Seawal jam 6.30 pagi tetamu khas kita iaitu Sdra Alex Chan Chin Chin, bekas ADUN Simpang Pulai telah tiba dengan penuh semangat. Kami berkumpul di kaki bukit Kledang ini sehingga jam 7.15pagi sebelum memulakan pendakian ke aras 3,000 kaki.
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Pelajar OUM Shah Alam, Dillon, juga turut serta dalam pendakian merdeka ini
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Kelihatan di gambar kabus yang agak tebal di tamansebelum bermulanya sesi nyanyian lagu patriotik
Sdra Alex Chan (dua dari kiri) turut sama menyanyikan lagu patriotik
Pengarah PP Perak Richard Ng sedang menyampaikan cenderahati kepada tetamu khas kita iaitu Sdra Alex Chan
Video Ucapan Sdra Alex Chan
Video Laungan Merdeka
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Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has described as “an afterthought” former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s dare to repeat what he said about the possibility of the country’s largest Chinese political party leaving the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.
“Isn’t he a bit too late picking on me on this issue? It’s not the first time I have talked about this. I had spoken about this possibility soon after the March 8 general election. Don’t you have any other better issues for the (Chinese) community than to just trail me?” he asked.
Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat
Ong, who is the only central MCA leader to offer to run for the party’s presidency so far, said: “My record as a politician has always been consistent in what I say and do. I spoke my mind and it was reported by newspapers that had reporters present.
“What’s this baseless accusation that I am giving my comments only to the vernacular Chinese newspapers. I talk to everyone, just as I am doing now.”
Chinese dailies quoted the MCA vice-president as saying during his recent visit to Bentong: “We need to see some changes in BN, particularly Umno, in relation to coordination and collaboration with the various component parties in the coalition.
“In this respect, any unilateral dominance or sense of supremacy would only irk the other coalition partners. If there’s no change in the biggest coalition partner, namely Umno, MCA could always consider opting out (of BN) as one of the options.”
Speaking to theSun at a Bakti Nusa charity fund-raising dinner on Wednesday evening, the Transport Minister said his statement was not something new to those who frequently attended his talks.
“When I was interviewed some time ago in the non-Chinese media, I had said the same thing in English. I repeated the statement in my winding-up speech during a meet-the-MCA grassroots roadshow in the Federal Territory some two months ago.”
Ong said he would always make his statements in more than one language which was what he did in Bentong last week.
“The morally-tainted blogger who urged me to write to Umno to state my stand was virtually concerned that the reports in the Chinese dailies would not reach the Umno top brass. This is totally uncalled for as I always speak my mind freely and fearlessly, without having to seek prior approval from any party.
“Any one in his right frame of mind will know that any statement made in any language in Malaysia, would readily be translated into other languages.
“I have also been accused by the blogger of being merely reactive in nature, but that trait would actually be an apt description of the accuser himself.
“My record has clearly shown that I brought up the issue of mono-ethnic dominance or supremacy was proactively in my exclusive interview with Bernama (in English) some time back.”
Some Barisan Nasional component party leaders' comments about the possibility of their parties leaving Barisan has Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin concerned.
“The is a new trend we have not seen in the past and this time around it is being done openly. I am concerned about that,” Muhyiddin told reporters, referring to remarks made by MCA and Gerakan leaders recently.
“Are these remarks brought up because of sheer disappointment? They have to explain,” he said, adding that any random survey would show that there was a mindset shift among the rakyat and not merely in Permatang Pauh.
Muhyiddin said Barisan should not underestimate the changes that are taking place.
“We can have a dialogue with the component parties but what else can we do? That is what we should be asking ourselves.
“The format in Umno and BN is not right and change should not just be in the form but also in the content,” Muhyiddin said.
“Umno also cannot stand alone. There are weaknesses within Umno but weaknesses also exist within the component parties,” he added.
Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the outcome of the Permatang Pauh by-election was a wake-up call for Barisan, especially Umno, that much had to be done to regain the public's support.
Mukhriz said one of the major factors that impacted the by-election was the announcement by the country’s top two leaders that there would be a power transfer only in 2010.
“This means business as usual for another two years. For the rakyat, they feel it is too much to swallow,” he said.
“On the Umno side and Barisan, we also feel very exasperated because it is as if we have not started moving towards re-engineering and re-inventing Umno and Barisan.”
Barisan Nasional should learn from the defeat in the Permatang Pauh by-election and adopt new strategies and ideas for future contests, said MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
“We in the Barisan should be united and move as one team to ensure the component continues to be strong to face the next general election,” he said at SK Chi Ming 1 here on Wednesday.
“We in the MCA also hope the failure in capturing Permatang Pauh will not weaken our struggle to regain the people's confidence.”
Ong said PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would not be able to form the next government on Sept 16 and that it was just a gimmick to woo voters.
He also urged Barisan leaders not to utter racial remarks during campaigns as it would hurt the people.
Ong, who is Housing and Local Government Minister, said the Government would replace housing developers who failed to complete projects.
He said there were about 43,000 houses that were not completed and the Government would appoint new developers for them.
He said that over the past 27 years more than 2.7 million homes had been built and occupied and the ministry would ensure that abandoned projects would be completed.
FORMER MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has upped the ante in his media war with party presidential candidate, vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat, with a dare to Ong to repeat to Umno what he told the Chinese press lately -- that MCA may pull out of Barisan Nasional if Umno does not shed its "Ketuanan Melayu" policies.
Writing in his blog on Tuesday, Chua, without mentioning names, chided the only man (so far) who has offered to run for MCA presidency for pretending to speak out for the Chinese community.
"One would think that when the only man running for the post of MCA president says the party may have to pull out of the Barisan Nasional if Umno continues to champion the concept of 'Ketuanan Melayu', it should make the front page of all newspapers," he said.
"Instead, it was only reported in Sunday's Nanyang Siang Pau.
"The rest of the Chinese dailies offered up only today some muted reaction to the candidate's suggestion," Chua said, adding that Bahasa Malaysia and English newspapers have steered clear of reporting his statements for now.
He said some people have labelled him (Chua) a "political has-been", and tried to show the party's grassroots, the bulk of whom read the Chinese newspapers, that the endorsed candidate for the MCA presidency is indeed a man with the courage to speak out against Umno.
"But has he really spoken out and articulated the frustrations of the Chinese community?
"What is the reaction of Umno towards such a strong statement from an MCA vice-president and cabinet minister?" he asked.
One would never know, he said, "because it appears the statement so far is meant only for the eyes of the Chinese community".
He said MCA does not need someone who only pretends to speak out for the Chinese but a president who will speak out for all Malaysians and against all injustices.
"It is really insulting to members to think that in this age of multi-culturalism, anyone would choose to put on a show in the Chinese newspapers for the Chinese community," he said.
He dared the "endorsed candidate" to send a letter to Umno, repeating his statement that MCA may pull out of BN if Umno does not shed its Ketuanan Melayu policies.
"He should also officially issue statements that that will be MCA's policy should he become president," he said, adding that if he (Ong) does not write a letter to Umno or have a private chat with the prime minister about what he said, then he would be very rude in issuing a threat without letting the other party know.
If he does not do any of these things, then it would appear he was just hoping to get political support to attain his ambition without actually intending to walk the talk, he said.
Chua, who is regarded as a likely candidate to challenge Ong in the October party election, and Ong have traded barbs in the Chinese press and in cyber space over the issue of moral and conduct for politicians.
His latest tirade was given prominent space in the Chinese dailies yesterday.
MCA Youth secretary-general Dr Wee Ka Siong has officially announced that he will contest for the wing’s chief post in the October party polls.
He has also asked that those who want to contest for the same post to join him in a forum to debate on the future of the movement.
For education: Dr Wee (second from right) handing over the cheques to Federal Territory MCA Youth chief Hang Chin Pheng (centre) at the MCA headquarters here yesterday. With them were (from left) FT MCA Youth vice-presidents Ling Hee Keat and Dr Toh Kian Kok, and FT MCA Youth state secretary Chiew Lian Keng.
“We can have a debate on the movement’s ideology. It is high time that the movement is rebuild. We need to reach out to society and make MCA Youth relevant to the people.
“It is time to voice out and view the people’s problems without fear. This is vital after our poor performance in the March 8 polls,” he told reporters at the party headquarters yesterday.
