Press Statement: PSC Must Lead to Reform Political Financing.
1st October, 2011
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 4th 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.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Press Statement by Sim Tze Tzin on Boustead Land Reclamation
Statement: People Before Profit – Objection to Boustead Land Reclamation
2nd Oct 2011
I would like to extend my unequivocal support to the residents of Putra Marine, Gold Coast, Bay Garden and the surrounding communities in objecting a possible land reclamation project by Boustead. As their state assemblyman, I fully understand their anxiety and fully support their democratic rights to voice up against a greedy corporate giant that might soon affect their lives.
The whole episode of this project goes back 3 years ago. Boustead Holdings Bhd is a corporate giant closely linked to UMNO. It got the approval from the previous administration to construct a high-rise hotel within the UNESCO World Heritage Zone. After Georgetown obtained its UNESCO Heritage Status, Boustead Hotel was requested to reduce the original proposed height to a max 18m in accordance with the new guidelines.
As a result, the current state government under the leadership of YAB Lim Guan Eng was forced to negotiate a settlement with Boustead. Failing to do so, the state is at risk of facing law suits amounting to hundred of millions of ringgit.
I urge Boustead to put the Rakyat and the hard earned Penang Heritage Status first before financial profits. The UNESCO World Heritage is a crown jewel to Penang and any corporate company must respect this status. It is utterly greedy for some corporate companies to calculate losses and threaten to sue the State Government for hundreds of millions of ringgit simply for adhering to UNESCO guidelines. It is equally unscrupulous to force the State Government to compensate them by reclaiming large tracts of land to cover their losses. The Government Linked Companies belongs to the Rakyat. They have to lend their ears to the voice of the Rakyat too!
As the State Assemblyman of this area, I have clearly raised my objection and reservation as early as May, 2011. In my Dewan speech, I put forward my question to the Chief Minister. Please read my Dewan Speech here, para 30 to 35:
http://www.simformalaysia.com/2011/05/05/draft-ucapan-adun-pantai-jerejak-yb-sim-tze-tzin-dalam-sidang-dun-4hb-mei-2011/
After my speech in the august House, I have raised my objections not less than 5 times to the Chief Minister himself during formal and informal settings. I have also arranged 2 meetings for the RA with the Chief Minister. At those meetings, the residents have repeatedly expressed their objection to the CM.
I hope the Chief Minister will stand firm and not succumb to the pressure from a Corporate Giant. The Rakyat will fully support you in negotiating for an amicable solution. We want to send a clear message to Boustead and that is: “People before Profits”!
Sim Tze Tzin
Pantai Jerejak State Assemblyman
文告：人民利益优先－反对Boustead控股填海计划
我全力支持Putra Marine，Gold Coast，Bay Garden及附近一带的居民，反对极可能进行的填海计划。身为他们的州议员，我完全了解他们的感受，及全力支持他们提出反对的民主权利。他们面对的将是一间强大贪婪的商业集团。
这个事件的起源，可以追朔到3年前或更久。前朝政府批准了Boustead在乔治市兴建高楼酒店。但是，不久后，乔治市获得了联合国文教组织的世界遗产地位。随着而来的是比较严厉的发展条规。Boustead被逼减少高度到仅仅18米。Boustead是与巫统关系密切的公司。随后，Boustead就要求州政府补偿损失。如果没有赔偿，他们将会提控州政府上法庭。如果州政府败诉的话，将会被逼赔偿高达数亿令吉的赔偿金。
我谨此呼吁Boustead以人民利益为优先，盈利放次要地位。 世界遗产地位是槟州的“国宝”，Boustead身为政联公司必须尊重遗产地位。我遗憾部分政联公司打算趁机施压州政府赔偿巨大赔偿金祢补他们的损失，这种贪婪的作风，令人不齿。同样可耻的是同时狮子开大口要求填海赔偿损失，这好象是趁火打劫。政联公司是属于纳税人的，他们必须尊重槟州人民的声音。
身为本区的州议员，我早在5月初的州议会里就提出了我对这个计划的疑虑。请阅读我在州议会的纪录（30－35段）：
http://www.simformalaysia.com/2011/05/05/draft-ucapan-adun-pantai-jerejak-yb-sim-tze-tzin-dalam-sidang-dun-4hb-mei-2011/
我也超过5次亲自向首席部长表达人民及我反对的立场。我也安排两次首长与居民协会的对话。居民已经很清楚表达他们反对的立场。我们希望首长在与Boustead协商的时候能站稳立场，不要向巫统朋党控制的公司妥协。人民将与您站在同一阵线，向贪婪的大企业说“盈利虽重要，人民利益价更高！”
沈志勤
班台惹雅州议员启
2011年10月2日
2nd Oct 2011
I would like to extend my unequivocal support to the residents of Putra Marine, Gold Coast, Bay Garden and the surrounding communities in objecting a possible land reclamation project by Boustead. As their state assemblyman, I fully understand their anxiety and fully support their democratic rights to voice up against a greedy corporate giant that might soon affect their lives.
The whole episode of this project goes back 3 years ago. Boustead Holdings Bhd is a corporate giant closely linked to UMNO. It got the approval from the previous administration to construct a high-rise hotel within the UNESCO World Heritage Zone. After Georgetown obtained its UNESCO Heritage Status, Boustead Hotel was requested to reduce the original proposed height to a max 18m in accordance with the new guidelines.
As a result, the current state government under the leadership of YAB Lim Guan Eng was forced to negotiate a settlement with Boustead. Failing to do so, the state is at risk of facing law suits amounting to hundred of millions of ringgit.
I urge Boustead to put the Rakyat and the hard earned Penang Heritage Status first before financial profits. The UNESCO World Heritage is a crown jewel to Penang and any corporate company must respect this status. It is utterly greedy for some corporate companies to calculate losses and threaten to sue the State Government for hundreds of millions of ringgit simply for adhering to UNESCO guidelines. It is equally unscrupulous to force the State Government to compensate them by reclaiming large tracts of land to cover their losses. The Government Linked Companies belongs to the Rakyat. They have to lend their ears to the voice of the Rakyat too!
As the State Assemblyman of this area, I have clearly raised my objection and reservation as early as May, 2011. In my Dewan speech, I put forward my question to the Chief Minister. Please read my Dewan Speech here, para 30 to 35:
http://www.simformalaysia.com/2011/05/05/draft-ucapan-adun-pantai-jerejak-yb-sim-tze-tzin-dalam-sidang-dun-4hb-mei-2011/
After my speech in the august House, I have raised my objections not less than 5 times to the Chief Minister himself during formal and informal settings. I have also arranged 2 meetings for the RA with the Chief Minister. At those meetings, the residents have repeatedly expressed their objection to the CM.
I hope the Chief Minister will stand firm and not succumb to the pressure from a Corporate Giant. The Rakyat will fully support you in negotiating for an amicable solution. We want to send a clear message to Boustead and that is: “People before Profits”!
Sim Tze Tzin
Pantai Jerejak State Assemblyman
文告：人民利益优先－反对Boustead控股填海计划
我全力支持Putra Marine，Gold Coast，Bay Garden及附近一带的居民，反对极可能进行的填海计划。身为他们的州议员，我完全了解他们的感受，及全力支持他们提出反对的民主权利。他们面对的将是一间强大贪婪的商业集团。
这个事件的起源，可以追朔到3年前或更久。前朝政府批准了Boustead在乔治市兴建高楼酒店。但是，不久后，乔治市获得了联合国文教组织的世界遗产地位。随着而来的是比较严厉的发展条规。Boustead被逼减少高度到仅仅18米。Boustead是与巫统关系密切的公司。随后，Boustead就要求州政府补偿损失。如果没有赔偿，他们将会提控州政府上法庭。如果州政府败诉的话，将会被逼赔偿高达数亿令吉的赔偿金。
我谨此呼吁Boustead以人民利益为优先，盈利放次要地位。 世界遗产地位是槟州的“国宝”，Boustead身为政联公司必须尊重遗产地位。我遗憾部分政联公司打算趁机施压州政府赔偿巨大赔偿金祢补他们的损失，这种贪婪的作风，令人不齿。同样可耻的是同时狮子开大口要求填海赔偿损失，这好象是趁火打劫。政联公司是属于纳税人的，他们必须尊重槟州人民的声音。
身为本区的州议员，我早在5月初的州议会里就提出了我对这个计划的疑虑。请阅读我在州议会的纪录（30－35段）：
http://www.simformalaysia.com/2011/05/05/draft-ucapan-adun-pantai-jerejak-yb-sim-tze-tzin-dalam-sidang-dun-4hb-mei-2011/
我也超过5次亲自向首席部长表达人民及我反对的立场。我也安排两次首长与居民协会的对话。居民已经很清楚表达他们反对的立场。我们希望首长在与Boustead协商的时候能站稳立场，不要向巫统朋党控制的公司妥协。人民将与您站在同一阵线，向贪婪的大企业说“盈利虽重要，人民利益价更高！”
沈志勤
班台惹雅州议员启
2011年10月2日
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Press Statement by Penang Gerakan Economy & SME Bureau Chairman Michael Heah
Two types of investment, says Heah
Press Statement by Penang Gerakan Economy & SME Bureau Chairman Michael Heah
Aug 24, 2011
A Penang Gerakan leader has urged InvestPenang executive committee chairman Lee Kah Choon to concentrate on his portfolio to bring investments to Penang for the benefit of the people.
Penang Gerakan economy and small and medium-scale enterprises bureau chairman, Michael Heah, said Lee should spend more time improving on his network to reach to more foreign investors, with the aim of attracting them to come to Penang.
“Don’t sleep on your job and wake up trying to pick up quarrels with people. You are paid with public money and you should repay your gratitude with good results and achievements,” said Heah in a statement.
Heah said Lee should know that there are two types of investment, namely new and reinvestment, as far as Penang is concerned.
He said for reinvestment, a firm decision can be made faster, especially when the existing company is already in operation in Penang for many years. The company knows the level of infrastructure available, transportation facilities, availability of supply chain and sub-contractors, experienced and high skilled human resources. So, the company does not have to take a long time to decide to reinvest in Penang.
“However, all these important factors cannot be built overnight and they are being built over a period of time during Barisan Nasional's government previously,” said Heah.
As for the new investment, Heah said, the boss of any prospective company would take a longer time before deciding to put the company’s footing on Penang shore. Faced with other competing countries like China and Vietnam, the company has to consider so many other factors besides those that have been mentioned above, including the geographical location of Penang and Malaysia, political stability, government incentives, culture and language. This is time consuming and it usually take years before a firm decision can be made.
Press Statement by Penang Gerakan Economy & SME Bureau Chairman Michael Heah
Aug 24, 2011
A Penang Gerakan leader has urged InvestPenang executive committee chairman Lee Kah Choon to concentrate on his portfolio to bring investments to Penang for the benefit of the people.
Penang Gerakan economy and small and medium-scale enterprises bureau chairman, Michael Heah, said Lee should spend more time improving on his network to reach to more foreign investors, with the aim of attracting them to come to Penang.
“Don’t sleep on your job and wake up trying to pick up quarrels with people. You are paid with public money and you should repay your gratitude with good results and achievements,” said Heah in a statement.
Heah said Lee should know that there are two types of investment, namely new and reinvestment, as far as Penang is concerned.
He said for reinvestment, a firm decision can be made faster, especially when the existing company is already in operation in Penang for many years. The company knows the level of infrastructure available, transportation facilities, availability of supply chain and sub-contractors, experienced and high skilled human resources. So, the company does not have to take a long time to decide to reinvest in Penang.
“However, all these important factors cannot be built overnight and they are being built over a period of time during Barisan Nasional's government previously,” said Heah.
As for the new investment, Heah said, the boss of any prospective company would take a longer time before deciding to put the company’s footing on Penang shore. Faced with other competing countries like China and Vietnam, the company has to consider so many other factors besides those that have been mentioned above, including the geographical location of Penang and Malaysia, political stability, government incentives, culture and language. This is time consuming and it usually take years before a firm decision can be made.
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