黄培根：砂应向联邦看齐 阻电力公司 胡乱开刀

（本报诗巫22日讯）砂州内阁应向联邦政府看齐，阻止砂州电力供应有限公司胡乱向用户开刀。最近砂州电力局更换新电表后向用户追算新旧电表的电费差距是极度不合理的做法，是无法被广大人民所接受的新措施。
有关欠缺准确性和合法性的追讨方式，已使许多用户须无故支付庞大电费，造成沉重的经济负担和面对莫须有的罪名。许多民众向行动党投诉说该做法就好像向 ■行动党柏拉旺区州议员黄培根。他们“开刀”。
电力局表示更换电表是为了杜绝偷电事件继续盛行。然而，电力局也不能因为如此而忽略了其他没有涉及偷电用户的利益。况且，新旧电表的速度有别，以新电表的标准来追算的做法将导致费用出现巨大差距，使用户须多付暴涨的电费。
电力局在更换电表应是在住户在场的情况下进行。惟许多用户投诉，工作人员在更换时他们并不在家。诗巫方面已有几个用户面对砂电力局的员工在他们不在家时，非法进入他们的住宅，将电表拆掉再装上新的电表的事件，受害者曾向行动党柏拉旺区州议员黄培根投诉。
虽然电力局极力否认，可是有些用户已到警局报案，显示事情的严重性。黄培根已在6月18日通过媒体呼吁砂电力局马上停止非法的行动，并要求电力局调查有关投诉。
另外，工作人员在更换电表前就须检查电表是否有出现状况，而不是在电表更换过后才告知用户电表有问题，使用户须支付巨额的电费。
普通用户没偷电
有关欠缺透明度的做法将使许多用户平白无故蒙上盗电罪名，承担不必要的经济损失和麻烦。在被追算电费的用户当中，部分用户只是普通用电量的用户，根本没有偷电的必要。
州政府应保障砂州用户的利益。为了保障用户的利益，联邦内阁将不允许国能无限制地向用户追算电费。依据现有的法令，国能也只能追算3个月的电费。胡乱追算电费事件得到内阁的关注，已显示事情的严重性。时至今日全国各地已有许多用户被追算莫名其妙的电费。
在砂州方面，根据现有的法令，砂电力供应公司可向用户追讨最长达3年的电费，但追算期乃根据用户何时更动电表的时间算起。
行动党希望砂州内阁马上下令指示砂电力供应有限公司，立即停止不恰当的做法。联邦内阁向国能下的指示是合理的，砂州消费者应受到政府的保护，而不是受到不公平的对待。

黄培根：改了又改 巫市规划缺乏效率

(本报诗巫12日讯)行动党巴拉旺区州议员黄培根呼吁市议会更好的规划诗巫市的发展。

他说，诗巫市议会必须有一个未来的城市规划，不应是做了又改，改了又做，这样的处理方案是缺乏效率的。

他表示，诗巫市议会交通组主任刘会耀此时将旧飞机场路圣得勒莎天主教堂前交通灯的U转处关闭，造成民众不便，继续选择U转，忽视已经插上的“不许U转”交通指示牌，违反交通规则，最后导致交通意外频频发生。

 

处事效率缓慢

他在今早召开的新闻发布会上说，该处的交通情况是一篇混乱、乱七八糟，原因是大家都习惯在那里U转。

他说，该党于四月选举时针对有关事件，呼吁市议会关闭U转处，而市议会却换来2个月半的时间才解决。

“这样缓慢的处事方法，显现出诗巫市议会还停留在执行80和90年代的操作。”

他说，做一条路需要整个交通规划，但他所看到的是，市议会没有这样作规划。   

 

造成意外发生

“从这件事情探讨，民众看到市议会的办事效率。这种情况，更造成很多交通意外频频发生，种种事件也显现市议会的愿景和思想还比人民慢机拍。”

