Dr Cheah Wing Yin

Fund Raising Dinner, 29 October 2010

2010-12-25T19:01:00.005+08:00

Fund raising dinner at the Restoran Damansara Palace,

Dr Cheah and DUST would like to thank all friends, supporters and the public who made their recent fund-raising dinner a huge success. A special thank you to members of the DAP Kg Kayu Ara Branch, who did an excellent job of coorganising the event. The money raised from this dinner will be used to fund the work of Dr Cheah's service centre.

An estimated 900+ people attended the event. Speakers included YB Teng Chang Khim (Speaker, DUN Selangor), YB Dr Boo Cheng Hau (ADUN Skudai), YB Jenice Lee (ADUN Teratai), Senator Ramakriishnan, YB Khalid Samad (Ahli Parlimen Shah Alam) and YB Elizabeth Wong (Selangor Exco/ADUN Bkt Lanjan).

Dr Cheah gave his first public speech since his accident on 11 March this year. He also sang the song popularised by the late Teresa Teng - The Moon Represents My Heart - accompanied by members of the Damansara Utama Support Team.

Majlis Perasmian Pasar Taman Megah SS24

2010-10-29T22:16:00.002+08:00

Sunday, 17 Oct 2010

The new Pasar Taman Megah in SS24 was officially opened by the Selangor State Exco for Local Government, Sdr. Ronnie Liu today. The Dato Bandar, Dato' Roslan Sakiman, and Dr Cheah attended the ceremony, which started at 10 am.
The modern new market is expected to provide a more hygienic and enjoyable marketing environment for the residents.
Dr Cheah took the opportunity to walk around the whole market, catching up with the
traders. The Taman Megah Residents' Association welcomed him back warmly with two banners that read " Welcome Home YB Dr. Cheah Wing Yin."

Sunday, 3 October 2010; Back in action

2010-10-09T21:48:00.003+08:00

11am – 12 noon; Walkabout in the SS2 morning market

Dr Cheah and the Damansara Utama Support Team went on a round to visit the SS2 morning market traders and customers.

This walkabout was significant for Dr Cheah, as it was his first visit to his constituents as an ADUN since his unfortunate accident. Despite his physical limitation, Dr Cheah is determined get back to work and to touch base with the Damansara Utama folks again.

The team also had a 'Meet the Press" session that morning.

Assemblyman taking it one step at a time
By CHRISTINA LOW christinalow@thestar.com.my

DAMANSARA Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin is taking one step at a time as he resumes his political duties after a freak accident in March.

Dr Cheah made his first public appearance last weekend at the SS2 morning wet market to meet his constituents and traders.

Throughout the one-hour visit, the 55-year-old did not speak much but sat on a wheelchair and shook hands with the people and answered their queries.

His special assistant, Richard Yap, said Dr Cheah, who fractured his legs and a finger in the accident, needed the walker to move around. “He can walk but has to use the wheelchair because walking through the market was not easy,” said Yap.

Many traders wished Dr Cheah and gave words of encouragement.
When reporters posed questions, Dr Cheah nodded and paused for a while before replying in less than five words. Yap said Dr Cheah still had a problem speaking and everyone had to help him.
“We also do not want to stress and burden him with work because he is still recovering,” said Yap, who manages most of Dr Cheah’s work for the constituency. Yap said Dr Cheah recognised the people but his only problem was that he could not speak properly yet.

Dr Cheah and his team are expected to attend more events and programmes in the weeks to come.

Sunday, 19 September 2010; Mid autumn festival gathering

2010-10-09T21:34:00.004+08:00

6.30-10.00pm ; SS 2/18 padang

Dr Cheah’s service centre and the SS2 Residents’ Association (Selatan) jointly organized a mid-autumn festival gathering for the neighborhood. The function was overwhelmingly oversubscribed, with the turnout of about 1,200 residents far exceeding the organising committee's expectations.

Dr Cheah arrived at around 8.00 pm, together with Mrs Cheah and their son, Wei Leong. He received many warm words of encouragement from the residents.

Owing to the unexpectedly huge crowd, food and drinks was not enough for all. However, the crowd had an entertaining evening watching the magician and a mask-changing performance.

Two hundred and fifty lanterns were given out to the children, who then had a lantern procession around the neighbourhood.

Fund-raising Dinner

2010-09-19T22:04:00.003+08:00

The Damansara Utama Support Team will be holding a dinner to raise funds for the activities and running of the Pusat Perkhidmatan Adun Damansara.

Date/time : 29 October 2010, Friday; 7.30 - 11.00 pm
Venue : Damansara Palace Restaurant,
Plot A, Persiaran Surian,
Jalan PJU 3/31, P. Jaya
Tickets : RM 600/table
Organisers: Pusat Perkhidmatan Adun Damansara Utama and DAP Kg. Kayu Ara branch

(For tickets, please contact Mr Francis Chang, 016-2220970, or Mr. Richard Yap, 016-9650552)

Speakers at the dinner will include YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Teng Chang Khim, YB Dr Boo Cheng Hau, YB Tuan Khalid Samad and YB Elizabeth Wong.

The last fund-raising dinner organised by the Damansara Utama Support Team and Dr. Cheah was in 2008. Profits generated from that dinner were used for the maintenance and upkeep of Dr Cheah's service centre.

Belated birthday celebration

2010-09-04T21:43:00.004+08:00

August 29 2010

Family, friends and DUST members held a potluck dinner for Dr Cheah at his house last Sunday. This belated birthday party was especially meaningful as it was an occasion to celebrate his recovery from the injuries sustained in the horrific accident.

Dr Cheah continues to work hard to regain his former physical strength and capability.

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
~ Mahatma Gandhi ~

Home!

2010-08-07T16:09:00.002+08:00

Dr Cheah was finally discharged from hospital yesterday, almost 5 months after his accident. He will continue to recuperate at home and undergo regular physiotherapy.

Dr Cheah and his family would like to express their gratitude to the medical staff, friends, relatives and well-wishers for their care and support.

Update on Dr Cheah's condition

2010-06-24T18:15:00.002+08:00

Dr Cheah is continuiung to recuperate well under the professional care of medical personnel at the Sunway Medical Centre. Everyday, he undergoes a rigorous routine of physiotherapy, which includes exercises such as riding a bicycle and walking with support.

Dr Cheah's family is pleased to inform all well-wishers that he expects to attend the next Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting that is scheduled from 12 - 16 July 2010 in Shah Alam.

Once again, his family would like to express their gratitude to all who prayed for his recovery. For the time being, visits are still limited to family members and close associates.

Progress report

2010-05-17T08:06:00.002+08:00

Assemblyman recuperating well after accident

By CHRISTINA LOW
Saturday, May 15, Star Online

DAMANSARA Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin has been transferred from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the general ward about three weeks ago.

His special assistant, Richard Yap, has been entrusted in keeping the public informed on Cheah’s condition from time to time through Cheah’s blog (http://cheahwingyin.blogspot.com).
Cheah, who is still bedridden, had been undergoing four to five physiotherapy sessions daily to strengthen his legs.

“The physiotherapy sessions take about an hour each and it can sometimes be quite tiring for him. So for now his family has to limit the number of visitors allowed to see him,” said Yap.
In the accident in March, Cheah was hit by a vehicle in the emergency lane near the Batu Tiga toll plaza when he stopped after his car developed engine problems.

Cheah was on his way back after attending a state function in Klang. He fractured both his legs and finger in the accident and had to undergo three operations at the Sunway Medical Centre.
Yap said the 55-year-old was progressing well and was conscious of his surroundings.

“He has difficulty speaking as there is a tube attached to his throat, but he is getting on fine,” said Yap who would send gifts and cards from well-wishers to the hospital for Cheah during his daily visit.

He added that Dr Cheah would have to stay in the hospital until he is able to get on his feet. “The next step of physiotherapy is to get him on his feet. “After that we will have to wait till the doctors give us the green light before he can be discharged,” said Yap, who is now helping residents in Cheah’s constituency together with several councillors.

He said the service centre had received many calls from the public asking of Cheah’s condition and how they could visit him. “Since visitation is limited to only family members and close associates, we will be happy with just cards.”

He also urged the public not to create rumours of Cheah’s health condition. “If anyone wants to know how Dr Cheah is they should call the service centre or me to get the real picture instead of spreading rumours and hurting the family,” said Yap.

Dr Cheah's condition - an update

2010-04-26T13:29:00.004+08:00

After spending 6 weeks in intensive care, Dr Cheah was at last transferred to the general ward this afternoon. All the fractures have been fixed and his condition is stable. I have just dropped in to see him - his wife, sister and brother-in-law were with him, and physiotherapy was in progress.

Dr Cheah has physiotherapy 4 times a day, and receives assistance with his daily needs. He will have to go through a prolonged period of recuperation and rehabilitation from here on.

On doctors' advice, visitation other than from family members and relatives will necessarily be limited, to allow rest and to reduce the risk of infection.

In the meantime, Dr Cheah's personal assistant, Mr Richard Yap, and his team are continuing to service the Damansara Utama constituency at the service centres.

Mrs Cheah and the family, once again, thanks all the relatives, friends and well-wishers for their continued concern and support. May God bless you all.

Blog administrator

Service goes on

2010-03-24T22:36:00.004+08:00

While the doctors and nurses continue to provide the best possible care for Dr Cheah, his team would like the public to know that it's business as usual at his main service centre in SS2, as well as at the two mobile centres in SS4 and SS22.

Dr Cheah's personal assistant, Mr Richard Yap, DUST (Damansara Utama Support Team) members and several MBPJ local councillors are continuing their work on the ground to serve the constituents.

Thank you once again to all who have shown their care and concern for Dr Cheah. His family is very touched by your love and support. Much as the family is deeply appreciative of the concern shown by friends and well wishers, they are also sorry if they have been unable to personally attend to every one of the overwhelming number of calls that have deluged them.

Therefore, I would like to make a gentle request for inquiries to be directed to the service centre if possible, and where appropriate (contact details given in the left side bar).

Blog administrator

Latest Update on Dr.Cheah's condition

2010-03-19T17:36:00.003+08:00

Dr.Cheah is currently in a stable condition, however due to him being sedated, he is still unable to accept any visitors. He is currently still warded in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of Sunway Medical Centre. He has yet to undergo his final operation on his left leg, because the doctors want to ensure he is truly in a stable condition.

We have received a lot of well-wishes from the residents of Taman Megah, SS2, various hawkers in the surrounding the Damansara precinct, various state assemblymen/women, members of parliment, and various church members.

We thank you for those who donated their blood to help Dr.Cheah. We are glad to say that there are more than enough blood until the laboratory staff could not process the blood fast enough.

We wish to convey our thanks for those who are & are continously praying for the Dr.Cheah and the family. However we regret to inform, that Dr.Cheah is still unable to take any visitors. We are able to only accept well-wishing cards.

Please continue praying for Dr.Cheah and family as the journey is still a long and narrow path.

News update

2010-03-17T11:07:00.005+08:00

Dr Cheah is still in Intensive Care at the Sunway Medical Centre. His team of doctors is pleased that his condition has been stable, and plan for him to undergo surgery to repair another bone fracture in the next one or two days.

The doctors allow only family members to visit at the moment. Dr Cheah's family would like to thank all friends, well-wishers and blood donors for their prayers and support.

Pre-accident activities

2010-03-17T10:29:00.005+08:00

4 March 2010; Site visits to TKPM sites by the Selangor State PAC

11am; At the TKPM Hulu Yam, Hulu Selangor
The Auditor-General has highlighted problems at several agricultural projects, including the TKPM, prompting PAC's attention.

TKPM - Taman Kekal Pengeluaran Makanan, Permanent Food Production Park – is a Ministry of Agriculture project to encourage large-scale agricultural entrepreneurship under the dasar Pertanian Negara Ketiga.
After a 1hr 30min drive we reached one of TKPM sites. The team consisted of PAC chairman YB Lee, YB Suhaimie, YB Ng Suee Lin, YB Dr Ahmad Yunus, myself, and the Selangor audit officers.

At another TKPM site at Hulu Yam - Growing rock melons in a controlled environment

Rock melon thrive well in a hot (the hotter, the better) and dry environment.

The 0.9-hectare farm was managed by two youthful friends - they appeared to be managing the 'land' well.

The State assisted in constructing the infrastructure, including the enclosed 'green' houses, at an estimated cost of RM 180,000. The officers of the Selangor Agricultural Department provided invaluable input.

4pm; At a troubled project at TKPM Sungai Panjang, Daerah Sabak Bernam
After a 2-hour journey from Hulu Yam, the PAC team arrived at TKPM Sungai Panjang. This was a troubled area that has not been meeting its production targets.
A main contributory factor is the recurring flood problem it faces, owing to its low-lying location. In short, the site was poor choice for agriculture as the river nearby overflows periodically. Costly bunds have been built to keep floodwaters at bay, but the bunds break on occasion and heavy downpours cause the water to overflow the bunds. The landscape is peppered with big drains/ponds dug to contain some of the water to minimise the flood-effects.

6 March 2010, 6pm; Condolences at Pangsapuri Bestari Damansara Section 19, PJ
It was with a heavy heart that I paid a visit to console the bereaved family of a two and a half year-old toddler who died tragically under mysterious circumstances. The baby sitter's husband has been charged for the sudden death.

The bereaved parents, Kanalingam and his wife

7 March 2010; Konvensyen Pakatan Rakyat Selangor, Shah Alam
Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim arriving at the Dewan Jubli Perak to give the Keynote address. Sdr Lim Kit Siang and Datok Seri Hj Hadi Awang also delivered speeches

8 March 2010, 7.30pm; Syarahan Perdana "2 tahun Pentadbiran Kerajaan Selangor" at Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam
The Selangor Pakatan Rakyat leadership came forth to present their reports to the rakyat who gathered at the Stadium.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Khalid about to deliver the Keynote Address on behalf of the Selangor PR government

PJ Restaurant, Coffee Shop and Bar Association dinner at the Greenview restaurant, PJ

Association Chairman Tang (standing, in white), with guests

More Chinese New Year celebrations

2010-03-16T22:53:00.008+08:00

Just for the records, here is the last of the revelry to welcome the Year of the Tiger.

7 Mar 2010, 7.30pm

PJ All-Chinese Associations at the Imperial Palace (Tai Thong) Restoran, PJ

The associations had a combined, albeit belated, CNY do at the Imperial Restaurant. Association President, Dato' Woo, and Huazong President, Tan Sri Dato Pheng, were present. The dinner was also attended by Deputy Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, MP Hee Loy Sian, Aduns Edward Lee, Lau Weng San and myself. Dato' Dr Wong Sai Hou and Dato' CK Lim were also among the guests.

