第一家私营化墓园，现代化管理挑战大

十多年前，服务水平以马来西亚传统的殡葬服务行业提供的服务为标准。传统的殡葬服务行业所涉及的小棺材店数目众多，礼仪服务代理，叫醒服务大厅，传统华人义山和豪华私人墓园。当时，传统的棺材店只是卖棺材：叫醒服务，只租用礼堂为唤醒服务：礼仪服务代理只提供牧师进行服务和安葬仪式，同样的，墓地和纪念墓园只是出售埋葬用地。因为该行业是非结构化。当有家庭成员去世时，整个葬礼过程中需要与多个供应商达成协议。然而，大多数传统的殡葬业的经纪人也要赚取一定的交易佣金。最后，顾客要承担更高的价格，但得到的服务水准确实有限的。

富贵集团的创始人拿督邝汉光博士也曾经有过这样的痛苦经历，追溯到1985年，他受岳母之托，为逝世的岳父寻找一块葬地。当时，马来西亚根本没有所谓风景墓园这回事，有的就只是普遍的华人义山。而义山给邝汉光的印象就只有阴森诡异，杂草丛生及缺乏完善管理。所以到最后，他还是找不到理想的葬地给岳父安葬，也深切体会到这方面创业的潜在时机。他当时就灵机一动："如果我能够创立一间私营化的风景墓园，必定会有市场需求。"说真的，当时拿督邝汉光的经济状况并不乐观，但他还是孜孜不倦的去追寻他的梦想。

由于富贵集团是第一家从事私营化墓园的公司，在没有任何前例可参考的情况下，在改造传统亩园以实现代化管理方面，富贵集团面对着极大的挑战，所谓的"改造传统亩园"不但是外表与设施上的改造及提升，同时也包括传统思想和心态上的改变。置身于传统殡葬行业的红海竞争市场，富贵集团除了须和传统义山竞争之外，还要与一般的棺材店比价钱，所以在公司刚开始的几年，未能获市场认同。当时一般的顾客群都多属于采购者，即是为逝世的亲人（使用者）安排后事，所以他们要求都便宜实惠，也很愿意接受殡葬的恐惧感，因为在他们的印象中，义山都是这样的。

冼都国联花园地陷围栏失修构成危险,峇都民政党允助解决问题

上周四（10月25日）民政党峇都区部于走访了冼都国联花园(Taman Kok Lian) Jalan Batu Batan ，与当地的居民会面，以便了解目前居民所面对的民生问题。          

                参与活动的峇都区民政党服务中心协调员刘华才博士指出，他们收到该区居民的投诉，指有关道路靠近河流的一部分地段，经过一场豪雨造成地陷，导致通往河流的沟渠水管破裂损坏不堪。该区居民已经向水利灌溉局反映了此事，但迟迟未有进一步行动。

"其实有关地段可以供当地居民用来散步之用，但每逢豪雨地陷问题日渐严重，会对路人构成危险。我们将再次向水利灌溉局和吉隆坡市政局反映此事，尽快采取改善行动。"刘华才说。

另外，该区居民也投诉有关附近河流(峇都河)的围栏长期失修，多处的栏杆柱都不翼而飞。因附近有一所学校，所以有关行人道都是学生放学后必经之路，这可能会对学生们构成危险。峇都区民政党将联络吉隆坡市政局尽快展开维修工作。

刘华才博士也补充，民政党将持续服务峇都国会选区的居民，解决他们的民生问题，并提高他们的生活素质。

落实自动执法系统（AES）计划争议不断,民青冀交通部厘清“灰色地带”

针对落实自动执法系统（AES）计划争议不断，民怨四起，即使交通部长拿督斯里江作汉再三强调政府推出这项计划不是让这两家公司赚钱，所有经费都是由负责的两家公司承担，政府不用花一分钱，而这两家公司的营运年限只有5年，而且在5年期满后，这项计划的所有设备及营运权需归还政府。对此，民青团表示交通部有必要先厘清人民的疑问，给予人民更长的适用期，才开始全面的执行AES系统。

民青团总秘书刘华才博士说，"人民之所以仍无法接受AES系统的执行，是因为仍存在许多的疑问或所谓的"灰色地带"。第一，自动执法系统的控制中心是否是由执法单位操控，还是由这两家公司全权操作？若是，我们不能排除会有徇私、或不公平之嫌。第二，AES 罚款额必须与1987年陆路交通法令一致，不应该出现偏差。因为根据有关法令，各违规行为的罚款架构，超速不超过时速40公里的违规者，如果在30天内缴付罚款，能享有不同比率的折扣。要不然，有关法令就必须获得修改，不应该出现双重标准。第三：陆路交通局必须清除说明是如何鉴定全国831个车祸黑区来安装AES系统，及第四：陆路交通局必须在安装电眼的2至3公里前置放"清楚"告示牌，知会驾驶人士前方已经安装电眼，提醒他们放慢速度。正如首相纳吉所说，这项系统的目的不是为了开罚单给驾驶人士，而是为了提醒人民不要开快车。"

对此，刘华才建议，AES系统的执行可以通过扣分的方式来处罚违规的驾驶人士，根据不同的违规行为来进行扣分，不一定要强制性罚款，相信也可以带出系统的效果。因为政府执行AES系统的出发点是要警惕和改变驾驶人士的驾驶态度，而不是要牟取利益。

 "凡是都有过渡期，政府应该赋予人民足够的适用期，让人民能够慢慢接受AES系统。强制性的执行反而只会弄巧反拙，于事无补。"刘华才再次强调。

峇都民政党特安排隆市政局,为餐饮业者进行伤寒疫苗注射

民政党峇都区部于昨日（10月24日）在冼都国联花园(Taman Kok Lian)，连同吉隆坡市政局为当地从事餐饮业者安排了一场伤寒疫苗注射活动(Typhoid Injection)，共吸引了127 名来自国联花园和Pekan Batu从事饮食业者和小贩前来参与了这项活动。         

                参与活动的峇都区民政党服务中心协调员刘华才博士指出，伤寒疫苗是政府规定所有餐饮业者必须注射的，到私人诊所进行注射需收费50零吉，而到吉隆坡市政局进行注射则是21零吉。

"峇都区民政党主办这项活动的目的是要方便国联花园的餐饮业者无须到吉隆坡市政局或诊所登记排队，找泊车位，费时费力。在我们的安排下，吉隆坡市政局可在特定的地方为他们进行伤寒疫苗注射，省下许多时间。"刘华才说。

刘华才博士也补充，这也是民政党峇都区部在"我爱峇都"的计划下，安排的其中一项工作。民政党将持续服务峇都国会选区的居民，解决他们的生活起需要，并提高他们的生活素质

殡葬业现代化经营

马来西亚传统的华人义山是很可怕的地方，墓地毫无组织的杂乱分布。不幸啊！自然环境的墓地非常泥泞，杂草丛生。在另一方面，殡葬服务行业的集中度，有许多层次的供应商或服务供应商在整个供应链和服务水平是非常不相符的，而且很不专业。有鉴于此，家庭成员在处理往生者葬礼时要去找多家不同性质的葬礼服务业者，但他们往往要依靠自己的经纪人去找各种葬礼供应商或服务提供商，如此复杂的过程他们要付出很大的代价和经历痛苦的经验。

传统殡葬产业的劣势引发现代殡葬服务展业的出现，发展适当和有组织的纪念公园，甚至是把墓园建得像公园一样。富贵集团作为一站式殡葬服务中心已成功从传统从业者中跳跃出来，不断减少和消除某些产品或服务元素，改变该行业的传统常规逻辑。此外，富贵集团将用自己独特的从业经验让其顾客受惠。

很多时候，死亡几乎是所有文化禁忌的话题，尤其是马来西亚华人，但富贵集团不断的探索解决方案，已成功地克服人们对该行业所存在的忧虑。在这方面，面临的挑战是改变思维方式和根深蒂固的观点。因此，富贵集团将此前人们所认为的禁忌产业成功变成了积极的产业，如今富贵集团80%的业务来自人们提前为自己往生时的预定。预先为往生做好打算，安排葬礼将更会令人们感到"心无牵挂"。

2005年富贵集团进行产业升级，通过"富贵家庭宝藏"措施促进家庭遗产。这些措施都突出的展现了富贵集团注重殡葬文化，这是促进文化（殡葬文化，孝道与家庭遗产），也见证了该组织的成长。富贵集团已于2000年8月成功在吉隆坡股票交易所上市，这是对富贵集团的充分肯定，在十年时间里富贵集团将一个殡葬公司成功经营成富有朝气的产业。

水利灌溉局建防洪堤须拆除附近住宅区,峇都民政党允助居民减轻负担

上周日 (10月21日) 民政党峇都区部连同国阵成员党代表再度走访水塘路，召集政府批准在峇都河(Sungai Batu)建防洪堤工程遭受影响和必须拆除的附近住宅区居民们进行对话，商讨他们目前所面对的问题。   

参与活动的峇都区民政党服务中心协调员刘华才博士表示，遭受这项建防洪堤工程影响的其中8户人家，以华裔为主。水利灌溉局已经通过吉隆坡市政局确认受影响的家户，但他们还未收到正式通知几时需要搬迁，令到居民们顿时感到无所适从。在对话会中，有些居民认为水利灌溉局应该给予他们足够的期限来安排搬迁工作或安顿他们在另外的住处，有些居民则不愿意搬迁，宁可承受水灾所带来的困扰。

"鉴于这个住宅区的所在地乃属水利灌溉局的保留地，因此水利灌溉局是有权征用这块土地和强制居民们搬迁。换句话说，居民们必须面对屋子被拆的命运。然而，民政党峇都区答应将为居民们向政府争取适当的援助，以减轻居民们目前经济上的负担。与此同时，我们也向居民们解释这项建防洪堤工程的重要性，将一劳永逸地解决水塘路的水灾问题，也是履行国阵政府对人民的承诺。" 刘华才指出。  

刘华才也补充，这也是民政党峇都区部在"我爱峇都"的计划下，持续跟进的其中一项工作。民政党将持续服务峇都国会选区的居民，解决他们的民生问题，并提高他们的生活素质。

Forced to relocate by the flood embankment project under DID

Batu Gerakan promises to help 8 families by alleviating their burden

Press statement by Batu Gerakan Service Centre Coordinator

Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai

23 October 2010

            Last Sunday (21 October), Gerakan Batu Division along with the members of BN component parties once again visited Jalan Kolam Air to gather all the residents in the neighbourhood who are affected by the flood embankment project at Sungai Batu approved by the government and forced to relocate, in order to have a dialogue with the residents of the surrounding neighbourhood to discuss the problems they are facing currently.

            Gerakan Batu Service Centre Coordinator Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai who attended the dialogue session said that the 8 families affected by the flood embankment project are mainly Chinese. The Department of Irrigation and Drainage already identified through the DBKL on families who are affected, however those families are yet to receive formal notification at the time which requires them to move out, which is confusing them. During the dialogue session, some of the residents felt that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage should give them an adequate period of time to arrange the relocation works, or help them to settle down at another place, while some of them voiced their unwillingness to relocate, they would rather bear the possible inconvenience brought by the flood.

            "Judging from the fact that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage actually owns the land of this neighbourhood, therefore the department is entitled to expropriate the land and demand the residents to relocate. In other words, the residents will have no choice but to face the fate of their home to be demolished. Anyway, Gerakan Batu Division promises to help the residents to ask for proper assistance from the government, in order to alleviate the economic burden of the residents. While at the same time, we also explained the importance of the flood embankment project to the residents so that the constant flood problem in Jalan Kolam Air will be solved once and for all, which is also the promise that BN is now fulfilling it," said Dr. Dominic Lau.

            Dr. Dominic Lau also added that it was also one of the programmes under the "I love Batu" plan that Gerakan has been following-up. Gerakan would continue to serve the residents of Batu parliamentary constituency, solve their livelihood problems and improve their quality of life

冼都新镇菜市场治安亮红灯,峇都民政党允向警方反映加强巡逻

上周六(10月20日) 民政党峇都区部在峇都区民政党服务中心协调员刘华才博士的率领下，走访了冼都新镇菜市场，以探望慰问一名在当地做生意的小贩。她于当天凌晨准备前往菜市场开挡做生意时遭匪徒洗劫，所幸人无大碍。     

刘华才博士表示，根据与当地居民了解，这已经是冼都新镇菜市场在同一星期内发生的第三宗攫夺案，与此同时另外一名小贩也表示他的兄弟几天前也遭4名印裔男子围攻砍伤，这显示了当地的治安开始亮起红灯，必须受到关注。   

"在慰问这名遭抢劫的小贩时，才发现她并没有第一时间到警局报案。我发现现时很多人在遇到攫夺案，都会抱着"人没事，损失小，就不用报案"的心态，然而报案对警方来说是相当重要，因为这可以让警方掌握确实的数据，来证明一个地区的罪案率，以便采取更有效的措施来打击罪案的发生。" 刘华才指出。   

对此，民政党峇都区部将向警方反映冼都新镇的治安问题，并加强冼都新镇菜市场一带的巡逻工作，也在各个罪案热点区增加流动警局的可行性。除了警方的配合，民政党峇都区部也将召集当地的居民，发起睦邻计划，同心协力为家园拼好治安，打击罪案。

另外，刘华才也补充，民政党将持续服务峇都国会选区的居民，除了民生问题，也全面关心人民的安全，营造稳定安全的居家环境

Security in Bandar Baru Sentul market is alarming

Batu Gerakan promised to reflect to the police in order to step up patrols

Press statement by Batu Gerakan Service Centre Coordinator

Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai

22 October 2012

            Last Saturday (20 October), Gerakan Batu Division led by Batu Gerakan Service Centre Coordinator Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai went to Bandar Baru Sentul market in order to pay a visit to a hawker who is currently doing business in the local market. She was snatched while on her way to the market to set up the stall for business in the early morning, luckily she was not harmed.

            Dr. Dominic Lau said that according to the local, this was the third snatch theft case that happened in Bandar Baru Sentul market in within a week, while at the same time there was another hawker who complained that his brother was also attacked and wounded by 4 Indian men a few days earlier. This shows that the local security is alarming and immediate attention is needed.

"While comforting the snatch theft victim, we found out that she did not make a police report at the first time. I realized that nowadays most snatch theft victims would tend to think that ‘as long as physically no harm done and only with little loss, then no need to make a report' such a mentality, however the report is very important to the police, because this would enable the police to get the exact statistics indicating the crime rate of one particular area in order to take more effective measures to combat crimes," said Dr. Dominic Lau.

In this regard, Gerakan Batu Division will reflect the security problem in Bandar Baru Sentul to the police, apart from stepping up the patrols at the surrounding area of Bandar Baru Sentul market, the feasibility of deploying more mobile police stations at the crime hotspots will also be improved. Besides the cooperation with the police, Gerakan Batu Division will gather the entire local to initiate a Rukun Tetangga neighbourhood watch project to improve the security of the neighbourhood and to combat crimes.

Furthermore, Dr. Dominic Lau also added that Gerakan would continue to serve the residents of Batu parliament constituency, apart from the livelihood problems, it will also pay full attention to the safety of the people in order to create a stable and safe living environment.

民青冀各级政府部门采公开招标制,促政府严格管制杜绝舞弊

针对日前公布的《2011年总稽查司报告》中所暴露的种种弊端，民青团总秘书刘华才博士感到失望，并促请政府在各阶级的政府部门采购时强制实行公开招标制度。

刘华才说，"政府应严格管制各部门，以杜绝浪费公款的情况年复一年地发生。《2011年总稽查司报告》显示许多政府部门并未吸取往年的经验，依然出现了许多购买超出市价多倍的器材，这是令人感到失望的。同时，这也是人民无法接受的，因为这牵涉到公款及纳税人的钱。"

刘华才指出，负责采购的官员并没有从过去的错误经验中学习，因此他促请反贪局介入调查，并采取行动对付涉及舞弊与贪污的官员。

"民青团也对多项政府工程因延误而引致的高额超支感到失望，负责监管工程的官员有责任确保承包商在规定的期限内完工，避免任何人为的延误而导致超支。"刘华才如是指出。

另一方面，刘华才也对于政府部门及机构一些器材的维修费过于高昂，甚至高于器材原价的几倍感到震惊。他促请涉及部门的秘书长认真看待此事，并作出合理的解释，而政府部门维修器材的承包工作也必须公开招标，避免发生贪污情况。

刘华才表示，《2011年总稽查司报告》显示出许多政府部门的财务管理弊端，因此所有部门首长必须采取行动设法解决及改进，以期来年能做得更好。

Gerakan Youth urges open tender for all levers of government procurement

Dr. Dominic Lau wants strict monitoring to be implemented

Press statement by Gerakan Youth Secretary General

Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai

17 October 2012

Gerakan Youth Secretary General, Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai was unsatisfied with the recently released A-G Report stating that there were several problems such as delayed projects, overpriced product purchases and shoddy quality of newly built buildings.