他也呼吁市议会应该好好的作规划，不要总是等到有事情发生了才想办法解决。

他也表示，如果市议会有需要，在任何规划还没落实之前，也可以听取各个公会、协会和民众的意见。这一方面，行动党一定会参与。

他也呼吁市议会议员，可以去巴士站多跑几圈，看他们改的路线是否行得通，还是变得一团糟。

 

规划不须复杂

他指出，道路应规划得简单，不要太复杂，而且总是改了又重做，这样只会导致更多意外发生，威胁诗巫人民的安全。

他也建议刘会耀和市议会议员们可以从市中心开始巡视，就从美申律开始。因为美申律路面的路线，有很多都不清楚，这会误导道路使用者。

他了解到，这种事可能不全怪市议会的办事效率。

他说，也许这工程是市议会的二手承包商工程 ，做工的可能不是市议会的工人。但是，市议会也有职责监督这些二手承包商有没有把路做好。

“市议会必须向人民作出交代，如果市议会不改善他们的效率，我不敢想象诗巫未来的发展会是怎样的。”

黄培根：勿为执政党操纵 选举委员会应具公信力

(本报诗巫5日讯) 砂行动党宣传秘书黄培根州议员说，国家的选举委员必须是一个独立、超然，具有公信力的操作机构，并不是人民所看到的污烟瘴气，被人沦为协助执政党的一个机制单位。

他说，砂行动党在他带领下，曾与国家选举委员会进行了会面，向他们提出了正面投诉，可是所获得的回应几乎是无，要自已向总部投诉。

黄培根表示，净选盟提出的“纯洁”，其实就是全国人民追求民主所走方向。他不明白，国阵政府从一开始即对此事持相反态度，采取强硬手段对付。

提倡净选有何错？

“如人民穿黄色衣服有什么错呢？难道在这时期只要人民穿上黄色衣服都有难，这在外国人眼中，大马不就成了警察国了吗？”

今早的新闻发布会上，黄培根表示，砂行动党对净选盟发动的709万人大游行活动，表示支持。因为在宪法上，人民以和平方式向政府表达不满的申诉是受允许的。

黄培根吁请首相拿督斯里纳吉坦然面对上述的和平大游行活动，而不是利用警察等政府机制来对付。

“须知道，一个以民为本的国度里，政府必须服从人民的意愿去施政，就好像甫结束的泰国大选，执政党得不到民心跨台，反对党以巨大票数上台执政做为座右铭。

公众受促提高警惕 诗巫流通百元假钞

（本报诗巫6日讯）诗巫市面上出现假钞事件，许多商家和民众已纷纷中招，因收到不法之徒所使用的假钞而蒙受不必要的财物损失。

黄培根服务中心接获一名电讯业者的投诉，收到100令吉的假钞。不法之徒使用假钞在其店里消费，店家在收款时没有谨慎检查款项，让使用假钞者得逞。

根据该名业者表示，据他所知，6月至今已有3间电讯店收到类似的假钞。单单电讯店已发生多起假钞事件，相信还有许多其它行业的业者也已深受其害。

该名陈姓业者今早将所收到的100令吉假钞和透过闭路电视所拍摄到的疑犯相片带来服务中心，要求黄培根透过媒体公布此事，好让公众提高戒心，以避免有更多的民众受骗。

使用及印刷假钞皆有罪

民众在进行现金交易时受促提高警惕，谨慎辨别钞票的真伪，以减低被骗的机率。其实假钞的纸质和真钞有别，如有注意，用手一摸就会感觉手感不同。况且，由于印刷技术较差，假钞的颜色也有一定的差别。

使用假钞是一种犯罪行为，印刷假钞更是一项严重的罪行。若民众收到假钞，可向警方举报，切勿使用假钞，以免涉及使用假钞的罪行。

假钞事件频频发生，行动党希望执法单位关注此事，立即制止不法集团继续印刷假钞在市面上招摇撞骗，造成诸多的社会问题。

黄培根展示民众所提供的假钞和使用假钞者的相片。

电线杆挡路

电线杆安置路中央 当局受促移走

（本报诗巫4日讯）行动党砂州宣传秘书兼柏拉旺区州议员黄培根表示，靠近新珠安菜市场处新商业店旁的一条支路安置了一根阻碍交通的电线杆。该电线杆被安置在路中央，对道路使用者带来不便及造成生命威胁。该欠缺考量胡乱安置的设备，实在令人百思不得其解。

黄培根之前曾反映过该事件，可是问题依然存在，对于负责单位不表重视的态度感到遗憾。因为这是关乎广大民众安危的事情，不应该置之不理，任由足以危害民众安全的道路陷阱继续安置在该处。

行动党柏拉旺区服务团队日前到新珠安巴刹巡视时发现问题还没得到改善。根据观察，其实该处店屋与店屋之间的距离非常靠近，当局可以直接衔接电缆至店屋，无需安置该根造成诸多阻碍的电线杆。

该事显示出相关单位在规划的工作上出现明显的缺陷和不足。当局在进行或增设任何建设时，民众的安全和方便务必列为首要的考量。如今这样存有缺陷的设备将使到政府的办事效率和规划能力受到质疑。

行动党和新珠安人民皆希望相关的负责单位可以立即采取行动，将该安置不当的电线杆移走。

■设立在路中央的电线杆。

幸运村严重积水

许多支路遭淹没 幸运村严重积水

（本报诗巫2日讯）幸运村积水问题严重，许多支路被水淹没，致使交通瘫痪。
该地区的水患问题已持续两天，对居民的生活作息构成诸多不便和危险。此次引发严重积水的原因是因为前几天的一场大雨。一雨成灾乃当地司空见惯的情景，多年来居民都须承受积水之苦。 ■幸运村积水问题严重，许多支路被水淹没。即使居民们曾多次通过不同管道向相关单位反映，然而问题依然没有受到负责单位的重视。
砂行动党宣传秘书兼柏拉旺区州议员黄培根于今日发出文告指出，受水患影响的支路包括幸运村第4巷、第6巷及第9巷等。这些支路水深2至3尺，其中一些屋子已进水，被水肆虐的住户须蒙受严重的财物损失。
“由于水位太深，居民们不鼓励我们继续前进。因此，我们的团队无法更深入地查看灾情。当时有许多途经该处的车辆抛锚，因此，我们的队员协助车主脱离水困，将车辆推到较高处。受害的车主皆对这种糟糕的情况深表不满，毕竟积水问题时常为他们带来不必要的损失。”
黄培根说，严重的积水问题不仅为当地居民造成财物损失，也为他们伏下了许多危机，如被水淹没的道路在没有警戒设备的警惕下，道路使用者根本无法识别沟渠的位置，并可能导致许多车辆和行人跌入沟里。
“当地居民表示，昨天就有一辆市议会的垃圾车因无法确认路面和沟渠的位置而跌入沟里。且在晚间灯光不足的情况下，发生意外事故的机率将会提高。”
排水瘫痪　路面过低
他强调，幸运村面对积水最大的因素须归咎于排水系统瘫痪及路面过低，如今一场大雨就能引发如此严重的水患，若遇到涨潮期加上大雨，后果将不堪设想。
他希望政府重视当地居民所面对的水患问题，尤其该处是非常密集的住宅区，所牵连的层面非常广泛。
他认为，政府要解决当地的积水问题并非一项不可能的任务，而解决积水问题须从两大祸因着手，即疏通沟渠，以确保内部水沟的水可在最短的时间内顺利排进大沟。
第二，填高所有较低的路面，因为许多支路的路面已出现凹凸不平和下陷的情况。若这些凹凸的路面没有被铺平，情况好比盛水的池塘，造成积水。
他希望政府以民为本，立即着手处理问题，解决人民所面对的困扰，从而摆脱常年被积水肆虐的痛苦。

