PGCC - putting the cart in front of the horse.

A DAP press conference was held near Penang Turf Club. The issue was the development of Penang Global City Center (PGCC).

We demand for transparency as Penangites are in the dark about this project. It was reported there will be 36 blocks of high rise building to be built at the Penang Turf Club in the next couple of years.

I said the developer has not obtained the planning permission and yet the Prime Minister has jumped the gun by announcing the PGCC. This is an action of putting the cart in front of the horse.

YB Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong) also released a press statement on PGCC.


未批准就推介
黃漢偉：本末倒置

黃漢偉說，這項計劃在未獲批准前就舉行推介是本末倒置的作法，州政府及中央政府應該更透明化地向人民交代這項計劃。 （星洲日報/大北馬•2007.09.28）


曹觀友：決策有利益衝突
檳市局應重新檢討
updated:2007-09-29 14:18:04 MYT

行動黨檳州主席曹觀友認為，檳島市政局在尚未批准檳城環球城中城的發展計劃之前，卻要求發展商負責承建打槍埔中廉價組屋及重建城市，是有利益衝突的決定。

他說，提供廉價的房屋計劃是每個發展商在興建150個單位後所需負起的社會責任，他詢問為何市政局要把“自己的地”交給怡觀資本（檳城環球城中城發展商）興建綜合商業、住宅及停車場？

“自己綁自己的手腳”

“市政局此舉就有如‘自己綁自己的手腳’，是不恰當的。市政局應該重新檢討這個決定。

“我們理解市政局會在一些發展計劃中要求發展商先建好基設或道路，但是就這個情況，萬一市政局不批准檳城環球城中城的計劃，那應該怎辦？”

因此，他要求市政局重新檢討這個決定，而行動黨已委任律師黃漢偉，監督檳城環球城中城的工程進展。

他週五（28日）在峇都眼冬馬場前，召開新聞發布會時這麼說。

陪同出席者包括州組織秘書鄭雨周、秘書長政治秘書黃偉益、州宣傳秘書黃漢偉、丹絨區國會議員選區秘書劉敬億及武吉敏登區國會議員秘書胡佑強。

政府決策應更透明

曹觀友說，行動黨在去年開始就關注檳城賽馬場發展計劃的進展，但是卻遲遲沒有取得任何的訊息，過後就“突然”由首相公布。

“我們（包括檳城環球城中城運動組織）向所有的議員作出訴求，要他們加入，一起籲請政府在這方面具備更大的透明度，讓公眾參與整個決策的過程。”

他也對檳城人在這件事上沒有獲取完整資料感到不滿，因為受影響的不只是鄰近的居民，而是整個檳島的人民，每個人都有知道的權力。

“我們希望首長指示檳島市政局，針對檳城環球城中城計劃主辦公共論壇，而不是一如市局主席拿督再納拉欣所說的市局不會這麼做。”

主流媒體封鎖反對意見

曹觀友也對主流媒體在處理檳城環球城中城計劃的報道，有完全封鎖反對意見的情況感嘆。

他說，許多新聞並沒有在主流媒體報道出來，就如許多人根本不知道會建37棟大樓。

他說，他理解檳城環球城中城是許多主流媒體的主要廣告客戶，但是另一方的聲音被封鎖，就讓人感嘆。

“昨天的聽證會，成功讓（拿督）林樹傑（怡觀資本執行主席）談了很多。現在，我們至少收到更多的訊息。”

High Population Density at Rifle Range, Penang

A DAP press conference was held at the Rifle Range Flats. A developer has announced unilaterally that they are going to build 1334 unit of low cost housing at Rifle Range. It came as total suprise as a week ago the State Assemblyman for Kebun Bungah has announced a different version.

I said housing policy is a public policy. The Government should take the lead in formulating housing policy. It seems that the City Council has not decided on the award for tender and the developer has jumped the gun. It is procedurally wrong.

Currently, there are 3456 unit of low cost housing at Rifle Range Flats. An additional of 1334 will further aggravated the density issue such as traffic flow, rubbish disposal etc which has haunted Rifle Range for the past 3 decades.

I call on the MPPP to review its decision.

