Anwar, Kit Siang and Guan Eng at DAP Ceramah Merdeka
Come join the DAP Ceramah Merdeka this Sunday at the Bukit Mertajam Moral Uplighting Society at Jalan Tanah Liat.
Speakers include Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and Chong Eng.
Ceramah will start at 8.00 pm.
Merdeka!!!!!!!
Merdeka! Merdeka!! Merdeka!!! Merdeka!!!! Merdeka!!!!! Merdeka!!!!!! Merdeka !!!!!!!
No need to go to hell this Merdeka.
Selamat Menyambut Merdeka Ke 50.
Dewan Rakyat: MPs in shouting match over ‘unpatriotic’ remark
Reports by V. Vasudevan, Anis Ibrahim and Eileen Ng
A SEEMINGLY harmless question on student discipline sparked a debate on the issue of patriotism in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
And in the exchanges, the DAP MPs were accused of being unpatriotic for remaining seated when Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar led the house in shouts of “Merdeka” before the sitting began.
It all started when Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar, replying to a question by Datuk Abdul Rahman Ariffin (BN-Jerlun), said that parent-teacher associations had helped to improve discipline in schools.
“I was, however, sad to note that the DAP was involved in alerting the media about the slapping of a student at SM Raja Lumu in Pandamaran, Klang in July.
“I was surprised to see the lobby full of reporters and camera crew whom the DAP had informed,” he added.
That led Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN-Jasin) to remark: “That is typical of the DAP, they are unpatriotic, they did not rise when we shouted Merdeka just now.”
Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) replied hotly: “How dare you call us unpatriotic! We were not given prior notice about it (the expression of support for Merdeka).”
Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) joined in shouting: “Traitor! The DAP is unpatriotic.”
A riotous 15-minute shouting match ensued between the DAP and BN legislators to the amusement of a group of students who had come to observe the proceedings.
“Retract your statement that we are unpatriotic,” shouted Lim.
Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib tried to appease the DAP members, saying that Bung Mokhtar had not meant what he said.
“He did not mean you were unpatriotic, it was said on the spur of the moment.”
The DAP MPs, however, did not appear convinced and all stood up, waving copies of the Federal Constitution and the Dewan Rakyat Standing Order book.
Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) urged Ramli to take action against Bung Mokhtar. “Tan Sri, take action against him. This is unparliamentary behaviour.”
“Kinabatangan’s brutish nature hasn’t been dealt with yet,” said Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong), drawing chuckles even from BN MPs.
“Go to hell!,” replied Bung Mokhtar.
That led Ramli to interject: “Don’t say things like that, Yang Berhormat. Don’t utter words which are hurtful to others.
“I will not take any action against anyone except to warn and remind MPs not to utter such words again.”
Later at a press conference, Lim expressed regret at what he described as “unparliamentary behaviour”.
He said this had demeaned parliament and degraded the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Lim said it was wrong to spring such surprises, referring to Raja Ahmad’s action in shouting Merdeka.
“They should have followed proper procedure, which is moving a motion to express support for the nation’s independence.”
Study the impact of Unesco heritage listing for Georgetown
THE people of George Town are in the dark as to what will happen to them if George Town and Malacca succeed in a joint bid to be listed as Unesco heritage sites, said Tanjong MP Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow, who is Penang DAP chairman, said the party was supportive of the application but the Government had yet to carry out a “very basic” socio-economic impact study.
“I am sure the people do not know how the listing will affect them. Property owners are not sure if they will be able to carry out development plans, while residents are not sure if they will be able to afford living in George Town,” he said.
“The state government’s consultant emphasised that George Town stood to gain economically with the listing. This will result in an increase in property value and rental.
“What if residents move out in masses?”
He urged the state government, especially its Tourism Development and Environment Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow, to conduct a study and involve the participation of the people.
Teng had announced last week that the state was drafting a plan that would show its management strategies for cleanliness, public transport, signage, disabled-friendly facilities and tourism.
Source: The Star Metro North 23 August 2007
Malaysian duo back home from 8-month ordeal
Remember Francis Ng Wai Kong and Victor Hoo Kim Swee? They are the two Malaysians who were stranded in Saudi Arabia since January this year. I highlighted the case in Parliament and wrote to Syed Hamid to intervene. The families worked very hard to secure their release. I was informed by Victor’s father last Friday that the duo were back in the country a day before.
Glad that the ordeal is finally over. Take care, Francis and Victor.Read here for my earlier posts. (more…)
Press Statement DAP Penang and MP for Tanjong Chow Kon Yeow on Thursday, 16 August 2007.
Call on Socso to accord rightful benefit to thousands of worker.
The DAP is concerned that thousand of Malaysian workers are missing out on medical treatment, compensation and possible disability occupational illness.
It is reported that about 60,000 workers may be deprive of such benefits.
Human Resources Minister Dato Seri Fong Chan Onn had expressed disappointment at he poor performance of doctors on the Socso paned and wanted them to accord workers their rightful benefits.
The DAP also call on the government to take immediate action to correct the situation.
The DAP is now collecting information on workers who are deprived of their rightful benefits for the matters to be raised in Parliament.
These interested are invited to a meeting at the Penang DAP HQ at no.14, Jalan Talipon on Wednesday, 22 August 2007 at 10;00am Contact person: Lau Keng Ee (04-2277068 or 012 4422511)
Opposition MPs give thumbs up for Merdeka allocation
Opposition MPs welcomed the RM30,000 allocation they received each to organise events in their respective constituencies for Merdeka.
Tanjung MP Chow Kon Yeow said yesterday opposition MPs were happy that for the first time this year, they were given allocations to celebrate Merdeka with their consti-tuents.
He said the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry should make it an annual affair for opposition MPs to receive allocations for Merdeka celebrations.
The ministry allocated RM30,000 for each parliamentary constituency this year, including constituencies under the Opposition, in conjunction with the nation’s 50th anniversary.
“We hope that this won’t be the first and the last time we are receiving such an allocation.
“I also hope that we won’t have to wait for another 50 years for such an allocation to come our way,” he said at a press conference at the state DAP headquarters in Penang.
Chow said Merdeka Day is an auspicious occasion for Malaysians and celebrations were held with the aim of promoting unity.
“Merdeka Day celebrations are non-political functions and there should be no element of dividing the people according to their political affiliation,” he said.
Chow’s constituency would hold a multi-cultural show themed Malaysiaku Gemilang at the Gat Lebuh Macallum’s basketball court from 7pm to 11pm on Aug 25.
Local performers will be presenting patriotic songs, poetry reading and dances.