黄培根促向联邦争取提高油气开采税

（本报古晋28日讯）柏拉旺区州议员黄培根强调，州政府应了解财政盈余逾22亿令吉的天文数字，对大众实质生活上没有太大的帮助，人民要的是从日常生活中体会及感受到砂州是富有的州属。
他说，砂第二财政部长兼环境与公共卫生部部长拿督斯里黄顺舸在州议会上总结时指出，2010年的州财政盈余逾22亿令吉，惟2004年前砂州的财政盈余有38%来自伐木收益，而2004年之后砂州的财政盈余有35至40%来自石油与天然气开采税。
“石油与天然气开采税是砂州的主要收入。”

将有消耗殆尽一天
他说，既然砂州的收入仰赖石油与天然气的开采，州国阵会否向联邦政府争取，以将石油与天然气的开采税从原本的5%提高至20%？
黄培根表示，砂州子民应分享砂州天然资源利益，何况石油及天然气非再生能源，将有被消耗殆尽的一天。
他表示，每当谈及砂州发展时，州国阵常以砂州幅员辽阔为托词。“如果砂州需要很多发展与资金，为何州国阵不向联邦政府争取提高石油与天然气的开采税，让更多资金回流砂州，进行发展与建设？”
设基金会管理资源
黄培根指出，登嘉楼州政府成立特别基金，以管理该州的资源，并通过该基金的运作与盈余，为该州进行各项发展与建设。
柏拉旺区州议员黄培根今日在州议会部门总结休息时刻，受访时如是说道。
他认为，砂州政府应仿效设立类似基金组织，以管理州内资源，并将部分盈余用作社会建设，如提供乐龄人士津贴、砂州子民深造奖贷学金等。
“如诗巫市议会在改善民生问题方面，常以没有多余资金应对，作为州国阵领袖之一，有必要争取更高的石油与天然气开采税，让资金回流，以改善与建设完善的民生设施。”
他强调，砂州要有更多的资金发展，而砂州人民也要分享经济发展成果，特别是年轻一代。

剔除贪腐盈余更多
他说，若能剔除贪腐的问题，州财政的盈余将可用于进行更多建设。
黄培根认为，尽管在州财政盈余方面有着亮丽的成绩与数字，但有关数字对砂州人民的日常生活并没有多大的帮助，人民要的是在生活中充份感受与体会砂州是一个富有的州属，即使是在通货膨胀的今日仍不会感到生活的重担。
他说，部长应回答有否向联邦政府争取提高石油与天然气开采税。

州立法议会 第十七届第一季第一次会议 黄培根批李景胜 扭曲周宛诗谈话

（本报古晋28日讯）柏拉旺区州议员黄培根针对社会发展与城市化助理部长拿督李景胜质疑周宛诗支持回教法的言论表示，李景胜扭曲行动党州议员的谈话，显见其政治智慧有障碍。
他说，在征收博彩税方面，为什么唯独砂州人民要多负担10%税务，难道砂州人民太富有？
他表示，砂州是全国排名第四穷的州属，这是不容否认的事实。
黄培根今日在州议会进行部门总结的休息时段，受访时如是说道。
黄培根指出，该党要代表人民询问政府政府，征收博彩税后用在何处？ 


博彩税用到哪里？
“当局应该向人民交待清楚，征收博彩税后是用在扶贫、单亲妈妈或其它福利事项，或另有用途？”
至于回教法，黄培根表示，人们已在州选举时清楚告诉人联党，若再以此作为课题，并不会得到人民的支持。
他说，当前首相敦马哈迪宣布大马是回教国时，试问人联党有无反驳或反对？
也是砂州行动党宣教秘书的黄培根强调，该党倡议世俗国，回教是官方宗教，至今没有乖离该项宗旨。
询及李景胜向周婉诗发出攻击性言论，他认为，这是李氏欺善怕恶的表现。

黄培根：应面对现实 深入探讨巫基建发展

• 南砂新闻

（本报古晋27日讯）行动党柏拉旺区州议员黄培根今日声称，诗巫要改变，人联党领袖拿督斯里黄顺舸必须要倒下去。

他宣称：“中区落后古晋20年，就是因为有这样的部长存在，不愿意面对事实，而是用来搞政治。”