"I am saddened that the same issues keep arising year in and year out despite several measures taken by the government. This shows that the officers and agencies never learn from their mistakes. How many times must we have an issue regarding an officer purchasing items at an inflated amount instead of the market rate? Therefore, Gerakan Youth urges an open tender system for all levers of government procurement."

Dr. Dominic Lau pointed out that the system where an officer made a purchase through direct-buying by just showing the invoice at the end of the day was faulty and full of weaknesses. Therefore a purchase system should be implemented where the purchase of items more than a certain amount must be presented together with more documents to prevent wastage. At the same time, he said that an open tender system where companies would offer the lowest price would be an ideal solution.

Regarding the issue of cost overruns and project delays, Dr. Dominic Lau who is also the UCSI Associate Professor said that constant delays of mega projects are bleeding the government's coffers for it involves an enormous sum of money.

"I think that the contractors should buck up their efficiency to make sure that they hit the dateline set by the government to prevent wastage as all this money is contributed by the Malaysian tax-payers."

He stressed that if all these wastages could be cut down to a minimum level, the government would not need to cut down subsidies on essential items as it affects the daily livelihood of Malaysians.

水利灌溉局建防洪堤影响附近庙宇,峇都民政党允助保留庙宇不拆

上周二 (10月9日) 民政党峇都区部和各国阵成员党代表与吉隆坡市政局与水利灌溉局官员，再次前往水塘路视察，并商讨政府早前批准在峇都河(Sungai Batu)建防洪堤工程，以避免每逢豪雨造成河水泛滥，导致水塘路一带引发水灾。   

参与活动的峇都区民政党服务中心协调员刘华才博士表示，在当天的巡视中，我们发现到这项建防洪堤工程将影响到附近一带的非法木屋区和一所华人庙宇新兴府，必须被拆除让路给这项工程的进行。然而新兴府方面则寻求民政党峇都区部的协助，希望庙宇能继续获得保留。在与新兴府的理事们会面和商讨后，我们了解到该庙宇在当地存在已久，是当地华人信徒膜拜的好去处，而且新兴府还和同善医院合作，每逢星期二让同善医院的中医慈善巡回医疗队，在新兴府为当地的60岁以上乐龄人士、残障人士和贫穷人士提供免费中医医疗服务。

"鉴于新兴府对当地人民的贡献，我认为庙宇应该获得保留。对此，我们第一时间向水利灌溉局反映人民的心声，并要求防洪堤工程可以不必征用新兴府的范围。在与水利灌溉局官员现场视察和研究后，我们终于达成共识，将防洪堤围墙绕过新兴府的范围。换句话说，新兴府将可以获得保留，不必被拆除。另外我们也知道水塘路居民长年饱受水灾困扰，这项建防洪堤工程相信将一劳永逸地解决水塘路的水灾问题，也是履行国阵政府对人民的承诺。" 刘华才指出。  

刘华才也补充，这也是民政党峇都区部在"我爱峇都"的计划下，持续跟进的其中一项工作。民政党将持续服务峇都国会选区的居民，解决他们的民生问题，并提高他们的生活素质。

The construction of flood embankment by the DID is affecting the temple nearby

Gerakan Batu promised to save the temple from demolition

Press statement by Batu Gerakan Service Centre Coordinator Dr. Dominic Lau

15 October 2012

            Last Tuesday (9 October), Gerakan Batu Division and representatives from the BN component parties as well as officers from DBKL and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage visited Jalan Kolam Air to hold an inspection and to discuss the Sungai Batu flood embankment project which aims to stop the river from overflowing whenever there is a heavy rain and causing flood to the surrounding area of Jalan Kolam Air.

            Batu Gerakan Service Centre Coordinator Dr. Dominic Lau who took part in the inspection said that during the visit, they found out that the flood embankment project will affect an illegal squatter area and a Chinese temple Sin Heng Hoo Temple which both are situated nearby, they will have to be demolished in order to make way for the construction project. However, Sin Heng Hoo Temple has sought the help from Gerakan Batu Division as they hoped the temple would be allowed to remain. After a meeting and discussion with the trustees of the Sin Heng Hoo Temple, we were told that the temple has been there for a long time, it is a popular place of worship for the local devotees. The temple even collaborated with the traditional Chinese medicine mobile charity medical team of Tung Shin Hospital to offer free Chinese medicine medical service to the local senior citizens who aged 60 and above, the disabled and the poor people.

            "In view of the contributions Sin Heng Hoo Temple had given to the local people, I think that the temple should be allowed to remain. In this regard, we immediately reflected the voices of the people to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage and asked the flood embankment project not to expropriate the land where Sin Heng Hoo Temple is situated. After a site inspection and study with the officers from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, we finally reached a consensus to let the wall of the floor embankment bypassing the perimeter of Sin Heng Hoo Temple. In another word, Sin Heng Hoo Temple is allowed to remain and it is saved from demolition. Apart from this, we also aware that the residents in Jalan Kolam Air are constantly plagued with flood problem, this flood embankment project is believed to be the once and for all solution to the flood problem, which is also a promise that BN is now fulfilling," said Dr. Dominic Lau.

            Dr. Dominic also added that this is one of the projects under the "I Love Batu" plan that Batu Gerakan has been constantly following-up. Gerakan will continue to serve the residents of Batu parliamentary constituency, solve their livelihood problems and improve their quality of life.

水塘路电灯柱在路中央,峇都民政党允促隆市政局移走舒缓交通

民政党峇都区部等人在峇都区民政党服务中心协调员刘华才博士的率领下，于周二（10月9日）前往水塘路会见当地的居民时，接获居民投诉指当地新村内的其中一条电灯柱竟然竖立在马路中央，影响当地的路面交通。

刘华才博士表示，这条电灯柱之所以会竖立在马路中央，是因为早前电灯柱附近其实有一处非法木屋区，但已经被政府拆除，但电灯柱却依然在同一位置没被移走。这已经有几年了，虽然居民们曾经向吉隆坡市政局反映，但至今仍没有进一步行动。  

"我们看到电灯柱竟然可以竖立在马路中央，实在令人费解。我们已经联络吉隆坡市政局跟进此事，尽快将这电灯柱移走，以便舒缓当地的路面交通。" 刘华才指出。  

刘华才也补充，民政党将持续服务峇都国会选区的居民，解决他们的民生问题，并提高他们的生活素质。

民青团不赞同“大专生拥车计划”,将造成学生没妥善计划下购车

民青团总秘书刘华才博士不赞同第二国产车的"大专生拥车计划"下为最后学期的大专生提供特别优惠购车，即其推出的购车配套只需缴付每月低至299令吉分期付款便可拥车。

"我认为这项优惠对刚从大学毕业，并开始工作的毕业大专生来说是一项佳音，但是对仍在求学的大专生来说却是没有必要的，因为大学当局在大学校园已经提供了穿梭巴士服务。"

他说，如果大专生被怂恿购车，这将可能增加他们的负担，因为他们绝大部分都是在拮据的预算下生活。

同时也是思特雅大学副教授的刘华才博士表示："我担心部分大专生最终将被逼向他们的父母索取更多的金钱，以补助他们缴付汽车的分期付款，因为他们的高教基金貸款基本上只足够应付学费与生活费。这项计划的推行将可能促使学生在未考虑周全的情况下购车，增加日后的烦恼。"

他也说，这项优惠也可能在短时间内为已经不够停车位的大学校园增加更多的车辆。同时这也可能鼓励部分大专生为了向同学炫耀拥有新车子，进而造成同学之间的压力。

"大专生应利用他们所得到的贷款与经济支援做进修用途，而不是购买不必要的东西，例如车子。大学毕业后，他们可以在任何时候购买车子，但是大学生涯一辈子中只此这么一次，因此大专生应该好好规划之。"

同时，他也促大学当局提升大学穿梭巴士服务的效率，以克服大专生的交通问题。

Dr. Dominic: It might induce students to purchase a car without proper planning

 Press statement by Gerakan Youth Secretary General

Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai

12 October 2012

Gerakan Youth Secretary General, Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai disagreed with Perodua's ‘What's Up Graduate!' campaign to offer a special deal for final year students to purchase a car which the package features monthly instalments from as low as RM299.

"I feel that while this deal is good for fresh graduates who have found a job, it is unnecessary for students as the university provides the shuttle bus service."

He said that if students are lured to buy a car, it might increase their burden as many of them are living on a tight budget.

"I fear that some might be forced to seek further funds from their parents to pay for the car as their PTPTN loans basically only covers their school fees. The introduction of this plan might induce students to purchase a car without proper planning," said Dr. Lau who is also the UCSI Associate Professor.

Lau also commented that this scheme will cause a sudden increase of cars in the already congested parking space available in the universities. At the same time this might encourage some students to show off their new vehicles to their fellow students, causing peer pressure in the process.

"Students are supposed to use their funds on studying and not something unnecessary like a car. A car can be purchase at anytime while your student life is only once in a lifetime, therefore you have to make good use of it."

At the same time, he also urged the universities to increase their shuttle bus efficiency in order to reduce student's dependence on requiring their own vehicle while in campus.   

峇都民政党服务中心安排下,甘榜哥菲破损道路重铺柏油

民政党峇都区部等人在峇都区民政党服务中心协调员刘华才博士的率领下，于周二（10月9日）前往冼都甘榜哥菲北区(Kampung Kovil Hilir Utara)，巡视当地刚完成的道路重铺柏油工程。   

刘华才博士表示，他们在6月份接获当地居民的投诉，指当地的道路多处破洞损坏不堪，给居民带来诸多的不便。在接获投诉后，民政党峇都区部便联络并偕同吉隆坡市政局官员到当地视察路况，以安排铺路工作。  

"在民政党峇都区部的跟进下，吉隆坡市政局按照原定计划完成了铺路工作，给当地居民带来便利，他们都非常感激民政党峇都区部的帮忙。另外，我们也知道甘榜哥菲北区居民的居住环境不太理想，这个聚集了华裔、印裔和印裔回教徒的甘榜，据了解在吉隆坡有近百年之久，居住环境仍非常简陋欠佳。对此，我们也将协助当地居民，改善他们的居住环境。" 刘华才指出。  

刘华才也补充，这也是民政党峇都区部在"我爱峇都"的计划下，成功跟进并完成的其中一项工作。民政党将持续服务峇都国会选区的居民，解决他们的民生问题，并提高他们的生活素质。

Under the arrangement by Batu Gerakan Service Centre

Damaged roads in Kampung Kovil Hilir Utara underwent asphalt road resurface

Press statement by Batu Gerakan Service Centre Coordinator

Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai

11 October 2012

            Members of Gerakan Batu Division led by Batu Gerakan Service Centre Coordinator Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai have visited Kampung Kovil Hilir Utara in Sentul in order to inspect the newly completed project of asphalt road resurface.

            Dr. Dominic Lau said that they have received complaints from the people in June that reflected the poor condition of the roads with many potholes that caused a lot of inconveniences to the residents. After receiving the complaints, Gerakan Batu Division promptly contacted the DBKL and accompanied the officers to inspect the road condition in order to arrange for road resurfacing.

            "Under the follow-up by Gerakan Batu Division, DBKL has completed the road resurface works according to the original plan and has since brought the convenience back to the residents, they all felt grateful towards the help extended to them by Gerakan Batu Division. Besides, we were also aware that the condition of the living environment for residents in Kampung Kovil Hilir Utara is far from ideal, this kampung which has a multiracial neighbourhood comprising Chinese, Indian and Hindu Muslim has a history that spans nearly 100-year-old, the living environment is still primitive and poor. In this regard, we will help the local residents by improving their living environment," said Dr. Dominic Lau.

            Dr. Dominic Lau also added that the effort was one of the few assignments under the "I Love Batu" project which Gerakan Batu Division has been followed-up and accomplished. Gerakan will continue to serve the residents of Batu parliamentary constituency, solve their livelihood problems and improve their quality of life.

反对市局让发展商建公寓可通过正确管道,人民代议士不应煽动居民情绪

峇都区民政党服务中心协调员刘华才博士今日发表文告针对怡保路水塘路逾40名村民反对吉隆坡市政局让私人发展商在水塘路第48区Lot345地段兴建4座高34、38及43层及拥有1千479个单位的服务公寓工程，並会在星期日（14日）早上11时於有关地段高举布条和平请愿，反对有关工程一事，做出澄清指出吉隆坡市政局早已通过报章及和在该地段竖立告示牌通知当地居民有关地段兴建服务公寓，而凡是反对的居民也可在14天內通过书面反对有关申请，这一切都是正规的作业程序，并不是要刻意隐瞒当地的居民。

刘华才博士也指出，有关居民所了解该地段本来是属学校地用途，但却被隆市政局转为商业用途，这是因为隆市政局已经把校地用途地转至水塘路对面的地段，而且有关学校更已经建好和开始启用。因此，有关地段已经不再是属于学校保留地。另外，刘华才也不满当地的人民代议士不了解事件的来龙去脉，就刻意煽动居民情绪，兴起反对声浪，对整个事态发展于事无补。

"我相信居民们会兴起强烈反对声浪是不太了解整项工程和隆市政局的作业程序。然而，身为人民代议士本当竭尽所能为人民解决问题，和通过正规的管道来提出诉求，而不是通过媒体大肆渲染，煽动居民反对的情绪，营造不健康的示威文化。"刘华才说。

"我们不反对和平请愿，除非没有管道让人民提出反对。然而，目前隆市政局已经公开征求居民意见，所以居民可以通过书面提出反对，或通过人民代议士来反映。换句话说，和平请愿根本是不必要，反之浪费人民的时间，除非有关人民代议士存有个人议程。"刘华才说。

刘华才博士也补充，针对居民们所担心的服务公寓兴建期间会衍生许多民生问题和交通问题，刘华才于昨日更特地走访水塘路会见当地的居民，向居民解释有关工程，答应将与吉隆坡市政局全力配合，解决居民所面对的问题，寻求对策，确保水塘路继续是一个和平安稳的新村。

Residents can oppose the DBKL's plan via proper channel

Dr. Dominic: Wakil Rakyat should not incite the people's sentiment

Press statement by Batu Gerakan Service Centre Coordinator

Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai

10 October 2012

            Regarding the issue on which 40 residents in Jalan Kolam Air off Jalan Ipoh are up against the move by DBKL for showing the green light to a private developer on a project to construct 4 service apartments each with 34, 38 and 43 storeys and 1479 units at Section 48, Lot 345 site, the residents planned to lift up banners and stage a peaceful rally at the site on this coming Sunday (14 October) to protest against the project, Batu Gerakan Service Centre coordinator Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai has today issued a statement and clarified that DBKL had in fact already notified the local residents in prior through the publication of notice in newspapers and erecting notification board at the site about the project to construct service apartments, while residents who are against the project are welcomed to write in to voice their objection towards the project, these are all standard operating procedures and never intended to hide any details from the people.

            Dr. Dominic Lau pointed out that according to the understanding of the local residents, the site was once a land reserved for school use, but it has been converted into commercial use because DBKL has since reserved a land for school use at the opposite of Jalan Kolam Air, moreover the school has completed its construction and currently being used. Therefore, the contentious site as stated above is now no longer a land reserved for school use.

            Besides, Dr. Dominic Lau also voiced his dismay over the local wakil rakyat who incited the sentiment of the people to cause dissident voices among the people without knowing the back story, which is not helping at all to solve the issue.

            "I believe the reason why the residents are up objecting is simply because they do not fully understand the whole project and the standard operating procedures of DBKL. However, as an elected wakil rakyat one should try his best to solve the problems for the people and voice their demands through proper channel instead of blow the issue out of proportion and make a big fuss over it, instigate the backlash of the people to create an unhealthy demonstration culture," said Dr. Dominic Lau.

            "We are not against the peaceful rally, unless there is no channel for the people to voice their objection. However the DBKL already openly solicited public opinion from the residents, therefore the people can voice their objection via write-in or through their wakil rakyat. In other words, peaceful rally is unwarranted, it is a waste of time for the people, unless there is a personal agenda for the one particular wakil rakyat," said Dr. Dominic Lau.

            Dr. Dominic Lau also added that in regard to the people's concern that during the construction period will be causing a lot of livelihood problems and traffic problems, he had visited the local residents of Jalan Kolam Air to explain the project to them and pledged to fully coordinate with the DBKL to solve the problems faced by the people, look for solutions and to ensure that Jalan Kolam Air will remain as peaceful and harmony living environment.