Selasa, 3 Februari 2015

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


The PR leadership council is the best place to resolve the DAP PAS spat and it must meet the earliest

Posted: 02 Feb 2015 06:07 PM PST

Ahad, 1 Februari 2015

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog


张健仁﹕停止“进口”外劳 砂政府须捍卫砂民利益

Posted: 31 Jan 2015 01:25 AM PST

(本报古晋31日讯)在政府当局即将引进孟加拉外劳到砂州从事油棕种植业的课题上﹐砂州政府应该优先考虑到砂州人民的利益课题﹐并将砂州人民的利益放在油棕种植公司的利益之上。
砂行动党主席张健仁国州议员是在今午于该党总部召开的新闻发布会上发言时﹐针对砂州子民阵线就政府当局即将引进孟加拉外劳到砂州从事油棕种植业的事项进行和平请愿活动一事﹐如是表示。
他说﹐其本身曾经在上一次的州立法会议中提出有关课题﹐并曾向砂州政府做出停止"进口"外劳的呼吁。
"唯砂州政府当时依旧决定引进外劳﹐并让他们与砂州人民竞争就业的机会。"
他认为说﹐相关阵线已经就政府当局即将引进孟加拉外劳到砂州从事油棕种植业的事项表明了明确的立场﹐所以他希望砂州政府能够听取砂州本土人民所发出的心声。
"身为砂州人民所选出来的民选政府﹐砂州政府必须捍卫砂州人民的利益。"
他也说明﹐油棕种植公司其实拥有可观的利润﹐所以有关公司应该透过提高薪金之举来吸引本地人民从事油棕种植工作。
他更指出﹐引进廉价外劳之举﹐将只会让本地的油棕种植公司从中受惠。
他也趁机呼吁砂州政府优先考虑到砂州人民的利益课题﹐并将砂州人民的利益放在油棕种植公司的利益之上。
取自诗华日报(31/1/2015)

收集居民签名支持 捍卫锡盖族习俗地权益

Posted: 31 Jan 2015 01:23 AM PST

(本报古晋31日讯)砂行动党将在石隆门锡盖地区进行一项签名运动﹐以期从中收集当地居民的签名支持﹐进而共同捍卫当地居民的土著习俗地权益。
砂行动党主席张健仁国州议员是在今午于该党总部召开的新闻发布会上发言时﹐如是表示。
他说﹐砂行动党将进行一项签名运动﹐以收集锡盖地区居民的签名﹐进而从中共同捍卫当地人民的土著习俗地权益。
"当地社群约由2000到3000户家庭组成﹐并拥有近万人口﹐所以我们希望能够成功收集当地1000个居民的签名。"
他也透露﹐该党认为﹐锡盖地区的土地测量工作﹐必须以更正确﹑透明的方式来进行。
锡盖社群拥30%土地
与此同时﹐石隆门锡盖土地委员会主席兼砂行动党碧湖支部署理主席多美尼则在会上说明﹐该委员会乃成立于2009年﹐并旨在保护锡盖土著习俗地。
"自我们的社群祖先开始在当地居住时﹐当地就被种上了果树﹐所以锡盖土著习俗地的范围﹐就占据了大约1万2000英亩的面积。"
他续称﹐该片土地曾经于1977年3月3日在664宪报通知书下﹐被宪报为政府保留地。
他也披露﹐在锡盖土地委员会于2009年做出申请后﹐有关宪报规定就在2010年被撤销。
"是项宪报撤销之举也意味说﹐锡盖地区内12个甘榜的居民﹐将拥有当地的土著习俗权益。"
唯他指出﹐虽然当地正在进行土地测量的程序﹐唯有关程序的进行﹐将导致锡盖社群只拥有该片土地中的30%土地。
"另外的70%土地﹐则将归还给砂州政府。"
不支持土地测量工作
他因此表示﹐锡盖当地人民绝不支持是项土地测量工作的进行。
"这是因为﹐它意味要拿走我们的土著习俗地。"
他不忘强调﹐唯有在该片面积为1万2000英亩的土地均归入锡盖土著习俗地范围的前提下﹐当地人民才会同意土地测量工作的进行。
较后时﹐砂行动党也在会上推介由该党党员汤姆斯德贡拉卡所制作的录影光碟﹐并宣布将以每片6令吉的价格来发售有关光碟。
该党相信﹐是片光碟将能够让达雅民众了解为何要加入砂行动党的理由。
有关光碟﹐将可在该党各大支部购得。
取自诗华日报(31/1/2015)

