Wednesday, November 25, 2009

His Excellency President of Bosnia Herzegovina Dr. Haris Silajdzic

BELUM DISUNTING
11 NOVEMBER 2009

(Mesyuarat dimulakanpadajam 3:37 petang)

[Tuan Speaker mempengerusikan Mesyuarat]

Tuan Speaker: Bismillahirahmanirrahim, Honourable Members, today we are indeed pleased and truly privileged to have His Excellency, President Dr. Haris Silajdzic of Bosnia Herzegovina to address this august House.

The august House is humbled yet greatly honoured to be bestowed with such an accolade. It is indeed a historic event for the State of Sarawak and the State Legislature that a President of a nation delivers his address in this new majestic chamber.

His Excellency Dr. Haris Silajdzic was born on October 1, 1945 in Sarajevo. He received his Degree from the Faculty of Arabic Language and the Islamic Studies in Libya. He obtained his doctorate in International Relations.

His Career as a university professor is as follows:-

He taught Arabic language in the University of Pristina. At the University of Sarajevo he was the professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, the Department of History. At Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, Andrew D. White Professor - at Large, he was the guest lecturer at the universities Harvard and Marryland, Chatham House (the Royal Institute for International Relations, London), Carnegie Foundation, Woodrow Wilson Centre and other universities.

His Political Career is as follows:-

(1) He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina from 1991 to November 1993;
(2) In November 1993 to February 1996 he was the Prime Minister of Bosnia
and Herzegovina;
(3) In December 1996 to February 2000 he was the Co-Chairman of the
Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and
(4) He was the founder and the President of the Party for Bosnia and
Herzegovina

Honourable Members, please join me in giving a very warm welcome to his Excellency, President Dr. Haris Silajdzic. (Applause)

I shall now, invite His Excellency President Dr. Haris Silajdzic to address the august House.

His Excellency Dr. Haris Silajdzic: Assalamualaikum, good afternoon Honourable Speaker of the House, Dato Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, the Right Honourable Pehin Sri Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak, the Honourable Minister and Members of the House, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank the Sarawak State Government and the Speaker of this House Dato Sri Mohamad Asfia bin Awang Nasar for allowing me to take this opportunity to address here. The people of the State of Sarawak have extended a warm welcome to both myself and my delegations and for these, I say thank you.

It is a great honour to be able to address Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, the oldest in Malaysia having been established in 1867 and achieving good governance for over 140 years. The leadership of your Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, has shown that what visionary leadership in the multi-ethnic diversity culture. This has greatly contributed to your state and enables the state to grow economically making it a major contributor to the growth of Malaysia as a nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, we all know that the friendship must be nurtured and cultivated. To stay relevant and to stay vital, friendship must involve mature. My visit to your state is not just meant for political and diplomatic ties but it is also to build on those foundation strong economic ties. Our nation has taken up to the challenge of rebuilding. Much of these we have accomplish and the rebuilding has taken us along a path where we will be joining the greater community of the European Union. But before this is finalized, we want to offer our Malaysian friends opportunities in Bosnia Herzegovina which we were also be advantage to this nation because we hold this nation in high esteem. This nation should beside us when we needed friends and that was in those time when Bosnia Herzegovina was attacked unfortunately by its neighbor from 1992 to 1995.

Let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen that today, Bosnia has signed many agreements, but let me draw your attention that perhaps most important things we are as signatory to the stabilization and association agreement to the European Union which has set us on the path of full membership in the European Union. Politically, this means that we will become a member of the European Union. Economically, this means that goods produced in Bosnia have access to the European Union without tariffs, without quotas and without custom duties. This means that we can offer to our Malaysian friends to utilized Bosnia's unique position as a gateway to the markets of greater Europe. Of course, any policy, ladies and gentlemen, that is going to be effective needs to be a win-win situation for both countries.

Malaysia is at the heart of the South East Asia and likewise Bosnia is in the heart of South East Europe. Societies in this part of the world also have mixed population compositions so these are the similarities. Let me now congratulate the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib bin Razak, for the implementation on the first sightedness' of his One Malaysia policies. This policy takes advantage of the ethnic diversity of the Malaysian population and makes it a positive force for development. This policy put people and performance at the priority of the national developments agenda. Malaysia has a tradition of development document capital and not only development of Malaysia's on human capital. It is the Malaysian's educational experience that is helping to create the future leaders of Bosnia Herzegovina. Let me quote the Prime Minister here: "Just as we depend on each other to create a strong and united Malaysia so, in this interconnected •world, every country depends on each other to create a prosperous and harmonious place" that we believe should also be the foundation of our policies in Bosnia Herzegovina too. Members of Parliament, I am pleased to note that there is economic progress generated to the recent Malaysia's Global Business Forum which finished earlier today. Malaysia's Global Business Forum have lift up to his goal so creating tangible business result between the countries, two countries and in this respect and acting as a catalyst for future trade investment. Education and the development of the human capital is an area where Bosnia Herzegovina and Malaysia need to further develop their relationship.

Malaysia has realized that investment into human capital. Malaysia has also invested into Bosnia Herzegovina human capital and its reaping the rewards now. To this date, close to 300 Bosnians have graduated from Malaysian universities. Many of them have risen to high level post in our country. Notably, out of this group I have appointed four ambassadors including the current ambassador to Malaysia and also I understand from the message that I received from His Majesty, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia that this is the first foreign graduate to return to Malaysia as an appointed ambassador. So we are happy to make history here, in Malaysia at least diplomatic history. Also, I would like to see more Bosnians studying in Malaysia and Sarawak also, and alternatively Malaysians studying in Bosnia Herzegovina are welcomed. Education, especially international education opens our minds and those for future economic development. Economically, I believe that there are many areas where Bosnia Herzegovina and Sarawak can continue to move forward together. We can especially collaborate in the area of energy. Bosnia is the only country in South East Europe that export energy and it is my understanding that Sarawak's ambitions are to become next exporter of energy. There is much to be learned by both sides. In Bosnia Herzegovina, it is mainly hydro potential but there also thermal potential in Bosnia Herzegovina. We would also like to look at the Halal Food Sector; the largest Halal Park in the world will be in Sarawak. The largest Halal Park in Europe, we hope, Insya-Allah will be in Bosnia Herzegovina and we can work on this together. There is a need to develop close cooperation and I am pleased to note that the Memorandum of Understanding we signed today, at the Malaysian Global Business Forum so this affect and both Chief Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and myself were present.

You might need to know that Bosnia Herzegovina had the most stable currency in South East Europe and has a strong banking sector and we would like to see more participation from Malaysian and the Bosnian Syariah compliance financial services sector to complement the existing participation from the Middle East. We there have a bank established by the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah for some years now.

Our Transport Minister recently travelled to Kuala Lumpur to sign the air services agreement between Malaysia and Bosnia. This of course needs to be followed-up and we will be delighted to see that either your national carrier or some new local carrier would look into the feasibility of having direct flight between our countries.

Cultural exchanges should also be in the agenda. The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, has a strong music in our sector. Each year we have both a Worldly Renounce Film Festival and a Jazz Festival. I am also told that the Jazz Festival is present here and we should also look into synergies in these areas if possible. So, Tuan Speaker, Honorable Members of Parliament, and my friends we would need to develop what we have started here. This relation, the relation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Malaysia were forge during the most difficult of time of Bosnia and Herzegovina especially between 1992 and 1995 and this relation was establish by the late President of Bosnia and Herzegovina, name Ayatollah Ali and Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Let me tell you that the Bosnia and Herzegovina was attacked exactly because it is a multi racial country. Historically, it is a multi ethnic land, for hundreds of years, people of different religions not so much on ethnic background but of different religions live there, and that is the similarity to Malaysia. We happen to believe or if you like, I happen to believe that difference cultures can serve each other as a mirror. So can you see yourself in the different culture and I happen to believe that in the spiral of time this culture meets and reach and nobly each other. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Malaysia are models of globalization that will come tomorrow, the positive globalization because there are models of people living together. It is difficult to dealing of these ages of different cultures. It is not easy that these two countries have undertaken, this is a difficult job and that is why it should be respected and there is no globalization if countries like this, if societies like this do not succeed because this is the fore runners, the models of globalization. But that is an ongoing fight. In Bosnia Herzegovina, in global time, in global peace time there was no war in between 1992-1995, no global war. We were attacked because we have people in our neighborhood unfortunately would believe in something else. They believed in fancies, in visas, walls, they believe in ethnic purity whatever that means and that is exactly contradicts to what we believe and so what would you expect that those attack would have been stopped by wise, world leadership at that time, some of them tried but some of them also, encourage the rational unfortunately. Thinking that multi races, multi culture to them especially if it contains Muslim is as what they said, I am not sure. It is a case even today we have, we have this example today. So. when I said this we are model, of a model of globalize society tomorrow, it is not one culture but culture co-existing, I mean a global society with no domination of one over another but co-existence with another. That is what I believe in and that is the only way this globalization can succeed, if not we have a big problem. That is why this co¬existence, this model must be encouraged, must be supported in wide, and those society are actually demonstrating that yes we need development, yes we need big stores, yes we need big car, yes we need development of all kinds.

We also need to remain human and before I come here into this Chamber I had an opportunity to chat with the Chief Minister and the Mr. Speaker here about change, the phenomena of change. And I was really impressed by all they had to say about change and continuity or continuity and change and I am very much interested in the phenomena of accelerating change because I believe the change itself has changed because of its capacity to go quicker and quicker of the acceleration. So since we cannot be accelerate change because of the technological innovations and we are compelled to try to keep some values not to forget about the man, not to forget about our differences, not to forget about respect towards each other even though we are accelerating beyond recognition. And those values will keep the order in place we use cheap not the other way around. Those values are even more important as we had thoughts the future and community like Malaysia, and community like Bosnia Herzegovina are the example how to do this. How do I know that Malaysian Society is the Society of Values? It's because it was tested during difficult time for Bosnia and despite this geographic distance we found people here ready to help the refugees from the other part of the world. Those are the values. Human are humane to each other. And that is why I say my friends I am here today to thank you very much because you bestowed this honour on me to come to this chamber, beautiful building to address you and to thank you for what you did for Bosnia Herzegovina, for your sacrifices when we needed it and when we are alone. So thank you very much for receiving me. Thank you very much for listening to me and God bless you and salam from Bosnia Herzegovina, salam to Malaysia, salam to Satu Malaysia. Thank you.

Tuan Speaker: Your Excellency Mr. President, the House places on record its deep appreciation of your most gracious address. We look forward to a closer rapport and relationship between Bosnia Herzegovina and Malaysia and Sarawak as a state. We hope your close personal relationship with our leaders will further strengthen international, national-state relationship. We look forward to a close pollination and close fertilization of ideas, trade and cultures between your country and our state. Once more, thank you very much. The Dewan now is adjourned for 30 minutes. Thank you.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Answers to Oral Questions by Chiew Chiu Sing DUN November 09 Sitting

SPREAD OF THE CHIKUNGUNYA VIRUS

(6) Y.B. Encik Chiew Chiu Sing asked the Minister for Environment and Public Health:

(a) The extent of the spread of the Chikungunya Virus in human throughout the whole State of Sarawak;
(b) The ways which the Public Health Department use to determine the virus and how long is the process taking;
(c) The steps taken by the ministry to overcome and control the spread of the disease,
(d) Whether there is a vaccine available; and
(e) The extent and success of fogging carried out thus far.

Menteri Kewangan II dan Menteri Alam Sekitar dan Kesihatan Awam (Y.B. Dato
Sri Wong Soon Koh): Tuan Speaker, for the information of Ahli Yang Berhormat for
Kidurong, the number of Chikungunya cases up to the end of October 2009 is as follows:

No. Area Amount
Kuching 38
1. Asajaya 150
2. Serian 25
3. Simunjan 85
4. Betong 358
5. Saratok 36
6. Sarikei 21
7. Meradong 1
8. Pakan 2
9. Mukah 1
10. Matu Daro 23
11. Sibu 234
12. Bintulu 42
13. Lawas 26
Total: 1,042

Tuan Speaker, question (b), the Chikungunya virus can be detected or determined through both clinical as well as laboratory diagnosis. The result from the laboratory diagnosis could be known immediately. Whereas the laboratory diagnosis will take approximately three days.

Tuan Speaker, question (c), the Health Department have taken various steps to prevent or control the spread of the disease such as by carrying out search and destroy or reducing or eliminating the breeding grounds of the mosquitoes and, of course, insecticide fogging.

For question (d), so far, no vaccine is available to prevent the infection of this disease.

As to question (e), Tuan Speaker, up to the end of October 2009, the Health Department has carried out 20,634 fogging of the premises in all the localities where Chikungunya has been detected and it has been found to be very effective in preventing the spread of the disease, Chikungunya. Thank you.

Tuan Speaker: Ahli Yang Berhormat for Kidurong.

Y.B. Encik Chiew Chiu Sing: (Supplementary Question) Supplementary question to the Honourable Minister. Honourable Minister gave the figure of 36, 6 in Sarikei from what I had a conversation with Doctor in Sarikei this morning, he said that the cases that he has reported to the authority concerned was already 500 and the number is quite different, will the Minister check on that please. And then although there are some of the measures that you said you are going to do, search and destroy and keeping the environment clean and all that, but in view of the extend of the spread of the disease, this virus which is quite alarming really in the last few months, there have been so many of them, whether these steps, how are you going to step up your effort in these measures that you are taking so that we can reduce this Chikungunya virus being spread, that is one question. The second question is that, whether the Honourable Minister agree with me that the climate has actually played a part in the breeding of the mosquitoes and when the mosquitoes steps out their breeding or whether what kind of measures that the ministry will step out in doing to fight the virus that is spreading. Thank you.

Menteri Kewangan II dan Menteri Alam Sekitar dan Kesihatan Awam (Y.B. Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh): Tuan Speaker, these are the figures, official figures of my Health Department even I realize that perhaps say on the worse bank of Sibu there was this quite widespread infection of Chikungunya of the people there and of course even here, Sibu 234 probably I would also think that the figure is a bit low. But as you know, a lot of people who got infected with this Chikungunya virus, in fact they recover after two or three days, lying in bed with a great deal of liquid, fluid and so on they just recover. Chikungunya is not a deadly disease. It is quite common except that a person who gets it will have a great deal of pain in the joints and so on. But we are trying our best to implement our control measures for this Chikungunya. As I said, insecticide fogging in the locality normally up to a distance of 200 metres radius from the case house, in other words, there exists Chikungunya which is detected but of course if there are to two a more cases detected in the same area, then fogging will cover 400 metres radius. Inspection of the premises for the breeding ground of the mosquitoes is carried out all the time.

We will also try our best not just the officers from the Health Department, from the local councils but also try to tell the people to remove unwanted water container drums, basins and so on then of course we also have the applications of lavaecide to control breeding in the known or potential mosquito breeding places particularly in the water containers. I would also like to encourage people to carry out gotong royong at the locality level where mosquito breeding is found. All these I must say are being done. As I said all people must have self discipline trying to help one another because this sort disease can be spread through mosquito bites and in order to control the disease we ought to get rid of the mosquitoes and the mosquito breeding grounds. When all of us help an am sure that we can prevent this disease from spreading. Thank you.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Full text of debate on the Budget 2010 in DUN Sarawak on 12th Nov.,2009 (English & Chinese Text)

Speech by Chiew Chin Sing, DAP Sarawak Deputy Chairman and Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Council for N53 Kidurong on the Debate of the Supply (2010) Bill 2009 and the Motion to refer the Estimates of Development Expenditure, 2009, on 11 November 2009 in the Sarawak State Legislative Council, Kuching, Sarawak.
Mr. Speaker,

The theme for the Sarawak DAP 2010 Alternative Budget is Democratizing Sarawak Economy. One of the key thrusts is Economic Democratization – Fiscal Decentralization, where we propose that the annual total state revenue, the spending of which, whether in operating or development expenditure, must be spread out to all ministries, so as to enhance economic efficiency and accountability instead of putting a huge chunk of the money in some ministries only.

We propose greater fiscal allocation and responsibilities to be given to the local authorities, and a sum, tripling the 2009 allocations, of RM 300,000,000 is allocated for the year 2010 to the local authorities, so as to provide better services and amenities to the residents.

We also propose local government election and a sum of RM 20,000,000 is allocated for the purpose to bring about a fully democratize governance and citizen participation in the decision-making process.

We further propose to review of and investigate into past financial issues, contracts and projects An allocation of RM 10 million is proposed for the purpose.

Mr. Speaker,

Another thrust of the 2010 Sarawak DAP Alternative Budget is Empowerment and Enablement – Capacity Building. In this, we propose an allocation of RM10,000,000 each to the Board of Management Committees of the Chinese Primary and Middle Schools in the state, and an allocation of RM 5,000,000 to the Board of Management Committees of the Mission schools.
We also propose to set aside 5 plots of land of minimum 6 acres each in the city and town areas for building Chinese vernacular schools.

Education transcends politics and racial boundaries. As such, we believe that the teaching of mother tongue language, in particular, the Iban and Chinese languages, must be enhanced in our school curriculums. We also believe that a sound education system shall be beneficial to all Malaysians, especially under the “1Malaysia” concept.

For capacity building in Industrial Development, we shall put our emphasis on Small Medium Industries and we will lower the industrial electricity tariffs for all industrialists across the board. We will make sure that all industrial plots purchased are actually used by the owners and that the Ali Baba plots for re-sale is eliminated.

To assist and promote small medium industrialists, DAP propose to allocate a sum of RM100,000,000 for low-interest loan facilities to help part finance those who genuinely intend to set up a plant in the industrial estates.

Mr. Speaker,
Due to time constrain, my colleagues will speak further on the above mentioned two key thrusts a third thrust- People First-Restructuring and Reallocation, while let me end my part of the DAP Sarawak alternative budget on Public Finance and a conclusion.

On Public Finance, in a nut shell, the estimated total state revenue of our alternative budget for the year 2010 is RM 3,912.3 million while the actual supply expenditure is estimated to be RM 1,348.00 million and the Development Fund of RM 2,372.4 million, leaving a budget surplus of RM 191.9 million in 2010.

Mr. speaker,
In another key thrust, of our alternative budget, and that is People First-Restructuring and Reallocation , which YB Pending will speak on, there is a proposed allocation of RM495,830,000 to be paid out as cash hand outs to the poor and the needy in 2010 and even with that huge a cash allocations we can still have a surplus budget. It is truly amazing. No doubt, the hand outs will help the poor and the needy, but even more, the economic multiplier effect of that sum of money will boost our internal demands and revive our state economy tremendously.

The 2010 Sarawak DAP Alternative Budget proposes fundamental policy changes to the current BN’s policy in that 1. we emphasize on decentralization of fiscal allocation and power, 2. we stress on equitable sharing of the state’s wealth with the low-income group, 3.we aim to create a substantial groups of small stakeholders of NCR landowners and small medium entrepreneurs to spear head the future economic development of the state.

The implementation of the policy to create large number of small stakeholders of NCR land will help to lure back substantial number of young natives working in West Malaysia and overseas. Their return will also be a boost to the growth of the state’s economy.

And I believe, Mr. Speaker, with the implementation of the policies in this alternative budget we will allow all Sarawakians to enjoy the rich natural resources of our state. It will help create a larger number of middle income population which will form the backbone of the Sarawak economic growth. More importantly it will empower the Sarawakians who will have full autonomy and rights over their own lands.

Mr. Speaker,
Corruption in our country is become more and more serious, it has gone up one level to where it is no longer a corruption between A & B in every day dealings, in fact it is infecting our public service, political leaders and elected representatives who are suppose to run our country with integrity and all honesty but had ganged up with businessman, through the power of the office to get in roads to make unscrupulously gain.

By right in a democracy where politicians are elected by the people, corrupt politicians would be thrown out by the voters in no time, but not so in Malaysia, look at Bagan Pinang, it is no wonder that our country’s corruption index gets worse and worse, year after year. Therefore we need, and there must be drastic political reform to stop the rot which is getting to the core because of mixing politics with business as a normal and acceptable practice in our democracy. We must draw the lines and limits of the relationship between business and politics so as to rid ourselves of corruption in our government.

What we need is real democracy and democracy is not just about achieving competitive elections, We have to deliver democracy. We got to have democracy in our work place, in our economy where the citizen will be involved, where everyone will have a say in how our country should be run, instead of leaving it to the very few percent or some 1 Malaysia PR brand packaging US company.

Delivery on democracy means that all branches of the government must work together to ensure that citizens are considered, involved, and are recipients of policies and programs dedicated to improve their lives. It does not mean that just one branch can, or is capable of delivering on the promises and expectations that citizen often believe democracy will deliver.

In a democratic system of government, elected and appointed officials must respond to the needs, wants and wishes of the citizens they represent. Effective interaction with the citizens is essentials to an effective, functioning democratic form of government. Democracy is partnership with the people.

The standard any prime minister should hold for his or her office is a high degree of transparency and accountability that can be seen easily by the public. They should seek to ensure that the citizens are involved in the development and implementation of public policy. To accomplish this, they should be dedicated to assuring that information is easily understandable, available and widely shared with the citizenry.

Mr. Speaker,
Delivering democracy need appropriate involvement of women who comprise 50% of the population, yet women are dramatically underrepresented in positions of political leaderships and we have so few in here. Many times it takes women in leadership positions to change the discriminating laws and practices that prevent women from advancing in all arenas. I believe that women in politics are more likely to create policies and legislation that respect, promote and protect children, families and the disadvantaged and there are other stronger points about women, like less likely to engage in violent conflict, less corrupt and in countries with greater numbers of women in politics, the human development index is generally higher etc.

According to CNN couple of weeks ago, women’s income is so huge that it is becoming the prime mover in the world economic growth. It is not even India or China. According to world bank, global women income by 2014 is 60 trillion ringgit, 5 times more than the present 17 trillion ringgit, while their spending presently is 67 trillion and that spending is estimated to reach 94 trillion ringgit in 2014.

Mr. Speaker,
Our world economy has changed a great deal but as long as we allow personal greed, cronyism , favoritism, corruptions, politicians and businessman ganging up to do business, abuse of power and the exploitation of all the loop holes in our economic and legal system to amass personal wealth, while the country gets poorer and poorer then I say we need a change.

We need a new economic order, and we need a new moral order. A moral order that takes into account not only the natural law, but also religions and the individual or in another words, taking into account concurrently pluralism, secularism and conscience. And I would not get into that further at this point in time.

Mr. Speaker,
The renounced commentator Ariana Hufftinton said that Capitalism as envisioned by its leading lights, including Adam Smith and Alfred Marshall, needs a moral foundation, in order for free markets to work. And when a company fails, it fails. It doesn't get bailed out using trillions of dollars of taxpayers money. She said that that is Corporatism. It is welfare for the rich. It's the government picking winners and losers. It's Wall Street having their taxpayer-funded cake and eating it too. It socialized losses and privatized gains.

Micheal Moore in his film Capitalism: A Love Story, describes capitalism as evil and a system that is fundamentally corrupt, unfair, unjust and undemocratic and only those with the money call the shots. The condemnation of the status quo in the film is too grounded in real stories and real suffering, its targets, too evenly spread across the political spectrum.

Today we are living in the 21st century and there is really no much point in debating about the 16th and 19th century economic models, about which one is more evil, they are beyond reform or repair already and it would be crazy, trying to fix them.

What is needed is new economic policies that respect the individual, the inventiveness and ingenuity of the individual to make society a better place but also to take care so that nobody fall through the crakes. A new economic order that fits the 21st century, that is run by democratic principles and has an ethical core to it, is what is in order today.

The English philosophers had it that, political institutions are human constructs that should be fashioned consciously to meet the needs of society, and Thomas Jefferson wrote ‘Governments are instituted among men to secure the rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness’Jerffry Sachs in his book, The End of Poverty, How We Can Make it Happen in Our lifetime said,

‘After the American and French Revolution, governments, increasingly, would have to meet a performance test: whether or not they could improve the human condition. As Jefferson wrote, “that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its power in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.’

Mr. Speaker,
Forty six years after independence, Sarawak a state that is so rich in natural resources and human capitals, today rank among the bottom rungs of some of the poorest state in Malaysia. Ours society is still entangled in the fabric of racial politics which impede the progress of our state and nation. It is time that we deliver our democracy.

Many of our rural areas, still do not have clean pipe water supply, many of them still depend on rain harvesting for consumption but even that, the one tank which is given by the medical department is not enough to last them, through prolong dried period any more. I urge that the government let each family have at least two 400 gallon tanks for the time being while we work to give them treated pipe water supply as soon as we can.

Mr. Speaker,
It is also becoming an acute problem for the rural folks to get decent clean water for their cleaning and washing. With the opening up of more and more palm oil plantations, rivers and streams where rural folks live by are becoming more and more polluted by the huge amount of fertilizer and other pesticides used on the plantations. The yellowish water in the river and streams really is not fit anymore for use. Even fish cannot live in them and are seen dead in the hundreds, floating on the river yearly. I wonder how much can the 2 milion ringgit allocation by the Federal Government under the 9th Malaysia Plan to the Department of Environment can help in up grading our river water and studies to prevent pollution. But the issue is so important and critical because our water source could even be at stake.

There must be hundred of cases of folks in the Suai and Niah area who got sick and had diarrhea and vomiting after using the water of the Suai and Niah and their tributaries. I read in the news that a person had died because of drinking water from a contaminated water source in Ulu Kapit, many were sick but because they have stronger body resistance and as the clinic were far, they just hung it through.
Water situation in Similajau, along the Pan Borneo Highway, Sebatu, Lower Suai, Kpg. Teggagang, Kpg, Iran, Kpg. Bahru, and Niah area, was so bad during the dry spell in July and August this year that the stream water which the nearby longhouses folks depend on for their bathing and washing had all dried up and the ponds where these streams flow into had become dead water, as there was no water flowing in and flowing out of the pond. And that went on for about 2 months in the above mentioned areas.

Sometimes even the pond dried up and I have seen folks going out to look for water for bathing. They went into the bush and dug on the ground and when water filled up the hole, and that is bath water for them for the day. I know many of us grew up like that and know what it is like and that is why we insist our children should live better.