黃漢偉：沒履行諾言
停車場計劃拖12年

行動黨抨擊計劃一變再變，左起為鄭雨週、謝是發、黃漢偉、劉敬億、黃偉益及莊欽吉。

行動黨檳州宣傳秘書黃漢偉律師指出，從1995年至今已12年，停車場方案還沒有確定下來。

他說，在1995年大選前，當時首次出戰升旗山國會選區的謝寬泰與亞依淡州選區的黎兆榮，已承諾在任期內解決停車場問題，他們在99年原地守土，都沒有履行諾言。

他指出，在圖測沒有獲批准前單方面宣佈是違反公共政策，因為房屋與停車場都是屬于公共政策，是由政府主導，非財團控制。

他說，打槍埔9幢組屋，每幢16層，每層24個單位，共有3456個單位；而私人發展商建議建1334個單位，已是人口過于密集，市政局應該謹慎考慮是否批准。

他指出，有兩三個發展商競投這項計劃，這種公共政策是需要政府主導，如今私人發展商公佈這項計劃，證明政府的失敗。

出席這項記者會者包括該黨植物園支部主席謝是發、丹絨社青團團長劉敬億、甘榜哥南支部委員莊欽吉。

行動黨秘書長政治秘書黃偉益指出，為何檳城環球城中城的發展商怡觀資本可以符合檳島市政局條件，在該處建1334個中廉價組屋單位及500個停車場給予當地居民；這與柯為雄在這星期二于報上發表的文告有很大的改變。

他指出，政府在1995年就提出這項計劃，從原本的1600個停車位不斷減少，2004年4月公佈有1000個、今年指有600個，而最新的是只有500個停車位。

黃偉益提10疑問

“這項原本只是多層停車場的計劃，過后卻要建兩座共200至250個中廉價組屋單位，如今怡觀資本更宣佈建5座1334個單位。而且原本沒有小販中心，現不只有小販中心，還有資訊科技中心。”

他指出，這個地段是由市政局所擁有，但整個計劃似乎由發展商主導，為何市政局未批准前發展商已先登公佈，市政局應交代有關計劃是否已批准，以及該地段目前由誰所擁有。

黃偉益向州政府、升旗山國會議員謝寬泰與植物園區州議員柯為雄提出10個疑問：

（一）為何允許停車位一再減少？

（二）為何允許組屋單位一再增加？

（三）若多層停車場計劃不是最終的，為何當初市政局宣佈撥款1100萬令吉來發展？

（四）為何當初市政局委託理大展開這報告，現又不采納？浪費納稅人的錢。

（五）為何當初逼遷豆干屋居民，而經過一年了又不建停車場？

（六）為何兩名代議士不斷向發展商妥協，卻為何沒有捍衛人民利益？

（七）為何數天前柯為雄對該停車場作出回應時，沒有透露怡觀資本的計劃？

（八）柯為雄如何讓當地居民的3000輛車享用額外停車場？

（九）人民代議士在這項計劃不斷改變的過程中獲得多少利益？他們須向公眾交代。

（十）即然他們無法捍衛選民的利益，那要選民在來屆大選是繼續支持他們，或轉投反對票呢？

鄭雨周斥居者有其屋政策

人民未獲公平分配

行動黨升旗山國會選區聯委會主席鄭雨周抨擊國陣政府“居者有其屋”政策徹底失敗，因為許多申請政府廉價屋的人民，並未得到公平分配，甚至等待多年也無下文。

他說，該聯委會已成立一個以黃漢偉律師為主任的監督及法律咨詢小組，以監督升旗山任何類似大型發展計劃，對人民帶來的民生及法律問題做出咨詢服務。聯絡電話：黃漢偉016-4006821，鄭雨周017-4729990。

他指出，檳城環球城中城計劃肯定帶來負面影響，對富有者有利，尤其是外來的購買者，反而對檳州中下層人民沒有益處，該計劃的房屋及人口密度偏高，可預計將產生許多周邊的民生問題。

他說，州政府原本承諾將打槍埔豆干屋地段建多層停車場，現由發展商改為多用途高密度中廉價，有欺騙選民之嫌。

他說，這是先斬后奏，就如巫統丹絨區部建築物非法擴建，在事件揭發后，市政局才給予批准，因為有了先例，市政局已有行政偏差的跡象。

他認為，柯為雄有必要向打槍埔選民交代，為何不能兌現建立多層停車場及要提升打槍埔成模範花園組屋的大選承諾。

行动党：吁首相正视司法弊端

For English version, please refer to my statement on restoring the 3Is to the Judiciary.

行动党：安华录影片段揭危机　吁首相正视司法弊端
二零零七年九月二十二日 晚上十一时四十六分

（槟城22日讯）槟州民主行动党律师兵团要求首相正视司法弊端，重振人民对司法的信心！
曹观友吁全国人民　关注司法危机

行动党州委会主席曹观友国会议员指出，从历史的脉络上可以发现，执政单位时常干预司法的独立性，造成大马人民普遍对司法不存有信心，特别是在1988年以后。

“不久前又出现了前副首相拿督斯里安华公开某著名律师和司法界数一数二人物谈话，企图影响法官人选的录影内容，揭露我国"司法弊端"，使大马进入史无前例的司法危机。因此，我们呼吁全国人民尤其是首相和内阁一定要特别关注此事，不要再把国家司法典当。”

曹观友是于周六早带领火箭旗下的律师兵团，包括副主席丹那律师、宣传秘书黄汉伟律师和社青团团长杨顺兴律师在总部举行记者会，吁请首相及内阁对我国司法弊端予以高度的关注。
对“录影片段”提3建议

会上，火箭律师兵团针对“录影片段”一事提出3个建议，包括（1）立刻召开紧急国会会议、（2）成立皇家调查委员会及（3）成立独立委员会，并修改宪法，将委任首席大法官的职权赋予委员会。
黄汉伟：恢复司法公信力

州宣传秘书黄汉伟律师声称，恢复大马的司法独立、公正及公信力力是目前全国上下当务之急的任务。

“司法系统为民主政治的一个大支柱，更是权力制衡的重要机制。但随着录影片段揭发了司法黑暗弊端，已经直接打击了民众对司法的信心，犹如开启了潘朵拉的盒子。”

他披露，“录影片段”一事发生72小时后，首席大法官办公室仍未作出任何反应，引起了遐想空间。
他继续指出，我国司法界长期以来面对许多问题，诸如法官延迟书写判词，导致上诉案件（特别是刑事案）无法听审及首席大法官竟建议以回教发取代英国习惯法等等。

杨顺兴及丹那：影响巨大
杨顺兴律师及丹那律师也一致认为，行政单位不能干预司法单位，否则权力的制衡就会失灵，对国家的发展将带来巨大的影响。

杨顺兴说，根据联邦宪法122AB及122B条文，我国首席大法官经首相建议后，由国家元首委任。
他说，这条文必须修改，因为它欠缺了监督的机制，遴选首席大法官的职务必须交由一个独立的委员会执行，才能遴选出一个公正及不受政治立场干预的大法官。

Restore the 3Is - Independent, Impartiality and Integrity to the Judiciary

Press Statement by Wong Hon Wai, Penang DAP Publicity Secretary on 22-09-2007
at Penang

----------------------------------------------

The Judiciary is one of the important pillars of our democratic system. One of the important principles in Rukunegara is Kedaulatan Undang-Undang (Rule of Law).

However, the public confidence on the independence, impartiality and integrity of judiciary is at its lowest point. The video clip has opened the Pandora box.


72 hours has passed and the office of Chief Justice did not issue any rebuttal statement or denial.

There are other recent developments that have brought the judiciary into disrepute.
Firstly, the delay by judges in issuing written judgment. It has been reported that there are at least 30 cases in which the judge had not provided written grounds or delivered judgment. In criminal cases, the Court of Appeal cannot hear appeals without written judgments.

Recent revelations that a judge, who had not given written judgments were nominated for a promotion, makes one wonder whether the current close system of appointing and promoting judges is for the best interest of the justice.

Secondly, the call for replacing English common law with Islamic law by the Chief Justice.

It is high time for us to launch a full investigation by a Royal Commission including reviewing cases and judgments. An independent judicial appointments commission also ought to be established.

A competent, independent and impartial judiciary is essential in upholding constitutionalism and the rule of law in Malaysia. Public and international confidence of the judicial system and in the moral authority and integrity of the judiciary is the utmost importance in a modern democratic Malaysia.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rejected calls for the setting up of a royal commission of inquiry to look into the video controversy. The Attorney General also commented that there is no criminal element in the video clip. These are knee-jerk reactions to sweep the matters under the carpet.

I would like to call upon the public interest bodies and concerned Malaysians in general to step up the pressure to lobby for an urgent and immediate action to stop the rot and restore the public confidence towards the judiciary.

To the layman, justice must not merely be done, but must also be seen to be done.

New Generation Seminar Participant Profiles

My profile - for participation in New Generation Seminar 14 Oct to 28 Oct (Hawaii-Hiroshima-Shanghai).

I am scheduled to deliver a 15 minutes presentation on the mother tongue education in Malaysia.

Wong Hon Wai presently serves as publicity secretary for the Penang Democratic Action Party (DAP) in Penang. He is an advocate and solicitor, High Court of Malaya and has declared his intention to run for public office in the upcoming national elections to be held at the end of 2007 or early 2008. Mr. Wong has been an active member of the DAP, organizing and speaking at political and educational forums. One forum was to commemorate International Mother Tongues Day, raising public awareness of the issues of multicultural and mother tongue education in Malaysia, where ethnic groups have contended unfair treatment and funding of education in their native languages. Mr. Wong holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Kebangsaan in Malaysia and completed his bachelor of jurisprudence at the University of Malaya in Malaysia.


The other participants

The 17th New Generation Seminar Participant Biographies:

The 17th NGS participants come from a myriad of countries and backgrounds.

Kessara Amornvuthivorn, Manager, Innovative Learning for Youth, Human Capacity Development Division, Kenan Institute Asia, Bangkok, Thailand

Drupti Chauhan, Senior Attorney and Legislative Analyst, Research Division, North Carolina General Assembly, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Chad Christensen, Assemblyman, Nevada State Assembly, Carson City, Nevada, United States

Song-chang Hong, Policy Advisor to Rep. Lee Ju-ho, National Assembly, Seoul, Korea

Rizwan Ullah Khan, Manager Operations (Planning and Implementation), Balochistan Education Foundation, Balochistan, Pakistan

Moana Lynore Mackey, Member of Parliament, New Zealand Labour Party, Wellington, New Zealand

Ismael Veloso Mastura, Vice President for Finance and School Administrator, Sultan Kudarat Islamic Academy Foundation College, Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan, Mindanao, Philippines

Lori McClung, Principal, Advocacy and Communications Solutions, LLP, Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Kalolaine Fifita Tafa Moeaki, A/Principal Education Officer (Policy and Planning), Ministry of Education, Nuku’alofa, Tonga

Quynh Thi Truc Phan, Programme Officer for Education, The Atlantic Philanthropies, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ranvir Prasad, District Collector, Thiruvallur, Government of Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu, India

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Council President, Baltimore City Council, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Kinley Rinchen, Planning Officer, The Royal University of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan

Fajar Riza Ul Haq, Program Director of Religious Education Reform, MAARIF Institute for Culture and Humanity, Jakarta, Indonesia

Hon Wai Wong, Publicity Secretary, Penang DAP (Democratic Action Party), Penang, Malaysia

Kejin Zhao, Assistant Professor, Center for American Studies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Save Penang Hill, Save Our Water

郑雨周、民主行动党州宣传秘书黄汉伟、黄伟益 ,升旗山联委会委员颜连江，及甘榜哥南区支部委员庄钦吉高举横幅，呼吁州政府关注升旗山蓄水区及非法砍伐树木等事件。

I am standing second from the left.
The DAP is launching a campaing to save Penang Hill.

Full text is available here.

Automatic Voters Registration

Bersih (Coalition for Free and Fair Elections) organised a ceramah on Friday night, 07-09-2007 at Jublee Hall, Bayan Baru, Penang. It was part of the nationwide programme to hold ceramah at various states.

I was one of the invited speakers representing the DAP. The other speakers were BK Ong (NGO), Zulkifli (DAP - National Vice Chairman), Dato Zarin (Keadilan Penang Chairman), Tuan Haji Mohd Sabu (PAS - National Vice Chairman).

I touched on the point on the automatic voters registration. The current voluntary voters registration has failed. For Tanjong Parliamentary seat, 20% of the voters are those in the age group of 21 to 40 years old. The other 80% are those more than 40 years old.

There are 4.9 million Malaysians who are over 21 years old but still have not registered as voters.

The Election Commission should abandon the voluntary registration system and share the same computer database with the National Registration Department.

On a related event, the Federal Reserve Unit fired live bullets to disperse a Bersih ceramah in Terengganu, last night. For further details, please check out Malaysiakini and Merdeka Review

English Commmon Law vs Islamic Law

I was at the Boon Siew Flats Block G, Tanjung Bungah half an hour ago attending the Hungry Ghost Festival organised by the local residents.

My speech was on the English Common Law vs Islamic Law. I told
the 50 tables of audience about the suggestion of the Chief Justice to replace English Common Law with Islamic Law. I further informed the audience about the opinion poll conducted by the Bar Council.

I reiterated that we cannot compromise on this particular issue and will have to make our stance clear to defend against the hidden agenda of certain quarters to make an unilateral declaration of the Islamic State.

I also touched on the issue of the 10 million spent on NCER launch which I have spoken at the dinner at Choo Plaza. It is my hope that there will be generous allocation for the development of mother tongue education on the Budget day scheduled on Friday.

The other invited speaker was the representative of Chief Minister.

After my speech, the chairman handed me another invitation card, next Saturday, at Pepper Estate (Kebun Bungah).

10 million spent on NCER launch

I was at the Choo Plaza tonight attending the dinner for the Hungry Ghost Festival organised by residents of Beach Street.

I was representing YB Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong). As usual, I delivered a speech. My main point was on the RM10 million spent on the launching ceremony of Northen Corridor Economic Region (NCER) on 31-7-2007.

The Prime Minister in a written reply to Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) said that the launching of the NCER cost the government RM10.997 million.

I said if the 10% of the money spent on one-morning event could be allocate to the chinese schools in Penang, then we will have 1 million. It will be more than enough to support the relocation and building of a few chinese primary schools in Penang.

Every year, the chinese community in Penang organise more than 100 dinners to mark the hungry ghost festival and the donation will go to support relocation/refurbishment of a chinese primary school. This year, the donation will go to Chung Teik Primary School in Balik Pulau.
Information from Guan Ming today, the donation raise to date is RM170,000.

I will be attending 4 more dinners next week. Stay tuned.