Villagers fume over alleged 'surrender' of NCR land

Posted: 31 Jan 2015 01:14 AM PST

Some 10,000 villagers from 12 villages in the Singai area in Bau have expressed their anger against their elected representative, Tasik Biru state assemblyperson Peter Nansian, who allegedly "surrendered" 70 percent of their 12,000-acre native customary rights (NCR) land to the state government.

According to Dominic Daon, a resident of one of the villages, he heard Nansian telling villagers that he had agreed to the government carrying out a perimeter survey by the Land and Survey Department.

Nansian (left) is Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) deputy president and assistant minister for community services and industrial development.

"Now the people are angry with him after knowing that 70 percent (or 8,400 acres) of the land will be reverted to the state government as state land," said Daon at a press conference at the Kuching DAP headquarters this morning.

"What is left, is 3,600 acres to be shared by 10,000 people."

The villagers had farmed, cultivated and planted their NCR land with fruit trees since living in the area, Daon added.

He further said that the villagers had formed the Singai land committee in 2009 - with its purpose to protect the Singai customary rights land.

The committee is against the proposed Singai perimeter survey undertaken by the Land and Survey Department - covering areas along the slope of Matang range right to Kampung Apar, Singai.

The land was gazetted under the Gazetted Notification 664 on March 3, 1977, but due to the villagers' strong opposition and the Singai land committee in 2009, the gazette notification was revoked in 2010.

'Rightful claimants'

"Thus upon revocation, it has been recognised that the residents of the 12 villagers are the rightful claimants of the NCR land.

"But now, the land is undergoing another perimeter survey and with this survey, about 30 percent of the 12,000 acres belong to the Singai community, while 70 percent (or 8,400 acres) of the land will be reverted to the state government," Daon pointed out.

He said that the villagers have totally rejected the proposed perimeter survey, as it meant to take away their NCR land.

"We only allow the perimeter survey to be carried out (if it) includes the whole 12,000 acres as Singai NCR land," Daon added, urging the government to conduct a proper perimeter survey over the whole area - as previously held in the Gazette Notification 664 and thereafter documents of title - issued to the Singai community.

He held Nansian wholly responsible for the villagers' dilemma, as the latter had allegedly agreed with the perimeter survey conducted by the government.

Meanwhile, Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen (right) - who was present at the press conference - said that the DAP Mas Gading division would carry out a signature campaign against the conduct of the perimeter survey by the Land and Survey Department.

Daon and Mordi Bimol of the DAP Mas Gading service centre had been appointed to carry out the signature campaign, he added.

Chong - who is the Bandar Kuching MP and state assemblyperson for Kota Sentosa - described the government's action as an "abuse of power".

"You can say it is a daylight robbery," he noted.

What worried Chong was once the area had been declared state land, crony companies would then apply for the land.

"This is the standard practice of the state BN government," he said.
on MalaysiaKini(31/1/2015)

Sabtu, 31 Januari 2015

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


If MIC needs to be rescued by Umno, how can it champion the Indians’ interest?

Posted: 31 Jan 2015 03:35 AM PST

Jumaat, 30 Januari 2015

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog


MACC to probe Batu Kawah land deal

Posted: 28 Jan 2015 09:48 PM PST

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has assured Sarawak DAP it is investigating the Batu Kawah land deal which was alienated by the state government to a private company at far below market price.

Revealing this at a media conference in Kuching today, state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen said that he had received a letter from MACC that it would look into the complaints following documents submitted by him on Jan 14, 2015.

The MACC letter, dated Jan 21, addressed to Chong said its Information Review Committee, after a meeting, made the decision to follow up on the complaint.

Chong who is the Bandar Kuching MP for and Kota Sentosa assemblyperson, called on the state government to freeze the land deal while waiting for the outcome of the investigation.

The 267.15 acres of state land, valued at the market price of RM500 million, was alienated to the private company at RM115 million.