Quite a crowd

6 Mar 2010, 8pm

Pakatan Rakyat CNY function in Puchong
Pakatan Rakyat held a successful, also belated, CNY bash behind Tesco in Puchong. Guests included Datuk Dr Ron Tan Kwee Kong (PKR) and Ustaz Mahfuz (Pas).
The DUST (Damansara Utama Support Team), comprising Robert Tan, James Ooi, Michael Soon were there to lend support. Chris Chu also made a short appearance.

Touching base with hosts YBs Gobind Singh and Teresa Kok

27 Feb 2010
8pm; Chap Goh Mei celebrations at I-City, Shah Alam
I-City and MBSA (Majlis Bandar Shah Alam) jointly hosted this CNY function. The colourful event was graced by MB Tan Sri Dato' Seri Khalid, and attended by the state Excos, MPs and Aduns. MBPJ councilor Michael Soon and I had the pleasure of the company of our wives.

About 40,000 turned up to enjoy the youthful performances presented by the Klang schools. The Selangor state dance troupe gave a professional performance.

The firework display was the climax of the celebrations

27 February 2010, 11am; PJ Old Town temple
At a smallish Chinese temple, local temple priest Yap conducted temple prayers. Surprisingly a continuous stream of devotees flowed in, numbering some 300 plus adults.

Pigeons were released, and food hampers as well as ang-pows were given to about 50 senior citizens and OKUs (orang kurang upaya). Local philanthropist Yong also donated angpows to them and to the children of the devotees.
MBPJ councillor Tang and I helped with the hamper and ang pow distribution.

YB Hee Loy Sian and YB Haniza also came.

25 Feb 2010, 7.30pm; SS2/82 PJ
The residents of SS2c & SS2d welcomed the CNY with a Mesra Rakyat dinner. An estimated 850 residents - young and old – participated, making it truly a family affair.

Bobby (SS2d chairman) and Datuk Alagaratnam (SS2c chairman), their deputies Tan Beng Teik and Robert, were present along with the rest of their committee members. Resident association committees from the neighboring SS2a, SS2b, Tmn Megah, Tmn Bkt Megah Mas and Tmn Mayang, local councillors Terence Tan and Michael Tan were also present, as were DUST members who came in full force.
To publicise the green initiative of the Selangor PR state government, 'green eco-bags' were distributed to the revellers. As was our usual practice this year, each bag contained 2 mandarin oranges to also convey CNY greetings.

I had the pleasure of addressing the constituents.

25 Feb 2010; Dap Klang CNY dinner
Tee Boon Hock (Klang Liaision chairman) organized this CNY celebration for the Klang Dap branches. YBs Ronnie, Lau Weng San, Manoharan, Charles Santiago and Ean Yong were there too.

Update on Dr Cheah's condition

2010-03-15T10:11:00.005+08:00

Monday, 15 March 2010

Dr Cheah underwent a second operation to fix another leg (femur) fracture yesterday evening. He is receiving intensive care in hospital.

Please continue to uphold Dr Cheah with your prayers.

Blog administrator

News Flash

2010-03-13T21:15:00.006+08:00

Saturday, 13 March 2010

Dr Cheah Wing Yin sustained serious injuries in a road traffic accident this morning, as he was going about on his official duties. He is now in hospital.

Dr Cheah is not one to broadcast the challenges that come his way, but I will say that the past few weeks have not been easy at all - his medical practice was subject to an income tax audit extending back a few years, and his clinic was broken into shortly after that. Of course, it is public knowledge that he was subject to an inquiry last year.

I ask for your prayers and moral support for this dedicated and steadfast ADUN and his family.

Blog administrator

February 2010 - Chinese New Year celebrations

2010-02-27T22:54:00.013+08:00

Feb 21 10

Jade Emperor's birthday celebration at Tee's restaurant, Kayu Ara

Well wishers and friends gathered at Tee's restaurant, awaiting the stroke of midnight to usher in the most important day for the Hokkiens in the Chinese Lunar calendar – the 8th day of the Chinese New Year, or the Jade Emperor’s birthday.

The smoke from fireworks drifting in at 12 midnight

7.30pm : Konsert & karnival menyambut Tahun Baru Cina di MBSJ

Adun Subang Jaya Hannah Yeoh and her team, together with residents and the business community, held this celebration at the sports complex. The Subang Jaya community came in force to join in the party.

Citizen groups presented interesting items, which included a Kungfu fan dance. Juwita Suwito was also there to liven the evening with her vocals. I found the show very enjoyable.

Guests of honour included Speaker YB Teng Chang Khim, YB Teresa Kok, YB Loh Gwo Burne, YB Gobind Singh Deo, YDP Tuan Adnan, and local councillors Rajiv, Robert Tan and Michael Soon.

Feb 20 10

8pm: Pakatan Rakyat Selangor celebrates CNY at the Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom

I went with MBPJ councilors, Cynthia and Michael Soon, to join the Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid, the State Excos, Aduns, and other councilors for the CNY celebration at the Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom.

The temple grounds was packed with locals and visitors - easily 50,000 persons altogether. The Dong Zen was decorated and lit like a fairyland, in keeping with the spirit of Chinese New Year.

The crowd listening to MB Tan Sri Khalid's address

11am – 2pm: CNY celebration at the Section 17 market carpark

The Pakatan Rakyat wakil-wakil rakyat of PJ Selatan hosted a CNY bash, which was well attended by guests and well-wishers of all races.

With Puan Sri Saadiah, YB Tian Chua, YB Hee Loy Sian, YB Haniza, YB Edward Lee.

YB Wan Azizah and YB Khalid Samad joined us shortly after.

Feb 7 10

8.15am: Early Chinese New Year visit to the Kg Chempaka market

The DUST welfare team together with Lum from Tmn Bkt Mayang Emas distributed about 1500 ‘eco’ bags and 3000 golden mandarin oranges to the shoppers.

We took the opportunity this year, to promote the Selangor government's ‘sustainable environment’ message when conveying season’s greetings in the local neighbourhoods.
The helpful villagers formed an efficient queue, and the entire operation ended at 920am.

3pm: Kg Chempaka 'Yuen Leong Fatt Yeh' Temple charity donation to the elderly

The Basketball Court was full with some 400 locals as temple official Loke and generous donors handed out food parcels to about 300 senior citizens. A contribution from my ADUN allocation helped to fund some of the food.

Feb 6 10, 7.30pm: Pesta Tahun Baru Cina Kg Baru Seri Damansara

My office and the JKKK of the New Village organized an early CNY do at the Section 17A N/V (Kg Baru Seri Damansara Dalam).
The Wright Chinese musical orchestra, the Temple Lion Dance and a Chinese acrobatic duet provided entertainment for the night. Everyone enjoyed the evening while tucking in some halal buffet food.
Six single parents were given angpows of RM500 each. Litrak, through its corporate caring programme, gave angpows to more than 200 children. These lucky kids of all races also received angpow packages from me.
Present along with me were MBPJ councilor Michael Soon, village head Chin Kok Keong and his committee, SRK Chung Hwa PIBG Vice Chairman Hew, James Ooi and DUST team members, as well as Tan from the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge.

Feb 5 10, 8.15pm: Visit to Taman Megah with councilors and Tamera

Tamera chairman Francis Lee, Taman Megah Market Hawkers Association representatives and I greeted shoppers at the market with 3000 mandarin oranges in 1500 green ‘eco’ bags.

Feb 4 10, 8pm: Cempaka Buddhist Lodge ushers in the CNY at SS25, PJ

The CBL launched the CNY season in traditional style. I was present to light the candle in a symbolic gesture..

A traditional Chinese musical group from Shanghai added to the festive air.

Feb 3 10, 11am: CNY Hamper for the 'Lovely Disabled Home' SS2, PJ

We found a hamper at our doostep - a security guard in the vicinity told us that 2 persons had climbed over the gate to deposit it. As it is the policy of DUST (Damansara Utama Support Team) not to accept gifts, our onward destination, the NGO ‘Lovely Disabled Home’ became the lucky recipient of the hamper from Su_____ Sdn. Bhd. I wish to thank the company for their generous contribution, which has benefited this OKU group.

The accounts officer receiving the hamper on behalf of Lovely Disabled Home.

Jan 31 10

2010-02-27T15:47:00.003+08:00

31 January 2010

7am; Gotong Royong at Bestari Damansara, Section 19, Petaling Jaya

Abdul Samad, Chairman of the Persatuan Penduduk-Penduduk, his committee, and surau representative Zulkipli were amongst about 200 volunteers who came to clean the surroundings. MBPJ and Alam Flora personnel were on hand to provide equipment and invaluable help.

With DUST member, Peter Liew, and residents

8am; Visit to the SS2 market with MBPJ

SS2 Cares (comprising RAs and RTs of SS2, SS2 Open Market Hawkers Association and MBPJ); recycling advocates Tetrapak Malaysia Sdn Bhd; local councillor Terence Tan; community leaders (Lim Theng Kau, Mdm Lee Kwee Cheng, Ngiam, HK Tan, Tan Beng Tek and Gan Keng); DUST and I teamed up to meet and greet shoppers at the SS2 wet market.

Besides bringing Chinese New Year greetings, we promoted the Pakatan Rakyat Government’s sustainable environment message by distributing 'green' eco bags, each containing two mandarin oranges, to the shoppers. All 1500 bags, purchased using funds from the ADUN’s allocation, were gone in a jiffy.

7pm; RT Kg Cempaka hosts Chinese New Year dinner

The Rukun Tetangga Chairman of Kg Cempaka, Lee, and his committee held a karaoke competition cum dinner for the senior citizens usher in the Chinese New Year. Held at their covered basketball court, this event not only entertained the elderly residents but also provided a platform for singers to strut their stuff!

YB Tony Pua, MBPJ representative Lee Lih Shyen, and I were guests, as were several representatives from neighboring RTs -Shaik Zaiful, Steven Foo (Tmn Bkt Mayang Emas) and Wendy Chan (Aman Suria).

Chinese New Year dinner with OKUs, Jaya Palace, Petaling Jaya

"Beautiful Gate PJ" organised a CNY dinner for OKUs (Orang Kurang Upaya) at the Jaya Palce restaurant. Chairman Ng generously presented ang pows to the guests, who had various physical, visual and auditory disabilities.

Guests included YB Edward Lee, YB Tony Pua and MBPJ councillor Tang. I gave a contribution of RM2000 to the event. Jaya Palace Restaurant also showed their generosity at this event.

1 - 29 Jan 2010

2010-01-30T01:54:00.010+08:00

Retreat Wakil Rakyat Selangor 2010, Holiday Villa, Subang Jaya

All the Pakatan Rakyat Aduns and MPs attended this important retreat to assess and discuss the Selangor State PR administration and political issues.
The MB reminded all that the coming year will be work-oriented and that the public will demand that.

Menteri Besar giving the opening address

Jan 27 10, Oriental Pavilion, Jaya 33, PJ
I took some time off to meet up with the psychiatry fraternity, and medical and pharmaceutical friends . News and gossips (including political ones) were exchanged.

Jan 24 10, Durian-eating with the Taman Megah Residents' Association
Tamera chairman Francis Lee and his team invited meto a Raub durian feast. Fortunately, it rained so we could withstand the 'heatiness' of the friut and ate as much as we could. The appreciative crowd numbered some 280!

Jan 24 10, Opening of Bandar Sri Damansara Bukit Lanjan PKR Service Centre , Jln Tanjung, Bandar Sri Damansara
The event marked the opening of the second service centre to serve the rakyat at Bkt Lanjan. The blue-coloured lion dance welcomed the guests. It was a lively atmosphere. Also present to lend support were senator YB Tunku Aziz, councillors Chan, Tuan Syed, Jeannie and Lee. Ravindran, RA Chairman was also present.

Jan 17 10, DAP National Convention, Ipoh
DUST and I travelled to Ipoh for the DAP national convention. Some of us went a day ahead.

Jan 10 10, Paintball competition organised by the MBPJ PBT (Pengerusi Belia Tempatan) and Adun Damansara Utama
The PBT (Pengerusi Belia Tempatan) team - Chris Chu, JJ Beh, Thomas Goh, James Poon -organised a Paintball competition in the kawasan of Damansara Utama. This was assisted by my office and DUST. Councillors Terence Tan and Robert Tan were present to lend support. Fifteen teams were fielded (5 other teams chickened out!).

Jan 9 10, Meeting of the Persatuan Pendudok Sektor SS2 Utara (D) at SRK Taman Sea

The Protem Committee of the Persatuan, under Bobby Chan, held a Sector D Residents' meeting to discuss the all-important matter of security. This sector is bordered by LDP, Tropicana Mall, SS2/72 and SS2/95.

A survey revealed that about 80% of the residents are retirees! Approximately 100 residents attended the function to formally elect a committee, as well as to consider engaging a security services company. The protem committee was elected enbloc unanimously.

Jan 8 10, Opening Ceremony of 'Plus 8' Food Bazaar, Bandar Utama, PJ
PJ welcomed its latest eatery. Operator/entrpreneur Danny Lim, who was selected through an open tender process, is seen here with Deputy Mayor Tuan Puasa, Senator Ramasamy, Councillors Chan Kok Leong, Robert Tan, DUST Francis Chang, and me.

Jan 3 10, Presentation of schoolbags at Kg Cempaka

The basketball court was abuzz with some 600 people, comprising parents and their schoolgoing children. Accompanying me was a special guest, YB Tunku Aziz, who helped give away the Selangor PR government sponsored schoolbags to over 300 schoolchildren.

Using my State Adun allocation, we provided each child with a water tumbler and pencil-eraser box as well. The DUST was there in full force, managing the logistics of the event. Light refreshments were served.

27 -31 Dec 09

2010-01-30T01:31:00.008+08:00

29 Dec 09, Meeting with the RT SS25A at Kwong Si restaurant, SS25, PJ
The RT of SS25A met me and my assistant, Richard Yap at the Kwong Si Restaurant in SS25, PJ. It was a useful meeting. The new chairman, Choong, introduced his committee and discussed their concerns.

Christmas celebrations

28 Dec 09 Taman Megah SS24/17 padang

Francis Lee (Tamera Chairman) rounded his group of merry singers to give a fitting preamble to start the Night's event.

The Tamera Carollers in action

Despite a drizzle, some 300 turned up to be entertained by carollers, a magician, and a face-changeing performer.

25 Dec 09, Christmas Service at my home church, the SS Gospel Centre, PJ

27 Dec 09, Tmn Bkt Mayang Emas

With the assistance of chairman Steven Foo and his Residents' Association of Tmn Bkt Mayang Emas, my office and DUST (Damansara Utama Support Team) feted some 500 residents. The programme were ably supported by 2 carolling teams, the Tamera Carollers and the Megah Chinese Church carolling team. The guest of honour was YB Dr Tan Seng Giaw. Francis Lee was present to lend support.

The carollers from the Megah Chinese Church, Kota Damansara

Of Unpopular Drums and Roadblocks

2010-01-01T20:31:00.004+08:00

An anonymous reader left a comment on an earlier post - I thought I would publish both the comment and my response here, as this matter affects a growing number of neighbourhoods in the constituency.

"Dr. Cheah,

Good evenng...just out of curiosity.Isn't all these security programme within public roads illegal? Especially when there are drums being used to block lanes as well as roads. SOME RESIDENTS THINK THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO CURB CRIME....BUT HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS by shifting the crime elsewhere. Everywhere we go in PJ..we see barriers being build and roads and lanes being blocked. Where is the law. It seems that lawlessness is taking shape nowadays. Gosh...what has happen to our nation. I THINK most of these security companies are really happy making tonnes of money nowadays.

ps: i understand that as a politician..and lawmaker....we are bound to solve problems and obey the law of the land and not create more like what we are seeing nowadays."

My response to "Anonymous" and others who have raised the same concerns to me on numerous occasions:

Of Unpopular Drums and Roadblocks

Annoying and costly irritants indeed, well said. Politicians are there to solve problems and not to merely divert or push them elsewhere, how true. But there are several REAL issues in this matter. It apears as SIMPLE as it is COMPLEX.

We all agree that security should be and is largely a police matter. Somehow things have broken down. And there we go into politics again.

Solutions are immediate (short-term, stop-gap, temporary) and long-term. The ultimate solution is a combination of adequate and efficient policing, and adequate employment for the rakyat. One hard fact is that the police force is severely understaffed and, to make matters worse, many claim also 'improperly-deployed'.

In reality the problem brewed over past decades (and may I say the voter-rakyat indirectly assisted in this development through the action/omission of duties of the government they elected!).

Righting this - which includes the training of adequate numbers of qualified policemen - takes time. In the meantime, with the economic recession, under employment, immigrant issues and so on, friends, relatives, daugthers, wives, neighbours are getting robbed and mugged. There is unfortunately no magic wand to churn out policemen.

Shout in parliment! Yes, some MPs have indeed been doing so. But until voices like that of our PJU MP, YB Tony Pua, are heeded (Tony has raised and debated the crime rate issue in Parliament), we have little choice but to engage in 'self-preservation'. Is that selfish? Hardly, I believe.

The wakil rakyat has a responsibility to look after the weaker segments of the society. Who should or will protect the frail senior citizens, single parents, single ladies who stay by themselves? We can't afford to wait for 'adequate police forces'. The community is force to take the initiative. Unfortunately, it is neither 'cheap' nor easy.

But isn't the government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, supposed to provide a safe and secure environment for the citizens? Yes, but the rakyat had better act first because the federal response has been unsatisfactory so far, and politicking will not prevent your daughter from being mugged tomorrow!

So, communities who 'pay for security' are now indeed safer. This is the hard fact and an indictment of the home ministry.

The rakyat must bark at the right tree; the right tree being the Federal government comprising the ruling Barsian Nasional and dominant UMNO party, not the elected representatives of Pakatan Rakyat . We in Pakatan Rakyat are doing necessary stop-gap, prophylactic (preventive) measures to reduce the incidence of girls and the elderly from being mugged.

Is it nice to have boom gates all over our housing estates? Of course not! But with our (PR's) proposal of employing auxillary police to help the existing police force still unapproved, many communities have decided to "just do what you have to do"!

Perhaps the criminals will now move to the unguarded areas? Yes, that is the case. But surely the Federal government should realise that too? So, once again, the rakyat must bark at the right tree, because it is the Federal government (not the individual state governments) that has holds power and authority in all matters involving security and the police force.

Someone has remarked that, economically, Malaysia is like Zimbabwe, and, security-wise, we are going to be like South Africa.

Private security programmes - this is the unpleasant short-term answer. God knows how many dialogues we have engaged with the police! The police at the beatbases are understaffed and overworked; the definitive, long-term answers clearly lie at a higher management and political level.

In the meantime, we may have to get used to drums and boom gates - expensive and ugly inconveniences - in the landscape. So, to those who hold that "security is the duty of the government, and not my responsibility - why should I pay?", I say, think of the safety of your loved ones, swallow your pride and your lofty ideals until such a time that the federal government in power (and this is determined by the voter!) takes effective measures to reduce the crime rate in our communities.

I'll just finish off by saying that my wife has been mugged once (right in front of the home too!) and has had her bag snatched three times. I, myself, now pay about RM 300 per month for security!

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T22:31:00.005+08:00

Wishing all Malaysians a Happy New Year!

...

May 2010 be a year of justice and good governance,

marked by competency, accountability and transparency,

in Malaysia.

...

With best wishes from,

...

Dr Cheah Wing Yin

and the

Damansara Utama Support Team (DUST)

12 - 20 December 2009

2009-12-24T13:36:00.000+08:00

20 Dec 09 - Combined Christmas function

Five Chinese churches held a combined Christmas celebration at the SJK(Cina) Puay Chai, Petaling Jaya. The hall was packed with members and friends.
The youth wing gave an energetic spiritual rendition to start the evening.

20 Dec 09 - Dinner with the Zone 7 team of MBPJ Local Councillor Cynthia at the Tropicana Golf & Country Club

The representatives of the resident groups from the MPP finally managed to gather together to have a leisurely dinner. Present along with me was PJU MP Tony Pua.

Majlis menyambut Hari Awal Muharram dan Hari Dongzhi at Kg Seri Damansara(Section 17A N/V)

The village JKKK and my office got the villagers together to jointly celebrate these 2 festivals.

It was a multi-religious event with about 450 villagers ( comprising Malays, Chinese and Indians) coming together.

The local kompang and lion dance troupes helped to add to the festive spirit. Cash donations were given to 7 OKUs (4 Malays, 3 others).

Dec 19 09 - Christmas celebration at Lilly and Rose Apartments, Taman Mayang, Petaling Jaya

MBPJ councillor Darren Tiong arranged this Christmas gathering.

With Alan, the Chairman of the Residents' Association

Dec 19 09 - With the Bubbhist Lodge Committee at the Tang Yuan festival

Dec 19 09 - Pakatan Rakyat Convention at the Auditorium MBSA

The leadership of the constituent parties - PKR, DAP and PAS - were all present at this inaugural event.

A section of the packed auditorium

Senator YB Tunku Aziz delivering his address

Dec 18 09 - Meeting residents of Taman Sea at the Taman Sea tennis court

With the helpful assistance of the SS23 RT committee, the residents came to the tennis court to celebrate Christmas together. Local councillor Darrent Tiong and I were present to meet with the residents.

Guests include Senator YB Ramakrishnan, Exco YB Ronnie Liu, YB Tony Pua, and MBPJ councillor Michael Soon. Also present was Pastor Richard of the nearby Grace Church.

Dec 15 09 - MBPJ Christmas Concert at the PJ Civic Centre

Councillor Michael Soon and his team organised yet another concert under the MBPJ's inclusive multireligious policy.

VIPs included Bishop Ng, Federal Minister YB Idris Jala, Excos YB Teresa Kok (representing the MB), YB Ronnie Liu, and Yg Berusaha Puasa (representing the Mayor). Also present were YBs Hee Loy Sian, Loh Gwo-Byrne, Janice Lee, Dr Mohd Nasir, new senator YB Ramakrishnan, and myself.

Local councillors included Derek Fernandez, Selvam, Terence Tan, Chan Kok Keong, Tiew Way Kheng, and Selvarajah. Dato' Ron Tan Kwee Kong, many church leaders and pastors were present.

The auditorium was packed to hear the performances of Juwita Suwito, Patrick Leong, Jaclyn Victor and violinist Joanne Yeoh. The preamble was well suppported by the MBPJ dance troupe and the Selangor Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dec 13 09 - Welfare Activity by Pertubuhan Buddha & Meditasi at Basketball court, Kg Cempaka

Organising committee chairman Eric Tan and his team from 'Barom Kagyu Chodak Sam Ten Chuling' (a Tibetian Buddhist group of the white/Kagyu element) held a spiritual and welfare-aid giving for the elderly at Kg Cempaka.

I was invited to participate in the event, bringing a financial contribution from the Selangor State towards the joint purchase of staple foodstuff - oil, meehoon, 5 kg rice packs and sugar - for distribution to the elderly.

The event started with the 'Puja' prayers, and the 'Zambala' blessing (change of luck) where the elderly were invited to receive blessings from the Rinpoche Sonam Tenzim.

Dec 13 09 - Cheque presentation to 52 Chinese type Primary schools in Selangor

The Selangor PR State Government has made a financial contribution to 52 Chinese Primary schools in Selangor. The 2nd phase of financial contribution involves the apportioning of a sum of RM 2,000,000 to the schools.

YAB Tan Sri Dato' Seri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was present together with his Exco (YB Teresa, YB Elizabeth, YB Ronnie); Speaker YB Teng and Timbalan YB Haniza; Aduns YB Lee Kim Sin, YB Ng Suee Lin, YB Suhaimi, YB Lau Weng San, YB Philip Tan and myself; MP YB Hee Loy Sian; MBPJ councillors Robert Tan and Selvarajan.

Chen Moh Board of Directors chirperson Puan Sri Hoong and her full board of directors attended the event in person. The 52 schools attended in full force, represented by their Headmasters and PIBG chairpersons.

A section of the headmasters and PIBG heads

Dec 12 09 - Persatuan Warga Emas Bandar Sri Damansara Seniors get-together dinner

This event was held at the Restoran Sin Choi Wah, Jln Dagang SD 2/1G, Bdr Sri Damansara.

I was invited to join YB Gan Pei Nei, MBPJ councillor Chan Chee Keong and the Senior Citizens Committee for their 2009 bash.

Organizing com chairman Mr Raw Kim Seng did a great job to pack the restorant with senior citizens and friends.

The executive committee included Chairman Ten Yoke Sun, Treasurer Raw Kim Seng (both seen with me in the picture below), Vice-Chair Iris Chan, Auditor Pang Kang Foong. Other AJK were Chong YP, Leong JH, Thye KF, Fong HS, and Siew YY.

The guest of honour was Exco YB Elizabeth Wong, who is also the Adun of this locality of Bukit Lanjan.

Dec 12 09 - Residents' get-together at SS2/83, Petaling Jaya

Councillor Terence Tan helped arrange this function to facilitate this gathering of the folks of SS2 Utara, Zone C, to have an early Christmas Celebration.

Present were local chairman Mohamed Daud, his committee Robert, Connie and SS2 Chairman Hj Magirin. DUST member Richard Yap briefed the 200 odd residents on the welfare schemes of the State government.

Free School Bags

2009-12-09T22:11:00.004+08:00

The Selangor State Government, through my office, will be giving out free school bags to Primary School pupils from needy families in the Damansara Utama constituency.

Preference will be given to single parents with children in Secondary Schools.

For further information, please contact:
Mr. Richard Yap ( 016-9650552 ) , or
Mr. Kee ( 03-78750555 )
before 22 December 2009

Urban Regeneration Conference; 30 Nov - 1 Dec 09

2009-12-09T21:50:00.000+08:00

The Selangor State, working with the private sector - Malaysian Institute of Planners, Selangor branch of REHDA, and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors -organised this conference, which YB Haniza Mohamed Talha and I jointly chaired.

We started 'work' with a letter to the MB on 24 Feb 09, expressing our desire to hold a Urban Renewal/Regeneration Conference for the State. The MB's prompt reply on the 26 Feb 09 set things in motion. An impressive faculty of local and overseas speakers were invited from the USA (2), Brisbane(1), Penang, KL and Selangor.

Day 1 of the conference saw 315 participants. Day 2 still saw a good 200 plus participants. MB Tan Sri Dato' Abdul Khalid Ibrahim delivered a lengthy Keynote Address to explain and pave the way for the conference.

An approximate 2,375 hectacres have been identified in the Local Plans and Draft Local Plans of PJ, Klang, Ampang Jaya and Kajang that are ripe for, and in need of regeneration and redevelopment:

PJ Municipality - about 1,672 hectacres in the industrial, commercial and residential areas of sections 13, 51, 51A and 52.

Klang Municipality - 131.4 hectacres (Klang town and Kg Pandan of Klang besides the banks of Klang River.

Kajang - 412.4 Hectacres (town centre and Sungai Ramal areas).

Ampang Jaya - 159.3 hectacres (Ampang New Village, residential areas in Jln Jelatek, Taman Keramat/Colombo Flats, villages in Kg Pandan Dalam.)

At a dinner for the Conference speakers, VIPs and Organising Committee - Dato' David Tan, Tom Murphy (former Pittsburg Mayor), Dyan Currie (Brisbane City Council) and others

Nov 28 - Dec 6 09

2009-12-09T21:30:00.010+08:00

December 5 09

Raphah Ministries Thanksgiving Dinner

The Raphah Ministries support team had their 7th year thanksgiving dinner at their SS2 HQ.

With Pastor Vincent Lau and Dr Florence Wang

The event also anabled me to meet with old aquaintances like Kok Wan Cheong, Cheah Or Wan, Lim Poh Ann, Albert Teh, George Ting, Pastor Peter Wong and many others.

Launch of Community Policing Scheme Damansara Jaya, Taman Rekreasi, Jln SS22/36

The Damansara Jaya Residents' & Owners' Association held an official launch of their Community Policing Programme in its heartland. This scheme is conducted in association with the MBPJ and PDRM.

YB Nik Nazmi (representing the MB), YB Tony Pua and I were present, together with councillors Michael Soon and Hj Ahmad Yusof, as well as members of the PDRM

MBPJ futsal competition of MBPJ to select the champion for PJ

With the champions, Puan Zaharah (MBPJ), Ainul (FAS ), Penggerak Belia leaders (Thomas, Chris and JJ)

November 29 09

Sivakumar weds Sathiya at the SJK(C) Sepang, Selangor

I went South to Sepang to witness the marriage of a friend.

Part of the religious rites

November 28 09

Hari Raya Haji celebrations, Rumah Pangpasuri Damansara Bistari, Section 19, PJ 8am

I was invited to witness the sacrificial-slaying of 7 cows by the Muslim community of Bistari flats. On hand to greet the DUST member, Kee, Robert Tan and me were Encik Zolkepli (Pengerusi Surau Al-Ihsan), Encik Abdul Samat (Pengerusi Persatuan Penduduk-Penduduk Pangpasuri Bistari), committee members and residents.

Using the Adun's state allocation, I gave the community a donation to purchase a cow. The other cows were given by other generous well-wishers.

We were invited to the kenduri after the morning sacrificial slaying of the cows

The Surau committee, dressed in red, were in charge of the sacrificial slaying

Flood at Kg Cempaka, SS25/16

The rains are here again. Kg Cempaka experienced another flood, but fortunately to only a mild to moderate level compared to last year.

The tender for river-deepening works (cici-gali) was called on 23/11/09. Hopefully, things will move fast.

Cleaning-up operations at Restoran Hong Fatt. Owner Loke is seen here busy cleaning the mess. He then summoned me to help him.

Belated Deepavali Celebration by MBPJ and APAC; 730pm, PJ Civic Centre

This event was organised by MBPJ councillor Selvarajan A/L Rathinam.

YB Edward Lee and I were present to enjoy a variety of songs, dances and some comedy sketches. Food parcels were also handed to deserving mothers.

Invitation to Sponsor the International Conference on Urban Regeneration, 30 Nov-1 Dec 09

2009-11-22T22:29:00.011+08:00

I wrote earlier about the "International Conference on Urban Regeneration - Towards Selangor's Sustainable Future", that will be held at the Sunway Resort Hotel from the 30th November to 1st December 2009. YB Haniza and I are the organising chairpersons.

The Registration Form may be downloaded here.

We are also inviting sponsors to participate in the conference.

RE: Invitation to sponsor the "Urban Regeneration Conference – Toward Selangor’s Sustainable Future"; 30th November – 1st December 2009

On behalf of Selangor State Government, MIP, REHDA Selangor & RICS, we would like to invite you to participate in an exciting sponsorship opportunity involving the real estate industry and the sustainable future of Selangor. The Chief Minister YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Abd Khalid Ibrahim will be the Guest of Honour and the keynote address will be delivered by EXCO YB Ronnie Liu at the conference.

Being the most developed state and the earliest developed state in the nation, there are many old town centres in the state of Selangor, such as Kajang, Klang and Petaling Jaya.

Many of these old town centres lack vitality and face many problems. Thus, urban regeneration is a strategy that would lead towards sustainable urban development. Speakers from throughout the world have been invited to present at this two days event and this conference will be a fertile platform of ideas that can help spur further progressive thinking towards Urban Regeneration

The conference is aimed at the following:

• To widen the understanding and shed light on the subject of urban regeneration, its definition, concepts, qualities and the challenges and issues of achieving cities of vitality;

• Review and disseminate the available solutions, experience and best practices for the development and implementation of cities;

• Review of the latest developments, innovations and ideas that have been implemented or practiced in achieving a city regeneration towards adoption/adaptation to Malaysia’s situation;

• Define the challenges and difficulties in achieving urban regeneration for government agencies and how to deal with them;

• Facilitate partnerships amongst the people, government agencies, businesses and the local government towards finding solutions, action programmes and project implementation towards urban regeneration.

We are writing to invite you to participate in this conference by being a sponsor. Participants will include those from the real estate development fraternity, (including developers, architects, planners and other real estate professionals), Local Authorities, NGOs and the public at large. The sponsorship opportunities are as attached.

Thank you once again for your attention. Your partnership in this conference will be a strong affirmative vote for better successful, viable, vibrant and sustainable communities.

Best regards,
YB Dr Cheah Wing Yin
Organising Committee Chairman

INFORMATION FOR CORPORATE SPONSORS

THE CONFERENCE

Cities are undoubtedly the centres for a nation’s economic growth. But cities are like living organisms, they age over time, they evolve and change. They are complex and dynamic systems. Without change, cities will not be able to meet up with the needs of evolving business and employment, housing needs and lifestyles through the generations.

There are many old towns and cities in Malaysia, and in particular, within the state of Selangor where an estimated 90% of its population resides in cities and towns. There are external forces that would dictate these cities to adapt to changes and internal forces that are present such as physical, social, environmental and economic factors that are prime generators of change.

Transformation of the urban environment, especially of old city centres can be termed as urban renewal. Urban literature uses, often without definition, terms such as urban regeneration, urban revitalization, gentrification, neighborhood renewal, rehabilitation and renovation. The Selangor State Government is seeking to revitalize old city centres such that these centres not only act as magnets for businesses but also offer a better quality of life for city dwellers.

For these reasons, we invite corporate bodies to contribute financially to this event and also to participate actively in the various programmes made available during the conference.

WHY SPONSOR?

Sponsorship provides an excellent way for your company to raise awareness of your products and services with interested participants from all across the country, the Asean region and many others from all across the globe.

AUDIENCE PROFILE

More than 300 participants are expected from the following areas:
• Mayors and senior officers from various cities, municipalities, relevant government agencies, NGO’s and the public sector;
• Researchers and specialist in the fields of urban development, education, social studies and welfare, Information technology;
• Professionals i.e. Town planners, Architects, Engineers, Landscape Architects, Valuers and others;
• Developers and Property Managers; and
• International organizations, public and private institutions; and investors and developers.

ORGANISERS

• Selangor State Government
• Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP)
• Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Selangor Branch)
• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

VENUE AND DATE

30th November 2009 (Monday) – 1st December 2009 (Tuesday)

Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, Bandar Sunway Petaling Jaya, Selangor

PROGRAMMES

Technical Sessions – Day I, Monday, 30th November 2009
- 1 day of intensive technical session where there will be five key papers that come from all across the globe i.e. United State of America (U.S.A), Australia and local speakers.

Technical Sessions – Day II, Tuesday, 1st December 2009
- 1 day of intensive technical session where there will be four key papers that come from international and local speakers & panelist discussion

For further information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact the conference secretariat at:
03- 78770636/37 – Malaysian Institute of Planners or email norsiti@gmail.com
03-78064853 – REHDA Selangor or email marina@rehda.com

14-22 November 09

2009-11-22T21:38:00.008+08:00

22 November 2009; Meeting with the Persatuan Pendudok Rumah Pangsapuri Bistari, Seksyen 19, PJ

I met with the Bistari Flats residents on a nice cool afternoon, from 12.30pm to 3pm, at the flats.
It was not without its share of intrigue with a detractor trying to throw a spanner in the works; someone had filed a police complaint alleging that an “illegal political ceramah” was being held and that the “car parks were blocked”. Fortunately, my PA Richard handled this easily by briefing the Seapark police station and the Special branch at Section 8, PJ.

The residents’ response was overwhelming, with close to 1000 residents turning up. Local community leaders helped me present a sumbangan tunai of RM300 each to 6 deserving residents, including the chronically ill, single mothers and a poor widow. These recipients were selected after investigative visits by the DUST (Damansara Utama Support Team) Welfare Team, following recommendations from the Jawatankuasa of the Persatuan Pendudok Pangsapuri Bistari.

(from right) Abdul Samat (Pengerusi Persatuan Penduduk-Penduduk Pangsapuri Bistari), Hj Kamaruddin dan Cinasamy. Also present was Zolkepli, pengerusi of the local Surau Al-Ihsan

I also received individual requests for assistance. Residents who asked me for help included a man with epilepsy, an office cleaner widow with a 14-year old daughter, an ill woman needing help from Socso, a hawker seeking a licence to trade and a man who wanted to transfer the title of his property. Members of the DUST helped to register new voters, as well as senior citizens for the Warga Usia Emas scheme. Some lucky residents also happily went home with some prizes from a lucky draw.

21 November 2009
70th Anniversary Dinner of the SJK(C) Yuk Chai

The school faithful – PIBG and the Old Boys and Girls Association - were present in force for the celebration. Also present were Exco YB Ronnie Liu, YB Tony Pua and myself.

Since the hall was full, the teachers kindly sat outside in the canteen. This was surely a reflection of their dedication.

A talented 6-year old (Std 1) student delivering a number with poise and confidence

Another talented Standard 6 student performing the face-changing technique

'Green Care and Charity Dinner' by Lovely Disabled Home

Lum, the Director of Lovely Disabled home, and his centre had a fund-raising dinner at the SRK(C) Sungei Way.

Besides myself, YB Dr Rani (wakil Menteri Besar), YB Tony Pua, YB Lau Weng San and YB Hannah Yeoh were present to give our support.

Send off for Kem Belia (motivasi) at SM Kelana Jaya

Exco YB Halimah organised several Teenage camps under her SPICE programme. This one is to enhance the motivation mindset of the participants. Seen here are some youthful participants and their parents. The youths will be heading towards Ponsoon, Hulu Langat, a favourite camping spot for scouts.

16 November 2009; At the DAP National Deepavali Open House

DAP celebrated a belated Deepavali at 14th mile, Jln Puchong, where I met James Ooi (PJ Utara liaision Committee Chairman) and Tee Boon Hock (MPK councillor).

15 November 2009, 4pm; Launch of the security programme for SS2 Utara subsector C1, at padang SS2/81, PJ

SS2 subsector C1 residents met at the padang to have a dialogue and Q & A session with MBPJ officials and the Polis, represented by Deputy OCPD Abdul Razak and Chief Inspector Mohd Sahar.
Also present was MBPJ local councillor Terence Tan and Tuan Hj Magirin.

OCPD Razak and I ceremonially flagged off the "security guards" to launch the programme

14 November 2009
8pm; Fund raiser “Majlis Makan Malam bersama Pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat” at the Selayang Jaya Wet Market

The party faithful gathered to hold a fund raising dinner for YB Tian Chua.

With YB Tian Chua, YB Teng Chang Khim, YB Hee Loy Sian, YB William Leong and YBhg Dato Tan Kwee Kwong

YB Tian Chua (MP Batu) addressing a supportive crowd

At the gates of SMK Kelana Jaya, PJ
Seeing off a group of teens who were about to set off on a government-funded camp for teenagers

'Towards Selangor's Sustainable Future' Conference

2009-11-08T14:03:00.006+08:00

"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

2009-11-08T13:15:00.010+08:00

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"

2009-11-01T13:16:00.007+08:00

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

2009-10-27T22:39:00.003+08:00

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

2009-10-27T21:48:00.011+08:00

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 ???

2009-10-19T16:05:00.002+08:00

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

2009-10-04T22:06:00.003+08:00

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

2009-10-04T18:31:00.011+08:00

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

2009-09-21T10:14:00.004+08:00

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

2009-09-21T09:05:00.005+08:00

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

2009-09-21T08:40:00.004+08:00

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!

2009-09-21T08:35:00.000+08:00

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

2009-09-21T08:27:00.000+08:00

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

2009-09-03T22:52:00.003+08:00

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

2009-08-31T12:56:00.004+08:00

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.

August 23-29 09, Religious functions

2009-08-30T14:26:00.007+08:00

Aug 23 09; 1pm

Celebration of the elephant goddess; Hindu temple, Bestari Flats, Section 19 PJ

Floats procession

August 29 09; 1pm

40th anniversary celebrations; Hindu temple, Bestari Flats Sect 19, PJ

I attended the celebrations on behalf of the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat Government to give a grant of RM2,000 to the temple.

Temple chairman, Vijasegar (in white), and his deputy, Vijaanand (in maroon), were with devotees before the deities and priests

August 29 09, 3 pm

Kechara House; Sunwaymas, Kg Cempaka PJ

The Kechara, a Tsem Tulku Buddhist organisation, was conducting an "Introductory Course" for their new devotees. The place was packed with about 90 participants.

With Mr Ngeow, Head of education committee, and Ms Yap, chief operating officer

August 14 - 17 09; Log

2009-08-19T22:21:00.006+08:00

14 Aug 09, 5.30pm, Balairaya Bandar Utama

I was present at this event to help give out the balance (Rm1500) of the Rm 2500 due to the relatives (beneficiaries) of deceased Selangor citizens. Also present were YB Rodziah, YB Elizabeth Wong, DO Datuk Zulkiplee and ADO Yahaya, local councillors Tuan Syed and Michael Soon, DUST members Richard Yap, Peter Liew and Kee led by PJ Utara Liaiason Chairman James Ooi.
Of the 70 beneficiaries, 23 were from Damansara Utama.

15 Aug 09, Kg Cempaka

Piala Pertandingan Adun Damansara Utama - pesta pertandingan nyanyi karaoke warga emas

A karaoke participant with some nefty showmanship

The audience

16 Aug 09, Taman Megah Mas gotong royong

16 Aug 09, 6.30pm

Dropping by at Kg Buah Pala (High Chaparral) in Penang with Senator YB Tunku Aziz

17 Aug 09, 10am, Nomination day for Permatang Pasir by election

The DAP turned out strongly to support the Pakatan Rakyat candidate at the nomination centre, IKBN (Institute Kemahiran Belia Negara), Mengkuang, Bukit Mertajam.

Here is Senator YB Tunku Aziz at the nomination centre. With him are party veteran Lau Dak Kee and DUST member Tee Chai Huat. YB Prof Ramasamy and Chief Minister, YAB Lim Guan Eng, are in the background.

The PR crowd of 10,000 easily dwarfed the BN group of fewer than 1,000. To access the "PAS side", we had to weave through 1 (one!) km of passionate PR supporters in a carnival-like atmosphere. After some repetition of "minta laluan", we emerged from the PAS crowd and police cordon to join the otherw in the institute compound.

At 1105am, it was formally announced that both the PR and BN were successfully nominated to vie for the by-elections.

The crowd at the nomination centre at Mengkuang, Permatang Pasir

The DAP flag waved amongst the PR crowd

Anniversary celebration, Rumah Berhala Ho Who San Koon

2009-08-11T21:49:00.004+08:00

10 August 09, 8 pm

53rd Anniversary celebrations, Rumah Berhala Ho Who San Koon, Jalan Landasan, Klang

I had the privilege of representing state Exco, YB Dr Xavier Jayakumar, at the 53rd anniversary dinner of the 'Ho Who San Koon' temple yesterday evening.

Located a short distance from the Hokkien Association, this modest temple is slated for relocation in order to make way for road construction.

The new site will need the assistance of YB Xavier and YB Puan Rodziah, the area ADUN. YB Rodziah, true to her responsibilities, braved an initial downpour to 'visit' the function.

I had the pleasure of announcing, on behalf of YB Xavier, an assistance grant of RM 10,000 for the temple from the state government.

Opening of DAP Bukit Gasing Branch

2009-08-02T23:28:00.004+08:00

YB Teng Chang Khim and I joined YB Edward Lee today for the opening of the DAP Bukit Gasing branch on Jalan Othman, Petaling Jaya.

We were joined by our friends, YB Hee Loy Sian (MP PJ Selatan) and YB Haniza (Adun Taman Medan).

Daniel Chong (Chairman), Yap Eng Seng (Vice-chairman) and John Chung (Secretary) and committee members were present to receive guests.

The membership of the new branch has a good spread of ages, which augurs well for the future of the party. We hope more members will join us, to work toward shared aspirations for a better Malaysia.

Hopes and Joys Merdeka Charity Concert

2009-08-02T23:19:00.003+08:00

August 1 09, Saturday, MBPJ Auditorium, Civic Centre

Hopes & Joys Merdeka Charity Concert

Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled (PJ Centre) co-organised a charity concert with the Council of Churches Malaysia, Rukun Tetangga SS2B, the offices of YB Edward Lee, YB Lau Weng San and my office.

The Beautiful Gate performing arts troupe demonstrated their skills in well-rehearsed routines

Netball competition, co-organised with Surau SS4B

2009-08-02T22:40:00.005+08:00

August 1 09, Saturday, SS4b/16 field Netball competition

The surau of SS4b and my office jointly organised this competition with the objectives of promoting a spirit of unity and of bringing together female netball enthusiasts from the neighbourhood.

Participants came from the local authorities (Polis of Balai Kelana Jaya, Bomba SS2, MBPJ, Syabas, Litrak), SM Taman SEA, Unitar, Litrak, and the surrounding residential areas of SS2, SS4, Kg Cempaka, Mayang Jaya, Aman Suria, Mayang Mas, Taman Megah, Damansara Utama, Kg Damansara Dalam, Section 19 and Damansara Jaya. Everyone had a great time.

Our special guests included Senator YB Tunku Aziz, YB Tony Pua, and surau secretary, Encik Abd Jalil.

A total of 25 teams vied for the challenge trophies.

Concurrent matches were played on 4 courts.

The under-17 teams, Seadevils (SMTaman Sea) vs PX2 Aman Suria.

Seadevils won 8-4.

The under-17 teams, Rakan Muda Lembah Subang vs MBPJ Team A.

Team MBPJ steamrolled Lemdah 10-1.

The above-18 teams, Fusion(SS4c, in white/green) vs Litrak (in pink/blue). It was an evenly contested match.

These are the result of the competition:

Under 17 :
1st - MBPJ Remaja A
2nd - PX1 Aman Suria
3rd - Rakan Muda Lembah Subang C

18 years & above:
1st - MBPJ
2nd - Fly Onn Chob A
3rd - Fly Onn Chob C

I thank ap cosmetics corporation sdn bhd for sponsoring IN2IT cosmetics for all the participants and Litrak for sponsoring soft drinks, and for helping to make the event a huge success.

I am a believer in the importance of playing well, playing good and having fun together in healthy sporting events!

Pertandingan Perbarisan

2009-08-02T22:21:00.005+08:00

Friday, July 31 09, 8.30pm, Stadium Kelana Jaya

Pertandingan Perbarisan for the Piala Dato' Menteri Besar Selangor and Piala Datuk Bandar Petaling Jaya

Fifteen teams hailing from various PBTs of Peninsula Malaysia (including Kuala Trengganu, Johor Baru, Johor Baru Tengah, Kuantan, Kajang, Ampang Jaya and Subang Jaya) took part in the pertanding. The marching and tatoos were a delight to watch .

The guests of honour were Selangor Exco YB Ronnie Liu and Mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman.

Team MBPJ giving a demonstration

PBT Johor Baru - tatoo march formation champions 2009, Piala Datuk Bandar

Farewell to Kenny Thong

2009-08-02T22:10:00.003+08:00

July 27 09

Kenny Thong left us suddenly at the age of 43 years. A passionate supporter of DAP, he had helped us as a polling agent in the 2008 General Elections, and garnered social and political support for the party and for the ideals of a civil society.

Friends, Malaysians and the DAP will miss him deeply.

The wake was held on Monday, 27 July 2009. I went with Richard Yap and Eddie Lim to pay our last respects to a dear saudara.

Our deepest condolences to Kenny's family. Rest well, Kenny, for you are now in the arms of your God.

Urban Renewal Strategy Conference, Hong Kong

2009-07-26T14:30:00.004+08:00

RICS Urban Renewal Strategy (URS) Conference, Hong Kong; Saturday, 25 July 2009

The theme for this conference was "Urban Renewal: Get It Right - Learning from Global Experience".

With keynote speaker Nigel Smith; RICS Vice-President, Ong See Lian; and Organizing Committee Chairman, David Tse; during the tea-break.

The Steering Committee on URS Review set up by HKSAR Government has chosen six Asian Cities, i.e. Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Taipei, Shanghai and Guangzhou, as comparable cities for UR experience for Hong Kong.

To supplement the experiences of these cities, the conference presented 3 keynote speakers who approached the subject quite differently, making it most interesting and useful.

Mr Thomas Murphy, the keynote speaker from USA, is a recognized expert in urban revitalization. He was a former legislator and 3-term mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Nigel Smith, a seasoned urban regeneration practitioner from the UK, has enormous practical knowledge of projects, places, and people all over England and Wales. He is currently Chairman of the RICS Regeneration Panel.

Mr Chris Brown, also from the UK, is chief executive of Igloo Regeneration. Igloo invests in
the development of mixed use, environmentally sustainable, well designed, urban regeneration projects on the edge of the UK’s top twenty city centers. Igloo has been described by the United Nations as ‘The World’s First Responsible Real Estate Fund’.

The Keynote Opening Address was given by Mrs Carrie Lam, Secretary for Development, HKSAR Government, who spoke on urban renewal from the adminstrative perspective.

Langham Place: An example of urban renewal, where a block of old building was replaced with a block of trendy shops and eateries in downtown Mong Kok, Hong Kong

Joint Media Statement by YBs Ean Yong Hian Wah and Ronnie Liu

2009-07-26T14:20:00.002+08:00

Joint Media Statement by DAP Selangor Excos, Ean Yong Hian Wah and Ronnie Liu, in Petaling Jaya; 25 July 2009

A REBUTTAL OF THE OUTRAGEOUS AND MALICIOUS ALLEGATIONS OF MISUSE OF STATE ALLOCATIONS

The outrageous claims made in a blog article alleging misuse of state allocations by two of us is a malicious attempt to defame members of the Selangor state Exco members and to mislead the public and to discredit the state leadership.

It is a fact that all such allocations are approved and paid by the Land Office. These payments are usually approved and signed for by the Assistant District Officer on behalf of the District Officer. Payment is then made to the approved recipients. In the process, all payments must be properly supported by documents. Thus in these cases, all payments are fully supported by vouchers, receipts, invoices and photographic evidence of the programme or the project concerned.

This system has been in place for many years and was handed down from previous Barisan Nasional administrations.

Since early this year, full details of all such payments had been posted on Ronnie Liu's blog with full details such as the programme dates, the amounts and cheque numbers, and the relevant receipts.

The allegations contained in the blog article contain many flaws and mistakes that indicate the article was posted with malicious intent and with no regard for the truth. Chief of these is the allegation that a recipient of the funds, Wong Chuan How is a contractor and reportedly was a major beneficiary of projects and contracts award by Ronnie Liu.

Wong is in fact a special assistant to Liu and also a Sepang councilor. Some cheques were made out to him as he handled miscellaneous payments in connection with some projects and programmes. These payments are also documented and supported with receipts and vouchers which may be inspected if necessary.

Some of the programmes listed relate to the periods before March 2008, so how can two of us have had access to state allocation funds then when they had not been elected as assemblymen yet?

Some of the programmes and projects listed in the article are fictitious and non-existent. For example, the allegation that funds were disbursed to buy hampers for village chiefs in Seberang Perai is far fetched as the Land Office in Selangor would never approve funds for programmes outside the constituency let alone outside the state.

The allegations that DAP takes a commission from all the payments is also ludicrous as the amounts are paid in full to the recipients and there has been no complaint on this to date. These scurrilous allegations are of course, completely unsubstantiated.

In making payment, the Land Office verifies the expenditures and would only authorise payments when there is proper supporting documentation.

The writer of the article has to date not produced any proof of his allegations.Why are the DAP Exco members singled out for this allegations?

Is there a political ploy afoot to discredit the state government?

We demand that the offending blog article be withdrawn immediately and an apology be tendered to both of us, failing which further action deemed fit should be taken.

Perhaps we should remind the public that the reports and complaints that state allocations to Barisan Nasional assemblymen in 2008 were exhausted within the first two months of the year, including a case where an assemblyman spent RM220,000 in a day!

RONNIE LIU & EAN YONG HIAN WAH

The Preservation of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Malaysia - speech by Datuk Zaid Ibrahim

2009-07-21T13:18:00.005+08:00

I have taken the liberty to reproduce in full here, another thought-provoking speech by Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. The original posting can be viewed in his blog, Dari Lensa ZI.

The Preservation of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Malaysia

Speech at The Oxbridge Malaysia Dinner Dialogue Series, hosted by the Oxford & Cambridge Society, Malaysia.

Date: Thursday, 9th of July 2009

Venue: Bankers’ Club, Kuala Lumpur.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for your invitation for me to speak today. When I accepted your kind offer, I was ‘party-less’. But things have now changed. I have drawn my line in the sand. And I have chosen sides. Today, I am a proud member of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Today I am persuaded by the argument that for Malaysia to have democracy and the Rule of Law, we must have a new government; a viable inclusive government of the people; a government for all Malaysians. Today I am dedicated to the cause of securing the success of Parti Keadilan and Pakatan Rakyat, and ensuring that it galvanises the best talents and ideas to form a robust alternative Malaysian political force to lead the nation, to deliver true integration and nationhood.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This country was established as a secular multicultural and multi-religious democracy ala the Westminster model. The Constitution however provides for a special position for the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak. They unfortunately omitted to include the Orang Asli in this special category, although they were naturally the first original inhabitants of this country. All they got was a Jabatan Orang Asli. The special provisions for Bumiputras under Article 153 do not make them more special than other citizens, for the fighters of independence did not envisage an Orwellian society where some are more equal than others. The acceptance of equality of rights as citizens is central to the success of our Malaysian journey.

When the PM announced his 1 Malaysia slogan, I asked if that meant he would make a declaration that all Malaysians are equal. The answer was not forthcoming till today. All he said was rights must be understood in the context of responsibilities. Another fuzzy reply. When critics asked if 1 Malaysia meant that the cultural characteristics of the diverse racial groups would be assimilated to a new design called 1 Malaysia, he quickly denied that it was an assimilation plan. So therefore I assume that 1 Malaysia is an affirmation of the rights of ALL the citizens under the Constitution, an affirmation of the multicultural and multi- religious nature of our country; and that the principles of Rukun Negara will continue to be the mainstay of our society.

My detractors say that my views are fodder for the egos and insecurities of those who detest the constitutional position of the Malays. They say I work too hard at being a Malaysian and by doing so, have forgotten my roots and responsibilities to the Malays. And that no right thinking Malay, who truly understands what is at stake, would ever support me. I know my heritage, I know my humble beginnings, and I know my roots and my responsibilities as a Malay. They are wrong. To them, let me say this.

UMNO — being hidden in a cave for so long and concealed from the real world — have almost abandoned the idea of a shared and common nationhood. They believe that for so long as the MCA and the MIC remain with them as partners of convenience, that is sufficient to build a nation. They think it’s sufficient to forge a new nation by electoral arrangements. The MCA and the MIC also think it’s sufficient for nationhood if they remain business partners of UMNO.

A new united Malaysia can only come true when UMNO changes and abandons racial politics and the politics of racial hegemony. Or, when the Malays can be made to understand that patronage, authoritarianism and nationalist extremism, which underpins UMNO’s style of leadership, does more harm to the community and the country than good. That Malays themselves must break from the shackles of narrow nationalism so that they may realise self-actualisation and emancipation. The first is difficult to achieve but I take it as my responsibility to try and achieve the second.

Let me now get into the subject of the speech by giving you an understanding about how UMNO ticks. This, to me, is critical in order for you to appreciate what hope we have for the preservation of the Rule of Law and Democracy in Malaysia.

At the heart of UMNO’s philosophy on leadership is a conviction that there is an inherent, almost ‘divine’ right to retain power at all costs. This is so for two reasons: Firstly, because they assume that they are the only political force, by way of Barisan Nasional, to offer a workable power-sharing leadership of this nation.

And secondly, because they believe that the Malay hegemony that UMNO maintains is necessary to prevent the Malays from becoming marginalised. It is these beliefs that are at the centre of UMNO’s self-indulgent sense of indispensability and self-importance that is today causing them to steer the nation to an authoritarian rule. It is this sense of self-importance that is accountable for the authoritarianism in leadership and government. It is this that has helped justify in their minds their right to quell anyone who threatens the status quo, whether it be a group of politicians or activists protesting against abuses in government, or a group of Indians protesting against their treatment and lack of opportunities, or a previous deputy prime-minister who was no longer in step with the ‘Big Boss’. It does not matter. Self-preservation demands expedience at all costs to resolve any impending threat.

But there is more. Since the hegemony is protected by policies that benefit the elites and other powerful forces, this sense of self-importance becomes even more dangerous. Because it justifies why real checks and balances against governmental abuses can be done away with. It justifies trampling on fundamental safeguards in the Federal Constitution in the last 20 years.

But there is more.

If you are on the cause of preserving the rights of the elites, the oligarchs, then it brings you no shame to have a former UMNO lawyer as Chief Justice; in fact, you become proud of that achievement. Even if the Attorney General had committed many errors in the discharge of his functions and duties, a well-known fact amongst the legal fraternity, you will not change him; nor would you change the Chief Of Police despite so many reports of transgressions committed by him. All for the ‘Malay cause’ they would say! And if you are on the Bench writing your judgement on the Perak fiasco; you can tailor it to suit your master’s political interests, and you will be lauded for that. The ‘Malay Cause’ is everything. The Constitution can wait; sound legal reasoning can wait, justice can wait.
But there is more.

