Drama at the State Assembly

Let’s look how Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu performs at the Dewan during his winding up speech on May 23, 2012. This is part of his unedited speech and his argument against the Opposition. (What the Opposition members said could not be heard because of their microphones were switched by the Speaker)

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In Sarawak, even in this Dewan, the majority of the Barisan Nasional government but the minority who always attempt to be noisy to make up for their small number, who like Ahli Yang Berhormat from DAP is notoriously known to suppress and oppress the opportunity of NCR land owners from participating and benefiting from Barisan Nasional government poverty eradication programme through NCR joint venture for oil palm plantation.

Tuan Speaker, I have heard and followed very closely the speeches made by Ahli-ahli Yang  Berhormat from DAP at this Dewan and analyzing from the trend of the past year, past many years including this sitting, Ahli-Ahli Pembangkang especially from DAP never can agree even though how good the programme for the people for the sake of the rakyat that had been implemented by the department.

To make up for their number because Barisan Nasional Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri represent 77.5% more than 2/3 majority here. To make for this small number, I observed that, I think I am right to say that over the years DAP want to make up for the small number, they made loud noise even to the extent that they are habitual liar in this Dewan, Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Assek who has got record, they go on two occasions, where he offended Yang Berhormat, then Datuk Peter Chin and Datuk Amar Dr. George Chan and then Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Datuk Wong Soon Kai, they have twice, also there is a record, to prove this record because they suppressed and oppressed the dignity of this Dewan.

Tuan Speaker, I read here with concern Ahli Yang Berhormat from DAP cannot hide their oppressive and suppressive attitude towards the NCR landowners especially to those in the interior the where majority of them happened to be Dayak communities. This is clearly reflected by the remark made by Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok who is in speech, said quote page 73 of Hansard dated 16th May, 2012, I read, said; “Labelling  and usage on insecticide and we decide should be written in three languages, that is  Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese”. What is his concern for excluding this labelling using any of the Dayak language?

Tuan Speaker (Asfia Awang Nassar): Are you taking, Ahli Yang Berhormat?

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang): This, I go on. Let me explain. They can clarify later on. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok has conveniently forgotten to include the element of Dayak or Iban language to be used in this label of weedicides and insecticide. Thus suppressing and oppressing the opportunity of the entire Dayak community from understanding the danger and hazard related to the such … (Inaudible) in so doing, in so doing, you keep quiet first. In so doing DAP Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok has completely suppressed and oppressed and deny the opportunity of the Dayak who represent more than 50 percent of total population of Sarawak. The majority of them are farmers of understanding of the hazard related to insecticide. As a consequence of this Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok cannot run away from the fact that he has that very selfish attitude in deny the usage of Iban or Dayak language on the label warning the farmers and uses of weedicides and insecticide. Such oppressive and suppressive attitude against opportunities had become the political culture of DAP and this certainly have offended NCR landowners resulting in DAP being rejected and dejected by the Government.

Yang Amat Berhormat Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud our beloved Chief Minister care for the Rakyat including giving full respect in due honour for reburial to our heroes. The twenty one Iban trackers in Sarawak Rangers who were killed by communist terrorist led by Chin Peng during the emergency. The reburial operation “Mai Pulai” of 21 Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers was appreciated with a full honour in ceremony by Yang Amat Berhormat Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister on 27th July.

Tuan Speaker, some of the Dayak farmers even commented, understandably Y.B. for Repok is a DAP Medical Doctor. It his remark suggested that the Chinese farmers can understand the hazard of weedicides  and insecticide but not the Dayak farmers because it does not support the usage of Dayak language on the label indicating hazard of weedicides and insecticide. The Dayak farmers may fall sick as a result of using this weedicides and not understanding fully the hazard of insecticide because there is the absence of Dayak language to give guide to proper usage or precaution.  Some of them say; “The people get sick, this could mean more business for DAP Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok” who being a doctor as patronize his clinic. This is the comment that I have heard outside.

Tuan Speaker, Tuan Speaker, please be sensitive to all these. We have, it stands to record the Dayak communities support for the Government by forgiving the communist terrorist who terrorised, who terrorised RASCOM for a good number of years killing people. Sit down (Jabu to Chong).

Tuan Speaker, the truth hurts. Ahli Yang Berhormat for Bukit Assek who habitually twice, they got record in this Dewan who be a liar. And are the truth hurts more. We the Dayak communities support the government to forgive the communist terrorist who terrorised in RASCOM areas killing Penghulu Imban, Penghulu Andok, Johnny Mastafa, Herman Wong, Christopher Jantan and all the boarders scout  and RANGERS. So, be reasonable. The Dayaks suffered because I know, I worked in RASCOM for two years.

Tuan Speaker: Are you giving way? Clarification to the... (Interruption)

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang):  No. Let me continue. The truth hurts. The truth hurts and let me state here. When Chin Peng, the communist leaders apply to return to Malaysia, DAP never object Chin Peng application.