I am sure the story is familiar in many other parts of Sarawak. From what I read, I am glad that folks in my neighboring constituency, are going to get the pipe water supply and that is good. We should make every great effort to supply pipe water to all our rural folks and if we really cannot we should find alternatives and other more permanent ways.

I am sure that there is a way but the question remains whether the government of the day really wants to do it. There are about 600 long houses and kampongs in the Bintulu Division alone and I would say about 500 of them do not have treated pipe water supply. There are about 5-6000 longhouses in the state, more then half of them do not have treated pipe water supply.

No reason that after almost half a century of rule one cannot provide our rural people with pipe water, while palm oil plantation can be opened up no matter how rural and far the area is, yet drinking water cannot be supplied to the rural folks.
This is the typical case of where the BN government puts there hearts at, it is obvious that they have little heart for the people. They are happy when the company had developed the palm oil land, but never mind the hardships that the rural folks face as a result of the development, never mind they do not have clean water anymore to drink or use, completely forgetting their needs and rights to clean water as acclaimed by the International Human Rights people, that right to water is a basic human rights and one of the most basic thing that a government can do for its people.

During the water shortage dry season, in July-August even the water delivery program as staged by the government is not moving fast enough. Weeks have passed but the water was not forthcoming. The head man have to request water to the Sub District office which then goes to the Resident office, and then to the Crisis management committee, to the welfare office and over to JKR office in Miri and only then back to the JKR water treatment plant in Niah for dispatching of the water through its water truck.

How many water trucks are there anyway, say in the Niah, Suai area, one, may be, and the priority is the school, clinic and others. By the time a truck is rented, valuable time would have been lost . The crisis management committee must be quick to act and with a great sense of urgency.

I hope the government will respond quickly and decisively when the people do not have water to drink, water should be sent and reach them in 24 hours.

Mr. Speaker,
While at the Sebatu area it is urged that the dirt road in that area and also the Kampong Iran road be tar sealed. It has been so long already and the activities there, with the building of the coastal highway had picked up so much.
The people are grateful that the off road to Kampong Teggagen clinic and into the Kampong and primary school across the Suai river had been up graded and tar sealed.

Mr. Speaker,
While I am glad also that improvement had been done to the road linking Ulu Nyalau junction to Nyalau Tengah but the road is breaking up already partly due to the flood, urgent up grading and repair is needed. And may I also ask as to what standard was the road built and whether complied to, even part of the culvert had cracked on its side.

The section of the road from Nyalau Tengah to entrance of Kampong Kuala Nyalau, has yet to be tar sealed and I am bringing to the attention of the ministry concerned again that the road should be up graded, tar sealed as soon as possible, while grass on both sides must be cut regularly. From the entrance to the end of Kampong Kuala Nyalau, many parts the concrete surfaced road had broken up and even the BRC is showing. This road must be repaired, upgraded quickly before it gets worse, even the planks on the belian bridge is slipping away and need repair urgently.

Mr. Speaker,
Many longhouses at Similajau, along the Pan Borneo Highway up to Rumah Juna are without grid electricity supply, I mean they live right along side the highway, and been there for nearly 30 years already, I really do not understand why that electricity could not be supplied to them. After all, they have to pay for it too and it is added business for Sesco also. Empathise with them, they are the less fortunate of our brothers and sisters and need our help, it could just be you and me to be in situations like that , just that we are a little bit more lucky than they are that is all.

Tuai Rumah Nyawing and Tuai Rumah Nyalong at the Similajau area need repair on the access road to their long houses, as for the former the road is too steep, while the later, a portion of which is damaged by the hill slope sliding onto the road. Tuai Rumah Chaong Anak Enggan of Batu 28, Bintulu/Miri road had asked for claim on their Temuda land which was affected by the construction of the Kelalong Dam. Claims by other longhouses there had all been settled and I cannot understand why the five of them from Rh Chaong had been left out. Tuai Rumah Chaong had written so many letters to JKR, District office, Land and Survey but the matter up to this day had not been resolved.

Some of the Tuai Rumah at Similajau are still waiting to be conferred at Tuai Rumah. Of all those whose stay around the Similajau area many are conferred already, while some are still not. I do not see why they cannot, if others can be conferred. I mean if you work like Tuai Rumah and the people of the longhouse had all elected you as Tuai Rumah, then you must be the Tuai Rumah.

But by not conferring them as Tuai Rumah, it is not just the title or the allowances, it is like being a Malaysian without an I/C and we can imagine how troublesome that is, and so if, he is a Malaysian, then give him the I/C and if he is the head of the community conferred him the Tuai Rumah.

Mr. Speaker,
Mr. Sulan from Mile 17 Longhouse Bintulu/Miri Road must be the saddest man this year when both his son and daughter who applied for Pump Attendant and Technician respectively, could not get the job.

The R3 job had 8 vacancies, only one Iban got it, while the J 17 job, 15 vacancies only one Kayan girl got it. Like I said, both Mr. Sulan son and daughter applied but did not get the jobs. Mr. Sulan has another girl who is applying for clerical job N17, but that is not out for interview yet.

Mr. Sulan hopes that the jobs vacancies in government department can be distributed more evenly among all races, as it is one Malaysia already, he said.

Mr. Speaker,
Many residential estates along the Tg. Batu road gets flooded easily these days even after a few hours of heavy rain. This is not even the end of the year yet when sea tides would be high.

I therefore urge that the Ministry concerned to go all out and take all measures including up grading the dyke or improvement works to be done to the seashore there, to make sure that the houses would not be flooded again.

It is such a painful experience for the home owners who have to face the calamity couple of times a year. These are housing estates properly planned and developed by the developer with the approval of BDA and should not be flooded just like that.
In Taman Seaview the drain seems to have sunk and it is always half filled with water year round and as the neighbouring lands are still not developed, what seems needed is a clear big outlets for these drains to be link to the monsoon drain and then to the sea. I asked the folks there where is the outlet to the sea no one seems to know.

And then at Taman Lucky Tower, Taman Emas, Taman Sunga, Taman Jabai and the several houses near Everly Hotel, the drains are also always half filled with water, it is vital that they must be checked and cleared of any blockage all the way out to the monsoon drain and out to the sea at all time

And while the outlet to the sea is still just of the sand beach itself, they get clogged easily as waves bring up the sand, logs, timber and what not at the outlet mouth. BDA used to stage couple of crawlers at the out let to keep the outlet constantly deep and clear and we appreciate that. Whichever it is, it is the fervent hope of the people along the Tg. Batu road that their houses will not be flooded again in the next few month up the after the Chinese New Year or anytime when it rain heavily for a long time.

Mr. Speaker,
Every so often some kids died swimming at the Tg. Batu Beach. Ever since the beach protection works was done at the beach many years ago, there is a spot near the stone pile break water which is deadly. The Bintulu Development Authority had put a sign up there warning of the danger. But still deaths occur. Being a responsible government it is our job to provide facilities which are friendly and safe for the people to enjoy, sometimes a notice plate might not enough.

The Bintulu Tg. Batu Beach is a well known beech. People coming to Bintulu and locals like to go there, as it is the only close by beach around. Can’t really blame any body for taking a dip in the water, it is just too tempting.

People in Bintulu believe that if the beach could be redesigned with other safety features and guarded by guard house it could then be safer to swim there. I believe that this can be done and I hope that BDA will look into this, as the beach is visited by some many people every year and it will continue to be one of the main attractions of Bintulu because it is a good place to go to.

Mr. Speaker,
I wish to urge the government that land under Land Code Sect 47 and not used within two years should be released immediately and given back to the land owners.
There are over nine thousand hectres of land in Bintulu and they have been under Land code section 47 for 36 years. There are also other similar land elsewhere in the State. These land should be released immediately. To say that development planning is still on going, and thus section 47 cannot be lifted is not right. What kind of planning takes 36 years and not done ? And as many of these lands will be due for lease renewal these lands should be released to the land owners so that it can be renewed. Government cannot simply keep them until land lease expire and then take over the ownership, that is not right and the people are concerned and are very unhappy about it.

Mr. Speaker,
I mean, if you buy a piece of land and though the land is under your name but you are not free to use it, because it is under section 47, how do you feel, or anything you own, for that matter, but cannot use, until one day the expiry date comes and you cannot apply for renewal and you may even loose it. Does not his tantamount to denying ones right to ownership and an infringement of human rights.
I read in the news paper where the Minister of Resource Planning and Management II, had said that the land which the government acquired will be used for public purposes and they will be compensated market price.

Now, Mr. Speaker, we know that that is not all true, I know of prime lands in Bintulu acquired under section 47 ended up with private companies for development. It is these that they people are concerned about. Another piece of land near the Chinese cemetery was acquired to build federal quarters which could be easily be built elsewhere on state land. The land ought to be returned to the land owner. Why do we have to take away the land from the land owner and give it to some one else, and if you are the land owner, how would you feel.

