Chow Kon Yeow: 曹观友

I have just submitted ten questions for the coming Parliament session. In good parliamentary practices, questioning is one vital mechanism to hold the government accountable to its policies and decisions.The Standing Order had been amended to allow 90 minutes of Question Time and hopefully more questions could be answered by the administration.

Last month, I voiced my displeasure to the Parliament’s administration because none of my questions have been put in the top of the list the past 12 months.That means, I could only received written replies.In contrast, if you are called to pose an oral question, you could pursue the matter further by posing a supplementary question.

I brought up the matter at a meeting of the Standing Order Committee early this month. After the meeting, a Parliament staff told me, “Ministers do not like to answer your questions as most of them are quite sensitive.” Is that so!

Anyway, it is our responsibility to get the government’s accountable for its policies. Question Hour is just one of the mechanism in Parliament.

This time, I have ten questions for the PM ranging from the police revolt over the IPCMC and his link with the PORR concessionaire.
I am also looking for answers with regard to the status of the Second Bridge and Monorail project, Penang’s city status and public transportation.

Last but not least, two questions close to my heart, on national unity and religious freedom in the country.

I hope these questions would not be considered too sensitive and be answered over the 14-day sitting. (more…)

The whole nation is watching PM Abdullah and he can feel it. It is not enough for him to just say “the views of a minority in the police force objecting to the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) did not reflect the feelings of the majority.”

How does PM Abdullah knows that it was not the majority views within the police force?

Putting aside whether it is minority or majority views, the publication on the website detailing dissatisfaction and “threats” of retaliation are too serious to be dismissed by a mere statement by PM Abdullah.

How can he take it so lightly?

The statements made by the police are definitely against national interests, treacherous and rebellious!

Nobody should be left unpunished for such anti national activities. Usurping the power, integrity and honour of the Prime Minister is one thing but threatening national security and public order ought not to be taken lightly, especially from the custodian of peace and order.

Umno MPs escaped scot-free when they spoke with their “conscience” against the setting up of the IPCMC.

At that time, I likened their action as a revolt against the Prime Minister.

Now we have another open revolt and yet PM Abdullah seems so cool about it.

Malaysians are anxious to know whether PM Abdullah will take action against the police force.

I have submitted a question for the Prime Minister for the coming Parliament session on 26 June. But do we have to wait so long for your answer?

“After yesterday’s press conference on PM Abdullah’s link with the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project, I told members that either there would be big coverage or a complete blackout in the next day’s newspaper.

By evening after surfing the website of several Chinese dailies and found nothing reported about my “expose”, I knew the newspapers would be extra cautious with this piece of news as it involved the Prime Minister.

Actually, stories about Abdullah’s role in the PORR project could be found in certain website. However, no one has brought the matter to the mainstream media yet.

This morning, I found that almost all the Chinese presses have black-out the news.
Kwong Wah, Sin Chew, China Press and Oriental Daily did not carry the story.
Normally, the Chinese newspapers (usually in the local sections) would provide enough space for Opposition news but that was no ordinary news.

I was surprised that the more conservative Nanyang Siang Pau carried the news on their national page. Another write-up was also found in the local section. Guang Ming Daily carried the news in the same page as the reports on the Penang State Legislative Assembly.

However, both Nanyang and Guang Ming Daily treated the news with the “utmost care”, reporting it in a “backdoor” manner. I have said clearly the PM Datuk Seri Abdullah was named as a director of Yayasan Bumiputra Pulau Pinang, who owns 34% of the PMW share via two wholly-owned companies, Kumpulan Pinang and Kumpulan Perhubungan.

The news report said a person bearing the same name as the PM was named as a director. In a cheeky manner, the report said the I.C. Number and the address at Putrajaya also matched that of the PM.

Only theSun carried a 3-paragraph brief on Page 2 under the heading, “DAP questions PM’s credibility.”

Do you expect the NST, Star, Utusan and Berita Harian to carry this news?

