Alex Chan Chin Chee

Cleaner’s life turned upside down after accident

2009-05-31T08:55:00.000+08:00

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

2009-05-29T15:45:00.001+08:00

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

2009-05-14T07:49:00.001+08:00

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

2009-05-13T07:47:00.001+08:00

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

2009-04-30T12:52:00.001+08:00

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

2009-04-21T17:08:00.002+08:00

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

2009-04-09T16:47:00.001+08:00

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

2009-03-30T11:04:00.001+08:00

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

2009-03-30T11:01:00.001+08:00

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

2009-03-30T10:46:00.000+08:00

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

2009-03-17T22:31:00.001+08:00

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

2009-03-15T20:50:00.001+08:00

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

2009-03-14T23:56:00.002+08:00

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

2009-03-14T23:45:00.000+08:00

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

2009-03-14T23:37:00.002+08:00

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

2009-03-14T23:32:00.002+08:00

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

2009-03-06T10:24:00.003+08:00

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

2009-03-06T10:22:00.002+08:00

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

2009-03-06T10:17:00.002+08:00

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

2009-03-04T18:08:00.000+08:00

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

2009-02-11T14:42:00.001+08:00

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

2009-02-11T14:21:00.000+08:00

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

2009-01-28T08:05:00.000+08:00

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

2009-01-04T22:54:00.001+08:00

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

2009-01-04T22:49:00.000+08:00

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

2009-01-04T22:38:00.002+08:00

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

2009-01-04T21:01:00.002+08:00

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.

Nizar slammed over HIV quarantine proposal - NST

2008-12-23T22:28:00.001+08:00

Dec 23, 2008 By Suganthi Suparmaniam and Brenda Lim

KUALA LUMPUR: Non-governmental organisations and religious bodies have lashed out at Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin for suggesting that people who are HIV positive be quarantined and not allowed to marry.
Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez said quarantining a HIV positive person was a violation of his or her human rights.

"It is inhumane. Why quarantine? HIV is not like cholera or dengue. The virus can only be transmitted through four ways and controlled through behavioural changes," she said, adding that Nizar lacked awareness on HIV and AIDS.

She said denying a HIV-positive person the chance to marry was also a violation of human rights and those who wanted to marry should instead be counselled on how to manage their marriage.

"This kind of response, after so many years, shows we are still a long way off in giving a more humane and dignified treatment to those with HIV."
Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism president Datuk A. Vaithilingam said he was disappointed with Nizar's statement.

"My advice is for him to visit the Malaysian AIDS Council and spend at least two hours there. Get a good briefing for a better understanding of the disease."

However, the council's Selangor chairman Joseph Thambiah agreed that HIV victims be quarantined -- but only through persuasion.

He said this would reduce the opportunities for contact between sufferers and the public, thus reducing the chances of more infections.

He said AIDS was different from diseases such as diabetes and described it as a "socially contemptuous disease".

Malaysian AIDS Council president Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman described Nizar's comment as "very regretful".

National Council of Women's Organisations deputy president Datuk Ramani Gurusamy said not allowing people with HIV to marry would be to infringe on their human rights.

Pengasih drug rehabilitation centre president Mohd Yunus Pathi said separating people with and without HIV would not solve the problem.

Instead, he said, people with highly contagious diseases like tuberculosis should be the ones who needed to be quarantined.

Perak Umno liaison committee member and Umno Lumut division chairman Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir was aghast with the suggestion.

"How long do you want to quarantine them? For their entire life?"

Gerakan deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said Nizar's suggestion would only alienate HIV carriers from society and push them to be secretive about their condition rather than openly seek treatment, thus fuelling the spread of the disease.

"This idea has been condemned internationally and is an unacceptable form of solution to the AIDS problem."

Ipoh City Watch president N. Sreethararaj said individuals who tested positive for HIV should be given counselling and treatment rather than be quarantined.

Screening for HIV would help the government compile a database on those infected with HIV and formulate programmes to handle the disease, such as taking preventive measures in the states most affected by HIV, he said.

Najib: No multinational corporation has left the country - Sun

2008-12-23T22:27:00.001+08:00

PUTRAJAYA ( Dec 23, 2008):

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak stressed today that no multinational corporation (MNC) had left the country following the slump in the world economy.

He clarified that most of the MNC's had only reduced their operations.

"Some are downsizing their operations but are not leaving," he said after chairing the National Land Council meeting here.

Meanwhile, asked about the possibility of small and medium industries (SMIs)closing down next year as a result of the economic unstability, Najib said: "The government is ready to consider ways to assist.

"The SMIs are facing an extraordinary situation which has caused a shortfall in the demand for their products."

He also expressed the hope that the Ministries concerned would forward their suggestions to the government. -- BERNAMA

Tee Keat explains his dilemma on Soi Lek's request for a ministerial post - Sun

2008-12-23T22:21:00.005+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23, 2008) : By Kong See Hoh

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat says Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has asked to be recommended for a ministerial post after winning the party No. 2 post.