Dr Wee said he had received support from the movement’s leaders as well as the grassroots to contest for the post.
“Since the general election, the political scenario has changed and I am here to make the changes.
“I have been receiving phone calls and SMSes from the movement’s youth members all across the country encouraging me to go for it, especially after incumbent Datuk Liow Tiong Lai announced he would not be seeking a re-election for the post,” he added.
Dr Wee said his campaign tagline would be “Speak Out, Make Changes, No Fear.”
He urged members to work together and fight for the party in order to reach greater heights.
After the press conference, Dr Wee, as Deputy Education Minister, presented 10 cheques for RM20,000 each to Federal Territory MCA Youth leaders and those from the youth movement to be allocated to SJKC schools in the Klang Valley.
The PAS Dewan Ulama’s call to ban gambling and limit sales of alcohol in Pakatan Rakyat-held states is confusing and an about-turn on the Islamist party's assurances before the March 8 election, MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat said.
“Why do a U-turn all of a sudden? It should inform the people about its change (of heart),” he said after launching the Tasik Perdana Family Day here yesterday.
He reminded PAS of its message – that it wanted to establish a welfare state in the run-up to the last general election.
No U-turns: Ong, during the launch of the Tasik Perdana Family Day Sunday.
“Or was it merely a political gimmick to fish for votes?” he asked.
Ong pointed out that Pakatan allies DAP and PKR also assured the people then that PAS had undergone a paradigm shift, from wanting to establish a theocratic Islamic state to a welfare-centric one.
On Thursday, PAS Dewan Ulama head Datuk Mohamed Daud called for a ban on gambling joints and to limit alcohol-selling outlets in non-Muslim areas in Pakatan-run states, saying Kelantan was an example of how the ban should be carried out.
However, at the party’s 54th muktamar on Friday, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party would not pursue the campaign to ban gambling and alcohol as it would affect much of Kuala Lumpur.
Ong also called on younger members in the MCA to play a bigger role in their constituencies by coming out with their own initiatives and resources to win the people’s support.
“Certain people are reluctant to put in their own efforts, but at the end of the day, when any new initiatives comes, they want to jump on the bandwagon,” he said.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen is giving herself a few more weeks before deciding which post to contest in the upcoming party elections.
“I haven’t made my decision yet. I need a few more weeks to 'feel the ground' because 80% of the central delegates are men. This is very historical. Never has a woman participated in high-level party elections,” she told reporters yesterday after attending the Merdeka Unity Run at Dataran Merdeka.
“I must be very honest. It is one thing to think I am capable but another thing for the grassroots to overcome the gender angle. Some have told people they have no problems with my capabilities but they have a little problem with my being a woman.”
Dr Ng announced in July that she would not be defending her Wanita post and would contest for one of the top three party posts – president, deputy president or vice-president.
Her deputy Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun had recently announced that she would go for the top post in Wanita if there was a vacancy.
Dr Ng said yesterday Chew had her blessings to contest for the post, adding that Chew was among many women who had been groomed to take over the leadership in the women's wing.
She added that the party elections should be carried out in a healthy, friendly and gracious manner.
However, she said her focus for now would be on the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, where she is minister, and the Permatang Pauh by-election.
On Budget 2009, she said her ministry was trying to ensure that the poor and the vulnerable would be included in the social security net.
Candidates competing for the top MCA positions should remind themselves that the posts come with great responsibility, not glory.
MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said that those who won the posts owe their responsibilities to the community and the country.
“I hope the elections will go smoothly and that the birth of new leaders will not lead to a split in the party,” he said.
Ong, who is also the MCA election committee chief, said he hoped all candidates would focus on their plans for the party’s growth and benefit.
Concerned gesture: Ong and Tebrau MP Teng Boon Soon (left) chatting with Lee Wah, 88, a resident of the Tebrau Old Folks Home during a visit Sunday.
He reminded candidates not to say or do anything that would tarnish the image of the party and told members not to be involved in money politics.
“Candidates should be continuing the work of their predecessors, instead of uprooting previous policies,” he said during his visit to several new villages in Tebrau and Pasir Gudang here yesterday.
Ong pointed out that the party election was also different from the general election where candidates had to campaign to get votes from tens of thousands of people.
“We are contesting within a party and the candidates will only have to present their plans to 2,118 central delegates.”
Ong also said that he would not comment on any party election-related issues, as he was the election committee chief.
“If I decide to compete for the posts, I will have to resign as the election committee chief first.
“But now, I want to ensure that the election process is smooth.”
In line with the Merdeka celebration, Ong, who is also the Housing and Local Government Minister, distributed flags to some 20 associations in the Johor Jaya constituency.
Umno Seberang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah is the Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership’s choice to take on PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election on Aug 26.
BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made the announcement tonight, setting off cries of jubilation among Arif Shah’s supporters at the Sunway Carnival Convention Centre here.
Arif Shah, who speaks fluent Mandarin and Hokkien, broke down in tears as soon as the announcement was made, and in an emotionally charge atmosphere went on to embrace Najib and other BN leaders who were present.
He then took the mike, and speaking in both Malay and Mandarin, promised to give Anwar a bruising fight.
His passionate words in eloquent Mandarin, particularly, brought the multi-racial crowd of BN supporters from Umno, MCA, Gerakan, MIC and PPP, roaring and on their feet.
"We in the BN are fighters for all races," he said. "And we do not want Permatang Pauh to be ruled by the opposition anymore."
"We don’t have to be nervous about how powerful Anwar Ibrahim is. We will fight him and bring Permatang Pauh back to the Barisan Nasional," said Arif whose Seberang Jaya state constituency is one of the three state constituencies in Permatang Pauh.
Incidentally, Arif Shah was the Umno Permatang Pauh youth chief in the 90s when Anwar was the division chief and the party’s state chairman.
Immensely popular in his state constituency which he has held since 2004, his Seberang Jaya service centre is known to be the first of its kind with ISO certification.
The announcement by Najib before a crowd of 2,000 BN supporters gathered at the launch of the BN machinery for the by-election, ended almost two weeks of jostling among Umno members for their preferred candidates.
Najib said the process of choosing had been quite a dilemma, stressing that it had been made based on the best possible considerations.
Arif then also hugged his rival for the nomination, Umno Permatang Pauh division chief Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid.
In the last general elections, the other two state constituencies of Permatang Pasir and Penanti were won by PAS and PKR respectively, and only incumbent Arif Shah managed to defend his seat in Seberang Jaya.
It is understood that the Umno leadership felt that the BN candidate for Permatang Pauh has to be a local with powerful grassroots appeal, especially among the rural folk, if there is to be any chance of giving Anwar a run for his money.
Also present were state BN chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, BN Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishamudin Tun Hussein, BN secretary general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Penang MCA chairman Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, Gerakan secretary general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, Penang MIC chief Datuk Dr K Rajapathy and Penang PPP chief Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan.
THE Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), Ipoh branch spends RM10,000 per month for its neutering and spaying campaign for stray cats and dogs.
Society president Dr Goh Hue Lang said they hoped to work more closely with the city council in tackling the problem with strays.
“If the city council could sponsor even RM2,000 a month, it would allow us to free up more time for other meaningful projects,” she said at the society’s annual charity dinner in Ipoh on Sunday.
Dr Goh added: “We shelter about 200 dogs and cats, and every single thing the society does in the battle to prevent animals from suffering costs money. Our resources are limited.”
Jeya (left) hitting the gong to launch the dinner. With her are Dr Goh (right) and other ISPCA committee members.
She said the society would give more talks to schoolchildren about caring responsibly for their pets and hold dog parades throughout Perak within two years.
She said that according to research from the United Kingdom’s Royal SPCA, a single cat could lead to the propagation of 20,000 offsprings in four years.
A dog, however, could propagate offsprings that would eventually produce altogether 67,000 in six years, she said.
“It’s terrible. The public needs to know more about neutering and spaying. Otherwise, a stray wouldn’t be able to control itself and it would continue to reproduce,” she said.
Earlier, Jeya Jeyaratnam, daughter of the late Puan Sri Dr J. Rajamalar who had been a faithful contributor to ISPCA, launched the dinner by hitting a gong.
Dancers from City Ballet performed an adaptation of the popular London Broadway musical CATS during the dinner which managed to raise RM80,000 for the society’s activities.
