Puan Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah) minta Perdana Menteri, menyatakan maksud ” kedudukan istimewa orang Melayu” di bawah Perkara 153 Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan nyatakan perkara-perkara yang dirangkumi di bawahnya. Nyatakan polisi-polisi, undang-undang dan peraturan yang berkaitan dengan Perkara 153 yang diguna pakai di dalam sistem pentadbiran.

Jawapan : YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri

Tuan Yang Di Pertua,

Perpaduan negara dan integrasi nasional merupakan hasrat dan aspirasi utama Kerajaan sejak kemerdekaan tanahair lagi. Hasrat dan aspirasi ini ditunjangi kontrak sosial yang turut terkandung di dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan diterjemahkan dalam dasar dan pelaksanaan Kerajaan.

Sebagaimana Ahli Yang Berhormat sedia maklum, hak dan kedudukan orang Melayu dan Bumiputera menjadi salah satu tonggak kepada kontrak sosial tersebut, disamping perkara-perkara lain yang dipersetujui selama ini sepertimana hak dan kepentingan kaum-kaum lain. Kontrak sosial ini telah membawa kepada kemerdekaan negeara kita, dan seterusnya mendasari keamanan dan kestabilan yang telah dinikmati negara sejak sekian lama.

Perkara-perkara yang dirangkumi di bawah Perkara 153 termasuklah kedudukan dalam perkhidmatan awam, kemudahan pendidikan dan latihan termasuk biasiswa, serta permit dan lesen bagi perniagaan. Perkara-perkara tersebut telah termaktub secara jelas dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan, dan akan terus dipertahankan oleh Kerajaan.

Untuk makluman Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat , Perkara 153 ini mendasari pelaksanaan pentadbiran Kerajaan secara menyeluruh. Oleh itu, adalah tidak pratikal bagi saya untuk menyenaraikan satu-persatu setiap dasar, undang-undang, dan peraturan yang telah digubal dan dilaksanakan bagi tujuan menjelmakan aspirasi Perkara 153 dalam pentadbiran Kerajaan. Memadailah sekiranya beberapa contoh diberi bagi memberikan gambaran bagi pelaksanaan Perkara 153.

Misalnya, antara dasar Kerajaan yang lahir hasil daripada usaha Kerajaan untuk melaksanakan peruntukan dalam Perkara 153 adalah Dasar Ekonomi Baru, yang telah diumumkan pada tahun 1971. Malah setiap Rancangan Malaysia yang telah dilaksanakan sejak Rancangan Malaysia Kedua sehinggalah kepada Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan turut merangkumi aspek membasmi kemiskinan tanpa mengira kaum serta usaha menyusun semula masyarakat bagi menghapuskan pengenalan kaum mengikut fungsi ekonomi. Pelaksananan aspek menyusun semula masyarakat tersebut adalah bersandarkan kepada keperluan menjamin kesamarataan sosio-ekonomi antara kaum bagi menjaga kestabilan dan kemakmuran negara, disamping memelihara hak dan kedudukan golongan Melayu dan Bumiputera yang termaktub di dalam Perkara 153.

Dari aspek undang-undang pula, antara akta yang telah digubal bagi tujuan mencapai aspirasi Perkara 153 termasuklah Akta Lembaga Pelesenan Kenderaan Perdagangan, yang antara lainnya memperuntukkan perizaban lesen-lesen kenderaan perdagangan untuk orang Melayu dan Bumiputera.

Akhir sekali, antara peraturan yang telah dirangka bagi tujuan pelaksanaan Perkara 153 termasuklah Garis Panduan Permohonan Lesen PDA yang telah rangka oleh Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, yang antara lainnya memperincikan keperluan penglibatan golongan Melayu dan Bumiputera dalam pemilikan syarikat yang ingin menjalankan aktiviti pemasaran dan pengedaran produk petroleum. Sekian, terima-kasih.

Is Chong Wei and the delegation’s next organised plan for them going to be Permatang Pauh constituency?

Then, an idea came to my mind. I have been organising coloring contests for the children for the past years.Why not I adopt the idea, as an acitivity for the children in my constituency? I asked myself. I got hold of the contact number and started the planning work.

It was held yesterday. It was in a chaotic stage at the beginning. This was something new for most of the children of the village. We did not have enough tables for the children, as such, decided to get the mat for them. Some spilled the water on the floor. Others broke the pot, half way to painting it. To make things worst, I did not have enough for replacement and luckily, my branch chairman went to “borrow” some glue, meant for shoes. This village is known for shoes making, Bukit Merah New Village.

Overall, it was fun. It was something new for me and sharing it with the children, gives satisfaction. If not for all the efforts and help forwarded by Pat and Audrey, this contest would not be possible.

I almost forget about the dental care demonstration. At the interval, while waiting for Pat to judge the painting work, I invited two officers from the Klinik Pergigian Menglembu to demonstrate to the children the proper way of brushing teeth.

Where did the idea come from? Yes, when I was in primaryschool, nurses were in school to teach us on how to brush our teeth and the demonstration was taught with us cleaning the teeth at the drain. I can still remember that I could not concentrate on the lesson because I wanted so much to play at the playground which is just next to me! .
To conclude, it gives me satisfaction and brings me back some good memories. Each participant leaves home with a new set of Kodomo Lion toothbrush and toothpaste, sponsored by Southern Lion.

Thank you to all who had helped and also the sponsorship.

As we stepped into the building, the first question that came to my mind was, “How many of them are Malaysians?” They were all dressed up and busy clicking their cameras. Friends were helping each others to ensure they look good when they are on the stage to take their scroll. Certainly, to ensure the mortar board is fixed tightly on to the hair.

Then, a huge sign board caught my attention. Many were queueing there to wait for their turn to take a photograph as the background. It reads, “The World Awaits…” . Immediately, I got excited and requested my sister to take a photograph, though my sister insisted that I could do it later. (Never take a photo in a hurry)

The theme, “The World Awaits” , the words are simple but with powerful meaning. It sends a message of the the importance and huge roles of the graduates when they step out from the compound of the university. It also gave the feelings that the graduates are now ready and challenges ahead of them are no obstacle! Although I was not one of them, I must admit that had a feeling that, “how I wish I am one of them!”

The hall was filled up quickly. I told my hubby that the administration is smart. While waiting for the ceremony to start, they put up some publicity about the university on the huge screen.

While waiting for the ceremony to begin, I browsed through the booklet with names of recipient of medal awards and graduates. Again, the same question came to my mind, “How many of them are Malaysians?” I found my sister’s name, Fong Kam Ling and shown it to my dad.

Speakers delivered speeches which to me of, “non traditional contents”. One of the speakers mentioned about, “not to work, to be hated and etc…” in his speech to the graduating students and guests, mostly parents who have been telling their children all this while to follow the “norm” of the society ie, do well in your studies then, you will get a good job and earn a good living. However, the message of this particular speaker was to be passionate about what you are doing and to be different. The speeches were enlightening and made me to reflect upon myself too.

A graduating student delivered her speech and stressed on appreciation, by taking the opportunity to thank the lecturers who shared their knowledge. She gave an excellent speech, some parts with lines about what the lecturers had told them in the class and questions she has been asking herself throughout her studies in the university.

The speeches, I could sum up, it was not ‘robotic’. It was an expression of “freedom of thoughts” . The environment in the unversity provided the students to express themselves without much restriction despite it was in a formal or official ceremony. They could share their feelings without the worries to be laughed at.

After the ceremony, my sister was busy taking photographs with her friends. These are a few of her friends, all are Malaysians. Few have graduated from this university and currently working in Singapore.

I wanted to tell them to come back to Malaysia and serve the nation and country. I did not. I used to but stopped saying so. It is an understandable moves to remain in Singapore. I know they are “indebted” to the city state. Some of them need to pay back the loan and the need to take into consideration of the currency exchange rate. Perhaps, consideration of the working opportunities and environment. One of them is pursuing his education further. In some cases, it was our government policies which has “refused” and failed some of them first, and leaving them not much of an option but to cross over to the city state.

I could still remember that it was just a click of the mouse that my sister completed her application forms for the course and loan. In fact, we did not even accompany her to the university for the admission. She took the bus. The transportation was arranged by Malaysians (seniors of the university). It was through internet that the seniors contacted the freshies and forwarded the assistance.

I know it was not easy for my sister to complete her course. It was tough for her as she is from different education system. Many Malaysians have done it and I remember telling her that all she needs is to pass her examinations and enjoy her university days. I am not expecting flying colors from her.

A few days trip to the city state, it has widen my horizon. I am not going to write about the visit to the National Museum of Singapore.

Throughout the convocation, I believe the proudest moment was not felt only by the graduates when they were on the stage, but the parents and family members who attended the convocation.

When we were all back home, I asked my sister this question, ” How many Malaysians received the medal awards for excelling in their studies?” Her answer was, “Many.”

( I took some time to write this piece. My mind and feelings were not “in order.” The feelings were “messy”. However, I told myself that I need to “rearrange” it and get the feelings out “in order.” I am proud of Malaysians to be doing so well in the city state but, I am concern with the “lost” suffered by Malaysia. )

They asked for the “cake to be enlarged” but the quota of 90% for bumiputera to be maintained.

In fact, last week, there was a report in a Malay daily which reported an academician expressing his concerns of widening the gap between bumiputera professionals and non bumiputera professionals, when commenting on quota of 55% - 45% which is applied recently, instead of the 90%-10% (bumi- non bumi), previously.

You want to encourage or “keep” the top scholars, but at the same time, you are worried about the “gap” or perhaps, one may puts it, “it is one of our special privileges.” As such, we must have “much more”, always.

I do accept that it is provided in the Federal Constitution and I am to abide to it, but, it is the application which I am seeking clarification.

I asked myself, what is this? Art 153, is sensitive? We, non bumiputera cannot raise or question its application? Can I? In fact, earlier, MP for Pasir Salak during the ninth Malaysia Plan (mid term review) called on the government to provide a course on - the origin of different races in Malaysia.

Dear readers, let me have your views, strictly on scholarship , please. Thank you.

Wednesday July 2, 2008 (The Star)
MP: Help non-bumis but don’t mess with quota

“The ratio of 80% for bumiputra students should remain. I am ready to face the Education Minister for (saying) this,” he said, when debating on the motion on the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia
Plan.
(part of the report only)