While we are concern about corruption, transparency and abuse of power, we have over the years lost sight that arming the Nation policy by the BN can lead to disastrous consequences of war and poverty. We should pick this issue more seriously now as it had been overlooked by politicians and the general public over the years. We all know World War II was started when Hilter in stimulating the economy and creating jobs for the Germans went on a rearmament policy. The Germans were happy because the economy was growing and people got jobs, but, armament of Germany led to World War II.
In our armament, the Ministry of Defence in one weekend on 19 April 2010 during the “Defence Fair” went to justify the spending of more than RM10.4 billion to modernize and upgrade our military capabilities which was said in line with the Nine Malaysia Plan, in which the BN government was very ambitious and was said prepared to spend RM21billion or 10.6 percent of our development expenditure although a sum of RM14.5 billion was spent during the said Nineth Malaysian Plan (2006-2010). However, the government had never failed to justify their spending budget on arms. Not many of us including some politicians and policy makers could see the problems caused by huge military spending by our government. The huge budgets for the purchases of military equipment and technology can slow down development progress and can slow down to erase poverty in Malaysia. What we need now is better education, places for acquirement of knowledge and proper development infrastructures for our people. It is a known fact that only through education, knowledge and proper development infrastructures can we accelerate development and help erase poverty.
We need to understand for RM1 billion worth of arms, we can build 100 hospitals or 1000 new schools or 10,000 new houses for the poor.
With huge budgets over the years in purchase of arms, many people in the country will remain poor as the budgets were grossly disproportionate to our nation’s means. We should realize that much of our money when buying arms were also spent on commissions. We should all recall in 2006 it shocked the nation when arms deal led to the murder of a Mangolian national, Altantuya Shaaribuu, when questions surrounded in the purchase of two Scorpene submarines and a used Agosta submarine from France. Our Malaysian Ministry of Defence was said had paid one billion euros (RM4.5 billion) to a French-Spanish joint venture company. Out of it, a Malaysian company which had connections with an aide of Najib received a payment of 114 million euros (RM510 million). We should all still remember that the demand of USD500,000 by Altantuya Shaaribuu as her commission, but, she was found blown up in a Shah Alam forest with a C4 explosives. These show that there are cases of questionable purchases of arms over the years by the BN government.
Our Malaysian public should be told that the basis of the arm industry is PROFIT. BN government can say that to maintain peace and security in this region, we must have the most sophisticated and the latest state-of-art weapons. Instead, BN government had helped countries like USA, Russia, France, Britain, Germany and Italy to make money from weapons and military equipment sold to this region. By supplying weapons and military equipment, these countries and their dealers make profit and they can easily provoke war in this region!
We Malaysians should also understand that many of those who dealt in arm have vested interests and have very little concern of human rights and morality. A report released the Stockholm International Peace Research (SIPRI) in 2009 said that arms race in South East Asia had come to an irrational level. Malaysia was said led the regional pack with the purchases of weapons of death a surge of 722 percent during 2005- 2009 period! Military spending had created insecurity in our South East Asian region as a Zone of Peace, Prosperity and Neutrality (ZOFPAN).
Malaysians should be told that the Prime Minister, Najib could lead this country to economic disaster. This is because when he was the Defence Minister, defence spending has accelerated and he is now even called as the “driving force” behind Malaysia’s military modernization program by Foreign Policy in Focus. His shopping list included battle tanks from Poland, Russian and British surface-to-air missiles F/A 18 jets fighters, submarines from France and Russia Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircrafts.
CARE AND DEFECTIVE OF MILIARY EQUIPMENT
The Nation’s military spending saw among others, a defective scorpene submarine. The said scorpene submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, which was schedule for a diving operation on 18 February, 2010 could not dive that day! In a 2006 Auditor-General’s Report it was also revealed that two Russian Mi-17 helicopters worth RM117.75 million purchased for the police air wing could not be used as they did not meet the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) specifications. The DCA refused to register these two Russian Mi-17 helicopters as the did not conform with the designs guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
On 16 March, 2006 the SeaSkua missiles, which is 2.5 metres in length and 25cm in diameter, which was an all-weather anti-ship missile, bought at RM104 million in 2002 was fired by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), but, they failed to hit the target! They instead fell into the sea and were never been recovered. (NST 4. 8. 2006). What a waste of money to Malaysia?
