KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has unveiled the party's manifesto for the general election, just some 12 hours after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak revealed Barisan Nasional's manifesto on Saturday (April 7) night.
Party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai outlined MCA's 10 promises and 10 initiatives for the next five years, which will complement Barisan's manifesto.
He said MCA will become the key driver of various initiatives targeting the masses with its main pillar being youth empowerment.
Liow also stressed on the party's commitment towards transforming MCA-established education institutions into a global education hub, the second pillar of MCA's 14th General Election manifesto.
"As MCA's roots still rest with the lower income groups, we must also continue to look after the well being of the people requiring assistance. This is the third pillar, social economic well-being.
"In order for this agenda to succeed, a multi-racial approach must be adopted to tackle various issues that confront the community.
"The party will continue to reach out to understand their needs through active stakeholder engagements," Liow said during the unveiling ceremony at Wisma MCA here on Sunday morning.
This is the first time MCA is having its own manifesto for the general election.
MCA's 10 promises are:
1. Safeguard moderation
- Uphold the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara
2. Ensure checks and balances
- Represent the constitutional rights of Malaysian Chinese and other communities
3. Youth and women empowerment
- New businesses, jobs and training opportunities
- Appoint
youth and women into key positions
- Reskilling youths for digital revolution
4. Enhance the quality of Chinese education
- Committed towards recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
- Systematic approach in construction of new SJK(C)s and allocations
5. Setting forth education in the world stage
- Modernise and globalise education through UTAR, TARUC and Vtar
6. Harnessing the Belt and Road Initiative
- Connectivity with China and Asean
- Open up trade opportunities in China
7. Digital economy and innovation
- Help SMEs ride on wave of e-commerce
8. Quantum leap in business and finance
- Establish the Kojadi Co-operative Bank
- Enhance the functions of the Secretariat For the Advancement Of Malaysian Entrepreneurs (SAME)
9. Neo-urbanised townships
- Transforming new villages
10. Accessible healthcare
- Establish UTAR Hospital with Western and complementary medicine
MCA's 10 initiatives are:
1. Establish a Central Monitoring Unit
- monitor fair and effective implementation of government policies
2. Global and regional connectivity
- MCA Belt and Road Centre to strengthen ties with China
- make Malaysia a gateway to China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Asean
3. Establish a Digital Economy and Innovation Council
- gather feedback for formulation of policies and legislation
4. World class tertiary education
- UTAR to set up teaching hospital in Kampar
5. Developing the next generation
- transform TARUC into full-fledged technical university
6. Technical and vocational education training
- expand Vtar Institute into a well-equipped TVET development and training institution
7. Wealth generation for SMEs and lower and middle income groups
- introduce an investment scheme for Malaysian Chinese
8. Neo-urbanised townships
- stimulate and modernise new villages
9. Protecting welfare of women, children and the elderly
- champion the progress of women in Malaysia
- help stateless Malaysians get citizenship
- ensure enforcement of legislation against paedophiles
10. Continue outreach services for the community through the:
- Public Services and Complaints Bureau
- Chang Ming Thien Foundation
- 1MCA Medical Foundation
- Legal Advisory and Women’s Aid Centre
A plan for better future
Manifesto aims to lessen burdens the community faces now
KUALA LUMPUR: The rising cost of living and the widening income gap are what the public is most concerned about these days, says Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The MCA president said the urgency of the situation prompted MCA to come out with specific actions to address it in the next five years.
These actions are listed out in MCA’s 14th General Election Manifesto with 10 promises and 10 initiatives which the party must implement, he added.
Ready for battle: Liow, MCA deputy
president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and other senior party leaders at
the launch of the manifesto at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur. — SAM THAM/The
Star
“This also needs the support of the Government, including allocations for execution.
“The MCA’s performance in this election will have a direct impact on the party’s efforts to help the people,” Liow said when launching the manifesto at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
On GE14, Liow said voters aged between 21 and 35 made up 45% of total voters.
“The youth play an important role in the country’s economic development and democracy,” he said when outlining the manifesto, which focuses on steps to help the people, especially youth, to progress.
