Dewan Diary Day 6

By Wong Ho Leng
21st May, 2007

Reporters had done a difficult but good job for the whole of last week. We gave them a simple treat last night.

But reporting of the Dewan proceedings in the English press for the whole of last week leaves much to be desired. It was totally lopsided in favour of the Government. Now that the Ministers will do the winding up speeches for the next 3 days, we can only expect a total gag on the Opposition voice, especially on their injections or seeking clarifications from the Ministers.

(1) Motion Sunk

Chong intended to move an important motion for the sake of the sanctity of the Dewan. The Minister of Infrastructure Development had to account why, for the same question over bridge projects, 2 inconsistent answers were given to Chong. One written answer received in November last year by Chong before the last day of the sitting listed 24 contracts, with pages of detail of the contract sums and contractors. Another but short answer that was sent to me to be distributed to the 5 DAPpers said that listing the details of the contracts is very difficult. Was this an attempt to hide something?

As has been the practice for the whole of last week, the Dewan meeting started at 9:00 a.m. on the dot. Chong attempted to move the Motion but could not have his way. He had only read portion of one of the written replies when the Speaker stopped him and ruled that he would stick to the Order of the day and the Minister will reply to the Motion later. How would the Minister reply without knowing the detail of Chong’s complaint? Has the Speaker known what the inconsistencies were? I lent some help to Chong, but to no avail. A smart Dominique tucked along too. We all made clear that the Speaker has not been fair, but the Speaker remained nonchalant and shot the Motion down. He did not even ask for a seconder which is needed in the Standing Order in order to move a Motion. How would you expect the Minister to reply to the Motion which is not even seconded? So, let’s wait and see the standard of the Minister in his reply tomorrow. If the answer is unsatisfactory, we will not rule out moving a Motion to refer him to the committee of privileges. It is trite that written answers form part of the Hansard. With 2 inconsistent answers, which one will form the Hansard record?

(2) Winding Up by Awang Tengah

Awang Tengah was the first Minister to do the winding up speech, for he is the most junior of the Ministers. That is the Parliamentary convention. The Minister answered issues raised by Tze Fui on the movement of Lands and Surveys and the resettlement scheme. Tze Fui said she was quite happy with the answers.

Awang Tengah was not so friendly to Violet’s issue concerning Koperasi Polis Diraja Malaysia Sarawak Bhd’s (KOPODIMS) project at Jalan Matang, Kuching. The Minister explained that Maxiplan Development Sdn Bhd (owned by Assistant Minister from Tupong) was the 4th Contractor appointed to salvage the project and seemed to suggest that everything was above board.

The issue of water supply has been raised by ADUNs for rural constituencies, but year in and year out, there seems to have no solution forthcoming.

The Minister justified the new SESCo tariff rates by rising fuel costs to generate the power. He said that by the time the Bakun HEP is implemented in 2010/2011 then the price for electricity in Sarawak will be stabilized. Or did I hear “civilized”? I stood to stay that for the purpose of electricity tariffs, price being “stabilized” or “civilized” are interconnected, but the question is how would the Bakun Dam help us when implemented? No satisfactory answer was forthcoming.

Though saying that the Government is aware of the impact of fuel price hike, the Minister uttered not a word about the Memorandum submitted by ADUN Pujut to him on 29th April, 2007 to reconsider the hike. I stood to ask for the answer but the smart Minister dodged the issue. But the answer is obviously there. The Memorandum is as good as thrown into the basket.

(3) Michael Manyin

It wasn’t a lively afternoon which was supposed to start at 2pm. According to the practice of the previous week, it would have started punctually. By 2:07pm, there was still no quorum. Only 15 members were at the Dewan. Apart from the Minister responsible for the Environment, not a single other Minister was present. They were not according respect to the House. The Speaker wouldn't start but I indicated that the Opposition wouldn't raise objection to the lack of quorum.

Michael Manyin started to state the policy of his Ministry and to answer the issues raised. He enjoyed reading his speech with minimal interruption. Chiew and Tze Fui were allowed to seek clarification but Dominique was not so lucky.

It looked like the Government is keen in encouraging people to quit smoking through 31 quit-smoking clinics. But I wonder how successful this will be.

Cancer is the No.1 killer. Lung cancer is still the most common killer for men. The females suffer breast, cervix and rectal cancers. Among children, leukemia, lymphoma and brain cancer are the worst destroyers of lives.

