No Practice Of Issuing Business Support Letters For Government Procurement Or Contracts In Penang

Below is a posting from Lim Guan Eng's post - and I am of the opinion that this practice should be followed in all Pakatan Rakyat States. 

 

No Practice Of Issuing Business Support Letters For Government Procurement Or Contracts In Penang Because Of Open Tender System.

Penang elected representatives do not engage in the practice of issuing business support letters for state government procurement or contracts. The Penang state government and its agencies do not require nor entertain such business support letters for any contractor to secure government projects. 

There is no need for such practices of issuing business support letters as government projects are given under the open tender system. CAT governance based on competency accountability and transparency has adopted the e-tender approach through online computer applications, which also minimizes contact between government officers and contractors bidding for the project. 

CAT governance and the open tender system has won praise not only from Class F contractors, who have an equal opportunity to win government jobs, but also from Transparency International. This is the first time that any government in Malaysia has received praise from Transparency International. 

Elected representatives are still allowed to issue letters of support for welfare assistance, appeals of reductions of summonses compounds, application of hawkers’ licenses, education loans and scholarships. However such letters of support must still be subject to existing rules. Penang government departments and agencies are required to evaluate the applications on such rules based on merits and needs.

Nonsense if wakil rakyats cannot enter schools, have dialogue sessions, etc

Well, it is absurd when the people voted in the Pakatan Rakyat parties to govern Selangor...or when the people have voted in a non-BN MP/ADUN for their area that they are not allowed to go visit (or be invited to) the schools and other facilities in their own constituency...

UMNO-led BN must understand what is the meaning of democracy...and this means the people choses their 'wakil rakyat' (people's representative), be it the MP, ADUN (and later on the Loacl Councillor) and when this happens it is their responsibility to look into the welfare of their constituents - and that must certainly include visits, having dialogue sessions, etc be it in schools, clinics, police stations, etc...i.e. any public facility, and it is really absurd that the Education Ministry have come out with lists of all who can be invited to schools and school functions...and I see in that list persons who have not even the wakil rakyat for that area. 

If I was the ADUN/MP, I would write a letter to the relevant public facility and state that I am coming for a visit at this day and time, and would also like to have a meeting with the said teachers, students, etc.. as the democratically chosen people's representative for the area..., and if the headmaster or OCPD says "No", I will certainly make it an issue and challenge that decision. Maybe, then I would arrange a meeting at a nearby hall, and I will hand out pamphlets inviting students, teachers and parents to attend. Then, we shall see what happens...

Duly elected reps have the duty and obligation to represent the people in the constituency - and to be an effective rep, they must be able to meet their constituents, have dialogue sessions, ...so that they can best represent them.

Using reasons like they cannot go is absurd...

When Pakatan Rakyat (and the Opposition Party) takes control of the Federal Government at the next General Elections, then they too must allow the BN reps to be invited to and attend school functions, etc... Why? They are the duly elected people's representative...

A circular that allows specified BN leaders to attend events organised by Selangor schools but keeps out those from Pakatan Rakyat, has been criticised as an example of double standards.

The circular dated Feb 16, 2009 states that the education minister has appointed 57 leaders from Selangor Umno, MCA, MIC and Gerakan to represent him at these events in the state.

Signed by the principal secretary to the minister, the circular was sent to the director of the Selangor Education Department.

It also states that the BN representatives have each been issued a certificate of appointment, copies of which were attached to the circular with a full list of names and posts held in the respective political parties.

When contacted, Hannah Yeoh, the DAP state assemblyperson for Subang Jaya said that - by implication - school authorities have to get the minister's permission to invite Pakatan representatives.

“(When the schools ask for permission), it is never given,” she claimed.

Yeoh had recently mentioned this in a tweet, in which she questioned the contents of the circular and said she had managed to obtain the list of 'approved' BN leaders.

“I am not allowed to attend any function in the schools in my area. This is not right as it sends the message to the children that you have to receive whoever you are given. They cannot choose their own leaders,” she said.

She, however, said she was allowed to enter her alma mater - SMK Subang Utama - after the Parents-Teachers Association (PIBG) stepped in.

“In my case, because the PIBG insisted, I was able to attend. So it shows that PIBG plays an important role,” she added.

'Clearly unfair' policy

DAP's Teratai state assemblyperson Jenice Lee confirmed the situation.

“Some schools had requested donations from me, but I was not allowed to go in and give a speech," she said.

There was one occasion where I had to hand over the cheque outside the school compound.”

“I know this has happened to many other Pakatan leaders, not just me and Hannah. And this is clearly unfair.” - Malaysiakini, 4/8/2010, Elected reps kept out of S'gor schools

Education Ministry's list of 'approved visitors' 

Or maybe, the reason why they have not been trying is because these wakil rakyat's are just lazy.....happy that there are restriction imposed by the Education Ministry, etc... There is no basis to disallow Pakatan Rakyat's duly elected people's representative when they allow not only the BN's elected reps but also some other politicians from BN. This, I believe, certainly is an infringement of Article 8 which demands equality...and abhors discrimination. Certainly, this does not fall within Constitutionally permissible discriminations.

If on the hand, the Education's Ministry's list did not contain politicians and other elected reps, but maybe only academicians and educationist, then maybe it may have been OK - but this list, that is found in the Malaysiakini report purportedly issued by the Ministry of Education is certainly, in my opinion, in violation of  the Federal Constitution.

They may call the list, a list of the official representatives of the Minister, and if so it must  reasonably be people from the Ministry - not UMNO-BN politicians. In fact, there is no persons from the Ministry at all - all are UMNO, MCA, MIC...and (1)Gerakan politicians (Side issue, what about the other component parties of BN??). What about the Deputy Minister? 

Wakil rakyat's should write to schools and say that they want to attend a particular school function, and maybe even have a dialogue session, or even give a speech....and then let us see the reply that comes. If the reply, is that they cannot come because there is  a clear restriction by the Ministry (or Federal Government), then we have a stronger case. Now, the letter just talks about the Minister's representatives...and there is nothing there that say that 'wakil rakyat's', if they are Opposition cannot have any functions in the school, with the teachers, parents and/or students.. Of course, the Minister can chose whoever to represent him - and this is what this strange list is all about, odd because it only contains BN politicians and no one even from the Ministry.

DAP ADUN quits DAP, and proclaims himself an independent....Why?

A DAP ADUN quits DAP, and proclaims himself an independent....(or was in pro-BN independent?)

But, what about the constituents that voted for you...or did they vote you because you stood as a DAP candidate? Quitting DAP suddenly, and supporting the BN is wrong without prior consulation and mandate from the voters in the area..But, then these so-called 'peoples' representatives' just do not care...do they? I will tell the people later...and they will understand that it was done for their own good...I do not think so.

"I know the initial response from my constituents won't be good, but I will go to the ground to explain to them that I did this for their good."  -  Malim Nawar state assemblyperson Keshvinder Singh [Malaysiakini, 15/6/2010, Malim Nawar state rep quits DAP, now Independent]

I believe that the best thing an elected rep could do was to resign - and let the people choose again. [But alas...the law says one who resigns cannot re-contest - and this law must be removed...so that a quitting MP/ADUN can go back to the constituents and let the people decide whether they still want the said 'wakil rakyat' despite the fact that he has changed political parties]. 

If not go to the people first....get a referendum going so that the people's opinion could be obtained...and then if the people support the decision to quit DAP and become an independent - do it.

Why did he do what he did? There will be a lot of speculations....but sadly I do not think that we will ever know the truth. Most likely it was 'self-interest' rather that some other factor...as we really are not aware of any other good reason. "...too much politicking in Pakatan..." is really not an excuse...unless more explanation is given.

He said that his decision was in the best interests of his constituents because he believes that only BN can help develop the area, which is largely rural.

Odd - because I do not believe that he is a 'new-comer' to Malaysian politics. It is said that BN MPs/ADUNs get RM1-2 million per year to use for development of their area. This is clearly a discrimination since opposition MPs/ADUNs do not get similar allocations. But why have the Opposition MPs/ADUNs(any one of them) taken the matter to court. I really do not understand. [In Selangor, apparently the Pakatan Rakyat government is similarly giving its own ADUNs but not the other ADUNs]

If the source of the money is the government, then all MPs/ADUNs must get the same treatment and allocations. 

If the source of the money is UMNO (or the BN) - really, it is a question of using 'private funds' . Then, the question must be as to where and how did UMNO (BN) get so rich? Was it because they have been siphoning off public funds directly (or indirectly) into their own party coffers? Anwar Ibrahim and Zaid Ibrahim may be able to provide some of these answers...

Malim Nawar state assemblyperson Keshvinder Singh has quit DAP and declared himself independent, making him the fourth Perak Pakatan Rakyat state assemblyperson to do so since February last year.

His decision to quit DAP and support BN is ironical since he had complained to the authorities last year that he was offered RM20 million to defect, declare himself Independent and express support for BN.

He had claimed that the offers were made by various agents claiming to represent then Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

With the latest defection, Perak Pakatan is now left with 27 seats in the state legislative assembly, while BN has 28 seats and the independents four seats.

In March 2008, Keshvinder won the seat with a majority of 1,362 against MCA's Dr Chai Song Poh.

Keshvinder told reporters that he tendered his resignation to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng this morning, citing too much politicking in Pakatan as his reason for quitting.

He said that his decision was in the best interests of his constituents because he believes that only BN can help develop the area, which is largely rural.

Keshvinder said he chose to defect now instead of February last year - along with Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang), Mohd Osman Jailu (Changkat Jering) and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) - because he didn't know how serious the problems were at his constituency then.

“When I started doing work there (after February 2009) I found that there are severe poverty issues that really need to be solved,” he said.

Keshvinder said he hoped the BN state government will provide financial aid so that he can serve his constituents.

"The state and national DAP did not assist me in helping the people. I couldn't do anything for my constituents as an opposition state assemblyperson," he said, adding that he had been using his own funds thus far.

'I am clean'

However, he admitted that he had yet to meet Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir to discuss details.

“As I am now an Independent state assemblyperson, the state government should allocate some money to my constituency. But if they don't then I will have to tell the people that neither side is looking out for their welfare,” he said.

He also denied suggestions that he was paid to leave DAP and challenged detractors to inspect his bank accounts.

He remained adamant that he has not been approached by any BN members.

“I am clean,” he said.

"I know the initial response from my constituents won't be good, but I will go to the ground to explain to them that I did this for their good."

Unlike those who defected from Pakatan before him, Keshvinder was not accompanied by any major personalities.

However, one of the bodyguards accompanying Keshvinder told Malaysiakini that they work for one 'Hamidah'.

Independents welcome Keshvinder

In an immediate response, the Dewan Rakyat Independent Concensus has welcomed Keshvinder's resignation and said more Pakatan elected representatives will follow suit.

In a statement, the five member group said that they were symphathetic to Keshvinder's disappointment over the lack of support from his Pakatan colleagues.

"It is better for Pakatan to address their weaknesses rather than accusing elected representatives of being bought over by BN," read the statement.

"Such accusations were designed to avoid the real issue - that Pakatan MPs and state assemblypersons were losing faith in the coalition, especially its leader Anwar Ibrahim."

The Independent Concensus consists of MPs Zahrain Mohamed HashimWee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju), Zulkifli Noordin (Kulim Bandar Bharu), Tan Tee Beng (Nibong Tebal) and Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri (Bayan Baru), (Bagan Serai). Malaysiakini, 15/6/2010, Malim Nawar state rep quits DAP, now Independent]

Both BN and Pakatan must stop practice of suspending 'wakil rakyat' from the House

Suspending a 'wakil rakyat' from Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies is very wrong - and both the BN and Pakatan Rakyat have been guilty of this. Tit for tat - was that what it was when Pakatan Rakyat did it? 

MPs and ADUNs are chosen by the people of their constituencies to represent them in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies - and suspending them, and preventing them from being in...and participating in Parliament (and/or State Legislative Assembly) is so wrong, and is definitely ac act disrespecting people and a violation of people's human rights. It is certainly un-democratic - and must stop.

Privilege prevents the taking of criminal proceedings (and/or civil suits) against MPs and ADUNs for what they say in Parliament and/or State Assemblies - and there is a reason for this...which both the BN (and Pakatan Rakyat) seem to have forgotten. Going against this recognized freedom of expression...opinion..that must exist in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, those that have the majority use 'privileges committee' committees to exclude duly elected people's representatives from the House. A token suspension for a day may be acceptable but suspension for months...and months is really not acceptable. 

Fresh from Sibu a sucessful by-election campaign, two Pakatan Rakyat state representatives find themselves suspended by the Sarawak state legislative assembly for one year with immediate effect. The duo are Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa), who is also Kuching parliamentarian, and Dominique Ng (PKR-Padungan). 

Their suspensions were handed following recommendations by the powerful privileges committee's probe on the duo for offences allegedly committed at the assembly debate last year. 

Chong (right) was hauled before the privileges committee after calling rival party Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) "liars".

He was also censured for telling the state assembly that government policy caused the suicide of a hawker who suffered loss of business from a forced relocation of a public market.

"The blood is on the minister's hands," he was quoted as saying at the time.

State minister Wong Soon Koh (SUPP-Bawang Assan) referred Chong to the committee on May 19 last year after the latter refused to retract both statements.

Meanwhile, Ng was hauled up to the same committee last year for referring to the state assembly as a "kangaroo court" on May 9 last year.

"Kangaroo Court! Let's count the kangaroos! Hop! Hop! Hop!" said Ng (left).

Ng was referred to the privileges committee following a motion tabled by Bolhassan Di (PBB-Beting Maro). 

However, the duo will still retain his allowances and renumerations during the suspension period. 

Revenge for Sibu loss

In an immediate reaction, Ng said his suspension today reflects BN's attempt to extract revenge for DAP's win in the Sibu by-election on Sunday.


However, he remained undeterred and told Malaysiakini in a text message that “I'll be back!”.


Meanwhile, Chong stood by his attacks on Taib and Supp and will continue to do so because he wanted to send a message to the state government on behalf of his constituents.


“I was elected to the state assembly to speak for the people and not to bodek (brown-nosing) the chief minister or Supp,” he said.


“BN can use their majority to bully us but they will ultimately have to face judgment in the upcoming (state) elections,” said Chong, adding that the state government should take heed from the Sibu by-election loss. 

In another battle at the assembly today, a motion by Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek) to cut the salary of ministers by RM10 for not providing answers to written questions was rejected by the speaker.

Wong had on Sunday won the hotly contest by-election in the parliamentary seat of Sibu. - Malaysiakini, 18/5/2010, Two S'wak Pakatan state reps suspended

Dominique Ng (PKR-Padungan) and Chong Chieng Jien (DAP-Kota Sentosa) were each slapped with 12 months' suspension from the state assembly, effective Tuesday, for contempt.

The ruling means this will be the two Opposition assemblymen's last appearance at the current assembly as its term will officially end on July 24, 2011.

The Sarawak state assembly sits twice a year, with the first session starting in May and the second, in November, usually for state budget tabling.

Ng was the first to be suspended by Speaker Datuk Seri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar after 53 assemblymen voted in favour od the suspension, seven against and one abstained.

He was suspended for his "kangaroo court" remark in the May sitting last year, during the debate on the motion to adopt the findings and recommendations of the Committee of Privileges regarding Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek).

Ng had said: "This is a kangaroo court. Let's count the kangaroos. Come hop, hop, hop." Speaking to reporters later, Ng said he was disappointed with the ruling as it meant that he would not be able to voice out the problems of his constituency for a year and would have to wait for the new term of the new state government to begin.

Chong, who is Sarawak DAP secretary, received similar punishment after 54 assemblymen voted in favour of his suspension and six against.

Chong was found to be in contempt of the august house in May last year for disputing and challenging the decision of the house over the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) engaging Chinese experts to study the flood mitigation project for Kuching.

The second charge aginst him was for imputing improper motives towards Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's, Department Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, for allegedly indirectly causing a Gambier street hawker to commit suicide. - Bernama - Star, 18/5/2010, Two Opposition reps suspended from Sawarak state assembly

MAYBE A NATIONWIDE SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE STARTED TO CALL FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE POWER TO SUSPEND A WAKIL RAKYAT FROM PARLIAMENT/STATE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES. (Maybe, even if suspension is to be used, it should only be for a day (or part of a day) - and that, too only for the purpose of restoring order to the House). The majority have really abused this power to oppress the minority...and both BN (and the Opposition) are guilty..

Healthcare: Nurul and other 'wakil rakyat' must also use government clinics/hospitals to understand better the issues..

Nurul Izzah(and another) recently wrote an article on healthcare in Malaysia, and I was glad that more Malaysian people's representatives are getting interested in healthcare in Malaysia - and are campaigning for free universal quality healthcare for all.

Then, a closer look at the article reveals that the examples cited were of those that were using privatised healthcare in Malaysia... what about the majority of the poorer Malaysians that are users of the available public healthcare provided by the government. I believe  that they who paid the RM400,000 went to a private hospital not a government hospital where most Malaysians will go to... I am also sure that government hospitals have the capability to deal with breast cancer without the need to go overseas...(and if Malaysian government hospitals do not have the capacity - this is something that need to be looked into...)

Recently a friend's mother was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. In her mid-50s, with two children of college age, she was obviously desperate to put up a brave fight for as long as possible....Six months and RM 400,000 worth of treatment later she sadly lost her battle with the Big C, leaving a grief stricken family that had re-mortgaged the family home and were waist deep in debt. Although she had healthcare insurance, the insurance firm would only cover 70 percent of the costs, hence the need to dig deep into savings and release property equity to raise the additional funds, at considerable cost to her loved ones.

We need to guarantee that the next time a minister's wife develops breast cancer she is able to access the best up to date treatment on her doorstep without having to fly halfway round the world. Along with our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters.

It is is the rich and the upper-incomed group that normally have access to (and use)  the more expensive private healthcare. Why? Because sometimes it is a 'status symbol' - a perception that public healthcare is only for the poor and those that cannot afford private healthcare. There is also a belief that private healthcare is better than public healthcare that is provided for in the government clinics, hospitals, specialist hospitals, etc - and this is definitely wrong for government healthcare facilities provide equal...if not better healthcare. Private healthcare facilities sometimes get caught up with trying to charge the patient as much as it can ...and hence may subject patients to many different (sometimes unnecessary) tests...and medicines that cost more [or maybe just to medicines which the said medical institution may be getting a better deal from the pharmaceutical company supplying/manufacturing it].

I wonder whether Nurul Izzah...and many other ADUNs/MPs even had to resort to going to the government clinics/hospitals to get medical care...and that may be the problem...when we choose the rich and a certain class as people's representative. They just do not know what the majority of Malaysians are going through...and hence they cannot talk on behalf of the majority of Malaysians. Maybe these MPs/ADUNs should make it point to use government clinics/hospitals...public transport, etc... themselves so that they can better represent the Malaysian people...

What we need to focus on is public healthcare provided by the government clinics, hospitals and establishment. Private healthcare is a privilege accessible for the rich and those that can afford it...and these should not be a primary concern at the moment. In Thailand, there is a scheme that is in place that allows the ordinary citizen to get healthcare from private hospitals at the same nominal rate that they pay at government hospitals - this maybe something that we may have to look into.

Malaysian government is certainly not spending enough for healthcare .... There are not enough medical supplies, including medicines - and it is common now that patients are asked to return every month(or 2 weeks) to get supply of medicines. There are not enough money for maintenance...and even blood-testing equipments that break down takes some time to get repaired. To save money, doctors are no longer getting regular blood and other tests done, which was the norm before when tests were done annually (or regularly) depending on the tests - which is very important to monitor the general health of Malaysians - now, only tests that are 'really' required. The regular tests allowed for early detection - and faster treatment - but now no more after the recent budget cuts...

A lot of money is being wasted on submarines (why do we need submarines?), APCO, etc ---- all these are money that could be better used for healthcare...

Nurul does good in raising this issue (and writing this article)...and there is a need for more MPs/ADUNs to write articles on various matters that affect Malaysia and its people....and more importantly give concrete ideas/suggestions on how things could be better. It is also important for these MPs/ADUNs to have (or to get ) personal experience of using these government hospitals/clinics....I wonder whether Najib ever used a government clinic/hospital -- most times many politicians only visit ...but not really use these public facilities, hence they will never understand what the ordinary Malaysian has to go through...

It is frequently said that a true measure of society is how it treats its weak and poor. To this we would like to add that the true measure of a civilisation is how it cares for its sick and dying.

Recently a friend's mother was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. In her mid-50s, with two children of college age, she was obviously desperate to put up a brave fight for as long as possible.

Six months and RM 400,000 worth of treatment later she sadly lost her battle with the Big C, leaving a grief stricken family that had re-mortgaged the family home and were waist deep in debt. Although she had healthcare insurance, the insurance firm would only cover 70 percent of the costs, hence the need to dig deep into savings and release property equity to raise the additional funds, at considerable cost to her loved ones.

Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke are already among the leading causes of mortality in Malaysia, in line with that of the rest of the developed world. Cancer diagnosis is on the rise and over the next 20 years it is projected that 1 in 3 to 1 in 4 of us will develop cancer.

Many of these diseases don't discriminate - at some point in the future either we ourselves or someone close to us will suffer from a potentially serious healthcare condition. How much will this cost us and how many of us will be unable to afford the treatment we need?

In recent years, Malaysia has witnessed the growth of the private sector share in our healthcare system. Whilst many private hospitals provide good standards of care, some are more concerned with profit margins.

Many of us will be familiar with stories of private hospitals performing unnecessary tests and additional treatments as a means of income generation. A friend's uncle tells the hilarious story of climbing a rambutan tree a few years back and falling off a branch, sustaining a mild concussion.

With a bit of a sore head he thought he'd better go and get checked out. Despite little in the way of additional signs and symptoms he was subjected to a MRI scan at a popular private hospital and an IV drip overnight although he was perfectly capable of eating and drinking.

The outcome? He was discharged the next day with a bill for RM5,000. On relaying his story to a doctor friend later on he was berated for having been taken for a ride, when a couple of Panadols and close observation would probably have sufficed.

Profiting from pain

When a close friend was recently accepted into an oncology training programme overseas, her father's friend, a respected surgeon, noted what a good career move she'd made. He congratulated her father on the fact that when she returned to Malaysia she could hope to make up to RM 70,000 a month as an oncologist in the private sector.

She was stunned and clearly dismayed by this proposition -in her mind, no one or no institution should ever be able to profit out of the pain and suffering of others. There is something fundamentally wrong with a system that puts profit and material gain before human life.

Some will argue that a private healthcare system should be allowed to develop and those that can afford it continue to pay, whilst those that can't can fall back on the government system.

We would argue that promoting a two tier healthcare system is dangerous both in terms of ensuring equitable access, maintaining healthcare standards, promoting research and development as well as the inevitable brain and talent drain that follows -as clinicians are drawn away from the government system towards the private sector.

Currently the private sector accounts for 23 percent of the country's hospital beds (12,000 beds per year). Around 40 percent of the country's doctors are employed within the private sector (9,000 doctors) with a doctor to patient ratio of 1 to 1.3. This is compared to a doctor to patient ratio of 1 to 3 in the public sector.

However with the move towards semi-privatisation and lack of a coherent social welfare system, even healthcare provisions within the government sector are not completely 'free'.

Neither are these provisions always affordable. A friend recalls undergoing cancer treatment at University Malaya Medical Centre (formerly known as University Hospital).

She was charged RM30 for her first round of chemotherapy. At the same time in the chemotherapy suite was another woman who was bemoaning the fact that she couldn't afford to have further treatment.

She unfortunately was now onto her second course of chemotherapy for cancer recurrence and this time round had to pay around RM3,000. Apparently this was part of the additional charges for successive chemotherapy sessions.

Ethical dilemmas

Also, doctors in the government sector often face tough ethical dilemmas. One senior doctor was seriously disillusioned by the fact that difficult cost-benefit calculations have to sometimes be made on behalf of patients. Some patients may be faced with the prospect of treatment that may buy them a further 18 months of life but leave their family with RM 20,000 worth of debt.

For many of us, ANY additional time spent with a loved one would be considered immeasurably precious. However for a family existing on RM1,000 a month this could spell financial ruin. In many instances, doctors in the government service heroically choose to turn a blind eye and continue to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay. Many of them however find themselves on the sharp end of rebukes from finance departments and hospital managers.

So what is it that Malaysians need and what is it that they deserve?

We would argue that instead of wasting taxpayers money through superfluous vanity projects and outrageous spending, (the purported RM77 million splurged on the US-based Apco Worldwide consulting firm just to revamp the new Prime Minister's image being a prime example), the Malaysian government should in fact be focusing on providing a world class healthcare system that is free to all at the point of delivery.

And by that, we don't simply mean a few token clinics hastily scrambled together devoid of properly qualified medical officers.

Malaysians are more than capable of leading cutting edge research and providing world class healthcare services that saves lives -the fact that there are many Malaysians in top consultant/research/public health posts abroad in the UK, US, Singapore, Canada and Australia is testimony to that.

Comprehensive plan required

We need to come up with a plan for comprehensive healthcare coverage that ensures we get the treatment we need when we need it, regardless of our ability to pay. We need a comprehensive overhaul of our public health policies that make diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer diagnosis and treatment top on our list of priorities.

We need to guarantee that the next time a minister's wife develops breast cancer she is able to access the best up to date treatment on her doorstep without having to fly halfway round the world. Along with our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters.

Breast cancer is, after all, hardly a rare disease. We need to pay our doctors a fair wage and reward initiative, innovation and hard work, so that we retain the talent we need to build a world-class health system within the public sector.

We need to invest more money in healthcare- last year the government spent only three percent of our gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare (and only half of this-1.5 percent was spent in the public sector).

During the recent economic downturn, public healthcare expenditure was among the first to be slashed by a staggering 30 percent. 

It is bad enough that existing levels of expenditure for healthcare fall short of the World Health Organisation recommended level of five percent and that of China and India who over the last seven years have consistently spent over five percent of their GDP on healthcare.

Most importantly we need to remind ourselves that many illnesses, including cancer, do not discriminate, and when you're ill and vulnerable all the money and material wealth in world may fail to make things better.

More than skyscrapers, shopping malls and multi-million dollar vanity projects we need a robust healthcare system that serves the people and can be trusted and relied upon to care for us when we are at our most vulnerable.

NURUL IZZAH ANWAR is Lembah Pantai member of parliament and YOLANDA AUGUSTIN is a Malaysian doctor training in the United Kingdom.- Malaysiakini, 5/5/2010, Nation's healthcare system ill, needs attention

BN tidak hormati Warga Mas - Warga Mas diminta pergi Dewan, tunggu 3 jam, tanpa air minum, untuk 'sumbangan' RM100 selepas dengar ucapan YB.

Warga Mas daripada kawasan Parlimen Temerloh telah menerima surat daripada pihak Pejabat Daerah Temerloh untuk menghadiri diri di Dewan Mentakab pada jam 1.00 petang (25/2/2010) untuk menerima sumbangan Tahun Baru Cina dan Deepavali. Tidak ada agenda diberikan. Gambaran yang diberikan adalah datang Dewan, ambil sumbangan & pulang cepat.

Pada hari panas, kesesakan jalan berlaku dikawasan sekitar Dewan Sri Mentakab sejak lebih kurang 12.30 apabila Warga Mas Temerloh pergi untuk mendapat sumbangan kerajaan ini. Ada yang boleh pergi sendiri. Kebanyakkan terpaksa dibawa pada hari kerja ini oleh saudara dan kawan. Ada juga yang datang memakai kerusi roda.

Apabila sampai, mereka diminta mendaftar diri - di mana mereka tidak dibenarkan meletakkan tanda tangan, tetapi diminta meletakkan cap jari. Mengapa? Tidakkah tanda tangan memadai? Mengapa mereka didiskriminasi? Adakah kerana mereka tua?

Hanya lebih kurang pukul 3.00 petang (lebih kurang 2 jam selepas masa mereka disuruh hadhir) muncul YB-YB (dan YAB-YAB). Siapa yang hadhir saya tidak pasti. Saya percaya yang hadhir mungkin ADUN BN kawasan Mentakab, ADUN Kawasan Lancang dan mungkin MP Temerloh. 

Ucapan diberikan, dan selepas itu para hadirin diminta pergi mengambil sumbangan mereka yang merupakan duit dalam sampul surat tidak bernama/beralamat. 

Berapakah sumbangan yang diberikan? Hanya RM100-00 setiap seorang. 

Setelah menunggu dalam keadaan tidak selesa dan panas sejak pukul 12.30 tengahhari sehingga lebih kurang pukul 4 petang, ( 3 jam setengah), sumbangan yang diberikan adalah hanya RM100 setiap seorang.

Tidak ada air pun dihidangkan. Tidak ada makanan ringan. 

Surat daripada Pejabat Daerah dengan pandai tidak menyatakan jumlah sumbangan yang bakal diberikan - di mana jika diketahui bahawa semua susah payah pergi dan tunggu tersebut hanya untuk RM100, saya percaya ramai tidak akan membuang masa untuk kegiatan Barisan Nasional-pimpinan UMNO.

Mereka ini adalah Warga Mas, 65 tahun ke atas. Surat jelas menyatakan bahawa mereka perlu hadhir sendiri, dan tidak boleh menghantar wakil. Mengapa? Yang terlalu uzur tidak mungkin pergi ... yang tidak ada orang menghantar pada petang hari kerja tidak mungkin pergi - dan mereka tidak akan menerima sumbangan kerajaan ini. 

Sememangnya ADUN dan MP Barisan Nasional (dan kerajaan BN) serta pihak Pejabat Daerah Temerloh tidak ada perasaan hormat untuk warga mas ini. Tidak ada perikemanusian.

Mengapa perlu hadhir sendiri? Tidakkah lebih mudah menyertakan cek/wang pos bernilai RM100  sahaja bersama surat yang telah dialamatkan kepada warga mas berkenaan.Ini semestinya akan menjimatkan wang dan masa.

YB-YB BN juga menunjukkan sikap tidak hormat apabila hadhir, di maklumkan, hanya pada jam 3 petang. Meminta para hadhirin menghadirkan diri lebih kurang 30 minit sebelum acara resmi adalah wajar, tetapi pada hari ini warga mas Temerloh diminta menghadhirkan diri 2 jam sebelum acara resmi dimulakan...sungguh tidak hormat pada mereka yang tua (dan sakit).

Mengapa perlu hadhir? Satu sebab, yang saya boleh fikirkan, adalah untuk memberikan peluang kepada YB-YB BN berucap dalam dewan penuh sesak dengan warga mas. Jikapun, acara resmi bermula pada 3 petang, sekurangnyanya YB-YB boleh hadhir bermesra dengan warga mas mulai jam 1 petang.

Adakah ini makna 'bersama rakyat'?

Ada Warga Mas yang merasa sungguh marah dengan tindakan Barisan Nasional ini...yang bukan sahaja membuang masa, menyusahkan tetapi juga adalah satu 'penderaan' pada satu hari yang sangat panas di Temerloh, di mana air minum pun tidak dibekalkan? 

Ada juga warga mas di Temerloh (pengundi berdaftar) yang ingin mengetahui mengapa mereka tidak menerima surat undangan atau sumbangan kerajaan ini? 

Lain kali, khususnya untuk warga mas, hantarlah  sahaja hadiah(atau sumbangan) melalui pos. Hantarkan cek (atau lebih baik wang pos) atas nama warga mas berkenaan untuk memastikan mereka mkendapatkannya. Hormatilah  warga mas kami.  Hormati rakyat...Pentingkan rakyat...

ADUN dan MP Barisan Nasional  harus meminta maaf kepada warga mas ini. Kesusahan yang dialami untuk menerima wang rakyat RM100 tidak boleh dijustifikasikan.

Saya pun sangat marah dengan tindakan kerajaan BN ini...yang langsung tidak menghormati rakyat warga Mas Temerloh ini.

Najib: MP's attendance no important... BN's, not peoples' representation... Attend Parliament only when needed by who...BN? Live telecasts please...

We elect peoples' representatives to represent us in Parliament, i.e. as Members of Parliament.

Members of Parliament is supposed to represent the people of their constituencies, and that is the reason why they should be present at ALL parliamentary proceedings - and not just present but also participating for and on behalf of the constituencies that they represent (and for the people of Malaysia generally). They should be raising concerns and opinions of their constituency, and reporting back matters of interest to the constituency (and the people of Malaysia generally) back to their people.

Even when an MP or an ADUN for some very good reason is not able to attend Parliament (or a State Assembly sitting), there should at the very least be a 'personal assistant' or political assistant attending the sessions, who can report back to the MP/ADUN what is happening...

MPs do not represent the parties/coalitions that they come from - and that is why it is absurd for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to make comments (as reported), which give the indication that MPs are there primarily for the BN [not the people]

A comprehensive system will be created to ensure that there will be enough Barisan Nasional MPs attending Parliament sittings at all times, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said. - BN MP for Rompin represents the people of Rompin, in Parliament. The MP for Temerloh represents people of Temerloh in Parliament. So, if your MP is absent, then the constituents/people of that constituency is not represented. They are more importantly the peoples' representative (wakil rakyat) not the BN's representative. But Najib's comments seem to only be concerned about the BN's representation (or presence) in Parliament. [After all, it would be consistent with him making sitting MPs into Ambassadors who sit most of the time in Embassies in far away country...]

What is the role of BN MPs? 

According to Najib, it is simple - “We need a comprehensive system so MPs will know when they need to be in Parliament,” he told reporters at the Kuching International Airport yesterday.

All he seems to be concerned about is that they be present when they are needed - and this for him would most likely be when there is a vote to be taken on some Bill or a 'no confidence motion'. Maybe also during events when there is 'TV coverage'...mmm. Reporters should really catch MPs outside the Dewan and ask them why they voted for this and that... and I am pretty sure that many of these MPs may not even really know what they voted for and why save for 'they had no choice but had to vote that way since they belonged to that party...' Sad, is it not.

Live coverage of Parliamentary proceedings would expose the absence and incompetence of some of these MPs, and will certainly improve the quality and participation of MPs as no one wants to be seen as 'stupid' or as a bad MP. There is already live feeds of Parliamentary proceedings that people can watch at the lobby, kantin, etc..and all that the government need to do is to put this on TV. We need a dedicated channel which will be proceedings of Parliament. There is no need for any 'producers' or 'directors' or 'interviews' - just let the people see all that is really happening in Parliament. If there are to be interviews and commentaries, then this should all be happening after the live feed or on a different channel - thus ensuring no disruption to the live transmission...

Remember the MPs represent the people of their constituency - and the stress should be that they are always represented in the Dewan Rakyat. If people are too busy or not bothered, then they do not deserve to be MPs...

But for Najib, attendance is not important  - "...Later in Kota Kinabalu, Najib was asked whether Parliament attendence should be made a key performance indicator for MPs...“There is no need for it because it will be up to me when it comes to selecting candidates (for elections). I know what to do,” he said.."

A comprehensive system will be created to ensure that there will be enough Barisan Nasional MPs attending Parliament sittings at all times, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

 

He said he would discuss the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

“We need a comprehensive system so MPs will know when they need to be in Parliament,” he told reporters at the Kuching International Airport yesterday.

Najib had earlier opened the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) general assembly and then flown to Kota Kinabalu to attend the national-level Christmas open house.

Najib was commenting on the recent passing of Budget 2010 in the Dewan Rakyat where the Barisan Nasional managed to get the bill through by a slim majority of just three votes.

Asked whether any action would be taken against absent MPs, Najib said the MPs themselves should know that they should attend Parliament.

“The problem is that the Opposition are trying to catch us out. MPs know what action they need to take and that is to be present,” he said.

In his speech when opening the SPDP general assembly earlier, Najib underscored the importance of MPs attending Parliament by half-jokingly saying: “If you don’t attend, watch out.”

Later in Kota Kinabalu, Najib was asked whether Parliament attendence should be made a key performance indicator for MPs.

“There is no need for it because it will be up to me when it comes to selecting candidates (for elections). I know what to do,” he said.

Najib also stressed on the importance that the Barisan Government must deliver the promises made and fulfill the rakyat’s expectations to ensure that it continued to win elections.- Star, 30/12/2009, PM underscores importance of Barisan MPs being present at Parliament