The agreement was entered into on Mar 8, 2014, eight days after Adenan Satem became chief minister of Sarawak.

'Freeze the land deal'

Chong said the land deal was Adenan's  "first test" to uphold the integrity pledge he had signed.

"If Adenan really meant what he had pledged by signing the 'integrity pledge' then he should freeze the land deal and even revoke the agreement.

"Moreover, this is the opportunity for Adenan to save at least RM400 million for the State coffer," said Chong.

This sum of money could be used to build more schools and low cost houses for the people, he added.

He suggested that the state could have made much more if the 267.15 acres of the state land was sold through an open tender process.

Chong (right) said that for Adenan, it was the first 'dubious' land deal under him and urged the chief minister to put a stop to it.

"It is pure common sense that such direct alienation of state land without going through the open tender process is 'conducive to corruption'," he said.

On January 14, Chong submitted several documents including the agreement between the state government and the private company to the MACC.

In the letter, he described the facts in the agreement as 'highly suspicious' and called on the MACC to launch an investigation.
 
on MalaysiaKini(29/01/2015)

Khamis, 29 Januari 2015

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


இந்திய மாணவர்களின் கல்வி மேம்பாட்டிற்காக வழங்கப்பட்ட 2000 ஏக்கர் நிலம்: இன்றைய நிலை என்ன?

Posted: 28 Jan 2015 08:27 PM PST

Ahad, 25 Januari 2015

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


Mahathir will do the nation a good service if he will advise Perkasa to stop its extremist politics and baseless attacks on others

Posted: 25 Jan 2015 01:51 AM PST

Rabu, 21 Januari 2015

Charles Santiago

Charles Santiago


Open Letter to ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the importance of establishing a genuine regional human rights mechanism

Posted: 21 Jan 2015 11:01 PM PST

We, as current and former elected representatives in ASEAN member states would like to convey our input to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat, contributing our suggestions for agenda setting for 2015 and warning of the dangers of overlooking the importance of ensuring the growth of a genuine regional human rights mechanism.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat is taking place in Sabah, Malaysia, 27-28 January 2015.

Firstly, we wish to call to attention the need for immediate and urgent action on one of the gravest human rights concerns facing our region and the world today: the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar which is becoming a strain and a stain on the entire region.

We would also seek to draw your attention to the dangers facing human rights defenders and civil society actors all across Southeast Asia, highlighted by the enforced disappearance of Lao civil society leader Sombath Somphone in December 2012, and the subsequent failure of the Lao PDR to properly investigate it, as well as the serious regional implications of ASEAN's failure to stand up to the overthrow of a democratically elected government in Thailand and subsequent assault on human rights by the military regime there. At minimum, these issues, and potential solutions to them, should be discussed during the ASEAN Foreign Minister's Retreat in Sabah.

APHR also calls upon the Foreign Ministers to support UN Resolution 69/248 calling for Myanmar to grant full citizenship rights to the Rohingya and end the persecution and human rights violations that are prompting tens of thousands to flee, placing other ASEAN member states, including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, in a difficult and burdensome position.

Furthermore, APHR believes the military assault on democracy and human rights in Thailand poses a threat to democracy and stability of the entire region. APHR calls on ASEAN to take a stand against the military coup of May 2014 and call for free and fair elections. ASEAN must also take a stand against the human rights abuses being perpetrated under the current military regime in Thailand, including the use of military courts to try civilians, imposition of nationwide martial law and widespread restrictions of freedom of expression and assembly.

Human rights as a central pillar of ASEAN and the urgent need to strengthen AICHR

APHR acknowledges that regional commerce and trade remain driving factors behind the ASEAN mission, but also wish to impress upon you, as Foreign Ministers, the very real threats we are facing to this union all across the region and the crucial importance of human rights protections as a pillar of the post-2015 ASEAN Community. Human rights are consistently paid lip service to within our regional grouping, but are almost entirely omitted from genuine action or taken into account in key decision-making. In this important year, we call upon the governments of ASEAN to take even just a few, early steps towards changing this for the better and increasing the chances of political, economic and social stability in the years ahead.

