Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Questions for Parliament 2008 (II)

The deadline for the submission of questions has just elapsed. And no, I won't get my mugshot splashed on the front page of the national newspapers for not having submitted my questions, much as the publicity might have been nice ;-).

As usual, the list of 15 questions submitted are below, with a greater emphasis placed on the Ministry of Finance, and the rest split between the education ministries, the prime ministers' department as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Thank you so much to those who have offered good suggestions both here and via email - believe me, they were all compiled and tabled and considered in depth before being shortlisted. And some questions which were not taken up by me were forwarded to some of the other DAP MPs.

They have also hopefully been drafted to extract quality and informative responses from the Ministers, as opposed to questions which will just secure a rhetorical answers which serves little purpose. Bear in mind the 40 word limit, which is being enforced strictly this time round, which often limits the extent to which you can push or "clarify" in detail the questions.

Well, here's my list and lets hope we get good answers from the Ministers:

Questions for Oral Response:
  1. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Kewangan menyatakan butir-butir perbelanjaan subsidi harga minyak dan gas berjumlah RM45 bilion seperti yang dikemukakan oleh kerajaan. Apakah langkah-langkah yang akan diambil oleh kerajaan untuk mengurangkan subsidi, dan pada masa yang sama tidak membebankan rakyat yang miskin?

  2. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Kewangan menyatakan perkembangan bidang perbankan Islam di Malaysia berbanding dengan pusat kewangan antarabangsa seperti London, New York, Dubai, Hong Kong dan Singapura. Mengapa pengaruh Malaysia dalam bidang ini kian merosot? Apakah tindakan yang akan diambil untuk mengatasi kelemahan kita?

  3. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Kewangan menyatakan:-
    1. peratus pelaburan RM14 bilion yang diperolehi untuk Iskandar Malaysia yang merupakan perjanjian kontrak dan bukan sekadar perjanjian persefahaman (MOU);
    2. pecahan pelaburan berasal kerajaan atau syarikat GLC, pelabur tempatan dan pelabur asing. Berapa peratus pelaburan yang telah dijanjikan tersebut telah dilaburkan?

  4. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Kewangan menyatakan apakah peratusan sumbangan daripada sektor petroleum dan gas, dan sektor minyak sawit kepada perkembangan GDP negara pada setiap 5 tahun yang lalu?

  5. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Pelajaran menyatakan sebab butir-butir bangsa dan agama perlu dibekalkan dalam kertas peperiksaan semasa mengambil peperiksaan awam. Adakah Kementerian akan membatalkan pendekatan tersebut seperti yang dijanjikan sejak tahun 2006, supaya tiada perasaan bimbang mengenai kesaksamaan akan dibangkit?

  6. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Perdana Menteri menyatakan berapa kali Majlis Penasihat Iskandar Malaysia (Iskandar Malaysia Advisory Council) yang termasuk tokoh usahawan negara telah bertemu sejak ditubuhkan pada tahun 2006. Apakah cadangan yang dikemukakan oleh jawatankuasa tersebut yang telah diterima dan dilaksanakan oleh pihak kerajaan?

  7. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan:-
    1. indeks jenayah mengikut kategori untuk negeri Selangor mengikut daerah sejak tahun 2003;
    2. apakah tindakan yang perlu diambil oleh Polis Diraja Malaysia untuk mengurangkan indeks sebanyak 25% dalam masa 2 tahun.

  8. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan:-
    1. apakah jumlah anggota polis mengikut daerah dalam negeri Selangor sejak tahun 2003;
    2. apakah nisbah anggota polis berbanding dengan penduduk bagi daerah Petaling Jaya dan Subang Jaya sejak 2003.

  9. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Koperasi dan Pembangunan Usahawan menyatakan bila perkhidmatan teksi di Malaysia akan sepenuhnya diwajibkan untuk menggunakan meter perjalanan. Apakah langkah penguatkuasaan yang akan diambil terutamanya di bandar di mana trafik amat sesak dan sektor pelancongan amat penting, seperti di Pulau Pinang.

  10. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Perdana Menteri menyatakan samada Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam akan merombak semula cara biasiswa ditawarkan supaya kriteria terpenting adalah mengikut keputusan STPM, Matrikulasi, 'A' Level, UEC dan IB yang diterima oleh universiti tempatan dan luar negeri, dan bukannya pada peringkat SPM, yang nyata terlalu awal.

Questions for Written Response:
  1. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Pelajaran menyatakan purata dan median markah ko-korikular yang diperolehi oleh pelajar-pelajar mengikut (I) bangsa dan (II) mengikut aliran STPM berbanding dengan matrikulasi.

  2. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Pengangkutan membekalkan statistik bilangan pengguna sistem pengangkutan awam untuk menganggar kejayaan usaha-usaha untuk meningkatkan penggunaan sistem pengangkutan awam. Penggunaan sisten pengangkutan awam mengurangkan kegantungan negara terhadap minyak.

  3. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Pengajian Tinggi menyatakan kriteria dan gred pencapaian akademik minima yang melayakkan pelajar-pelajar untuk diterima masuk dalam setiap IPTA untuk bidang perubatan, farmasi, kejuruteraan elektronik, kejuruteraan mekanikal, undang-undang, perakaunan dan sains komputer.

  4. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Pengajian Tinggi menyatakan pecahan akademik dan pensyarah di setiap IPTA Malaysia mengikut taraf pekerjaan, kaum dan kewarganegaraan. Apakah langkah yang akan diambil terutamanya bagi Universiti Apex untuk untuk menarik akademik dan pensyarah tanpa mengira bangsa supaya kualiti akademik universiti dapat ditingkatkan?

  5. Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Perdana Menteri menyatakan:-
    1. bilangan biasiswa kerajaan yang ditawarkan mengikut kaum serta kos terhadap Kerajaan;
    2. bilangan pemegang biasiswa yang berkhidmat dalam sistem perkhidmatan awam, terutamanya dalam bidang perguruan selepas tamat pengajian. Mengapa ramai pemegang biasiswa tidak berkhidmat dalam sektor awam secara wajib?

33 comments:

lan said...

great stuff YB Tony!

Anonymous said...

Hey Tony. Good questions there. I'm interested to know the measures taken by the government against JPA scholarship holders who violate the terms of their scholarship and how successful these measures have been. It appears to me that we are losing a lot of money by sponsoring students of whom a considerable number don't consider coming back to serve, partly due to the perception that the government is slow or weak in enforcing the terms of the scholarships. Perhaps stronger measures such as charging errant scholars for criminal breach of trust would provide better deterrence.

Anonymous said...

Tony Pua Kiam Wee [Petaling Jaya Utara] meminta Menteri Pelajaran menyatakan sebab butir-butir bangsa dan agama perlu dibekalkan dalam kertas peperiksaan semasa mengambil peperiksaan awam. Adakah Kementerian akan membatalkan pendekatan tersebut seperti yang dijanjikan sejak tahun 2006, supaya tiada perasaan bimbang mengenai kesaksamaan akan dibangkit?

Muslim students can still get away with it as it is a common practice to write Bismillah..... in Jawi at the top of first answer sheet. As many examiners are also Muslim, they can detect who are the Muslim students even if 98% of a particular school taking the exam are non-Muslim

Anonymous said...

Bagus lah! Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Take the top hundred students in STPM science and take the top hundred students in matriculation. Let them sit for the same exam in the common hall and test them.
Then we will be justified to see if orange are equal to apple

Anonymous said...

Dear YB,
Could you please ask why is the goverment did not implement compulsory seat belt on public transpotation?. Especially on buses.
thanks

mrich

Anonymous said...

What is the point of arguing the need for back seat safety belts when lorries and buses are speeding like hell on the highways. When Mat rempits are having field days on the roads endangering everyone. When motorcyclists are in full defiance not using their own motor cycle lanes?

One thing I am sure you dont get these problems in Singapore! I wonder why???/.... hehehe

Anonymous said...

you've gotta be dedicated to letting the rakyat know whats happening since you said in your last post that the internet connection is horrible.. keep up the good work (:

Anonymous said...

That's good work, and much improved Bahasa Malaysia too!! I hope you will get further with your questions in the next session.

Actually, I think you / the Opposition have gotten further than it may have seemed, in the last session.

Although questions were answered superficially and evasively; although motions were denied, denied, denied; etc.. Just having the issues brought into the spotlight places expectations and puts pressure on the decision-makers. They have to chew on the issues within the 'safety' of their ministries, although they may not concede to discuss those matters in Parliament on your terms. So, be encouraged, and keep soldiering on!!

By the way, I do hope that there will be no more time-wasting shenanigans by the MPs in the next session.

Regards,
CPK

Anonymous said...

Dear YB,

Please take into account the MARA scholarships which are exclusively given to bumiputras. They get MARA scholarships as well as 55% of JPA scholarships.

From my understanding, those receiving MARA scholarships are not bonded to the government.

The questions are clear and concise. I hope you get proper answers this time around.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Hey Tony, I like your questions, especially on questions for written response directed to MOHE. Hopefully you can post the answer here when you get the written reply. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Dear YB,

Could you ask if those boarding public transportation are insured should anything happen in the midst of travelling?

thank you

Anonymous said...

Dear Tony,

I just wonder what is the significant of rising the oil price in our country.

I believe rising oil price is fine for everyone but the goverment should do their part to make sure that the inflation rate should be controlled. As you know many people will take the advantage out of this like increasing grocery goods price, which will be burden to a lots of people (Inflation rate can be much higher compare to most people annual increment).

Besides that, I don't think it is fair for them to compare our country oil price with others. I just came back from travelling other country. Is no doubt that their oil price is higher, but most of the countries do not have toll if we travel on their roads. Some part of the road have toll but is an alternative road that provide short cut and less traffic. As for us ,people like klang valley, no matter where we travel, the toll will hunt us. Therefore our transportation fees increase. If goverment increase the oil price but abolish toll, I believe that will not be a problem to many people!

As for the inflation, I not sure where we stand. When I go to other country, with their money for example 100 dollar, I can have a lots of fun for shopping (can buy many clothS) and have a super great meal (high class restaurant). In our country I not sure if I am able to enjoy my shopping (not sure I able to buy a cloth) and having meal at a good restaurant.

Anonymous said...

SDR TONY PUA.....

I don't know how the hell you did it... but my goodness... one by one we are seeing the proposals you put forth in your budget COME TO FRUITION! This is fantastic. It shows the influence DAP has on the country, despite what all the naysayers say.

You are on the right track. Keep on truckin'.

HIDUP DAP

shinliang said...

Hi Tony Pua,

Is it not possible for the govt. to consider encouraging the use of hybrid or electric cars by excluding them from the import tax?

It may not work in other countries, but in M'sia it's a bit different since our car import tax is so much more substantially higher than other countries. Without the tax, a honda civic hybrid car could cost in the region of MYR100k? (i'm not sure...)

This could be first of the many steps of the govt towards encouraging the use of greener vehicles.

In the short term, (if this policy picks up) it may affect our local automobile industry. But in the long run, I think it's obvious that the pros outweigh the cons.

It could potentially kill two birds with a stone - environment and the extra burden of consumers due to hiking of petrol prices.

Anonymous said...

YB Tony

Can you please do something for the environment? I think it is time that we should ban the use of plastic bags or charge on the use of plastic bags. Hypermarkets are issuing them like nobody business. Every time I came back with 4 to 5 plastic bags. China and other countries are banning or charging on the use of plastic bags to protect the environment. We should also do so.

Anti-plastic bag.

Anonymous said...

1001 impending crisis of Malaysia
:PLASTIC WASTE

http://www.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1006/6/3/3/100663369.html?coluid=59&kindid=0&docid=100663369&mdate=0604110829

Do we see as they had foreseen and act?

Anonymous said...

http://www.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1006/6/3/1/100663169.html?coluid=37&kindid=711&docid=100663169&mdate=0604055243


http://www.chinareviewnews.com/doc/1006/6/3/8/100663851.html?coluid=5&kindid=22&docid=100663851&mdate=0604213430


For things to change
Change the root.

Anonymous said...

Dear Tony,

if you have a post on fuel increase, this is my comment:

-------------------------------

The drastic oil price increase at 40% could have been alleviated if the federal government has a more holistic approach to the change. They have shocked the system without adequate compensatory steps in place.

I am not talking about those rebates on road tax etc. I am talking about the entire distribution and supply chain in Malaysia from government approvals to the number of middleman, consultants, agents etc that is never transparent to the rakyat.

Case in point is that how come when Najib “change your life style while PR says my wife shop in style” buys some stuff for defense of Malaysia, a huge chunk of funds goes to selected few as commission. Closer to heart of all, how come the fish you can buy in Kuala Lumpur seems starting to rot as compared to those you can buy in Kelang? What fishy things happened between that 50km? Nobody knows but I strongly believe if the entire distribution chain is out in the open, every business consultant worth his salt would be able to identify redundant points and leeches.

Malaysia needs to be more competitive now. The national and individual income levels have to go up. Sure, a set lunch in Hong Kong looks astronomical at HKD50 (a soup, a slab of beefsteak and another price of pork chop plus trimmings rounded off by a huge cup of thick milk tea) but their people earn HKD20,000 above a month.

We can bitch about rising prices but if we can earn more, then it would not be a problem. The government has to reduce the cost of business in Malaysia. Not only in the form of tax rebates but get ride of corruption, inefficiency and racist capital requirements. All these are pissing off foreign investors and our ringgit is not competitive anymore.

Malaysian employers have to pay more, employ more locals and rely less on foreigners so that our income levels is reflective of Malaysian’s desired standard of living. Having excessive foreigners distort our wages level and cause a lot of leakages out of our country. By paying Malaysian employees more, their spending power would increase and it would go back to goods and services that we are marketing.

Malaysians ourselves need to get off our big fat asses and start to work as if your ass is on fire! There are too many people in public and private sectors that do not work as hard as a Hong Konger or as intelligent and as innovative as an American. Local companies are too parochial and stifle staff initiative and ingenuity. For example, local audit firms will tell you their clients need 3 to 4 months to do up their annual accounts but in all reputable MNCs in Malaysia, they have to do it in 5 days.

There will be a crime wave in Malaysia starting from today. Cost of living for the criminals will force them to work harder but looking at our PDRM and health care services, I expect more tragedy after a tragedy. Mark my words on this. China Press will have more heart breaking cases to report.


Regards
Lee Wee Tak

Fernando said...

If Dato Seri Anwar became the new PM due to the price hike effect, who should be his deputy ?

Vote now at sonofpenang.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

YB Tony,
In the event of the ridiculous petrol price hike, I would like to hear your comments on it. I'm sick and tired of trying to work to get a better lifestyle, and every time I get somewhere, the government pulls down my spending power. My money earned is not even for luxury purposes, but to survive. What does the government intend to do to help the lower income group? They asked us to change our lifestyle, but what are they doing to help us achieve that? I'm not confident with the public transport system to save my life! How can I change my lifestyle then? Maybe the government should change their lifestyle too and stop wasting taxpayers money on sports event that they are gonna cancel as well as mega projects that do not benefit us at all... (Putrajaya?) Grrr... Sorry.. Just venting!

Anonymous said...

Hi Tony,

Since you're DAP economist advisor, I would like to know your opinion about the government stopping the oil subsidy. Also, what would you suggest on solving the high price oil on poor lower income Malaysian? I'll look forward your reply.

Sincerely
James

karis said...

YB Tony,

Great to hear that Opposition MPs are doing a great job in pressing certain issues in the Parliament.

I'm a Msian living in Singapore, and I just heard that petrol prices went up by 40%. Never mind that the PM said that the next hike would be in August, but I wish to know why such a drastic hike?

It's really disheartening that a clerk working in KL earns around RM1800-2000 while one in Singapore earns around SGD2k but the spending power is like heaven and earth.

Cheers, and keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

Why continue the big subsidy for IPP (electricity sector)?

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=337301


Abdullah also announced that beginning July 1 2008, the prices of gas supplied by Petronas in Peninsular Malaysia will be changed as follows:

* For the electricity sector, the price will be increased from RM6.40 per mmBtu (Million British Thermal Units) to RM14.31 per mmBtu.

* For industrial sector consumers using less than 2 mmscfd (Million Standard Cubic Feet per Day), the price fixed by Gas Malaysia Sdn Bhd (GMSB) will be raised from RM9.40 per mmBtu to RM24.54 per mmBtu.

* For industrial sector consumers using more than 2 mmscfd, the price of gas supplied by Petronas will be raised from RM11.32 per mmBtu to RM32.56 per mmBtu.


http://www.jeffooi.com/2008/06/removing_fuel_subsidies.php

PETRONAS has paid out RM58.2 billion in gas subsidies since 1997, out of which, RM26.7 billion has gone into the pockets of the IPPs.

This is obscene sin.

Golf Afflicted said...

I'm overseas, so blogging on subsidies is going to be delayed.

For those interested in DAP's and my views, which have been issued previously, just do a search on this blog for "subsidy" or "oil" or "budget 2008" and you'll find our opinions on the issue.

Tony ;-)

Anonymous said...

Tony,

You have to do something about all these price hikes !. Petrol up, tenaga tariff up, steel price up, cement price up, soon inflation will go up (expected at 4%-5%) which means, interest rates will have to go up.

Where is our country going in terms of being competitive? The govt quote that Malaysia fuel price is cheaper than Singapore, but we forge that Singapore's GDP per capita is much higher than Malaysia. So what is RM4-RM5 for petrol price for Singaporeans when they earn 3-4 times more than Malaysians.

Besides, if Singaporeans thinks that their fuel price is high, they have a good public transport system to rely on. This is not the same in Malaysia.

Pluboy2 said...

YB Tony,

This is a national crisis.

With fuel and electric price rising, so does food, basic necessities, transport, toll, EVERYTHING will go up as well.

Even if fuel is at market rate, going up and down like other countries, WILL the price of commodity comes down?

NO!

This is Malaysia, sickening!
Actually, no, not the country, but the people governing the country is.

I bukan tak suka Malaysia, I cinta Malaysia, tapi I tak suka orang yang tadbir Malaysia. Thats all.

Anonymous said...

We people of Selangor, we are unhappy with him. After election, Najib bohong, Pak-lah bohong lagi, his talk are nonsense , do you believe in him what he say, he and groups is suking the people money from oil. He need the money after losing 5 state

Is too much, 2008 (BN govt) barang naik Lagi. Where is their accotant? Recently they have increase the rice. Now they are increase the oil price. Should the rice increase once more again?
What will be the oil price in 5 years? By 2013, to my calculation, the oil prices will be Rm 11.00 per liter.

Anonymous said...

Petrol naik…

Adui… complain complain complain lol

Bangsar become cycling spot!

Anonymous said...

OIL PRICE INCREASE AGAIN.
WHY must increase the flour before oil increase?
This made the food increase two times, one time when flour increase and one time oil increase(just today).
This is not first time Government (so call BN) do this!!!!!!!!!!

SHOULD government give us the answer where the ALL TAX GO???????

Anonymous said...

OIL price go up, everytime i heard from government neighbour country oil is high. our price very low.
Then must increase. Then WHY Indonesia and Brunei is cheaper?
There are so many complains and thoughts from people, i not going to speak all of it.
i just one to speak out one of my DOUBT!!!!
where is the tax car go???????
Why government follow the oil price increament and then never follow their other tax format?
lets take same car, and calculate the tax. if this tax is omit, how many litre you can pump???

Thailand Toyota Vios 1.5E M/T - Price includes 7% VAT and air conditioner 554,000 baht

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=544000&from=THB&to=MYR&submit=Convert
Currency Conversion Results
544000BAHT = RM53,953.35152
date 05 june 2008

Malaysia - Toyota Vios 1.5E Price - Peninsular Malaysia Individual Private RM 79,200.00

RM79200 - 54000 = RM 25,200
if this tax is omit, how many litre you can pump???
RM25,200 / 2.704(per litre oil)= 9319 litre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
everyweek i pump about 40 litre....
9319litre / 40 litre = 233 weeks TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!
233weeks / 4 = 58 months = about 5 YEARs!!!!!! FREE OIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT you think of it????????
Why give RM625 per year????
Why not reduce car tax??????
Why need to protect Proton Car???? Why not Protect the Public RIGHT????????
There are so many WHY that we can not understand.......
WHY?????? because of WHY, that WHY i choose PKR and DAP on the 3/8/2008 election....
For government servant, ask yourself, had you benefit when oil increase?????????????

Anonymous said...

CAR TAX SO HIGH!!!!

where all this money(CAR TAX) go???

Anonymous said...

Good questions!

But can you ask why are the opposition motions or questions are always denied?

Even if is answered it is always evasive and a "spin" answer!. Where is the government's accountablty and sincerity.

They hiked the oil price, but do they know that most Malaysian are merely surviving and not living a life in this country. Majority fall under the RM700 - RM2500 salary range. But the purchasing power of the amount is only 30% of the amount(RM 2000 is only worth RM600). How is a family man with a non-working wife, two school going kids, a car and a low-cost under loan going to survive? The loans itself eats up 50 to 60 percent of the income. What is remaining? A nice makan in the first week, second week home cooked food, third week is "MAGGI MEE WEEK" and fourth week intermittent puasa and small friendly loans. This is how most of whom I know are SURVIVING!

And our ministers just get 10% cut from their ALLOWANCES and still get FREE PAID HOLIDAYS(RAKYAT'S MONEY).

Why not cut unnecessary and unproductive expenses, for example

NS TRAINING( a few hundred million gone), uniformed bodies(RELA, WATANIAH, PVR, MATA2 TAMBAHAN, POLIS BANTUAN), reduce minister allowances by 75%, no paid holidays.