黄培根是在今午的砂州立法议会休会期间，向媒体发表谈话时如此表示。

他强调，进入州议会，是为人民解决事情，而不是针对个人。

他表示，本身首次进入州议会，今日终于见识中区部长（黄顺舸）的真面目，整个总结不是解答州议员的问题，而是攻击行动党。

他认为，此举是把快乐建在诗巫人民的痛苦上，因为诗巫多年来面对水患、基本设施不完善，却没有在州议会内被讨论如何解决。

他声称，诗巫的道路情况糟糕是不争的事实，诗巫治水计划也是人联党多年来不能解决的事情，不过黄顺舸今日却没有讨论相关事项，而是攻击行动党。

此外，他表示，黄顺舸作为部长，敢攻击行动党州议员，就要有勇气和心胸让路行动党州议员做出反驳。

“他原本答应我会给我机会发问，但是在总结即将结束，他都不敢给我机会，因为他不敢面对事实。”

Dewan Debate Speech

Tuan Speaker,

I rise to debate on the Motion in appreciation to the speech delivered by his Excellency Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT) in this august House on this 2x^th day of June 2011.

I would like to say thank you to the voters of N. 48 Pelawan for giving me the mandate to represent them for the next 5 years.

Part 1

Sarawak under the BN

For 48 years, Sarawak has been dominated by the BN's politics of cronyism, nepotism, political patronage and corrupt practices. The majority of the Sarawakian has never been able to enjoy the state ample and rich resources while those few with close ties with the BN's leadership built vast business empires and some even expanded their empires to Canada, the United Kingdom, the US and Australia.

Our Chief Minister has gone on to YouTube prior to the just concluded state election and said that his able daughter has built the family business empire out of the little that he provided with his retirement funds.

May be the state government should organize a state-wide “ MEET THE CM’s Daughter” forum so that all the people can learn from her on how to amass wealth with little resources. I bet the ADUNs from the BN would applause such an idea?

May be the CM should consider retiring from active politics with immediate effect and spends all his energy to teach Malaysian, especially the Sarawakian on how to become rich just like his family members. Then Sarawakian and Sarawak would surely become the richest in Malaysia and that would be a real legacy for the Chief Minister.

One of the poorest states in Malaysia

Let's put on the record that up to 2010 we are still one of the poorest states in Malaysia, 4th from the bottom to be precise. Our Chief Minister has been the absolute power in Sarawak for the past 30 years and within that 30 years Sarawak has become one of the poorest states, what does that tell us? That either the Chief Minister is far from able or he doesn't wish Sarawakian to be rich like his family members?

The Chief Minister has pledged to bring developments to Sarawak and make Sarawak an advance and progressive state in Malaysia 30 years ago when he was sworn in as the CM but the exact opposite

happened.

Abuses of the BN

In Sarawak, timber has been over-logged until the rivers are contaminated and the eco-system destroyed. Log-jam stretching some 50KM and estimated some 400,000 tones of logs and timber wastes were swept down the Rajang River in 2010, leaving many people shocked by the scale of what is turning out to be an environmental disaster. How much forest was destroyed? How long would the Sarawak’s natural habitat last if we continue to exploit the natural resources?

Sarawak only receives 5% of the revenue of gas and oil which is unfair and unjust for Sarawakian as this is not renewable energy or resources. It is exploitation at its worst, no wonder the PM said we are the fixed deposit state of BN.

NCR Land is forcibly taken away from natives leaving them homeless or dislocated. Town landowners have to worry about the high renewal premiums levied on land leases.

Businesses in Sarawak are suffering from unfair policies whereby government's projects and contracts are given only to the well connected without open tender being called for. A classic example is this great building of the Dewan where the contract (worth some RM299 million) has been given to the company owns by the family members of the Chief Minister without open tender.