Many in UMNO see the hegemony as a ‘be all and end all’, with the power sharing between component parties as being a means to an end. Ketuanan Melayu, a mantra of Malay supremacy, has gained ground instead of receding over time. More accurately it is Ketuanan Elit Melayu as the majority of the Malays have found out to their dismay.
What is the price that we ultimately pay as a nation, if this pernicious doctrine is embraced by many? Clearly to start with, we would continue to be cursed with a non-transparent government without the capability of functioning in a way that respects the rule of law. We will be cursed by having laws that oppress, that curtail and suffocate the basic freedoms of the people. We now have a set of rules for the elites and one for the rakyat, one for Barisan Nasional and one for Pakatan Rakyat.

If the public believes that the government is not beholden to a set of commonly revered values and principles, and its actions are tainted by racial biases, there will continue to be physical and emotional segregation of communities, regardless of how may times we change the slogans to break such divisiveness. The notion of creating a free and democratic Malaysia therefore becomes unachievable.

The ultimate price that the country suffers from the present political culture is that the Malays and non-Malays will continue to be denied a sense of ownership of Malaysia’s nation-building journey. And instead of become partners in this voyage to mature nationhood they continue to bicker and remain suspicious and distrustful of one another. Because of this segregation, the government is unable to set a new direction of the country. Because of racial polarization the people are not ready to accept a multiracial dimension of this country. As a result, we are not able to enact or even discuss comprehensive national policies whether it is regarding the police, education or judicial and civil service reforms .The distrust of the communities will prevent objective appraisals and solutions to the problems. Ethnic interests take precedence over national interests. National interests become a strange and fearful concept. And there will continue to be a brain drain of Malaysian talents who would have decided that they would rather make their home elsewhere. This is a high price that the country can ill-afford to pay given the increasingly challenging global outlook.

Authoritarianism, patronage, and nationalist extremism from any quarter destroy the key ingredients necessary for the Malaysian community to really build on and retain that wealth and knowledge. Competitiveness and true economic and scholastic success, is a function of instilling in the hearts and minds of beneficiaries a set of new behaviours, around the capacity and desire to take personal accountability, to trust one another, to be achievement oriented, to develop a sense of curiousity, a sense a solidarity that go beyond your own ethnic clans and groups; so that together, we are to be able to build this country. We must do away with unprincipled politics, with Machiavellian methods, but instead seek to change with reforms that encourage the development of a viable democracy and a prosperous country for all.

The government says it hopes to amend up to 33 laws, which involve discretionary powers to the Home minister, beginning with the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA), in the next Parliament session. Let’s hope and see if this will bear fruit. Authoritarianism in government will continue albeit in a different guise, unless the whole of the ISA, Official Secrets Act, The Sedition Act and similar such laws are abolished. This would be an example of good governance. However, authoritarian policies will most likely continue while corruption is rampant, when the elites need protection from their misdeeds. Najib will not be able to change any of these.

Perak State Government

The whole cloak and dagger story of intrigue about the overthrow of the Pakatan Rakyat government gave rise to much suspicion about Najib’s style, well before he took office. He could have allayed the fears that he would not be one to resort to under-the-belt tactics in his leadership, by calling for fresh elections. Najib’s unwillingness to dissolve the Perak Assembly has gotten the country deeper into a political quagmire. By doing so he will also help the Federal Court judges from having to come up with a convoluted legal reasoning, like that of the Court of Appeal, to please the Prime Minister.

Malay Unity Talk

This is again Najib’s idea to strengthen himself. If PAS were to support UMNO under the guise of a unity government, a viable alternative to Barisan Nasional at the next elections will be seriously undermined. Najib wanted the internal difficulties between Pakatan Rakyat parties to continue and fester as the mainstream media went full steam ahead to ensure Pakatan’s demise. Let me assure you that that such a scenario will not happen. Pakatan will only get stronger. Pakatan has its weaknesses but we do not have the culture of hegemony. We do not suppress dissent. Hence you will hear of occasional disagreements. You will hear of occasional flare-ups; but PAS, Keadilan and DAP are committed to finding ways to strengthen their partnership. They will not break up. Instead, they will form a formidable coalition that will be ready to provide an alternative government to the people.

Today, Malaysians are suffering the deleterious effect of a stagnating world economy, and the GDP will contract by 4.4 per cent according to the World Bank. FDI’s continue to fall, while talent is being lost. The standard of education and the skill sets, including the command of English, necessary for the work force to remain globally competitive continues to fall. Now after spending billions on teaching Science and Maths in English in the last 6 years, the Government has announced the reversal of the policy effective 2012. One wonders if the farcical National Service programme, which is neither a national service nor an educational programme will be scrapped too. .

Crimes and home security issues have increased since 2003 and these remain major concerns of the people. In the 1998 case of Anwar Ibrahim, allegations by the investigating officer himself of tampering with evidence by the IGP and the AG have not been answered satisfactorily. Of course the government had formed a certain panel comprising three ex-judges deliberating in a secret place. Not surprisingly the Panel cleared them. The findings of the Royal Commission in the Lingam case have not been acted upon in satisfactory manner. And many high profile cases reported to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) remain unattended. Such is the state of the Rule of Law in Malaysia. Will Najib attend to these issues? Certainly not.

All he can do is to announce the scrapping of some outdated policies that he had little choice but to do it anyway, as part of the demands of the international and ASEAN trade agreements. After decades of the NEP, the 30% equity requirement in companies listed amongst the 27 services sub-sectors are taken away. Also, the Foreign Investment Committee regulating investments in Malaysia, have been scrapped. The reasoning of the government, which is disputed by many Malays, is that the Bumiputra participation in the relevant services sub-sectors are satisfactory and hence the removal of the quota requirement. Whilst the move has made Najib popular in the short term, it will come back to haunt him. Economics and social justice require him to address the larger question of disparities in income of the rakyat. The plight and grievances of ordinary people will not be redressed by one or two populist policies.

On the question of the preservation of the Rule of Law and Democracy, he did nothing and probably will continue to do nothing. He should have acted as if he has only 100 days before his reign comes to an end. He should have embraced Roosevelt’s dictum, ‘There is nothing to fear but fear itself’, and embarked on far reaching policies to give back judicial power to the Courts, to give back integrity, trust and respectability to governmental institutions like the Police, the Attorney General’s Office, the Election Commission; that of which Malaysia desperately needs. In doing so he can show the people he was prepared to sacrifice his neck if that is required of him.

He should not have started the Perak debacle but since it had already got under way, he should have had the courage to win back the support of the people by allowing for the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly. Instead of embarking on the inane idea of UMNO-PAS unity — confirming the suspicion that he is like his Deputy who only understands UMNO-PAS unity at the expense of everything else — Najib should have called for a national debate amongst all leaders of major political parties for a serious discussion on key and core values for the country.

The problems in our country are not race or religion based, but BN has worked very hard to make them so. It’s always about the Rakyat against the elites or the powerful oligarchs that run and control the country’s institutions and wealth. The Rakyat, for too long have becomes pawns in this political game where the race and religious issues are being played out to divide them.

Najib should have started his administration with pushing through a Race Relations Act that will punish racism and racist speeches and writings from all quarters, even if it’s from leaders of his own party and from Utusan Malaysia. The single greatest impediment to Malaysians being united and working together for the common good, is racist politics in Malaysia. Racism here is not the same kind that the Anglo Saxon whites have over blacks and coloureds (or vice versa) for many years. It’s not the apartheid kind of racism where whites generally believe they are superior to blacks and coloureds in genetics and all spheres of life. Our racism is driven more by ethnic distrust and ethnic rivalry for the economic cake. They are mainly economic and cultural in nature, based on the fear that the wealth of the country will be taken away by the Chinese, and vice versa. But it’s just as divisive and dangerous. It refers to both institutionalised racism and those exhibited by individuals. Malaysia needs to combat this problem because it’s particularly acute. Because we have three major races that did not have the luxury of time for natural assimilation or the time to gel and live in harmony, we need legislation and governmental support to push through the unity factors and manage the divisive factors found in the community.

To bring about a truly united 1 Malaysia, our PM must not always refer to the deprivation of the Malays suffered under the British. No amount of wallowing of the past can change history, nor can we just tell the Chinese and the Indians how grateful they should be for events taking place 100 years ago. Equally, he cannot just be happy that he has the MCA and MIC taking care of the non-Malays. He has to do more to make sure the non-Malays are equally responsible and generous with the Malays. Will they open their businesses to the Malays? Will they give credit on the same terms they do to their own clans?

But at the same time the people, including the Malays, must be convinced that democracy and a functioning bureaucracy is good for them. That they have a better chance of realizing their potentials and benefiting from their rights and privileges under a government that respects just laws. They must resist corruption by all means at their disposal. The notion of Bangsa Malaysia will not detract or take away anything from them, but instead they become a part of a larger and more diverse community where they too can experience the generousity, beauty, strength, and richness of Malaysian cultures. They will benefit from the solidarity of people from all walks of life, and their worldview will change to make them stronger and more confident of themselves.

A PM of this country must not succumb to the idea that force and repression will prevail over the people’s will. The PM of this country must not suffer from the delusion that the Police, the Army, the Courts, the Election Commission and the Attorney General could strike fear in the hearts of the people to the extent that they will retreat. No leader in ancient and modern times has survived the outrage of the masses. Today we have witnessed a new sense of outrage; outrage against the abuse of power, against inequality, outrage against the continued persecution of Anwar Ibrahim, and outrage against the policies of divide and rule.

Ladies and Gentlemen,The winds of change have never blown so strong. Today, the rakyat has spoken and they want their voices heard. They want a new beginning, so that this country, which we all call home, will be transformed into a dynamic, open and vibrant democratic sanctuary. A sanctuary where we live without fear of police harassment, without fear of wearing black or yellow, without fear of detention without trial, without the nausea of reading newspapers whose editors have to toe the line to keep the papers alive. We will make this country such that we have room and space for all of us to have our dreams and hopes come true.

But the window of opportunity has opened for one central reason. And that is because the people now have a choice; between the establishment that has led the country over the last 50 years, or a viable alternative in Pakatan Rakyat that can inclusively carry the hopes and aspirations of all Malaysians, no matter they be Malay, Chinese or Indian. For without this alternative, the self indulgent and delusional sense of self-importance of UMNO and its cohorts in Barisan Nasional will continue to impose itself.

No doubt, Keadilan is a new party, and Pakatan Rakyat is in its infancy, and the coming together of different political parties to find a common thread with which to build meaningful solidarity to work together, is a long and arduous journey. Let us not kid ourselves. Many challenges lie ahead to make it a truly viable alternative political force to Barisan Nasional and acceptable choice to all Malaysians. And the traps and snares to trip up this fledgling alternative are being laid everywhere; the Unity talks being just one.

My colleagues and I in Pakatan Rakyat must be cautious, and yet courageous, patient yet purposeful, tolerant yet principled, to ensure that Pakatan Rakyat steers clear of these traps, and that we build a truly robust and secure alternative from which the electorate can choose to form government. We must desist from any temptation to go back to the ways of the past, in which opposition parties represent their own narrow factional interests, only to grant a walkover victory to the status quo.

At for Parti Keadilan Rakyat, it must soldier on come what may, as a party that will protect the people regardless of race and ethnicity. The Special position of the Bumiputras and Islam as mandated by the Constitution will be honoured but will do so in an open transparent manner; as a democratic multiracial party that observes the Rule of Law will be obliged to do. Keadilan will not champion racial politics and will not seek racial hegemony. We are a lot more humble than UMNO. But we will be fearless in the defence of the rights of the Rakyat against powerful oligarchs and vested interest groups. We will make the public institutions in this country respectable and full of integrity. These institutions will regain the respect and the trust of the people.

Ladies and Gentlemen,We do not live in a world of black and white. We live in a world full of different colours, shades and textures. No truer is this than in Malaysia. I can stand here and tell you of my immense sense of pride and affection in being a Malaysian, just as I can do the same about being Malay. And I believe that we all are just as capable of feeling that way about being Malaysian, and yet similarly proud of being Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan or Iban, no matter who we are.

And it is this mix of seemingly conflicting values, which when blended and tempered with courage, tolerance, good faith, and framed by universally held moral and civic values, that makes the canvas of Malaysia so rich, so powerful and so full of potential. Let us preserve this living piece of art, and ensure that it continues to beautify and enrich our personal lives, as private citizens.

For if we fail, then the providence with which we are blessed today to make a breakthrough change, will disappear as quickly as it came, and we will be back to square one. Our future and that of our children and their children, depends on our success. Failure is not an option. God favours the brave.

Thank you.

'The Future of the Malaysian Healthcare System' seminar

2009-07-19T13:52:00.007+08:00

18 July 2009; State seminar cum workshop on 'Future of the Malaysian Healthcare System', Subang Jaya

Selangor Exco, Dr Xavier Jayakumar, organised this seminar/workshop to gather views from stakeholders on the important issue of future healthcare. Dr Jayakumar is chairperson of the permanent committees for Health, Plantation Workers & Poverty and Caring Government for the state.

It was a serious meeting, with whole-day long discussions lasting from 9am-5pm. The areas discussed included healthcare financing, the role of the government, enhancement of quality as well as the liberalisation of healthcare services.

The seminar had input from various experts, including Dr Steven Chow (President of the Federation of the Private Medical Practitioners' Association Malaysia), Assoc. Prof. Dr Subramaniam Pillay (health economics), YB Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj (MP Sungai Siput), Dr Kadar (MSQH) and economist Dr Chan Chee Khoon.

There was active paricipation from NGOs, resident groups and wakil rakyats (Aduns, MPs, and local councillors). We were honoured with the presence of Timbalan Speaker YB Haniza, MP YB Dr Tan Seng Giaw, and MP YB Dr Lee Boon Chye, Aduns Edward Lee, Gan Pei Nee, and Abd Rani.

We will use the findings from the workshop to formulate guidelines for future healthcare service delivery.

Mysterious death in vicinity of MACC building

2009-07-16T20:54:00.005+08:00

The sudden and tragic death of Teoh Beng Hock - at around 1.30pm today, according the the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) - is a case fit for Sherlock Holmes.

Teoh, the 30-year old political secretary of Selangor state EXCO Ean Yong, had been summoned to the MACC headquarters yesterday for interrogation on Adun allocations.

The death is quite mystifying, considering that Teoh was to get married tomorrow - fancy any theories of suicide...

My deepest condolences to the family and loved ones.

Report and photograph in the China Press this evening

Ongoing hygiene awareness campaign at wet markets

2009-07-05T13:13:00.004+08:00

Sunday, 5 July 2009

This morning, we hit the road again, to continue our ongoing hygience awareness campaign in the wet markets.

Starting off with Kg Cempaka at 8.30 am, we distributed a total of 1600 face masks and 1300 leaflets on A influenza H1N1 at the market there.

These measures is in line with the prevention and containment strategy of the Ministry of Health.

The DUST Kebajikan team was called to action

Giving out the leaflets and face-masks

At 11 am, we moved on to the Taman Megah temporary market to do the same there.

At the Taman Megah temporary wet market

Let's work together for a healthier and more hygienic Damansara Utama.

Kg Buah Pala issue - Press Statement by Penang CM

2009-07-01T22:24:00.006+08:00

The Kg Buah Pala controversy in Penang is a prime example of some of the problems faced by Pakatan Rakyat state governments - firefighting the hot potatoes and 'done deals' carried over from the previous state administrations.

In many situations, we cannot legally undo what has already been done. In other situations, undoing what has been done might be technically and legally possible, but at a cost or risk that is unjustifiable and/or impossible for the state to undertake.

One such 'done deal' in the Damansara Utama constituency is the planned hawker centre in Taman Mayang Jaya (a B. O. T. scheme). The deal was inked in 2004 - did any of us know then?

Now, some irate residents want the MBPJ to pay RM20 million compensation to the developer to scuttle the deal! At that Taman Mayang Jaya public meeting, I had to make it very clear that I am unable to support with good conscience such a use of public funds .

All parties must bite the bullet, including the resident voters who had voted the previous politicians, whom they entrusted to take care of their kawasan.

We urge aggrieved residents to come up with constructive suggestions and to negotiate with the developers on points of distress. Merely demanding to toss out the contract - "just pay them!" - is not the solution.

I hope that the rakyat will not judge us by our ability or otherwise to unravel every instance of past injustices or mistakes committed by previous administrations. Instead, please evaluate us by the policies embraced and actions taken during our term of office.

For one, you can be assured that we will not be selling off prime state land behind the residents' backs for a song . On further thought, RM10 per square foot might be even less than the price of a song.

Pakatan Rakyat and DAP remain committed to working for the betterment of all Malaysians regardless of status, creed and colour.

Punishing the Pakatan Rakyat state governments by voting back Barisan Nasional (the culprits who sold your land for a song) will be like a battered spouse going back for more abuse.

Press Statement by Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang
Georgetown; Wednesday, 1st July 2009:

If the Tang Hak Ju land scam involving undeveloped quarry land for a period of 15 years may finally cost the state government RM 40 million (RM 29 million + interest), forcible acquisition of Kampung Buah Pala involving developed land would be of a frightening magnitude

The Penang state government wishes to rebut the lies of Hindraf leaders and collaborators of BN and MIC who claims that acquiring Kampung Buah Pala would cost at the most RM 30 million or even very much less.

Where is it stated in the land acquisition laws or approved by the courts that government can acquire land for the public interest at a sum far below the market price?

If the Tang Hak Ju land scam involving undeveloped quarry land for a period of 15 years may finally cost the state government RM 40 million (RM 29 Million + interest), forcible acquisition of Kampung Buah Pala involving developed land would be of a frightening magnitude.

The Penang state government simply does not have the financial capability to afford the acquisition of Kampung Buah Pala. We are not talking of millions of ringgit. Neither are we talking of tens of millions of ringgit here!

Any lawyer or even law student knows this.

Clearly these Hindraf leaders and BN collaborators are trying to spin a web of deceit and deception to paint the Penang state government as uncaring of Indians.

Hindraf may deceive those from outside Penang but those in Penang knows our achievements that we have taken a different path of looking not only after Indians but also after Malays and Chinese as well.

Penang Pakatan Rakyat state government fights for all races and will never become a single racial or religious entity.

As with all communities, we have given dignity and respect to ordinary Indians. The first Indian Deputy Chief Minister II of a state in Malaysia was appointed in Penang, all the 28 Tamil primary schools were given a yearly allocation of RM 1.5 million along with other Chinese primary, Sekolah Agama Rakyat, missionary schools and Chinese independent secondary schools.

Further, Penang put up the FIRST Tamil road signs in the country alongside with Arabic, Chinese and English bilingual road signs in Georgetown. Even Hindraf had never raised the issue of Tamil road signs.

Hindraf and the BN collaborators must see that the Pakatan Rakyat Penang state government treats all Indians together with Chinese and Malays as Malaysian citizens who desire justice and detest corruption.

Unlike Hindraf and the BN collaborators, we fight for all races and religions and will never become a single racial and religious entity.

Hindraf should not stray from its chosen path of defending the victim against the bully or fighting those who are helping the victims.

Many Malaysians whether Indians or non-Indians are upset that Hindraf has chosen to pick on the Penang state government instead of the real culprits who sold out Kampung Buah Pala – BN and Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Lest we forget, it was Koh Tsu Koon and BN that sold out Kampung Buah Pala at a cheap price of only RM 10 per square feet in 2007 and without consulting the residents. Why has Hindraf lost the courage to oppose the real culprits?

Regrets unruly behaviour of Hindraf demonstrators

However despite regretting the irrational and unjustified targeting of the Penang state government, Hindraf leaders have the right to exercise the basic human rights of peaceful assembly. I have instructed my officials to respect their rights, accord them full respect and accept any memorandum submitted.

I had also urged the police not to take any action that would lead to untoward incidents.

Instructions have also being given that should the police chose to act, then the demonstrators should be led to a place safe from police action in the air-conditioned Komtar government auditorium on the 5th floor.

This gesture should serve as a contrast to a BN government that would never have invited demonstrators to the air-conditioned Komtar government auditorium in the 5th floor but would have used violent force instead to disperse them.

The Pakatan Rakyat Penang State government’s restraint against Hindraf demonstrators yesterday at Komtar despite extreme provocation demonstrates our commitment not only to help Kampung Buah Pala residents but also in upholding the fundamental right of freedom of peaceful assembly.

I feel sad at the unruly behaviour of those present who called my political secretary and ADUN Komtar Ng Wei Aik “an office boy”. Or even asking for two graves of 2X6 and 4X6 to be dug for Sri Delima ADUN Rayer and Penang DCM2 Professor Ramasamy.

Pressure the Federal Government and Dr Koh Tsu Koon to correct their grievous mistake by acquiring Kampung Buah Pala.

Despite such consideration on our part for their safety, there were calls by demonstrators inside the air-conditioned Komtar government auditorium that they would vote for BN and against Pakatan Rakyat in the next general elections.

It is clear that Hindraf has been infiltrated by BN and MIC collaborators and should return to its original goal of fighting BN who have shown in Kampung Buah Pala as in countless cases of selling out the people’s rights.

Hindraf can start off this process by pressuring the Federal government and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to correct their past grievous mistake by acquiring Kampung Buah Pala and returning back the land to the people.

What the state government cannot afford financially is definitely within the means of the Federal government!

Hygiene Awareness Campaign

2009-06-28T18:34:00.005+08:00

Sunday, 28 June 09, 8.30am; Hygiene Awareness Campaign at the PJ SS2 and Taman Megah wet markets

This morning, we visited two wet markets as part of the continuing effort to enhance hygiene awareness among the hawkers and traders.

We started off at 8.30am in the PJ SS2 wet market, where we distributed some 2400 H1N1 influenza information leaflets and 3200 masks to shoppers and visitors.

At 10.15am, the team moved on to the Taman Megah wet market, where the reception was again very welcoming. We gave out 1300 masks and 1100 leaflets there.

SS2 local councillor, Francis Chang, and DUST (Damansara Utama Support Team) members Chris Chu, Terence Tan, SP Guna, Tony Khong & wife, and Peter Liew turned out in full force to carry out the exercise.

Also helping out were Red Crescent members (Adrian and Osla), SS5 residents (Palasingam, Sami and Wira), Ngiam from RTSS2b and Gary Chong of Seapark Apartments.

It was a very good outing, which finished off with a team lunch at the 'Good Luck Restoran'.

Any photos? Everyone was so busy that they forgot to take photos!

Lovely Disabled Home environmental awareness activity

2009-06-27T23:20:00.003+08:00

June 27 09; Recycle/clean up programme of the Lovely Disabled Home

This afternoon, I visited the Lovely Disabled Home to officiate their recycling and cleaning-up programme.

Mr Lum, Chairman for the centre, briefed reporters about their upcoming trip to Rawang, where about 150 members and supporters of the centre will conduct a visit to the Ulu Kancing waterfall.

The goal of the visit is to clean up the waterfall vicinity and practise good recyling habits. Such a worthwhile activity fully deserved a RM2500 Adun-donation to help defray expenses.

Book donation to the PIBG, SJK(C) Chung Hwa

2009-06-26T20:45:00.003+08:00

26 June 09, 10am; SJK(C) Chung Hwa, Kg Damansara Dalam (Sect 17A N/V)

This morning, YB Tony Pua (MP of PJ Utara) and I paid a visit to the SJK(C) Chung Hwa in Kg Damansara Dalam. We were accompanied by the chairman and several members of the village JKKK.

Drawing from my ADUN's allocation from the Selangor state government, we donated RM2500 worth of books to the school PIBG. The books will be given by the PIBG to the school library.

With Ms Lam Yoke San (Chairperson, PIBG), Mr Chin Kok Khong (JKKK Chairman) and other JKKK members in the school canteen

Taman Mayang Jaya Hawker Centre - public hearing

2009-06-26T20:37:00.003+08:00

24 June 09, 8.30am; Public hearing at the Balairaya Taman Mayang Jaya

The residents of Taman Mayang and Taman Megah weathered continuous rain to gather at the balairaya to hear a briefing by the project manager of the Taman Mayang Jaya hawker centre.

The meeting was chaired by Liew, chairman of the Taman Mayang Jaya Residents Association.

Discussions were very heated. The residents' main grouses were the massive number of foodstalls (52) and the potential traffic and security problems associated with the project.

Kem Kesihatan in Kg Baru Damansara Dalam

2009-06-21T22:24:00.003+08:00

21 June 09; Kem Kesihatan in Kg Baru Damansara Dalam (Section 17A New Village)

A healthcare camp was held at the new village this morning. Those who came received free testing of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, and the aged poor were given food parcels. The state also gave a cash grant to two deserving cases, using funds from my ADUN allocation.

With Penghulu Tuan Sarip at the function

The JKKK committee members were in action, assisted by the DUST Kebajikan (Welfare) team. Also present at the event were local councillors Mak Khuin Weng, Francis Chang and village head Chin Kek Keong.

Kem Belia, Ulu Selangor

2009-06-20T23:37:00.003+08:00

Kem Belia at the Kalumpang Resort and Training Centre, Ulu Selangor, 20 June 09

The Selangor government has organised a series of interactive camps to foster community interaction and harmony.

This morning, I sent off a mixed group of youth from the meeting point at my service centre. This group of young men and women were headed for a 2-day/1-night camp at the Kem Belia, Kalumpang Resort and Training Centre, Ulu Selangor.

Meeting with PAS PJU liason committee

2009-06-19T22:52:00.002+08:00

June 18 09

I had a meeting with PAS PJU chairman, Tuan Hj Ahmad Yusof, and his committee yesterday.

Among other matters, we talked about how PAS could play a bigger role in some of the programmes conducted by the Selangor state, such as 'Tuition Rakyat' and youth camps.

Also present were DAP PJU liaison chairman James Ooi and secretary Thomas Goh.

I find such meetings useful because they enhance coordination, strengthen cooperation and help focus on our shared goals in running the affairs of the state.

ADUN Damansara Utama Challenge Trophy

2009-06-14T23:42:00.002+08:00

Jun 14 09; Basketball Tournament, Adun Damansara Utama Challenge Trophy, Kg Cempaka

This 3-a-side basketball tournament took place this morning in Kg Cempaka, where a total of 55 teams, under-13 and under-18, vied for the Challenge Trophy.

It was truly a muhibbah event, as many 'Malay' and a few 'Indian' teams threw in their gaunlets to meet with the 'Chinese' teams.

The match between the SJBA3 ('chinese' team) and the J3 ABALOT ('malay' team) in the under- 18 category was a keenly contested game, where rules and fairplay were adhered to. Well worth watching indeed!

Damansara Kim RT get-together

2009-06-14T23:36:00.004+08:00

Jun 13 09, 9 pm; Damansara Kim RT get-together

It is the 1st year anniversary of the Community-Policing project by the Central Zone of the Damansara Kim community. The success of the project is evidenced by the report of declining robberies in the neighbourhood, as presented by Sergeant Jamil.

Eileen and her group (security committee under Dato Koh) should be commended for the persistent hard work.

An enthusiastic neighbourhood crowd of 200-250 residents gathered for the event, where birthday boy Mr Leong was also remembered.

The Pasukan Kebajikan from my service centre, DUST, was on hand to help register seniors for the Usia Emas scheme.

Visit to Singapore; 4 Jun 09

2009-06-08T22:01:00.006+08:00

Last Thursday, a group of us made a one-day, 'sendiri bayar', lawatan sambil belajar to Singapore, to visit their URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) and HDB (Housing and Development Board).

Our entourage comprised representatives from the MIP (Malaysian Institute of Planners), REHDA Selangor (Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association), YB Haniza Mohd Talha (Adun Taman Medan) and myself.

One of the goals of the Selangor state government under Pakatan Rakyat is to balance commercial development with good quality of life for its residents. While development is necessary for sustaining a vibrant economy and for providing jobs, over development compromises the quality of life for the community.

Asides from well-thought-out planning and approval of new projects, we also face a need for the renewal of aged and deteriorating buildings, as well as the revitalisation of declining neighbourhoods.

The aim of our trip was to learn from Singapore's experience in urban development and renewal.

We were well-briefed by Mr Zulkefle and Wong of the URA

Pertandingan Futsal SS4; Saturday, 6 Jun 09

2009-06-08T21:43:00.006+08:00

My office, in cooperation with the Youth Bureau of the Masjid Al-Ehsan, sponsored a futsal competition amongst the SS4 residents this past Saturday morning.

The response was good, and the contestants were able to form several teams for the 3 levels of competition:

1. Below 13 years - 3 teams,

2. Age 13-17 years - 6 teams, and

3. Open/Above 18 years - 7 teams.

The finals saw the 'Budak Baik' team pitting their skills against 'Samba boys' team. The game was action-packed, with quick dashes and power shots at the slightest opportunity. The Samba boys emerged champs.

I was very pleased to see the event bringing youths of various backgrounds together, and hope that such community-building activities will be a regular feature in our neighbourhoods.

