than-straight developers had ridden on the past (less transparent) governmentt to execute projects that left much bitter aftertaste/heartaches amongst unconsulted residents in a forced topdown approach.

Unfortunately in yesteryears (and even recently) REHDA had not come down hard on these recalitrants, thus much of society had tarred all and sundry developers in the same manner.

After March 2008, the pendulum has swung to the other extreme end, made more evident/entrenched when many politicians (largely from PR) oversold/overbought excessive and simplistic ideas of 'fixing-up the developers' and 'being-with-the-people'.

Some end up losing the capability to size-up/tease-out the secret personal agendas of 'certain rakyat citizens', lose their objectvity and easily slide into and maintain the same opposition mentality of protest, championing the "cause of the 'rakyat'".

In Selangor, some join the ranks of protests against the state govt. These populist politicians are easily egged on by a few self-serving residents, the latter being only too pleased to titillate these populist-politicians.

The Selangor PR is thus moulded by these events/forces. I dare say 2 (two) camps exist, the 'pro-rakyat/pro-citizen' vs the 'pro-business/pro-developer'. Magnified by a revulsion to 52 yrs of authoritarian abuse/pendulum-swing/greenie resurgence, no marks to your guess in who the dominant influence is!

In DAP, we (or rather many) are under the literal influence of the word "socialism" which oftentimes bespelled them to an exaggerated stance. This oversimplified erroneous state (rakyat vs business/developer) negated and undermined the roles of the 'genuine citizenry' and the 'fairly-honest/ethical deveopers' and let-off the scruples of federalism/corrupt-politicians/crooked-parasitic-developers.

A distracting tai-chi thus effectively allowed the bad guys off scot free, as the good resident groups now pit themselves against the developer/business> community! Poor Tan Sri Khalid, God help him.

The dynamic outcome of the summation of these two forces appears to determine the direction of policy-setting and influence development (or its lack) as well as its type in Selangor. So when the "rakyat" forces prevailed, we see a proliferation of socialist-like policies/programmes, e.g. Usia Emas, Tawas, Beras/gula handouts, etc.

But money do not grow on trees. It runs out pretty fast. Soon we may agihkan kemiskinan. The economy is slowing. The pasar-malam (relatively recession-proof industry) hawkers are lamenting on business-drops of up to 50%.

Bitter reality is harshly sinking in. Pro-development policies and programmes must emerge. The actual implementation of the economic packages is mandatory to stimulate economic activity and just as importantly to give hope to the rakyat and generate an image of doer-mentality (after a March announcement, a 6 month time-gap of little action is deafeningly embarassing).

The only recourse is for PR to proclaim a "pro-development/pro-business BUT transparent" approach.

PR must facilitate economic activity with transparency and accountability as its fundamental underpining. The focus must be to encourage investors, not to throw a wet blanket at them.

Our priority must be to the man in the street (small-time businessmen, employee such as clerks/technicians, Form 5 to college graduates), who needs jobs and job-stability. Only economic activity can give them a chance. They have little savings reserve, unlike more established older persons.

More so in these trying times, all Aduns/MPs must make it their job to try to create/maintain jobs and get developers to interface with residents. But the traffic-clogged roads became anathema to development!

How about the "moratorium to development" proposal? Such an approach not only is not useful but spells disaster. Simply because there can be no moratorium to new people (numbering in the thousands) entering the job market, each with their own dreams.

And their parents' hopes behind their securing a job, etc. This is reality. And how long can we delay their entry into the job marketplace. Can we?

Can PR pay for creative delaying ways? The above largely account for the lack of 'development' direction in PR/DAP wakil rakyats, and the lack of 'development' support afforded to Tan Sri Khalid.

The sluggish economic pace is slowly and surely becoming evident. This will soon haunt us and the Rakyat will then punish us for inept management of the state. Businesses will also decry on our talk-no-action approaches, our report cards showing only donations-of-small goodies but grossly lacking in major matters. Najib will then smell like a rose.

PR/DAP must wake up. The process of governance is no popular task. The bullet must be bitten. Painful unpopular decisions must be made, sometimes 'offending' local residents for the benefit of the larger community. History will be with us if we act transparently and honestly. The rakyat(local) will eventually respect us and support us, though there will be initial protests and revulsions.

Remember the stakeholders include businesses, the larger community, and Tuanku (who wants Selangor to be a developed state). But please do expect a reduced electorate majority the next time (election) around!

Your MB (Khalid) needs your genuine support to make painful decisions of governance. It is not good if two-thirds of his time end up in fire-fighting. Time must be vested to facilitating economic growth. Aduns must help him (the MB) out.

This tension (rakyat vs businesses, with politicians leaning to either) is compounded by internal/factional local intraparty/interparty politics. Thus in one kawasan, unnecessary resources were wasted to parry factional political interferences.

I assure you BN/MCA were chortling away at the circus. The kawasan citizenry suffered. Alas, how often decisions were made in the name of the 'party', when factional interests was the order of the day.

Such 'party decisions' stifle authentic growth as it only pandered to factional 'growth', solidifying vested interests. The PBT (local councils) should have been excellent avenues for wakil rakyats to deputise able and mature people to administer and monitor the Councils. Alas it had become the ground to dole out political favours and expand factional interests.

Quality is thus compromised for political (factional) loyalty. Poor quality councillors are of no match for entrenched, inept pengarahs and YDPs. Here again is another circus, as energy was spent on politicking instead on proper council decision-making activities.

Be aware that this MACC-Aduns investigations may well throw many off the more urgent tasks of governance (providing service to kawasan, administering the Selangor State, etc) and instead get them unproductively entangled with endless press conferences to parry consecutive wild accusations churned out by unfriendly press.

Aduns need to be focussed on the real issues. It is time to be pragmatic, but to do so transparently and accountably. That is our STRENGTH and our ace. I hope this wordy piece is useful.

Dr Cheah (Adun Damansara Utama), 12 August 2009

The reply from Senator Tunku Aziz follows.

Dear Dr. Cheah,

You are right. There are developers and developers, and from my perspective, property development, everywhere, is prone to corruptpractices. Many who enjoyed a free run under a corrupt BN state administration now find themselve having to comply with rules that in the past were more honoured in the breach than the observance.

I should not worry too much about some developers of questionable credentials witdrawing their support. We want people to support us because they believe they can trust us to do the right thing for the people of this country, not only the rakyat who are in need of help, but those in businesses that create jobs - law-abiding developers included.

A point about our perceived preoccupation with socialism. How many in this country know the meaning and essence of this long dead ideology, and even if they know, do they really care? This and other ideological labels of a bygone age came down with the Berlin Wall. We should put our total commitment and emphasis on helping the poor of all races in a sustainable way, not by the simple expedient of throwing money at them. This is tantamount to throwing good money after bad.

The Penang model is fine as far as it goes, but to me it smacks toomuch of a quickee response to a technical definition of "hard core poverty." Yes, we get a few brownie points, but how sustainable is this process. It has heavy socialist overtones. While we must never forget our roots, some of these are no longer capable of supporting and sustaining a mature tree that DAP is today.

We, most of us have the classic socialist leanings carried over from our university days, but socialism, communism or Islam for that matter is a personal choice, and we do not need to wear it on our sleeves. To me the most important fundamental teaching of socialism, communism or Islam or any religion is protecting the weak. Translated into today's language, it simply means poverty alleviation.

We talk about Najib and his baggage. We too have ours - an inability to come to terms with the needs of the present. What we need to do quickly is to set up small groups of people, not necessarily all party members who are keen on our continuing to govern, to debate social, political, economic, police and public order. and other governance issues and use the outcomes as a basis for our policies for governing not only Selangor or Penang but Malaysia. We have to assure all concerned that we are business friendly but not at the expense of national integrity andsocial justice.

You are right about how easily we are being diverted to defending ourselves/actions. Let us have fewer press conferences and more action on the ground. Only those designated to speak for the party should do so. People are confused.

Tunku

Flushing the Political Toxins from PAS

Flushing The Political Toxins From PAS by DyDx, 26 October 2009

In last week’s Saturday and Sunday’s Star Newspaper it was reported that the spiritual leader of PAS Tok Guru Nik Aziz wants an EGM to allow the Party to decide whether it wants to return its President Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and its top leaders especially those who want to collaborate with UMNO.

The Tok Guru named those PAS leaders who are causing disunity and discomfort in the Party with their unfulfilled plan to form a “unity government’ with UMNO, and wants them removed at the EGM .

The ‘unity government’ mooted by the Hadi Awang Group (HA Group) is premised on the need for ‘Malay political unity’.

The ‘Malay political unity’ proposal put forward by UMNO to PAS is nothing more than a ploy to inflict severe damage to PAS irrespective of whether PAS would ultimately accept or reject this proposal.

With PAS accepting the proposal, one can expect these ramifications to unfold logically:

(i) by satisfying the “power needs” of a few PAS leaders, UMNO can immediately turn PAS from a ‘Rakyat- friendly & benevolent’ party to an ‘UMNO-centric & evil’ party,
(ii) with an ‘UMNO-centric’ PAS, PR will die prematurely, and the forthcoming GE will be a walkover for the expanded BN with PAS as a new component party,
(iii) de-stabilization of the PR States of Selangor and Kedah, with the ‘Perak’ history being repeated in these 2 states before the next GE.

UMNO’s strategy to topple the PR States of Selangor and Kedah is a simple and straight-forward 3-prong approach:

(a) get the UMNO-PAS ‘unity alliance’ finalized,
(b) harassment and persecution of DAP Representatives with unrelenting investigations into alleged corrupt practices, and
(c) enticing the cross-over of PKR Representatives with monetary rewards.

Now we can see that the UMNO-PAS unity ploy is just one prong of its overall strategy to de-stabilize PR-controlled States in the short run, and to prevent PR from developing into a formidable Opposition in the next GE.

The delay in getting the UMNO-PAS unity ploy to materialize had resulted in UMNO pushing ahead its second prong which resulted in the unfortunate and tragic death of Teoh Beng Hock.

The Exco Member Ronnie Liu, besides having to battle with the Police in court on a charge of ‘obstruction’, has also to suffer the agony of MACC investigations into the disbursement of funds to the various constituencies under his responsibility.

The other Exco, Ean Yong, the boss of Teoh Beng Hock, has also been beset with troubles. One thing is for sure more DAP Reps would be invited to MACC’s party. As to whether they would end up as a happy ‘Hee Yit Fong’ or a beleaguered Ean Yong would depend on what the Buddhists called “karma”, or how UMNO would see that person fitting into its overall scheme of things.

Enticing the PKR Reps to cross-over is the least problematic: some say that UMNO only needs to get one of its corporate supporter to write out the check.

Coming back to PAS, even if it finally rejects the “Malay unity” proposal put forward by UMNO, the damage to PAS has already been done. Just by considering this UMNO proposal alone, PAS has made two big blunders:

(1) it has damaged its carefully nurtured image of an all-caring, and morally righteous party that is against racially-divisive policies,
(2) that it is displaying a lower level of political maturity than what the Rakyat perceives it to be.

Prior to and just after the last GE in Mar 2008 numerous “Friends of PAS” clubs were formed by non-Malays to build political support for PAS and to help to project PAS as the Opposition counterpart of UMNO.

The sudden emergence of the UMNO-PAS unity talk snuffed out the “Friends of PAS” club expansion program. Besides losing momentum in expanding political support within the Chinese and Indian communities , it has now changed their perception of PAS from that of a God-fearing party to an evil-hugging party like UMNO.

The UMNO-PAS unity issue has raised grave doubts on the level of political maturity and clarity of thoughts at the top PAS leadership.

One seeks unity, especially with an adversary, for two basic reasons:
(1) to repel or thwart a foreseen threat affecting both parties,
(2) to eliminate the threat from your erstwhile enemy by turning him into a friend through some form of alliance.

The first reason does not hold as neither UMNO nor PAS are facing ‘threats’ from non-Malay political parties. With the exception of DAP, all other non-Malay political parties are either under BN or supports BN. PKR despite its multi-racial texture is in reality a mini UMNO in soul, spirit and body.

So where is the ‘threat’ to UMNO or PAS?

UMNO sees PAS as the major threat. The unity talk is just a ploy to eliminate the PAS threat immediately and to make certain that PR will die a fetal death before the next GE.

Democracy in our country can develop in the right direction, if and only if, PAS eyes UMNO eyeball-to-eyeball in the contest for political supremacy in winning the Rakyat’s support.

Without PAS to spearhead the Opposition, we will continue to live in UMNO darkness. Hadi Awang’s Group is well aware of this but chose to take the expedient step of realizing political power now by allying with UMNO rather than taking the long haul of displacing UMNO by struggling alongside with the Rakyat.