Manyin said that all local authorities will continue to maintain road and drains but at times due to financial limitations maintenance may not be satisfactorily done but the Councils will continue to do their best and to bid for maintenance fund. He also advised the people to only pay licence fees at the office of local authorities. That cleared the issue raised by Tze Fui about some council staffs trying to collect 3 months licence fees in advance without receipts. That matter will be probed further.

Dominique tried to teach Manyin the correct pronunciation to Petanak, not “Pentanak”. The Minister hit back by telling Dominique the correct way to pronounce Tebedu. It should read “Tebede”. Well, it livens the afternoon and chased away the sleeping bugs.

Users pay concept again sprang up in the reply and a small altercation started between Manyin and Chong. Dominique chipped in. The Minister asked Chong, “what would you suggest as the alternative”?

I had seen many hawkers not trading despite having licences. When asked, the Minister said he will not allow absentee hawkers and there is no sub-letting of licences.

Chong raised the issue of the Kali Garden Development. The Minister told the Dewan that it is receiving attention and will be reviewed. The matter will be solved. This shows the importance of raising the plight of the people in the Dewan.

(4) Soon Koh

Soon Koh started his Ministerial reply from 4:20pm. He deliberated on matters relating to urban development and tourism. As usual he stated the policy of his ministry with particular emphasis on implementation under the 9th Malaysia Plan. He holds another portfolio, that of Finance. He would leave that for tomorrow.

He said that improvement of the urban traffic transportation system is the priority of his ministry. Bus service in urban areas is the most important mode of public transport but has not improved in recent years.

He deliberated on the flood mitigation project and the urban landscape and beautification projects. Chong stood to suggest priority on drain works over beautification to which the Minister merely said the points are noted.

On solid waste management, the Minister said the recycle of plastic materials and wastes have resulted in monthly reduction of 40 tonnes of rubbish for the Miri City Council. He was proud of the efforts. Other towns and cities, apparently, are lagging behind.

The Minister replied to Chew on the flood problem in Kidurong. The Bintulu Development Authority has plans to upgrade drainage in flood prone area.

On the issue of floods raised by me in Sibu and my constituency, the Minister said that the Government has always been very concerned. Therefore, the Government has implemented flood mitigation plan that will hopefully solve the regional flood relating to the Rejang River.

Air connectivity is a huge problem. Dominique and I asked the Minister to seriously look into forming the Sarawak Airlines. The Minister merely said the point is noted. Air connectivity has really affected the tourism industry in our state. The Minister went on overdrive to show what efforts had been put in to promote tourism.

As usual, Soon Koh could not end his speech without deliberating on his biased perception on politics. He asserted that the opposition’s criticisms should be loyal, constructive and responsible. But it seems to me that he can see no wrong in his Government.

Soon Koh said the Opposition has no licence to discredit the Government. He emphasized that the Government would wish to accord members of Opposition with respect and honour if respect and honour are rightly theirs and if they deserve it. The Opposition is not a licence to be disrespectful. He tried to admonish the Opposition members to oppose through articulating constructive criticisms and through reasoned arguments and facts. He said he did not seek to silent the Opposition but they should adopt a moderate stance.

If Soon Koh meant that these were the exemplary yardsticks shown by SUPP ADUNs, he was way off the mark. I cannot see much in the merits of electing the SUPP ADUNs. As has been demonstrated in the whole of last week and today in the Dewan, they are “yes” men.

Soon Koh has a complaint about DAP Newsletters (the Rocket”) which he said are widely sold. He had personally bought a copy. He accused that there was an attempt to launch malicious smears on BN leaders, including the publication in one issue that the 2nd Minister of Finance’s house was built with marbles costing RM8 million. He said that another issue of “the Rocket” shows the CM heading a dynasty and other state leaders dressed in Manchurian official uniform, depicting them as eunuchs. Chong stood to clarify that the uniform was that of Ching officials and not eunuchs. Soon Koh said that that was Chong’s interpretation.

Soon Koh said he believed in public political maturity and would leave it to the good sense of the people in discerning what is right, wrong, truthful and untruthful

That was it for the day. Boring reading sessions but we get our answers to issues raised.

Projects were implemented though I must say, the people do not see the money. I have heard often enough condemnations of the rakyat for supporting the Opposition Party, how immature they are, and that the Opposition areas will not be developed etc. From answers given by the Ministers in the Dewan, development is not pegged to election results. I hope this will hold true. A well audited Government will have to carry out development fairly and equitably.