Disclosing this during an interview with Oriental Daily News two months after the party elections, Ong said Chua's request put him in a spot as the latter's victory in the election did not exonerate him over the sex video scandal.

"I don't want to judge values, I am talking about an objective fact. Under this situation, you tell me, what type of logic should I apply to handle it (Chua's request)?

"The case of the sex video scandal is still there. Under this circumstance, what kind of wisdom should I use to handle it?"

These questions underline Ong's feeling of helplessness.

On the seeming lack of cooperation between him and Chua, Ong, who exchanged verbal blows in the press with his deputy during the party elections, said in any organisation, there is only one leader.

He said if certain people, owing to their own agenda, choose to take an opposing stand, they have the right to do so but that would only expose their agenda.

He admitted that all the bickerings (with Chua) stemmed from the "ministerial post".

Chua was the one who had kept harping on the ministerial post, he said.

Although by convention, Chua should hold a ministerial post as party No. 2, Ong seems to be holding the the sex video incident, which he deems an undeletable scandal, against him.

He also disclosed that before he took over the party helm, several complaints, including on the sex video incident, were lodged against Chua.

Ong, who was them the vice-president, said he only came to know about it after he took over from former party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

He said the disciplinary cases (against Chua) are still there.

Asked if the party would look into these cases again, Ong said: "Not (whether to) reopen the files (or not), but (we) haven't wrap up the cases. We have to give the complainants an answer."

Pressed further what would the party do, he said he would leave it to the party disciplinary committee to decide.

In a departure from the norms in which the party No. 2 usually heads the disciplinary committee, Ong appointed veteran leader Datuk Ng Cheng Kiat to the post when he announced his party line-up on Nov 18.

Asked if he is not worried that a probe into the cases might result in another party infighting, Ong said the party cannot ignore public opinions or be devoid of basic ideas that conform to the social values framework.

Tee Keat wants MCA president to be chosen by party members - Star

2008-10-01T19:45:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Oct 1, 2008

Direct election of the MCA president by party members - that is one of the proposals by presidential candidate Datuk Ong Tee Keat to reform the party.

In his manifesto with the theme “Agenda For Change”, Ong is proposing to allow members to vote directly for the party president, saying that it is crucial to enhance democracy of the party.

No Lone Ranger: Ong (fifth from left) with MCA leaders and supporters after launching his manifesto at Wisma MCA yesterday.

“By doing so, the party president will not only be more representative of the members’ aspirations, it will also be in keeping with participative democracy,” he said.

Currently, the party president is elected by 2,188 central delegates who, in turn, are elected at division level by party members.

Ong, who is an MCA vice-president, will be up against former vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng, who is contesting for the top post for the second time.

In the move to rebrand and reinvent the party, Ong also proposed that MCA state chairmen be elected by the state delegates to replace the existing system of appointment by the president.

He also proposed the selection of public office-holders at all levels of the Government, as well as candidates for general election, to be institutionalised.

“This will ensure that candidates are selected based on merit,’’ he said.

Among others, Ong also proposed to move forward with the Chinese community — to be prepared to voice the concerns of the people boldly and proactively, and initiate a new political paradigm so that inter-component party relations be premised on the basic foundations of equal partnership and mutual respect.

Also present at the launch of his manifesto at Wisma MCA yesterday were Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Datuk Wong Mook Leong, Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, Dr Wee Ka Siong, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Dr Hou Kok Chung, Datuk Yap Pian Hon, Datuk Loke Yuen Yow, Datuk Dr Yau Chai Thiam and about 300 MCA members. The launch was also broadcast live on his blog, www.ongteekeat.net.

Asked whether Ong is still a Lone Ranger, an image he has projected for a long time, Ong said: “With so many supporters, do you think I am still a Lone Ranger?’’

During his press conference, Ong said he respected Chua as a party veteran, who is also more senior than him.

On the New Economic Policy, Ong said it has since been replaced by the National Development Policy and he regarded it as a non-issue now.

“Poverty eradication is also incorporated into government policies,’’ he said.

On Umno’s transition plan involving its party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Ong said he would respect the decision of the party.

“It will bring a certain impact, for sure,’’ he said.

MCA: Release Kok, RPK from ISA - Star

2008-09-17T12:39:00.000+08:00

The MCA has called for Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin to be released from their arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

MCA seeks release of duo - Star

2008-09-17T12:36:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Sept 17, 2008

The MCA Central Committee has called for Member of Parliament Teresa Kok (DAP – Seputeh) and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, who are detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), to be released.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Kok and Raja Petra should be investigated under other laws and be charged in court if there was evidence.

United stand: Ka Ting (right) speaking at a press conference after chairing the MCA presidential meeting at Wisma MCA yesterday. With him are MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy (second from right), and vice-presidents Datuk Fong Chan Onn and Tee Keat (left). — Bernama

“To prevent possible future abuse of the ISA, the central committee calls for a comprehensive review of the ISA so that it will apply strictly to cases relating to terrorism and subversive elements.