Tok Guru is very bold in calling for the EGM and to openly advocate the removal of HA Group who still harbors the unfulfilled agenda of a “UMNO-PAS” unity. Having read accurately the political situation in the country and the critical role of PAS in bringing about real and beneficial changes to the country, he probably sees the HA Group as ‘toxins’ which is politically dysfunctional for PAS, but will be “steroid boosters” for UMNO as long as the group remain in PAS.

We hope Tok Guru’s call for the EGM would succeed in flushing the HA Group from PAS and keep the overall political health of the country from degenerating further.

18 - 25th October 2009

25 October 2009

8pm; Fund Raising Concert for SRJK(C) Puay Chai, PJ

SRJK Puay Chai, which epitomises many Chinese primary schools, held a concert to raise funds for education. The event was held in the Hall of the Kolej Bandar Utama, PJ.

This effort was generously supported by Nanyang Siang Pau, Carlsberg and other corporations. A total of RM110,000 was raised.

YB Senator Tan Sri Koh Tsu Khoon and octogenarian Tan Sri Teoh graced the evening. MP Tony Pua and I also attended the function.

A section of the audience as seen from the stage

Guest of honour

11am; Public Forum at the Legend Hotel

The Addiction Medicine Association of Malaysia (AMAM) held a successful 6th National Conference on Addiction Medicine.

It was an opportune time to have a parallel public forum titled "Is your child on drugs?"

I was invited to chair the expert panel comprising Dr Sangeetha Kaur (National Anti-Drugs Agency AADK), Alex Ng Wei Siong (clinical psychologist, Subang Jaya Medical Centre) and Chris Sekar (Addiction Therapist, Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre).

The drug scene in the country today is that of mixed drug use. A study of teenage 'rempits' revealed usage of cigarettes (71%), alcohol (42%), ganja (32%), etc.

24 October 2009

8.30pm; Deepavali Festival celebration at Dataran PJ

The Selangor State Government held a most successful Deepavali do at the grounds of Dataran PJ.

A segment of the massive crowd, estimated at 12,000

With Tan Sri Dato' Khalid and YB Dr Xavier Jayakumar

24 October 2009

2pm; Family Day- Damansara Utama Residents Association, Zone A

Amanjit Singh, DU Zone A residents' association chairman and his committee invited DUST and me to their Family Day.

Also present were Andrew (security subcommitte head), Rajes (DUROA chairman) and Nordin Mansor (past DUROA chairman).

I was given the privilege of launching the CCTV programme, which is the 3rd phase of the security programme. The afternoon was well-participated by about 300 residents.

23 October 2009

11.30am; SJK(C) Yuk Chai, Taman Megah, Petaling Jaya

I represented the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government to present a bank cheque of RM 2,500 and new books worth RM2,500 to the school library, along with a supply of face masks.

PIBG chairman, Mr JS Lim, received the gifts for the school.

In the school canteen with PIBG chairman Mr Lim, DUST members and happy school kids flashing the new library books

18 October 2009

3pm; At YB Haniza's Open House at her Taman Medan service centre, Jln PJS 1/32

Seen here were DUST members with YB Haniza (and her husband in blue), and Captain (retired) Zahar of PAS PJS

9.30am; At the Buddhist Cempaka Lodge Blood Donation Drive

With organising Committee chairman Tan and two early donors

Democracy…….or…….DemoCrazy ???

Democracy…….or…….DemoCrazy ??? by DyDx, 18-10-2009

My cursory observation of recent political events makes me wonder whether “democracy” is a one-word terminology for the political system we are practising now, or is it “demo..crazy” a two-word expression which aptly describes the state of “ craziness” that pervades the whole political environment.

I casually shared this observation with a friend who responded satirically, “We do not suffer from ‘political craziness’, we enjoy every minute of it. We are beginning to take circus clowns more seriously than politicians.”

Recent events seem to reinforce not only this perception but actually breathing life into this state of ‘political craziness’:

1. If an election were to be held to elect an “Icon of Money Politics”, Isa Samad would win hands down. BN/UMNO in nominating him as candidate in the recently-held by-election in Bagan Pinang, a move strongly criticized and condemned by UMNO veterans no other than Tun Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh, must have acted ‘super-shrewdly’ or just plain ‘crazy’.

The fact that the ‘Icon’ won with a landslide proved that

(a) BN/UMNO under Najib’s leadership is very focused in winning election battles and is prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve them and rebuild the political fortunes of BN/UMNO
(b) the feelings of endearment of the constituents for the candidate completely overwhelmed universal values like, clean & honest, morally upright, ethical and civic-conscious, and placing Rakyat’s interests above self.

A political scientist analyzing the Bagan Pinang election results applying the usual political principles and tenets would ask: are the voters crazy? Of course they are not. They are at liberty to vote for anyone whom they think would contribute most to the development of the constituency.

Now we can see clearly the late Zakaria of Klang’s source of political power: endearment from UMNO grassroots in Klang. He was so powerful that Khir Toyo had to appease him by giving in to his numerous demands for favours.

Even the ex-PM Pak Lah had to honour him by attending his Hari Raya Open House. This endearment did not come from personal charisma or other personal attributes, but from long years of patronage and lording over the grassroots, cronyism and other loyalty-enhancement activities.

I am sure UMNO, through its ‘crazy’ move of putting up Isa for the by-election and being proven right by the Bagan Pinang constituents, must have gained new political insights to better counter PR in future by-elections, as well as preparing for the next General Election.

2. The recently concluded EGM of the MCA resulted in throwing out both its President and Deputy President.

The precedent of dismissing simultaneously both the President and Deputy President of a political party, to my knowledge, has never happened anywhere in the world, not even in the economically backward and politically primitive African continent.

It seems that the warring tribes, in the various African countries, are more adept than the MCA in selecting their leaders and making peace with their adversaries.

The tragic comedy of MCA is self-inflicted as shown by the series of misjudgments by the members, the elected leaders and their respective grass-root supporters and its Central Committee.

The first misjudgment was by the delegates about a year ago when they elected Ong Tee Keat and Chua Soi Lek as number 1 and 2, knowing fully well that they hate each other’s guts and impossible to have a ‘workable’ relationship between them. Ong Tee Keat, probably harbouring misgivings on CSL’s personal life and also seeing him as a threat, side-lined him to such an extent that CSL appears to be a political eunuch with zero responsibilities (in olden China the eunuchs have the honour of serving the Emperor and the privilege of sharing gossips with him).

In short, OTK is forcing the CSL ‘tiger to jump over the wall’. By instructing the Disciplinary Board to investigate CSL, which in my opinion is an unnecessary and demented decision, OTK is rubbing an explosive and excruciating mixture of chili powder, pepper and salt into CSL’s wound….his personal pride and the dignity of his family.

The end result, which is now history, led to the ‘explosive and excruciating’ EGM which resulted in the comical but tragic situation wherein MCA is practically leaderless while still embroiled in unfinished internal battles.

What was unsettling was the absence of “words of wisdom and advice” from community leaders in diffusing the OTK-CSL do-or-die showdown. Where were the ex-leaders of MCA, leaders of the various guilds and associations, chambers of commerce and industry?

To my knowledge only 5 relatively high-ranking ex-MCA leaders spoke up and offered advice, but sad to say, these advice were nothing more than showing support for OTK or CSL. It was obvious that Michael Chen, Ting Chew Peh and Fong Chan Onn were on the side of CSL, while Lee Kim Sai and Tan Tiong Hong were pro-OTK.

One would have expected these seasoned leaders to provide more objective and sound advice to the delegates in helping them to decide on the future of MCA ( and not that of OTK or CSL’s political career). They should have spelt out a list of criteria, which are relevant though not exhaustive or complete, in attempting to gauge the leadership qualities of the contenders:

(i) the guiding principles of MCA’s political mission,
(ii) the need to have a cordial and mutually trusting relationship with UMNO,
(iii) the strong cultural bonds with the guilds and associations, economic links with the chambers of commerce and industry which mutually reinforces each other’s interests,
(iv) track record and performance in their ministerial portfolio,
(v) level of acceptance by the Chinese community,….. and then be bold enough to give their well-considered opinion to the delegates.

It is obvious that MCA is totally detached from its ex-leaders, and does not have sufficiently strong bonds with the rest of the community, and if a leaderless MCA can still claim to represent the Chinese community, isn’t this crazy?

In today’s Star Newspaper, it was reported that OTK felt hurt “by the change in the people he considers his friends because of the ‘influence of political power’”. OTK has to be very naïve politically to think that his once-closed comrades would value the friendship between them more than their political ambition and power.

In any political organization the hierarchy of imperatives, although never written as a political ‘gospel’, is well understood and practiced by shrewd politicians:

(1) political power, focusing single-mindedly in achieving the coveted political position,
(2) competence, once you achieved the coveted position you form alliances with competent comrades who have strong grass-root support, are professionally competent and good at politicking,
(3) loyalty, those whose loyalty could be bought through some form of horse trading,
(4) friendship, those who can add value to your social life but may not stand by you in times of crisis, unless they see you as the undisputed winner.

OTK’s lamentations came about because his priorities were upside down. I pray that OTK, being surrounded by insurmountable problems, and for the sake of his family, could maintain his sanity and don’t go ‘crazy’.

3. Joining UMNO and MCA in their jog down the ‘crazy’ lane, is PKR, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, helmed by Anwar Ibrahim who is frequently touted as the future PM should PR be elected to power in the next GE.

Today’s Star reported on ‘cracks in PKR Sabah’ caused by the appointment of Azmin Ali, PKR Vice President, to the position of state liaison chief of Sabah. This event casts a long shadow over AI’s ability to lead the yet-to-be-registered PR coalition, and his political ambition as future PM.

I am surprised to see how politically myopic and strategically naïve AI was in his hurried march to Sabah. Having been a Cabinet Minister for so many years, he must be aware of the resentment of East Malaysians towards Federal Officers posted to be “taikos” in Sabah and Sarawak.

The decision to appoint Azmin to head Sabah is sad to say, laden with disrespect for the level of political maturity of the Sabahans and laced with the explicit arrogance of the Federal one-upmanship- over- East Malaysia mentality. Despite his competence, Azmin has become a ‘victim’ of this fiasco and probably landed up as a persona non grata in the Sabah political scene.

I am surprised that PKR and for that matter AI’s political IQ failed to pick up the cue from the recent Bagan Pinang by-election result which demonstrated unequivocally that “local sentiments overwhelms political logic and moral values”. PKR had foreseen the potential factional fight among the Sabahans for the coveted position of state liaison chief, and mistakenly thought that Azmin’s appointment would extinguish the factional battle.

Raja Petra’s mantra that politics is all about perception rings very true in this case. Azmin’s entry into Sabah before the factions could have the opportunity to throw mud at each other, is perceived to be an intrusion into Sabah as a ‘political colonial master’ from Peninsula to lord over them.

PKR should have waited and allow the factions to start the mud-slinging and then get invited by one of factions to intervene to resolve the dispute. Azmin would now be perceived as a ‘mediator’ and ‘saviour’ to bring some semblance of political order in the state.

With due respect to PKR, the consistent fumbles it made in addressing its internal party problems have cast doubts in the public’s mind as to its level of political maturity and strategic competence in resolving the myriad of problems facing the Rakyat.

From the perspective of the Rakyat, the political outlook is not bright: PR may be less of a evil compared to BN, its capability to deliver is in doubt.

Hopefully a higher level of political consciousness among the Rakyat, more intensive efforts by civil societies, and a more cohesive and effective Opposition that can exert pressure on BN to adopt more progressive programs, would move our society over to the ‘politically sane’ zone.

Bagan Pinang by-election, nomination day

3 October 2009, Saturday


The party faithful congregated in Port Dickson for the 'mother of by-elections'. Seen here are MPK councillor Tee Boon Hock (Pandamaran), DUST members and friends.


Pakatan Rakyat faces an uphill battle but we are undaunted.

The BN were located uphill. But PR roared them down.

Mid Autumn festivities

27 Sep 09, Sunday; Bukit Lanjan

Venue: Padang, Jln Kenanga 9/1, Bandar Sri Damansara

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xfEkg8h16w&feature=player_embedded

26 Sep 09, Saturday

This was a busy evening of festival activities.

First, we attended the Tang Long festival organised by the SS25A RT at 7.30pm.
The RT of SS25A, PJ under the Leadership of chairman Loh and his committee successfully gathered the residents to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Loke of the Kg Chempaka Temple Dragon Dance Troupe was on hand to get his youths to a great performance.

I took this opportunity to announce a PR government Adun grant of RM2,500 to encourage the committee to continue with their good work.

At SS25A

Then we darted to Taman Mayang Jaya where Liew and his Tmn Mayang RA had their Mid Autumn Festival celebration with the local residents.

After this, we moved on to Taman Megah Emas where we met Cynthia (local councillor) and were warmly welcomed by Goay and the local RA.

Shortly after this, we extended our apologies and proceeded on to Kochera Buddhist Centre, Sunway Mas Commercial Centre, to join a packed audience at their Tang Long Festival. The group soon adjourned to the nearby slope for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the stairway leading to the field. There were 2 stairways constructed using Adun allocation.

9 pm; A performance at the Kochera Buddhist Centre, Sunway Mas Commercial Centre, PJ

To cap a long night, I then bolted to my brother's place for my nephew's and niece's birthday celebrations. It was well past midnight when the events came to a close for the day!

25 Sep 09, Friday; Mid-Autumn Festival Charity Concert at Jaya 1 concert theatre, Section 13, PJ

This charity concert was organised by the PJ Selatan Pakatan Rakyat team - MP YB Hee Loy Sian, YB Haniza, YB Edward Lee, MBPJ councillor Tang - to benefit 3 organisations, namely Beautiful Gate, Agathian shelter and the PDK Tmn Kanagapura.

A donation of RM50,000 was given to the homes.

I attended the concert together with the DUST to give support to this worthwhile event.

The Mid-Autumn Festival would be incomplete without children and lanterns

Singer Yu De crooning oldies reminiscent of the yesteryears to a packed appreciative audience (largely senior citizens), backed by musicians (erhu, cello, drums, and synthesizer)

With YB Hee Loy Sian, YB Puan Haniza, and MBPJ councillor Tang outside the oncert theatre

Wishing all Muslims Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

Maaf Zahir Batin

Peace and happiness to all

With warmest wishes from,
Dr Cheah Wing Yin and family

Kenyataan Media Jenice Lee di Petaling Jaya pada Rabu, 17th September 2009:

Rumah Terbuka Nasional Hari Raya Aidilfitri DAP

Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) akan menganjurkan Rumah Terbuka Nasional sempena sambutan Aidilfitri pada 27hb September ini. Acara hari terbuka ini akan berlangsung dari jam 11.30 pagi hingga jam 2 petang di Dewan MPAJ Kg Cheras Baharu, Selangor.

Pemimpin-pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat seperti Setiausaha Agung DAP Lim Guan Eng, Ketua Umum Parti Keadilan Rakyat Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, dan Presiden PAS Dato' Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang akan turut menghadiri acara tersebut.
Pihak penganjur akan menyediakan pelbagai hidangan tradisional Melayu di samping mengadakan persembahan silat, nasyid dan kompang.
DAP menjemput semua warga Malaysia tanpa mengira kaum, agama dan pemikiran politik, untuk menghadiri Ruman Terbuka Aidilfitri ini.

Visit to Bestari Flats and Buka Puasa

12 September 2009; Visit to the Bestari Flats, Section 19, Petaling Jaya

I had a positive meeting with members of the Residents Committee, surau committee and several Pas members. They highlighted some local needs, foremost of which was the need to equip their Dewan, which lacked chairs, tables and a PA system. The surau also needed minor repairs and the smaller meeting room could do with a new air-conditioner.

The meeting was followed by a simple ceremony for the Pas youth from Bestari flats to present food parcels to the poorer residents.


We then had the privilege of joining in the 'buka puasa'. Those present included PJU MP Tony Pua, local councillor Hj Yusuf Ludin, local Resident Committee chairman Samad, surau representatives, Pas members and DUST member Thomas Goh.

Tony and me with the surau personnel

Kem Kesihatan and Blood Donation, Damansara Utama

September 13 09, Sunday; Kem Kesihatan and Blood Donation , Balairaya Damansara Utama SS21/12, PJ

My office, led by my able assistant Richard Yap, together with the DUST welfare team, organised a Kem Kesihatan in Damansara Utama last Sunday.

Several corporate organisations assisted by giving free medical and health tests (blood glucose, cholesterol -Forrest Medical centre), fitness check (body fat level-Fitness First), eye check(visual acuity, cataract screening - KL Eye Specialist Centre).

A team from Pantai Medical Centre Bangsar was on hand to conduct the blood donation.



A very big thank you to all who contributed to making this event a success!

19 September 2009; Lantern Festival, Kg Damansara Dalam New Village, Section 17A

The DUST office, with help from village JKKK, held a Pesta Tanglung at the Kg Damansara Dalam, to celebrate the mooncake festival. Guests include Speaker YB Teng Chang Khim, Exco YB Ronnie Liu, local councillors Robert Tan, Tang, Terence Tan, SK(c) Chung Hwa headmistress, PIBG head, School Board of Director Chew Wah, and friends from Dap Bukit Gasing.

Despite a persistent drizzle, some 450 villagers and kids came. Ronnie, myself and our wives belted out Teresa Teng's memorable hit "The Moon represents my heart". Everyone had a great time.

With Speaker YB Teng Chang Khim and councillor Robert Tan at the Lantern Festival

13 September 2009; 20th anniversary Dinner of the PJ Coffee-shop, Bar and Restaurant Association, SRJK(C) Sungai Way

The business community of this association held their 29th year bash. Guests include Tun Ling Liong Sik, Dato Donald Lim, Dato CK Lim, and Dato Wong Sai Hou. Together with me were Tony Pua, Lau Weng San, Edward Lee, Hee Loy Sian, and Loh Gwo-Byrne.

A blurry picture of me with association chairman Tang, YB Ronnie Liu and wife

12 September 2009; Rumah Berhala Hup Heap, Kg Cempaka
The temple committee held an important and auspicious fund-raising dinner on this their 34th anniversary.

Perhaps even more significantly, this is also a year to celebrate as the temple grounds are now legally in their name under a permanent grant, thanks to the approval by the PR state government. At the function, I announced a state goverment grant of RM2000 to the temple as they seek to raise funds for a new temple.

Neighbourhood issues

16 September 2009; Taman Mayang Jaya, SS26/14, PJ

Representatives from the landscape department (Ariani and staff) met the residents about the planned upgrading work on their padang. This will include a new full-sized basketball court, perimeter foot-path, etc, and most importantly, a new drainage system beneath the padang.

The contractor was also present to hear the final fine-tune requests of the residents.

9 September 2009; Illegal 'MBPJ' signboard in Kg Cempaka

A local resident complained that his land access had been blocked with the erection of a illegal gate (complete with an unsanctioned 'MBPJ' signboard). I made a site visit with the complainant together with Khairi (penguatkuasa MBPJ), and DUST members James Ooi and Chris Chu.

Poh Toh celebration

August 31 09

Poh Toh celebration at Jln 17/47, at Damansara (the old town)

The community of the old 'town' of Damansara gathered for this celebration at the parking lot of Jln 17/47 before the walls of S J K(C) Chung Hwa alias Bai' Siew.

Organising chairperson, Ms Ngor, was at hand to greet the guests. Also present were YB Tony Pua and Dato Wong Sai Hou.

Organising chairperson, Ms Ngor (in black, with a maroon top), mingling with the guests

August 30 09

Aug 30 09, 3pm; Dialogue session with PJ Old Town residents, DAP Cawangan Bukit Gasing, PJ

The cadres of the newly-formed branch organised a police-resident dialogue at their branch service centre. Some 35 people came for the meeting.

Present along with me were YB Edward Lee, James Ooi and Richard Yap. Unfortunately, the police officer concerned could not come as he suddenly got tied up with a 'tugas besar'.

YB Edward fielded queries from the residents. The local RT came to give their views, which will be forwarded by Edward to the police.

Aug 30 09, 8pm; Merdeka Countdown with the DJROA

The Damansara Jaya Residents and Owners Association held their annual Merdeka countdown at their clubhouse/Balai.

Their committee invited me and my wife to tuck into a Chinese dinner of Sekinchan origin. Also present were MP Tony Pua and councillor Michael Soon.

Selamat Hari Merdeka!

Aug 30 09, 3pm; Medical class of UM 74/79 renion evening, Jee's Jln Polo, Kota Damansara

The medics of the University Malaya Medical Faculty, class of 1974/79, had a memorable 30th year reunion at Dr Jee Soon Leong's place.

Many came from far and wide. Old friends who made the trip here included Kak Chen (Florida), Fan (New Zealand), James Chella (Sarawak), Vong (Penang), Cheng Jun (S'pore), Dato Mukhudan and Dato Chandran (Ipoh), Gong Ngie Hea (Sitiawan).

The session started at 3 pm and lasted until past 11 pm. Unfortunately, I had to leave early for the another function at Damansara Jaya.