With reference to the news reported by Malaysiakini titled “Government Shot Down Political Financing Reform Proposal” (http://malaysiakini.com/news/177299), I would like to congratulate the Bar Council for organizing the Forum on Political Financing. This is not a popular subject and many taboos exist. Most, if not all, politicians avoid addressing this subject publicly for fear of negative perception. However, this is a pressing issue among many honest politicians from both sides of the political divide.  It is like an elephant in the room.

Like it or not, politicians and political parties need money to run effective campaigns and serving their electorates. The more intense the political environment becomes, the more money is needed. This is especially true for Pakatan Rakyat as we have neither state-owned TVs nor Main Stream Media covering fairly for us.

During the State Assembly sitting on 4^th of May, 2011, I have raised this issue to the Penang State Government. Please read the draft of my Dewan Speech 14.0 to 22.0:

http://www.simformalaysia.com/2011/05/05/draft-ucapan-adun-pantai-jerejak-yb-sim-tze-tzin-dalam-sidang-dun-4hb-mei-2011/

http://malaysiakini.com/news/163288

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/5/nation/8608634&sec=nation

Based on the report today, the ruling UMNO/BN has proven again that they lack the political will to reform. The former EC Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid has revealed that the ruling federal government had rejected a proposal to reform political financing by providing state funding to political parties. The excuse given was “Malaysia will be crowded with political parties taking advantage of the funding”. To me, this is an utterly lame excuse.

I vehemently urge the Prime Minister to show his political will for reforms. Several organizations, including Transparency International, have approached him pertaining to this matter. He once remarked that he wanted Malaysia to be “The Best Democracy”. The propitious moment has arrived for him to walk the talk.

I also hereby urge the Parliament Select Committee on Election Reform to discuss and introduce State sponsored Political Financing to build a true democracy. The Parliament Select Committee (PSC) must be able to discuss wide-ranging and much needed Electoral Reforms in order to move Malaysia Forward in its quest to become the so-called “Best Democracy” mentioned above.

For too long, political parties, especially UMNO/BN, have relied heavily on dubious financial sources from lobby groups or parties with vested interests. This has resulted in a deeply embedded culture of corruption and nepotism in the ruling BN government. Even former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir has admitted the existence of such dubious funding in his party.

In today’s increasingly competitive political environment, political parties are racing with each other for more political influence. They have to organize all kinds of activities such as open house, providing financial help to the poor and needy, political ceramah, print leaflets etc. Like it or not, these activities incur expenses. It is also not very economically expedient in maintaining a service center, hiring of political aides and keeping the party divisions running. The killer part is during an election campaign when large amount of money is needed to meet inevitable expenses in a short period of time. Political parties or political leaders, therefore, are in constant need of political funds. Many politicians are forced to raise money on a regular basis. Their sources of funding could come from small donations or larger corporate donations. Many have donated sincerely without asking for favors but such sources could also inevitably open the possibilities of political lobbying by big corporations in time to come. Those who do not raise money from the public are forced to spend their own and be financially burdened. This has deterred good people from joining politics.

I would like to reiterate my view that the PM and PSC must take lead to reform because electoral matters come are under federal jurisdiction. On the other hand, the state governments held by Pakatan Rakyat could also explore such initiatives in accordance with the law. I am well aware of the jurisdiction and legal challenges of such initiatives. The various State Governments can set up committees to look into the legality and feasibility of such initiatives in electoral reforms. In Penang, the State Government needs to fork out only RM8 million to ensure fair play in elections. This small amount is a big step in improving democracy.

I am acutely aware of members of the public who might be skeptical of such an idea. They might not be supportive of using taxpayers’ money for funding political activities. Nevertheless this is just a small and necessary investment to keep politicians clean and to curb corrupt practices. Therefore, for such idea to be accepted, we have to provide sufficient political education and public awareness campaigns. Political leaders and parties must now start discussing these issues to educate and change public opinion.

Malaysia must introduce political finance reforms to emerge as a healthy democracy. Malaysian political parties as well as politicians must break away from conventional methods of private donation. The Parliament Select Committee on Election Reform must take lead to suggest State-sponsored funding for political parties. This will provide a level playing field for political parties and politicians to organize their activities and election campaigns. Tighter laws must be introduced to prevent dubious or covert political fundraising. Furthermore, this will help attract more talents to join politics in future. According to Prof Terence Gomez, 70% of democratic countries around the world have introduced State-sponsored Political Financing to prevent lobbying by funders. It is high time for Malaysia to follow suit.