“There should also be a mechanism for checks and balances in the use of the ISA,” said Ka Ting after chairing a six-hour meeting at Wisma MCA yesterday.

He also said that the detention of reporter Tan Hoon Cheng for 18 hours under the ISA was totally uncalled for and the explanation given for her detention was unacceptable.

On party matters, Ka Ting said the MCA had acquired the balance of the 20.23% equity in Wisma MCA Sdn Bhd from Koperasi Jayadiri Malaysia Bhd for a total consideration of RM27.6mil.

The sale and purchase agreement was signed on Aug 15, 2008.

“This means that the party headquarters building is now wholly owned by the MCA,” said Ong.

He said the purchase price was based on the basis of “willing-buyer, willing-seller” after taking into account the current market value of Wisma MCA as valued by a professional valuer.

MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat hit out at Pakatan Rakyat for calling on Barisan Nasional MPs who opposed the ISA to emulate de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and resign.

He said the arrests were not sanctioned by the Cabinet and there was no reason why Ministers should resign.

Tee Keat also called on the authorities to expunge the ISA detention record of Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng who was released on Saturday after being detained for 18 hours.

Soi Lek eyes MCA deputy president post - Malaysiakini

2008-09-17T12:32:00.001+08:00

Sept 17, 08 11:08am

Former MCA vice-president Dr Chua Soi Lek today announced that he will be contesting the post of deputy president in the party elections on Oct 18.

The former health minister will now face MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan for the number two post.

This contest is set to be Chua's bid for a political comeback after his resignation from all party and government post early this year over his involvement in a sex-tape scandal.

Previously it was speculated that he would go for the top post but it is learnt that Chua had wanted to avoid a three-cornered fight for the party presidency.

Another former vice-president and former health minister Chua Jui Meng has said that he would contest for the MCA No 1 post, challenging incumbent vice-president Ong Tee Keat.

Incumbent president Ong Ka Ting and deputy president Chan Kong Choy are not seeking a re-election.

Pundits are already describing the upcoming contest for the party leadership as a '2 Os vs 2 Cs' contest, with the Ongs - Tee Keat and Ka Chuan - battling the two Chuas - Jui Meng and Soi Lek.

Party leader Ka Ting has thrown his support behind Tee Keat and elder brother Ka Chuan - both of whom are cabinet ministers - while the two Chuas are seen to as outsiders.

However, as party veterans and former ministers, both Chuas are expected to give the Ongs a tough fight.
More news at: Malaysiakini

It's game on for rivals in MCA polls - NST

2008-09-03T23:40:00.002+08:00

Ling Hee Leong (left), son Son of former MCA president chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Ling Hee Leong (left) is up against Chenderiang assemblyman Dr Mah Han Soon for the Perak Youth chief post.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sept 3, 2008

The stage is set for fierce battles in MCA Youth and Wanita wings on Saturday.
Battle lines between two camps -- dubbed whisky and puer tea -- were clear after nominations for the top Youth and Wanita chief posts in Perak, Johor and Selangor closed last night.

These are key states for MCA leaders aspiring for high posts at the national level as they contribute about 40 per cent of delegates to the general assembly.

Leading the charge for the "whisky" team is former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik's eldest son, Hee Leong, who is facing Chenderiang assemblyman Dr Mah Han Soon for the Perak Youth chief post.

Ling junior earned his team the whisky moniker because of his "eat, drink and be merry" philosophy. Hee Leong is seen as part of the team that is backed by Dr Ling.
Up against the whisky team is the puer team, backed by outgoing president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting. The team earned the puer tea tag because one of its key members, MCA Youth secretary-general Dr Wee Ka Siong, is known as a no-nonsense traditionalist.

Wee and Hee Leong are expected to lock horns for the national Youth chief post come October.

However, the anticipated clash for the top Perak MCA Wanita post did not materialise. Senator Heng Seai Kie won the post uncontested when much-touted challenger, Gopeng division Wanita head Yew Sau Kam did not turn up to submit her nominations.

Both the Youth and Wanita incumbents Datuk Tan Chin Meng and Chew Poh Thai are not seeking re-election.

Nominations nationwide took place between 4pm and 8pm.

In Johor, there will be a straight fight for the posts of Youth and Wanita chief. State Youth secretary Haw Chin Teck will face off against MCA Gelang Patah Youth division chairman Teo Siew Hock, while incumbent Wanita chief Tan Ah Eng can expect a bruising battle with Lee Kim Moi.

Teo and Lee are said to be aligned to former vice-president Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, who is widely known to enjoy a good rapport with Dr Ling.

In Selangor, there will be another huge battle between candidates aligned to party president Ong and vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai, who is also close to Dr Ling.

The battle for the state Youth chief post will be between Lim's Petaling Jaya Selatan division Youth chief Sheah Kok Fah and Puchong division Youth chief Dr Kow Cheong Wei.