Chenderiang assemblyman Dr Mah Hang Soon, who represented Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, hoped that the state would allocate funds to non-governmental organisations like the ISPCA each year.
“I also hope the society would be able to get its TOL (temporary occupational licence) for another 30 or 60 years,” he said before donating RM10,000 on behalf of Ong.
Visitors can drop by the ISPCA centre at Lot 38642, 4th mile, Jalan Gopeng, 31300, Ipoh, Perak. For details, call Doreen at 016-5608905.
IPOH: Contest for the Perak MCA Youth chief's post in September will likely be between MCA Youth deputy chief Datuk Ling Hee Leong and Chenderiang assemblyman Dr Mah Hang Soon.
Ling, who is Perak Youth vice-chairman, said his decision to contest the post was to help consolidate the wing.
“We need to be more hip to attract the young. We must also be IT-savvy with the young crowd,” said the 39-year-old Ling, who is also Kuala Kangsar MCA Youth chief, yesterday.
Dr Mah, who is Perak Youth committee member, said he would consider contesting.
The Perak Youth chief post is vacant as incumbent Datuk Tan Chin Meng will be overage.
Morality should not be used as a weapon to run down potential candidates, including former vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, in the upcoming MCA elections.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said that Dr Chua should be given another chance if he were to contest as he had privately and publicly apologised for his past behaviour.
Dr Chua, who is the former Health Minister, had resigned from all posts after he admitted to having been in a sex video. He has been tipped to make a comeback and contest for the presidency.
“This person had made a moral mistake and apologised to the family and the world. If his wife and family can forgive him, who are we not to? Let the delegates decide who they want.
“The upcoming party elections should not be filled with accusations,” she told reporters here yesterday.
Dr Ng was commenting on media reports yesterday that quoted MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat as saying that “tainted” public figures could not be “cleansed” simply by owning up to their wrongdoings but must instead bear the consequences.
Dr Ng said Dr Chua was brave enough to admit his mistake and deserved to be forgiven especially by the party as he had paid the price for what he had done by losing his minister’s post.
“I do not dare decide or judge someone else’s morality except my own. Can you give me a leader that scores a 100% mark in morality?” she asked.
Dr Ng said she had not decided whether to contest the presidency or another post as she had to first study the MCA men’s mindset.
“I am confident of my capabilities but I have to study the men and see if they are ready for a woman leader as 80% of the central delegates are men,” she said, adding that Kelantan MCA had backed her for the top post.
MCA Youth secretary-general Dr Wee Ka Siong said the front-page report of an English daily that alleged he was involved in a sex scandal had not affected his personal life.
“In fact, my wife laughed about it and told me to lodge a police report when she saw the front page news.”
Asked if he needed to do damage control to clear his reputation, he said his conscience was clear.
Young broadcasters: Wee chatting with pupils after presenting them their certificates for completing their broadcasting courses in The Voice Academy.
He said although the report did not have any direct impact on his personal life or career, he received a lot of “attention” wherever he went.
“People keep asking me, what happened? Why you?” Dr Wee, who is also the Deputy Education Minister, said at a press conference after presenting certificates to students of The Voice Academy at Wisma MCA yesterday.
On Saturday, Dr Wee said his lawyer had sent a letter to the daily on Friday and demanded a front-page apology or be prepared to face legal action.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should answer to Permatang Pauh voters for toll collection at the Butterworth Outer Ring Road’s Sungai Nyior stretch.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Anwar had insisted that the toll plaza be located there when he was a minister.
“We still hear people, especially the Chinese community, calling for toll collection at Sungai Nyior to be abolished,” he said after closing the Permatang Pauh MCA by-election training camp at Safira Country Club here yesterday.
“But they all know that Anwar was the one who created the unhappiness among them.”
Gearing up: Liow (centre) briefing Penang MCA members during an election training camp in Seberang Jaya, Penang, yesterday. With him are Penang MCA deputy chairman Lau Chiek Tuan (second left), Penang MCA organising secretary (third left) Tan Cheng Liang and Penang MCA treasurer Datuk Ma Kok Ben (sixth from left).
Liow, who is also state MCA chairman, said the MCA would convey the people’s wishes to the Federal Government.
He said the party would hold discussions with Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad on abolishing toll collection there.
Liow described the Permatang Pauh by-election as an uphill task for the MCA.
“But we have to work hard to remind Chinese voters that we still work untiringly for them, although they had voted for PKR in the last three terms,” he said.
On Anwar’s claim that he would not attack the Barisan Nasional candidate during polls campaigning, Liow said Barisan would similarly focus on its performance record.
“This is a battle between Barisan and PKR. So we will go on a party-to-party approach.
“We will highlight the direction and policies of Barisan that contributed to the stability and progress of the nation.”
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should concentrate on proving the vitality of the Pakatan Rakyat governments in the five states instead of creating anxiety among Malaysians, said MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai. He said Anwar should respect the decision made by the rakyat at the 12th general election of giving five states -- Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Kelantan and Penang -- to the opposition parties and the federal government to Barisan Nasional.
"Prove yourself and let people decide when they go to the polls in five years whether they want the BN or Pakatan Rakyat," said Liow.
He pointed out that the Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader's main intention was to be prime minister.
"It is his personal wish and not for the benefit of the rakyat that he is contesting the by-election in Permatang Pauh," he said, adding that Anwar should respect the Constitution and the country's democratic process. Liow, who will head the MCA by-election machinery in Permatang Pauh with more than 3,000 MCA members and leaders going to the ground to campaign, said:
"I will let the people of Permatang Pauh know about Anwar's intentions in contesting the seat. The people should not be swayed by his play-acting or sandiwara.
"Don't use tricks and tactics to cause instability and anxiety. It is not good for the economy and political stability.
A local English daily has until Monday to issue a front-page apology to Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong or face legal action in connection with the SMS regarding his purported resignation.
Dr Wee said his lawyer issued a letter of demand to the daily on Friday.
He explained that the apology was demanded in relation to defamatory statements made against him on the front page of the daily on July 31.
He said the defamatory statements alleged that he was involved with a student from China.
"The letter also said I have the right to commence legal proceedings against the daily and claim inter alia damages for the loss and reputation and financial loss should they fail to produce the apology.
"They also have to provide an undertaking not to repeat the allegations or make similar allegations," he said here Saturday.
Dr Wee has lodged a police report on SMSes being circulated among MCA leaders and elected representatives which implied that he would resign from all posts within 90 days like former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek did on Oct 20 last year.
MCA vice-president and presidential aspirant Ong Tee Keat launched his presidential website in Kuala Lumpur this morning with a stern message on morality.
Saying that his new personal website was a platform for him to air and share his views, Ong kicked it off with a caution to party members of detractors in the party who harbour the hope that MCA would be lead by tainted leaders.
"This would make the party vulnerable to future subversions by its political enemies," Ong said.
"Nobody can force another to commit a wrong. A perpetrator should not give excuses or justifications in blaming others for exposing the moral wrongs.
"(Any tainted leaders) by bowing out (resigning) is not enough, they still have to face the (testing) of our cultural and social norms (governing their behaviour)”, said Ong who is also transport minister.
"Of late, I have come across remarks in view of the party elections that certain quarters or individuals are trying to subvert (psychologically) our cultural or social norms by saying that an apology can cleanse a person of any (morally) wrongdoing."
"A perpetrator has no right to impose upon others that he has been cleansed by an apology. He (or she) has no right in accusing others guilty for exposing the moral wrong, he or she has committed."
Right to judge
Instead the perpetrator should have the courage to lodge a police report to catch those who had exposed (his or her) wrongdoings as in the recent case of the MCA youth secretary-general Wee Ka Siong who was alleged to be involved in a sex scandal via SMS.
Ong stressed that the public has the right to judge the behaviour of party leaders but in the MCA elections, it was crucial that leaders inform the Chinese community of their plans for the future.
The website launching at Ong’s community service centre at Taman Muda, was attended by party supporters and several MCA divisional chairpersons from Pandan, Subang, Kuala Selangor and Hulu Langat.
The website, in English and Chinese, has the header "Ong Tee Keat for President" and incorporating the slogan, "Courage to Change and Creating New Values". It is accessible at www.ongteekeat.net.