The government might argue that the land were compensated market price. But that is so little as compared to the real market value. Ask around, those whose land had been acquired and compensated, had any thought that the compensation was fair. Take for example, the proposed Construction of the New Mukah airport, the compensation was 20 over thousand an acre, while land there now could easily fetch over one hundred thousand. This is because the government keeps paying the land on market price at the time of acquisition. While the government may argue that it is the development of the government which brought up the price of the land, but actually many would rather keep the land for their own development later, than to be compensated so lowly by the added on development. They did not really have a choice.
I therefore urge that the government listen to the people and it is their wish that land under sect 47, not used within two years be released and compensation be paid out according to the current market price and that land in Bintulu which had been under Sect 47 for 36 years and Bako for 35 years be released immediately.

Thank you.



民主行动党砂劳越署理主席暨N53吉都弄区州立法议员周政新参与2009年供应(2010年)法案及有关发展开销预算案动议辩论

议长先生,

民主行动党2010年砂州替代财政预算案的主题为〈砂州经济民主化〉,其中一项要点为经济民主化-财政分散化。

我们建议砂州全年总收入,其中的支出,无论是营运或发展开支,都一定要分散到各个部门,以提高经济效益及诚信度,而非将大笔款项集中在某些部门而已。

我们也建议将更大的财政拨款和责任发给砂州州内的地方议会当局,且在2010年将2009年拨款的三倍,即3亿令吉拨给地方议会,以便地方议会当局为居民提供更好的服务及设施。

我们也建议恢复地方政府选举,同时建议拨出2千万令吉充作地方议会选举用途以实现行政制度全面民主化和让公民参与决策。

我们更建议检讨和调查财务问题、合约及计划,并建议拨出1千万令吉来进行。

民主行动党2010年砂州替代财政预算案的另一项要点是授权和授法-经济能量建造。对此,我们建议拨出拨出1千万令吉资助州内华小的董事部及拨出1千万令吉资助州内华文中学的董事部;拨出500万令吉资助州内教会学校的董事部。

我们也建议在城市和市区割出5块每块面积至少6英亩的土地供建造华文源流国民学校。

教育超越政治和种族界线,因此我们相信我国学校课程纲要中的母语教学必须加强,尤其是伊班语和华语。我们也相信健全的教育制度应该要让所有大马人受惠,尤其是在〈一个马来西亚〉概念下。

在工业发展建设方面,我们应该注重发展中小型工业,且我们将会降低所有种类工业的工业用电收费率。我们将确保所有工业的土地是由业主所使用,杜绝待重售的“阿里巴巴工业土地”。

为了协助和促进中小型工业,民主行动党建议拨出1亿令吉充作低利息贷款用途,以局部地资助那些有意要在工业地设厂的商家。

在公共财政方面,在我们的替代预算案中,砂州在2010年的全年预算总收入为39亿1230万令吉、实际供应支出预算为13亿4800万令吉、发展基金为23亿7240万令吉。而2010年的预算盈余为1亿9190万令吉。

朋岭区议员将谈及我们的替代预算案的另一个要点:人民为先-重组和重新拨款,其中有建议在2010年拨出4亿9583万令吉的现金予贫穷及贫困的人士。就算拨出这笔巨款,我们的预算案还能有盈余,这真的令人惊讶。毫无疑问,这样将帮助到贫穷及贫困的人士,但在经济乘数效应下这笔款项更能促进我们州内的需求及大大振兴本州的经济。

民主行动党2010年砂州替代预算案建议替代国阵政策的基本上是:
1. 我们强调财政拨款及权力分散化;
2. 强调与低收入群公平分享州财富;
3. 我们的目标是建立以土著习俗地地主和小中小型企业家的庞大群体,带领
砂州今后的经济发展。

建立土著习俗地地主群体的政策将会吸引在西马及国外就业的年轻族群的回流,这也将刺激砂州的经济成长。

我相信,这些政策的施行也将能让所有砂州子民共同分享本州富裕的天然资源。这将造就庞大的中产阶级群体,进而成为砂州经济成长的主干。更重要的是,这将授权砂州人民在自己土地的自治与权力。

议长先生,

我们国家的贪污情况越来越严重,而且已经升级至一个层面不再是A和B之间的交易,事实是它已扩散至我们的公共服务领域,政治工作者及民选代议士,他们本来应该是正直和忠诚的为国服务,但却和商界勾结,利用他们的官位获取不义之财。

按道理在民主制度下,从政者由人民选出来,贪污的从政者会即刻遭选民唾弃,在马来西亚却不然,巴眼槟榔即是一例,难怪我们国家的贪污指数年复一年,每况愈下。所以,我们需要而且必须有严厉的政治改革以阻止这病入膏肓的腐败,因为在我们的民主制度里,政商一体已成为一般性及可以接受的运作。我们必须做出切割和限制官商的关系,以从我们的政府内根除贪污。

我们所需的是真正的民主,而民主并不只是达到选举胜利而已。我们必须兑现民主。在我们工作的地方实行民主,在人民参与的我们的经济,人人对国家的管理都应享有发言权,而非任由为数很少或一些以一个马来西亚来包装的美国公司来管理。

兑现民主意即所有政府的各个政府的部门必须同心协力,以确保人民获得关注,能够参与,同时也是改善他们生活的政策和计划的受益者;而非只是一个人民常以为能够或者有能力兑现承诺和期望,必会兑现的民主。

一个民主体制的政府,选出和委任的官员必须对他们代表的人民的需求,要求及愿望做出回应。有效的与人民互动是有效率,有功能民主形成的政府及最根本。民主是与民共治。

任何他或她当首相掌权的标准是有公众能见到的高度透明及问责。他们必须要求确保人民参与公共政策的发展及实行。要能落实,他们必须尽力以确保资讯能易懂,容易获得,而且广为人民认同。

兑现民主需要女性适度参与。他们占有一半的人口,但女性却戏剧性的未能充分在政治领域的位置上获得代表,我们这里是更少了。许多时候是需要位居领导地位的女性来改变阻挡女性在各个领域进步和歧视女性的法律与惯例。我认为在政界的女性更能订制尊敬、宣扬及保护儿童、家庭的政策和立法。女性还有许多的优点,比如更少的暴力冲突、更少的贪污。在有多数女性参政的国度里,普遍的人性发展指数是比较高的。

根据数周前美国有线网络新闻报导,女性的收入是非常巨大的,而且一称为世界经济成长的主动力,这不仅是在印度和中国。据世界银行,全球女性的收入到了2014年会达到60万亿令吉,五倍於今天的17万亿令吉,而她们今天的消费是67万亿令吉,到了2014年估计会达到90万亿令吉。

议长先生,

世界经济已有许多变化,但只要我们允许个人的贪婪、朋党主义、偏袒、贪污、政商勾结、滥权、钻营我们的经济和法律漏洞以敛财,而国家越陷贫穷。我认为我们需要改变。

我们需要一个新的经济秩序,我们需要一个新的道德程序,一个不仅包括自然法,也包括宗教和个人;换言之中包含了多元性、世俗的和良心的道德程序。这一点,我暂不多言。

议长先生,

著名的评论家艾连•哈金逊说:如期先导预见,包括阿当斯密及马绍尔,资本主义须有一个道德的基础让自由市场能运作。当一件怪事倒闭时,就让它倒闭,不能以纳税人的亿万钱财去拯救它,这是企业主义,是富人的福利,是政府在挑选胜利者和失败者。正如华尔街占有了纳税人的钱财更吞食了它,把亏损分摊却独占盈利。

迈克•摩尔的电影资本主义:一个爱情故事,把资本主义形容为罪恶,一个根本上贪污、不公、不义和不民主的制度。只有有钱人才做的了主。影片中对现状的谴责,忠实的根据事实故事和事实的折磨,针对的对象也平均地横越政治的范围。

今天,我们生活中21世纪,争辩16和19 世纪的经济模式的优劣势无意义的。它们已无从改革或修正,想要搞妥它是疯狂的。

我们需要的是一个尊敬个体的政策,个体的创造力和机巧,以缔造一个更好的地方,同时能看顾,不让任何人跌入裂缝。一个基于民主原则和有道德核心能适应21世纪的新经济秩序,才是今天所需的秩序。

英国哲学家曾说,政治体系是人为的,应该理智的建构,以迎合社会的需求。汤姆士•杰佛逊也写道: “政府在人群中建立,以确保生命的权力、自由和追求幸福。”

杰费里•萨士在他的著作“贫穷的终结,在我们一生中如何使之实现”说,

‘在美国和法国革命後,政府更需要面对效绩的考验:是否能改进人类的情况。正如杰佛逊所写:“无论何时,任何形式的政府破坏了这些追求,人民既有权力去纠正或废弃之及成立新的政府。以这种原则奠立的基础和以这种形式组织其力量,他们认为这是最可能实现保障他们的安全和幸福。’

