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Let us hope that the New Year of the Golden Snake will usher in peace in the world.
A New Year message by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong. 22.1.2001.

 
The year of the dragon saw fluctuations in Malaysian politics and economy. But then, politically we are entering a new scenario. Some issues such as democracy, human rights and the rights to peaceful assembly are causing disaffection.

The nature of political party is changing. This is gradually getting more
obvious. The perception of people about party politics is no longer the same.

We hope that the Malaysian Government will be more democratic, more
transparent, more concerned about human rights and the rule of law.

Economically, we have yet to see the Government project a credible image on restructuring of corporate management. The Government purchase of 29.09% Malaysian Airline System, MAS, equity gives rise to suspicion. It has yet to announce the details of the MAS saga. Besides manufacturing for export and spiraling petroleum price, many sectors are still suffering. We hope that the New Year will bring fresh air to the economy.

UNIVERSITY STANDARD

In education, this year's allocation is over RM 18 billion. However, many
things

such as the standard in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions is worrying. The Government has to show that it does not discriminate against primary Chinese and Tamil schools.

There are nine public universities in Malaysia. It is not wrong to build
four more and to enroll more students this year. Nevertheless, the shortage of lecturers, equipment and effective supervision cause concern. We must raise the standard of our universities.

It is obvious that the Government is not doing enough for the youth,
elderly, the women, human resources and agriculture. For example, appointing a woman to head the new Women Affairs Ministry does not necessarily mean that women issues will be solved. Many acts still discriminate against women such as the Immigration Act. Has the Government the political will to improve the status of women? The current expenditure of Women Affairs Unit was over RM 26 million last year. But, it is only over RM 1.8 million this year. This disappoints the people.

Let the New Year bring better tidings.


Dr Tan Seng Giaw

 

 
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