Incumbent state Wanita chief Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun (puer team) will face off against newly-elected Kelana Jaya division chief Ong Chong Swen. Ong's alliance is, however, unclear as she used to be a supporter of former MCA national Wanita deputy chief Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew, who recently joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Three-cornered fights are on the cards for both the Kedah and Federal Territory Youth chief posts.

Kedah's Youth deputy chief Gan Hor Chye will face auditor Teh Gee Yau and state MCA committee member Ong Soon Boon, while Federal Territory's Youth secretary Chew Lian Keng will do battle with MCA Batu division Youth chief Ling Yoke Hooi and Cheras division Youth chief Dr Toh Kian Kock.

There is no contest for the Kedah Wanita chief post as incumbent Datuk Lim Bee Kau won uncontested, while the Federal Territory Wanita will see a tussle between Setiawangsa Wanita chief Chim Kim Moi and Bandar Tun Razak Wanita chief Chang Seok Sin for the top post.

In Negri Sembilan, former vice-chief Siow Koi Voon will face off against Lee Choon Fatt for the top state Youth chief post, as incumbent Fu Ming Chee is not seeking re-election.

State Wanita chief Datuk Lee Pit Chern created history when she held on to the post for the 25th year in a row.

In Penang, the state Youth chief post will see a four-cornered fight involving Taman Berapit branch youth chief Eng Hiap Boon, Bukit Mertajam division secretary Ong Tang Chuan, Bukit Bendera committee member Ng Siew Boon and Taman Kolam Air branch chief Lim Ching Yang.

Incumbent Ooi Chuan Aik has decided not to contest for the post.

As for the Wanita post, there will be a straight fight between Bayan Baru division Wanita chief Ooi Siew Kim and Nibong Tebal division chief Tan Cheng Liang.

Perlis, Pahang, Terengganu and Sabah did not see any contests for Youth and Wanita chief posts.

Tiong Lai to go for MCA VP post - Star

2008-09-03T23:30:00.004+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Sept 3, 2008

Health Minister and MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai announced Wednesday he would contest one of the four posts of vice-president at the MCA elections on Oct 18.

Liow is the third MCA senior leader to announce the post he or she would contest at the party polls.

Over the last two weeks, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Hueng and Federal Territory MCA chairman and former Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho announced that they too would contest the vice-presidency.

"I will contest the vice-president's post. This is after visiting and obtaining feedback from members and delegates nationwide. They agreed to support me for vice-president and continue my struggle at the national level.

"After obtaining the support from the grassroots members, I have decided to contest the post. I thank the members for having confidence in me," Liow told reporters before a dinner with Federal Territory MCA members at a restaurant, here.

Asked why he was not going for the post of deputy president or president, Liow said he was, by virtue of being the Youth chief, an appointed vice-president and members felt that he should continue to occupy the seat.

Liow had stated last month that he would relinquish his Youth chief post and go for a higher position in the party.

Apart from the three vice-president aspirants, MCA vice-president and Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat has also announced that he would contest the party number one post in the coming elections.

Deputy Education Minister and MCA Youth secretary-general Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Wanita MCA deputy chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun have also announced that they would contest the MCA Youth and Wanita top posts, respectively, at the party polls.

Another leader, Deputy Finance Minister and party central committee member Datuk Kong Cho Ha, is expected to announce his decision to contest a post of vice-president in Ipoh on Thursday.

Meanwhile, former Perlis MCA chairman Datuk Loh Yoon Foo announced that he would contest a post in the party's central committee.

Loh, 61, a former Perlis state executive councillor and four-term state assemblyman for Titi Tinggi, said he was not interested in any higher post.

"My decision to offer myself is to support and help the new leaders to reshape and reinvent the party so that it would be acceptable again to the community," he said in statement to Bernama.

Loh was initially tipped to contest one of the four vice-president posts.

The MCA central committee, the highest decision-making body of the party, offers 25 positions for contest. - Bernama

Spectre of money politics, factions looms over MCA - NST

2008-09-01T00:04:00.001+08:00

Aug 31, 2008 By ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR

Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan (left) and Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

The impending MCA party election is threatening to be riddled with money politics as well as factionalism, concerned observers tell ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR
IT is more than a noisy war of words between party leaders vying for senior party posts in the MCA. Money politics and strong-arm tactics have also reared their ugly heads in the run-up to the October party elections.

There are whispers that money is changing hands to the tune of tens of thousands of ringgit -- an unprecedented development in the Chinese-based party, if these allegations are true.

Incumbent leaders are also said to be making promises to finance activities at branch and divisional levels; a trend which is happening in Perak.

The grapevine has it that money has been given to division chiefs, sometimes under the pretext of financing party programmes and purchasing equipment such as computers for schools.
When the money comes in the form of cheques, reportedly, most of the time it is from one tobacco company.

In one case reported to the party's disciplinary committee, a division chief was alleged to have dished out RM90,000 from the division's coffers for distribution to seven branches and the division's Youth and Wanita wings.

"It is the division's money and there was no reason to do so, except to buy votes and secure positions for candidates at the central level," said a former committee member of the division.

Another division leader insisted that vote-buying at divisional level to secure support for central elections was not just hearsay. Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, secretary-general of the party and a member of its disciplinary board, has received an official complaint on money politics in the Baling division in Kedah.

Several divisions are also believed to have lodged similar complaints with the disciplinary board.

In Johor, it was alleged that some central delegates would be paid RM2,000 each as an inducement to support certain candidates.

A leader from Gelang Patah division claimed at least 10 branches in the division were paid amounts ranging from RM20,000 to RM30,000.

Several grassroots leaders did not deny that money had also changed hands in other divisions in Johor, including Pulai, Kota Tinggi and Tanjong Piai.

Grassroots leaders in several states are also talking about intimidation through telephone calls, directing members to vote for certain leaders or risk facing "difficulties". Being ordinary members, those engaged in small businesses might be forced to comply, according to a party official, as they do not want trouble.

"They are ordinary members and do not want the daily running of their business and livelihood affected by intense politicking by leaders out to secure senior posts," he said on condition of anonymity.

Datuk Ong Tee Keat is so far alone in having declared his intention to contest the presidency. The housing and local government minister appears to be well favoured, but senior party leaders insist that it is Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek whom the grassroots want to lead the party.

Dr Chua still enjoys strong support in his home state of Johor as well as other southern states. His VCD sex scandal, however, remains an impediment, and he may settle for the deputy presidency.

He has not officially made known his intentions, but Dr Chua has been busy criss-crossing the country to meet MCA grassroots and engaging in an endless war of words with Tee Keat publicly and through their websites.

Observers say if the Tee Keat vs Dr Chua battle takes place on Oct 18, MCA will be led into another bruising experience of factional fighting for control of the party.

Some party leaders may have dismissed the "Team A", "Team B" battle taking shape, but in reality, no political party can run from seeing its members taking sides or forming teams when the top party post is being hotly contested.

From what is happening in MCA, it would be hard for anyone to accept that money and power do not reign in the run-up to the party elections.

The general perception is that party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who is not seeking re-election, and former senior party leaders such as former president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik may have a hand in the party elections.

MCA leadership race begins - NST

2008-09-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Sun Aug 31, 2008 By Alan Ting and S. Retna

MCA leaders look all set to make their respective bids for party national positions, kicking-off their campaign rounds and criss-crossing the nation to garner votes for the election slated for Oct 18.
And like the US presidential race, which had now reached a feverish pitch after both democracts and republicians picked their respective candidates, aspirants of the second largest Barisan Nasional component party are expected to follow a similar path, announcing the posts they would like to contest.

To date, only three candidates — MCA vice-president and Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat, MCA Youth secretary-general Wee Ka Siong and Deputy Wanita chief Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun have announced their bid.

The others have decided to play the waiting game.

For the time being, Ong seems to be the lone candidate for the presidency of the party which consists of some one million members. Wee wants to be Youth chief and Chew intends to go for the Wanita head post.
The position of Youth chief fell vacant, following a decision by Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, who is also health minister, to go for the parent body position.

The Wanita chief post has also seen a vacancy with incumbent and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen wanting to have a shot at one of MCA’s top three posts.

However, this calm setting is about to change in days to come, as indications are that after testing the ground, other leaders are expected to announce their intention on the positions they would like to contests at the MCA polls.

Wanting maximum media coverage, leaders like Home Affairs Deputy Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung and Federal Territory MCA chief Datuk Tan Chai Ho are expected to announce their candidancy for the MCA vice presidency on Monday, knowing very well that newspapers would be hunting for stories to fill their pages during the three-day Merdeka holidays.

“I will announce my decision on Monday (Sept 1) in Alor Setar after the state liaison committee meeting,” Chor told Bernama when asked if he would go for the vice presidency.

Other MCA leaders like secretary-general Datuk Ong Ka Chuan and vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai, who are likely to square-off for the MCA deputy presidency are expected to follow suit in the “very near future.” Ong, the younger brother of outgoing president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, had indirectly hinted that he would go for the party’s second post, after three MCA divisions in Perak announced that they supported him for the number two post two days ago.

While Lim has not made any comments on the post he wants to contest, ardent supporters of the former deputy tourism minister reveal that the “boss” would also go for the deputy presidency.

“I will announce my decision after the state MCA Youth and Wanita elections,” he said. The state MCA Youth and Wanita polls will be held simultaneously nationwide on Sept 6.

Another heavyweight, Dr Ng, is also expected to announce her bid in the next few days, possibly Monday, and talk is that the Iron Lady of MCA will fight for one of the four vice-president posts in the MCA. Sources also reveal that the outspoken Wanita leader will join the crowded veep race.

Liow, who is not defending his MCA Youth chief post, is expected to make his announcement on Wednesday. He is likely to be another vice-president candidate.

Other leaders likely to join in the fray are Higher Education Deputy Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung; former Penang exco Datuk Koay Kar Huah; former Perlis exco Loh Yoon Foo; former Negeri Sembilan exco Datuk Yeow Chai Tiam; and former Sabah MCA chief Datuk Chau Tet Onn.

However, the bulk of party leaders are expected to fight for the 25 MCA Central Committee (CC) positions, which would be up for grabs.

Several Chinese-based newspapers have put the CC aspirants to as high as 126, with some divisions having up to three members wanting to go for the CC post.

“These people have expressed their intentions, but this does not neccessarily mean that they will file their nomination papers. As in the past, at least half will pull out,” said a party insider.

This time around, the party polls will see several “big” names missing such as OngKa Ting, deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, treasurer-general Tan Sri Lau Yin Pin and organising secretary and former deputy education minister Datuk Hon Choon Kim.

Others who will not be contesting are MCA publicity chief Datuk Fu Ah Kiow and former culture, arts and heritage deputy minister Datuk Wong Kam Hoong.

These leaders have either decided not to seek re-election or will retire from active politics.

However, the question frequently asked about this MCA polls remains unanswered. Who will take on Ong Tee Keat for the party’s number one post?

Party insiders reveal that the contender could be either MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn or former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. But these two leaders could form a pact and battle it out on who should go for the top post.

“However, until now, we are still in the dark. Dr Chua wants the top post,” a party insider close to the two leaders told Bernama.

Dr Chua seems to be a clear candidate, trading barbs with Ong Tee Keat in cybespace via blogs and this is viewed by many educated MCA delegates as a good avenue to get to know the two leaders.

“It is as good as their manifesto. For Dr Chua, it shows that he is preparing to contest,” an aide to a MCA minister said.

In his blog, Dr Chua projects himself as choice to revive the MCA which received a massive blow at the March 8 general election, while Ong portrays himself as a consistent leader “without any moral issue.” However, should Dr Chua, the former health minister, opt to go for the party’s top post, the issue of morality due to his previous sex scandal will definitely haunt him during the campaign.

While these two leaders seem to be locked in battle, former health minister and veteran MCA leader Datuk Chua Jui Meng is the dark horse as he too, is said to be “eyeing” the MCA top post.

The path is clear for Chua after he retained the Bakri (Johor) MCA division head post and “he is likely to announce his decision next week,” an aide to Chua told Bernama when asked to comment.

The next few weeks seem to be exciting times for the MCA.

Besides winning positions, party leaders know that a bigger battle awaits them. And that is to the hearts and minds of the Malaysian Chinese who deserted the party at the recent general election. — BERNAMA

Sambutan Merdeka di Bukit Kledang, Menglembu Ipoh - Open University Malaysia

2008-08-30T18:13:00.001+08:00

30 Ogos 2008 Posted by Richard Ng

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.

Kami berkumpul di kaki bukit sementara menantikan semua peserta tiba

Pelajar OUM Shah Alam, Dillon, juga turut serta dalam pendakian merdeka ini

Pasukan pendakian ini disertai oleh seramai 25 orang staf OUM Perak, Pelajar-pelajar OUM termasuk seorang pelajar OUM Shah Alam yang turut serta iaitu Sdra Dillon.

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.

Setiap peserta telah diberikan satu bendera untuk dikibarkan semasa pendakian. Sepanjang pendakian kami turut mengedarkan bendera pada orang ramai yang ada di situ. Sepanjang perjalanan kami bertemu dengan ratusan pengunjung yang sentiasa mendaki bukit ini bagi tujuan kecerdasan diri.

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

Cuaca pagi ini agak baik. Kabus yang tebal menyejukkan suasana pagi ini. Pada jam 8.20pagi kami pun tiba di sebuah taman yang terletak di puncak bukit ini. Kami pun berihat sebentar sementara menantikan semua peserta sampai.

Tee Keat hits back at Soi Lek: I've always spoken freely - Sun

2008-08-29T10:32:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA (Aug 28, 2008) By Ng Kee Seng

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.”

Barisan leaders’ talk of pullout from coalition worries Muhyiddin - Star

2008-08-29T08:51:00.000+08:00

SINGAPORE: Aug 29, 2008

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.”

Ka Chuan hopes Barisan will learn from Permatang Pauh loss - Star

2008-08-29T08:50:00.001+08:00

TANGKAK: Aug 29, 2008

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.

Soi Lek dares Tee Keat to repeat threat to Umno - Sun

2008-08-27T23:47:00.002+08:00

Aug 28, 2008

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.

Wee goes for top Youth post - Star

2008-08-22T12:53:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Aug 22, 2008 By JO TEH

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.

PAS sending out mixed messages, says Tee Keat - Star

2008-08-18T17:40:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Aug 18, 2008

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.