议长先生,

独立46年后,砂劳越一个天然资源和人力资源丰富的州,今天却与马来西亚一些最贫穷的州属并列。我们的社会依旧为种族政治而纠缠不清,阻碍了本州和国家的进步,是时候兑现我们的民主了。

我们许多乡区地方仍然没有清结的食水供应,我们仍然依靠雨水,即便如此,漫长的旱季,有医务部提供的蓄水桶也不能持久。我呼吁政府,先让每个家庭拥有至少两个400加仑的蓄水桶,同时也应该尽快给他们自来水供。

议长先生,

乡区人民没有清洁的水供应,清洗和洗涤也是一项严重的问题。开发越来越多的油棕园,人民赖以为生的河流和溪流也越受到污染。大量园丘使用的肥料和农药的污染,河和溪流黄色的水实在是不适合任何人使用。就连鱼类也不能生存,每年上百只鱼浮尸河上, 已成了一个季节。我对联邦政府在第9大马计划拨款2百万令吉给环境部门以协助改善河流的水质,以及研究以预防污染其成效质疑。但这课题却是重要和迫切的。因为我们的水源可能受到危害。

有关Suai和尼亚地区居民,因食用Suai河及尼亚河及其支流的河水之後,腹泻和呕吐的案件应该有上百个。我从报上新闻获悉,已有一人因饮用乌鲁加帛的污染河水而丧命。且多人已患病,那些因为他们身体有较强的抵抗力,而诊所又远离他们,只好挨下去。

沿泛婆大道,在士米拉爪、Sebatu、Lower Suai、Kpg. Tegagang、Iran、Kpg. Bahru和尼亚地区的水质情况很糟。在今年7、8月间旱季,长屋居民以之洗澡和洗涤物件的溪水干涸,溪水流入的池塘成了一滩死水,溪水不能流入或流出。这种情况发生在上述地区也持续了两个月。

有时连池塘也干涸了。我也见过居民到别处找水洗澡。他们进入丛林掘地,等水淹满了洞,这就成了他们当天的洗澡水。我知道我们很多都是这样长大的,也了解其中的苦处,也因为如此,我坚持我们的孩子应该过得好些。

我很肯定,这种故事在砂劳越各地并不陌生。我从阅读得知,我很高兴我的隔邻选区的居民将快获得自来水供,这是好事。我们应该竭尽所能让乡区居民获得自来水供。若真的不能,应该另觅良策及长远的方法。

我肯定一定有方法的。但问题是当权的政府是否有诚意去执行。在民都鲁省一地就有600多间长屋和甘榜。大约500多间是没有自来水供的。州内有5 至6 千多间长屋,一半以上是没有自来水供的。

被管治了快超过半个世纪仍不能给乡区居民自来水供是没有道理的。反观油棕园,无论多偏僻或多远都能开辟,却不能给居民提供食水。

这是国阵政府关心所在的典型例子。虽然他们对百姓是缺乏关心,但他们很高兴的看到油棕公司开发园丘。乡区人民面对因为发展带来的不再干净的食水困境,他们却彻底的忘却人民的需要和国际人权宣扬干净水的权利。这是基本人权及政府应让人民享有和提供的最基本设施。

在缺水的7月、8月旱季时,约见政府的派水计划仍是步伐太慢。几星期过去水仍然未来。居民的头人还得向支县的办公厅做出要求,然后再由之向省公署呈请,再交危机管理委员会,再转给福利局,再呈到美里工程部,然后由工部局在尼亚的食水处理厂派出送水车去送水。

究竟有多少辆派水车,比如尼亚,Suai地区,或者只有一辆,而学校、诊疗所等等又是优先。等到租得车辆,宝贵的时间已经耗去。危机处理委员会必须有危机感能随时应变。

我希望政府能快速和当机立断,当人民没水喝,水应该在24小时内运到。

在Sebatu地区的石头路和Kpg. Iran路应该铺上柏油。已经太久了,由于沿海大道建成那一带已经很繁忙。

人民都很感恩,去甘榜Tegegang诊疗所,进入甘榜,及过Suai 河和小学的路已经提升和铺上柏油。

议长先生,

对于连接Ulu Nyalau路口到 Nyalau Tengah的路已改善,我也很高兴,但部分原因是因水淹的缘故该路已破裂,应该尽速修补好提升之。我也想询问,是以何种标准筑路及是否有按其规格,因为暗沟一边也已裂了。

从Nyalau Tengah 到Kampong Kuala Nyalau入口的道路还未铺上柏油。 我再次要求有关的部门注意,这条路必须尽快提升,铺上柏油。而道路两旁的草必须定期修剪。从入口直到Kampong Kuala Nyalau的路已破裂,连铺底的钢网也暴露。这条路在未更坏以前,必须尽快修补和提升,甚至连桥的木板滑脱,必须紧急给予修理。

议长先生,

在士米拉爪的许多长屋,沿着泛婆大道至Rumah Juna都没有电流线路供应, 我是说他们就住在大道旁近三十年,我真的不明白为何不能给他们电供。再说,他们也须为之缴付,更给电力局带来生意。应该给予他们同情心,他们是较不幸的兄弟姐妹,他们需我们的帮助,你我也可能陷入他们的境地,只不过我们比较他们幸运而已。

在士米拉爪地区的Rumah Nyawing屋长和 Rumah Nyalong屋长要求修补进入他们长屋的道路,前者的路太过陡直,而后者的路一部份因山坡土崩而损坏。民美公路28里处的Rumah Chaong Anak Enggan屋长要求赔偿,因为他们的习俗地因建造Kelalong 水坝受影响。该地区其他长屋的赔偿已经解决,我不明白为什么五位从Rumah Chaong 居民的赔偿被遗忘了。Rumah Chaong屋长已经写了许多封信给工务局、县公署和土地局,但是到今天这件事情还是悬而未决。

一些在士米拉爪的屋长仍然在等待册封屋长的衔头。意即你像屋长一般提供服务,民众也选你当屋长,你应该就是屋长。

为何不册封他们为屋长,这不只是衔头或津贴的问题,这就像身为马来西亚人却没有身份证,你能想象中有多麻烦吗。所以若说他是马来西亚人就给他身份证,如果他是社群头人就册封他为长屋屋长。

议长先生,
民美公路17里长屋的Sulan先生一定是最伤心的人,今年他的儿女申请政府的添油工人和技工的工作,但都不能获得。

这个R3的工作有8个空缺,只录取了一位伊班人,而J17则有15个空缺,只录取了一位加央女孩。如我所说的,Sulan先生的儿女都有申请,但读不获录取。Sulan 先生另一个女儿正申请N17文员的工作,仍然在等待面试。

Sulan 先生希望政府部门工作的空缺能更均匀的分配给各个民族,他说既然已是一个马来西亚。

议长先生,

这些日子来,Tg, Batu路许多住宅区易遭水淹,即使是几小时的大雨後。现在还不是海潮高涨的年底。

因此我恳请有关的部门倾全力及采取应有措施,包括提升防浪堤或海滨的改善工作,确保那里的屋子不再遭受水患之苦。

对一年得遭受数次苦难的屋主来说是痛苦经验。这些住宅区是由发展商经过恰当计划和发展,而且获得民都鲁发展局批准的,不应该有如此水患。

Taman Seaview的水沟似乎下陷,长年积水,而附近土地还未发展。需要的是一个通畅的出口让这些水沟连接到大水沟然后排出海去。我询问当地居民,没人知道排出海去的大沟在何处。

在Taman Lucky Tower, Taman Emas, Taman Sunga, Taman Jabai及许多靠近Everly Hotel的屋子,它们的沟渠时常是积水一半。应该时常全盘检查和清理其阻塞,从大水沟通往海去为止。

既然出口是大海,但依然是海滩,海浪冲起沙、木桐、木材和其他杂物容易造成阻塞。民都鲁发展局过去常以数台扒掘车去清理使出口处通畅,我们都赞许他。无论如何,我们热切希望沿Tg. Batu的住户人家,他们的屋子在明年农历年前后几个月度不遭逢水患困扰。

议长先生,

不时都会有一些小孩子Tg. Batu 海滩一带海域游泳。自从数年前防护海滩的工程竣工後,有一处靠近石柱防浪堤最危险。民都鲁发展局已在此立下危险的告示,但死亡事件仍然发生。做为一个负责任的政府,提供友善和安全的娱乐是我们的责任,仅仅一个告示牌是不足的。

