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Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the way the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok answered a question on the Seventh and the coming Eighth Malaysia Plans on 16 October 2000.

In parliamentary democracy, the Prime Minister and his Ministers answer questions in Parliament as truthfully as possible. There should not be arrogance and deliberate refusal to answer legitimate questions. However, in Malaysia because the ruling National Front, Barisan Nasional, has more than two-third majority, it just rides roughshod over the people.

On 16 October 2000, I asked the Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad to state the performance of the Seventh Malaysia Plan (1996-2000) especially after the economic crisis. When and what policy will the Eighth Malaysia Plan (2001-2005) be presented?

Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok answered the question, saying that at 1998, the Seventh Plan used up 85.9%of the allocation, RM18.1 billion and by 1999, it was 92.9%, RM22.6 billion. By September 2000, out of RMRM89.5 billion allocated in the Plan, RM86.1 billion, 96.2%, had been used.

He said that the Eighth Malaysia Plan would be tabled in parliament in April 2001. The strategy would include increasing resilience and competitiveness of the economy, private sector as the main thrust, raising the quality of life of the people such as by eradicating poverty, equitable distribution of economic growth and creating a moral society with high spiritual standard.

It was so far so good: a general answer. But, when I asked a supplementary question, the arrogance and bloody-mindedness showed clearly.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw: Before implementing the Vision Development Policy (and the Eighth Malaysia Plan), is Your Honourable (Minister) aware that there are shortfalls under the Seventh Plan including the inability to overcome racial and religious polarisation in some sectors including the Civil Service.

Is the Honourable Minister aware that some sectors such as the public and private housing had not achieved the targets, 230,000 units of low-cost housing out of 570,000 units of houses by the private sector and 60,000 units of low-cost houses by the public sector. The same applies to social development….

The Speaker (Tun Mohamed Zahir): Your Honourable, it (the question) is too long.

Dr Tan: Not long, it is just…

The Speaker: Yes, yes.

Dr Tan: Not only is it an introduction, but also to give some figures, because when he…

The Speaker: What is the question?

Dr Tan: The question is he aware and what (have been) the efforts before introducing Vision Development Plan to solve all these.

The Speaker: It is enough.

Dr Tan: There is development of education and training (with the allocation of) RM15.8 billion. Have these been used?

The Speaker: Your Honourable, It is enough.

Dr Tan: Much more.

The Speaker: Enough.

Dr Tan: Yes.

Tan Sri Bernard Dompok: (There is) no question. Mr Speaker, as I have said just now, the Eighth Malaysia Plan will be presented in this House early next year when all weaknesses or good (things) about the Seventh Malaysia Plan will be debated and the Honourable Member from Kepong will have the opportunity to debate fully the weaknesses, the good (things) of the Seventh Plan and these can be considered in the planning of the Eighth Malaysia Plan.

Clearly, even if the Government can use up the money allocated it does not mean that targets are achieved. Let use have evidence.

There is nothing secretive about many of the matters raised. Ministers are obliged to answer. But, because of various factors such as the two-third majority of the ruling party, they seem to think that they can say and do what they like. They do not need accountability and transparency. Hence, Malaysians must realize that we must not give any ruling party too much power. As Lord Acton says: "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Whatever happens, we shall continue to ask questions within and outside Parliament. We shall continue to tell the people that politics is not for personal gains or a cheap investment. Politicians must serve the people. Ministers must fulfill their obligations; they must be accountable and transparent.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw