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Speech by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, Chairman for DAP Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and MP for Kepong during the Federal Territory State Annual Convention on 5.11.2000.

The world continues to see wars and disturbances such as the civil war in Sri Lanka, south Asia, and bloodshed in Jerusalem, Middle East. The ties between North and south Koreas are good for relieving regional tension. Malaysia should continue to play its part to promote peace in the region and the world.

Because of various factors such as social unrest in Indonesia, ASEAN members must try harder to foster ties among themselves and to find solutions to their differences. Malaysia should help Indonesia in some areas so that the latter will be stable, developing into a wealthier nation. A stable and prosperous Indonesia will make ASEAN stronger.

Malaysian economy is better than when crisis began in 1997. But, there are areas such as foreign direct investment, FDI, that have yet to improve. Although the Government says that the number of applications for investment increases by 67.6%, we know that FDI has gone down by 71.2% in the first half of this year. Hence, the Government must find out the reasons for the crisis of confidence, seeking solutions such as restructuring corporate management. It should send out convincing signals to investors.

Please do not implement Vision Schools forcibly

Since 1995, the Education Ministry began formulating guidelines for vision schools. Now, there are the so-called new guidelines. The Chinese educationists feel unhappy. Although the ministry gives promises, the implementation of this concept making three streams of primary schools share common facilities raises the concern about Chinese primary schools changing their character. The streams of primary schools are National (Bahasa Malaysia), Chinese and Tamil.

Yesterday, the Deputy Education Minister Datuk Hon said that the ministry would start with the earmarked seven schools to assess the implementation of the scheme. Then, it would decide on whether to build new primary schools to put National, Chinese and Tamil schools under the same roof - the vision school scheme.

The 2001 budget allocates RM 18.6 billion for education to build, among other things, 167 primary schools and 120 secondary schools. We don't know how many schools have been earmarked for the scheme. If what the Deputy Education Minister said were to be true, then 167 new schools would be temporarily put on hold.

In November last year, on the eve of the general elections, the Government approved five new primary Chinese schools. It has not fulfilled the promise. Has the vision school scheme affected this?

On principle, putting children together to promote harmony, understanding and unity at school age is acceptable. Now, when it is implemented, the Chinese educationists are worried that the Chinese schools will change their character.

Malaysian universities have students of all races under the same roof. Yet, we see clearly that there is racial and religious polarization. Why? Is it because of the Government policies that are not conducive to unity?

We urge the Education Ministry to have genuine dialogues with Tong Chiao Chung, the Chinese Eductionists, so as to find a workable solution for the scheme.

Publish the White Paper on the Sauk incident

The 2001 budget gives about RM 7 billion for defence compared to about RM 6 billion for the current year. If the allocation is used to buy sophisticated equipment such as submarines, this would not solve the problems of kidnappings at the Sipadan and Pandanan islands, East Sabah, by Phillipine rebels. Neither would it solve the security mishap in Sauk, Grik, Perak - a group of people robbed an army camp of over 100 M16 rifles and heavy support weapons on 2 July 2000. The mishaps had nothing to do with sophisticated weapons. It was more on discipline and commitment of the soldiers.

Army camps have standing operative procedures, especially those in forward position such as Grik which is only 45 minutes' drive by car to Keroh that is bordering Thailand.

In July, I proposed a motion under Standing Order 18 in Parliament to ask for a White Paper on the Sauk Incident. I hope the Government will fulfill the promise soon.

Announce the revised structural plan for Kuala Lumpur

Over 20 years, the KL structural plan has not been reviewed publicly. Nevertheless, the City Hall has a budget of over RM 1 billion annually. This year, it is spending a few millions Ringgit to review the plan.

We hope the Datuk Bandar, the Mayor, will announce it before the end of the year. We want to know how he proposes to deal with the cemeteries within the city and the dumpsite at Taman Beringin, Jinjang North. Among many things, he should beautify the cemeteries and find alternatives such as incinerators to replace the dumpsite.

We need a revised structural plan to make Kuala Lumpur a garden city. We must know how the City Hall spends the money.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw