I am in the middle of collecting questions for the next Parliament session.
I am sure all of you especially in Kelana Jaya constituency or other groups have their own interest in highlighting issues to the parliament.
If you want me to highlight your issue, please do it by sending to me at bhg_kjaya@yahoo.com before or on 20 May 2009. The session will be back on 16 June 2009.
You can either draft me (in English or BM) verbal question or motion.
If you find any problem regarding this, please do not hesitate to emaill me at bhg_kjaya@yahoo.com
Sample of question:
Verbal:
Tuan Gwo Burne Loh [Kelana Jaya] to ask the MINISTER OF EDUCATION to state that in 2000, more than 113 million children do not have access to the preliminary education and 880 million of adults are illiterate worldwide, and the impact of this scenario to the country.
or
Soalan:
Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [Kelana Jaya] minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan langkah-langkah yang diambil bagi membawa kembali SUHAKAM kepada status ‘A’ berdasarkan akreditasi ICC atas kegagalan mematuhi Prinsip Paris.
Motion:
Tuan Gwo Burne Loh [Kelana Jaya] to move:
“Bahawa Dewan ini mengambil maklum bahawa ‘Cabotage Policy’ yang diamalkan sekarang haruslah dimansuhkan memandangkan polisi ini akan membantutkan usaha Kerajaan dalam menggalakkan lebih ramai lagi pelabur di negeri Sabah. Dan mengambil maklum bahawa ‘Cabotage Policy’ yang telah dikuatkuasakan sejak tahun 1980 ini membebankan rakyat Sabah kerana mereka terpaksa membayar 20-30% lebih bagi barangan yang diimport ke negeri Sabah berbanding dengan rakyat di Semenanjung Malaysia.
Dan mengambil maklum bahawa “Cabotage Policy’ yang diperkenalkan mengikut ‘Merchant Shipping Act’ 1952 melalui ‘Domestic Shipping Licensing Board’ bagi melindungi industri perkapalan negara pada ketika itu, telah pun apuk di mana pada masa ini kebanyakan barangan boleh diimport terus ke negeri Sabah dari negara asal dan negara sudah mempunyai banyak syarikat perkapalan, Maka dengan ini Dewan hendaklah mengambil ketetapan untuk meminta Kerajaan untk memansuhkan ‘Cabotage Policy’ ini dan mengamalkan ‘Open Sea Policy’ bagi menggalakkan pertumbuhan ekonomi di negeri Sabah khasnya dan menjayakan Sabah ‘Development Corridor’.
(Minister of Transport)
The members of TRANSIT were happy to note that Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib visited the Masjid Jamek/Masjid India area of Kuala Lumpur today to carry out another of his turun padang weekends.
His visit to the area was notable for his use of the LRT. And while it is nice to see the Prime Minister of Malaysia taking a look at what public transport is like, it would be better if Dato’ Seri Najib took a look at the congestion and problems related to the bus service.
If only he walked a little further to Lebuh Ampang, where he could see the bus congestion there, or Jalan Tun H.S. Lee where the Metrobuses are treating the area like their very own parking garage. Perhaps he could have walked a little further to the Pasar Seni LRT station, which is also the site of Pasarama Kota, the “Klang Bus Stand” and the unofficial “Seremban bus stand”.
If Dato’ Seri Najib had taken a look at these areas, then perhaps he would have a better understanding what is wrong with public transport.
One wonders what Dato’ Seri Najib was thinking when he walked by the Masjid Jamek Plaza, a costly structure that took too long to built and has done little to improve the connections between the two LRT lines. Perhaps he wondered why the LRT had no lift, or why he would have to go all the way down to Jalan Tun Perak and cross that very busy road if he wanted to access the other platform. Perhaps he was a little unhappy because he had to stand on a Saturday. Or perhaps he was happy to see people using public transport.
It is likely that we will never know what Dato’ Seri Najib was thinking. We can only hope that the visit gives him a better understanding of public transport - and that he takes a real visit to see what the bus facilities are like in this country.
KL Sentral, Puduraya, Pasarama Kota would all be great places to start and the members of TRANSIT would be happy to be there and point out these issues to him.
Sincerely
Moaz Yusuf Ahmad
on behalf of TRANSIT
According to this article in the newspaper, the Selangor government will be visiting the 12 local councils to discuss local issues.