Full turnout: MCA members listening to
Liow’s presentation of the manifesto for GE14 during the launch at the
Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur.
It spans education, training, jobs, business and investment opportunities.
Saying that the MCA’s political struggle is for the long haul, Liow assured the people that the party would not make empty promises to fish for votes.
On that note, Liow said it was important to not only address current issues but also to create favourable conditions for the Chinese community’s youth to face new challenges.
“There will be major changes in the global economy, labour market and business.
“The digital revolution will not only encourage the growth of a new economy but also change the lifestyle of future generations.
“The youth of today will dominate in this major change,” he said.
Saying that education is the foundation of every nation, he pointed out that the 69-year-old MCA’s role in the sector has evolved to meet changing times, from pre-school to primary school, vocational training to tertiary education.
Liow and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (left) with the manifesto booklet.
Singling out the party’s 16-year-old Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), which is ranked second in Malaysia after Universiti Malaya by Times Higher Education, he said it is in the process of setting up its teaching hospital in Kampar, Perak.
“UTAR Hospital is set to be a premier healthcare institution that combines modern and complementary medicine like traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda,” he said of the party’s promise to provide accessible and quality healthcare to the rakyat.
In confronting global competition and pressure from the rising cost of living, Liow said MCA promises to open up more economic opportunities, including setting up Kojadi Co-operative Bank with branches in various states to provide financing for young entrepreneurs and small to medium enterprises.
“Times have changed. While we face more challenges, we also encounter more development opportunities,” he said of how the party consistently works hard to help the community brave the changing times.
On the country’s 465 new villages set up by the British colonial government with MCA’s help during the Emergency (1948-1960) to cut contacts between the Chinese community and communists of the era, Liow said those “barbed-wire” settlements have evolved over the decades.
He said MCA has drawn up plans for a digital revolution in these villages to rejuvenate them.
Sources: The Star, by foong pek yee, tho xin yi, and royce tan
‘Citizen Liow’ vents his frustration in short film
KUALA LUMPUR: It is Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai as we have never seen him before – shabby, dispirited and a little rude.
Without his signature full-rim spectacles, Liow, playing an ordinary citizen in a video with a poignant but powerful message, vents his spleen about the country’s current mood.
From the hurtful balik tongsan comment to corrupt practices, Citizen Liow is determined to get his frustrations off his chest.
He even throws a fistful of sweets at a guest in his home. The guest is also played by Liow, who essentially portrays his everyday role of a politician.
The on-screen sparring between both Liows is a creative, yet brutally frank, account of the general sentiments of the local Chinese community.
It is almost painful to watch the heated encounter, but that is exactly why the six minute-long video Citizens is so compelling.
Producers Pete Teo and Liew Seng Tat did not attempt to paint a rosy and glowing picture even though the clip was meant for the upcoming National Day celebrations.
The video boldly addresses the grievances and fears of the Chinese community in Malaysia, which means there will inevitably be “anger, helplessness and conflict”, as Teo explained on his Facebook.
Liow, in his real life as Transport Minister, Bentong MP and especially MCA president, must have often been at the receiving end of the kind of harsh comments hurled by “Citizen Liow” in the clip.
“Politicians only know how to talk!” is perhaps the most common sweeping statement that disregards the efforts and contributions of community and government leaders. In the video, Liow the politician admits there are shortcomings.
The seasoned politician says: “I can find excuses and try to defend ourselves by saying that circumstances do not work in our favour, but no, I won’t do that.”
“We didn’t say there weren’t mistakes. We did not handle many things well, but it is not easy to rule a country.”
“We have seen many politicians from both sides dwelling on the negatives when support for them fades. This alienates the people even further,” he said.
With the National Day just days away, the video is a timely reminder to those with political ambitions to reflect on their vision for the country.
Similarly, the public can look back at the past 60 years of the country’s development, from a mining and agricultural-based economy to today’s multi-sector economy anchored in manufacturing and services.
Of course, there will always be challenges and sacrifices as we progress. Good governance is a must if we are to continue on that path of growth and prosperity.
But as Citizens reminds us, it is important not to lose hope. We must believe that our founding father Tunku Abdul Rahman’s vision of Malaysia will come true.
At the end of the video, “Citizen Liow” has a change of heart. He quietly retrieves the Jalur Gemilang from storage and displays it on his balcony, with his real-life wife Datin Seri Lee Sun Loo at his side.
When met by reporters yesterday, Liow was visibly pleased with how the video has turned out. He said the message he wanted to send through the video was for Malaysians to unite and work together to make the country a progressive nation.
“We love this nation. We are proud to be Malaysians and we are working hard to make this country a stronger nation. That’s the aspiration and message we want to send out,” he said.
By Tho Xin Yi The Star/ANN
‘Youths worry about future, not politics’
Future wave: Liow and Chong (second from left) sharing a light moment with students after the TN50 DialogueUTAR in the Sungai Long Campus.
CHERAS: Youths are more concerned about their future than politics. This is the feedback gathered during the recent TN50 dialogues with students from several universities, said MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
“However, I don’t think they are indifferent towards politics. They are aware of issues.
“For instance, they know that this is about TN50 and about a future that they want,” Liow said after attending a TN50 Dialogue @UTAR with 700 students at UTAR Sungai Long Campus here yesterday.
He cited education and health issues, including the ability to earn a decent living, as some of the aspirations raised by the students during the hour-long dialogue session.
Liow said it is crucial for youths to continue upholding the core value system practised by Barisan Nasional.
He added that Barisan’s core values such as consensus, mutual respect, unity, cooperation and harmony are shared by Malaysians.
“Barisan upholds values of consensus and mutual respect but DAP is sowing the seeds of hatred. The party is also sowing the seeds of anger towards the Government which is causing a split in our society,” he said.
Liow added that the Opposition lacked the core values and was now in a chaotic state.
There was a casual air about the dialogue session where students were asked by moderator MCA youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon to address Liow as “Ah Liow” and himself as “Ah Chong”.
Earlier during the dialogue, Chong warned students to be wary of fake news on social media.
“The reality is that most news on social media are fake.
“You should check the source and not blindly believe all that you read,” he said.
He also said that youths were more concerned about “bread and butter” issues rather that politics.
At another function, Liow said more skilled workers were needed as the country progresses.
“It is important for us to train more technical professionals. For MCA, we would like to expand VTAR Institute because of our significant growth in students from 100 to 700 in these few years.
“We will find the right place to expand VTAR and we hope to have more than 1,000 students here,” he told reporters after launching the PW2 wireman competency licence course at the institute in Setapak here yesterday.
VTAR is the vocational education arm of MCA.
Earlier during the function, VTAR CEO Tan Cheng Liang signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation of Malaysian Electrical Appliances Dealers Association (Fomeda) president Gan Cheng Swee to run the PW2 programme. - The Star
'Citizen Liow' plays dual role in National Day video
国民 CITIZENS
https://youtu.be/4aL7AdI9qdU
A screengrab from the video short "Citizens".
PETALING JAYA: You're not seeing double – it really is Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai playing two roles in a National Day video by producers Pete Teo and Liew Seng Tat.
The six minute-long video short entitled Citizens was released on Monday in conjunction with the upcoming National Day celebrations.
In the video, he portrays himself in his everyday role as Transport Minister, having a no-holds-barred conversation with a citizen who has grouses about the way the country is run – a role also played by Liow.
Liow, the minister, is smartly dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and slacks, while "Citizen Liow" is dressed very casually, with his hair a little unkempt and wearing a grey T-shirt, without spectacles.
Teo, in a Facebook post on Friday, said the project took months to put together.
"Largely this was because the script required a Federal Minister who had the gumption to submit to what we wanted to shoot.
"We kept trying and eventually found our man," he said.
Teo said they did not want to make a film that could be confused for a "tourism video."
Citizens reflects the current mood of the country, especially the fears of the Chinese community.
"It would therefore have to contain anger, helplessness and conflict. Yet it must contain hope – for we are even now not without hope – and so the film should also unite us in hope across the political spectrum," said Teo.
