Ahad, 31 Januari 2016

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Cut GST,not EPF, to boost economy

Posted: 30 Jan 2016 10:26 PM PST


The Government's policy to cut the employee's EPF contribution rate from the existing 11% to 8% is basically using our future savings and income to boost the present dire state of economy. It is sacrificing our retirement protection for the present short-term relief.

To boost our economy, the government should be reducing 3% of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) instead of reducing 3% of the employee's contribution rate.

The reduction of 3% of the contribution rate today will severely affect 80% of the contributors' retirement plan and livelihood, especially those belonging to the middle and lower income group.

According to the report by the CEO of the EPF board in March, 2015, 80% of the contributors will be living at poverty level after retirement.

In his report, he highlight that, there were about 14 million EPF contributors, out of which, 69% will have less than RM50,000 EPF savings upon retirement. Without any extra income, they will finish this savings within 5 years.

In fact, the recommended savings for retirement according to the EPF board is RM196,800, a sum which is sufficient to pay for a meagre monthly expenses of RM800 for a period of 20 years.

Bearing in mind that the poverty income level in Malaysia is RM830 per month. Even with an EPF savings of RM196,800 upon retirement, that contributor will still be living under poverty level for 20 years after retirement.

The shocking fact is that, only 20% of the contributors will have this recommended amount of RM198,600 when they retire while a great majority will have a lot less saving than this amount. And even with this amount, one shall not fall sick if one wish to live for 20 years with RM800 per month.

Under the circumstances, a good government should be thinking about how to increase our retirement savings rather than how to use our savings to save the mess that it has created, using our retirement savings to boost the present economy statistics and figures.

The present policy to reduce the contribution by 3% will be most felt by the lower middle income group when they retire.

In the last two years, the Government is targeting the general public to finance its extravagance and corruption. The following are but some of such policies:
1. when international oil price was high, the people had to buy expensive petrol, but on the other hand, when the international oil price came down by more than 50%, the people are still forced to buy expensive petrol.
2. cut in the subsidy on education for the poor.
3. implementation of Goods & Services Tax (GST), taxing the poor.
4. reducing the EPF contribution rates, using our future income.

These are only some of such policies which have a direct impact on the people. Besides these, there are also some other which are not so visible ones, like the so-called "investment land purchase deals with 1MDB" by some trust fund boards.

At the end of the day, we, the people are paying the debt of mega corruption and the wasteful spending og Barisan Nasional government for the past few decades. The worse is that, despite the people's and the nation's sufferings, such wasteful spending and corruption of the government still continues in the continuous revelation of the scandals affecting the prime minister and the non-transparent allocation to the Prime Minister's Department in our budget allocations.

We call on the government to cut GST by 3% and not to cut the EPF contributor's contribution saving rates by 3%.

