2 December 2000

Replies to Questions From MP For Dewan Rakyat Sittings
 

7 April 1999

MASA KEGAWATAN EKONOMI, MASA MENGUKUHKAN ASAS EKONOMI

"Kita harus tumpukan usaha untuk memperkukuhkan bidang ekonomi yang produktif. Khususnya, tumpuan ke atas pembangunan industri sederhana dan kecil serta pertanian dan perternakan, yang kebanyakannya dimiliki dan dikerjakan rakyat tempatan. Galakan dan insentif yang lebih menarik harus disalurkan untuk membangunkan sektor-sektor ini, supaya eksport hasilnya akan terus membawa keuntungan besar kepada negara."

22 July 1998

CALL FOR GOVERNMENT AID TO FIX Y2K BUG FOR SMIS

"I would like to urge the government to give an allocation as well as incentives to small and medium-scale industries (SMI) so that they can prepare their computer systems for the Year 2000 (Y2K) compliant. The government should take the lead at federal, state and local authority levels to overcome the Y2K problem."

4 Nov 1998

PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE IN PUBLIC & PRIVATE SECTORS

"The government should review its protectionist policy on business management in order to create a truly competitive local business corporate body. Imposing tariff and protectionism are only necessary during business infancy, especially for those new companies or entrepreneurs. The policy should not be taken as a right or a legacy and should not be permanent. Tariff and protectionist tools should have a time limit, similar to tax exemption and incentives given to foreign investors at free industrial/trade zones. While business opportunities, protectionism and incentives may be extended to new entrepreneurs, emphasis should be given on efforts to instill more independence and competitiveness so as to create were entrepreneurs and corporate citizens."

3 April 1997

PRIORITISE CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL SEWERAGE TREATMENT FOR GEORGETOWN PENANG

"In this modern time, especially when the people are working hard towards attaining Vision 2020 for Malaysia to become a fully developed and industrialised nation, it is sad that George Town still does not have proper sewerage treatment plant. As a result, sewage is being channeled into the Jelutong sea which is unhealthy and unhygienic. I hope that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government would treat the sewerage treatment plant project with top priority."

3 April 1997

CALL FOR IWK TO REVIEW SEWERAGE CHARGES

"Penang residents are also upset with IWK for overcharging them in sewerage fees. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government should review IWK's formula or charge rates and come up with a reasonable and fair solution, particularly for shop houses and residential houses which have one toilet. In view of the current economic crisis facing the nation, the people's request is only fair and appropriate."

3 Nov 1997

SUPPORT GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW OUR ECONOMY & STRENGTHEN CURRENCY TRADING SYSTEM

"With the attacks from speculators and the foreign media, we should be united and stand behind the Barisan Nasional government led by our Prime Minister and his Deputy in efforts to revive the country's economy and at the same time to strengthen the currency trading system within the global economic system. It has now been proven that unscrupulous speculators like George Soros are like hurricanes that destroy economies of countries in their path. From the southeast Asian region where countries including Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have been hit to the more advanced economies of Taiwan and Hong Kong, the actions of these currency and stock market speculators have even caused the New York Stock Exchange to drop more than 500 points on 28 October 1997. If these unscrupulous traders like George Soros cannot be stopped or if currency trading cannot be controlled, it is possible that the global economy can be destroyed and the world may be headed towards another depression which may be more devastating than the depression of 1929."

13 May 1997

MEMENUHI KEPERLUAN-KEPERLUAN SEBELUM PEMANSUHAN AKTA KAWALAN SEWA

"Kita mesti memahami keadaan yang sedia ada sekarang sebelum kita cuba mengambil langkah untuk mengatasi masalah yang timbul daripada pemansuhan Akta Kawalan Sewa. Jadi, kita patut memastikan perkara-perkara berikut dipenuhi:-

• Keperluan bagi perumahan yang mencukupi terutama yang kos rendah dan sederhana di lokasi-lokasi tertentu yang perlu dibekalkan dengan cepat, efisyen dan mencukupi;

• Keperluan bagi premis perniagaan terutama kos rendah dan sederhana di pusat-pusat perniagaan di bandar-bandar utama yang perlu dibekalkan dengan cepat dan mencukupi;

• Keperluan menyediakan premis kecil yang berharga berpatutan dan dekat dengan lokasi sedia ada yang perlu dibekalkan juga;

• Keperluan untuk menempatkan semula penduduk dan peniaga-peniaga secara teratur diselaraskan, bertanggungjawab dan penyayang tanpa menjejaskan aktiviti-aktiviti ekonomi mereka yang terbabit;

• Rancangan dan pemulihan teratur, bahagian-bahagian pusat bandar yang terbabit selaras dengan rancangan-rancangan badan-badan berkanun dan badan bukan berkanun;

• Aktiviti pemeliharaan yang bertanggungjawab dan bermakna untuk pemeliharaan aspek dan bahagian warisan bandar, seni bina dan sivik;

• Keperluan untuk mengubahsuaikan undang-undang kecil dan standard perancangan yang sedia ada;

• Keperluan untuk menggubalkan undang-undang baru dengan segera supaya dapat menghadapi tekanan-tekanan pembangunan semula bandar yang kian meningkat.