民都鲁的Tg. Batu 是著名的海滩。到民都鲁的外来人和本地人都喜欢到那去。因为它是唯一靠近的沙滩。也难怪人人都想在水里泡一泡,因为太诱人了。

民都鲁人相信,如果海滩能重新设计,加添安全的设施和有救生员,游泳其间必定更加安全。我相信民都鲁发展局一定会关注此事,因为这海滩每年游人不少,是个好去处。

议长先生,

我要呼吁政府把在土地法典第47条款下冻结的土地,若在两年之内没用上应该马上解除,退还原来地主。

在民都鲁,有超过9千公顷的土地,被冻结在土地法典第47条款下长达36年。在州内别处也有遭受同样情况的土地。这些土地应该即刻解冻归还。以发展仍然进行所以条款47不能解除,是不对的。究竟是什么样的发展,36年了还未完成?许多这类的土地地契度快到期更新,所以应该归还地主让其更新。政府不能就此压下直至地契到期之后,取去其拥有权,这是不对的,人民对此都很关注和非常不满。

议长先生,

我的意思是,假如你买了一块土地虽然是属于你的名下,但又不能自由使用它,因为它是在第47条款之下,你的感受如何,或是任何你拥有的东西。不能使用,直到有一天期限到,你也不准申请更新,你甚至可能失去它。这岂不是像否决了一个人的拥有权, 和违反人权。

我从报上读到,第二资源策划及管理部长说,政府征收的土地将会用于公共用途,而且以市价赔偿。现在,议长先生,我知道这不全是事实。我知道在民都鲁有一块上乘的土地被一以条款47征收了,结果被私人公司拿去发展。就是这样的事情这些人很担心。另一块是靠近华人坟场的土地,被征做建邦宿舍,这其实可容易地在其他的州属地建立。土地务必归还给地主。为何要向地主取走土地然後交给别人,如果你是地主,你的感受如何。

政府或者辩说土地有以市价赔偿,但和真正的市价相比确实是微不足道。不妨四处问问,那些土地被征收和获得赔偿的人,有谁认为赔偿是公道的。例如,计划建新木胶机场,赔偿金每依甲是两万余令吉,现在那里的土地轻易可卖10万令吉。这是因为政府在征收时一直以市价做赔偿的缘故。政府或者也辩说,是政府的发展带动了地价上涨,事实上许多人宁可保留土地,日后自己发展,胜过缓慢的赔偿和发展。但他们没有选择的余地。

因此,我呼吁政府听取人民的心声,这是他们对第47条款下的土地的愿望,如果两年内没用到必须解冻归还,同时赔偿必须按照时价。民都鲁被第47条款冻结了36年的土地和巴哥被冻结35年的土地应该即刻解冻归还。

谢谢。

Full text of debate on Housing Developers (Control and Licensing)

Speech by Chiew Chin Sing, DAP Sarawak Deputy Chairman, Chairman of DAP Bintulu Branch and Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Council of N 59 Kidurong on the debate on the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) (Amendment) Bill 2009, on the 10th of Nov., 2009, in the Sarawak State Legislative Council, Kuching, Sarawak.

Mr. Speaker,

There are some observations I wish to make on the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) (Amendment) Bill 2009 and I hope that after the passing of the bill and with establishment of the Tribunal, home buyers will have better protection for the houses they have bought, housing developers would make their fair share of the profit, and in general, with the passing of the bill it is hoped that the housing industry in the state will enjoy even healthier growth.

Mr. Speaker,

I am of the opinion that if we want to minimize disputes in buying and selling houses by the housing developers, first of all the sales and purchase agreement would have to be fair to both parties. I mean, how many of us when signing the sales and purchase agreement really know exactly what we are signing about.

That is why in order to make sure that what we are signing is alright, of course it would be best for us to consult our lawyers, but many of us can’t afford that. That is why, it would be good if we could have Housing Controller to vet first the sales and purchase agreement as had been prepared by the lawyers of the developers.

The Housing Controller should also be empowered to oversee and report the conduct of the consultants engaged by the developer as well, hopefully, this will help to weed out some of the problems at its very start and thus minimizing the disputes.

Mr. Speaker,

section 17A –(2) on the membership of the tribunal, although it is specified that they should be from amongst persons who possess a recognized legal qualification or who are members of any registered professional bodies in Sarawak and have relevant experience in the housing industry, I am of the opinion that the chairman must be a person learned in the law, one of the member must be a surveyor with expertise in valuation, housing condition or management. Then, there need to be a lay person as member also and the rest can be as of clause 17A-(2).

Section 17G (2). It is urged that the place of the sitting of the Tribunal could be carried out in all major towns in Sarawak, and not just more at the HQ in Kuching for example, so as to minimize the inconvenience of the claimants and that all cases could , be settled as soon as possible with little delay and the most within 3 months.

Section 17I (3) the limitation period in which a house buyer can file a claim to the tribunal on structural and foundation defects should be within 6 years from the date of the issuance of the occupation permit. So many times we see cracks appearing on walls, floor sinking and beam slanting after the foundation settle, drains and verandah outside- crack and sink and even the drains outside the house and the road also sink and who will bear the costs of all these structural and foundation defects. Had a proper job be done in the first place with proper piling and ground settlement non of this would have happened. So 6 years for structural and foundation defects and 12 months for other defects.

Whereas it is good that the bill is trying to tackle some of the problems as would be encountered in the housing development industry, the limitation of jurisdiction as set out in Section 17 J (1) (a) however is not going to help those who had bought houses, get the occupation permits but cannot get the house to his name, as he cannot get the title.

Mr. Speaker,

The whole thing about buying a house is that, when the house is done and money paid then you should get a title and then the house is really yours. But sometimes it is not like that. I hope the Minister could look into this problem and help remedy the situation.

I mean would it not be ironical, if after going to all the trouble and even to the tribunal to fix all defects and yet the house is not in your name. I mean if we go Tribunal for help, then it would be good if the Tribunal could help us all the way.

Lastly, if the Honourable Minister could enlighten us on the avenue for appeal on the judgment of the Tribunal.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

10 Questions from Me for the Sarawak State Legislative Council Meeting from 9 - 18 November 2009 (English & Chinese)

Ten Questions from me for the Sarawak State Legislative Council meeting from 9 - 18 November 2009.

1. To ask the Honourable Minister of Finance to state:
With regards to the national stimulus plans for economic recovery ,
i) the amount and categories of money received thus far,
ii) channel of distributions of the funds from the Federal to State and on down,
iii) the steps taken by the government to ensure transparency
iv) the impact of the stimulus plan on our local economic recovery thus far.


2. To ask the Honourable Minister of Environment and Public Health to state:
i.) the extend of the spread of the chikungunya Virus in human throughout the whole state of Sarawak,
ii.) the ways which the Public Health Department use to determine the virus and how long is the process taking,
iii.) the steps taken by the Ministry to overcome and control the spread of the disease, is there a vaccine available,
iv.) the extend and success of fogging carried out thus far.


3. To ask the Honourable Chief Minister to state:
i) the figures for the break down of drug abuse in Sarawak by age and gender for the past five years in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang,
ii) the steps taken by the ministry to prevent drug abuse in terms of its sources, distributions and end users, especially with our youths,
iii) The success of the operations carried out by the police at karaoke, night spots and other operations on drug abuse,
iv) The extend that drug abuse and usage is related to break ins, snatchings and other crimes.


4. To ask the Honourable Chief Minister to state:
in the application for approval, from the State Planning Unit, on sub division plan for housing/shops development projects or Application for Variation of Title Condition (AVTC),
i) the number of applications which are still waiting for approval between 1-2 years, 3-5 years, 5-7 years and 7-10 years and over, for all Divisions in the State of Sarawak.
ii) The normal time taken for the application to obtain approval, the reasons for long approval and the steps taken to minimize them.
iii) The number of housing development project, of area size ten acres and more, been exempted from building low cost housing and why, if any.


5. To ask the Honourable Chief Minister to state:
i) the status of the 20 foot crater opening, of an area of about the size of 20 foot ball field of barren land situated about 38 KM away from the Miri airport and towards the Marudi town, whether it is a volcanic,
ii) Whether any study had been carried out about the crater, its surroundings and fillings, if so, what are the findings.
iii) Future government plans for the area.


6. To ask the Honourable Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation to state:
i) the status of the cemetery at Mile 26 Bintulu/Miri road,
ii) whether a management body had been/will be appointed to take charge and manage the cemetery,
iii) plot allocations plans,
iv) the plan for infrastructure and landscaping of the area.


7. To ask the Honourable Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications to state:
In view of the busy business activities at Medan Jaya and Assyakirin commercial centers area where crowds are seen on the road sides either waiting to cross the busy four lane Kidurong highway or waiting for transport,
i) the plans for pedestrian crossing between Medan Jaya and Assyakirin commercial centers.
ii) Whether an overhead bridge could be built, if so when? if not why?
iii) Plans for picking up bays for those waiting for transports.
iv) General management of the area to keep the place safe, tidy and clean.


8. To ask the Honourable Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications to state:
In view of the much longer distance between the Sg. Plan Flat and SMK Asyakirin at Sg. Plan Housing area, Kidurong, a short cut had been used by the students across the stream and up the hill to the school for a few years already,
i) whether there is a plan to build a permanent crossing and walkways with canopy to ensure the comfort and safety of the students using the walkways, if so, when?
ii) If not, why? and what other alternative ways are there are to help the student to get to the school easier and safer apart from going around the SK Tg. Batu.


9. To ask the Honourable Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications to state:
i) the standard for provisions of public parking spaces at government buildings,
ii) the parking plans and parking spaces for the public visiting the government complexes in Bintulu, especially for the area at the post office, national registration and the new building next to it, as well as other government buildings and offices all built together there.
iii) whether the public vehicles are allowed to enter the gate and park in the compound of the government office building when visiting the office.


10. To ask the Honourable Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications to state:
i) the total cost of the main water pipe laying project from Bintulu to Similajau,
ii) whether a tender was called for the construction project, if so how many companies participated in the tender, if not why?
iii) the reasons for specifying a particular brand name pipe for use with regards to other compatible products available,
iv) the date of completion of the project.


Chiew Chiu Sing.



1. 请尊贵的州财政部长说明:

有关刺激国家经济复苏计划:

i) 到目前为止所获得的数额及类别,
ii) 从联邦和州及其他方面拨款的输送分配,
iii) 为确保透明,政府所采取的步骤,
iv) 到目前为止,刺激计划对本地经济造成的影响。

2. 请问尊贵的州环境及公共卫生部长:

i) 在整个砂劳越州,基孔肯亚热病对人类传染的情况,
ii) 公共卫生部门所采用的检验方法,以及其过程所需的时间,
iii) 为扑灭和控制该病毒传播,卫生部所采取的步骤;以及是否有其防疫苗,
iv) 至今为止,展开的喷雾范围和成效。

3. 请问尊贵的首席部长:

i) 在砂劳越,过去五年,在砂劳越的古晋,诗巫,民都鲁,美里及林梦等地,滥用毒品者的数字,请以
年龄和性别分类详列,
ii) 在预防毒品滥用,有关部会采取何种措施以遏止其来源,散布及使用者尤其是我们的青年,
iii) 警方在卡拉OK,夜店展开的及其他打击毒品的行动,成效如何。
iv) 滥用毒品与破屋偷窃,掳掠及其案件的关系。

4. 请尊贵的首席部长说明:

有关向州策划单位申请批准住宅/店屋发展计划的土地分割,或申请地契变 更的地契条件:

i) 在砂劳越州内各省份,仍然等待批准的数字,1至2年;3至5年;5至7年及7至10年或以上者,
ii) 普通一般获得批准所需的时间,需要长时间考虑批准的原因,及采取缩短时间的步骤,
iii) 面积10依甲或以上者的房屋发展计划,获得豁免建廉价住宅屋的数字,其原因是什么,若有。

5. 请尊贵的首席部长说明:

i) 距离美里飞机场朝马鲁帝市镇去的方向大约38公里外有个寸草不生,面积约有20尺足球场般大的20尺
火山口,是否是火山,
ii) 是否已对该火山口的周遭和其填充物展开任何的调查,若有,调查结果如何,
iii) 政府对该处的未来计划是什么。


6. 请尊贵的州社会发展及城市化部长说明:

i) 民都鲁/美里大道26公里墓园的现状如何,
ii) 是否已经或将委任一个管理层打理该墓园,
iii) 墓地的洛分割计划,
iv) 该地区的基本建设及美化计划。


7. 请尊贵的基本设施发展暨通迅部长说明:

有鉴于美丹再也和亚斯其淋商业中心地区的繁忙商业活动,到处可见人群在路傍等待越过繁忙的基杜弄四程大道或是等待交通工具。

i) 在美丹再也和亚斯其淋商业中心之间的行人过道计划,
ii) 是否会建天桥,若有是何时?若无,是何原因?
iii) 让等待交通工具者使用的乘客登车处计划,
iv) 维持该处安全,整齐及清洁的管理。


8.请尊贵的基本设施发展暨通迅部长说明:

有鉴于在基杜弄双溪布兰地区,双溪布兰组屋及亚斯其淋中学之间的距离相当远,多年来学生都走捷径,涉过小溪和上小丘到校。

i) 是否有建设永久雨盖小道计划,以确保学生安全和舒适的使用小道,若有,何时?
ii) 若无,为什么?除了绕道丹绒巴都小学以外,是否有其他方法,让学生们更方便和安全的去上学。


9. 请尊贵的基本发展暨通迅部长说明:

i) 政府建筑物提供公众泊车位的准则,
ii) 在民都鲁政府大厦一带,公众泊车和泊车计划。尤其是邮政局,国民登记局及隔邻的新大厦,以及其
他政府建筑物及办公厅都集聚的建在这一带,
iii) 公众到政府大厦办公厅处理事务,是否准许公众车辆进入关闸及停泊在政府办公大楼的停车位上。


10. 请尊贵的基本设施发展暨通迅部长说明:

i) 从民都鲁到士米拉爪铺设主要水管计划的总费用,
ii) 该工程计划有无招标,若有,有几间公司参与竞标,若无,为何?
iii) 有关其他适用水管,招标时指定使用特定品牌水管的原因,
iv) 该工程竣工的日期。



周政新。

Monday, November 2, 2009

达岛县连续断水多日未解决 - 充分的暴露了国阵政府在处理危机事上的失败

民主行動党民都魯支部主席,砂羅越州民主行動党署理主席及砂羅越州吉多隆區立委周政新2O09年11月2日文告如下:

吉都隆区州议员周政新针对达岛县连续三天断水表示遗憾,并对达岛人民陷在没有自来水可用的不便与困难表示同情。

据了解导致断水的原因是水泵损坏而不能从河中抽水到过滤站的蓄水池。

然而叫人们感到难以相信的是,难道政府在整个砂劳越就没有存货来应急。 或是政府公共工程局,在政府大肆的私营化后,已失去其原本的效能,连存货都没本事足够的储放。

我促请本州基本设施与发展部长丹斯里阿弗烈查布或其副部长拿督李景胜站出来向达岛的人民做个清楚的交代。

周氏指出,今时达岛县出现断水三天还未解决,已充分的暴露了国阵政府在处理危机事上的失败。人民对政府未能提出一套解决断水危机的措施表示失望,连掌管他们的政府也不能帮助他们,害得他们求救无门,苦苦等待,还要承受这么久没有水的不便与苦难。

周氏说,正当政府大事宣传达岛今后的发展,可是两星期后的今天,人民却连食水都成问题。 试问国阵政府到底会了解当地人民真正需要发展的是什么。

我希望国阵政府在谈大发展的时候,不要忘记了人民的基本需要。许多达岛人民的基本设施如救火站,频频停电的电供应,而今天连食水也都断绝三天,等等,这些基本设施应该给于优先的处理而不是等到事情发生了,除了叫人民去受苦,什么解决的方案也没有。明显的这样的政府对人民的需要已完全失去了方向。


周政新。

政府滥用土地法令47条文 红线地36年未解冻

民主行動党民都魯支部主席,砂羅越州民主行動党署理主席及砂羅越州吉多隆區立委周政新2O09年10月29日文告如下:

吉都隆区州议员周政新说,民都鲁省土地被冻结36年, 还不给解放, 政府滥用土地法令47条文。

周氏说,假如一个政府计划了36年,而还不能决定其发展的模式, 决定那些地方要征用人民的土地来建学校,医院道路及其他公共用途等,那这样政府做事的效率真的是太差了。

政府口口声声说,征收土地来做公共用途,但政府在民都鲁,是否有真正的把所有征收的人民土地,来做为公共用途,我相信广大的民都鲁人民都心知肚明。 政府这样的做法会公平吗, 会对吗?

行动党主张政府征收人民的土地来做公共用途,两年内没有用到自动解放。

政府不能够完全忽略了人民的感受与需要,把他们的土地锁住不放。这些土地是人民用钱买来的,是人民的财产, 所以人们应该拥有全部的拥有权, 不是挂名权而已。 土地的名字是人民的, 但却任由政府摆布使用,这是什么道理, 什么民主?

人民已听到很厌倦政府实行47条文在所难免, 政府说它因为了州内的发展而征收土地。 这老调重弹, 在民都鲁已弹了36年,人民也已听腻了,也听懂了, 政府再解释也是多余的。问题是,政府是否听懂人民的心声。
周氏也对砂土地局局长在政府总共征收的3820 份的47条文“红线”的征收地, 而至今只剩下440片尚未释放的说法感到迷惑。

局长应该专业,说明440片的土地到底是多大的面积。据我所知民都鲁的红线地全都未解放而其面积是9747.97公顷, 那这是否算为是其中的一片土地?

土地是人民的切身问题, 政府在处理它的事件上必须坦白,听取人民的意见, 并尊重人民土地的拥有权,才能赢取人民的信任。

周政新。