May be the CM wishes to make a ministerial statement in this Dewan to explain whether he has been investigated by the MACC. The MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur "The investigation is on."

Has the CM been interviewed by the MACC? We would like to know and Sarawakians have the right to know. Like the PM said, the day that the government knows best is over; it is time for the People to be informed.

Part 2

Road and drainage infrastructures in Sibu

Sibu is famous for its notorious infrastructures, the roads look like those in the war-torn countries and words can’t describe the drainage systems in Sibu. One would think and feel that he is riding a boat instead of a car; the car swears as if it’s riding the waves and then potholes everywhere would rock the car as if it is hit by a rocket. The drains, some of them in the constituency of Pelawan are upside down, imagine that!

Only in Sibu can one really see amazing sites like these .When the Rakyat complain to the authorities concerned, they would be told “No money”. Now the Rakyat know that the government would only pave certain stretches of road if there is an election coming.

The government best excuse would be Sibu is located on the peat soil area and thus it is costly to build proper roads and drains and the maintenance is very expensive. If that is the way of governing, who would need a government?

Sports and Recreational facilities in Sibu

The BN government has failed the people of Sibu as Sibu is the only big 4 municipal township without a quality indoor multipurpose stadium catering for the needs of the people. We used to have one outdoor stadium some 15 years ago but it gave way to the Wisma Sanyan and since then we are still waiting for the state government to provide one. The Bukit Lima indoor stadium is inadequate in space and facilities and it can’t even able to accommodate the Volleyball and Basketball competition and organizers of these competitions has to rent the venues of the Secondary school in town.

The Association of Volley Balls in Sibu has taken the lead and secures the corporate sponsorship of Prudential which we should applause. I would like to put on record my sincere gratitude to them for taking up the challenge to build an indoor Volley Ball stadium in Sibu. The Prudential Insurance has pledged RM 3.0 million for the construction of a 4-story indoor Volleyball stadium of International quality which can accommodate 4000 strong spectators. The whole construction cost is estimated to be in the region of RM 6.0 million and there is still a funding shortage of RM3.0 million.

How could the state government not provide the financial aids and be just a spectator in the welfare of the Sibu people? At least the state government should pledge the same amount or RM 3.0 million to develop the said stadium. We hope the Finance minister would be able to consider this request and give us the good news soon on this matter.

Bread and butter issues

In Sarawak, the inflation caused by the hike in fuels prices; sugar, flour and ever increasing Consumers Price Index have never been addressed by the BN. The people are crying out loud and many families are not able to put food on the table for their children as their incomes have not been proportionately increased with the rising food prices and other basic essential items.

Housing cost has escalated and double every 8 years or so and many cannot afford to own their own houses, the price of average intermediate double-story terrace house in Sibu has gone up to RM 320,000.oo per unit while it was only 150,000 ten years ago.

Youth and investing in the future

Sibu used to be the largest town in Sarawak, it gave way to Kuching and then Miri and soon it will be behind Bintulu and may be even Mukah. What happened? Why was Sibu sidelined by the BN governments over the past 20 years until it is the only municipal township in Sarawak without a full fledge University.

How could a place be prosperous and compete when it lacks the institutions that groom the future generations? I understand that the Methodist Church has allocated a site in the West Bank of Sibu in the constituency of Bawang Assan for the setting up of a University but the governments can not give them the green light. Why? No wonder our youth are leaving Sibu. We are what I would call investing for the others where our most brilliant mind would leave Sibu to serve other nations and other states in Malaysia, this is ridiculously unacceptable.

Chinese community and Chinese Education

The Chinese community long term hope that the state BN will recognize that mother tongue education is the basic right as enshrined in the UN chapter of Human Rights has been illusionary. The Chinese community has to pay a third kind of taxation in the name of Chinese education where they have to count on themselves to raise for funds and seek donations.

Although the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) has been proven to be of exceptional quality where it is recognized by no less than 5oo universities worldwide, it has been sidelined and put down by the BN. The BN state government has yet to provide for it since 1970.

