KLANG (March 3, 3008): On the campaign trail in Klang, theSun spoke to MCA's candidate incumbent Datuk Ch'ng Toh Eng and DAP's Charles Santiago.

While Ch'ng listens to usual complaints of clogged drains and poor street-lighting - Santiago pledges to raise issues that are new and refreshing, privatisation of water and a proper and more affordable healthcare deliviry system.

Here is what they say:

Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng, 56 (incumbent BN-MCA)
Selangor MCA Chief
Former teacher turned politician

How has your campaign trail been and what are the issues raised by Klang voters?

It’s been going well. The main complaints I have received are on clogged drains, street lights and pot-holes among others. Klang voters ask a lot of questions and most want to know why some parliamentary constituencies like Pak Lah’s constituency seem to get more attention compared with Klang. Most of their complaints and grouses revolve around lack of development, infrastructure and planning for Klang.

How do you plan to address these problems?

The BN state assemblymen and I will work as a team to address this problem by bringing it up to the local authority and state levels.

As a former councillor and assemblyman I also have the knowledge of how to plan development effectively when there is a need in this constituency. I am familiar with the separation of powers between the state and Federal government. For example if there is a request for a community centre then I know the process it needs to go through, including that at state, district and local authority levels to deliver.

These are more of local issues which should be addressed by the state assemblymen, what are the national issues in Klang and the country as a whole which you plan to raise in Parliament?

The first is the issue of security, the second are issues pertaining the influx of cheap foreign labour which have left a lot of locals jobless and thirdly the issues affecting my Indian voters. Many of the Indians I have met during the campaign trail have aired their frustrations over the lack of educational, skills training and job opportunities for the community, and I plan to bring these up in Parliament.

How different is your experience in running for a Parliament seat compared with a state seat? (Ch’ng was Kuala Kubu Baru assemblyman)

In Klang people ask a lot of questions. Secondly I receive a lot of complaints on road and infrastructure, but in areas like Kuala Kubu Baru the issues that are raised are still application for land titles. In Klang people question why there are no new projects but they fail to see that there are new projects like Bukit Tinggi for example. They see this as private projects. But it is the government who approves these projects - they don't see it that way. Also they question why there are no universities or institutions being built here, but they fail to see the difficulty in obtaining a large piece of land – you need like 100 acres to build a university for instance. People don’t understand, so we need to explain these things.

How do you view your opponent and the issues he has raised including that on water?

I met him at the nomination centre. We shook hands. This is a gentlemen’s fight. He is my friend and I don’t want to comment about anything on him. When I campaign I tell people who I am and what I can offer.

Charles Santiago, 47
Occupation: Self Employed/Consultant and adviser to various organisations on trade, human rights and water issues.

You seem to be very passionate about issues on water as seen during your campaign, why do you feel this is an important issue that needs to be addressed by Parliament? (Charles has had several meetings with parliamentarians over this issue over the past two years.)

(Water, Telecommunications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr) Lim Keng Yaik told me in my face that it is the policy of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to privatise water and that it was in the law (Water Industries Act).

Water is a basic human need to survive! One can live without electricity but not without water. However in Selangor, Putrajaya and Johor it has been privatised and its prices are subject to rise due to the concession agreements with the water concessionaires. The government is transferring state wealth into private hands. "This is not a profit commodity!" But in Selangor the price has already gone up by 15% and it is expected to go up even further to 37% by January 2009.

How do you know this?

It’s in the concession agreement. I’m not saying that water should be given free, but it should be affordable to all and at the same time the public must be educated on responsible usage of water and ways to reduce wastage.

What other national issues do you plan to raise as a parliamentarian?

Access to affordable health care which is also a basic need and right of every citizen. This is another example of a fundamental need being taken over by profit motivated corporations.

So I hope that people, during voting this time around say that there is no point in having the tallest building in the world if Malaysians have problems accessing basic needs like water and healthcare. The other would be education – to ensure that vernacular schools get the same privileges as national schools and the freedom of information act which I think can resolve transparency and corruption issues, and force the government to toe the line.

What is the sentiment on the ground?

That there is a need to place more representatives in Parliament to speak up for the rights of the Rakyat, and not just for certain corporations and cronies.

How do you view your competition who is a three term state assemblyman and state executive councilor?

Yes, he has his strengths but as we know when it comes to policy decisions, MCA and MIC do nothing. It is Umno and the Mentri Besar who call the shots.

His previous state constituency was given the worst rating by the state government and the residents in Kg Papan in Klang have had their land and livelihood taken away. One can be a member in the state executive council and local council, but have you represented the people and aspirations of the community? In the case of Klang, the misdeeds of the previous Port Klang assemblyman who was also a Klang municipal councilor highlights the flaws in the present system which allows this to happen.

What are your strengths which will make you an effective parliamentarian?

I’m an academician who has been working with non-governmental organisations, and local and international bodies on trade, human rights and water issues. I am adviser to a few regional and national bodies on issues pertaining to international trade, and am a consultant to the European Union in Brussels. I'm sure this vast knowledge and exposure is a plus point for me if I am elected as MP.

P110 KLANG
N46 Pelabuhan Klang
N47 Pandamaran
N48 Kota Alam Shah

Total voters: 77,816

Malays: 33.1%

Chinese 47.3%

Indians: 19%

Others: 0.7%

Bukit Gasing folk spoilt for choice

PETALING JAYA (March 3, 2008): "I’m in a dilemma! This is going to be a tough choice," laments Derek Fernandez.

A voter in the Petaling Jaya Selatan constituency, the 43-year-old lawyer already knows whom he will be voting into Parliament but his predicament is over whom to tick for the Bukit Gasing state seat – a straight fight between two men who have gained the 33,000-plus voters’ trust and respect.

In one corner is incumbent Datuk Dr Lim Thuang Seng of the Gerakan. The 58-year-old immunologist is reputed for his hands-on approach, constantly being at his constituents’ beck and call.

In the other is accountant Edward Lee, 59. Although a political newbie, Lee is no stranger to the people here as he is the chairman of the Section 5 Residents’ Association and heads the All Petaling Jaya Pro-Action Committee (APPAC), a grouping of over 40 residents’ associations in Petaling Jaya.

"Both are good people who have gone the distance in serving the people here, so it’s going to be a tough choice," said Fernandez who has worked with both candidates on various local issues. The biggest beneficiary of this duel is the people of Bukit Gasing, as both candidates are honest, hardworking and committed individuals."

Lim beat DAP’s John Chung by over 4,000 votes in the last election, but Lee is expected to give him a run for his money.

Running on the DAP ticket, Lee has been in the forefront voicing residents’ views over local issues, especially those involving the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

"When it comes to bread-and-butter issues, Lim gets things done, but with all that is going on in MBPJ, we need someone like Edward to keep them honest," said a Bukit Gasing resident who wanted to be known as Wong.

He was referring to a litany of issues involving the local authority which Lee had brought up and/or campaigned against over the last three years - the siphoning of ratepayers’ money into the council’s sports club, shady billboard deals, questionable expenditure and the council’s reluctance to open its accounts to the public, as well as raising assessment.

Even Lim, who has been largely silent on these issues, admits that "Edward is a good man" but stresses that when it comes to the crunch, voters must consider who can deliver.

"We both bring up strong topics and are vocal about many issues and we are both sincere in serving the constituents. But the question to ask is: between Edward and me, who is more effective?" asked Lim.

"I have a proven track record. Either I or my officers are always on the ground when a problem arises. All it takes is a few phone calls and the problem is either solved or on the way to being solved," said the Selangor executive councillor and chairman of the State Tourism and Health and Consumer Affairs Committee.

Lim reminded voters that he was committed to the "hot" issues concerning MBPJ which Lee would be milking during the campaign period.

"For instance, the development on the PJ side of Bukit Gasing. I listened to the opposition of the ratepayers and we blocked it," he said, adding that his rapport with city officials ensures that residents’ problems are tabled and a solution found.

Lee meanwhile is not about being popular with officials.

"The people need more representation in the State Assembly and certainly MBPJ," he said, stressing that access to government machinery was given by the people to political parties - not the other way round.

"We have to dispel the idea that the machinery belongs to a political party. Any party can lead the country, and give direction to the government machinery. BN does not own the government," Lee reminded.

Although he has had a good working relationship with Lim, Lee believes that while the incumbent may be sincere in serving his constituents, he cannot effectively bring up the people’s grouses as he must tow party lines.

"Due to our efforts, MBPJ posted a summary of their accounts on-line, but we need a more detailed one. There is a lot of money that can be used for more important matters rather than allow it to be siphoned out to other beneficiaries," he said, saying other issues which need addressing are the need for local government elections, the revision of certain laws, reducing crime and assessment for high-rise buildings.

Saying his foray into politics was because "I can’t sit around expecting someone else to initiate change", Lee also underscored the fact that he and Lim are dealing with the upper-middle class comprising many non-Malays who are concerned with issues such as civil liberties.

"People want assurance that their personal rights are protected. Unfortunately, the incumbent Government has done little to guarantee this," said Lee.

Lim declined to be drawn into a debate over "sensitive issues", but opined that this topic needs further assessment by all involved to reach an amicable solution.

At a forum with parishioners of the St Francis Xavier church last week, both candidates were treated with respect, although Lee seemed to have the edge in the popularity stakes, judging from the applause. This is one tough seat to call.

BUKIT GASING state seat – 33,183 voters

Malay: 13.0%, Chinese: 72.2%, Indian: 13.5%, Others: 1.4%

2004 polls

Dr Lim Thuang Seng (13,057) beat John Chung (8,976)

Majority: 4,081

Best singles player vs Working class hero in Pandan

KUALA LUMPUR (March 3, 2008): A group of Indian youths was leaving the service centre of incumbent Pandan MP Datuk Ong Tee Keat in Taman Muda when theSun arrived.

They were from the local Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) chapter and had assured the caretaker deputy higher education minister that he has the support of the Indian community.

"Our grouse is with the MIC and especially Samy Vellu," said one of them.

"But Datuk Ong is a good man. Although he is from the BN, we will tell our people to back him because he has done a lot for us," he said, reflecting an unusual trait of some voters this elections, where the candidate is paramount to the party.

Ong agrees.

"It boils down to service. If you treat people well, they don’t care about party affiliations and will support you," said the 52-year-old mechanical engineering graduate who is vying for his fifth term in Parliament.

"I have been here for a decade, while the opposition shows up only during elections – and that too with different faces each time," said Ong, referring to his previous opponents – R. Sivarasa from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in 1999 and Iskandar Abdul Samad of PAS in 2004 whom he beat by over 14,000 votes.

This election, the ex-deputy Speaker of the lower house is facing Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud (PKR).

Unlike most politicians, Ong refuses to make election promises. During a ceramah at the Sri Inai flats, he was asked for funds to upgrade service roads and to start tuition classes for children there.

"It will be unethical for me to say anything now," he told the 100-odd crowd.

"If I say ‘yes’, I will be accused of political corruption. You know my track record and you know how I have served you. What I can promise is that we will work on these issues together," Ong said to applause.

His low-key campaign is reflective of the incumbent’s confidence of his service record which include alleviating flash floods in Taman Maju Jaya and relocating illegal hawkers, establishing Chinese schools and improving the traffic snarl synonymous with this constituency of 64,000 voters.

Unlike many non-Malay candidates, Ong speaks Bahasa Malaysia effortlessly. This helps when he addresses Malay crowds. Speaking without an accent, he does not lose his audience.

However, the relatively small crowd at gatherings organised by Umno is telling of the support – or lack of – that he is receiving from the Malay base.

Ong attributes this to clash in timing and the less-than-favourable weather. However, it is common knowledge that supporters of local Umno strong-man – four-term Cempaka assemblyman Datuk Mad Aris Mad Yusof is revolting after their leader was dropped as a candidate following his alleged involvement in shady land deals and the hijacking of open spaces.

Mad Aris’ close ally, Gerakan assemblyman for Teratai Yap Soo Sun was also dropped.

"We were told not to support Datuk Ong," said an Umno branch head who declined to be named.

However, he does not think this will translate into votes for Shahrir.

"The Malay factor may show a little but generally, people are suspicious of PKR," the Umno leader said, alluding to the open secret that Ong and Mad Aris are not the best of friends.

Ong who had opposed many projects Mad Aris endorsed - including a karaoke and food-court operating on a school reserve, has the misfortune of having among the "worst local authorities" in the country within his constituency.

The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) has even been adopted by the Chief Secretary to the Government in an attempt to improve the council which goes down in history for escaping liability although it approved the construction of Highland Towers which collapsed, killing 48 people.

"Haphazard development and the existence of Little Napoleans do not help in regaining the confidence of the people," said Ong.

Just a stone’s throw from his office is a row of 14 stalls built on a road reserve, five metres from residential homes.

Posters of Yap’s successor, Datuk Lum Weng Keong adorn these stalls which have not started operations. One will not find Ong’s image on these structures.

"Over my dead body! This is an illegal development and I will demolish it," said Ong of the state project.

"Even within the establishment, there must be a dissenting voice at times," said Ong, acknowledging that recent national issues such as inflation, the price of oil and civil liberties are at the crux of this election.

"The non-Malays are concerned with their rights. They may just translate this discontent in the ballot box. Leaders should take this opportunity to re-assure them that their rights will always be protected, but in some aspects, the damage is already done," said Ong who rose to fame as MCA Youth Chief during the party’s internal crisis six years ago.

He beat the odds to snatch the vice-president’s post in the last party election, prompting one senior journalist to bestow the moniker "best singles player ever".

WORKERS AND PKR

If Ong Tee Keat can lose Pandan to the opposition, Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud is the man to do it.

The words of an MCA observer may cause the formidable incumbent for P.100 to lose some sleep, but Syed Shahir prefers to just concentrate on his campaign instead of getting caught up in such grandiose fantasy - which of late has indications that it may not be too far from reality.

With the feel good factor from 2004 gone and belt-tightening measures in place at every home of the 64,000 constituents, this is without a doubt the president of the Malaysian Trade Unions Congress (MTUC')s best chance yet to enter Parliament.

Syed Shahir, who contested and lost the Kelana Jaya parliamentray seat in 2004 to the MCA's Loh Seng Kok by over 21,000 votes, is looking forward to an easier duel this time in this "hot seat".

"The constituents here are largely working-class, a far cry from Kelana Jaya which is mostly affluent and upper-middle class where many Tan Sris live," the 56-year-old ex-teacher told theSun after addressing a crowd of 1,000 people in Taman Muda on a rainy Sunday night.

"Not that I have anything against affluent members of society. I am also fortunate to be able to afford more things than the average wage-earner, but here in Pandan, I represent a wider section of society – the petty traders, hawkers, ordinary wage-earners and pensioners," he said, adding that the constituents here need him more than those in Kelana Jaya.

Syed Shahrir explained that he is not "running away" from Kelana Jaya but said it was a matter of good strategy to be moved to Pandan.

"When you participate in an election, you want to make sure you can win, you are not standing for the sake of contesting," he said, adding that as a trade unionist, he appeals more to constituents in Pandan than in Kelana Jaya.

It is easier to relate to people here as their concern is bread-and-butter issues," said Syed Shahrir, adding that the people’s frustration with the high price of fuel and its effects to their purchasing power will be translated into votes for the opposition on March 8.

"Each time they pass a toll gate or visit a petrol station, the people feel the pinch. The feel-good factor is gone!"

For this election, the PKR has promised a minimum wage of RM1,500 if the opposition comes into power – something cash-strapped constituents will be thinking of when they decide between the "scales" and the "eye".

Specifically for Selangor, the PKR has promised RM50 a month for every child in kindergarten, RM75 a month for every child in nursery, an allowance for housewives, increasing maternity leave from 30 days to 90, paternity leave from the present three-to-seven, to 14 days, reduction of 20% in quit rent and a waiver of water bills for minimum usage.

Rebutting the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s criticism that this will lead the country into financial ruin, Syed Shahrir retorted: "It is all about managing your resources well!"

"The problem in Malaysia is that everything is inflated because there are unseen hands making money at almost every level. We have the money but we must spend it properly," said the Business Administration degree holder, fingering the Youth and Sports Ministry as an example of excess spending.

Syed Shahir who represents Malaysia at the International Labour Organisation and the Asean Trade Union Council said as a labour leader and hopefully MP, he has a duty to ensure a better way of life for the coming generations. This includes better healthcare, jobs and access to education.

On local issues, he said the problems related to municipal matters can be easily resolved if the BN had the political will to re-introduce local government elections.

"Only then the corruption and excesses will be wiped out entirely as the people have the power to eliminate those who are in the local councils for reasons other than to serve," he said.

Syed Shahrir is adamant in putting up a gentleman’s fight. Saying he has a lot of respect for Ong and the work he has put in, Syed Shahrir said he will not take advantage of the internal bickering and the lack of support Ong is receiving from the local Umno divisions to promote his campaign.

"I always respect my opponents and I will not ride on their weaknesses but on my own strengths."

P.100 Pandan

2004 results:

MCA- Datuk Ong Tee Keat 26,721

PAS – Iskandar Abdul Samad – 12,609

Majority: 14,112

Voters: 64,497

Malay: 51.60%, Chinese: 42.40%, Indian: 5.30%, Others: 0.60%