Cleaner’s life turned upside down after accident

May 31, 2009

IPOH: Life was fine for cleaner Wong Yoke Kham until her husband was involved in a nasty accident three years ago.

He became an invalid, forcing Wong to become the family’s sole breadwinner overnight.

Wong, 42, said that her 38-year-old husband Ting Hoo Ling was working in Singapore before the tragedy struck.

Help needed: Chan (left) comforting Ting, who was bedridden following an accident three years ago. With them are (from right) Beruas MCA division chief Ooi Jing Ting, Ayer Tawar New Village JKKK chairman Ling Leong Chin and Wong.

“My life was turned upside down overnight,” she said, adding that her family was dependent on her meagre RM400 a month income as a cleaner. They have also been relying on financial aid from relatives.

“But I know I cannot depend on them forever as they, too, have their families to care for,” she said.

Besides having to care for their two children, aged eight and 10, Wong also has to bring Ting for his regular check-up at the Manjung Hospital.

Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Alex Chan has appealed for donations to help the family.

“The bureau handed Wong a donation of RM1,000 while an anonymous donor also contributed another RM1,000 to start the ball rolling,” he said.

Those who wish to help can send cheques made out to “Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau” with Ting’s name written on the back.

The cheques can be sent to the Perak MCA headquarters at 90-92, Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh.

For details, contact Chan at 05-2536981.

Hawkers get a home in Ipoh - Star

By CHRISTINA KOH

SOME 25 years ago, mobile hawkers and petty traders in the Kinta Valley were a disorganised bunch, plying their trade at street corners or any empty space they could find.

It earned them accusations that their businesses were causing traffic jams, and complaints from shoplot owners of hawkers parking themselves in front of their premises.

Acting on these complaints, the local authorities introduced policies around 1986 meant to cut down on the number of street hawkers as they were considered ‘a nuisance’.

Auspicious event: Ka Chuan (third left) cutting the ribbon to open the new rented premises of the Kinta Mobile Petty Traders Association.

It was only when Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, then a Perak state executive councillor, stepped in that the authorities softened their stance on the traders.

Ong had urged the traders to band together and register themselves as a society, then negotiated for the council to approve business licences for trading at specially designated areas.

Kinta Mobile Petty Traders Association chairman Tan He Chuang said had it not been for Ong, their association would never have existed.

“That’s why our members will always remember him for helping us during those difficult times.

“Back then, it was so hard for us to earn a living and he showed us how to organise ourselves. Because of him, we could get licences to trade,” said Tan.

Today the association is 1,400 member strong and Ong remains its honorary adviser. To commemorate his efforts, the association invited him to open its new rented premises at First Garden in Ipoh on Sunday.

PSD scholarship review - Star

Thursday May 14, 2009 By NG CHENG YEE

PUTRAJAYA: The Government will review the selection criteria for Public Services Department scholarships, said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

He said a meeting would be held among Barisan Nasional component party leaders, the PSD director-general and the Chief Secretary to the Government today.

They will discuss the matter and reconsider rejected cases.

“All four MCA ministers had met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to discuss the cases highlighted to us regarding the selection of PSD scholarship recipients.

“The same issue was also brought up at the Cabinet meeting. The Prime Minister has agreed to review the criteria,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

The MCA, he said, received many complaints where students considered the best in certain states were not selected for the scholarships.

“Instead, the moment they were informed about their unsuccessful bid to obtain scholarships to study overseas, the students were asked whether they would accept offers to study at local public universities or foreign universities based in Malaysia.

“This is a very serious situation where students do not get enough time to consider their decision,” he said, adding that such circumstances must be stopped.

Currently, Ong said, the selection is based on four criteria - merit (20%), race (60%), Sabah and Sarawak citizens (10%) and students from underprivileged groups (10%).

He said if meritocracy was part of the criteria, the students’ co-curriculum activities and interviews should not be included for consideration.

“Meritocracy means it should solely be the students’ results and not any other areas,” he said.

PSD scholarships make no sense: Wee - Sun

by Kong See Hoh

KUALA LUMPUR (May 12, 2009) : MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong (pix) says the way Public Services Department (PSD) awards scholarships "makes no sense", and wants the Cabinet to deliberate on the matter.

He also wants the department to be transparent and to explain in detail how the candidates were chosen, the Chinese press reported today.

Wee, who is deputy education minister, said the movement has already requested party chief Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and the three other MCA ministers to raise the PSD scholarship topic at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow to determine if PSD has gone against the present government policy in awarding scholarships under the foreign degree programme.

He told reporters this at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Monday after receiving complaints that applicants with 14 A1s and 13 A1s were not awarded scholarships to study abroad but were offered courses in local universities or the matriculation programme.

The PSD interviewed 8,363 out of the 15,084 candidates who had applied for the 2,000 foreign degree scholarships up for grabs. The results of the PSD offer were made known last Friday.

He said the complainants were told by the department that their results were not good enough.
"But the students (complainants) told me their schoolmates with nine A1s were awarded scholarships!"

He said based on what Ong had earlier announced, that 20% or 400 of the 2,000 scholarships would be awarded to the top-scorers, the 52 Chinese who scored 13 A1s or better should have been selected.

For the 2008 SPM, three Chinese candidates obtained 16 A1s, two obtained 15 A1s, six scored 14 A1s and 41 received 13 A1s.

Wee urged the PSD to list the criteria for the selection of government scholars to pursue studies overseas.

Even if the department has other plans such as retaining some of the outstanding students to study in top universities in the country, it should not keep mum, he said, adding that this is, after all, an era when transparency is emphasised.

Wee also described as unfair a decision by PSD to require those awarded scholarships or those given alternative offers to study locally to reply within three day from May 8.

He urged applicants who were not successful to also appeal through the MCA Youth after having appealed directly to the department online.