This is not Liow's first film. He previously acted in other 15Malaysia and Hari Malaysia shorts, also produced by Teo.
"What is different this time is that while he was civilly treated as a cabinet minister before, he will be brutalised this time; and while he was stereotyped as a politician before, he is now a human being – filled with the same fears, regret, conflicts and hope as all of us," said Teo, adding that he thought long and hard about the casting.
Also making an appearance in the film is Liow's wife Datin Seri Lee Sun Loo.
Teo said that it took courage for Liow, who is MCA president, to act in the film especially since he and MCA "are deeply maligned in sections of the Chinese community".
‘Citizens’ Liow trends at second spot
PETALING JAYA: As Pete Teo expected, his National Day video in which Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai plays two roles is gaining traction among Malaysians.
The six-minute clip Citizens clinched the second spot on YouTube’s Malaysian trending list as at yesterday afternoon. It had 127,766 views, trailing Taylor Swift’s new music video. The rest were content related to SEA Games.
In the video, Liow, 56, portrays himself as the Transport Minister having an honest conversation with a citizen, also played by Liow, who has grouses about the way the country is run.
Teo, who produced the video with Liew Seng Tat, was glad to see it attracting attention.
“We expect the video to do well, because we think it is a good video and it has something important to say that goes beyond party politics,” he told The Star.
Teo said there were twice as many likes as dislikes.
He applauded Liow for being able to rise above his persona as MCA president and act as an ordinary citizen.
The video was released on Monday in conjunction with National Day celebrations.
Meanwhile, Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah said the video was “unpretentious and right to the point” and therefore, was well received by the community.
The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) president said it rightly captured the country’s current situation.
“A main point stressed is that the situation warrants the need for us to listen to each other, consolidate our strengths, stay united and be loyal to our country.
“This is a way to overcome the challenges, instead of just venting our frustrations,” Pheng said.
Apart from acknowledging the people’s disappointments and empathising with them, he said Liow had been tirelessly reaching out to the community to guide and help them in whatever ways possible.
Pheng pointed out that Liow had to draw on the party’s strengths and his role in the Government to help the community effectively.
In conjunction with National Day, Pheng said it was timely for all Malaysians to reinforce respect, love and tolerance among themselves and for the country so as to move forward together.
'Citizen' producer all praise for Liow - Nation
PETALING JAYA: The producer of the National Day video titled Citizen says it was brave of Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to come onboard a production which had an “edgy” script.
Saying he would absolutely cast the Transport Minister in such a role again, filmmaker Pete Teo (pic) brushed aside some of the adverse comments on the casting choice.
“We think he did a great job playing the dual role of minister and citizen.
“That his casting is controversial has nothing to do with the job he does.
“We hope Datuk Seri Liow’s contribution will at least be acknowledged in the good spirit that it was given,” Teo said when contacted.
Teo, who produced the clip with writer-director Liew Seng Tat, said they had expected some form of backlash as soon as they decided that the role would be best played by a real-life politician.
“The fact that we eventually cast a Barisan National politician is besides the point, really. If we had picked an Opposition politician, the situation would be the same, except the accusations would be from Barisan supporters.
“So in a way, it was a no-win for us unless we had cast an actor,” he pointed out.
According to Teo, the film would have lost immediacy if they had cast an actor to play the role.
“So the decision was made to cast a politician. In fact, our choices were more limited than that because the script ideally required a Federal Minister.
“This narrowed down the choice to only several people. In the end, Datuk Seri Liow agreed to play the role and we went with him,” he added.
Teo said through the film, he and Liew wanted to drive home the message that it was important not to lose hope and to stay united when the going got tough.
“As said in the film’s opening lines, the last decade or more have been tough for the country. Non-Malay communities, in particular have felt alienated, helpless and fearful.
“That is why we are getting such hyper-emotive response to a Merdeka PSA film promoting hope and unity featuring a serving Cabinet minister from the MCA.
“It would be easy to dismiss these aggressive social media outbursts as rantings of opposition cybertroopers, but these are real people with real grievances,’’ he added.
Teo, a multiple award-winning singer-songwriter, also praised Liow for having the courage to be involved in a film with “brutally frank dialogue”.
“Many have ignored the fact that the minister explicitly said in the film that he doesn’t mind who citizens voted for as long as they let their conscience be their guide.
“This is a massively important statement. It underlines our film’s non-partisan credentials,” Teo said.
In the six-minute video, Liow portrays himself in his everyday role as Transport Minister, having a no-holds barred conversation with a citizen who has grouses about the way the country is run – a role also played by Liow.
The video clocked in more than 200,000 views in four days since it was uploaded on YouTube.
'MCA dares to face criticisms' ,
Liow: We understand the voices and feelings of the people
https://youtu.be/zJWcdKjcDgQ
Liow chatting with China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang.
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA understands the voices and feelings of the people and dares to face criticism, said Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The party president said having understood the people’s grievances, MCA is committed to overcoming the problems.
“I must stress here that I am aware of the people’s opinions and feelings. Therefore, I am willing to face the reality as I know that is the only way for us to change for the better,” he said.
Liow, speaking at the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia (BAFM) 2017 awards ceremony and closing at Wisma MCA last night, was responding to some of the responses towards his double role in “Citizens”, a National Day video.
https://youtu.be/4aL7AdI9qdU
In the clip produced by Pete Teo and Liew Seng Tat, Liow portrays himself as the Transport Minister having an honest conversation with a citizen, also played by Liow, who has grouses about the way the country is run.
Liow also explained that the video aimed at telling people to have faith in the country and never give up, besides showcasing the inner voices of a Cabinet minister and a layman.
Liow added that MCA is steadfast in performing its role in Barisan Nasional.
“We will continue to be the defender of the Federal Constitution, the corrector and the balancing force against hegemony.
“History would reveal that during critical moments, be it fighting for citizenship, persistency on multi-stream education, pushing for the establishment of National Economic Action Council or the recent movement against PAS’ Private Member’s Bill to amend Act 355, MCA has been consistent in playing its role in Barisan,” he said.
Meanwhile, MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the next edition of BAFM would be put on hold pending the general election.
“My comrades and I, as well as MCA staff, must turn our full attention towards preparing for the coming general election,” Chew, who is also the Malaysian Chinese Culture and Arts Consultative Council chairman and BAFM organising chairman, said.
Big celebration: Drummers performing during the closing ceremony of the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia at Wisma MCA. (Right) Liow chatting with China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang.
She said BAFM has received the attention of foreign academicians.
Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Department of Cultural and Religious Studies, for instance, sent professors and students to observe the event, she added.
“If we persevere, we are confident of becoming a household name and a premier event among artists,” she said in her speech.
The month-long BAFM concluded yesterday. Also present at the event was China’s ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang.
Boom time is here for railway towns, little places that dot the route of the RM55bil East Coast Rail Link from Port Klang to Kota Baru. Not only will the link shorten travel time between the west and the underdeveloped east of the peninsula, it will also unlock huge economic potential, create thousands of jobs and bring down the country's carbon footprint. And it could all happen sooner than expected.
KUANTAN: Exciting days are ahead for the many small towns that dot the route of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Port Klang to the Kota Baru.
A host of towns including Bentong, Mentakab, Maran, Kuantan, Cherating, Chukai, Dungun, Kuala Terengganu and Tok Bali and Kota Baru, all of which are designated as ECRL stations, are looking at boom times ahead.
The ECRL will also benefit freight transport as it will link key economic and industrial areas within the East Coast Economic Region such as the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park, Gambang Halal Park, Kertih Biopolymer Park and Tok Bali Integrated Fisheries Park to both Kuantan Port and Port Klang.
https://youtu.be/uP2Wa6BfQVk
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak called it “another milestone in the country’s land public transport history”.
With its slogan of “Connecting Lives, Accelerating Growth”, Najib said the project sets the tone for an economic spin-off effect and positive social impact for the east coast states.