Dr Ng to decide on which top post to contest in a few weeks - Star

2008-08-18T17:37:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Aug 18, 2008

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.

Ka Chuan: Win to serve, not for glory - Star

2008-08-18T17:16:00.003+08:00

JOHOR BARU: Aug 18, 2008

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.

Arif Shah is BN candidate for Permatang Pauh - Sun

2008-08-14T00:43:00.001+08:00

Aug 13, 2008 By Himanshu Bhatt

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.

Uphill battle in the care of stray cats and dogs - Star

2008-08-13T21:37:00.002+08:00

Uphill battle in the care of stray cats and dogs

Aug 13, 2008 By CHRISTINA KOH

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.

Ling and Mah eyeing same post - Star

2008-08-11T09:53:00.001+08:00

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.

Ng: Don’t use morality to run down others - Star

2008-08-11T09:48:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Aug 11, 2008

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.

Wee: Scandal did not affect my life - Star

2008-08-11T09:46:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Aug 11, 2008

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.

Liow: PKR leader must answer to Permatang Pauh voters - Star

2008-08-11T09:43:00.000+08:00

BUTTERWORTH: Aug 11, 2008

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.”

Don't cause anxiety, Liow tells Anwar - NST

2008-08-10T00:04:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Aug 9, 2008

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.

Wee demands front-page apology from newspaper - Star

2008-08-09T23:54:00.002+08:00

JOHOR BARU: Aug 9, 2008 By FARIK ZOLKEPLI

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.

Ong Tee Keat's Blog

2008-08-09T17:05:00.001+08:00

www.ongteekeat.net

Tee Keat launches presidential website with moral message - Malaysiakini

2008-08-09T16:58:00.000+08:00

Stanley Koh | Aug 9, 08 3:44pm

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.

Respect March 8 decision, says Liow - Star

2008-08-09T08:09:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Aug 9, 2008

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.

Tee Keat: No need for running mate - Star

2008-08-09T08:05:00.000+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: Aug 9, 2008

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.

Courtesy Visit to Ministry of Health

2008-08-07T01:19:00.000+08:00

Aug 6, 2008 Posted by Richard Ng

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.

MCA division polls: New face in Gopeng - Star

2008-08-04T19:43:00.001+08:00

GOPENG: Aug 4, 2008 By CLARA CHOOI

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.

Fuel prices likely to drop - Star

2008-08-04T19:35:00.000+08:00

IPOH: Aug 4, 2008

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.

Electioneering in MCA: Questionable means to what end? - Malaysiakini

2008-05-06T17:49:00.000+08:00

Stanley Koh | May 6, 08 3:04pm
As the Malaysian electorate grows in maturity and sophistication, there is a natural consensus that when one assumes a public trust, one should consider oneself a public property.

Parallel to this unwritten perception, when a political party constitutionally claims to uphold and safeguard “democratic principles” in support of the parliamentary system and government, the leadership is also duty bound to exercise these principles in the conduct of its internal elections.

Yet in the annals of MCA, several of its presidential elections do no one proud, as many party veterans can recall.

The September 1979 MCA elections concluded with the president being returned to power. The challenger was floored. It was an election battle, many claimed in remembering an event as a questionable fight where rather “questionable tactics” were freely indulged in (undemocratically) to eliminate the challenger.

It was a tough, intense and possibly “dirty” contest with the former deputy president Michael Chen Wing Sum (right) challenging the former president Lee San Choon.

A local magazine, Malaysian Business, best summed up the September 1979 MCA elections, “The event was not only the most exciting in the 30-history of the party but had also contributed towards a split right down the middle between supporters of the two candidates.”

“The MCA may never be the same again, and not for the better,” a prediction which continues to hold true till today.

Character assassination, insinuations and accusations were the order of the day during the eight-day campaign. The political rivalry between Lee and Chen was said to be inevitable, an open secret which culminated in the ultimate open contest.

Lee in his capacity as president was accused of appointing his own loyalists to all important headquarters positions, which enabled him to control the party machinery very effectively. The headquarters (under Lee) had the exclusive right to reject new members (of his rivals). The rejection of new membership applications was to disallow people aligned to his rivals (in branches) seen hostile to the president.

Membership lists

Using his presidential prerogative powers, Lee appointed his favoured line-up of state chairpersons even though they might not have the support of the members. This undemocratic move also facilitated his full control of the party apparatus and the president could activate his network in the face of an election challenge.

Other undemocratic tactics employed included exercising his powers to appoint divisional executive secretaries who became “automatic” delegates and casting their votes at the party elections. It was said that no one knew at that time how many were appointed. It was recorded at the start of the annual assembly that there were 1,477 delegates but at a later stage, a total of 1,635 delegates attended who could cast their votes. Even the speaker (to the general assembly) took a partisan stand threatening anyone who objected to “open voting” would be thrown out. When Chen took the microphone to protest, it was switched off. In June 1981, Michael Chen left MCA and joined Gerakan, led by former MCA reformist leader Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

The eruption of another MCA leadership crisis in 1984 between acting president Dr Neo Yee Pan and Tan Koon Swan saw a repeat of the undemocratic and suppressive moves against the challengers. The swift and undemocratic expulsion of the Tan’s leadership faction was reminiscent of a similar move by former president Tan Siew Sin using his wide powers to expel Lim Keng Yaik in 1973 (before the latter could challenge Tan in August during that year).

