The excitement to see the new MPs in action was marred when MSM and bloggers picked on MPs who did not send in their questions on time but our Subang MP Siva had managed to send in his questions:

Written question:

129. PR-1211-T12626
a) sejauh manakah perlaksanaan 11 cadangan Suruhanjaya Di Raja Penambahbaikkan Perjalanan dan Pengurusan Polis Di Raja Malaysia mengenai kes-kes kematian dalam tahanan; dan
b) Apakah tindakan Kementerian untuk menyelesaikan inkues kes-kes kematian dalam tahanan yang telah lama tertangguh

130. PR-1211-T12630
a) Stastik mengenai pendatang tanpa izin sejak tempoh 2002 hingga 2007 berhubung jumlah operasi RELA bersama jabatan imigresen, bilangan yang ditahan, bilangan yang disabitkan kesalahan, kewarganegaraan, bilangan tahun hukum penjara dan bilangan orang yang dijatuhkan hukuman sebat; dan
b) jumlah pendatang tanpa izin yang dihantar pulang sejak tahun 2002 sehingga kini. Sila nyatakan menurut tahun dan kewarganegaraan masing-masing.

131. PR-1211-T12632
a) bilangan tahanan mengikut kewarganegaraan yang ditahan dibawah ISA pada masa ini dan sebab-sebab penahanan mereka; dan
b) bilakah kerajaan bercadang melaksanakan syor-syor SUHAKAM berkaitan dengan ISA (tahanan tanpa bicara) dan sekiranya tidak, mengapa.

132. PR-1211-T12635
a) Bilangan penahanan yang telah dibuat di bawah seksyen 4(1) Ordinan Darurat (EO) dari tahun 2005 hingga kini. Sila nyatakan angka pecahan mengikut tahun; dan
b) bilangan tahanan EO yang telah dibebaskan oleh kerajaan dari tahun 2005 hingga 2007 dan berapakah bilangan di antara mereka yang dibebaskan itu dikenakan Perintah Sekatan Kawasan

133. PR-1211-T12638
a) bilangan tahanan yang telah ditahan di bawah Akta Dadah Berbahaya (langkah-langkah pencegahan khas) 1985, Dangerous (Special Preventive Measure) Drugs Act 1985 (DDA) dari tahun 2002 hingga kini; dan
b) bilangan tahanan DDA yang telah dibebaskan dari tahun 2002 hingga kini dan bilangan mereka yang dikenakan Perintah Sekatan Kawasan

Oral Question

PR-1211-L12598
Minta Menteri Kewangan menyatakan: adakah kerajaan mempunyai apa-apa rancangan untuk memberi perlindungan kepada ornag ramai yang diistiharkan muflis dan juga disenarai hitamkan di bawah CCRIS (yang dikendalikan oleh Bank Negara malaysia) sebab identiti mereka dicuri pihak lain dan disalahgunakan untuk pinjaman-pinjaman menipu.

PR-1211-L12618
Minta Mentari Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan menyatakan:
a) Sungguhpun ada seksyen 6 Akta Pinjaman Wang 2003 dan Peraturan 8, Peraturan-peraturan (pengawalan dan perlesenan) Pinjaman Wang 2003 yang mewajibkan iklan-iklan oleh pinjaman wang diluluskan oleh pendaftar, apakah sebabnya banyak iklan meminjam wang didapati sekarang di merata tempat; dan
b) sekiranya iklan-iklan ini tidak diluluskan , apakah tindakan yang telah diambil dan berapa peminjam wang (berlesen dan tidak berlesen) telah dituduh di mahkamah, termasuk di bawah seksyen 5(1)

PR-1211-L12557
Minta Menteri Kewangan menyatakan:
berdasarkan rancangan kerajaan untuk mencapai matlamat mampu mengeluarkan makanan cukup dan wang dari institusi kewangan adalah perlu untuk modal permulaan, adakah Kementerian Kewangan mempunyai apa-apa rancangan untuk memastikan semua institusi kewangan memberi bantuan kepada pengeluaran makanan berdasarkan sebahagian minima daripada semua pinjaman mereka.

PR-1211-L12584
Minta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan:
a) bilakah kerajaan akan menubuhkan mekanisme penyemakan PDRM yang bebas yang dikenali sebagai Suruhanjaya Bebas Pengaduan dan Salahlaku Polis (IPCMC) seperti yang dicadangkan dalam Laporan Suruhanjaya Diraja Penambahbaikkan Perjalanan dan Pengurusan Polis Diraja Malaysia; dan
b) daripada 125 cadangan laporan itu apakah cadangan -cadangan yang telah dilaksanakan dan bilakah baki cadangan-cadangan akan dilaksanakan.

PR-1211-L12576
Minta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan:
a) bilangan kes kematian yang berlaku dalam tahanan sejak tahun 2002 sehingga 2007 dalam lokap polis, penjara, pusat tahanan pendatang tanpa izin, pusat tahanan untuk EO, LLPK, dan pusat tahanan untuk penagih dadah: dan
b) berapakah inkues terhadap kes kematian dalam tahanan telah dijalankan dan berapa yang telah diselesaikan sejak tahun 2002 sehingga sekarang dan sekiranya inkues tidak dijalankan seperti yang diwajibkan di bawah undang-undang. mengapa ia berlaku.

PR-1211-L12615
Minta Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan menyatakan:
a) apa sebabnya sering dikeluarkan iklan-iklan oleh pemaju-pemaju yang mengatakan bahawa bayaran kepada peguam akan dibuat oleh pemaju dengan syarat pembeli menggunakan peguam akan dilantik oleh pemaju: dan
b) apakah iklan-iklan yang mengelirukan ini dibenarkan oleh Pengawal Perumahan (Control of Housing) dan, sekiranya tidak, adakah pemaju yang didakwa di bawah Peraturan 5(3), Peraturan-peraturan Pemaju Perumahan (pengawal dan Perlesenan) 1989.

We hope you will get answers for the rakyats’ sake. Anyhow, congratulations Siva!

Menurutnya, wang pampasan bukan segala-galanya dan beliau percaya hakim-hakim terbabit berhak mendapat lebih daripada itu, antaranya kenyataan memohon maaf secara terbuka daripada kerajaan.

Lagi laporan mengenai krisis kehakiman boleh didapati dalam Suara Keadilan edisi 133, yang akan terbit pada Khamis, 23 April ini.
(Dari Suara Keadilan Online)

Tindakan ini bukan sahaja menyekat kebebasan media di negara ini; ia juga membuktikan ketidakadilan Akta Penerbitan dan Percetakan 1984 (Pindaan 1987) yang memaksa penerbit memperbaharui permit penerbitan setiap tahun.

Walaupun tiada alasan rasmi diberikan, Menteri Dalam Negeri telah memberi alasan bahawa KDN telah banyak menerima aduan mengenai isi kandungan akhbar tersebut yang kononnya tidak sensitif terhadap masyarakat negara ini.

Namun, ramai yang berpendapat lesen Makkal Osai tidak diperbaharui kerana ia memberi liputan untuk parti-parti Pakatan Rakyat semasa pilihanraya lalu serta lima pemimpin Barisan Bertindak Hak-hak Hindu (Hindraf) yang ditahan menurut Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA).

Sememangnya akhbar Makkal Osai merupakan salah satu akhbar Tamil yang mendedahkan kepincangan kerajaan Barisan Nasional. Ia sering memberi liputan kepada isu-isu masyarakat seperti pekerja ladang, kilang dan juga isu lain kaum India.

Makkal Osai bukan satu-satu media yang menghadapi tekanan sebegini. Banyak media yang pernah menjadi mangsa Akta Penerbitan dan Percetakan 1984 tersebut, termasuk Akhbar Harakah yang disekat pengeluarannya mulai awal 2000.

Justeru itu, PAPS menggesa Menteri Dalam Negeri untuk bukan sahaja mendedahkan aduan yang dibuat dan identiti pengadu tersebut tetapi memperbaharui segera permit Makkal Osai.

PAPS juga menggesa pihak kerajaan untuk memansuhkan Akta Penerbitan dan Percetakan 1984 sekiranya mereka ingin menjadi kerajaan yang benar-benar telus dan bertanggungjawab serta mendukung kebebasan media negara ini.

Where is the most suitable place for pig-farming? This issue can be discussed.

Should it be set up at Tumbuk in Kuala Langat?The residents can express their views, oppose and protest. These are no problems. However, the way the Malay newspapers and Selangor UMNO oppose the pig-farming issue, is a big problem.

Not only the use of politics, racial arguments and religious language in encouraging the objection to pig-farming can’t solve the problem, but it will also further create more problems.”Islam can be a religion of tolerance and pragmatism.”

Of course, their aim is to crack down their political opponents. However, it’s too destructive. Once it is over, it will injure the relationship between different races. Honestly, no one likes to have pig farms set up at their backyard. It is the same for the Chinese who love roast pork.

Of course, the residents have their sanitation and religious concerns. At this time, it is necessary to test whether there is a basis for these concerns. For example, are there any villages located near the proposed pig farms? Is the environment management at the proposed pig farms comprehensive?If these considerations have been dealt with proper arrangements and do not affect the quality of life of the villagers, then they shouldn’t have much controversy.

As what Selangor MB Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said, it is multi-racial country and we can’t stop the people from pig-farming. Of course, the state government can do some publicity work to eliminate the fear of the people.

Kelantan has the most Muslims. The state government does not prohibit pig-farming, and the residents do not have any protest.

Without seditious actions and with proper planning, the pig-farming industry is actually an agricultural economic project only.

Islam can be a religion of tolerance and pragmatism. It is worrying that, the issue of pig-farming will be religiously politicalised out of narrow motives. It is ruthless and devoid of human feelings. (Translated by LEE MEI NYEE/ Sin Chew Daily)

Alamat kami adalah seperti berikut:

No 6-2, Jalan Pekaka 8/4, Kota Damansara, 47810, Petaling Jaya.

Tel: 012 - 312 9300

Ini akan menjadi pejabat rasmi Siva dan beberapa aktiviti serta program sedang dirancang termasuk klinik guaman (legal clinic), kaunter aduan, latihan dan permainan futsal.

Kerajaan Negeri Selangor berharap pihak yang begitu prihatin tentang kelulusan Projek Ternakan Babi Moden di Selangor memeriksa fakta mereka terlebih dahulu.

Projek di Ladang Tumbuk, Mukim Batu Kuala Langat ini telah diluluskan oleh Kerajaan Negeri dibawah Barisan Nasional dalam Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri yang dipimpin YB Datuk Seri Dr. Khir Toyo pada 30 Januari 2008.

Dalam Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri pada 2 April 2008, Pentadbiran Kerajaan Negeri Selangor yang baru merasakan wajar meneruskan projek tersebut dengan memantapkan lagi proses pelaksanaan memandangkan kawasan tersebut sememangnya sudah menjadi tapak ladang babi utama di negeri Selangor dan ia memenuhi piawaian kualiti yang tinggi selaras dengan kehendak Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani, Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar dan Kerajaan Negeri Selangor.

Sebarang bahan buangan dari ladang tersebut akan diguna semula dalam bentuk biogas untuk menjanakan elektrik, air untuk pembersihan ladang serta penanaman makanan untuk babi yang diternak. Justeru, tiada bahan buangan yang akan menjadi sisa dan keluar dari kawasan ladang tersebut.

Pada masa yang sama, menerusi projek ini, tiada ladang-ladang khinzir baru akan diluluskan di negeri Selangor dan semua ladang babi di luar kawasan ini dikehendaki memindahkan operasi mereka ke Projek Modern Pig Farming. Ini sejajar dengan dasar Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani agar sebarang usaha penternakan babi dilakukan di satu tempat untuk memudahkan kawalan dan penyeliaan bagi pihak berkuasa.

Kerajaan Negeri juga berhasrat memperkenalkan dasar ‘one stop’ yang sama bagi penternakan yang lain bagi menjadikan industri penternakan lebih efisyen dan dapat diteruskan di sebalik kemajuan pesat Selangor.

Kerajaan Negeri Selangor yang baru di bawah Pakatan Rakyat antara Keadilan, PAS dan DAP berhasrat menyelesaikan masalah perniagaan, sosial dan budaya masyarakat pelbagai kaum dengan meluluskan projek ini dan melaksanakan dengan adil dan saksama dengan mengambilkira keharmonian hidup berbilang kaum di Selangor.