Asked about his new website, Ong said, "I was one of the few members of parliament who had in 2001 launched a community website (previously for Ampang Jaya parliamentary constituency).
He said his new personal website launched today was his added dimension and a dream he had cherished for the past two years.
The Opposition is in control of five states, but its leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim continues to drag the country into political uncertainty because he wants to be prime minister.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Anwar should respect the wishes of the people made known in the March 8 general election results.
“The Opposition keeps saying the wishes of the people must be respected.
“Then respect the decision of March 8. They want the Opposition to rule five states, but Barisan Nasional to helm the Federal Government.
“However, instead of concentrating on how to govern the fives states properly, Anwar is putting all effort to become prime minister. That was not what the voters wanted,” Liow told reporters after launching the Easy Pha-Max Healthylympics and the company’s first store here yesterday.
As for the sodomy allegation by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Liow said it was unfair for Anwar to accuse the Government of conspiracy because “it is between the two of them”.
“Let the matter be settled in court. After all, Anwar and his team have said that the court has been fair.
“Stop hoodwinking the people by claiming that the Government is out to set him up,” he said.
MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat, who is aspiring for the party’s presidency, is sticking to his stand of having no running mate in the party elections later this year.
He said what was important was for each aspiring candidate for any post to explain his or her plans and vision for the party and let the delegates decide.
“I believe there is only one team, the MCA team,” he told reporters here yesterday.
He said this when asked about former vice-president Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek’s comment on a radio show yesterday that there was a possibility of him running for the deputy presidency with Ong for the presidency.
“I did not listen to the show, so I would prefer not to comment,” Ong said.
In Petaling Jaya, three people behind the Save MCA campaign announced that they would contest for central committee posts.
Puchong division vice-chairman Datuk Theng Book, PJ Utara division deputy chairman Datuk Lim Choon Kim and Ipoh Timur division chairman Datuk Thong Fah Chong said they hoped to make a difference in the party by contesting.
Today, I was at that Ministry of Health with Alex Chan Chin Chee, our student, who was the former MCA State Assemblyman for Simpang Pulai in Perak. Alex Chan has just won the deputy head of MCA Gopeng Division. With his connection, I am able to meet the minister. Of course the minister was a busy man and in fact our meeting has been postponed twice due to MCA branch and division election.
Alex Chan at OUM Main Campus Library
We started our journey from Ipoh at 11.30am. I brought Alex to our OUM campus as he has never been to our campus before. I showed him our library and how a student can use OPAC to borrow books from our library via online.
Alex Chan with Prof. Kidin (centre) and Prof. Mukherjee
We also managed to meet two important people, Prof. Dr. Kidin (Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology) and Prof. Dr. Mukherjee. We have a short meeting before we proceed to Putrajaya.
We arrived at Putrajaya about 4.20pm as our appointment has been fixed at 4.30pm. As usual the ministry's office was full of people waiting to see him. We were called in by the Minister at 5pm sharp. We spent about 30 minutes talking about our Bachelor of Nursing Science program, our students and the practical that they will be doing at 21 selected government hospitals.
Richard Ng at the Ministry of Health
Richard Ng with Dato' Liow Tiong Lai, minister of health
We left at about 6pm and arrived in Ipoh at 10pm. It was a cordial and fruitful meeting. We hope the ministry will review our quota for our next BNS intake so that more students can take up the program.
Group photo with Minister of Health
On July 26, the Minister announced that there is shortage of 6,400 specialist nurses in the hospital as follows:
Not enough specialised nurses to go around - The Star By AUDREY EDWARDS
KUALA LUMPUR: July 26, 2008
The shortage of nurses in Malaysia has caused several wards and intensive care units in newer hospitals to remain closed.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said among the hospitals affected included those in Serdang, Sungai Buloh, Ampang and Sungai Petani.
“Many new hospitals are not able to open wards, intensive care units and operating theatres, which need a lot of post basic nurses,” he told reporters after opening the 2nd Universiti Malaya Medical Centre Nursing Congress 2008 yesterday.
He said that as of March this year, only 85.9% of the 42,476 staff nurse posts had been filled, while 6,004 posts remained vacant.
“The need for specialised nurses is growing with increasing specialisation of medical practice,” he said.
There were 11 areas which lacked nurses with post basic training. These included intensive care, coronary care, neo-natal care, paediatric care and emergency and traumatology, he said.
Only between 30% and 40% of nurses working in the 11 areas have been given the necessary post-basic training.
In addition to this, there are also new specialist nursing areas like HIV counselling, genetic counselling and neuro-radiology intervention.
Liow added that 27 nurses from India would arrive next month following the Cabinet’s approval last year to recruit 1,300 nurses from Asean and Commonwealth countries over a period of three years.
There are currently 73,613 nurses of all categories and grades in Malaysia where 78% worked with the ministry and the rest were in the private and non-ministry sectors.
Training is being done at 17 nursing colleges under the ministry, producing about 3,500 diploma nurses yearly while private colleges have also been roped in to help.
It was a family affair at the Gopeng MCA division elections when Albert Chang Chun Chuen clinched the top post while his cousin Alex Chan Chin Chee was elected his deputy.
During Sunday's polls here, Chang secured an easy win over his challenger, the division’s incumbent vice-chairman Lee Thim Leng, when he garnered 159 votes over Lee’s 74.
Chan, who is also former Simpang Pulai assemblyman and currently the Taman Gopeng Baru MCA branch chairman, polled 161 votes against his opponent Low Leong Sin’s 72 votes.
Incumbent Gopeng division chief Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh, also the party’s former secretary-general, vacated his post to fight for a central delegate position in the Kapar MCA division.
Elsewhere in Perak, another five of the state’s 24 divisions will see straight fights for the top posts.
In the Ipoh Timur division, incumbent deputy chief Datuk Thong Fah Chong will be fighting incumbent chief Datuk Chew Wai Khoon for the division chairman post.
Meanwhile, Kampar MP Datuk Lee Chee Leong will be defending his post as chief against organising secretary Wong Lee Kwong.
Incumbent Ipoh Barat division chief Datuk Tan Chin Meng will be defending his post against incumbent treasurer Choong Chai Hong.
In Batu Gajah, incumbent Loh Koi Pin is defending his post against his deputy Yip Sze Choy for the chairman post.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan expects a drop in petrol prices next month following the current downward trend in global crude oil prices.
Ong, a member of the Cabinet’s anti-inflation committee, said this was only fair as the Government has had to explain to the people that it was unavoidable that petrol prices would go up when global oil prices surged.
“But if the price of crude oil should fall, then our petrol prices should drop too,” he told reporters before a ‘Guan Gong Puja’ ceremony at Tow Boo Keong temple here on Saturday night.
“We cannot have a situation where petrol prices increase only and not go down,” he added.
On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had announced that the petrol price would be reviewed monthly from Sept 1 based on the average global market price.
Empowerments and Rituals: Ong (in blue) holding a candle during the 'Guan Gong Puja' ceremony at Tow Boo Keong temple in Ipoh. Flanking him are Perak MCA lifelong learning action committee chief Alex Chan Chin Chee (left) and Thrangu Dharma Retreat Centre chairman Chuah Chin Kah.
Abdullah had said that the new price would be decided on the first day of every month and that subsidy will be fixed at RM0.30sen a litre.
Ong gave his assurance of the Government promise that the petrol price would not exceed RM2.70 a litre.
“I feel there is a big possibility there will be a drop (in petrol price) in September, but it depends on the crude oil market in August.
“This is something we can look forward to,” he said, adding that the it would take about a month to adjust to the new system announced by the Government.
Kami berkumpul di kaki bukit sementara menantikan semua peserta tiba
Pelajar OUM Shah Alam, Dillon, juga turut serta dalam pendakian merdeka ini
Sebahagian dari peserta yang telah berjaya sampai ke puncak bukit
Sister Lim, pelajar BNS OUM Perak dengan tongkatnya juga berjaya mendaki bukit ini hingga ke puncaknya. Syabas Sister Lim.
Kelihatan di gambar kabus yang agak tebal di tamansebelum bermulanya sesi nyanyian lagu patriotik
Sdra Alex Chan (dua dari kiri) turut sama menyanyikan lagu patriotik
Pengarah PP Perak Richard Ng sedang menyampaikan cenderahati kepada tetamu khas kita iaitu Sdra Alex Chan