In the Neo-Tan crisis, the “membership master-list” was the focus of dispute. Repeated requests from the Tan faction for the list were rejected and the headquarters seemed determined to cover up the “phantom” issue, suspected to have inserted as many as 120,000 dubious names created by those supporting the incumbent leadership.

Neo claimed the phantom issue was not a new one and insisted (the issue) should be resolved within the mechanism of the party. Two types of “phantoms” were later discovered. The first type consisted of fictitious Chinese names bearing identity card numbers of Malays and Indians copied from electoral rolls of voters from various states. It also included Malay and Indian trade union members used by some divisions in forging memberships. The second type included Chinese who had died several years earlier but were recorded to have applied for membership in 1983.

Effective strategy

It was a number game in politics. Pro-Neo supporters (phantom manufacturers) could then control a division through a small minority of their supporters and could marshal enough delegates (through phantom members) to control the whole party against Tan faction. The elimination process could take place, out-voting Tan supporters from the branch and then onto the division.

Manipulating the membership list under a “close system” and not allowing anybody (except those responsible for operating the system) was an effective strategy against challengers in a party election. Unlike Umno having a fixed number of delegates per division (10 elected and the chairperson as automatic delegates), the MCA electoral system is based on membership strength (formula in calculating the number of divisional delegates to the national assembly).

During the MCA’s leadership crisis in 2001 which split the party into factional team “A” and “B”, led by Dr Ling Liong Sik and Lim Ah Lek respectively, the approval of new memberships and the lack of transparency in approving new branches became a contentious issue.

During a debate and deliberation on approval of new memberships at a central committee meeting at the height of the factional leadership tussle, Chan Kong Choy (formerly in team “B”) complained that the then National organising secretary Ong Ka Chuan (Team “A”) had refused to furnish details of branches with new membership applications in spite of his request for it for many months. Chan had complained that there was no transparency in the approval of new memberships and no details from which branches these memberships were from.

Ong Ka Chuan has since vacated the National Organising Secretary post but was appointed by his brother, Ka Ting, as Secretary-General soon after the August 2005 party elections. Ka Chuan also currently chairs the MCA Steering Committee in the conduct of the party elections scheduled in October this year.

Defending Kong Choy who was aligned to Team “B” then, Wong Mook Leong at the central committee meeting refused to accept Ka Chuan's excuses for not being able to give the breakdown of membership approvals at branch level.

Wong argued, “We (team B) did not say you (Ka Chuan) did not follow a customary practice…such practice does not mean you cannot change forever. When such practices clash with logic, only the party can progress.”

“I have instead thought that if you have the figures (membership applications) at divisional level, you must have the branch figures (breakdown)…only that you do not want to give, that is all, you don’t tell me you don’t have!” Wong chastised Ka Chuan after having lost his patience.

To-date, since 1984, the membership list continues to be a major target of dispute between the incumbent leadership and challenging individuals in the party.

New allegations are surfacing against undemocratic tactics in not approving new branches belonging to “suspected” rival factions and individuals not supportive of the incumbent leadership. Lack of transparency in approving new branches aligned to the incumbency supporters of the current president.

Main body elections in October

Other accusations involve “unfair, unjust” and irregular practices emerging from the grassroots have also alleged the national leadership for deliberately “invalidating” branches by approving less than 50 (the minimum requirement) in order to prohibit or “cripple” these branches from taking part in the election process. According to some grouses, this “evolved” new tactic was interpreted to reduce the number of divisional delegates from “rival branches” participating in the election process at national level.

During the Liong Sik-Ah Lek leadership tussle, a compromise was made in setting up a “verification committee” to prevent registering of “phantom” members following numerous written complaints faxed to MCA headquarters by college students who were “made” MCA members without their knowledge and consent.

Perhaps perceptively, according to political observers who believed that the most damaging aspect of the allegations on the whole electioneering process besides lacking transparency and shrouded “secrecy” on the membership list based on the fact that the party headquarters had exclusively “outsourced” to a private company, “Ezyone Systems Sdn Bhd” to compute, handle and manage the master membership list under the strict supervision of the president or his appointees.

The distribution of eligible membership lists (meaning, members-in-benefit with paid up subscriptions as at December 31, 2007 with voting and contest rights) were carried out on April 27 last month. An appeal for complaints is set before May 12 this month. The branch and divisional elections are scheduled on June 15 and July 27 this year respectively.

The state conventions are scheduled in the months of August and September before the presidential and central committee elections on October 18 and 19, 2008.