Sim Tze Tzin

Pantai Jerejak State Assemblyman (KEADILAN), Penang.

Today I flagged off a Merdeka Walk in Taman Sunway Tunas to commemorate 54th Merdeka Day. About 300 participants from Bayan Baru participated in this program organized by JKKK Jalan Tengah Utara. It was held 8am this morning. Total distance was 3km. Most people finished within 1 hour.

I talked about regaining the spirit of Merdeka where Malaysia no longer divided by race, religion and skin colour. We want all Malaysians to feel this is home and work for the betterment of this country. I also said that we have a beautiful and rich country but corruption has made everyone feeling poorer and it is our duty to turn around the country. YB Malik was also present at this event.

Dear Penangites,

Good news to all commuters using Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. Your woes and frustrations will soon be over. We have worked out a solution to ease traffic congestion at the bottleneck area near Penang Bridge Exit towards Bayan Baru.

The State Gov with the partnership of IJM, have come out with RM 2 million to widen the bottleneck both ways, southbound and northbound. The plan also includes a U-turn.

Since 2008, we have been trying to apply to Federal Government funds but to no avail. Now, the State Government decided to engage IJM to widen the bottleneck. Credit must be given where it is due, we also thank the LLM for working with us to find this solution.

Please see the proposed widening fact sheets and the video presentation. We are still working on the detail plans to perfect it.

Thank you.

YB Sim Tze Tzin
ADUN Pantai Jerejak

Facts Sheets of Project at Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu

Fire broke out burning two houses in Jalan Mayang Pasir on 28th June, 2011. Fire started at about 5pm and the firefighters from Jalan Tengah quickly came to the rescue. Two houses were seriously burnt at the front part of the house. The reason of the fire is currently under investigation. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident.

I quickly went to the fire scene within 20min and met the victims over there. I calmed the victims and promised to deliver monetary help within 24 hours. The State and my office have jointly allocated RM1500 to each family.

I have delivered aide to the 2 fire victims the next day at 2.00pm. Each family received RM1500, while further aide will be handled by District Office. It is note worthy to mention one of the houses affected by the fire was an Immigration Officer Quarter. Penang Immigration Director Tuan Abd Kadir was also with me when aide was delivered.

From Left: Immigration Director Tuan Abd Kadir, Fire Victim, Penghulu Zul Azman, me, Mr Thum (Welfare Dept Director) and En Zul (Pengerusi JKKK)

Georgetown: ADUN Pantai Jerejak YB Sim Tze Tzin extends his care to the poor and needy in Kg Sungai Nibong Kecil this afternoon. He brought a team of medical officers and nurses to provide free clinics for the under privileged residents. The medical Doctors were Dr Khoo Teng Lye, and Dr Oun Boon Han. This program was organized by JKKK Mahsuri under the leadership of Latifah bin Husainsa.

This is the first time free clinics were held directly at the kampung. About 70 old and sick local residents turned up for this event. They were mostly from Kg Sg Nibong Kecil, Kg Sg Nibong Tengah and Flat Lengkok Mahsuri. They got free medical check-ups and best of all, they also got free medicine if they are sick.  The volunteer doctors checked residents for blood pressures, sugar level and other illness.

The program lasted for 3 hours from 4pm to 7pm.

YB Sim said he would do more programs like this to help the needy directly.

A technical visit was made to the Bayan Baru Market on Friday morning with the MPPP Councillors to listen to feedback from the ground. I also managed to hand over donated books to the MPPP Library located at the topmost floor of the market.

More Pictures can be found here: Sim Tze Tzin’s Facebook Page

Mr Wong Could Not Deliver Promises, Now He Must Stop Politicking.
Yesterday, Mr Wong Mun Hoe and his Gerakan party leaders held a press conference to condemn the State Government regarding repainting of PDC and State Government built flats. He was quoted in Chinese Press as saying “Mahsuri Apartment (M3-M5) is privately managed and not under the management of PDC or State Government. They do not qualify to get repaint. How could they get to be the first to repaint?”

His statement has angered many of the residents of the Mahsuri Apartment. Mr. Wong has politicized the issue and made the innocent residents as scapegoats.
I would like to response to this matter by giving facts nothing but the facts. In March 2004, Mahsuri Apartment 3, 4 and 5 was approached by PDC to set up Management Corporation. During the formation meeting in August 2004, pro-tem committee requested to repaint the buildings, as part of the exchange agreement to take over the management. The then PDC DGM En. Rosli Jaafar had agreed to consider. However, since then there had been no reply. In July 2005, the PDC rejected their request. The residents felt cheated to take over the management from PDC. This has been a major discontent among the residents.
Mahsuri Apartment Management Corporation then turned to Mr. Wong Mun Hoe to seek help. Mr. Wong is in the know in the entire episode.
Now he has suffered “Selective Forgetfulness Syndrome” to make it a political issue for his political gains.

The residents later approached me to pursue their problems. After I was elected to be State Assemblyman, I continue to work towards making their (Mahsuri residents) dreams come true. I had several meetings with PDC as well as CM YAB Lim Guan Eng. In April 2011, finally Chief Minister visited Mahsuri Apartment and delivered the said promises and thus resolved all the unhappiness all these years.
I wish to remind Mr. Wong that, in his tenure as the state Assemblyman. He as a state assemblyman and his Gerakan Chief Minister Tan Sri Khor Tsu Koon, could not even deliver their own promise. It is the Pakatan Rakyat Government that delivered the promise.
Please do not confuse the Rakyat in this matter. We urge Penang Gerakan especially Mr. Wong Mun Hoe to stop politicking because this will just further anger the residents.

YB Sim Tze Tzin,

ADUN Pantai Jerejak

A dialogue was held with the flat residents at Lengkok Mahsuri to listen and solve the residents’ problems.

More picture can be found here: Sim Tze Tzin’s Facebook Page

1.0 Terlebih dahulu, saya ingin mengucapkan selamat hari pekerja dan juga selamat hari kebebasan akhbar. Para wartawan memperjuangkan kebenaran dan melaporkan berita dengan jujur, dan saya menghormati professionalisme para wartawan. Penghormatan saya tidak termasuk editor TV3, Utusan Malaysia dan Awang Selamat.

2.0 Para pekerja adalah tunggak pemacu ekonomi di negeri Pulau Pinang. Setiap hari ratusan ribu pekerja collar biru dan collar putih begitu juga pegawai kerajaan, menjalankan tugas mereka secara jujur dan disiplin. Sumbangan mereka amat besar kerana merekalah yang memajukan ekonomi mereka.

3.0 Saya ucapkan syabas kepada kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang kerana Berjaya menarik FDI sebanyak 12.2 billion tahun 2010. Ini adalah pencapaian yang cukup membanggakan. Ini adalah hasil usaha para pekerja di kawasan-kawasan perindustrian di FTZ, yang menyakinkan para pelabur bahawa melabur di Pulau Pinang akan memberi keuntungan kepada pekilang.

4.0 Saya ingin memanggil perhatian kerajaan terhadap kebajikan para pekerja. Beberapa masalah besar yang dihadapi oleh para pekerja. Pertama, adalah gaji pekerja yang amat rendah. Secara purata gaji permulaan seorang pekerja kilang lulusan SPM adalah hanyalah RM550. Gaji 10 tahun dahulu adalah RM500. Tetapi harga barang naik berkali-kali ganda.

5.0 Kedua, kemasukan pekerja-pekerja asing telah memberi saingan yang begitu hebat kepada pekerja tempatan. Mereka telah merampas tempat pekerja tempatan dan juga suppress kenaikan gaji yang sewajarnya. Saya memahami bahawa kita masih kekurangan pekerja dalam perindustrian. Dan sememangnya isu pekerja adalah di bawah kerajaan pusat. Tetapi saya mohon prihatin kerajaan negeri dan berbuat sesuatu kerana Perindustrian adalah tunggak ekonomi negeri Pulau Pinang.

6.0 Pakatan Rakyat memperjuangkan gaji minima untuk pekerja kilang. Ini telah termaktub dalam manifesto Pakatan Rakyat. Maka saya berharap kerajaan negeri mula memperjuangkan isu gaji minima di kalangan para industrialists dan pekerja. Kerajaan negeri harus memberi satu mesej yang jelas bahawa gaji pekerja sekarang terlalu rendah dan perlu dinaikan secara berperingkat sehingga ke garis gaji minima. Para industralist mempunyai masa untuk membuat perubahan sehingga Pakatan Rakyat membentuk kerajaan di Putrajaya.

7.0 Mereka harus diberi tempoh masa untuk meningkatkan proses automation di dalam kilang-kilang mereka. Supaya mereka tidak lagi bergantung kepada tenaga pekerja berkemahiran rendah. Proses ini tidak boleh dilonjatkan secara serta merta. Pekilang juga tidak rasa desakan jika dasar perindustrian kita masih bergantung kepada low skill, low wage workers. Maka kerajaan negeri jika memberi hala-tuju dan tempoh masa untuk menaikkan gaji ke gaji minima, maka, para industrialist akan mula perancangan dari sekarang.

8.0 Ketiga, adalah kekurangan perbincangan dan dialog tripartite antara pekerja-perindustrian-kerajaan. Para pekerja mempunyai banyak rungutan, para industrialist juga ingin tingkatkan produktiviti pekerja. Tetapi mereka kurang mempunyai ruang dan platform untuk berbuat demikian. Maka banyak isu pekerja berlanjutan.

9.0 Apa yang boleh kita buat?

10.0 Saya ingin mencadangkan satu MMK Pekerja di bawah Exco Perindustrian iaitu Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1. MMK ini bertujuan memperjuangkan isu pekerja-pekerja kilang. Ia boleh juga boleh mengadakan dialog berkala tripartite dengan pekilang dan union-union pekerja. MMK ini juga bertanggungjawab melakarkan perancangan dasar pekerja negeri, bagaimana menarik lebih ramai skilled workers untuk bekerja di Pulau Pinang dan mengatasi kekurangan pekerja.

11.0 MMK Pekerja juga boleh melakarkan program-program seperti bantuan guaman, program skill training dan sebagainya. Saya harap kerajaan boleh mempertimbangkan cadangan saya.
Demokrasi
12.0 Selepas 3 tahun Pakatan Rakyat memegang kerajaan negeri, pelbagai initiative untuk mendemokrasikan negeri telah dijalankan. Saya beri contoh seperti meluluskan usul untuk menjalankan pilihanraya kerajaan tempatan, draf undang-undang Freedom of Information dan juga menyediakan sudut free speech corner. Syabas kepada kerajaan negeri.

13.0 Kerajaan tidak harus henti begitu sahaja, malah kita harus memimpin arus perubahan dan pendemokrasian. Kerajaan Pakatan harus menggunakan kekuatan 2/3 DUN untuk melaksanakan reform pendemokrasian secepat mungkin. Saya ingin cadangkan 3 reform initiative untuk memantapkan demokrasi negeri Pulau Pinang.

14.0 Yang pertama, campaign finance reform.

15.0 Parti-parti politik di Negara ini kebanyakan mendapatkan dana pilihanraya dari ahli parti atau penyokong-penyokong. Saya tidak tahu dengan UMNO/BN sebab mereka kaya dan mempunyai banyak saluran.  Baru-baru ini MACC mengesyorkan bahawa mereka ingin memantau sumbangan wang politik kerana ia adalah satu unsur rasuah. Tetapi menteri Barisan Nasional Hishamuddin Tun Hussein Oon cepat-cepat keluar kata tidak setuju, kononnya akan menakutkan penderma.

16.0 Ada satu buku….

17.0 Maka, kita tahu bahawa sumbangan politik adalah satu masalah yang besar dan mencabar system demokrasi Negara kita.

18.0 Kerajaan negeri harus menerajui campaign finance reform di negeri Pulau Pinang. Pulau Pinang adalah epicenter tsunami politik tahun 2008. Rakyat Pulau Pinang ingin melihat political reform.

19.0 Saya ingin mencadangkan penubuhan satu Tabung Amanah Pilihanraya. Tabung ini berfungsi untuk menyumbangkan wang kepada calon-calon pilihanraya, baik PR atau BN. Calon-calon akan menggunakan wang kerajaan untuk bertanding. Dengan ini, mereka dilarang mendapatkan sumbangan kewangan yang mungkin berunsur rasuah. Maka calon-calon boleh bertanding secara adil dan kita boleh memastikan pilihanraya dijalankan secara bersih.

20.0 Saya ingin mencadangkan RM100,000 untuk setiap calon di setiap DUN. Maka, kerajaan hanya perlu memperuntukan RM8juta untuk kesemua 40 kerusi pilihanraya DUN. Ini adalah satu kos yang cukup rendah untuk menjalankan pilihanraya yang adil dan Bersih.

21.0 Sebenarnya, campaign finance yang dibiayai oleh kerajaan bukan sesuatu perkara yang baru. Negera German telah melaksanakan system ini selepas perang dunia kedua dan Berjaya mewujudkan Negara demokrasi yang mantap. Baru-baru ini, Negara Africa Naminbia juga melaksanakan Tabung Amanah Pilihanraya dan Negara tersebut mengalami pendemokrasian yang pesat.

22.0 Pulau Pinang haruslah menerajui pendemokrasian ini. 

23.0 Kedua, Pemantapan Demokrasi Dewan Undangan Negeri. 

24.0 Apa yang dimaksudkan pemantapan ini? Ada beberapa criteria yang disyorkan oleh Commonwealth Parliamentary Association CPA. Di antaranya Parliament atau DUN harus mempunyai independence of jurisdiction. Saya ingin syorkan bahawa kerajaan negeri memberi kuasa independent kepada DUN. Dimana DUN mempunyai kuasa tertentu. Contohnya kebebasan untuk mengurus kewangan DUN. Kewangan DUN diperuntukan oleh kerajaan negeri kemudian baget DUN ditentukan oleh select committee.

25.0 Kita harus belajar dari Dewan Undangan Negeri Selangor dan pimpinan Exco kerajaan Selangor dalam hal ini. Mereka telah kedepan dari segi pendemokrasian dan pemantapan DUN.

26.0 Ketiga, melanjutkan sidang DUN demi kerajaan yang lebih Accountable dan Transparent.

27.0 Saya memeriksa rekod dan dapati bahawa pada tahun 2005 sidang dewan 14 hari. Tahun 2006 dewan bersidang 12 hari. Tahun 2007, 12 hari. Tahun 2008, sidang dewan 14 hari. Tahun 2009, 12 hari.

28.0 Ini bukan satu rekod yang kurang memuaskan. Kerana kalau kita bandingkan dengan BN, tidak berbeza banyak. Saya nak ambil contoh Australia, DUN West Australia bersidang 22 minggu setiap tahun. Maksudnya lebih kurang 88 hari setahun.

29.0 Sidang DUN Pulau Pinang harus dipanjangkan untuk meningkatkan prestasi DUN dan memastikan kerajaan berfungsi secara accountable dan transparent.

Land Reclamation di Pantai Queensbay

30.0  Saya difahamkan kerajaan telah meluluskan penambakan tanah di pantai Queensbay. Ini adalah satu pampasan kerajaan negeri kepada Boustead Holding Bhd akibat larangan ketinggian di kawasan heritage UNESCO.

31.0 Boustead dibenarkan menambak 100 ekar tanah di pantai di hadapan Queensbay.

32.0 Setakat ini, saya masih belum dimaklumkan tentang projek ini maka saya tidak tahu secara teliti dengan projek ini. Saya meminta kerajaan negeri boleh memberi taklimat kepada Adun kawasan setiap kali projek besar dan penting seperti ini. Kami perlu jawab kepada pengundi-pengundi.

33.0 Saya ingin membangkitkan kekhuthiran dan reservation terhadap projek ini.

34.0 Pertama, projek tambakan boleh menghasilkan masalah alam sekitar. Kita harus mengambil iktibar dari projek tambakan E&O di Tanjung Tokong, di mana Gurney Drive mendapat mendapan dari situ. Mungkin mendapan akan berlaku di sekitar pantai Queensbay, Pulau Jerejak ataupun Batu Maung. Saya berharap EIA dijalankan secara teliti.

35.0 Kedua, Pulau Jerejak adalah crown jewel untuk negeri Pulau Pinang. Ia sepatutnya dibangunkan sebagai kawasan perlancongan seperti Sentosa Island di Singapura. Maka ia memerlukan tanah di sebelah kawasan Queensbay untuk melengkapkan pembangunan di Pulau Jerejak. Sebarang penambakan di kawasan sisiran pantai Queensbay harus dibuat secara berpandangan jauh.

CM YAB Lim Guan Eng came to Mahsuri Apartments to announce the major upgrading works and to meet the people at 22nd March 2011. This has been a longstanding issue since 2005, and the PR government has vowed to solve it soonest possible.

More Pictures can be found here: Sim Tze Tzin’s Facebook Page