On 24 February 2006, the then Deputy Defence Minister Zainal Abidin Zin said that about RM300 million worth of obsolete military hardware had been disposed off since 2005. This included outdated military weapons, bullets, vehicles and aircraft spare parts. We also had a case in 2006 Auditor-General Report of defective combat equipment inclusive of ballistic helmets worth RM19 million being supplied to our army. These helmets were issued to our combat units did not meet the requirements set by the arm forces.
Two fires on 8th and 9th October, 2009 saw a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) RM48 million tank landing ship KD Inderapura destroyed by the fires and was later decommissioned as the damage was irreparable. The findings of investigation was headed by Capt. Rusli Ahmad, was released on 14 November, 2009 which concluded that the first fire on 8th October, 2009 could highly be ignited by a short circuit while the second on 9th October, 2009 when smouldering embers restarted the fire.
In May 2008 our military discovered that we have two F-5E jet engines worth collectively worth RM100 million missing. The public was only made aware of the loss in 2009. Why so slow to let the public know?
The spending for military equipment and machineries were very substantial and eats into our economy. Where the money comes from for our military spending? I would not disagree if someone tells me that this could all come from our oil money! There will be little wonder that prices of our petrol kept on increasing all these years and this led to inflations and increase in prices of food and essential goods in the country!
The government should cut all military spending and concentrate to build more schools, places for the acquirement of knowledge, public infrastructures and take care of public health to boost productivity.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Police Abuse of Power - Government Pays
Members of the public may always have a wrong perception that government officers like customs, police and JPJ have wide and unlimited power of arrest, search and detention against citizens. Many of these arrest, search and detention were done in the pretext the person stopped and detained were suspected to have committed a criminal offence. The person search most of the time also did not know how to protect their right and most of the time obliged to be detained by the police without seeking legal help.
Recently, in Lundu District a group of police officers arrested and detained a Mr. Liew who was said to have with him smuggled beers inside a motor van. Mr. Liew at that time in actual fact was lifting his beers in broad daylight in Lundu Town for sale to his customers and out of a sudden his goods together with his motor van were seized by Lundu police. Business jealousies could have landed Mr. Liew into trouble. Mr. Liew pleaded with the police officers that he committed no wrong and showed to them document to prove that all his goods were proper. When asked of the offence, the police officers just told him to follow him to the Lundu Police Station and of which he was locked inside a lock-up until the next day. No counsel was allowed to be engaged and neither was Mr. Liew brought to see a magistrate. However, Mr. Liew later on was told that he smuggled the beers into the state without paying customs tax on them! Mr. Liew was shock!
The seized beers were sent to the Customs Department, who upon inspection later on returned all the beers almost immediately upon inspection to Mr. Liew or his agents as the beers were all proper as the goods did not contravene any customs law.
Dissatisfied with the action of the police, Mr. Liew came to see me for advice and then sued the police. The government had to compensate the loss and damage caused. The government has to pay the price caused by the action of these police officers.
Members of the public have to be reminded that all government enforcement officers are not above the law and they could not be caught abusing the law. Government officers are also to be reminded that they should do their work in accordance with the law, or else, they could also be dragged to court.
Recently, in Lundu District a group of police officers arrested and detained a Mr. Liew who was said to have with him smuggled beers inside a motor van. Mr. Liew at that time in actual fact was lifting his beers in broad daylight in Lundu Town for sale to his customers and out of a sudden his goods together with his motor van were seized by Lundu police. Business jealousies could have landed Mr. Liew into trouble. Mr. Liew pleaded with the police officers that he committed no wrong and showed to them document to prove that all his goods were proper. When asked of the offence, the police officers just told him to follow him to the Lundu Police Station and of which he was locked inside a lock-up until the next day. No counsel was allowed to be engaged and neither was Mr. Liew brought to see a magistrate. However, Mr. Liew later on was told that he smuggled the beers into the state without paying customs tax on them! Mr. Liew was shock!
The seized beers were sent to the Customs Department, who upon inspection later on returned all the beers almost immediately upon inspection to Mr. Liew or his agents as the beers were all proper as the goods did not contravene any customs law.
Dissatisfied with the action of the police, Mr. Liew came to see me for advice and then sued the police. The government had to compensate the loss and damage caused. The government has to pay the price caused by the action of these police officers.
Members of the public have to be reminded that all government enforcement officers are not above the law and they could not be caught abusing the law. Government officers are also to be reminded that they should do their work in accordance with the law, or else, they could also be dragged to court.
Monday, November 8, 2010
THIRD PARTY INSURANCE
The government should also look into the issue of Third Party Insurance Coverage where many motor vehicle owners could not purchase insurance coverage. Even could purchase, they were subjected to high premium payments plus payments for some other items. This should be made illegal and the insurance companies should be punished with hefty fines and jail terms to its officers. This practice tantamount to licensed robbery by insurance companies and should be stopped.
SAMAN EKOR
Saman Ekor or police summons issued from speed traps should be abolished! It is unjust and is against the universal rule of natural justice. The motorists and owners of motor vehicles caught by speed traps and those who received Notification of Traffic Offences by way of Polis 170A who failed to pay their summons found themselves blacklisted by the authorities. They could not renew or pay road tax of their vehicles. This policy of the Barisan Nasional government against motorists and owners of motor vehicles are more draconian than action taken against citizens under the Anti-Terrorism and Internal Security laws. Such treatment of citizens are worst than treatment given to communists when communists were around in the country. At least, some communists caught with firearms were brought to trial, but, here there is no trial, but, direct sentencing by blacklisting these motorists and motor vehicle owners from renewing their road tax without a hearing from the court.
To add salt to the pain, citizens also received summons from the police for alleged traffic offences caught by speed traps which happened some ten years ago! One of the saman ekor referred to me was a 1999 summons! How can a motorist remember what happened some ten years ago! The policeman who issued him the summons could have died now! The government should put a stop to this. These motorists in such circumstances were forced to pay their summonses as most of them did not want to go to court.
To add salt to the pain, citizens also received summons from the police for alleged traffic offences caught by speed traps which happened some ten years ago! One of the saman ekor referred to me was a 1999 summons! How can a motorist remember what happened some ten years ago! The policeman who issued him the summons could have died now! The government should put a stop to this. These motorists in such circumstances were forced to pay their summonses as most of them did not want to go to court.
The fine is also very heavy, may be, with interest as they were paid more than RM100.00 – RM300.00 for each offence for such summons. I still remember, ten years ago, motorists were made to pay RM5.00 and the most RM30.00 only. Sometimes, the Ketua Polis Daerah would just cancel the saman ekor. People had become fed-up with this government. They had become more rebellious and hostile towards this government.
The government should put a time limit to these saman ekor. If the alleged offenders could not be traced, say, within oneyear, these saman ekor and also Notification of Offences under Pol.170A should automatically lapse. Most, important all alleged offenders should not be blacklisted as what currently happened now.
DAYAK CULTURAL SCHOOL
While there is a need to build more Chinese schools for the Chinese community, I regret that the Barisan Nasional government had not been sensitive enough to the needs of dayak community. I had once, if I am not mistaken, spoken about dayak education, and I am here pursuing the matter again for the community. We had gained independence for so long but, there is no full fledged dayak school in the state. I am afraid, many dayaks of younger generations to come will themselves not able to understand their culture and language well.
Although it may not be a policy of the Barisan Nasional government to build schools for every race in the Nation, but, we must understand that the dayaks are a huge population in the state and in Borneo. Would we in a multi-racial society like to see dayaks lose their identity and culture? On behalf of the dayak community, I hereby urge that at least, a Dayak Cultural School be built in the State, where dayak children and those interested in dayak culture and language can learn such dayak arts like ngajat, dayak music and customs. The Barisan Nasional government should understand that culture and language, if properly exploited can help boost our tourism industry.
Maybe with the same premises, an Indian Cultural School should also be set up to cater for our Indian community. The Indian community although small, but, had contributed their part to nation building and we should not forget them.
Although it may not be a policy of the Barisan Nasional government to build schools for every race in the Nation, but, we must understand that the dayaks are a huge population in the state and in Borneo. Would we in a multi-racial society like to see dayaks lose their identity and culture? On behalf of the dayak community, I hereby urge that at least, a Dayak Cultural School be built in the State, where dayak children and those interested in dayak culture and language can learn such dayak arts like ngajat, dayak music and customs. The Barisan Nasional government should understand that culture and language, if properly exploited can help boost our tourism industry.
Maybe with the same premises, an Indian Cultural School should also be set up to cater for our Indian community. The Indian community although small, but, had contributed their part to nation building and we should not forget them.
CHINESE EDUCATION
Education is important in nation building and the matter is protected under our Federal Constitution. There should not be any discrimination against the Chinese community in area of education as every race and every Malaysian should be treated equally. With this, the state government is also urged to liaise with the federal government to build more Chinese primary schools in the State. Areas that both the state and federal governments should consider for the building of Chinese primary schools is in Ong Tiang Swee Road in Batu Lintang Constituency in Kuching. Chinese population in the area has been growing in recent years.
Mr. Speaker, I am also much concerned of the recent close down of the Chung Hua Primary School No. 2 which since colonial times had catered students in Padungan and Main Bazaar areas in Kuching. These students were then recently moved to a new site in Stutong area in which is very far for people of Padungan and Main Bazaar. The school had produced many brilliant businessmen and many are leaders in the Chinese community. What the Chinese community in Padungan and Main Bazaar areas need is a Chinese school not very far from their areas. So the best site, I humbly say would be Ong Tiang Swee area where government land is plenty. May both the state and federal government give serious thought for a Chinese school be built in Ong Tiang Swee area.
NATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ONG TIANG SWEE ROAD
I have recently met some teachers and parents of students in Sekolah Kebangsaan Ong Tiang Swee in Batu Lintang Constituency and I was told the school since built in 1965 it is still a primary school. This has not been fair to those living in Ong Tiang Swee area and this is one area that the Opposition had always been returned with good votes. With growing population within Ong Tiang Swee and adjacent areas teachers and parents voiced out the need that the school be upgraded at least up to Form 6 level.
The parents told me that with challenging demand of present society in search of livelihood where they had to wake up early to beat traffic jams, they said it wound be stressful to send their children to secondary schools outside their area. The need to pick up their children from secondary schools outside the area in the evenings would cause much stress to the school children as well as they only could reach their homes quite late in the evenings. At the same time, the facilities of the said school had not improved much since 1965. The state government is urged to liaise with the federal government to see that the school be upgraded to secondary school in soonest possible. That is education in this school should be provided from kindergarten to Form Six level.
The parents told me that with challenging demand of present society in search of livelihood where they had to wake up early to beat traffic jams, they said it wound be stressful to send their children to secondary schools outside their area. The need to pick up their children from secondary schools outside the area in the evenings would cause much stress to the school children as well as they only could reach their homes quite late in the evenings. At the same time, the facilities of the said school had not improved much since 1965. The state government is urged to liaise with the federal government to see that the school be upgraded to secondary school in soonest possible. That is education in this school should be provided from kindergarten to Form Six level.
There is no reason that the school should not be upgraded as the matter has been long outstanding. Moreover, government land is plentiful in Ong Tiang Swee area. We now could observe that there are many government quarters being left abandoned in Ong Tiang Swee area and the land had not until now been put into good use. This abandoned land should be used to up grade or for the extension of this Sekolah Kebangsaan Ong Tiang Siang Swee. The school once upgraded should be equipped with modern facilities suitable for students’ need in the city.
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