The schedule is as follows:
• Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) – April 26
• Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) – May 3
• Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) – May 10
• Klang Municipal Council (MPK) – May 17
• Sabak Bernam District Council (MDSB) – May 24
• Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) – May 31
• Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) – June 6
• Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS) – June 14
• Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) – June 21
• Sepang District Council (MPSp) – June 28
• Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) – July 5
• Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) – July 12
TRANSIT says:
While public transport is generally in the hands of the federal government, the State Government and Local Council also have a role to play. They are responsible for providing infrastructure (such as bus hubs, bus lanes & bus ways), and encouraging development that isTransit-oriented (using Transit-Planning Zones and Pedestrian-scale developments).
Hence, we ask that Selangor residents, please make time to attend these meetings and speak to your local and state government representatives about local issues including public transport issues.
TRANSIT has drawn up a few talking points that you, the residents of Selangor can use to discuss local public transport issues at these meetings. Please forward these talking points to other people so that they may also be able to raise awareness about the need for improvement and the benefits of improved public transport for our communities and our quality of life.
TRANSIT believes in the following:
1. Public transport is not a service for the elderly and poor.
2. Community shuttle buses are a service for people who would like an alternative from the private car/motorcycle/taxi - not a service for people with “no choice”.
3. A network of reliable, frequent Community Shuttle Buses would give people an alternative to using their cars or motorcycles, meaning that there would be less traffic congestion on our roads.
4. On average, 1 more 12m long bus on the road equals 53 fewer cars or motorcycles on the road. Remember this equation, 1 = 53
The State Government has a role to play
1. The State Government should become an advocate better public transport in Selangor and the Klang Valley.
2. The State Government should create a State Public Transport Council to focus on improvements to public transport in Selangor.
3. The whole state of Selangor should have a complete network of convenient local community shuttle buses.
4. By providing free local community shuttle service, the State government will not be competing with bus operators and does not have to seek permits from the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board.
5. There should be coordination with the State Government so that there is proper funding and service integration between these local public transport networks and the LRT and KTM and stage bus services.
The Local Councils also have a role to play
1. It is necessary for each local government to have a department or office that focuses on the development of urban public transit or public transport. While some local councils have these departments already (MPAJ, for example) other councils do not.
2. Each local council should appoint a Public Transport Committee before they make attempts at implementing public transport service. This committee should include members of the local council, the bus operators, and the residents associations.
3. Community Shuttle Bus service requires lots of buses - because very slow frequencies (more than 1 hour) between buses is simply unacceptable and will not encourage people to use public transport.
4. These buses should be properly-designed accessible buses
5. Maps of Local Community Shuttle Bus service should be posted prominently at bus stops, in the Council Buildings, community halls, community newspapers, online etc.
The members of TRANSIT would be happy to provide feedback on local public transport issues to the State Government and the Local Councils. TRANSIT can be reached at klangvalley.transit@gmail.com or at the number 012-248-3330 /019 280 0608
We need to abolish the Death Penalty in Malaysia.
We need to immediately commute all executions in Malaysia - in compliance with the UN General Assembly Resolutions of 2007, and 2008..
On 18 December 2007, the UN General Assembly endorsed a resolution calling for “a moratorium on executions” by an overwhelming majority: 104 votes in favour, 54 against and 29 abstentions. - RESOLUTION 62/149
On 18 December 2008, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a second resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.- see earlier post :- Malaysia executes - hours after passing of 2nd UN Resolution asking for stop of all executions
All death sentences should be commuted to life imprisonment in Malaysia…just like what the Malaysian government is now asking for China to do for a Malaysian.
The Malay-sian Government has sent an appeal to its Chinese counterpart for Ong Kim Fatt, who is on death row in China, to be granted clemency, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said.
“We have sent a letter to the Chinese government appealing for Ong’s death sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment,” Lee told a press conference at Wisma MCA yesterday.
He said the Malaysian Embassy there had also been appealing to the Chinese court to reconsider Ong’s death sentence, the first such sentence for a drug offence in China since World War Two.
“We want to remind all Malaysians to respect and abide by the laws of the countries they are travelling to,” he said.
Ong, 44, was found guilty of trafficking 13 packets of heroin weighing 1,480gm at the Xiamen Gao Qi International Airport on Sept 19, 2007.
Earlier last week, MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong sought the Foreign Ministry’s help to obtain clemency for Ong, who was supposed to face the firing squad in February.
However, the execution was postponed to April 29 to allow him to fulfil his last wish of meeting his siblings.
MCA Bukit Bintang chairman Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng, who was also at the press conference, said he would accompany Ong’s brothers, Hock Hooi, 38, and Hock Kiang, 41, to China on April 27 to meet Ong and hopefully get his clemency appeal approved.
“I hope that Ong will be given some leniency as I believe that he was used by a drug syndicate. He is not a smart man, and he can be very naive,” Dr Lee said.
He added that it was unlikely Ong had enough money to buy the heroin himself.