“The ECRL is a high impact project that will provide easy access from the Klang Valley to Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
“The 688km rail link will be a catalyst for economic equality between the west coast and east coast as it will stimulate investments, spur commercial activity, create ample jobs, facilitate quality education and boost tourism in the states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan,” he said at the ground-breaking ceremony here yesterday.
Najib also urged local contractors with capabilities and know-how to seize the opportunity to take part in the project.
“We have together with our Chinese counterpart agreed that Malaysian contractors will be involved in at least 30% of this high impact project,” Najib said.
“The viability of the ECRL is undisputed as it is estimated that 5.4 million passengers and 53 million tonnes of cargo will use the service annually by the year 2030 as the primary transport between the east coast and west coast.
“Comparatively, revenue from the operation of the ECRL project is projected to be obtained through a transportation ratio of 30% passengers and 70% freight.”
Najib said the project was long overdue as the east coast states of the peninsula had only been connected to the west coast via a network of roads, highways and woefully inadequate rail lines.
Najib also urged local contractors with capabilities and know-how to seize the opportunity to take part in the project.
“We have together with our Chinese counterpart agreed that Malaysian contractors will be involved in at least 30% of this high impact project,” Najib said.
“The viability of the ECRL is undisputed as it is estimated that 5.4 million passengers and 53 million tonnes of cargo will use the service annually by the year 2030 as the primary transport between the east coast and west coast.
“Comparatively, revenue from the operation of the ECRL project is projected to be obtained through a transportation ratio of 30% passengers and 70% freight.”
Najib said the project was long overdue as the east coast states of the peninsula had only been connected to the west coast via a network of roads, highways and woefully inadequate rail lines.
The railway line, with 12 passenger-only stations, three freight stations and seven combined passenger-freight stations, is expected to increase the gross domestic product of the east coast states by 1.5%.
China’s state-owned China Communications Construction Company has been appointed for the construction of the RM55bil project.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd is the special purpose vehicle under the Minister of Finance Incorporated tasked as the project owner.
Rail link a huge economic boost - ECRL project set to create over 80,000 jobs and promote businesses along its route
KUANTAN: The economic impact of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is huge and critics who say it is not feasible are wrong.
“There will be a multiplier effect. When there are more business people, we can get more taxes and government revenue will increase,” Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said.
He said critics must also look at the development that would take place alongside the ECRL in the long run.
China Communications Construction Group chairman Liu Qitao said the ECRL project was of great economic significance.
“It will promote social development and improve the living standards of those along the railway line, especially in the east coast,” he said.
Liu said that the rail link was also expected to generate more than 80,000 jobs for Malaysians during its construction period.
Another 6,000 jobs will be created during the rail’s operation and the Chinese government will also train more than 3,000 Malaysian students.
A total of 3,600 graduates will be trained in rail technology through the ECRL Industrial Skills Training (PLKI-ECRL) programme.
Its chief coordinator Prof Dr Rizalman Mamat said about 1,000 applications had already been received as of yesterday.
“The first intake of 50 participants will begin in September with the next intake of 250 scheduled in December.
The next batch of 700 trainees will be in April next year.
“The programme will be focused specifically on the socio-economic development of the east coast but this does not mean those in the west coast cannot take part.
Dr Rizalman said the training was open to graduates who majored in civil engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.
He added that Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) had been appointed as the focal university for the implementation of the programme, with cooperation from Beijing Jiaotong University and Southwest Jiaotong University and other institutions of higher learning in Malaysia.
He said railway technology was developing rapidly and the programme was a stepping stone for UMP to develop rail engineering in the future.
The training under the programme will take four to six months, said Dr Rizalman.
China state councillor Wang Yong said ECRL was a landmark project for China and Malaysia.
“The team from our two sides have had productive cooperation. This is a full demonstration of the friendship between China and Malaysia and its efficiency,” said Wang.
MRL project director Yew Yow Boo said the railway would have 88.8km of viaducts mostly in Kelantan and Terengganu to bypass flood-prone areas.
Yew said the first phase would have a total length of 49km of tunnels at 19 locations with the longest being 17.9km connecting Bukit Tinggi and Gombak.
Source: The Star/ANN
Liow: Do not politicise the ECRL
KAJANG: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is created for the people and country, and should not be politicised or turned into a racial or language issue, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
“I would like to emphasise that the ECRL is one of the most important projects for the nation.
“It’s a game changer for the east coast. It is for the country’s economic development and to help us reach greater heights.
“The theme is very clear, we’re pushing for connecting lines and accelerating growth,” he said after attending Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s 15th anniversary celebration at its Sungai Long campus here yesterday.
The RM55bil ECRL from Port Klang to Kota Baru, which is 534.58km long, is estimated to be completed in 2024.
Liow cautioned actions that could harm good bilateral ties between Malaysia and China were counter-productive.
Varsity pillars: (Standing from left to right) Utar founding president Tan Sri Dr Ng Lay Swee, MCA vice president Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung, Dr Chuah, Dr Ling, Liow, Dr Ting, Chong and Utar Board of Trustees chairman Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum cutting Utar’s anniversary cake.
“We must explain to the people that the ECRL is for them and the nation. They should not be misled by those out to create a controversy,” he said.
The ECRL was launched in Kuantan on Wednesday.
Certain groups had criticised the rail link launch, claiming that it was “too Chinese”.
Liow described the launch as a successful event, adding that the project was set to bring many benefits to Malaysians.
“We have received a lot of support for the project. We are looking forward to its completion,” he added.
Meeting the people: Liow speaking during an NGO dinner in Bentong.
Lurah
Bilut stands tall as the nation’s first Felda scheme, pioneered by
settlers from all races from different parts of the country.
LURAH
BILUT is just about 19km away from Bentong. It is a huge piece of
fertile land located near Sungai Bilut and the Kelau forest reserve.
It
is safe to say that most Malaysians, especially those staying in the
cities, have never heard of this place and have no reason to come here.
But
Lurah Bilut is not only the first Felda scheme in the country but one
that was pioneered by settlers from all races after independence.
In
this 12,920-acre (5,228ha) enclave, located within the Bentong
parliamentary constituency, there are Malays, Chinese, Indians and the
Orang Asli, and their children can go to either the national school or
the national-type schools where the medium is in Chinese or Tamil.
The
scheme was opened in 1957 and each settler was given 10 acres (4ha) of
land. According to records, the first batch of settlers who entered the
scheme on Aug 2, 1959, was from Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur. They were
brought into the area by bus and were shocked to find themselves in a
jungle.
One Chinese settler, who arrived here in 1959 from Negri
Sembilan with just his clothes on his back, was given tools to hack away
at the dense growth, according to one report. There is one road here
called Jalan Pulau Pinang, because the settlers came from Penang.
As
with everything that is new and untested, the settlers had to be imbued
with a sense of adventure. Certainly they could not foresee the success
that Felda would turn out to be eventually. Thus these early settlers
in Lurah Bilut came to be known as the Pioneering Bulls and have become
some kind of a legend in this Felda scheme.
Felda was set up to
eradicate rural poverty through the use of effective agricultural
methods to cultivate cash crops such as rubber and oil palm. In recent
years, there has also been special emphasis on diversification to deal
with the fluctuations in commodity prices.
On my visit to this
Felda scheme, it was clear that many were eager to share their
experiences with me. There is a sense of pride over what has taken place
here.
Strategising: Wong meeting with his team of campaigners at his service centre in Bentong.
I
am sitting at a restaurant opposite the Lurah Bilut Chinese school
where the Barisan Nasional campaigners are having their lunch break.
A
vegetarian meal has been prepared for incumbent MP Datuk Seri Liow
Tiong Lai and as he sat down at the table, the MCA deputy president
invited those at the table to share his vegetarian dishes.
But many jokingly told him that they would take his share of meat instead, a joke which he has heard many times.
The
Bentong parliamentary seat which Liow won with a 12,585 majority when
he polled 51,340 votes against his PKR opponent R. Ponusamy’s 12,585
votes is regarded as a safe seat for the Barisan Nasional.
The current electorate of 62,400 voters comprise 43.9% Chinese, 44.6% Malays, 9.4% Indians, 0.5% Orang Asl and the rest, others.
Liow
is expected to deliver this seat to the BN but no one is taking any
chances this time because of the perception that the Chinese sentiments
against the BN are very strong, even in Bentong where they have always
been traditionally pro-BN.
Even the Bilut state seat, held by the
MCA, is under threat from the Pakatan Rakyat. Liow has to work extra
hard to campaign for 36-year-old Leong Kim Soon, who is contesting this
seat. Leong’s grand uncle is the late Tan Sri Chan Siang Sun, who was
the legendary MP for Bentong.
Leong, who is the political secretary to Liow, is facing DAP’s Chow Yu Hui.
In this rural setting, the two have gone from door to door, under the hot afternoon sun, to shake the hands of every voter.
Said a campaigner: “This is a crucial area as it is racially mixed and we want to cover as much ground as possible.”
Unlike
the Felda schemes in Johor, especially, where Pakatan Rakyat candidates
are literally chased away by the settlers, the PR workers have been
able to put up their flags and banners, an indication that a fight is at
hand.
In the Bentong town centre, Liow’s challenger is Wong
Tack, who made a name for himself as the anti-Lynas campaigner. In his
green T-shirt, Wong was raising environment issues but his credentials
have taken a knock after he was exposed as the owner of a 1,000-acre
(404ha) oil palm estate in Sabah.
Wong also had to fend off the
revelation that he held Canadian permanent residence status, explaining
that it was cancelled by the Canadian authorities because he did not go
back to the country.
But the BN campaigners have been hammering
on that issue, questioning why there was a need for him to collect
donations at every ceramah when he is pretty well off financially.
They
asked how many of the voters, especially settlers, could even dream of
owning 1,000 acres of land and if they knew how much money had been
collected so far.
But Wong seems undeterred by these issues,
saying he was well-prepared to challenge Liow for Bentong,
and also
Mentri Besar Datuk Adnan Yaacob, who is contesting in the Pelangai state
seat, under Bentong.
Wong’s campaigners, mostly youngsters, are
visibly seen in town, especially at the market, where they aggressively
tell voters to go for change.
One Universiti Malaya student said
she had volunteered to canvass votes for Wong because she had been
actively involved in the anti-Lynas campaign.
“My belief in him
remains the same. I will still support him and the DAP, nothing will
change my stand,’’ the third-year student said. She said her parents
knew that she was campaigning and wholeheartedly supported her.
Her friends, many eager to express their views, said they were using their own expenses to stay in Bentong.
At
the Bentong Jaya coffeeshop, the discussions focus on the sentiments of
the Chinese, swayed by DAP’s talk that Pakatan Rakyat would take over
the Federal Government. Only a few were cautiously warning about the
implications of the Chinese voting themselves out of the government.
A
businessman from Kuala Lumpur said he had been trying to explain to
some Chinese voters that while their sentiments are pro-Pakatan, the
majority of Malays would be backing Barisan.
“The huge crowd at DAP ceramah
can be deceiving because the Malay style of campaigning, in Felda
areas, is to have small get-together sessions, prayers at the suraus and
house to house visits. As these are not visible, the Chinese think the
huge crowd means PR would take over,” he said.
In Bentong, the
local dialect is Kwong Sai, which originates from Guangxi province in
southern China. As we continued with our drinks, the locals at the
neighbouring tables were listening attentively.
The politicians
and campaigners have been doing all the talking so far but come May 5,
the voters will be doing the talking via the ballot box. The stand of
the majority in Bentong would be known then.
Liow and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (left) with the manifesto booklet.
.ashx//?w=310&h=208&crop=1&hash=9A3EAA770B3AEEE12AE44B0C60535CC8A9431CD2)
Looking good: Najib and Chinese State Councillor Wang Yong (fourth from
left) looking at a replica of the ECRL after the ground-breaking
ceremony in Kuantan. Looking on are Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai
(third from right) and Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif
Abdul Rahman (second from left). — Bernama 