They can download the appeal form from MCA Youth website (http://youth.mca.org.my) and submit the completed form, together with the relevant documents, to the movement's education bureau (Biro Pendidikan Pemuda MCA Kebangsaan, Tingkat 7, Wisa MCA, 163 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur) by tomorrow the latest.

Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dr Dominic Lau also urged PSD to be more transparent in awarding scholarships.

He expressed regret that the department failed to provide acceptable reasons why it rejected the applications of five straight As students from Malacca.

Meanwhile, PSD Director-General Tan Sri Ismail Adam said the department will arrange for some of the high-achievers who were not awarded scholarships to study overseas to pursue their studies in local universities, such as Monash University.

He told Sin Chew that some 8,000 applicants fulfilled the PSD scholarship criteria but with only 2,000 places, "some people will definitely be disappointed".

"All of them are good academically and are separated only by their points in extra-curricular activities, interview and family economic background."

Generous Malaysians give RM101,000 to needy duo - Star

April 29, 2009

IPOH: Malaysians showed their generosity despite the economic slowdown by donating RM101,408 to help an accident victim and a cancer patient.

Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Alex Chan yesterday presented RM90,191 to 11-year-old Sioh Yang Jeng, who was hit by a car in Sitiawan on Feb 21.

Yang Jeng’s mother, Lim Pik Syu, 29, thanked the bureau and the public for their help.

She said her son was discharged from Fatimah Hospital on Monday after undergoing a second operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.

“Doctors told me my son has to return for follow-up treatments,” she said, adding that Yang Jeng’s medical bills came to about RM98,000.

From the public: Chan presenting a cheque to Lee at the Perak MCA headquarters in Ipoh yesterday. With them is bureau secretary Hing Thian Kiak @ Hing Lim Ching.

It was reported that Lim, a single parent, lost her job as a kitchen helper in Singapore after she returned home to care for her son.

Chan also handed RM3,925, part of the RM11,217 collected from the public, to Lee Kooi Ying, who is suffering from fourth-stage colon cancer.

Lee, 56, is being treated at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here.

Lee’s friends have been providing food and shelter for her but she needs about RM700 for her monthly expenses.

Donors can make cheques payable to the bureau with the recipients’ names written at the back of the cheque and send them to No. 90-92, Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh.

For details, call the bureau at 05-253 6981.

Kong among four to be made Datuk Seri - Star

April 19, 2009

IPOH: Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Second Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah top the list of 801 award recipients in conjunction with the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah’s 81st birthday today.

State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim, who announced the list at his office here, said

the three will be conferred the Darjah Datuk Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak, which carries the title of Datuk Seri. Another recipient of the award is Orang Kaya-Kaya Panglima Kinta Seri Amar di-Raja Datuk Dr Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan.

State senior exco member Hamidah Osman and Malaysian Ambassador to Ireland Raja Nazrin Raja Aznam will be conferred the Darjah Datuk Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini, which carries the title Datuk.

Perak MCA Youth chief Dr Mah Hang Soon, who is also state Health, Local Government, Consu-mer Affairs, Environment, Public Transportation and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman and TSH Resources Berhad deputy executive chairman Datuk Kelvin Tan Aik Pen are among 33 people to be conferred the Darjah Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak, which carries the title Datuk.

Other notable recipients are Ipoh Datuk Bandar Roshidi Hashim, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T. Murugiah, state Public Works Department director Dr Safry Kamal Ahmad and state Forestry Department director Masran Salleh.

Perak police deputy chief Senior Asst Comm I Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah and Perak Special Branch chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Sulaiman Mohamad are among nine people who will be conferred the Darjah Datuk Pahlawan Taming Sari, which carries the title Datuk Pahlawan.

Navy chief Laksamana Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Jaafar is among two recipients of the Darjah Datuk Seri Panglima Taming Sari, which carries the title Datuk Seri Panglima.

The other recipient is Lt-Jen Datuk Dr Sulaiman Abdullah, who is the army’s health services director-general.

Among the recipients of the Darjah Ahli Mahkota Perak are New Straits Times Ipoh bureau chief Muhammad Kushairi Osman, Berita Harian Ipoh bureau chief Ridzuan Yop and Tamil Nesan Ipoh bureau chief S. Balakrishnan.

Members of the press who will receive the Pingat Pekerti Terpilih are Utusan Melayu’s Angelina Sinyang, The Star’s Christina Koh Siew Kim and Sylvia Looi as well as Nanyang Siang Pau’s Tan Kay Aun.

The investiture ceremony will be held at Balairong Seri, Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar today.

Najib announces his cabinet

Apr 9, 09 2:59pm

Prime Minister Najib Abddul Razak today announced his much awaited cabinet.

His press conference to make the announcement started at 3pm. He is flanked by Muhyiddin Yassin.

The cabinet reflects the government's aim to focus of people-first paradigm, Najib said, adding that there would be 28 ministers and 40 deputy ministers.

He said two ministries have been merged and one new ministry formed. A separate portfolio has also been created to oversee unity under the PM's department.

He also said that he would personally look into the performance of each minister every six months.

NEW CABINET LINE-UP:

Prime Minister and Finance Minister 1 Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy PM and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Minister in Prime Minister’s Department:

Unity: Dr Koh Tsu Koon
Law and Parliament: Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz
Religious Affairs: Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharum
Economic Planning Unit: Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop

Finance:

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Deputies: Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein

Education:

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin Deputies: Datuk Wee Ka Seong, Datuk Puad Zarkashi

Transport:

Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat Deputies: Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, Datuk Robert Lau

Home:

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein Deputy:: Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop

Information, Unity, Culture and Arts:

Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim Deputies: Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Heng Sai Kee

Energy, Green Tech & Water:

Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui Deputy: Noriah Kasnon

Plantation Industries and Commodities:

Tan Sri Bernard Dompok Deputy: Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin

Rural and Regional Development:

Datuk Shafie Apdal Deputies: Datuk Hassan Malek, Datuk Joseph Entulu

Higher Education:

Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin Deputies: Dr Hou Kok Chung, Saifuddin Abdullah

International Trade and Industry:

Datuk Mustapa Mohamed Deputies: Datuk Muhkriz Mahathir, Datuk Jacob Dungau

Science, Tech and Innovation:

Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili Deputy: Fadillah Yusof

Natural Resources and Environment:

Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas Deputy: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

Tourism:

Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen Deputy: Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib

Agriculture and Agro-based industries:

Datuk Noh Omar Deputies: Johari Baharum, Rohani Abdul Karim

Defence:

Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Deputy: Datuk Dr Abdul Latif

Works:

Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor Deputy: Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

Health:

Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai Deputy: Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shilin

Youth and Sports:

Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek Deputies: Datuk Razali Ibrahim, Wee Jeck Sing

Human Resource:

Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam Deputy: Datuk Maznah Mazlan

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs:

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Deputy: Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

Housing and Local Government:

Datuk Kong Cho Ha Deputy: Lajim Ukin

Women, Family and Community Development:

Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil Deputy: Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun

Foreign Affairs:

Datuk Anifah Aman Deputies: Lee Chee Hong, A. Kohilan

Federal Territorry:

Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin Deputy: M. Saravanan

It’s no state or national referendum on BN, says MCA - Sun

TAIPING (March 29, 2009): The Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election is not a state or national referendum on Barisan Nasional (BN), said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

“It is a by-election and it will only be voted by the people in the constituency, therefore it cannot be seen as a referendum. It can only reflect the fundamental sentiment of the people as the local voters will make a decision to test the sentiments of the people.

“It is normal for the people to think that the by-election will act as a referendum to the prime minister-in-waiting (Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak).

However, we must understand that it is not because of one man that will determine if the people are supporting us or not,” he told reporters at the by-election nomination centre.

“The people are facing a challenging time to make a living, they should decide whether they want to allow the never-ending fight between political parties to continue or choose to overcome living difficulties.

“I think it is time for the people to do the sum and see how many things have been implemented by the PR government, when it was in power as a policy approved is different from a policy implemented.

Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the by-election would be a “hard battle” and BN should not take it lightly although it has 52 years of experience as the ruling party in the country.

“Although there are still a lot of weaknesses in the coalition that needs to be rectified, the PR government (in Perak) which only governed for a year, had shown all the weaknesses that it has been criticising BN for decades.

“I feel that the people must be more objective when assessing their choices. With the new BN leadership in place, the people should give the new team some time to reconstruct, as well as to reform and we will also have to explain more to the people on what we want to change.

“We need to change from the way we fight corruption, reform the judicial system, overcome public safety problems and the economic crisis and we need more time to see the results as the reform has only being put in place after the general election last year,” he added.

Three-corner 'combat' in Bukit Gantang - Sun

By Giam Say Khoon and Humayun Kabir

(From left) BN candidate Ismail Saffian, PAS’s Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin and independent candidate Kamarul Ramizu Idris.

IPOH (March 29, 2009) : The Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election on April 7 will see a three-cornered fight by Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Rakyat-PAS (PR-PAS) and an Independent.

The "combatants" are BN's Ismail Saffian, 49, from Umno, PR's Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, 52, and entrepreneur Kamarul Ramizu Idris, 42.

Election Commission (EC) returning officer Datuk Mahmud Mursidi announced the three candidates at 11.20am after rejecting three objections in the Taiping Town Hall yesterday.



Nizar, the Perak PAS deputy commissioner, was the first to arrive at the nomination centre at 8.45am, followed by Ismail at 9am and Kamarul at 9.20am.

Ismail was accompanied by Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, BN's Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and thousands of supporters while Mohammad Nizar was accompanied by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa and Perak state assembly speaker V.Sivakumar and their supporters.

About 2,000 BN supporters marched their way to the nomination centre with Ismail while Nizar was accompanied by about 10,000.

Said Muhyiddin: "Ismail is the best candidate the coalition can offer for Bukit Gantang. We try to meet every one voter to explain a few important matters like the status of the party, the correct interpretations of the constitution and other issues which we expect will be exploited by the opposition.

"We hope that the new BN leadership under the reign of (prime minister-in-waiting) Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak will be well received by the voters. If Ismail is elected, he would be able to raise problems faced by the people in parliament," he said, adding that he would also be campaigning in Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai.

Muhyiddin said he would be spending at least six days in Bukit Gantang as it is a big parliamentary seat which "we need to spend more time to talk to them and convince the voters to support us".

Nizar said democracy must be seen living through the ballot boxes of Bukit Gantang voters and this should reflect to the rest of the country that democracy is still alive in Perak.

"I have been a victim of BN's conspiracy to seize power in Perak which denied me the right to head the PR state government which is an insult to the intelligence of Perak voters who had made their choice of state government on March 8 last year.

"This wrong must be corrected democratically by the voters on April 7 and the BN must be taught a lesson that they cannot take the voters for a ride to fulfil their political agenda in the state," he added.

Nizar wants voters to stand united as Malaysians in their stand against the BN tactics of divide and rule for the past 50 years.

Earlier, DAP chairman Karpal Singh and his family visited Trong and was heading to the nomination centre when they were attacked by BN supporters with bottled drinks watched by the police.

No one was injured in the incident but Karpal later lodged a police report with the Larut Matang police district headquarters in the afternoon.

Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the PR was fighting an uphill battle against BN's powerful political machinery "which is hell bent on winning the seat through all means at its disposal".

He dismissed speculation that PR would win by a 5,000-vote majority as a BN propaganda to confuse and mislead the voters into a false sense of security.

The main roads leading to the nomination centre like Jalan Kota and Jalan Taming Sari were sealed to allow for the gathering of supporters.

It's no state or national referendum on BN, says Tee Keat.

76-year-old hawker pines for long-lost sister - Star

March 30, 2009

A MINOR misunderstanding has kept hawker Lee Cheang Seng apart from his elder sister Chun Lan for the past 53 years.

Since then, Cheang Seng, 76, has been trying in vain to locate and reunite with his 77-year-old long lost sister.

He said Chun Lan used to work as a waitress at a coffeeshop which operated at night in Penang back then.

“I was worried about her well-being and I told her via mail to change her job,” Chean Seng told a press conference at the state MCA headquarters in Ipoh recently.

“She took it the wrong way and had since stopped replying my letters,” he added.

Cheang Seng said he had approached friends and families, asking about her whereabouts but it proved futile.

He added that he had even tried searching for her at her rented home in Penang but was told by neighbours that she had moved.

He noted that her last known address was 29, Jalan Ah Ding in Penang.

“I really do not know her present condition and I am really worried about her well-being,” he added.

When asked why it took him so long to seek help from the public, Cheang Seng said: “I initially did not want the matter to be publicised and I did not want to trouble anyone. I have now run out of ideas on where and how to look for her,” he added.

Cheang Seng noted that Chun Lan was affectionately known as “Ah Lan” by her friends and former housemates in Penang.

He also urged his sister to forget about their misunderstanding and contact him as soon as possible.

Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Alex Chan Chin Chee said as Chun Lan did not know English, he hoped her friends or anyone who knew her would inform her after reading this report.

He said that Chun Lan could contact her brother directly or through Perak MCA headquarters at 05-2536891.

Perak MCA to hold course on speech-training - Star

March 17, 2009

WANT to be a good speaker? The Perak MCA Youth will conduct a speech-training course from next month onwards at the state MCA headquarters in Ipoh.

Perak MCA Youth chief Dr Mah Hang Soon said: “The classes, which will be held on weekends, are open to all including non-MCA members.”

He said those who successfully completed the six-month course would be given cer- tificates.

Dr Mah, who was speaking to reporters after chairing the wing’s second central committee meeting in Ipoh on Saturday, said the course was also aimed at reaching out to more people.

“Our aim is not only to help create better speakers. We also hope to gather views from the public. It is a unique and good way to build up good governance,” he said, adding that feedback would be provided on issues raised by the trainees.

For details or to register, call Choong Shin Heng at 012-5607969 or 05-2554678.

Liow: MCA protects nobody from the law - Sun

CHERAS (March 15, 2009) : MCA will protect no one from the reach of the law, as under the law, everybody is equal, health minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said today.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai chats with blood donor Shing Zee, 31, and Chong Seng Boon, 58, during the blood donation campaign by MCA and sentul lions club.

"There is no leader who is being protected by anybody, the government or the party," he said when asked if MCA had been protecting one of its leaders.

Fielding questions from the press today over the contrasting speed at which opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who has been charged for sodomy compared to draggy investigations into MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek who had admitted to being the man in a VCD having oral sex, Liow said such matters were left to the discretion of the Attorney-General.

"You have to check with the A-G and the police," he told reporters, after launching the Cheras MCA Youth-Sentul Lions Club blood donation campaign.

Meanwhile, on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recent call for a new "One Malaysia" government policy to unite all races, Liow said he supported the concept.

"Malaysia needs to be united, and citizens of all races need to work together and have fair policies which protect all races. Therefore, the guarantee by the DPM to bring justice and equality for all races is welcomed," said Liow.

He also called on all Malaysians to stop politicking and focus on helping the nation.

"There has been too much politicking after the March elections last year. We need to focus on how we can improve the economy. If we are too focused on politics, there will be too many challenges for us to overcome," he said.

Calling on Malaysians to work together at all levels, he said, the rakyat has to be united in facing these challenges.

On the upcoming Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections, Liow said MCA is ready for them.

"We made our preparations in advance; We have gone down to the people with local leaders, and we have set up operations centres in the areas, primarily in Perak and Kedah," he said, adding he will be visiting the by election areas on March 19.

"I will be explaining to the residents of Perak the commitment of the central government from the viewpoint of my ministry, and how we will improve the quality of healthcare in the region," added Liow.

Liow: Free jabs for poor kidney patients from April 1 - Sun

SERDANG (March 12, 2009) : All poor kidney patients needing dialysis treatment will be given free e-poeitin injections starting April 1.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the government aid was in addition to the RM50 subsidy enjoyed by kidney patients presently.

The free injections, to be given three times weekly would save the patients RM30-RM60 per injection.

"The injections are needed to prevent anaemia as e-poeitin helps to increase the haemoglobin level. Without them, patients will suffer and endure low quality of life," he said after launching World Kidney Day 2009 at Serdang Hospital here today.

Liow said the free injections would cost the government RM12.64mil annually.

Some 2,700 poor kidney patients are registered and undergoing dialysis treatment at 454 dialysis centres nationwide.

He said eight more dialysis centres would be set up at district hospitals in Pahang, Terengganu, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Sabah to cope with the rising number of patients annually.

The new dialysis centres are at Cameron Highlands (Pahang), Setiu (Terengganu), Jasin (Melaka), Jempol (Negeri Sembilan), Tuaran, Kunak, Kuala Penyu and Pitas (Sabah).

Liow said kidney patients needing dialysis treatment stood at 16,719 as of Dec 31, 2007 compared to only 4,540 in 1998. --BERNAMA

Training programme for unemployed grads launched - NST

March 13, 2009 By Farrah Naz Karim

Datuk Seri Najib Razak says it is critical that Malaysia equips itself with capable manpower

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday launched the Graduate Employability Management Scheme (Gems), aimed at reducing unemployment.
The initiative, which was set up to complement the Graduate Employability Enhancement Programme (Green) put in place in 2006, would benefit some 5,000 unemployed graduates nationwide, in its first year of implementation.

Under the programme, the graduates will undergo an executive development training programme for over two months, before being placed in participating government-linked companies (GLCs).

Khazanah Nasional Berhad is the secretariat for Gems.

Najib said with the projected unemployment rate this year being 4.5 per cent (3.7 per cent last year), these programmes could help reduce the impact of the economic crisis on employment.
He said in view of the current recession, it was critical for the country to equip itself with capable and productive manpower.

"If we are able to train well and subsequently utilise these unemployed graduates in the various sectors and industries, I am confident that it would greatly benefit the country's productivity and strength in cushioning the impact of the crisis," he said at the launch.

Najib said unemployment was a problem that needed to be arrested systematically.

Failing to address the issue, he said, would not only cause the country to lose out on productivity but also create social and political problems.

He said under the first Green programme, 97 per cent of 1,194 graduates trained at 38 GLCs succeeded in securing jobs as soon as they completed their training.

He said with the increasing number of graduates each year, it was important that job opportunities were created for them.

At any one time, there are some 60,000 graduates, Najib pointed out, who faced difficulties in securing jobs.

Some 180,000 graduates are produced each year from public and private higher learning institutions.

Only graduates who are below 27 and with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 from recognised institutions, are eligible for the programme.

Also present at the launch was Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, his deputy Datuk Kong Cho Ha and Khazanah managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.

Students’ online application for public varsity tampered with - Star

March 14, 2009

GOPENG: Three university hopefuls were shocked to find their online applications to public universities tampered with.

The former SMK Seri Teja students, who had just received their STPM results on Thursday, had all their eight choices filled with Islamic Studies.

To make matters worse, they were unable to amend the changes.

Stunned: Chow (seated) showing the changes made to his online application as (from left) Chai and Ang look on.

Chow Hon Mun, 21, said they could only make changes to the details on the online application website three times.

“I panicked when I could not make any changes and told my teachers about it,” said Chow when met at the Gopeng MCA service centre yesterday.

“My teachers then advised me to lodge a police report,” he said, adding that his first choice was engineering and that he had no intention of taking up Islamic Studies.

Chow added that recently he and his two friends had also received SMSes from an unidentified person who admitted to making the changes to their applications.

“I initially thought it was a prank but soon realised the person was telling the truth,” he said, adding that he was puzzled that the person had managed to procure confidential information about him and his two friends.

The other two victims were Chai Yick Loong, 21, and Ang Chun Heng, 20.

Chai said he wanted to take up an engineering course, and hoped the Higher Education Ministry could help them with their predicament.

Ang said he wanted to change the list back to his primary choices before the public university acceptance application ends on March 23.

“I hope the relevant authorities will upgrade the security system on the website so that it won’t be so easily hacked by people,” he added.

Gopeng MCA division chief Albert Chang said he would refer the matter to Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung.

“We will help them gather all their result slips, application forms and official school letters and send the documents to Dr Hou through our education bureau,” said Chang.

He urged all public university hopefuls to check their online applications to ensure their forms were not tampered with.

Include UTAR In Postgraduate Package, Ka Chuan Urges Govt

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama)

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said he would ask the government to include Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in the postgraduate financing package announced by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday.

"I will talk to the DPM about this. We should have UTAR Masters Degree and Doctorate level students included in this programme, especially in the current economic situation.

"If the government offers grants and financial aid, UTAR students should receive it too," he told reporters after attending UTAR's Eighth Convocation here, Saturday.

UTAR was a recognised private university with a good track record of producing quality and highly sought after graduates, he said.

Najib, when tabling the RM60 billion stimulus package in the Dewan Rakyat on March 10, said the government would undertake to finance tuition fees and research grants up to RM20,000 for every student pursuing doctorates locally while for students in the Masters programme, the government would provide up to RM10,000 per student.

A total of 500 places would be provided for studies at PhD level and 10,000 at Masters level in public institutions of higher learning as well as at Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Multimedia and Universiti Teknologi Petronas, he had said.

Machine needs a home - Star

March 5, 2009 By SYLVIA LOOI

AFTER years of suffering the hardship and pain caused by kidney failure, housewife Wong Mee Mun, who is also a Hepatitis C carrier, is finally able to have her own dialysis machine bought with the RM60,OOO donation raised with the help of Perak MCA.

However, her happiness is short-lived as she has nowhere to house the machine.

Wong, 50, from Taman Cempaka in Ipoh, said she managed to obtain permission from a dialysis centre on Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun to place her machine there but was warned to remove her machine once there was more demand for its service and space.

“The centre’s management told me that I will have to leave when their business starts to pick up,” she told a press conference at the Perak MCA headquarters in Ipoh recently.

The party’s Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Alex Chan handed over the balance of RM4,000 in donations to Wong.

Diagnosed with kidney failure when she was 32, Wong said she could not install the machine at her house as the machine needed a RM35,000 filter system which was only available at dialysis centres.

Due to her being a Hepatitis C carrier, she could not share her machine with other patients.

Those interested to help Wong by offering her a place to put her machine can get in touch with the department at the MCA state headquarters at 90-92, Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.

For details, call 05-253 6981 or 05-253 8455.

Former cook longs for a job - Star

IPOH: Former chef Yong Tse Yan has one wish – to get a job as soon as he recovers from his kidney failure.

Yong, 40, is willing to accept any work offered to him and would like to start anew once he is healthier.

“It’s not that I don’t want to work but no one wants to employ me because of my illness,” Yong told reporters after receiving RM21,544 in donations at the Perak MCA headquarters here yesterday.

Last Thursday, Yong who is half blind from diabetes and suffers from Hepatitis B and C had appealed for help from the public.

Yong is now scheduled to undergo a procedure on Monday before receiving dialysis treatment. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 2000, and kidney failure five years ago.

Perak MCA public services and complaints bureau chief Alex Chan Chin Chee welcomed contributions from anyone wanting to help Yong with his future medical expenses.

Donors can make out their cheques to Yong and send them to the bureau, No. 90-92, Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh.

The bureau can be contacted at 05-2536981.

Grandparents pining for missing 15-year-old - Star

March 5, 2009

IPOH: It has been a daily affair for Foong Kong Faat, 65, to drop and pick his granddaughter from a secondary school at Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun.

However, on Feb 19, Foong Pooi Yee, 15, did not walk out of the school compound when he went to pick her up.

At a loss: Lee relating her predicament to Chan (left) as Perak MCA Youth Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Tony Khoo takes down notes.

Kong Fatt later found out that Pooi Yee was absent from school though he had dropped her off that morning.

“I sent her to school and I saw her walking in, but when I wanted to pick her up later in the afternoon, she was nowhere to be found,” he told reporters at the Perak MCA headquarters yesterday.

Kong Faat said since Pooi Yee’s disappearance he had been having sleepless nights.

“My wife and I have been caring for Pooi Yee since she was three. Her parents are divorced,” he said, adding that his granddaughter was her usual quiet self the day she went missing.

“I am worried about her as she needs to take her pills daily due to her heart condition,” he said, adding that calls over her mobile phone went unanswered.

Pooi Yee: The student has been missing since Feb 19.

A missing person’s report was lodged at the Simpang Pulai police station on Feb 20.

Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Alex Chan appealed to those with information of Pooi Yee’s whereabouts to contact the nearest police station.

He said the MCA would also put up Pooi Yee’s pictures at MCA offices in the state.

The bureau is also appealing for donations on behalf of former hawker Lee Kooi Ying, 56, who is suffering from fourth stage colon cancer. She found out about it two years ago.

Lee thought she could start life afresh after leaving her abusive husband 10 years ago but fate dealt her a cruel blow.

“I spent most of my life savings at a private hospital to remove the growth in my colon and forced to leave the hospital when I ran out of money,” said Lee, who is now receiving treatment at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun here.

“A friend provides me with shelter and food while neighbours give me money,” she said, adding that she had not seen her six children, aged between 24 and 30, since their last visit at the hospital two years ago.

Lee, whose monthly expense was RM700, appealed for public donations, adding that she currently received RM300 aid from the State Welfare Department.

Chan said donors should send cheques payable to the bureau with Lee’s name written at the back of the cheque and send it to No. 90-92, Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh. For details, call the bureau at 05-253 6981.

Single mum needs your help - Star

March 4, 2009

IPOH: A single mother is at her wits’ end trying to figure how to raise funds to treat her young son who was hit by a car in Sitiawan on Feb 21.

Ling Pik Syu, 29, said she lost her job as a kitchen helper in Singapore last month after returning to her hometown for a short break to care for her son, who was involved in an accident in Pekan Gurney in Sitiawan.

Mum’s love: Ling at the bedside of Yang Jeng at the Fatimah Hospital in Ipoh yesterday. With her (from left) are Perak MCA Public Complaints and Services Bureau deputy chief Kok Pak Foo, Alex Chan and Perak MCA Youth Public Complaints and Services Bureau chief Tony Khoo.

“I have to stay back to look after him. My former employer found a replacement and I don’t have any source of income now,” she said at the Fatimah Hospital where her son, Sioh Yang Jeng, 11, is recuperating from an operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.

Ling became the family’s sole breadwinner after her husband died in 2003. The mother of three said her son has been in hospital since the operation on Feb 22 and the bill had accumulated to RM80,000.

“I have borrowed RM50,000 from friends for the medical fees,” she said, adding that her son also suffered a broken leg in the accident.

She said the boy would need another operation next month to replace a piece of his skull that was removed.

Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Alex Chan, who visited Ling and her son at the hospital yesterday, said they needed to raise about RM100,000 to help pay off the mounting hospital expenses.

Donors can contact the bureau at 05-253-6981. Donations can also be made to the “Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau” with Sioh’s name written on the back of the cheque and sent to the MCA headquarters at 90-92 Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh.

Zambry feels strain of defending BN government - Malaysian Insider

Feb 11, 2009

New Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his team addressing the media at a press conference at the state secretariat today before getting down to work. – Picture by Choo Choy May

By Lee Wei Lian

IPOH, Feb 11 — Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir started his first day as menteri besar today defending the legitimacy of his government by arguing that a majority in Perak backed the Barisan Nasional, and engaging in a rant against journalists.

It was clear, as he snapped at awkward questions from reporters at his first press conference, that he has been feeling the strain of defending what has been an obviously unpopular and possibly unconstitutional takeover of the state from Pakatan Rakyat.

Zambry was sworn-in last Friday by Sultan Azlan Shah at the Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar while riot police outside quelled a protest by thousands of people.

Earlier last week, Sultan Azlan Shah had denied consent to Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin as the menteri besar to dissolve the state assembly.

Instead the Ruler dismissed Nizar, and questions have now arisen over whether a Ruler who is only a constitutional monarch has such powers. Nizar, who has refused to resign, maintains he is still the MB.

The Sultan has come under heavy criticisms for appearing to side with BN. He has even had to cancel public appearances as part of his silver jubilee celebrations because of security concerns.

When asked today if he thought he has the support of a majority of the public in Perak, Zambry said: "That is why we are here."

When it was pointed out that he did not gain his position as menteri besar via an election, he grew visibly defensive and snapped back: "What do you mean? This is a democratic process.

"Do you understand democracy? I am asking you, do you understand the political philosophy of democracy?

"I am asking you back. Why are you not asking them (Pakatan Rakyat) back when they are talking about the party hopping?

"When they triggered everything right from the very beginning. You should ask yourself about that."

When it was clarified that the question was not about defections but whether he feels he has the support of the majority of Perakians, he finally replied: "God willing, when you prove to the people your worth.

"Do not talk about democracy process if you do not understand democracy.

"This is the true democratic process."

Then, before another reporter could finish her question on Jelapang state representative Hee Yit Fong, he cut in and told her: "You like to delve into all kinds of speculative things."

When the reporter finally got to complete her question and ask whether he feels Hee can perform her duties effectively as state representative given the widespread unhappiness expressed by residents in Jelapang and whether Zambry can guarantee her safety, he replied: "This is our responsibility. People need to respect Hee's right to live.

"Where else to live? Please preserve the peace we have in this country regardless of differences."

Earlier, he arrived in a Proton Perdana and waved at the large crowd of media members at about 10am, and was trailed by his executive council members in various other vehicles.

In an attempt to address the problem of the state BN being dominated by representatives from only the Malays as Umno holds 27 of the 28 seats, Zambry has appointed special advisors with executive council status.

Datuk S. Veerasingam will be his advisor for Indian affairs while Datuk Chang Ko Youn will be Chinese advisor. Kapten Datuk Haji Mohd Najmuddin Elias Al-Hafiz, another advisor, will assist him on religious matters.

On the upcoming by-elections, he said that BN will be ready.

When asked whether he will continue the previous state government's policies, he said: "What is most important is not whether it is your policy or my policy but what is best for the rakyat."

When asked whether he is going to convene a special sitting of the state assembly, he answered that the "assembly will have to meet every six months." He also said that it is Pakatan Rakyat's right to file a lawsuit and seek legal redress. He also revealed that he has not appointed a speaker yet.

On the fact that there are only six state executive council members instead of the usual 10, he said: "It is convention to have 10 but based on regulations, we can elect less than that based on our needs." He said that he will revisit the number of executive council members from time to time.

Zambry also said that "there is no time for celebrations" and that "my intention is to serve all."

Zambry appoints 4 advisers with exco status - Malaysiakini

Feb 11, 09 1:33pm

Barisan Nasional's Perak Menteri Besar Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir today announced the appointment of three advisers and a state information chief.

According to Bernama, the four will receive perks similar to those received by state executive councillors.

New Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his team addressing the media at a press conference at the state secretariat today before getting down to work. – Picture by Choo Choy May. Pix courtesy of Malaysian Insider

They are Mohd Najumuddin Elies in charge of Muslim affairs, Chang Ko Youn (Chinese community affairs), S Veerasingam (Indian community affairs) while Hamdi Abu Bakar has been appointed as the state information chief.

Chang, who is Gerakan deputy chairperson and Veerasingam, who is also MIC vice-president were defeated in the Beruas parliamentary seat and Sungkai state seat respectively in the last general election.

On the other hand, both Mohd Najumuddin and Hamdi won the Batu Kurau and Pengkalan Baru state assembly seats respectively.

Meanwhile, Zambry also announced the portfolios of state executive councillors which takes effect immediately.

Portfolios

The Perak state committee chairperson portfolios:

Zambry heads the Committee for Planning, Economy, Finance, Security, Land and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Housing and Religion.

Hamidah Osman: Industry, Investment, Entrepreneur Development, ICT, Tourism and Women's Affairs

Ramly Zahari: Infrastructure, Public Facilities, Energy and Water.

Dr Mah Hang Soon: Health, Local Government, Consumer, Environment, Transport and Non-Muslim Affairs.

Saarani Mohamad: Information, Rural Development, Poverty, Welfare and Farming.

Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid: Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology

Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin: Culture, Youth and Sports.

Yesterday, the six Perak excos took their oath of office before Sultan Azlan Shah at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.

Zambry was sworn in as the new menteri besar last Friday after BN managed to form the state government after four Pakatan state reps left the alliance. One of them has rejoined Umno while the other three are 'BN-friendly' independents.

MCA will sink or swim with Umno, says its Perak chief - Star

Jan 28, 2009

IPOH: Perak MCA elected representatives will not abandon Barisan Nasional, said its chairman Datuk Kong Cho Ha.

“Since the time MCA formed an alliance with Umno, it has always remained with Umno in good times and in bad, and that will continue,” he said.

This, he said, was relayed to deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during a meeting with Barisan representatives following the defection of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim.

On Sunday, Nasarudin announced that he was joining PKR.

Chenderiang assemblyman Dr Mah Hang Soon said all those present at the meeting had unanimously pledged their loyalty to the Barisan.

He noted that Kubu Gajah assemblyman Datuk Seri Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar, the only assemblyman absent, had called from Medan in Indonesia where he was holidaying with his family to pledge his allegiance.

Asked whether their pledge was made in writing, Dr Mah said there was no need to.

“As a Yang Berhormat and a person with dignity, we always honour our word,” he said.

He quashed rumours that Lintang assemblyman Datuk Ahamad Pakeh Adam was joining the Pakatan.

Perak MCA secretary and Kampar MP Datuk Lee Chee Leong, who also attended the meeting, said: “There is no such thing that more Barisan assemblymen would cross over to PKR as claimed by its adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.”

MCA dares DAP on hudud - Star

KUALA TERENGGANU: Jan 4, 2009

Tereng­ganu MCA has asked DAP to clearly state whether it opposes plans by its Pakatan Rakyat partner PAS to implement hudud laws should it ever come to power.

State MCA chairman Toh Chin Yaw said the presence of DAP deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw during the announcement of the PAS candidate for the Kuala Terengganu by-election at Stadium Negeri on Thurs- day reflected the former’s compromise over the implementation of the Islamic law.

“They (DAP) are not standing by their principles. The party leaders claim to strongly oppose the implementation of these laws but the next minute, their stalwarts are appearing to be affirming their coalition partners’ plan on hudud.

“This is a sheer hypocrisy as PAS will not waver from its long-term plan to implement these laws,” he said yesterday.

Toh said PAS had continued to insist on imposing such laws in all their previous election campaigns and would continue to do so.

“DAP, which claims to be a reputable and accountable party, should rebut PAS’ agenda on hudud by boycotting the by-election instead of pretending to disagree with PAS,” he said, adding that DAP should look after the interests of the voters, particularly the Chinese.

“I am sure the Chinese electorate here would be fazed to realise that DAP has not made an ultimate stand on the issue.

“What they should have done was to absolutely shun the event on Thursday in protest,” he said.

The other leader from the Pakatan Rakyat who attended the event was PKR’s vice-president Mustafa Kamal Ayob.

Meanwhile, Kuala Terengganu MIC division chief Dr Dayal Krishnan said Indian voters in the constituency should not forget the time when the community was denied their right to hold a Deepavali night in 2003 when the state was under PAS rule.

He said the PAS-led state government disallowed the event although the planned event was clean entertainment and part of Indian culture.

“This was how narrow-minded PAS was when it ruled the state,” he said.

MCA to focus on SMI - NST

SABAK BERNAM, SELANGOR, SUN: Jan 4, 2009

After initiating efforts to help the fishermen and the government in resolving the subsidised diesel issue last year, the MCA is now focusing on assisting the small and medium industry (SMI) players.
Its president, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said beginning this month, the MCA Technology Development Council, led by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha, would find ways and means to help the SMI players especially in getting business loans.

“Many SMI industry players have come to see me with issues such as the credit crunch and the difficulty in getting micro credit and loans facilities,” he told reporters after officiating the ground-breaking ceremony for the MCA new building in Jalan Raja Chulan, here today.

He said although the MCA could not guarantee that each loan application would be approved, at least they could offer accurate information and help the applicants to submit their loan applications in an orderly manner to facilitate the approval process.

Ong said the MCA was also planning to help the farmers and oil palm smallholders whose income had declined due to the drop in the price of the world commodity, next.
“I think our focus this year would be on the economy and I hope even though the MCA is representing the interest of the Chinese, our efforts would also give benefit to all,” he added.

Kong: We cannot neglect the people - Star

Dec 9, 2008

IPOH: The new Perak MCA liaison committee must stay united to face challenges and work hard to serve the public.

State chief Datuk Kong Cho Ha said the new line-up, particularly at the divisional and grassroots levels, had to work hard because the party could not afford to neglect its service to the people.

“The way forward will be for all of us is to work for a better tomorrow for Perak MCA,” said Kong, who chaired his inaugural state liaison committee meeting yesterday, after taking over from Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan as state chief.

New team: Kong (centre) announcing his new state liaison committee members during a press conference in Ipoh Monday. With him (from left) are Loke and Lee.

On whether factions in the party had posed a problem in naming the new committee, Kong said he had told the new line-up that they had to be united.

Kong explained that the basis for his new state liaison committee was capability, equitable distribution and geographical consideration.

He said it was not an easy task to come up with a new line-up because Perak was a big state.

“We cannot satisfy everyone but with all the limitations, this is the best team I can come up with,” he said.

Among the changes was the appointment of Ong, who is also Tapah MCA division chief, as state party adviser.

Tanjung Malim MCA division chief Datuk Loke Yuen Yow is now Kong’s deputy while his secretary is Kampar division chief Datuk Lee Chee Leong.

Tambun MCA division chief Hing Thian Kiak is the new organising secretary, replacing Dr Mah Hang Soon.

I didn’t get quit letter, says Tee Keat - Star

Nov 24, 2008 By SYLVIA LOOI

GOPENG: MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has denied receiving any resignation letter from Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

Stating this for the first time after speculation started over Ka Chuan’s position in the Cabinet, Tee Keat said: “No, I have not received any resignation letter from him.”

New site: Tee Keat (second left) during a ground-breaking ceremony in Gopeng yesterday. Joining him (from left) are MCA vice-president Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Ka Chuan, Gopeng MCA division chief Albert Chang and his deputy Alex Chan.

He was speaking to reporters after a ground-breaking ceremony for the Lawan Kuda MCA branch office near here yesterday.

Tee Keat, nevertheless, confirmed that he did meet Ka Chuan just after the party elections.

“But the meeting was to discuss party issues.”

He said if Ka Chuan had wanted to leave his ministerial post, the resignation letter should have been addressed to the Prime Minister by convention.

It was recently reported that Ka Chuan, who lost his bid for the party’s deputy president’s post, had written a letter to inform Tee Keat of his decision to resign from his Cabinet post.

Asked whether there was a deadline for him to submit a new list of MCA Cabinet ministers to the Prime Minister, Tee Keat said: “We are not sitting for an examination. There is no deadline or time limit.”

On reports of his less than cordial relation with his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Tee Keat said it was just public perception.

He said the priority should now be on the party’s agenda and not personal obsession.

Pressed further on his relationship with Dr Chua, Tee Keat said: “No matter what you ask, I’ll stop at this.”

On reports that former MCA deputy president Tan Sri Lee Kim Sai might make a comeback to party politics,

Tee Keat said he had been receiving calls and messages of late from party veterans expressing their readiness to serve the party.

“Certainly with their wealth of experience, the veterans will be an asset to the party,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Tee Keat, who is also Transport Minister, reminded party members to be friendly to the community, adding that branch leaders should help restore the people’s confidence in the party.