Abdullah's Hall of Deputies
UPDATED VERSION. The Government has set aside eight working days -- and valuable monetary resources -- for the Parliament members to debate on the Mid-term Review of the 9MP.
It looks like serious agenda, where debates proper take five days and three days are allocated for the 28 ministries to reply to all questions asked by both BN backbenchers and the Opposition. The problem of the day is to approve an additional RM20 billion of taxpayers' money Abdullah wanted to spend under the 9MP.
Today is the second day of the ministers' reply before the wrap-up tomorrow.
You can see how much importance the Abdullah Administration has placed for these eight days of Parliament business, which is relatively costly, finacially-speaking, to stage. However, not many ministers have turned up to reply to the questions as they instead sent their deputies as stand-in. As some of these deputies are real greenhorns, really, so you can see the sheepish and amateurish way these deputies fielded the questions. But then again, being sheepish and amateurish has been the hallmark for the entire Abdullah Administration for the past five years any way.
The ministries that have replied in the Parliament as at adjournement last night were:
- Ministry of Finance -- Finance Minister II, Nor Mohamed Yakcop (Umno - Tasek Gelugor)
- Ministry of Defence - DEPUTY Minister Abu Seman Yusop (Umno - Masjid Tanah)
- Ministry of Home Affairs - DEPUTY Minister Chor Chee Heung (MCA - Alor Star)
- Ministry of International Trade and Industry - DEPUTY Minister Liew Vui Keong (LDP - Sandakan)
- Ministry of Education - DEPUTY Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong (MCA - Ayer Hitam)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs - DEPUTY Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri (Umno - Kudat)
- Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities - Minister Peter Chin Fah Kui (SUPP - Miri)
- Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage - DEPUTY Minister Teng Boon Soon (MCA - Tebrau)
Yesterday, the Opposition and the BN backbenchers were so disgusted with the skimpy answers given by Finance Minister II especially after he admitted that the government has yet to fix the service charge to be paid to Pos Malaysia Bhd for distributing the cash rebate for the fuel subsidy.
He also denied that ECM Libra -- described by theSun as "a company that MPs earlier said was linked to the prime minister's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin" -- was to be the beneficiary of this third-party commission.
The Opposition wouldn't let him go. We have demanded the Speaker to bring him back to face more questions today. We are still waiting if it is on.
UPDATES: Finance Minister II Nor Mohamed Yakcop acceeded to the demand of the MPs and he began to continue with his unfinished replies from MoF beginning 11.53am just now.
Of the deputies who took the floor, I am impressed with veteran Chor Chee Heung and newbie Dr Wee Ka Siong. The rest are pass-throughs who read straight from prepared text written by the backroom boys.
UPDATES since 12.00 noon: Today's agenda will be followed by replies from the following ministries:
9 ) Ministry of Higher Education - Minister Khaled Nordin (Umno - Pasir Gudang)
10 ) Ministry of Agriculture & Agro-based Industry - Minister Mustapa Mohamed (Umno - Jeli)
11 ) Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation - DEPUTY ?
12 ) Ministry of Tourism - Minister Azalina Othman (Umno - Penggerang)
Let's see how they fare today. I am playing Eric Clapton's number now... I shot the sheriff (I ain't shoot the deputy)
UPDATES since 11.40am July 10: The following ministries took to the floor:
13 ) Ministry of Transport - DEPUTY Minister Lajim Ukin (Umno - Beaufort)
14 ) Ministry of Federal Territories - DEPUTY Minister M. Saravanan (MIC - Tapah)
15 ) Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment - DEPUTY ?
16 ) Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development - DEPUTY ?
17 ) Ministry of Entrepreneur & Co-operative Development - DEPUTY ?
18 ) Ministry of Works - Minister Mohd Zin bin Mohamed (Umno - Sepang)
19 ) Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication - DEPUTY Minister Joseph Salang Gandum (PRS - Julau)
20 ) Ministry of Health - DEPUTY ?
21 ) Ministry of Information - Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Umno - Kemaman)
22 ) Ministry of Human Resources - DEPUTY ?
23 ) Ministry of Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs - DEPUTY ?
24 ) Ministry of Rural and Regional Development - DEPUTY ?
25 ) Ministry of Housing & Local Government - DEPUTY ?
26 ) Ministry of Youth & Sports - DEPUTY ?
27 ) Prime Minister's Department - ???
Looks like a long day today.
Comments
Sending in the 'reserve' team to answer questions that cost us 20 BILLION is a sure way to stop political Instability in the country the ABnormal -way !!!
BTW Jeff I can't log in to RPK's website for the past few days ........another step to stop political instability you think????
Malaysia deserves better !
Posted by: richL
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July 9, 2008 11:03 AM
Hi jeff,
I appreciate your thinking and opinion. However, lately,i do feel that you post is a bit cocky. Is it the side effect of power/title of MP? My opinion only.
JEFF OOI says: I don't mean to be cocky. But after sitting on the ring side of the Parliament I am convonced we need a Prime Minister who commands a strong understanding and knowledge in economy. We are in a national leadership crisis and I can feel it so strongly right now.
Best Regards,
Posted by: nufeww
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July 9, 2008 11:52 AM
Jeff, this is not cockiness but straight forwardness. I can see you critise where it should be but also pay tribute where it deserve as in the case of the MCA deputies.
I am refreshingly surprise that LGE has given tribute to previous Penang gov. on their effort in the World Heritage award. That should be the way!
When come to managing the issues of the people, the focus should be on the subject, not on party. Only then a politician can be a mature rakyat MP.
Posted by: DAP-for-PJ
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July 9, 2008 02:24 PM
YB(Chief o Staff..),
MP JELUTONG
Jel Community :Sept 28 08 (2nd series)
1a) Unfortunately I have not seen the comment from Jel Com -was not published yet in ur blog. Well I understood YB is busy man. One month should be sufficient for u or u assistant to review & sent a note that comment have been noted
1b)Previous comment in with additions items in bracket such as "..two keatlah "
{{Hi YB,
Kaw Parliament Jelutong event Aug30, 08
Glad2 to u in person today in Jelutong community of MPPP Flats.
U were visiting a project there with a group of people.
Unfortunately, my mum backyard gardening(with is indeed in 'tanah' MPPP)
with "keatlah"{THERE WERE TWO KEATLAH} & pandan plants(not TREE???) were being uprooted by some of people in u group.
Reason given, some people in MPPP flat asked to cut down.
When I spoken to u, I was asked to discuss within my community AFTER U people HAD CUT DOWN PLANT.
As most snr{LEADER} in rank of YBs there, u should TAKE UP THE responsible for what happenings.
What i emphasise again, THIS incident of simply cut down by the people with hearsay by other people without consulting the
one who grow it in tanah MPPP. This may happen AGAIN ELSE WHERE. Power is in u hand. Don't misuse it.
Hope 2 see u in Parliament helping to fight for inflation on FOOD(economy rice is getting expensive though govt reduce
petrol now)...........}}
1c) For u have not listen but disregard the responsibilities.. from first interaction...
Just sharing few Quote(u may have heard): " In selling as in medicine, prescription before diagnosis is malpractice'(John
Naisbitt)
"Rapport is finding the common ground on which to build a mutually beneficial relationship"(John Woods)..
"Paradigms of achieving success are different from paradigms of maintaining success enduring..."( ...)
"U won't it on blogging but can u rule it from blogging...(NO)... social, interaction...as LEADER..???
"thinking allowed thinking aloud" (???)
Even if the view of the plants is not to the liking....at least, it will be given a note, a warning or a TRIM, NOT
UPROOTED...!!!!!!
2) How is the status of the OPEN sewerage MANHOLE....???
3)Jeff, as a fan...
As I did attend the Han Chiang talk when Anwar was there for first talk & it was raining. Have been supporting since
Tanjung1. But was happen in my own personal interaction with NEW MPs which supposed to bring good changes & better
Social...., this was to myn dissappointment...
aS4 International Kite flying, let make the INternational Dragon a GREAT Success 1st b4 embark on others... just a comment.
2nd: Have read thru an interesting article in NST 03/09/08, letter by Calvin Sankaran,...explain this FDI setback..
did CAT not being execute to the eye of Pg people.....??? take responsibilities... Penang people(we, the occupants have the right to know.. uprooted plants.)
4)Will follow up with ONE MORE review by u ...If this is not the right place Parliament to post, kindly postthe first ONE it in the appropriate place OR this will stop if ur have noted(after thru listening & thinking) reply mail.
3rd series to come in one more month ...Until then, it will not be for u to review anymore but to OPEN SPACE ....that may have interest,other media,... with pictures....
adios, blogger YB.
JEFF OOI says: So much hot air ah? I suggest you get off your butt and volunteer your time for community work. Talk is cheap. Always cheap. (By the way, get off that "not in my backyard" mentality and your horizon for doing good for larger good will be good for you.
Posted by: Jel community
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September 28, 2008 10:18 PM