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We urge that the Government review the proposal to extend the concession for Plus Expressways Berhad for the projek to expand certain stretches of the North-South Expressway Speech - by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Puchong, Sunday): There are signs that the project to widen certain stretches along the 870 kilometre (Km) highway will be awarded to the Plus Expressways Berhad. The project is expected to cost over RM900 million. These stretches include Seremban-Ayer Keroh, North Rawang – Tanjung Malim and Ipoh Selatan – Jelapang. In 1987, DAP took the Government to court over the privatization of North-South Highway to PLUS, a subsidiary of United Engineers Malaysia (UEM) because there was no transparency. Towards the end of that year, DAP leaders like Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Lim Guan Eng, the late P. Patto, Lau Dak Kee and myself were detained at Kamunting. Finally, the court gave the permission to the Government to appoint PLUS to finance, design and construct 512 Km of the highway. It took over the management, operation and maintenance of the existing 355 Km from the Malaysia Highway Authority.
In 1999, PLUS signed a supplemental concession agreement with the Government to extend its concession by another 12 years to May 2030 from May 2018. The Government reduced the increase in the toll tariff as contained in the original agreement.
When PLUS faced difficulties after the supplemental concession, the Government re-nationalize the North South highway.
There is a need for the Government to review the privatization and re-nationalization of the highway since 1988—the positive and negative aspects. If the Government does not want to fund the project to expand certain stretches of the highway, then it is essential for it to practise transparency and accountability.
DAP opposes any effort to establish an Islamic State in Malaysia
At the Umno General Assembly ending on 25 September, 2004, the concept of Islam Hadhari was commented in details. The Prime Minister and Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi presented Islam Hadhari as contemporaneous, progressive, moderate and modern Islam that would bring self-reliance to Muslims. Islamic leaders must be trustworthy with a just attitude towards human beings , not just to Muslims. Nevertheless, DAP opposes any form of Islamic State. (We have to hold fast to the true spirit of the Federal Constitution that enshrines Islam as the official religion, but not the Islamic State.)
Economic Policy must be based on merit and need, giving assistance to Malaysians not on race, religion or locality.
The 20-year New Economic Policy (NEP) began in 1970. It was supposed to end in 1990. But, 14 years later, Umno still wants to continue with the policy. The Government has not succeeded in NEP.
It is of the utmost importance that we always try to narrow the gap, including the digital dived. But, all efforts to do this must be based on merit and need, not on race or religion.
* Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong |