The well of charity never dries up

There was a huge crowd at the junction of Bishop Street-Beach Street, Penang this morning.



It was NOT an assembly to protest against PGCC.

A few store owners and money changers at the Bishop Street were giving "duit raya" (donation) to the infirmed and the poor.

Abandoned building at Rifle Range Flats.

I made a proposal to the State
Government to develop
an abandoned 4-storey building located next to the H block at Rifle Range Flats, Penang.

The building has been abandoned for more than 35 years.

（檳城訊）林先生一家居住在這個地方已經超過30年。從他的父母開始，然後是他和其他2位手足在這裡度過童年、青少年歲月。而今，他已結婚生子，他的第三代也將在這裡成長。這原本只是一個平凡的故事。然而，故事背景卻很奇特：住了林家三代人的老家，其實是一棟沒有門牌、最近才獲得電供的廢墟。

這座位於打鎗埔的廢墟，被在該區住了20多年的行動黨宣傳秘書黃漢偉形容為“打鎗埔人盡皆知”的地方。林先生：建公寓工程喊停“幫地主看管”林先生說，廢墟的地主在1970年代原本想在土地上建築公寓，可是當年工程雖然已進行，卻沒有得到準證，在準證最後仍未批準的情況下，工程被迫喊停。偌大的工地地盤和已經建成一半的建築，瞬間被遺棄；這一遺棄，就是30幾年。林先生表示，“這裡的地主是我們家的鄉里，當年工程喊停後，是他讓我父母搬到這裡來，說是要幫他們看管這個地方。”

行動黨週五（10月5日）是在該處召開新聞發佈會，才讓記者發現了林家一家人的故事。議列打鎗埔發展計劃行動黨在新聞發佈會中建議市政局，向有關業主購買並徵用土地，將此廢墟列入最近頻頻被提出的打鎗埔綜合發展計劃中，成為一個發展配套。

他建議市政局，引用1976年地方政府法令80至83“非法妨害環境衛生”條文下，向推事庭申請庭令，拆除此廢墟；此外，土地局和州政府也可引用1960年土地徵用法令，在人道立場上賠償住在該處的人家和業主，然後發展此地充作公共用途。黃漢偉說，這個廢墟對地方上的環境衛生或多或少會造成妨礙，因此，與其任由它廢置，倒不如改建成為綜合用途發展，建立康樂、休閒、教育或醫藥中心，造福打鎗埔民眾。

Felling trees at Rifle Range Flats

I received complaints by the residents of Rifle Range Flats and called a press conference at Rifle Range Flats on 2-10-07.

The issue was on the tree felling directed by the State Assemblyman of Kebun Bungah. It was reported the State Assemblyman has directed his agent to chop off more than 50 trees at a slope at Rifle Range Flats.

I cited Section 32H of the Town and Country Planning Act which prohibits any action to fell a tree of more than 0.8m in girth (circumference) without the permission of the local council.

Obviously, the State Assemblyman did not apply for such permission.
There are more than 10 trees which meet the 0.8meter which was chopped off.

Maximum fine for such offence is RM100,000.00 or three months jail sentence or both.

I call on the State Assemblyman to re-plant double the number of the trees.

打枪埔山林树木被砍光　火箭促柯为雄双倍栽还
二零零七年十月二日 晚上十一时三十分

（槟城2日讯）破坏林木的行为不容姑息！行动党促请植物园区州议员柯为雄亡羊补牢，栽种双倍的树木来拯救整片被砍伐的打枪埔山林。

在打枪埔太极十八式组织会员们的投诉下，槟州行动党宣传秘书黄汉伟律师及升旗山联委会主席郑雨周于周二下午带领传媒巡视有关山坡林木后，如此表示。

黄汉伟指出，在2001年乡区及城市规划法令第35H条文下，凡树干圆周长达0.8米（约31.5英寸）或以上的树木，不管是政府或私人产业，除非获得市政局的批准，否则不得自行砍伐。任何人或任何单位如要砍树，一律必须先向市政局申请，并由市政局派人侦察，砍树理由充足，才会给予批准。除非有关树木是在极度紧急危险民众安全或枯萎的情况之下则另作别论。

黄律师说，根据条令，树干圆周的计算，是从地面上的0.5米高度算起。任何人士触犯上述法令，最高罚款不超过10万令吉，或监禁3个月，或两者兼施。

他续说，一眼望去，符合上述条令保护的树木起码都有整10棵。他对于当地人民代议士的决定感到遗憾，并认为他曾经担任几届槟岛市议员，更应该非常清楚有关条令及环保的重要性。

郑雨周遗憾　为小撮人损民众利益
行动党升旗山区主席郑雨周遗憾的表示，原本山坡上的青葱树林带给附近运动的男女老少遮荫和清新的空气。如今为了一小撮人士的利益，把树木都砍掉了，置打枪埔民众利益不顾，也造成水土流失的潜在危机。
有鉴于此，行动党促请环保局关注打枪铺山坡林木被乱砍乱伐的事件，也促请柯为雄州议员亡羊补牢，在一片光秃秃的山坡上栽种双倍的林木来弥补其过失。

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