So, Tuan Speaker, the Handsard says: labelling and usage on insecticide, is the speech by Ahli Yang Berhormat for Repok, Handsard page 73, 16th May, I am not imputing improper motives, it is written here. Can’t you read? Can’t you read? Can you read this? Can you read this? Can you read this? Can? You sit down. You sit down.

Tuan Speaker, Tuan Speaker, Tuan Speaker, let me continue. The floor is mine. Please Tuan Speaker. Sit down. Tuan Speaker, Tuan Speaker, can I continue? I know the tactics of DAP they make loud noise, Tuan Speaker.

Tuan Speaker: He is quoting. He is quoting. I am listening. I will rule when he transgress.

Proceed, proceed. Order.  I have heard you. I have heard you. I have heard you on Point

of Order 32(6). Ya. The Minister proceed. That’s my ruling.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker, this is a comment I heard from people, this is a comment I heard from people. You sit down. Okay, you sit down, you sit down, you sit down, you sit down, you sit down, sit down, sit down. This is the Hansard, this is the Hansard. Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption)

This is the Hansard, this is the Hansard. Tuan Speaker ... (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Alright, okay, okay. Proceed.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): This is the Hansard, this is the Hansard ... (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order ... (Inaudible) proceed, proceed.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker, I am subject to your ruling as Speaker ... (Inaudible) Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption) nobody can alter what is being said in the Hansard here. I have got the conscious, I have got conscious ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Okay, sit down, sit down.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): My conscious is one of those who even ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) you sit down I tell you ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Let the Minister continue.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): You sit down ... (Interruption) (Inaudible).

Tuan Speaker: Order, order.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): No, you sit down. Let me explain ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) you sit down, this is my turn. You are not the Minister ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Proceed.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) nobody can alter these, what it said in the Hansard. You say, labelling and usage of ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) sit down

...(Interruption) ...(Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Sit down, sit down. I have given my ruling, I have given my

ruling. Okay, proceed.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Permodenan Pertanian dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) it says here labelling and usage of insecticides and weedicides should be written in three languages, that is Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese. As an Iban, as a Dayak, I feel offended because, what is the reason why the Dayak Language is excluded ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) okay, okay ... (Interruption) (Inaudible) why, how can I agree ...(Interruption) (Inaudible) Tuan

Speaker ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Ahli Yang Berhormat move to the next point Ahli Yang Berhormat.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri

Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Okay ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Member for Repok please sit down ... (Interruption)

(Inaudible) order, order. Move to the next point.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri

Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak

Numpang): Tuan Speaker ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Don’t say that, if you come to a point, you all react, let him.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker, I wish to thank your goodself and your Deputy Speaker for the very fair and firm manner in conducting the proceeding throughout the sitting of these First Meeting of the Second Session of Seventeenth Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak. Thank you for your very excellent job, well done in spite of the various attempts by Ahli-Ahli Yang berhormat from DAP wanting to turn this Dewan into a market place. I am very grateful and appreciative to all the members of the civil service under the very capable and dedicated State Secretary, Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Haji Morshidi Abdul Ghani and also under the Federal Secretary, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Yahya  Besimin by doing excellent job implementing government policies, supervising and monitoring all the development project where the rakyat throughout Sarawak derive benefit.

I know the civil service, even during the weekend through their dedication, they care for the people they visit the rural areas. Yesterday, people who never know about the Penan, they do not know where these Penan lives, where these kampong were is subjecting in this Dewan conveniently to become armchair general. We know, as I have said, we got programme for the Penan come 26th October, 2012 – 2015, through government programme. The Penans were poor at Long Beruang; they are able to tap their rubber now, their rubber has grown above my height. It started last year, three years ago.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): And they will be able to enjoy at least RM2500 per family per month through government programme, whereas now they cannot earn hardly about RM300-400. This is how we care. The Penan of Long Beruang, the Penan of Long Lamai, the Penan of Long Jakitan, the Penan in Sela’an, the Penan of Selungu, Penan in Magoh, Penan in Bario, Penan in Belaga, Penan in Ulu Kakus and Penan in Ulu Limbang will benefit from these. We have got reasons because the community project, the Penan Community Project which I started more than three years ago is an example for Penan Community Project for which six will be build this year and one next year in all the rural areas. Well, yesterday there is a gathering, heard it is a gathering conveniently under is the roof. If you really care about the Penan, you go over and experience walking on foot and also the problems that they faced there but the opposition just for political ploy “melepas batuk saja di palak tangga”. Under the comfort of this Dewan also they care for the Penan. But the Government has establish even the Assistant Minister looking after Penan affair were establish the Pulung Tau, National Park to cater for the Penan to use, so there it is. Well, that is what the opposition is doing. I wish also to give thanks to all the hard working staff, the Secretary of this Dewan and his assistant, the Stenographers and all who have consciously working very hard round the clock to prepare the Hansard and related Dewan papers. Well done and thank you.

I also wish to state here, the opposition dia punya influences are coming down. DAP, Tengku Aziz lari daripada DAP and also Raja Petra Kamarudin used to support the opposition, sekarang tidak lagi. And also Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim now refuse to visit Lubok Antu, refuse to visit Rumah Christoper Edada because the people will know what he promised during the visit last time, he cannot fulfil and that is the reason why. We visited Rumah Embuas, Bukit Song on the same day I visited Rumah Junsung, kilometre  48 on the same day. The crowd attending Anwar Ibrahim and including his kuncu-kuncu from Miri, not come to 200. In the crowd that was attended by Yang Berhormat Ahmad Lai the member of Parliament, Yang Berhormat Rossie and Yang Berhormat Ripin and Yang Berhormat Dennis Ngau at Rumah Johnson the crowd exceeds 2500. This is, well, finally, Tuan Speaker, I also wish to convey Selamat Menyambut Hari Ibu (Mother’s Day), Selamat Menyambut Hari Guru (Teacher’s Day), all the mothers and teachers deserve our thanks and praises. We must realize through the very caring mother’s, of course, supported by our fathers and through our very caring teachers all of us has grown to be caring. If you are not caring, it is your own making or parents. And I wish also in anticipation for our Father’s Day, I wish in advance to congratulate all the fathers in advance and also I wish Selamat Berpuasa to the Malay friends who will be observing Bulan Ramadhan culminating into Hari Raya ...(Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Let the Minister speak.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Be silent.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Gawai is coming ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Order, order. Silent, silent.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Gawai is coming ... (Interruption) (Inaudible)

Tuan Speaker: Let the Minister speak, be silent.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Menteri

Pemodenan Pertanian (Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang): Tuan Speaker, I cannot be deterred. I cannot be deterred by the oppositions because this is ready their habit and culture to distract. Selamat Hari Gawai,Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai and including next year for Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Chai.

Terima kasih. Selamat Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai. Selamat Gawai. Lantang Senang rakyat semua dalam Sarawak nyerangkung anak telesak pandai belajar ba universiti lalu nyukung Barisan Nasional. Terima kasih.

Tuan Speaker: Ahli Yang Berhormat, sitting is adjourned until 2:30 p.m.

State budget has ‘black hole’, says DAP

KUCHING: The state government’s 2012 budget as announced by Chief Minister and Minister of Finance Abdul Taib Mahmud on Monday has a big ‘black hole’ that sucks in everything, said Chong Chieng Jen, DAP state assemblyman for Kota Sentosa.

Chong who is also Sarawak Pakatan Rakyat’s shadow minister of finance was referring to an allocation of RM1.7 billion out of RM3,263 million development fund towards approved agencies trust fund.

More than 50% of the development fund go to these ‘faceless’ agencies which the Opposition had wanted to know in the past few years.

“Nobody knows what these agencies are? And I have been asking the same question for the past few years as to which agencies are using these funds that have repeatedly appeared in the State Development Expenditure allocated to the Ministry of Finance.

In 2007, the allocation under this heading was RM1,257,000,000, and in 2008 it was increased to RM1,719,083,100, and 2009 to RM1,825,061,000.

For 2010, the fund went down to RM1,072,409,800, and this year it went up again to RM1,416,475,000.

For next year, the government’s contribution towards the approved agencies trust fund has been increased to RM1.7 billion.

Chong said: “Despite the large sums being allocated to this item in the budget year after year, the state government refuses to provide details of the agencies which have received funding under the heading.

“The Legislative Assembly is not informed of the identity of these recipients, thus rendering it impossible to supervise the utilisation of the funds allocated this heading.

“As such, the executive, especially the Chief Minister, since he is the Finance Minster, is not accountable for the money allocated under this heading,” he said, pointing out that it is absurd that details of the allocation of expenditure for an amount of as small as RM1200 are clearly spelt out in the budget while a huge amount exceeding RM1 billion is not properly accounted for.

“This defies the basic principle of political and financial accountability in a democratic system,” Chong said, pointing out that the opacity of this item makes it extremely susceptible to being abused.

He said: “Under the principle of accountability and transparency, the PR Sarawak (government) will put an end to such clandestine fiscal allocations.

“This allocation (RM1.7 billion) in 2012 will be spread out amongst the other ministries,” he said.

On allocations to various ministries, Chong said that the Land Development Ministry headed by James Masing should be dissolved as it gets zero allocation for development next year.

“For the fifth year running, Masing’s ministry has no estimate at all for development fund. All other ministries have some development funds.

“Even the most junior ministry, the Ministry of Welfare, Women and Family Development headed by Fatimah Abdullah has RM2.3 million for its development fund,” said Chong.

He said that the zero fund for Masing’s ministry seemed to confirm the Pakatan Rakyat’s alternative budget announced last Saturday.

“I mentioned in my budget launched last Saturday that the Land Ministry should be dissolved as it overlaps with the Ministry of Rural Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Planning and Resource Management.

“I thought with Masing being promoted to a senior minister his ministry at least should have some funding, and next year will be the fifth year it has no development fund.

“It has only RM3 million plus for the salaries of the staff in the ministry. So his ministry should be dissolved and Masing’s elevation and promotion to a senior minister is just a political stunt in order to make him happy and feel more important.

“What can you do without such fund? You go to office, surf internet and go back. You don’t have project.

“So Masing should go on retirement and his ministry be dissolved,” suggested Chong.

DUN speech by YB Chiew Chiu Sing

Speech by Chiew Chiu Sing ADUN N59 Kidurong on the debate of Motion of Appreciation on Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Di-Pertua Negeri’s Address on 24th of June, 2011 in the Sarawak State Legislative Council, Kuching, Sarawak.

Mr. Speaker,

I rise to take part on the debate of Motion of Appreciation on Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Di-Pertua Negeri’s Address which was so graciously delivered by His Excellency the Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Di-Pertua Negeri in this august House on Tuesday, the 21^st of June, 2011

Mr. Speaker,

I stand here today, humbled by the greater support which I obtained during the 10^th Sarawak General Election from people of all races in Kidurong. I am grateful for the trust that had been bestowed, and I am mindful of my role to serve the people not just in Kidurong but all the peoples of Sarawak, from this oldest parliamentary institution in the country.

Mr. Speaker,

So many had been elected to serve in this Sarawak Legislative Council in the past 144 years of the history of our Legislative Council. We have been able to carry on, not just because of those before us , but because of the people of Sarawak who have remained faithful to the ideals of our parliamentary democracy, in our strife for freedom, justice, equality and that, all deserve a chance to pursue our full measure of happiness.

As we continue on with our journey today at the start of the second decade of the 21^st century, it has become more and more important to me that the government from this oldest parliamentary institution must do better in upholding our parliamentary democracy, to help our young men and women to find job at a decent wage so that they do not have to go so far away just to make a living, helping our businesses to survive and grow, helping us to get ownership that we can have and afford or a retirement that will be dignifying- etc etc because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Let us be reminded that the success of our economy is not just on the success of a few big companies or foreign investments, but on the depth of the reach of our prosperity, on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart- not out of charity, because that is the surest route to prosperity for all. A nation cannot prosper long when it favours only the prosperous.

Mr. Speaker,

I mentioned about helping our people to earn a living, extending opportunity to every willing heart. But unfortunately, there had been much neglect especially with our women from the rural, trying to start their own little business to find a decent living here in the town.

All what many want to do is to sell some vegetables or food, so that they can earn some money at places where there are people around, in Bintulu they sell near Tamu, at the ABF housing beach, in front of the shops at MLNG Shop House near Fair Choice, Sg. Plan road side, outside the SK Kidurong , the open space in front of Sg Plan Shop Houses or even those at the Junction of the Bakun and Bintulu/Miri road and others.

These women sat for hours under the hot sun each days selling vegetables and sundries just to earn a few dollars. I cannot understand why the government cannot and had not been implementing more decent places, say, with a roof over their heads, or provide some fans for those at the Tamu, to let them do their businesses to make a living.

Life for them is already hard enough yet they have to face the constant fear of the enforcement officers coming ,chasing and snatching away their goods with no mercy, Or not even giving a bill of goods so taken, how would you feel when the things you try to sell is being taken away like that.

There is a Chinese saying, Women holds up half of the sky. Today in so many parts of the world, evidence has mounted that helping women can be a successful poverty – fighting strategy. Women are indeed a linchpin of development strategy.

Women starting business or working, contribute to the gross national product and when they made the money they help the education of their children, a brother or a sister, or younger relatives and when they have money to spare, they save their money and boost national savings rate. In a nod to the female chromosomes, this is called, ‘The double X solution ‘ in fighting poverty.

In 2001 the World Bank produced an influential study, Engendering Development Through Gender Equality in Right, Resources, and Voice, arguing that promoting gender equality is crucial to combat global poverty. UNICEF issued a major report arguing that gender equality yields, a ‘double dividend’ by elevating not only women but also their children and communities.

Mr. Speaker,

Longhouse folks living at 38 km from the Mukah town, near the Aluminium Smelting plant, in Mukah Division are experiencing health, environment and social problems . Nothing of this sorts of things ever occur to them for all their 20 odd years of stay there.

The longhouse folks there told me that when they go into their farms to find food, it is becoming harder and harder these days, their vegetables are not growing well as compared to the past, and when they try to sell them, people do not want to buy, and so, what can they do, they eat them themselves. Their fruits trees like the coconut, mango, star fruit and others are not fruiting well also like before.

Women staying in these longhouses, complain of dizziness, uneasy breathing, frequent coughing, pain in the bones and just generally not feeling well. The rain water which they are using have a different odour to it, bathing with it makes one’s body itch and drinking it could cause diarrhea to children. At times in the morning, smelly air would come gushing into their rooms not telling what they are breathing in over the night and day as well.

Bathing and washings in the ponds also causes much itching and when scratched, red dots appear over the body. One said that when the plant first started, fish in his fish pond also died. Today, there is hardly any more fish in there.

Longhouse folks there had gone in and out of the hospital about their suffering and medical people had come visiting them also but their problems still persists, nothing happens.

Mr. Speaker,

How can this be ? I mean the people had been staying there happily for so long already, and nothing like the above mentioned, has ever happened, but, when the Aluminium smelting plant is built, all is changed. Farms produce are not growing well, folks are not feeling well, water for use is becoming a bigger problem.

Government have to do something to help these people before things get even worst and whether the problems so faced by the folks there, is actually a direct result of the gas and water emission from the smelting plant. And to what extend is fluoride being leaked into the air.

If the answer is in the positive, like I have talked many times before in this Dewan about the ill effects of the aluminium smelting plant, shouldn’t the plant then be closed down pending further investigation, because we are talking increased production in the near future, from the present 50kt of aluminium ingot per year, to eventually 115kt per year, 2 times of the capacity now. And the greater problems that it will bring to the human lives and lives of the community of people in Mukah, plus also the implications that it is going to have on the people in Nyalau and Bintulu for the proposed few other aluminium smelting plants to be built at the Samalaju Industrial Park, Similajau, Bintulu. I know the eventual capacity of one of the proposed aluminium smelter is 1.5 million tons a year. That is 30 times that of the present Mukah plant capacity. And what about the capacity of the other two ?

Mr. Speaker,

The sweet promise that the the aluminium smelting plant which started about two years ago in the Mukah Division will create good employment for the local and downstream industries is not true. Most of the works there now are being done by people from other countries. There are no extrusion plants either.

Mr. Speaker,

Folks of Kuala Similajau who had been staying there since time immemorial, precious their way of life, the Similajau river and the sea. their precious their land , their culture and their civilization that they have wanted to stay on. Presently the river is giving them much fish and prawns and the bounty catches of fish and others from the sea, Kuala Similajua is giving them a living, had been giving them life.

They believe that development must benefit the people on the grounds also and we know that developments that harm the environment, land, water and life should not be implemented. There are so many developments projects which one can choose, let’s take the good ones. So the folks asked that the land near the bank of the Similajau river from the mouth of the river going in wards for about one thousand acres be earmarked to be Kampong Kuala Similajau.

Mr. Speaker,

In Sebatu, Suai and along the Bintulu/Miri road, many longhouses are still without pipe water supply. It is urged that, they be quickly connected with it. And I hope that this time there would be enough water trucks on standby to bring water quickly to these longhouse folks when they run low on water and this is not just for Bintulu only, but all divisions in Sarawak.

However there are some longhouses along the Bintulu/Miri road which have the pipe water supply, but the water cannot get up to their longhouses, like Rh Robert area, Rh Janting at the Mile 15, 16 Bintulu/Miri road and other places also. I therefore urge that the government to look into this matter immediately to resolve the situation.

Grid electricity supply is another thing. Some Kampongs and longhouses in Sebatu and the Bintulu/Miri road areas are still not connected to it.

The Suai road, leading from the junction at coastal highway near Niah going towards the Suai Bridge at the old Bintulu/Miri road need up grading and tarring. Let us be more caring for our rural also and give them a better road tar sealed and all. And let’s repair the holes on the roads, those that come off the main road, leading to the door steps of the long houses.

And what about the bridge over the Kerong stream for the Suai road, when is it going to get done. It is taking so long that even the access road at the side of the bridge is so damaged that smaller car can hardly passed at times.

Mr. Speaker,

During the May 2010 DUN meeting, I had raised concern on the extend to which beach development works at the Tg. Batu beach condominium is affecting the monsoon drain water flowing from the Assykirim area to the sea.

But during the end of last year there was a quite a heavy rain one time. The situation of the monsoon is then tested and it did not carry the water fast enough out to the sea, as had been supposedly slowed down by the embankment at the condominium beach development, as a result serious flooding occurred at places that had never been flooded before, like the road between Farly and Sing Kong super markets, Kpg Assykirin Ph one and Fortune park housing areas.

And would the Ministry let us know what is the present status of the situation as we would be approaching the monsoon rain again soon.

Mr. Speaker,

Big earth filling and other trucks, going through residential estates must slow down and make sure that they do not make a mess or damage the road badly. For example, folks at the MLNG Housing living along the inner 4 lane residential road (sorry no road name there) could actually feel the tremor in their houses, of the trucks passing by, not to mention of the dust and damage done to the road. The tremor had already caused hair line crack in the house at this early stage of the nearby sea filling works which could take many more years !

Similar problem is also true of the road from SMK Baru going down the hill to the Nyigu road.

The U turn after the traffic light near Sibiew Bridge, Btintulu/Tatau road, in the BBC Industrial estate, mile 5 B/M road is also damaged by the earth filling trucks, making it almost inaccessible for smaller cars. This side of the road there is often flooded, damaged and need urgent repair.

Talking about the road, folks travelling between Sibu, Bintulu and Miri on the old trunk road had been very unhappy with the road situation for a long time already. Many parts of the road are not only bumpy, of patches of repair and repair, causing much damages to ones cars, especially the smaller cars. The condition of the road is also making driving unsafe on this road.

Being the only road linking the whole state and with so much money being taken by the Federal Government from our oil and gas. The people feel that it is high time that giving us back a proper road or making the road into a 4 lane highway must be given high priority by the Federal Government. They have done some many many good roads in West Malaysia already, why can’t they do one good one here.

Mr. Speaker,

Land Owners of a large area of land of over 6000 sq. meter at Kampong Jalan Masjid, Bintulu are very concerned as their kampong land are going to be acquired by the Government for a Kampung Heritage Project.

They are weary because they have seen other private lands in Bintulu said to be acquired for public purposes though compensated, ended up for commercial buildings etc fetching in a lot more of the compensated price for the new owner.

It is therefore urge that whatever compensation to these land owners at Kampung Masjid, it must be reasonably and done with their interests in our heart also.

And with that Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

DUN speech of YB Ting Tze Fui

June 2011 DUN Speech of DAP YB for Meradong Ting Tze Fui

Mr. Speaker, I am much obliged for this opportunity to participate in this debate in appreciation for the address of Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Dipertua Negeri Sarawak delivered in this August house on 21^st June 2011.

First of all, I wish to record my heartfelt thanks to all the voters in Meradong to vote for DAP and yes, I am back! The Honourable Member for Bawang Assan, the “Motion King” of this State Assembly, your futile effort in suspending Opposition members one after another has enabled our leader, the Honourable Member for Bukit Assek to bring a strengthened troop of 12 to this State Assembly. Be assured, our leader shall lead perhaps, 24 of us back to this State Assembly in five year time, if you persist in your effort to expel some more of us from this sacred Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, this State Assembly housed in this grand RM300 million building sits for a a period of 16 days only per year, i.e a total of 80 days over the next five years. Therefore, there is so much wastage and under-utilization of this very grandiose DUN building. I do hereby strongly suggest that this State Assembly should sit at least 3 sessions a year so that the voice and plight of the people can be brought to this State Assembly more often.

Local Issues

Mr. Speaker, unlike the BN backbenchers in this August House who always start their speeches by giving the BN State Government or Chief Minister the most glorifying compliments they can ever think of, I would like to raise some local issues pertaining to my constituents in Meradong.

a. Water Disruption Problem

Mr. Speaker, water supply is most essential to all lives living.The frequent water disruptions occurring in particular in Sg Petai, Selidap, Sg. Bakong, Jalan KJD and Lemayong areas in my constituency have been particularly acute in the past year. Residents in these areas have been put to tremendous inconvenience, due to disruptions and insufficient supply of clean piped water. Many folks have been forced to buy drinking water at a great financial burden to the residents, especially to the lower income groups.

The persistent water supply disruptions reflect not only the serious internal problems of the local Water Board but they have demonstrated clearly the sheer incompetence of the staffs of the Water Board. Perhaps it is high time for all the staffs of the Water Board to cooperate and work together so that they may be able to find the root causes and the solutions to the water supply disruption problems which have been ongoing for all too often in Meradong for the past many months. It is also high time for the Honourable Minister for Public Utilities to get the staffs of the Water board to buck up.

The State Government has consistently claimed to have spent millions and millions on infrastructure developments and other amenities, yet on the other hand, there are numerous substandard and inferior services and problems such as water supply disruptions, regular electricity blackouts, poor roads and drainage conditions which remain long unresolved.

Therefore, if a country is unable to provide satisfactorily the very basic necessity such as water supply to all our countrymen, how is Malaysia going to achieve Wawasan 2020, and be elevated into an advanced nation in 2020?

2. Rejang Bridge

Mr. Speaker, I wish to speak out on behalf of all the people in the Central Region of Sarawak that it is high time to abolish the Rejang bridge tolls.This is an utmost and earnest appeal, not a rubbish suggestion deserving to be dumped into a Trineken rubbish bin prepared by Minister for Land Development!

Since Woodville Sdn.Bhd, the concessionaire of the bridge toll has been fully paid in kind, doesn’t the State or Federal government have sufficient fund to buy back the bridge and let all bridge users free access? A Pakatan Rakyat government would promise to buy back the concessionaire’s right to collect bridge tolls and it would provide unrestricted access to all bridge users. The abolition of the bridge toll should spur faster economic growth of the West bank of the Rejang River.

Land issue

Mr. Speaker, in view of the many NCR landowners, whose land has been grabbed over the years by big corporations with the cohort of the State Government, it is just so sad to hear from the Government Ministers, especially Member for Layar to persistently condemning the Opposition as against development. But how ironic has it been for the Member for Layar, on several occasions, to lambast the Opposition to be so effective in suppressing and oppressing the natives?

When the Opposition does speak out, on matters relating to NCR landowners, rest be assured that we are all the way for all of you. We have your vital interests over your land in our heart. We want to protect your very legitimate claims over your land by speaking out loudly and clearly on your behalf and against indiscriminate and wanton land grabs by big or dormant companies.

I produce herewith a copy of the letter dated 20^th November 2008 and signed by the permanent secretary of the Ministry for Land Development. The said letter has granted an approval to one company called Vertical Drive Sdn. Bhd. to invest and develop a total of 48199 hectares of NCR land in which 26596 ha. Is situated at KJD/lower Julau area in Meradong where many longhouses folks are being adversely affected.

How on earth can this dormant company, which was incorporated on 3.6 2008 beg ranted 48199 ha. of NCR land in less than 6 months time on 20.11.2008.

Does the Minister for Land Development agree that when more than 100,000 acres of land are being grabbed, there would be hundreds, if not thousands of NCR landowners who have inhabited on the said land for decades, who shall be displaced from their homeland permanently and unconscionably?

When large tract of land are being converted to large-scale cultivation of oil palms, inevitably there is little regard by the authority to the adverse environmental impact, in particular the effect of tree-felling in the water catchment area in Meradong which fall within the above stated 100,000 acres of land. Moreover due to widespread use of fertilizer it is unavoidable that the water supply would be polluted and poisonous thereby rendering long-term consumption of water from these areas unsafe.

Agriculture

Nowadays, the price of fertilizer, pesticides, and other agriculture chemicals have gone up drastically. In Meradong, farmers can hardly get any form of subsidy from Jabatan Pertanian. Yet they have to virtually beg for the supply of fertilizer through BN elected representatives.

When the Agricultural Department’s role as administrative department has been usurped by BN elected representatives, who are supposed to be lawmakers, what function does the Jabatan Pertanian serve really? It seems the agriculture department only exists in name!

Mr. Speaker, Sarawak has millions and millions of hectares of fertile land laying in waste and idling. If the State Government has been more pro-small farming, Sarawak would not have to import 70% of its rice requirements while West Malaysia is 70% self-sufficient in rice consumption.

Mr. Speaker, I have spoken at length before in favour of granting small acreage of farm land to small farmholders for the purpose of cultivating rice, fruits or vegetables. To-date, hardly any small plots of land have been granted to smalltime farmers while thousands and thousands of acres of valuable land are one after another, alienated to big corporations or CM related companies. In the process, millions and millions of RM are being made by greedy middlemen, family members or brokers.

Gerrymander

Mr. Speaker, the gentlemen across the Bench may gloat about the fact that you still have an absolute number of 56 and that there are only 15 of us on the Opposition Bench. But rest be assured that our number may be small but we shall speak out without any fear for all Sarawakians.

Now that the 10^th Sarawak State Election is over, there are some pertinent facts which are clear and emerging. The opposition has gained 45% of the total votes cast and yet there are only 15 of us here. But the BN with 55% of the votes have 55 seats in this State Assembly.

Why? Pure and simple, it is the grossly unfair gerrymander found in our electoral system that has been blatantly manipulated and perpetrated by this BN government to entrench its stronghold of political power. The concept of 1 vote 1 value and proportionate representation have long been thrown out of the window. Many young people who are residing and working outside the State have all been robbed the right to vote and disenfranchised unreasonably.

Under the present gerrymandered electoral system, 7 out of the 71 seats have more than 25,000 registered voters while 26 seats have less than 10,000 voters each.

Mr. Speaker, how to justify the seat of Pending having 29,488 voters while the neighbouring seat of Satok has only 10,431 voters? How do you justify Palawan comprising 28,808 voters while the neighbouring seat of Nangka merely has 14,197 voters? There are such seats, eg. Daro having only 7,305 voters and Layar merely 8,109 voters.

**Mr. Speaker, we cannot continue to have these grossly gerrymandered and distorted electoral boundaries to persist. SUPP has been marvelously silent and completely incompetent on the issue of electoral reforms for the past 40 over years. It has utterly failed to fight for extra seat allocations or to have the electoral boundaries redrawn so that more seats could be created justly in favour of the urban voters.**

Mr. Speaker, we need to urgently introduce vital reforms to the current state’s unfair, unrepresentative and undemocratic electoral system to reflect the true essence of democracy, i.e 1 vote 1 value. We genuinely require a fairer and truly representative electoral system that is not biased against any particular ethnic group or geographical location.

Mr. Speaker, if the Chief Minister is truly sincere in upholding real democratic principles and ideals, he shall without hesitation and strongly endorse my calls for genuine electoral reforms. The Chief Minister’s claim of being the Chief Minister for all Sarawakians would run into the smack of the face of democracy and his so-called vision of all inclusive politics to look after the interests of all races in Sarawak would only sound like a smokescreen, if he is against bona fide reforms.

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Truly, the Chief Minister has been the longest serving CEO of this sizable state of Sarawak which has tremendous wealth and natural resources, from water, land, timber to minerals, oil and gas etc. On the other hand, Singapore, the size of the Bakun Dam and without any natural resources is such a great contrast to Sarawak undeniably.

Mr. Speaker, 30 long years at the helm of the political power in Sarawak should have enabled the Chief Minister to turn Sarawak into the richest state in Malaysia. What is so sad for the Chinese community has been to hear from this longest serving Chief Minister to utter a regretful statement to the effect that after 30 years in power, he did not know what the Chinese community really wants.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to tell the Chief Minister loud and clear the Chinese community wants things like open tenders, less nepotism or cronyism, elimination of corruption and crimes, equal treatment of all races, automatic renewal of all expiring land leases with a nominal sum as premiums together with the lifting of Section 47 impositions soonest possible; to help to achieve the full recognition of Unified Examination Certificate; the reintroduction of local council election and to assist to eliminate the perennial controversy over the award of scholarships; to fight for extra oil royalties from 5% to 20% which would generate extra yearly RM6 to 7 billion for Sarawak; to abolish the Rejang Bridge tolls and to achieve a truly Malaysian’s Malaysia, People First, and not Family First. These are the important things which are dear in the heart for which the Chinese community wants the Government to display greater understanding, redress, concern, assistance or concrete actions to be taken.

Mr. Speaker, the Chinese community has repeatedly urged the Government to provide annual financial grant to Chinese Independent schools. Yes, Chief Minister has given a token gesture by granting 2,000 hectares of land prior to the 416 state election, possibly in the most remote part of Kapit Division.

Sarawak belongs to all people of Sarawak. If the Honourable Chief Minister as the Minister of Planning and Resource Management was able to grant hundreds acres of prime land to a dormant company ' Monarda Sdn. Bhd.' In which CM's son owns 52 percent of the total shares, why can’t he just endow 27 acres out of 270 acres of prime land to all the Chinese independent school in Sarawak which would benefit not just one person only but thousands and thousands of students statewide?

Generally, Mr.Speaker, people want a fairer and more egalitarian society wherein they are being treated equally like all other races, to be given more business and public service opportunities and equal distribution of natural resources and wealth.

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Now, one thing both the Opposition and the Members of the Government Bench can share joyfully is to position ourselves together for the final countdown of the century and to witness the historic grand finale of this undoubtedly the longest serving Chief Minister of Sarawak, after all of us have been waiting an eternity for the last curtain to be drawn.

Brain Drain / Labour Outflow

Mr. Speaker, the problem of brain drain stems from social, economic and political injustices embedded in this society plus a system of perpetuated built -in discrimination. Whatever awards, tenders or privileges given out should be based on merits irrespective of race, religion and gender.

Mr. Speaker, it is a fact that Government revenue comes from various avenues of direct or indirect taxes imposed or derived from all tax-paying Malaysians and companies with registered businesses in Malaysia. The caretakers of the public funds are the Government of the day and the public bureaucrats who are supposed to utilize and dispense the public funds fairly and prudently.

Sadly, we are faced with the yearly and persisting situation of Malaysian Public Services Department in bungling and thereby denying the JPA scholarships to 363 top scoring 8A+ students in the SPM examination this year.

**This State Government has failed year after year to show any care and concern towards this never-ending problem by failing to make any effective representations to the Federal Government to redress the balance so that the perennial and unjustifiable scholarship awards can be rectified to the satisfaction of all concerned.**

Mr. Speaker, regrettably may other countries such as Singapore would be glad to offer our disappointed bright students to their countries for further studies of their choices, many of these top students, upon completion of their tertiary studies would unlikely return to serve Malaysia or Sarawak.

Mr. Speaker, when so many of our young professionals leave our country, our state, where are we going to find qualified staff and skilled labourers to serve our labour needs of our schools, hospitals and industries, especially SCORE which the State Government claims is going to generate thousands and thousands of job opportunities?

We have been a good net exporter of skilled and qualified professionals, but even a bigger and greater importer of unskilled labourers which number amounts to about seven million nationally, which is equivalent to a quarter of the nation’s population. So what is the State Government going to do with our industries so dependent on the influx of unskilled labourers from Indonesia, Bangladesh or the Philippines and so forth?

There is no wonder that in the past 20 years, a million Malaysians have emigrated overseas. In Sarawak the worst hit is the central region where Sibu, Bintangor, Sarikei and the peripheral towns are more and more like retirement towns because most of the young and able-bodied people are working elsewhere overseas or in West Malaysia.

Mr. Speaker, this is not caused by the Opposition! This sorry state of affairs is the direct consequence of the BN unfair rule for the past half a century.

Conclusion

Mr. Speaker, the result of the recent Sarawak State election clearly demonstrated that people are demanding changes, real changes! It is hoped that with this in mind the State Government will show genuine care and concern for all the people in Sarawak. As the Opposition members have been duly elected by more than 45% of Sarawakians, it is further hoped the Government shall treat us with due respects.