Meanwhile, Chong said he had spoken to Interpol’s National Centre Bureau assistant director Supt Gan Tack Guan, who infor-med him that Interpol was still investigating the case.
“Investigations will carry on until they find out who the real culprits are.
“We want the drug syndicate exposed,” he said. - Star, 24/4/2009, Govt asks that death row man be given life sentence instead
I applaud the actions of the Malaysian government, and hope that a similarly all death sentences in Malaysia also be commuted to life imprisonment (or even imprisonment till death naturally).
–
Posted By Charles Hector to CHARLES HECTOR on 4/24/2009
We are pleased to invite you to JAG-Fiesta Feminista first session on sex, or more accurately:
The Sex Stakes: Positioning Sexuality on the Agenda of the Malaysian Women’s Movement
by tan beng hui
29th April, 8pm
at Sisters In Islam (sis)
No.7, Jalan 6/10, Petaling Jaya
open to those of us who want to debate/deliberate on sexuality & the women’s movement, or have burning questions about the evolution of sexuality rights here and around the world!
presented by beng hui, a feminist scholar and activist, and Fiesta Feminista cocobean aka co-coordinator.
do circulate to members of your organisations! and RSVP asap to Abby at AWAM at adevries1@yahoo or phone: 7877 4221. com!
thanks everyone and see you there!
Please take a few minutes to read this and please pass it on to every female you know and care about.. On Saturday, 16th, at 6:45pm my sister boarded a taxi at the Wangsa Maju LRT to return home. At the end of the road, the taxi driver stopped to pick up another male passenger who seemed to be going off the same direction. Well, my sister didn’t suspect anything funny as they looked genuine, and he was going her direction and she was in a hurry. Little did she suspect that she was in for a huge trauma! But when she asked the taxi driver to turn into the junction where she lives, the driver pretended to miss it and the male passenger said that since they were already nearer to his place, why not send him off first and the driver politely asked my sister if that’s ok and she thought she was doing a good deed! As soon as they got to the end of the housing area next to the big walls of the Academy TV3, the male passenger, locked all the doors and leapt to the back and held a knife at her throat and forced her to bend her head down - she had to give up her jewelry, and the $200 cash she had. Not satisfied with only that much, they threatened for more so they drove off to Maybank Jln Setapak and took out everything she had that was around 7:30pm ….The driver returned the card after clearing the account! Then they drove off to the back area of Tasik Titiwangsa and dropped her off there. Left her with only $10 and ask her to take another taxi home! My sister had to walk a long way back to the main road to get help and she is really traumatised by all these. Later at the police station we found out that she was victim #3 that same day! Let’s remind everyone we know, as it could easily happen to us too or to anyone we care about.
The lesson to be learnt here:
1.. always check the plate # BEFORE you board a taxi.
2. always check the other things that a taxi should have - the driver’s ID, the inside number etc, etc.
3. NEVER allow the driver to pick up another passenger - No matter what! If they do, get off and just pay the man.
4. avoid taking the taxi alone, if you can.
5. be extra careful if it is after office hours.
SHAH ALAM, 16 April 2009 - Kerajaan Negeri Selangor melalui Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) meneruskan perkhidmatan kaunter skuad bantuan Selangor Retrenchment Helpline bagi minggu ini di beberapa kawasan PBT di Selangor. Antara PBT yang akan membuka kaunter perkhidmatan tersebut bagi minggu ini adalah seperti berikut :
Tarikh: 18 April 2009 (Sabtu)
Masa : 8.30 pagi - 12.30 tengah hari.
Tempat :1- Petaling Jaya - Kaunter di Pejabat MBPJ.
2- Klang - Kaunter di Pejabat MPK.
3- Ampang Jaya - Kaunter di Pejabat MPAJ.
4- Sepang - Kaunter di Pejabat JPP Bandar Baru, Salak Tinggi Utara
5- Kajang - Kaunter di Pejabat MPKj.
Orang ramai yang menghadapi masalah dalam pekerjaan atau diberhentikan kerja, boleh membuat pendaftaran dikaunter terbabit mengikut kawasan sekitar masing-masing. Kerajaan Selangor menyediakan perkhidmatan ini adalah sebagai membantu dari sudut khidmat nasihat dan runding cara kepada pengadu untuk memulihkan keyakinan dalam mencari pekerjaan.
Sebarang pertanyaan berhubung perkara ini boleh menghubungi Sekretariat Program Helpline iaitu Cik Siti Noor Aina ditalian (55447672) atau En.Mohd Hasry (55447121), atau boleh menghubungi Sekretariat Akhbar Kerajaan Negeri iaitu En. Fahrin Asmawi (55447457).