These steps should include passing of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers before the end of the year, particularly in light of Malaysia identifying trans-boundary crimes as a priority of its Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015. The Migrant Workers Declaration has been pending for the last 10 years and ASEAN has a responsibility to conclude it.
We also call on our governments to explain in real terms what they mean by the notion of a 'People Centered ASEAN'. Our governments are focusing on economic integration, but where is the peoples' component in the plan? Just repeating the word "people" over and over again will not make it so.
Without the fundamental aspects of a genuine, people-centred community, with strong institutions, access to justice, rights and growth of common values, the ASEAN Community project risks provoking increased conflict, economic disparity and tensions in the region, to the point that it threatens the very grouping itself.

As such, we the undersigned call upon you to act on the urgent need to strengthen human rights protections in our individual member states as well as regionally, namely through empowering and improving the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), which has so far failed to meet the needs of those whose rights have been violated and continue to be violated.

Enacting the necessary measures to enhance the monitoring and protection mandate of AICHR should be viewed as complimentary to efforts to ensure the successful incorporation of the ASEAN Economic Community, not as something contradictory.

A first step towards this should be through strengthening the mandate of AICHR and ensuring its independence. APHR therefore calls upon the Foreign Ministers to take serious consideration of the below suggestions to ensure a uniform approach to the selection procedures for AICHR representatives across all member states: such a selection process must be inclusive and open, allowing for individuals to be appointed who are totally independent of government and have the expertise and dedication to carry out the role.

As Parliamentarians, we have listened to the calls from our constituents and representatives of civil society and, in voicing their concerns and requests, urge you as foreign ministers to put previous positive words into genuine action and consider taking these small steps towards empowering AICHR as suggested below:

1. Use the ToR review of AICHR to strengthen it, including its mandate and independence through:

1.1. AICHR should put in place an emergency protection mechanism for human rights, such as a precautionary measures mechanism.
1.2. AICHR should institutionalize a mechanism by which citizens have direct communication with the system, such as appointment of special rapporteurs/independent experts that can function as the eyes and ears of the regional human rights machinery and in the detection of early warning signs of potential abuses and rights violations.
1.3. AICHR should have a mandate to reduce the risk of human rights abuses, denounce human rights violation and seek States' accountability on their human rights obligations.
1.4. AICHR and it representatives should be entirely independent of political or governmental control and influence, right through from the process of the selection and appointment of country Representatives to the exercising of its collective mandate to protect human rights.

2. Take unified action that will pressure Naypyitaw to uphold UN Resolution 69/248 calling for Myanmar to grant full citizenship rights to the Rohingya and end the persecution and human rights violations that are prompting tens of thousands to flee, placing other ASEAN member states, including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, in a difficult and burdensome position.

3. Take a stand against the Thai Military's seizure of power and overthrow of an elected ASEAN government in May 2014, calling for an immediate end to human rights abuses and free and fair elections.

4. Call on the Lao PDR to allow for international and regional assistance in solving the enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone.

5. Conclude the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

Further Information

While appreciating that human rights in now institutionalized in ASEAN with the establishment of AICHR in 2009, we, as elected parliamentarians, believe that human rights only have meaning if people are able to exercise them. We recognize the contribution that AICHR has made to the regional debate on human rights and its importance, and recognize the tireless of work of some of the AICHR representatives over this time. However, we also would like to state our disappointment with the approach to the position of some of the AICHR representatives over this same period: some appear to have seen their role as primarily that of defending and deflecting possible human rights concerns away from their member country, rather than that of upholding and furthering the protection of human rights across the region, irrespective of where violations take place and who the victims or perpetrators are.
We are extremely concerned that it is becoming more and more difficult and dangerous for our constituents to perform their work in defending the human rights of fellow citizens in the ASEAN region. Many human rights defenders risk their lives to battle against injustices, often committed by officers of the state, as well as representatives of private companies and non-state armed groups among others. This situation is worsened with the lack of sufficient human rights protection in some ASEAN countries, and to date AICHR has not offered any further protection at the regional level for these human rights defenders and victims of human rights violations.
We are deeply concerned that AICHR has failed to establish or outline possible means to improve human rights protections for the people in ASEAN over the last five years. The lack of redress for victims of human rights violations at the national and regional levels is both symptomatic of and a contributing factor to the widespread problem of impunity in ASEAN: without addressing these fundamental concerns for regional respect for and protection of human rights, the process of building an ASEAN Community is rendered more or less meaningless.
We appreciate your time and consideration and extend an open invitation to discuss these and other matters further.

