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Resolutions passed at the Federal Territory (of Kuala Lumpur) DAP State Annual Convention on 5 November 2000.

DAP Federal Territory State Annual Convention Resolutions On 5 November 2000.

The Convention

Realizes that in this unipolar world, there are still many trouble spots in the world such as Jerusalem, the Middle East, Ivory Coast, Africa, Sri Lanka, South Asia and the Balkans.

Is aware of the ties between North and South Koreas with the United States of America and Japan having talks with North Korea.

Calls on the United Nations to help stop the fighting between Palestinians and Israelis. There should be a just peace.

Welcomes the ties between North and South Koreas as good for reducing tension in this region.

Urges the Government to play a more active part in bringing peace to all parts of the world.

The Convention

Takes cognizance of the fact that since the economic crisis in July 1997, disturbances in countries such as Indonesia affect ASEAN.

Recognizes that there are differences in trade such as the locomotive industry among countries in ASEAN. Malaysia feels that its car industry needs time to be competitive.

Calls on all ASEAN member nations to seek solutions to the differences such as Common Effective Preferential Tariffs, CEPT, and ASEAN Free Trade Area, AFTA, so that the unity of these nations can be strengthened. ASEAN will then be more able to face the challenges of globalisation.

Urges the Government to help Indonesia overcome some of its problems. If Indonesia get over the difficulties, ASEAN will be stronger.

The Convention

Notes that the weaknesses in the International Financial Architecture, IFA, have remained unchanged.

Takes cognizance of the fact that selective capital control continues in the country. The Ringgit is undervalued, making some products competitive for export.

Is amazed at the weaknesses such as cronyism, nepotism, corruption, wastage and mismanagement in Malaysia.

Urges the Government to announce the strategy for dealing with the selective capital control.

Calls on the Government to eradicate the intrinsic weaknesses so that the impact of currency marauders on our economy will be much less.

The Convention

Notes that this year's economic growth is forecasted as 7.5% whereas in the first half of this year it was 10.5%.

Has noticed that the Government insists that Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, applications have increased by 67.6%. But then, FDI has gone down by 71.2% in the first five months of this year.

Is aware that investors are wary of various factors such as the lack of convincing restructure of corporate management.

Recognizes that Danaharta, the Capital Management company, has taken over and managed RM 46.785 billion of non-performing loans, NPLs, from the financial system. But, it still holds properties totaling RM 26.27 billion.

Calls on the Government to review the factors causing crisis of confidence.

Presses the Government to institute convincing restructuring of corporate management.

Urges the Government to ensure that Danaharta deals with the NPLs speedily and that it should not behave as a bank.

The Convention

Realizes that racial and religious polarization still exists in this country including the Civil Service and the universities.

Regrets that some people abuse the rights and quotas specified in the New Economic Policy.

Calls on the Government:

(1) To review all factors that lead to racial and religious polarization and to find its solutions.

(2) To eradicate all forms of abuse of rights and quotas when it introduces the Vision Development Policy in April 2001.

(3) To prevent all forms of extremism.

The Convention

Agrees that we should take k(nowledge)-economy, e(lectronic)-commerce and ICT (information and communications technology) seriously.

Is conscious that USA has been developing ICT for over 20 years and that Malaysia has only imitated USA in the last few years.

Regrets that the Multimedia Super Corridor, MSC, is not developing as rapidly as it should be and that the most successful ICT entrepreneur Bill Gates has not invested much in MSC (he invested heavily in Bengalore, India, instead).

Urges the Government:

(1) To have a master plan for k-economy, e-commerce and ICT.
(2) To have Malaysian version of ICT without aping USA all the ways because of peculiar circumstances in the country.

(3) To have effective efforts to tackle the digital devide that is the modern version of the widening gap between the rich and the poor. We must always reduce this gap.

(4) To get rid of all forms of bureaucracy and red tape in MSC and to ensure that there is adequate trained human resources. The incentives for best brain to get Malaysians to return home are scarcely enough. More should be done such as tackling feudal mentality in some departments.

The Convention

Reads the 2001 Budget as having a deficit of RM 21.44 billion, that is RM 91 billion total expenditure and RM 69.61 billion estimated federal revenue.

Understands that the Government is looking for funds to balance the budget such as the total resource of RM 201.614 billion from the nine provident and pension funds, the Employees' Provident Fund, EPF, contributing RM 127.507 billion, 85.6%. The money belongs to over 10 million people.

Urges the Government to refrain from misusing the nine provident and pension funds, showing that it is really caring.

The Convention

Notes that the agreement between Terengganu Government and Petronas on 22 March 1975 specifies that the latter make to the Government cash payment in the form of yearly sum amounting to the equivalence of 5% of the value of the petroleum won and saved in Terengganu and sold by Petronas.

Is aware that the Federal Government argues that Petronas acquires the crude oil over three miles from the shore of Terengganu. Hence, it refuses to give the royalty to Terengganu Government, channeling it through a Central Committee as a form of benevolence.

Urges the Government to re-examine the contract between Terengganu Government and Petronas and to review its method of payment consistent with a just and caring society.

Calls on the Government to ensure that the oil royalty or now benevolence (ihsan) amounting to over RM 800 million a year is used truly for the benefit of the people.

The Convention

Notes that the 2001 budget allocates RM 18.6 billion for education and that 167 primary schools, 120 secondary schools and 42 new day residential schools will be built.

Realizes that the Government talks of smart schools, single session schools and vision schools. But the implementation causes concern.

Takes recognizance of the fact that the Education Minister mentions the mergers of 300 private colleges out of 600 to 50 or 100.

Recalls that in November 1999, the Government promised to build five new Chinese primary schools. It has yet to fulfill the promise.

Urges the Government:

(1) To ensure that the RM 18.6 billion allocations are distributed fairly and used effectively.

(2) To adopt consistent policies and that it takes into the consideration the fear of Chinese educationists about losing the character of Chinese schools in the implementation of the concept of vision schools. There should be dialogues between the ministry and the Chinese educationists.

(3) To produce a master plan for public and private institutions of higher learning to make sure that all universities in Malaysia attain international standard.

The Convention

Notes that the 2001 budget gives about RM 7 billion for defence compared to about RM 6 billion in 2000.

Is alarmed at the weaknesses in the security as shown by the two incidents of kidnappings in Sipadan and Pandanan islands, East Sabah and the arms heist in the Sauk incident, Perak. The Government has promised to present a White Paper on the Sauk incident.

Calls on the Government:

(1) To ensure transparency and accountability in all defence spending, especially in the purchase of equipment such as aircrafts and submarines.

(2) To instill discipline and commitment in the armed forces.

(3) To present the White Paper on the Sauk incident.

The Convention

Regrets that the Government has not done enough for women for their full participation in all fields.

Realizes that women continue to suffer from discriminations, sexual abuse, poverty and unfair laws.

Calls on the Government:

(1) To implement the articles of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women).

(2) To amend all laws that discriminate against women.

The Convention

Is aware that there are privatization projects in health-related services such as the government store and that more private health schemes are being introduced.

Is alarmed at the epidemics in the country including the current hand, foot and mouth disease killing five children.

Notes the continued shortage of doctors in the government health service because of various factors.

Calls on the Government:

(1) To produce a comprehensive health insurance scheme that protects all Malaysians especially the poor as the cost of healthcare escalates.

(2) To ensure that there are no irregularities in the public heath service and that is no project done at the expense of the people.

(2) To set up Malaysian Centre for Disease Control, CDC, to deal effectively with infectious diseases such as epidemics.

The Convention

Realizes that the Federal Territory has projects such as the middle ring road project, Light Rail Transit, Monorail and integrated housing programme as well as solid and liquid waste disposal.

Takes cognizance that the City Hall annual budget is over RM 1 billion. But, the services provided have yet to be improved.

Urges the Government:

(1) To announce the updated Kuala Lumpur Structural Plan that should include the proposal to beautify the cemetery land.

(2) To ensure that all projects are implemented effectively.

(3) To ensure that the privatized liquid and solid waste disposal projects are truly beneficial to the people. Indah Water Konsortium and Alam Flora must improve their services.

(4) To adopt alternative methods such as incinerators to replace the dumpsite at Taman Beringin, Jinjang North.

(5) To deal effectively with traffic congestion and the environment.

(6) To stop setting up toll plazas in all the only roads to certain destinations in the city. The toll rates should be reasonable and the concessions for Jalan Kuching and Jalan Cheras should not be extended. The Government should improve the alternative road from Jalan Sungai Besi to Salak South New Village.

The Convention

Realizes that DAP has been assessing the factors causing its poor showing in the 1999 General elections including its association with PAS.

Takes cognizance of the electoral and demographic changes in the country. In 15 to 20 years, Malaysia is forecasted as having 75% of its population in urban areas.

Is aware of the effects of the information and communications technology, ICT, on the society.

Calls on all DAP members:

(1) To make genuine efforts to face all the changes because the only constant is change.

(2) To deal with the full effects of the ICT that will change the way of Malaysian life.

(3)To recruit more new members and to form new branches.

DAP Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.