政府应降低消费税

Posted: 30 Jan 2016 10:22 PM PST

           
（古晋30日讯）公积金局削减雇员公积金缴交率的政策，根本就是在焚林而猎，只为解决国家眼前的经济困境和统计数字，而不顾员工的长远利益。 若要解救国家整体经济，政府应该做的是削减3%的消费税，而不是削减人民退休存款的缴交率3%。
民主行动党古晋市国会议员兼哥打圣淘沙州议员张健仁指出，日前公积金局所公布的，将雇员公积金缴交率从原本的11%降至8%，将严重影响80%以上工人阶级的退休计划和日后的生活条件。
张氏指出，根据2015年3月公积金局所公布的数字，80%的工人阶级的退休人士，在退休后，将处于贫穷阶级的收入。
公积金局的局长在2015年3月的公布指出，目前共有1400万雇员缴交公积金，当中69%在退休时其公积金的存款将是少过5万令吉，如果他们没有其他收入，他们的退休金在5年之内将用完。
他也指出，公积金局所建议的退休存款数目是19万6800令吉，这笔数目将可支付一个退休人士每月开销800令吉，为时20年。
张氏说，马来西亚目前的贫穷月收入是830令吉。 这也意味着，即使一个人在退休时有19万6800令吉的公积金存款，他若果退休后还会活多20年，他还是需要生活在贫穷收入的水平下。
"目前，只有20%的公积金的会员在退休时，有达到这笔公积金的存款。 其余的80%公积金会员都没有达到这笔存款数目目标。 而且，就算有这笔存款，大家还需谨记的是，在这20年的退休时光，千万不要生病。 医药费再加下去，情况将更糟糕，更不堪设想。"
张健仁表示，11%的公积金缴交率原本就已非常不足以保障大家的退休日子了，更何况，如今再削减3%至8%的缴交率。
"一个好的政府应该是要设想如何增加人民的退休存款，而不是反其道的向这笔退休金动脑筋，用人民的退休金来刺激开销，粉饰经济统计数字。"
他说，根基政府的估计，这削减的3%，将使今年在市场的可使用资金增加80亿令吉，对刺激国家经济有帮助。 但是，这种政策根本就是在焚林而猎、杀鸡取卵，为了解决眼前的宭境，不顾公积金会员将来的死活，而影响最深远的将是中下阶级的一群。
他指出，这一、两年国阵政府的所实行的以下政策，已暴露出令人担忧的国库空虚实况：
1. 石油涨价，要人民买贵油，油价跌了超过50%，但还是要人民买贵油。
2. 削减补贴贫穷人士的教育津贴。
3. 实行消费税，向贫穷人士征税。
4. 减低公积金缴交率，动用退休人士的退休金。
张氏说，这些只是一些有直接影响平民百姓的政策，另外还有许多人民看不到的，如动用一些基金的钱去拯救1马发展公司的所谓"买地投资"。
"归根究底，马来西亚如今的困境，都是国阵政府几十年来的贪污腐败滥权和浪费所导致。如今，人民被逼要还国阵的贪污债。 更甚的是，在如此国难当头的时刻，我们还是继续的看到这些贪污滥权的事件，接二连三的被暴露，而首相署的不透明开支还是再继续着。"
张氏说，如果政府真的要挽救国家经济，它应该是减低消费税3%，而不是减少雇员公积金缴交率3%。

Ubah Machine Tour –Miri

Posted: 30 Jan 2016 10:17 PM PST


Date: 1/2/2016

Time:7pm

Venue: R Teh Kopitiam 
(Beside Sin Soon Chin Restaurant )

Machine Sarawak Tour - Bintulu

Posted: 30 Jan 2016 10:12 PM PST


Date: 31/1/16 (Sunday)

Time: 7PM

Location: Next to Esplanade Bintulu 

All are welcomed!

Ubah Machine Tour –Sibu

Posted: 29 Jan 2016 10:09 PM PST


Date：30/1/2016

Time：7:00pm

Vunue: Weiison Corner (Lrg Chew Siik Hiong 7 )

See you there!
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Jumaat, 29 Januari 2016

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Ubah Machine Tour –Sarikei

Posted: 28 Jan 2016 06:01 PM PST


Ubah Machine Tour –Sarikei
Tonight 7pm
@Old Bus Station Sarikei

We are here!
Photo by DAP Sarikei
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Khamis, 28 Januari 2016

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION

Indira Gandhi 'unilateral conversion' case goes to apex court

Posted: 28 Jan 2016 04:37 AM PST
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Rabu, 27 Januari 2016

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

UBAH 4 Real Change

Posted: 26 Jan 2016 05:49 PM PST


UBAH 4 Real Change
28th January 2016
7pm@Tiara Restaurant (Next to Seri Simanggang Hotel)
___________________________________________________

 CERAMAH UBAH
Tarikh: 28hb Januari 2016 (Hari Khamis)
Tempat: Pasar Baru Simanggang 
(Berhadapan dengan Restoran Tiara Inn)
Jam: 07:00malam 

Chong: S'wakians are not fools; they'll know what to do

Posted: 24 Jan 2016 05:45 PM PST

   
COMMENT: State BN leaders like to single out opposition leaders from Malaya as "trouble makers" and "dangerous" with their political culture, but frankly, Umno leaders are more extreme in their religious and racial views.
Now, who are talking about "ketuanan Melayu", calling for the ban on the use of the word "Allah" by Christians or the seizure of the Malay version of the Bible? The list goes on. 
Such words cannot be uttered by the opposition leaders from DAP, PKR and even Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).
Thus, the warning from Wong Soon Koh, senior minister in the state cabinet that Sarawakians should be wary of the rhetoric and propaganda that might come from the opposition parties from Malaya is rather hollow.
Being a Sarawakian, Wong, who is the president of United People's Party (UPP) said that he does not wish to see that sort of political culture brought to the state.
"I know some are of religious and racial extremism and we do not allow such things to dilute or pollute Sarawak culture," Wong was quoted as saying. 
"I hope all of us will be on the lookout for such propaganda or rhetoric perpetuated by members of the opposition," he said in Sibu recently.
What Wong said has been said several times before by Chief Minister Adenan Satem.
Wong's remark is indeed in line with Adenan's policy of barring opposition leaders from entering Sarawak.
Last month Nurul Izzah Anwar, PKR vice-president and MP for Lembah Pantai, was the latest opposition leader to be barred from conducting political activities in Sarawak.
She was told that the directive to bar her came from the office of the chief minister. 
Others who are also barred from entering Sarawak include Rafizi Ramli, PKR strategic director and MP for Pandan; Tian Chua, PKR vice-president and MP for Batu; Zuraida Kamaruddin, PKR women chief and MP for Ampang; Teresa Koh, DAP MP for Seputeh and Tony Pua, DAP MP for Petaling Jaya Utara 
It will not be a surprise if more opposition leaders are barred from entering Sarawak for the coming state election. 
Now the chief minister is blaming the state opposition parties for pouring cold water on the state government's efforts to seek greater autonomy. 
According to him, such actions by the opposition give the perception that they (opposition) want his government to fail in its discussions with Putrajaya over the devolution of power because the public would come to the conclusion that they never wanted the extra power for Sarawak.
In the end, the people would be the ones who would lose if the discussions do not succeed, he said.
Reacting to Adenan's allegation, a furious Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen accused the chief minister of reducing himself to gutter politics by making baseless accusations that the opposition were scoffing the fight for autonomy.
"Such an accusation by Adenan is merely to try to cover up his failure in getting the federal BN to agree to more autonomy for Sarawak," said Chong, who is also the MP for Bandar Kuching and the state assemblyman for Kota Sentosa.
He said that on the contrary, it was the Sarawak DAP which had initiated and set the agenda for the autonomy movement when it launched its "2014 Bintulu Declaration – Towards Equal Partners". 
Chong said that among the things mentioned in the declaration were state autonomy in education, health, internal security and taxation.
"The most important aspect of the autonomy is the autonomy in taxation where we advocate for 20% oil and gas royalties and 50% of all taxes collected in Sarawak to be returned to the state government," stressed Chong.
The DAP leader also slammed Wong for attempting to pit local parties against Malayan parties.
"This is typical of state BN leaders and their strategy harping on issues of regionalism and racism," he said, adding that Sarawakians should look at the policies of a party whether it was from Malaya or from Sarawak itself. 
As far as opposition parties were concerned, they did not pose any danger to the people in the state. 
"Look at the plight of Sarawakians, especially the Dayaks. Who are taking away their native customary rights (NCR) land? Who are destroying their livelihood through timber and logging activities?
"Who have oppressed and suppressed the natives, and who have neglected the welfare of the rural people? 
"These problems are created by the local parties and not the opposition parties," said Chong.
He said state BN leaders were "hypocrites". 
Although they knew that the majority of Umno leaders were racists, they gave them "red carpet" welcome, treated them to sumptuous dinners and even hugged them passionately, he said.
Sarawakians are not blind nor are they stupid.
"When election day comes, they will know who to vote for and they cannot be bought with sweet promises. 
"They are too smart," Chong said.
- theantdaily  25 Jan 2016 
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Selasa, 26 Januari 2016

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION

Gov't has promised to do Indira justice, says Kula

Posted: 26 Jan 2016 01:56 AM PST
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Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

YES! Tonight!

Posted: 25 Jan 2016 09:25 PM PST




Are you ready? 

Tonight 7:00pm

The Launching Of Ubah Machine!

Venue : Kuching City Mall (Kim Hin Road)


Please join us!See You There!
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Isnin, 25 Januari 2016

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

张健仁粉碎被撤传闻 周宛诗续守石角

Posted: 24 Jan 2016 10:02 PM PST

《转载自 诗华日报》
砂行动党主席张健仁昨日正式宣布，来届砂州选举，周宛诗继续代表该党捍卫石角州选区，粉碎传闻中她会被撤换的疑云！
（本报古晋24日讯）砂行动党主席张健仁今日正式宣布，来届砂州选举，周宛诗继续代表该党捍卫石角州选区，粉碎传闻中她会被撤换的疑云！
张健仁今早在行动党石角支部新春布施大会上发表谈话时指出，周宛诗自中选后，遭敌对政营即砂人联党数落，认为她年轻好欺负，然而，她在这4年来的草根服务表现是大家有目共睹的。
协助贫户亲力亲为
他举例，她过去4年来，在协助贫穷家庭申请福利金一事上，每逢星期二她都会亲自载送交通不方便者前往砂社会福利局申请福利金，她在这期间总共协助600户家庭，其中有高达80%的贫穷家庭成功申请到福利金援助。
不仅如此，张健仁补充，周宛诗还亲自接待福利局官员，前往贫穷家庭进行上门探访及调查，这种基层服务精神，显示她是一位很用心做好本份的州议员。
他也赞扬，周宛诗的草根服务表现是该党古晋众多议员当中最出色的。他也接到在过去有流传说周宛诗将不会再披甲上阵的谣言，他深信，那是敌对党所发出的假消息，以打击她。
因此，张健仁今日正式宣布周宛诗继续代表该党在来届的选举，捍卫石角区。
"我相信，凭着她过去的草根服务表现，她绝对能再次获得石角人民的委托和支持。"

吁选民支持阿迪南州选区，阿迪南以外的州选区则不支持！

Posted: 24 Jan 2016 10:00 PM PST

《转载自 诗华日报》

石角区州议员周宛诗（右1）、砂行动党主席张健仁（右2）及实旦宾区国会议员陈国彬（左1）联手移交布施物资及红包予其中一名受惠者。
（本报古晋24日讯）砂行动党主席张健仁欢迎，砂州首长答应会通过砂州政府机构，协助那些受公共服务局奖学金影响的砂州大学生，而他也为首长"拉票"，呼吁选民在首长阿迪南出战的州选区，给予阿迪南支持，但在阿迪南以外的州选区则不！
他深信，来届州选结束后，砂州国阵将继续执政，阿迪南也会继续成为首长，这绝对是毫无悬念。然而，砂州仍需要一个更加强大的反对政营，以否决首相纳吉的领导及消费税政策。
国阵胜消费税获提高
"如果州选举国阵获胜，纳吉很有可能会借此继续提高消费税。"
张健仁今早在行动党石角支部新春布施大会上发表谈话时如此指出，
较早时，他表示，整体上，国家经济走下波，国家领导人却拿不出一个拯救方案，显示他们根本就无心问政，反而继续玩弄宗教、种族课题，导致民不聊生、打工一族工资的实质价值缩水，连奖学金也暂时被取消。
砂扮演国选温度计
"砂州这次的选举是来届全国大选的前哨战，它起着带动全国政治改变的重要议程和意义，从历届砂州选举，砂州扮演着全国选举的温度计。因此，我希望人民在此次的州选举，善用手中的一票，向国阵政府传达我们的不满，尤其是对首相纳吉的领导！"
张健仁强调，如果国阵在选举中取胜，州议席增加将显示对支持纳吉的信息，同时，纳吉也将继续依赖砂州作为国阵定存州属，因此，行动党一定要打破这种局面。

张健仁：刻与友党协商 提名日前公布出战选区

Posted: 23 Jan 2016 10:12 PM PST

 《转载自 诗华日报》
张健仁在林思健陪同下召开新闻发布会。
（本报美里23日讯）"我们最迟会在提名日前宣布会攻打的选区，目前我们还针对选区问题和公正党及诚信党协商。"
砂行动党主席张健仁说，行动党或将在砂州大选中攻打更多席位，但这一切都必须和公正党、诚信党协商后才能够公布。
"我们将在近期内协商，相信很快就可以对外做出公布；提名日之前肯定有答案。"
"唯一可以肯定的是，我们早前已经宣布了，行动党攻打美里三个选区的准候选人已经敲定，他们就是林思健、陈长峰和卜巴鲁。"
他对于国阵政府没有认真搞好经济感到失望，特别是消费税实行后，马币汇率下跌所而引起经济动荡。
"国阵对这些都没有做出什么具体的方案，在汇率下跌后也没有设法扶持，导致人人都面对冲击，人们的生活也更为困苦。"
他说，这是人民选择改变的时刻，他促请选民投选在野阵线来取代国阵。

进军内陆增实力 20达雅人入行动党

Posted: 23 Jan 2016 10:09 PM PST

《转载自 诗华日报》
张健仁、林思健、卜巴鲁接过新加盟党员递上的表格。
 （本报美里23日讯）砂州行动党今天接受20名土著党员加入，当中不乏专业人士和长屋屋长；张健仁表示，此举将加强行动党进军内陆的实力。

砂行动党主席张健仁今早在该党卑尔骚支部，接收20名达雅族党员加入。随后他在新闻发布会上表示，行动党决心进军内陆选区，惟该党将攻打的选区将在和公正党、诚信党进行协商后定夺。
专业人士入党
张健仁说，今天加入行动党的专业人士包括3名执业律师、一名前大专学院讲师、一名国油公司高级行政人员、一名退休药剂师，以及俄柏兰长屋、恩卡邦长屋以及罗柏困当长屋的屋长。
当媒体询问这些甫加盟的专业人士是否被列为潜能候选人时，张健仁回答说，行动党并没有给予甫加入该党的专业人士出战的承诺。
他说，随着越来越多达雅族党员加入，行动党攻打内陆选区的胜算已大大的提高。
"目前，行动党内有超过六成的党员是非华裔党员；国阵一直把行动党圈定为华裔政党是不确实的。"

Lagi profesional Dayak sertai DAP, status quo BN Sarawak kian tergugat

Posted: 23 Jan 2016 09:52 PM PST


KUCHING 24 JAN: Propaganda jahat yang menuduh DAP sebagai 'parti Cina'  makin tenggelam apabila DAP Sarawak hari ini terus mencipta sejarah dengan kemasukan golongan profesional Dayak anak negeri itu.
Pengerusi DAP Sarawak Chong Chieng Jen, berkata perjuangan DAP yang konsisten  mengangkat isu dan hak rakyat tanpa mengira kaum dan agama menjadi dorongan utama mereka memilih DAP sebagai wadah perjuangan.
"Sejak sekian lama BN berusaha keras mengaitkan DAP sebagai sebuah 'parti Cina'. Namun dalam tempoh dua tahun ini, 60 peratus keanggotaan DAP di Sarawak adalah dari masyarakat Dayak. Kita mempunyai lebih ramai ahli Dayak berbanding ahli orang Cina," katanya.
Pada kenyataan media, beliau berkata, DAP Sarawak akan terus menyuarakan isu yang memberi kesan kepada semua kaum dan berjuang untuk semua tanpa mengira bangsa, agama dan budaya.
"Antara yang kita akan suarakan ialah isu ekonomi seperti GST, penurunan nilai ringgit, peningkatan kos sara hidup, peluang ekonomi yang makin berkurang dan isu pendidikan yang memberi kesan kepada masyarakat Dayak dan Melayu, begitu juga masyarakat Cina," katanya.
Majlis penerimaan keanggotaan DAP dari golongan professional berlangsung di Pusat Khidmat Miri Piasau di sini, pagi tadi.
Antara yang menyerahkan borang keanggotaan ialah, Ellison Ludan (mantan pensyarah Maktab Perguruan Miri & Curtin University), Musa Dinggat (Peguam di Bintulu), Christopher Sawan (Peguam di Brunei dan Miri), Anselm Diye (Jurulatih Eksekutif Senior di Petronas kini dalam program PhD), Ketua Kampung Estel Ak Simpo (pesara ahli farmasi) dan beberapa Tuai Rumah.
--roketkini

Sarawak DAP says can’t sit back, wait for PKR to push into Dayak seats

Posted: 23 Jan 2016 09:40 PM PST

The Sarawak elections are set to take place by April but Pakatan Harapan here is showing little progress in resolving seat allocations claims with state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen admitting the party was in "competition" with PKR. 

This was Chong's description of the situation between the DAP's Bornean chapter and the state PKR, when asked to describe the ties between the two Pakatan Harapan parties feuding over seat allocations ahead of the state elections. 

"We are cooperating but also competing to perform. We are cooperating by trying to reach a one-to-one (straight fights) in seats," he said. 

"But we also cannot just sit back and be contented and complacent when we know not much work has been done to further (the) political struggle in rural areas. 

"Are we to wait in our comfort zones for PKR to start really going to the rural areas to bring political awareness? It would be irresponsible for us to wait," Chong told The Malaysian Insider in a recent interview in Kuching. 

PKR and DAP in Sarawak have had frosty ties and while moves have been made to begin negotiations for 82 constituencies, little headway appears to have been made as the former accuses the latter of wanting to steal rural seats it has already been cultivating. 

DAP had a stellar performance in the last state elections in 2011, winning 12 seats – all in urban areas – out of the 15 allocated to it. 

PKR netted a dismal three out of 49 seats contested – the rural seat of Ba'kelalan by its state chairman Baru Bian, the Chinese-majority urban seat of Batu Lintang by its vice-chairman See Chee How and rural Dayak-majority seat of Krian by Ali Biju. DAP is now asking for 35 to 40 seats, including the 12 it already has.

 In March last year, he said, the party was eyeing 30 seats. PKR's position for the current seat talks is to begin negotiations with the same number of seats it was allocated in the last elections.

Chong said both sides have exchanged their list of seats "and there will be discussions". He declined to reveal more details, except to say that an agreement must be reached before nomination day. 

The polls must be held by June when the current term of the Sarawak assembly expires.

 The state legislature now has 82 seats, an increase of 11 following the controversial redelineation of seat boundaries by the Election Commission. 

     
The time frame leaves a narrow window for both parties to resolve disputes over who should field candidates in certain seats, particularly Dayak or indigenous seats, which PKR says it has worked hard to cultivate. 

The dispute mirrors the good reception towards DAP's rural infrastructure initiative, Impian Sarawak, its vehicle to expand its influence in the interiors.

 Chong shot down PKR's claims of working the ground in rural seats long before DAP came in, saying Impian Sarawak has had a greater reach compared with similar efforts by PKR. 

"Our reach is wider in that we have education and medical camps, besides helping to build infrastructure.

"Their initiatives are done under non-governmental organisations like Light Up Borneo and Barefoot Mercy. Ok, you can do that, but where is the political message? 

"At the end of the day, the most important thing is the political message for the kampung people, for that is where you bring about political change. When we do a rural project, we highlight that it should have been the Barisan Nasional (BN) government's responsibility and they have failed.  

"These are messages that must be sent out consistently over a period of time, and only then will political change slowly come to the rural areas," said Chong, who is also the Kuching parliamentarian and Kota Sentosa assemblyman. 

Asked about Impian Sarawak's reach, Chong said they have gone to some 30 to 40 villages, adding that the party's Sarawak chapter, comprising "several thousand members", now has more Dayak than Chinese members. 

In October last year, Sarawak PKR's Abun Sui Anyit said the party was "wary of the state DAP as they can't be trusted". 

But Chong is not letting go of PKR's poor showing of just three seats in the 2011 elections when it was allocated the bulk of seats.  

"My response to that is no area belongs to any party, especially when you have not won the seat," he said.

"Our philosophy is that if you want to contest in an area, you start working in that area and not during election time. 

"So we started work (in Dayak areas) right after the 2013 general election when everybody was still depressed over the opposition's failure to capture Putrajaya.

"That's when we started Impian Sarawak." – January 24, 2016. 

张健仁：奖学金暂停 建议砂替代颁发

Posted: 22 Jan 2016 10:18 PM PST

by dapkuching
《转载自 诗华日报》

（本报古晋22日讯）针对公共服务局奖学金停发的课题，砂行动党主席兼古晋区国会议员张健仁抨击，政府这项决定愚蠢！
也是哥打圣淘沙区州议员的张健仁是于今午前往国父大厦移交请愿信函予首长拿督巴丁宜丹斯里阿迪南沙登后，向媒体如是表示。
他感到非常惊讶，政府停止派发公共服务奖学金，并认为那是一项愚蠢的决定。
剥夺大深造机会
"取消公共服务奖学金无疑将对那些怀才的大学生当头棒喝，剥夺深造及追求梦想的机会。"
他表示，本身已陆续接获学生就公共服务奖学金停发对他们造成影响的投诉，其中有一名在国内攻读博士学位的学生似乎已接获当局口头通知说，当局或不会在提供奖学金予他们。
鉴于此，他要求州政府能介入，并建议砂州政府为学生提供与公共服务金同等的奖学金。
张健仁也说，根据2014年砂州财政报告书，州政府拥有一笔270亿令吉的储备金，若拨出少过2亿令吉作为提供砂州学生奖学金用途，也不过是占该储备金不到1%。
他相信，砂州首长能看得到投资在砂州子女教育和奖学金的好处与回酬，因此，他希望首长能接受他的这个要求，也借此让联邦政府与全马人民看见砂州首长爱民如子，感性与理性的一面。

Adenan factor a year ago but urban folk not falling for it now, says Sarawak DAP

Posted: 22 Jan 2016 09:49 PM PST

Though all indications show that Sarawak Barisan Nasional is set to win big in the next state elections, the state DAP says popular moves by Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem will not have much effect on voters. 

Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said many of Adenan's policy announcements have been well received, such as his crackdown on illegal logging and recognition of the Chinese schools' certification for civil service recruitment, but they remained just that – statements. 

Instead, had Adenan called for state elections in his first year as chief minister, the "feel-good factor" of having a new leader might have captured more support, the Bandar Kuching MP said.

"Adenan has packaged himself as liberal leader who is open-minded and dares to speak out against Umno. This is how he portrays himself. 

"But had he called for elections a year ago within the first year of being chief minister, the Adenan factor would have been stronger to entice urban voters, because of the feel-good factor.

"Now into his second year, he has talked a lot but has not delivered. He's missed his golden window," said Chong, whose opposition party holds 12 state seats, all of them in urban areas with large Chinese populations. 

The opposition has 15 seats in the current 71-seat assembly, with three held by PKR. 

Among Adenan's policies which impressed at first but have not been followed through, Chong said in an interview, was the state government's acceptance of the Chinese schools' United Examination Certificate (UEC) for civil service recruitment and as admission into state universities. 

Sarawak became the first state in Malaysia to do so, in a move seen as Adenan's attempt to win over Chinese voters who favour the opposition. Chinese education lobby groups in the peninsula are still lobbying Putrajaya for the same recognition. 

"His UEC announcement was impressive, but what has been done? It was just a statement. Until now, it has not seen any impact or change of state civil service recruitment policies," Chong said, adding that UEC recognition was only in a limited number of agencies and not for direct employment with the state government.  

Sarawak is to go to the polls in March or April, before the term of its legislative assembly expires in June, with 82 seats to be contested after 11 were added in a recent redrawing of electoral boundaries. 

DAP is expected to keep its 12 seats in the elections, analysts have said, and the state BN under Adenan is expected to sail through with an even bigger win because of his popular policies.  

Adenan became chief minister in February 2014, succeeding Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, whose massive wealth and family business empire have been documented by non-governmental groups, and who is still accused of alleged corruption and erosion of native lands in Sarawak's vast interior. 

Adenan has asked Sarawakians to give him only five more years to fulfil his plans for the state and promised not to stay on – a point of contrast with his predecessor who stayed in power for 33 years. 

While Adenan has indeed made good on his pledge to crack down on illegal logging, Chong said, Dayak or indigenous voters still lacked basic infrastructure and medical services in their longhouses.

"People on the ground do not feel that anything has changed, especially in rural areas. 

"And they know that the state government has a great part to play in policies and licences for state land and forests." 

Adenan, 71, has also put the Baram dam on hold but has been challenged by native rights' groups to scrap it completely over the loss of ancestral lands.

Chong said the "Adenan factor" was a neutral effect in rural seats as these were already BN strongholds. 

"He does not add any plus points."

 Still, Adenan has managed to cover wide ground in capturing the local imagination.

Besides the UEC recognition and crackdown on illegal logging, he has made English the second official language of the state, spoken against extremism and racism and appealed to the hearts of Sarawak nationalists who want the state to have greater autonomy from Putrajaya. 

He recently completed the first round of talks with the federal government for greater devolution of powers to the state, and announced that Sarawak now has the power to appoint officers in its federal civil service.

Federal agencies in Sarawak also have the power to decide on projects in the state, without having to refer to ministers in Putrajaya.

In urban seats where DAP has performed best, however, Chong, the Kota Sentosa assemblyman, said voters were more politically mature and understood that "political change" was needed. 

Asked about urban sentiments on split voting, where voters might prefer a ruling coalition representative for a local seat but the opposition at federal level, Chong said: "I think the federal government has overdone it this time, with its scandals, with the goods and services tax. 

"So I think people will see Sarawak BN as part of federal BN." – January 23, 2016. 

Suspension of JPA Scholarship Programs for year 2016

Posted: 21 Jan 2016 10:23 PM PST


I have today written to Adenan to request the State Government to provide the State scholarships to those students who were supposed to get their JPA scholarships had the Federal Government not suspend the scholarship programs for 2016.

Sarawak Government has RM27 billion reserves. What better way to use less than 1% of the said amount, than to invest in our future generation.

--chong chieng jen
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