Even during speeches, newly-elected Subang member of parliament Sivarasa Rasiah cannot help glancing at his watch. Sometimes, straight after a speech, the human rights lawyer sends text messages confirming appointments.

On a busy day, Sivarasa could go to court twice, study case files until 10pm and then attend a party meeting stretching past midnight. And now, even weekends, formerly reserved for time with his wife, theatre personality Ann James, are shared with his constituents.

Juggling phone calls, text messages and meals, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president is humbled but not overwhelmed by his win over MIC rookie S. Murugesan with a majority of 15,460 votes. “I’m not dazzled by the bright lights or put off by the workload. This is part and parcel of having convictions and wanting change,” he said.

“Now that campaigning is over, at least, I have time to meet the people I’m to serve, and not just offer them options through the party manifesto like a multiple-choice exam paper.”

The man who had been working in Petaling Jaya Selatan for the past five years admits to still learning the issues in his constituency, with neighbourhoods as contrasting as the up-market Tropicana and Kota Damansara with its many factories.

He is also a founder member of Suaram and Citizens Against Rape. What he looks for through the microscope of Subang are issues the state and federal administrations have not voiced out in parliament.

“Like the rest of Selangor, water tariffs and strata titles seem to be the issues here. It’s surprising that I pay less than RM80 for my bungalow’s two-month water bill in Petaling Jaya, while, sometimes, low-cost flat residents have to pay up to RM700.”

Citing the Saujana Ria apartments in Taman Wangsa Permai, Sivarasa said the management company of the low-cost apartments had installed bulk meters, registered under code 17 of the Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd water tariff schedule (RM1.38 per cubic metre), which is meant strictly for condominiums.

“By doing the rounds, I’m starting to see the bigger picture,” he added. The functions, conferences and night markets are a luxury compared to what Sivarasa has faced in the name of activism before. Standing up for what he believes in has not been fun. He has been arrested six times, mainly for taking part in demonstrations.

“Of course, I get scared each time I demonstrate. Imagine 50 men with banners and placards and 500 well-prepared policemen plus a few Federal Reserve Unit teams. “You can look forward to arrest, but I assemble peacefully because I believe change is possible through politics and social activism,” said Sivarasa, who took part in the Dec 9 lawyers’ walk on Human Rights Day.

At the moment, he is looking forward to writing a paper for an upcoming law conference, spending time with his family and going back to the gym, a luxury he has not had since he was fielded as a candidate.

Sivarasa temporarily lost his voice due to thyroid cancer in 2000 and was forced to speak through a boom box speaker and microphone for a year afterwards.

He said parliament “would be interesting”. And he plans to use his voice. “I won’t shout. I don’t like catcalling and booing, but now that the opposition numbers are greater than ever, we won’t be easily silenced.”

Members of the 12th Parliament had an orientation today to familiarise themselves with the law-making proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat.

It was the first time that such an orientation has been held as nearly half of the MPs are first-timers.

All the 136 backbenchers and opposition MPs - the Cabinet members were not included - were briefed for over two hours about their rights and benefits as MPs.

A photo session was also held before the briefing.

The election results have created several firsts in the Dewan Rakyat. It will have:

›› the largest number of first-time MPs - 99 or 45% of the total number of MPs.
›› the largest number of opposition members - 82 of the 222 MPs are from opposition parties.
›› the first mother-and-daughter team of MPs - Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) and Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Pantai Dalam).
›› the first woman Opposition Leader - Wan Azizah.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib said Barisan Nasional (BN) has also set a record as the ruling coalition for more than 50 years.

In a press conference after the briefing, he said he would accept the offer to be the Speaker again should he be nominated and re-elected.

“But it’s up to the MPs to pick their Speaker and Deputy Speaker,” he said.

Ramli said all nominations for the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker should be submitted to Parliament two weeks before the session on April 28.

On whether he expected more heated debates in the House, Ramli quipped: “I really don’t know what will happen.”

He advised the MPs to be more polite when taking part in the debates. “They should avoid making sexist remarks or use words that hurt the feeling of others,” he said.

Earlier, Ramli received a courtesy call from Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and other DAP leaders and MPs.

Wan Azizah, when met after the briefing, said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will have its first secretariat meeting on Monday (April 7).

It would discuss, among others, the coalition’s candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

However, she declined to name the candidates.