Land issues

The land issues which we face have yet to be settled from the land renewal premium to the alienation of land to the imposition of section S.47 and S.48. Although the majorities of the urban voters have raised their concerned over the unfair land policies, the state government is still unresponsive to their woes.

The Sibu United Chinese Association (UCA) has submitted a comprehensive report to the CM just before the state election about the land issues affecting not only the Chinese community but all the communities in Sarawak. Has the CM gone through the report? May the CM enlighten us as to whether he will accept the recommendations submitted by the UCA? If not, why?

Environment and pollution

At 8^th mile Jalan Oya, within the state constituency of N.49 Nangka, residents in a heavily density residential area with more than 700 houses are crying out for help. The residents have complained to the authority that their environment and health have been affected by a nearby bitumen mixing plant pouring out thick black smoke into the environment. They have done everything within their power to highlight the issues to the authorities concerned as early as 2003 but their plights have fallen on deaf ears and the authorities have turn their backs on these poor folks.

(They had in 2003 signed a petition to urge the government to relocate the bitumen plant but the authority told them that that kind of smoke would not be hazardous to their health. But if that is the case, why would the Road Transport Department crack down on vehicles which emit CO2 into the environment?)

The CM out of touch

The CM has repeatedly said he doesn’t know what the Chinese community wants when the BN lost the Sibu by-election in 2010.That shows how disconnected he is with the rakyat. How could he not know what the Chinese community wants when he has been the CM for the past 30 years?

On the other hand, the Dayaks in Sarawak are suffering in vain under the BN, one prime issue for them would be the NCR land grasp by the BN government.  I doubt whether the CM knows what the Dayaks want.  Ex-YB Larry Sng asked in his Facebook “Is the SUPP still relevant to the Chinese?” I think it should be read as “Is the CM or BN still relevant to the people of Sarawak?”

We Anak Sarawak, be it the Ibans, Chinese, Melanau, Malays and the Bidayu all want a CAT government where the interests of the people are the top priority. We want Sarawakian to be able to enjoy the riches of the state and we want Sarawak to be rid of corruption which has become the trade mark of the BN.

Part 3

Ubah Generations

On the 16th April 2011, the people of Sarawak have spoken out loud and clear, i.e., enough is enough! The UBAH generations have been born in the just concluded state election where people are seeking for Change and want to bring a stop to the rots in the state of Sarawak.

With almost 45% of the people voted against the BN, which in itself is a History in the making. Has the BN state leadership heard the cries of Anak Sarawak? The Premier of the Singapore Republic told Singaporean that he has heard their voices when the oppositions secured around 40% of the popular votes in the just concluded Singapore general election, he has changed his cabinet and even his own father, the MM Lee Kuan Yew was forced out of office.

Has the Chief Minister of Sarawak heard? Instead of telling the people that he has heard, he rushed to the state Astana on the night of the election to be sworn in as the Chief Minister. Was there a power tussle within the state BN that prompted the ever confident Chief Minister to lose his coolness on the night of the election? Many thought so, we would like to know because we think that is a good indicator on how the Chief Minister going to lead Sarawak in the coming years. Is he more interested to hold on to the power than listening to the woes and cries of the Anak Sarawak?

How could the Chief Minister sleep soundly when a lot of our folks who live in the interior of Sarawak are still without the basic necessities such as electric supply, clean water and basic healthcare facilities? How could the Chief Minister eat well when a lot of folks live in poverty and can't even afford to put food on the table for their kids? How could the Chief Minister rest well when a lot of our folks have to leave Sarawak because of the lack of employment opportunities?

Does the Chief Minister know that we have been labeled as the state with the "crocodiles of the two-legged kind"? Some of the general public called elected politician YB, but that YB is not meant to be Yang Berhormat but Yang Buaya! Can we blame them? The answer lies in our own conscience!

The people-oriented Pakatan Government

The Pekatan Rakyat on the other hand has shown the people that it is people-oriented and the states under the capable leadership of Pekatan Rakyat's leaders such as Penang and Selangor have shown they centered on 3Es of enabling the people with skills and education, empowering them with rights or opportunities and enriching the people by ensuring an equal share of the fruits of economic success. There is a joke among many that although the state capital of Sarawak is called Kuching or CAT in English. That is what we actually do not have in Sarawak, a CAT government.

PR has shown good governance. Penang has not only being praised by the Auditor-General Report for being the best financially managed state but also praised by Transparency International for establishing integrity in leadership.

Penang is now the new champion of investments in Malaysia, coming out top in 2010. Penang replaced the previous 2009 champion Sarawak with RM 12.2 billion in 2010. On the other hand Sarawak went down from No.1 in 2009 with RM 8.5 billion to No. 4 with RM3.9 billion in 2010.

This is an extraordinary vote of confidence by both foreign and local investors in the PR state government of Penang. The No.2 state is another PR state of Selangor with RM 10.6 billion.

In fact the 4 PR states of Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan combined comprise RM 25 billion investments or 53% of the total investments in Malaysia of RM47, 177 million in 2010.

What can the Pekatan rakyat do to bring about the changes to Sarawak? The ROCCS that was pledged by the Pakatan Rakyat within the first 100 days of gaining power in PutraJaya are what the PR will do. But those ROCCS are also good for Petrajaya as well. We challenge the BN state government to emulate the following:

1)      Royal Commission of inquiry- the Sarawak state government should support the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuses of government officers.

2)      Oil and gas royalty payable to Sarawak be increased to 20% from the current 5%. An increase of 15% oil royalty will pump in additional RM 3.0 billion into the state coffer to help bring rapid developments to Sarawak.

We can set up a Sarawak Hornbill Fund by channeling 5% of the 20% royalty to eradicate poverty, to give a yearly allowance of RM 600 for all senior citizen of Sarawak origin and to set up an Education Fund for all Sarawakian to obtain higher education loans and to uplift the economics of Bumiputras and non-bumiputras by giving them business or entrepreneurship loans. The Terengganu state has set up the Terengganu Investment Authority to oversee and managed a fund (Initial set up of RM RM1.0 billion) set up with the oil and gas money to safeguard the interest of the people and that Fund is being managed by foreign bankers and investors. We have more oil and gas reserve and if we managed the oil money properly, the Norway’s experience would be a good indicator how we can benefit the Sarawakian.

3)      Corruption- This has to be the top priority for Sarawak. We will fight corruption by implementing an open tender system, separate business from politics and ban Chief Minister, Ministers, assistance Ministers, MPs, ADUNs, political secretaries, local Councilors from being granted state land or contracts.

4)      Crimes- Sarawakian are facing the security nightmare of rising crimes from snatch theft, day light robbery and illegal migrants that bring social ills to our land. People live in fear and the ever increasing sales of alarm systems reflect the seriousness of crimes in Sarawak. I know of a semi-detached house in the constituency of N.49 Nangka where there were 5 break-ins in the past 50 days. There were also a few cases of ministers, assistance minister and MPs who have became the victims and how can Sarawak people feel safe under the circumstances. How many of these high profile cases have been solved to date? The state government must pressure the federal government to bring in more law enforcement officers to safeguard our peoples’ interests.

5)      Sarawak First-Sarawak should be given the priority as the years of neglects cannot be undone unless Sarawakians are given the top jobs in the civil service to address the issues. At least 10 top Public service departments in Malaysia should be headed by Sarawakian.

Our destiny is in the hands of the UBAH generations, from 21 years old to those in the 40s and 70s, Sarawakian are demanding Changes. Across the world, from Tunisia to Egypt, from Yemen to Libya and from Sarawak to Singapore, people have risen to the challenge and demand changes in the way the governments govern. I believe the day of the corrupt powers will soon be over, money politics cannot save BN anymore and Sarawak will soon be free and reborn.

With that I conclude my speech, thank you.