PM Abdullah told the people that he wanted to hear the truth. But local media owner have their annual licence to take care of. But it is this fear that would not help PM Abdullah in his fight against corruption and to promote good governance, integrity and ethics in his Administration. Without a free media, no chance can happen.

I can assure you that I will continue to seek for an answer.

Press Conference Statement by DAP Penang chairman and MP for Tanjong Chow Kon Yeow at the Penang State Legislative Assembly on Monday, 29 May 2006.

Prime Minister Abdullah linked to PORR concessionaire company, named as director of Yayasan Bumiputra Pulau Pinang Berhad
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The DAP today expresses shock that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is linked to the Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project’s concessionaire company, Peninsular Metroworks Sdn. Bhd. (PMW)

According to corporate information obtained from the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Abdullah (I.C. No.391126-07-5077) was first appointed director of the Yayasan Bumiputra Pulau Pinang Sdn. Bhd. His name is still listed as a director.

Yayasan Bumiputra now controls 34.78 percent of PMW through its two subsidiary companies; Kumpulan Pinang Holding Sdn. Bhd. and Kumpulan Perhubungan Sdn. Bhd.

This was a result of restructuring of the ownership equity in PMW. The shareholders areas follows:

Kumpulan Pinang Holding Sdn. Bhd. (222310-D) 10,000 share
Lingkaran Tanjung Sdn. Bhd. (676910-W) 340,000 share
Setegap Berhad (107232-X) 12,750 share
Kumpulan Perhubungan Sdn. Bhd. (60597-A) 1,190,000 share
Nadi Senandung Sdn. Bhd. (381079-U) 1,897,250 share

Setegap Berhad is a construction company listed on Bursa Malaysia.
Lingkaran Tanjung (formerly known as Jasminata Sdn. Bhd) was registered on 30.12.2004 and its registered address is at Suite 2.01, Tingkat 2, Wisma K.P.Loh, No 42 Jalan Besar, Kajang, Selangor. There is no information on the nature of its business and its financial standing. Sources said the directors are related to Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

Major shareholder, Nadi Senandung is principally controlled by Datuk Ahmad Ismail via a dormant company, Cedar Heights Sdn. Bhd. (267289-U).

From the web of ownership structure and list of directors, it has confirmed DAP’s allegation that the PORR project is a classic example of Umno’s crony capitalism.

We await PM Abdullah’s explanation and see how he can get out of this web of intriguing ownership of the RM1.02 billion PORR project.

Is there life after being dropped as a Cabinet minister or member of the administration? I think the answer lies with the individual concerned.

I have great admiration for former Minister for Higher Education Dato Dr Haji Shafie bin Mohd. Salleh. He was dropped as a Minister at the February Cabinet reshuffle. When Parliament commenced this year’s sitting in March, Shafie’s seat was shifted from the Ministers’ bench to Block E of the august Dewan Rakyat.

Block E houses former Ministers, deputy Ministers and Parliamentary secretaries and senior leaders of BN component parties. Taib, Pairin and Salleh Syed Keruak (former Sabah deputy CM) are also seated in this block.

Back to the question, “is there life after being dropped as minister?”. I found Shafie’s acceptance of his political misfortune exemplary. He overcame the psychological setback and readily joined backbenchers and oppositionists at the MP lounge.

I noticed he was feeling uneasy at first. From a high and mighty minister, Shafie has to rub shoulder with backbenchers now.

Shafie took his sacking from the Cabinet well and by the time Parliament met again in March, he took part in the debates. He still want to play an active role, maybe hoping to be recalled to the Cabinet. Tunku Adnan languished at Block E after Pak Lah did not named him a minister after the 2004 general election. His lucky star was shining as he was recalled as the new Tourism Minister.

Another who did not take his sacking lying down is former deputy Education Minister, Dato Mahadzir Mohd. Khir. He was dropped because of health reason. It was a miracle that he survived his sickness. He also took part in the debates but he had to
fight for his chance to speak. He complained a few times that the Speaker did not called him to speak despite standing up many times. Well, you are no longer deputy minister, Mahadzir.

The MP for Langkawi Dato Abu Bakar bin Taib is another ex-parliamentary secretary who took his “political fate” well.

However Shafie, Mahadzir and Taib are the minority. In my six over years in Dewan Rakyat, I found some ex-Ministers and deputy ministers keeping low profile, keeping away from the crowd and some have not given any speeches to represent their voters. They must have taken their dismissal from government posts very badly. They still attend Parliament but mostly to warm their seats or when they are required by the whips, to vote on certain important constitutional amendment bills.

I will not name them individually. They will know who they are.

For record, those who are seated at Block E include: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (former Finance Minister), Dato Chua Jui Meng (former Health Minister), Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh (Housing and Local Government), Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding (Science and Technology), Dr Siti Zaharah (former Umno Wanita chief, former Welfare and Community Development Minister), Dato Seri Abdul Hamid bin Ngah (PM Dept. in charge of Islamic Affairs), Leo Micheal Toyad and Adenan Satem.

Others include former deputy ministers like Loke Yuen Yow, Dr Tan Tee Kwong, and Chor Chee Heung. Dr Tan and Chor have opened up after leaving their government posts. Chor took part in several debates lately, good for him. I almost forgot about Dato Kerk Choo Ting, who lost his deputy Agriculture Ministerpost after he failed to unseat Lim Keng Yaik as Gerakan president.He has still to recover, I think.

They are all veteran politicians and matured enough to know what to do in Parliament.

Press Statement by DAP Penang chairman and MP for Tanjong Chow Kon Yeow on Saturday, 27 May 2006.
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Preposterous for Penang CM to treat Ahmad Ismail’s councillorship as being not affected

The local media reported today that the Insolvency Department has cleared embattled Penang Island Municipal Councillor Datuk Ahmad Ismail as not a bankrupt following a court order on Wednesday.

Penang CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon was very quick in breaking the news to the Press yesterday.

He said, “I will recommend to the State Executive Council at its next meeting to treat his councillorship as (being) not affected.”

It is preposterous for Tsu Koon to think that Ahmad Ismail’s councillorship was not affected.

The fact is the State Executive Council has decided to revoke Ahmad Ismail’s appointment as Councillor and the revocation letter was sent out by the President of the Council to Ahmad Ismail.

Ahmad said on Thursday that he was on leave but Council President rebutted that there was a vacancy to be filled and the Council is waiting for the Executive Council to fill the vacancy.

Now, Tsu Koon in haste to appease the angry Ahmad Ismail, uttered the preposterous statement that the councillorship was being not affected.

Leaving asides legal issues over Ahmad Ismail’s bankrupt status, it would be legally wrong to deem nothing has changed with regard to the Councillor post.

If Tsu Koon strongly feel that Ahmad Ismail should remain a Councillor, then it is only proper for the State Executive Council to reappoint the latter according to the provisions of the Local Government Act.

Tsu Koon’s image as the CM has been seriously dented in the way he handled this issue.

All the call-in listerners to AiFM radio station this morning rejected the move by Tenaga Nasional to raise electricity rates by 12%. Those sending SMS to the radio station talk show also shared similar sentiments.

They do not accept the reasons given for the hike and most of them either criticised or ridiculed government leaders for making unacceptable statements on the hike.

They felt that the crux of the problem should be fixed. They said Tenaga should resolve the problem with the IPPs over energy reserve level and not shift the burden to consumers.

One listener hit out at Penang CM Dr Koh Tsu Koon for saying our tariff rate was still low compared to several SEA countries. Such comments from government leaders are unreasonable, listeners said.

Several disputed the figure that the increase would only affect about 60% of the households. (I think almost all households in the towns and cities would be affected)

One used a funny analogy to illustrate the predicament of the rakyat. He likened the people to medical insurance company which have to pay whenever the policy holder is sick. “Whenever the government is sick, we have to pay”.

The underlying message sent out by the listeners is “The rakyat should be blamed for their strong support to the government WHO think they can do what they like, WHAT CAN THE RAKYAT DO?