Yours Sincerely

Charles Santiago MP
President, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights

The Future of Nuclear Energy in Malaysia: Public Feedback or Propaganda

Posted: 21 Jan 2015 10:49 PM PST

 

 

 

Nuclear Image (Jan 22nd 2015 statement)

 

22nd January 2015.

The government recently announced that the way forward on Malaysia's nuclear power program will be decided once the comprehensive study including public consultation are concluded. And these consultations scheduled in the next weeks are organized by the Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation.

This mantra of 'comprehensive study and public consultation' has been floated umpteenth times by the government.

The irony is that there are two sets of plans on the nuclear power program that has been floated by the government in the last years.

First, we have the World Nuclear Association[ http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Others/Emerging-Nuclear-Energy-Countries/] (WNA), report that says that Malaysia wants to develop three to four nuclear power plants (NPP) to supply about 15% of the nation's electricity demand by 2030. The report suggests that the first plant is scheduled to begin operation in the year 2021.

It further states that a nuclear energy bill will be brought to parliament in 2015.

Second, Parliamentary replies to me in 2014 says that the government is studying the possibility of two new power plants of 1000 Megawatt (Mw) each.

And the Nuclear Power Regulatory Infrastructure Development Plan (NDPRID) has been established to spearhead the nuclear project including identifying various construction sites.

In addition, the government is consulting with the various international agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to secure necessary licenses and permits from these international nuclear regulatory bodies.

Whichever scenario one chooses to believe, it is clear then that the plans for nuclear power in Malaysia is real and is moving forward in a scripted and rapid pace.

So, why the need for public consultations?

These public forums would serve to promote nuclear energy use and legitimate government's rationale for NPPs. Such an effort could have come from the advice given by the Koreans and Japanese nuclear agencies that have an MOU with Malaysia on promoting nuclear power plants in the country.

The government needs to come clean on its plans and strategies. It needs to be transparent and not play hide and seek with the people including stakeholders. As an important first step towards good governance, the government should establish a parliamentary select committee on nuclear power plants.

Charles Santiago
Member of Parliament, Klang.

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


Call on the government to cancel the National Service programme altogether, rather than just suspending it for a year

Posted: 21 Jan 2015 03:21 AM PST

Selasa, 20 Januari 2015

Charles Santiago

Charles Santiago


A Huge Disappointment for the Average Malaysian.

Posted: 20 Jan 2015 01:50 AM PST

 

 

 

Reply to Revised Budget 2015 (20th Jan) Pic

20th January 2015.

 

a)      The PM should have focused on addressing the spiraling cost of living crisis. Despite the decrease in global oil prices (between 50 – 60%) people are finding it difficult to make ends meet, especially the poor.  Food prices have increased, albeit weather conditions are partly responsible for the increase. Transportation prices have not decreased. In fact school bus fares have increased in the last week. Price Increase  should not affect  access to health and education, as people are already bracing themselves for increased expenditure in other areas, especially once the GST kicks in;

 

b)      Electricity tariff should have been decreased given that oil prices have decreased drastically. The government still has to pay the concessionaire so that there is no real savings for the state; In short, the PM's claim that the halving of global oil prices will result in a benefit to consumers is not ringing true. The UMNO-led government seems unable to keep a lid on prices, with a price control mechanism needed urgently to prevent this problem from worsening.

 

c)       The budget revision should have been bold by cutting the bloated Prime Minister's Office budget which amounts to RM 65.6b, constituting about 24% of the total budget. In addition, the awarding of all government contracts must be halted and thoroughly scrutinized by an independent body, so as to ensure that potential leakages are cut. The first step should be to plug the leakages.

 

d)       Support for SMI needs a further rethinking. Exports to China will decrease. However, the increase in exports to the US is not a given proposition. There is a body of thinking that says that the economic rebound in the US might not be sustainable. And this might have an impact on exports of electrical and electronics to the US.  Thus there might be an urgent need to support the needs of  SMIs.  It's not easy to enter other markets in short notice;

 

e)      Household debt defaults might be on the rise but sadly no support for this category.

 

f)       The minimum wages need to be increased from the existing RM 900 to RM 1200 to help workers and their families cope with price increases and higher cost of living;.

 

g)      problems with IMDB and FGV might reach serious proportions and the ramifications for the economy is significant. So stay tuned for Austerity 2.

 

h)      In general, budget 2015 revision is a huge disappointment for the average Malaysian.

 

 

 

Charles Santiago

 

Member of Parliament, Klang.

 

Ahad, 18 Januari 2015

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


Tengku Adnan’s whacking of Perkasa is most timely and welcomed and deserves commendation and support from Malaysians

Posted: 18 Jan 2015 04:53 AM PST

Sabtu, 17 Januari 2015

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


'Chandran’s death makes IPCMC imperative'

Posted: 16 Jan 2015 11:30 PM PST

Malaysians are outraged by the rising custodian deaths and they are entitled to ask the government—how many more horror custodies must occur before it will set up the IPCMC?

Posted: 16 Jan 2015 11:28 PM PST

Isnin, 12 Januari 2015

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


Is IPCMC a politically fashionable issue to you, Datuk Gani Patail?

Posted: 12 Jan 2015 03:20 AM PST

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog


Will Sarawak party SUPP quit BN?

Posted: 12 Jan 2015 01:20 AM PST

The question has been put to Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) following the state BN government's support for the newly-formed United People's Party (UPP), which is made up of former SUPP members.

The presence of State Minister for Housing and Minister for Tourism, Abang Johari Abang Openg, at UPP's inaugural triennial delegates conference (TDC)  in Kuching yesterday is seen as a clear and strong indication of the state government's support for UPP.

The presence of Abang Johari (right) was seen as even more significant becase he was announced as the official representative of Chief Minister Adenan Satem at the UPP function.

UPP was formed late year, after it broke away from SUPP following a protracted leadership crisis.

The current members of the state BN are Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and SUPP.

Even though UPP is not a member of the state BN, two of its members are in the state cabinet - Local Government Minister Wong Soon Koh and an assistant minister, Jerip Susil.

UPP is seen as important to Adenan and the state BN because it has four assemblypersons – representing the state seats of Bawang Assan, Opar, Bengoh and Engkilili.

SUPP will strongly oppose UPP

SUPP has made it clear several times that it will strongly oppose any move to admit UPP into the state BN and that it would not give up any of its 19 seats to the UPP.

Asked about the significance of Abang Johari's presence at the UPP meeting, Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen told reporters that it was more appropriate for SUPP to answer that question.

"However, from our point of view, it just confirms the speculation by various analysts that UPP will be accepted as one of the component members of the state BN.

"And there is nothing SUPP can do about it," said Chong (left), who is also the MP for Bandar Kuching and the assemblyperson for Kota Sentosa.

He said SUPP has been shouting all this while that it will not give up even one of its seats to UPP.

"What is SUPP's stand now? What is SUPP going to do – quit BN or just keep its mouth shut and wag the tail?" asked Chong.

Asked whether the problems of UPP and SUPP would give DAP any advantage, he said the next state election would be, as usual, very difficult as the party was not only fighting its opponents, but also fighting against the Election Commission, which acts as an umpire.

"Our battle is always very difficult, very tough whether it is in the urban or in the rural constituencies. This is because the State BN is using the government machinery and the taxpayers' money, as well as the Election Commission, to fight us.," Chong added.

"In a soccer game, we are not only playing against our opponents, but also against the umpire, and in the case of the general election, we are also playing against the EC, which behaves as the 14th BN component party."

He said that although DAP won 12 state seats in the last state election, and six parliamentary seats in the GE13, these always were hard-fought victories.

UPP during the weekend formally elected Wong Soon Koh (left) as its president, with Jerip Susil as the deputy.

Lawyer George Lo is the secretary-general, with timber tycoon Tiong Thai King and Opar assemblyperson Ranum Mina as the party's senior vice-presidents.

More than 1,000 members from across the state attended the UPP delegates meeting.

Wong said that the party has set up 24 branches with a total membership of more than 20,000 and that more branches would be set up in the near future.
 
on Malaysiakini(12/01/2015)


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