• Perancangan jangka panjang dan perancangan berterusan bagi projek prasarana raksasa, utiliti dan kegunaan kemudahan sivik serta sosial yang diperlukan untuk menghadapi pembaharuan pusat bandar secara besar-besaran."

3 April 1997

DEMOKRASI PEMILIKAN RUMAH

"Saya bercadang supaya kerajaan menubuhkan satu bank untuk unit perumahan kos rendah untuk pusat bandar dan luarbandar. Dengan bank perumahan ini kerajaan boleh menambah stok perumahan kos rendah untuk dijual atau disewa kepada rakyat yang berpendapatan rendah. Bank Perumahan ini boleh juga digunakan sebagai stok unit perumahan yang boleh dijual kepada pemaju-pemaju yang ingin memenuhi syarat-syarat membekal unit perumahan kos rendah. Sebagai satu cara gantian, pemaju-pemaju dicadang membayar sumbangan wang kepdada satu tabung perumahan yang boleh digunakan oleh kerajaan untuk membina rumah kos rendah secara 'cross-subsidy'. Dengan strategi 'cross-subsidy' dan cara penubuhan tabung perumahan serta bank untuk stok unit perumahan dan melalui penyelarasan Perbandanan Perumahan Nasional, maka masalah perumahan yang dihadapi oleh golongan berpendapatan rendah dan miskin dapat diatasi melalui cara tersebut. Penubuhan satu bank untuk stok perumahan kos rendah dan satu Tabung Sumbangan Perumahan Kos Rendah untuk membantu Perbadanan Perumahan Nasional akan menghasilkan satu sistem perumahan yang flexible iaitu memberi kebebasan kepada pembeli untuk memilih, barulah satu sistem demokrasi pemilikan rumah (House Owning Democracy) dapat diwujudkan di masyarakat kita."

1997

ON IMC, IT, EDUCATION AND HOUSING

Integrated Manufacturing Centres

"The government should push for measures to ensure foreign investors do not leave the country after enjoying the 10-year tax free incentive in the manufacturing sector. These measures would convince the foreigners to bring into the country all their activities, from operation headquarters, planning and research to all aspects of manufacturing their particular products. The Penang Government had taken the lead to promote the Integrated Manufacturing Centres (IMC) concept to ensure foreign investors, especially the multi-national corporations (MNCs), remain in Penang forever. The IMC concept could only be successful under suitable conditions. Several MNCs in Penang involved in the manufacturing of electronic components, telecommunications equipment, computer components and parts had today not only achieved high-technology but also set up their R and D. PenangNet, which was set up late 1996, reflected the Penang Government's priority to move towards Information Technology (IT) and a 'paperless government'. The setting up of Silicon Corridor comprising Penang, Sungai Petani, Parit Buntar and Kulim as announced recently by Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon would complement the Multi-Super Corridor now being implemented at federal level".


IT and Internet

" I propose that the United Nations set up an UN Information Technology Commission (UNITC) to deal with problems caused by abuses of computers and the internet. The world body could formulate an understanding on the contents in websites and homepages in the internet."

Digital Signature

" The bill allows for more than one digital signature in the 'electronic commerce or electronic agreement letter'. Only one digital signature should be allowed to prevent problems or confusion. Similarly, only one digital signature should be allowed for corporates or institutions."

Proposed Corporatisation of Local Institutions of Higher Learning

"Several issues should be addressed first to prevent problems later on. We cannot deny that fees will increase after corporatisation. I propose the setting up of a vision scholarship fund to help poor students who excel in their STPM or those in the first year in the university, irrespective of race or religion. I would like to urge the Ministry of Education to publish application forms for entry to universities in local newspapers to avert the problems of parents or students wasting their time to queue up to buy the forms from post offices."

Housing for the Poor

"I would like to urge the government to be flexible in the construction of low-cost houses for the poor. I would suggest that a cross-subsidy scheme be introduced for construction of low-cost houses in urban areas because of high land price and other factors. The price of low-cost houses should also be based on land, location, quality and number of bedrooms".