Awards ceremony and opening of the Kg Cempaka Community Hall

2009-06-01T22:50:00.006+08:00

May 30 09, Saturday; Ceremony to award certificates to citizens representative of PJ Zone 7, Kg Cempaka

Citizen representatives from various groups gathered at the covered basketball court at Kg Cempaka last weekend, to receive their award certificates. The groups include those from SS4, SS4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, Tmn Mayang, Tmn Bkt Mayang Emas, Aman Suria, Kg Cempaka, Masjid al Ehsan (SS4A), and St Ignatius Church.

The representatives and their friends took the opportunity to highlight their kawasan concerns to the guest-of-honour, MBPJ Datuk Bandar Dato' Hj Mohamad Roslan Sakiman, and also to PJU MP Tony Pua and myself.

The awards ceremony was followed by the official opening of the Kg Cempaka Community Hall by the Datuk Bandar. This was a rather special event for the villagers of Kg Cempaka, as the Hall had in the past been occupied by a political party. From now on, however, the hall will be apolitical, and be used by the community instead. Appreciative onlooker villagers turned up to witness the event.

Constituency events and functions

2009-05-20T22:16:00.008+08:00

These are some of the upcoming events and functions in my schedule.

Sat, 23 May 09, 1pm
Guest of Honour
Event: AGM of Ken 2 Damansara Residents Association
Venue: Ken 2

Fri, 29 May 09, 8.30pm
Speaker
Topic : 'Challenges & Opportunities'
Venue: Gospel Hall Centre, TTDI

Sat, 30 May 09, 4pm (inserted on 22 May 09)
Guest of honour
Event : Tea party and the launching of security services for residents of Damansara Utama (subsection Jln SS21/36, SS21/38, SS21/40, SS21/42, SS21/42A)
Venue: Field/basketball Court on Jln SS21/38

Sun, 31 May 09, 9am
ADUN
Event : Official opening of Balai Raya Kg. Cempaka by Datuk Bandar MBPJ
Venue: Kg. Cempaka Basketball Court

Sat, 6 June 09, 9am
Host
Event : Futsal Competition
Venue : SS4A, next to the mosque

Sat, 6 June 09, 6pm
Guest of Honour
Event : Musical Charity Show by Cempaka Buddhist Lodge
Venue: Multipurpose Hall, SJKC Yuk Chai, PJ

DAP National Leadership Retreat

2009-05-17T10:17:00.003+08:00

Kuala Lumpur, 16-17 May 09

The DAP national leadership, along with all its ADUNs and MPs, have come together for a two- day retreat in Kuala Lumpur.

Issues on the agenda include coalition building in Pakatan Rakyat and efforts to achieve a more multiracial representation in the DAP membership. I took part in the Coalition Building workshop yesterday, which started off with a preamble by YB Khalid Samad.

The DAP is also reflecting on its identity ('Is DAP an election party?'), as well as examining its role and strategies in these challenging and exciting political times for the country.

Rule of law, BN-style

2009-05-10T15:38:00.005+08:00

May 7 09, Perak

Malaysians will not forget May 7, come GE 13.

Sivakumar dragged out, BN speaker takes over - Malaysiakini Live Reports, May 7, 09

PAC site visits; 23 April 09

2009-05-03T14:36:00.008+08:00

The Selangor PAC (Public Accounts Committee) recently conducted site visits to the Hutan Rantau Panjang and the PKPS Tilapia Fish Farm in Batu Arang.

It is indisputable that PKPS (Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Selangor, Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation) projects were habitually loss-making under the administration of the previous state government.

Hutan Simpan Rantau Panjang, Batu Arang

This project drew PAC's attention as the terms of the contractual agreement - at every level - are so severely skewed against the interests of the state that it is unbelievable. What ever has happened to 'membela & menjaga hartanah Negeri Selangor'?!

PKPS tilapia fish farm, Batu Arang

It is interesting that this project has been touted as a fish farm of reference for visiting dignitaries, with claims of being unable to to meet high market demand for its tilapia. And yet the project has not been able to turn in a profit for the past several years!

The PAC certainly needed to find out why. Hence the visit.

The farm is a JV with a private company, with PKPS as a minor, 40%, shareholder. PKPS had functioned largely as a passive investor. Feed costs appear to be the main cost (70%), with the farm breeding its own fries.

Together with PAC member YB Ng Suee Lim

The findings from the visits will be discussed at the upcoming PAC meeting in May.

The current state government is systematically working to correct problems in these projects. We are pushing ahead to turn them from loss-making entities into enterprises that enrich the state and benefit its rakyat.

Kerugian PKPS di zaman BN satu pengajaran Muhammad Arif Ismail, HarakahDaily.Net, Apr 23 09

Kg Cempaka Service Day

2009-05-03T11:19:00.003+08:00

May 1 09; Kg Cempaka Service Day

My office sponsored a Service Day for the community of Kg Cempaka, Petaling Jaya, on Labour Day.

The Organising Committee comprising SP Guna (chairman), JJ Beh, Ana and Peter Liew did a great job, and the DUST (Damansara Utama Support Team) showed up in full force to attend to the 250 villagers who came for the event.

Penghulu Sarip gave an update of Tuanku's health status to the attending anak-anak Selangor.

Two lawyers, Chiong and Wallace, were on hand to give free legal advice to local villagers. They were certainly kept busy, handling the numerous issues concerning housing and land.

There was a counter giving advice and helping the villagers to register into the various Selangor state welfare programmes such as Tawas and Warga Usia Emas.

Tony Khong was also there to speak with members of the public who expressed interest to volunteer their services with our team.

A health team from Kelana Jaya provided blood pressure and sugar checks.

Speaking to local villagers as they queue for their blood pressure and blood sugar check by the health team from Kelana Jaya

The event ended with lunch and the last of the crowd left at about 1 pm.

Skim Warga Usia Emas - Penyampaian bayaran manafaat

2009-05-03T10:56:00.004+08:00

25 April 2009; Skim Warga Usia Emas, Majlis Penyampaian Bayaran Manafaat Peringkat Ketiga
About 100 beneficiaries were due to receive their second portion (RM1,500) of the Selangor state's Usia Emas welfare programme. The event was attended by local councillors, ADUNs, representatives from the District Office, Penghulus, Ketua Kampungs, heads of new villages and DUST members.

Atria hawkers meeting with developer

2009-04-19T10:58:00.005+08:00

18 April 2009, 5.30pm

A major redevelopment of Atria, Damansara Jaya (SS22), Petaling Jaya, is on the cards. The old site, which belonged to MBPJ, needs a major overhaul in tandem with the changing demands of discerning PJ consumers.

Yesterday, the Atria developer briefed the two dozen hawkers in the area about the development that will be carried out.

MBPJ councillor Tuan Syed together with MBPJ personnel were also present to advise on regulations and specifications pertaining to hawker centres.

SS4B - Upgrading a 'forgotten' field

2009-04-18T22:30:00.003+08:00

SS4B/4, Petaling Jaya- 17 April 2009

The residents of SS4B were delighted to see concrete action being taken to upgrade their long-neglected field on SS4B/4.

The RM260,000 exercise will give the field a much-desired walking track, 2 badminton courts to replace the current sunken single court, a reflexology area and a gazebo. The contract for the job was awarded by open tender.

The residents rejected the suggestion to construct more benches and tables as they felt these tend to attract undesirable outsiders at night.

With local residents and MBPJ landscape department staff, who were led by Cik Ariana

It was a good opportunity for me to meet the SS4b folks, mainly the older 'pioneers' of the neighbourhood. Also present was local councillor Cynthia Gabriel (in green on my left).

Illegal rubbish dump on Jalan 19/20

2009-04-12T21:53:00.003+08:00

Some unscrupulous contractors have been dumping rubbish indiscriminately and illegally on Jalan 19/20 in Petaling Jaya.

I did a site visit with Shafrul from Alamflora and my PA, SP Guna, on 8 April 09, after a resident lodged a complaint.

The site, now a rubbish dump, has the potential to be cleaned up and rehabilitated into a nice picnic spot.

Alamflora will write to the MBPJ about doing a thorough clean-up and subsequent landscaping.

We need residents to continuously act as eyes and ears for their community, and to report such irresponsible activities to the appropriate authorities.

Bukit Gantang By-Election: on the campaign trail

2009-04-05T22:09:00.006+08:00

Voters of Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai;

Please go home to vote this Tuesday, 7 April 09. Your vote is important.

Vote Pakatan Rakyat for a government that is accountable, transparent and committed to working for the well-being of all Malaysians.

Vote Pakatan Rakyat as your way of saying 'NO MORE!' to corruption, racism, abuse of power, cronyism, and an opaque entrenched system that enriches only a segment of Malaysian society.

Your vote counts. Every vote counts.

Hitting the campaign trail for YAB Mohammad Nizar (Bukit Gantang)

Spied - BN machinery distributing rice

Spied - BN machinery distributing food

Residents showing me bags of rice and new bicycles - election gifts from a political party

Are you content to be showered by service, attention and gifts before every election/by election?

Or do you want a government that puts the rakyat's interest first, a government that works for you throughout the term?

Vote for change - vote for Ketuanan Rakyat.

Vote Pakatan Rakyat.

Selangor Retrenchment Helpline

2009-03-28T23:41:00.004+08:00

Are you jobless or retrenched, or do you know of someone who is? The Selangor state government would like to help.

The Special Helpline Team will be holding 'Resume and Career Clinics' every Saturday, from 28 March to 25 April 2009, at various locations to provide guidance and assistance. The details can be found in the poster below.

Do remember to bring along your resume/CV.

For further information, you can contact the Selangor State Secretariat, 03-5544 7000, or look up 'Resume and Career Clinic' at http://www.selangor.gov.my/ .

PRESS RELEASE 30 JAN 2009

TASKFORCE ON PROBLEM OF RETRENCHED WORKERS SET TO TACKLE PROBLEMS

SHAH ALAM – The Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor today chaired the inaugural meeting of the
taskforce formed to tackle the problems of retrenched workers for Selangor.

Apart from the state executive council members, several government departments and state subsidiaries, the meeting was also attended by the Federation of Manufacturers, Malaysia (FMM), Malaysia Trade Union Congress (MTUC) and Malaysian Industry Development Agency.

In the hour-long meeting, the taskforce was briefed on the state’s economic situation, the standard
of awareness on the effects of the gloomy economic outlook and the impact of the economy on job
opportunities.

Among the issues raised include establishing an effective system in recording the data of
retrenched workers, providing accurate statistics of retrenched workers, providing details on the job market and other plans of action in helping the retrenched workers.

Those who attended also heard the views and proposals from FMM, MTUC, MIDA and the welfare
department on ways and means to tackle the problems raised and among the suggestions include
setting up registration counters for retrenched workers at local council offices.

The taskforce also discussed the possibility of getting the feedback and cooperation from private companies and job agencies in managing the data of retrenched workers and job-matching.

The taskforce will meet again next week and the Manpower Department is expected to give a
briefing on how the state can benefit from the Federal Government’s RM200 million allocation for
the re-training of retrenched workers.

The taskforce will also meet employment agencies and small traders’ associations to seek their views in providing solutions to help ease the hardship of retrenched workers.

The state government hopes that the policies introduced by this taskforce can minimize the impact
of the economic slowdown on the working force in Selangor.

PRESS SECRETARIAT, THE OFFICE OF DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR

'Hari Air Sedunia' celebrations; 22 Mar 09

2009-03-23T22:22:00.003+08:00

The SS4A Mosque Committee, together with SYABAS, held a community event to celebrate World Water Day 2009.

I was honoured to be invited to officiate the event, and was happy to note that is was well-attended by residents of all races from the neighbourhood.

At the function, SYABAS took the opportunity to inform the residents of their plans to clean the piping system in the locality.

Syabas officials explaining the pipe-cleaning plan

Selangor MB's visit to SJK (Tamil) Ladang Highlands, Bukit Tinggi

2009-03-23T22:00:00.003+08:00

22 March 2009

Selangor Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, visited the SJK (Tamil) Ladang Highlands in Bukit Tinggi yesterday.

The school is in need of 6 additional classrooms, costing a total of RM400,000. The state goverment is contributing RM 120,000 to this amount, which is the cost of 2 classrooms. Developers Nam Fatt will also be donating a classroom, in addition to painting the current school building.

The PIBG chairman, En S Kumaru, expressed appreciation for the support and the positive approach of the state government towards the school.

The MB commended the Ladang Highlands School authorities for inviting the PR state government to the school

This symbolically important event was attended by state EXCOs, MPs, ADUNs and local councillors

A talented young dancer performing for parents and guests

Guidelines for Outdoor Billboard Advertising Licensing

2009-03-14T16:39:00.004+08:00

MBPJ's much awaited guidelines for outdoor billboard advertising licensing were launched by Exco YB Ronnie Liu on 4 March 2009. These guidelines are now officially approved for use in all the 11 PBTs in Selangor.

The guidelines are the fruit of the determined and focused effort of several groups - local councillors, MPs, ADUNs, a renewed MBPJ, disciplined advertisers and stakeholders.

This development will introduce greater transparency in this area. Furthermore, the income generated can be utilised for the funding of new MBPJ initiatives, including the auxillary police programme.

Syabas to the Guidelines Committee for their hard work!

The Mayor Datuk Bandar Roslan delivering his address

Guidelines on billboards launched by Sheila Sri Priya Thurs, Mar 12 09, Streets NST Online

PETALING JAYA: Finally, a set of guidelines to streamline the RM6 billion billboard industry in Selangor.

Among others, the guidelines cover topics like planning approval, building structural approval and licensing approval.

Although they were launched by the Petaling Jaya City Council, the guidelines would also be implemented by the other 11 councils in Selangor.

The guidelines were a result of discussions between the residents' representatives, media specialists, councillors, the local authority and the state government."

Everyone stands an equal chance of applying for a billboard and to obtain any site by just following the rules," said Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu at the launch of the guidelines yesterday.

Also present at the event was Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman.

The move to introduce the guidelines were welcomed by industry players.

"The outdoor billboard advertising industry was once operating like a cowboy industry as there were no guidelines. But now, we can operate like professionals.

"The move to reduce the number of billboards will also benefit the advertisers as we can reduce the clutter and reach out to more consumers," said Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia president Datuk Vincent Lee.

President of Outdoor Advertising Agency Malaysia, Datuk George Frederick, said the guidelines were fair and the advertising industry could now move forward.

Gary T.Y. Goh, president of Acromedia Sdn Bhd, also welcomed the guidelines but hoped that the council would review them when necessary.

The guidelines are available at www.mbpj.gov.my.