My legislative priority

Name: Wong Hon Wai

Age: 35 years old

Marital Status: Married with three children.

Profession: Lawyer.

I was an IT engineer with MNC at Bayan Lepas for 10 years before making a career switch to law. I am currently also a part-time tutor at Open University Malaysia (Minden, USM)

Education Background:

I received my primary education in Kong Min Main School, Air Itam and secondary education in Chung Ling High School, Air Itam. Later, I am trained in Computer Science (BSc (UKM)) and in law (B Jurisprudence (UM).

Contact Number: 016-4006821

Fax:04-8280926

mail:honwai_wong@yahoo.com

I am a member of DAP since 1997. Currently, I am the Penang DAP State Publicity Secretary. I am also the legal advisor to a number of NGOs.

This will be the first time I am running for office.

黃漢偉律師小檔案
35歲，已婚及育有3子女。
精通三語、福建及廣東方言。
出生貧寒家庭，在檳島打鎗埔組屋G座成長。
學歷：
小學：亞依淡公民總校
中學：鍾靈國中
大學：國民大學電腦科學士
馬來亞大學法學士
法律執業文憑

工作經驗：
曾於跨國電子廠任職電腦工程師長達十年，現為執業律師，亦為多間團體法律顧問，目前也兼任馬來西亞開放大學助教。

黨職：民主行動黨檳州宣傳秘書
1997年加入民主行動黨

My legislative priority:

1. Equal Opportunity for all
2. Fair allocation on Education Grant and Resources
3. Real Freedom of Religion

1. Equal Opportunity For All

There is a great divide created by the Barisan Nasional Government by labelling half of Malaysians as Bumiputera and the other half as Non-Bumiputera. This is in fact the cause of disunity among Malaysians.

The Barisan Nasional Government has created an elite group called Umnoputra. Its economic policy did not address the needs of the poor Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans and Kadazans.

We should put to rest the New Economic Policy and the quota system. It is my priority to continue to fight against such policies. It is my priority to see all Malaysians enjoying the equal opportunity in terms of economic development and education opportunity etc.

2. Fair allocation on Education Grant and Resources

Education is an important social tool for upward mobility. The sons and daughters of the underprivileged group can have a better income and job after they received quality education. Furthermore, education and cultural is the identity of a race and a nation.

The Barisan Nasional Government has adopted a selective approach for funding schools. The percentage of school children who go to Chinese primary school is 21%. Under the 9^th Malaysian Plan, Chinese primary school only received 3.6% of the total allocation for primary schools. Tamil schools are in pathetic situation too.

The Barisan Nasional Government is half-hearted in terms of promoting mother tongue education in Malaysia. Barisan Nasional allocated 3.8 million to Chinese schools in Penang but yet MCA spent 80 million for development funding in order for them to capture a state seat in Kelantan.

It is my priority to continue to highlight such disparity. It is my priority to push for legislative changes for education funding.

3. Real Freedom of Religion

Every Malaysians has the right to profess and practice his religion. This is enshrined in the Article 12 of the Federal Constitution. What is the degree of freedom in reality?

Religion is in the State List. Penang State Assembly has passed numerous enactments on the administrative of Islamic law.

Having said that, there are many hot topics still unresolved such as body-snatching, jurisdiction between civil and Syariah Court, apostasy, the status of churches, temples, mosques etc.

The Barisan Nasional Government claimed that Malaysia is an Islamic State. Abdullah portraits his administration as Islam Hadhari.

I beg to differ. Malaysia is a secular state with a sizeable non-Muslim community co-exist with their Muslim brothers and sisters. Indonesia has 80% of Muslim in the population but they did not label themselves as Islamic State.

It is my priority to scrutinize the State legislation and planning processes to ensure that the Penangites can enjoy real freedom of religion in terms of building their holy places, government funding and preserving their way of life.

華小只獲得區區的3.6％撥款

（一）華小凄風苦雨熬過50年

50年來由巫統所主導的政權一直在推行單元種族教育政策。雖然華小已獲國家列為教育體系的一環，但至今華社為何依然要自已承擔華小增建、擴建和遷校的一切費用？這已足以証明國陣政府根本沒誠意扶持和協助華小、國型中和獨中的發展。

華小目前所面對的困境。

不公平的發展撥款：在第9大馬計劃下，華小只獲得區區的3.6％撥款，這就是國陣政府公平對待華小的謊言和承諾。

全國有800間華小年久失修，軟硬體設備嚴重不足，卻只有在大選來臨時得那微不足道和杯水車薪的撥款，來騙取華社的支持和華裔的選票。

華小師質嚴重缺乏，國陣政府幾十年來完全置華小師資不足而不顧後，華小的教學面對打擊。教育部還變相及通過委派不諳華文的馬來教師來取代，企圖使華小變質。

（二）國陣政府沒有系統化的計劃發展華小

①自獨立以來，華小只有減少而沒有增加。隨著華小學生人數的增加，政府卻拒絕在華裔人口密集社區興建華小，使許多華裔家長，心不甘，情不願的被迫將子女送入國小就讀，完全抹殺了家長們為子女選擇就讀華小的權利。因此目前全國尚缺乏150至200間華小來滿足全國華小生的需求。光是擴建和遷校，根本是治標而不治本的敷衍策略，所謂增建華小仍是空洞的謊言。

大山腳明德小學遷校，卻未獲得教育部分文撥款，遷校的一切費用需要向華社籌款。這就是國陣政府只批准華小遷校，卻不撥款遷校的妙計。每間華小遷校至少需要500萬令吉，這些錢，政府在大選前不能兌現，大選後更是免談了。

因此，行動黨認為國陣政府有責任，也有義務擬定健全而有系統的計劃來增建、擴建和遷校，並提供足夠的撥款，而不是在大選來臨前夕到處分發政治糖果來撈取選票和蒙騙華社。

（三）教育部不撥款

A.年前吉華K校曾文珩老師因校舍樓板遭白蟻腐蝕而跌死，K校搬遷費需550萬令吉，完全由華社籌款來承擔。

B.威南文明小學遷校，政府也沒有給予撥款。該校董事長卻為籌款遷校操勞過度而逝世。

上述有關華小遷校的悲慘事件，馬華和民政無疑成為巫統推行不公平和不合理教育政策的最大“幫兇”。

（四）馬華與民政黨的軟弱無能

馬華和民政自詡在國陣內可通過協商和分享政權來為華裔族群爭取應有的權益，卻只為了保住各自的高官百厚祿和滿足個人的私利，而不惜為虎作倀，或為巫統的馬前卒，向華社推銷不公平的語文政策，這就是馬華和民政的最大功勞！

Thaipusam

Last year, I brought my family to Waterfall temple for the Thaipusam celebration.

This year, it has been a hectic Thaipusam day for me.

In the morning, I was at Butterworth Police Station to secure the release of a client of Hindu faith.

At night, I attended a temple (Dato Kong) dinner at Pekan Air Itam. I represented the MP for Bukit Gelugor and delivered a simple speech on religious freedom. I touched on the Hindraf and the struggle of the Indian to enjoy equal rights in Malaysia.

Valga Makkal Sakti! (People's Power)

At Pulau Tikus Market

Lauching publicity campaign at Pulau Tikus Market.

Horse-trading

As the election is around the corner, horse-trading intra and inter party becoming more intense. Aspiring candidates are eyeing for winnable seats. I was told that my name was mentioned during the negotiation between the opposition pacts in Penang. Anyway, I took the outcome of the negotition in a stride.

As the Chinese proverb: 塞翁失馬 (sai weng shi ma). (Lost a horse)

A man who lived on the northern frontier of China was skilled in interpreting events. One day for no reason, his horse ran away to the nomads across the border. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, "What makes you so sure this isn't a blessing?" Some months later his horse returned, bringing a splendid nomad stallion. Everyone congratulated him, but his father said, "What makes you so sure this isn't a disaster?" Their household was richer by a fine horse, which the son loved to ride. One day he fell and broke his hip. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, "What makes you so sure this isn't a blessing?"

A year later the nomads came in force across the border, and every able-bodied man took his bow and went into battle. The Chinese frontiersmen lost nine of every ten men. Only because the son was lame did father and son survive to take care of each other. Truly, blessing turns to disaster, and disaster to blessing: the changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.

Definition of horse-trading: Negotiation characterized by hard bargaining and shrewd exchange

At Air Itam Market

Distributing pamplets on Crime and Safety at Air Itam Market.

We want road name in chinese characters too.

Launching the campaign for road name in chinese characters at Georgetown.

（槟城李秋缘11日讯）2007大马旅游年已过，中文路牌依然未见踪影，槟州民主行动党再次出击，自资印刷中文路名贴纸，希望人民将贴纸贴在自家门前，以行动告诉政府：“我们需要中文路牌”！

No to ISA

On the record, TH Koay and myself were the organiser for the "No to ISA" press conference held on Sunday 10.30am at the junction of Campbell Street and Penang Road.

Koay was invited to the Police Station on Saturday night. I accompanied him to meet up with the ACP of Special Branch.

There were heavy presence of police - about 20 uniformed and another 20 plain clothes policemen.

The one-man demonstration rally continued from 10.30am to 5pm. At least 30,000 Penangites have passed by that road at that time and they would have noticed our messages.

The crackdown - Sunday night at the Police Station

The photos taken at Balai Polis Bukit Mertajam and Jawi.

I was standing next to YB Chong Eng and surrounded by PAS supporters. The small DAP group (6 of us including Koid Teng Guan, Tan Kang Chung, Michael Tan and Guna) were allowed to enter the compound of the police station.

After obtaining the necessary information, we brief the PAS members and media on what transpired. Mat Sabu was arrested and was sent immediately to Kuala Lumpur. 10 PAS members were arrested under section 186 Penal Code - obstruction the police from carrying out their duties while arresting Mat Sabu.

Mat Sabu is the National Vice President of PAS. I met him at the Bersih Ceramah two months ago in Penang. I delivered a speech on electoral reform then.

I met the 10 PAS members who were detained at the lockup.

We left after the PAS lawyer arrived from Ipoh.

Land reclaimation activities at Tanjong Bungah Beaches (Part II)

丹絨武雅海灘留石沙 填海停工應善後

As reported in Sinchew Jit Poh

2007-12-02 13:36

（檳城）民主行動黨檳州宣傳秘書黃漢偉律師說，市政局在土地局發出停工令後，應該諭令有關人士作善後工作，而非讓石沙留在丹絨武雅海灘一帶。

他說，這個由市政局發出臨時地契，供興建遊艇停靠區的填海地帶，在填海已開始發展後，卻被土地局發出停工令，已影響了鄰近的海灘，有關的填海地也就變得沒用。

“較早前，我們召開新聞發佈會後，鄧章耀說檳島三地的填海計劃都是原本沒有海灘的地方，是不正確的。這裡（丹絨武雅）原本是有一個公眾可到的海灘。”

他週五（30日）在丹絨俱樂部後的海灘，召開新聞發佈會時，這麼說。陪同出席者包括檳州組織秘書鄭雨週。

他說，至於鄧章耀所謂的“沒有任何人可以擁有海灘”的說法，卻因為在市政局的條例下，通往海灘的小徑只需10尺，太狹窄了，他認為應該增至20尺，以讓車輛可以出入，才能達到目的。