13th Year Anniversary of the late Loh Jee Mee

Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister has recently said he was Malay first and that "How can I say I’m Malaysian first and Malay second? All the Malays will shun me and say that it is not proper."
Instantaneously, it reminded me of an election campaign speech delivered by the late Loh Jee Mee.

Approximately 20 years ago, Malaysian held her 8th general election. As in previous general elections and the elections to come, the 1990 general election fell short from being free, fair and clean. The Barisan Nasional (BN) has always fond of “May 13th riot” and playing the racial card during elections and my late father was not spared from it, especially being a DAP candidate.

It was mentioned during the 1990 general election, that he was neither Indian nor Chinese—his late father an Indian and late mother a Chinese. In his campaign speech later that evening, he made it clear that he may not be a true Indian or a true Chinese, but he was a true Malaysian. He was Malaysian first, Chinese or Indian second. The 1990 general election was probably my first lesson on Malaysian Malaysia.

12th Year Anniversary of the late Loh Jee Mee- "..in the pursuit of justice and service for the community."

Our family got together back in 1997 to work on the wordings for our late father's monument. We wanted a short sentence to reflect on his character, and to remind his grand children and great grand children of who he was. Justice and service for the community easily came to mind.

I had the privilege to witness some of his good work throughout my childhood. These include attending and rescuing effort for flood victims at Cenderiang, people in need of blood, police bail, passport and registration issues, disputes and etc. Some of those cries for help came past midnight and he would some times return home early in the morning with muddy pants.

Here is one article that I have gotten from the internet recently. The late Loh Jee Mee started pursuing for an Outpatients' Department in Tapah Hospital since 1966--a mission that he continued on as an elected town councillor in 1968 and subsequently as a Member of Parliament in early 70s.





(From The Rocket July/August 1968)







His perserverence for Tapah Hospital was shown on the following oral answer in the Malaysian Parliament in 1971. I found the following from the Malaysian Parliament website:

Friday, 16th JULY, 1971 at 2:30 pm, Questions for Oral Answer:

21. Tuan Loh Jee Mee: To ask the Minister of Health to
state when the much-delayed Outpatients' Department at
the General Hospital, Tapah will commence operation.

The outpatient's department in Tapah has benefited the community in Tapah over the years since its establishment and years to come.

Here is the link to 11th Anniversary:
http://lohpenglam.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-remembrance-of-local-personality.html

Last Full Board Meeting for 2008

Tapah District Council held it’s the last full board meeting for 2008 today, and perhaps the last session for me as Tapah town councilor.

Apart from regular contribution through-out the meeting today which include amending minutes of meeting, suggestion to bring down safety incident numbers along federal road in Tapah, correcting numbers from finance committee, proposal to black-list vendors and suppliers who did not perform, my observation on Tapah district council performances, I have ended my time with 3 simple suggestions to the council for 2009:

1. Prohibit smoking in all District Council parks and children playground

2. Provide dustbins along all main streets in all major towns within Tapah District starting with Tapah.
Most councilors have used up their RM3000 area improvement funds for “gotong-royong” or spring cleaning—which is mainly for cleaning up streets, clearing drains and cutting grass in respective areas. Most of the councilors will agree that it was a good exercise for the public. Behind these praises, behind these joyous notes that we have done a good project, we are not addressing the rubbish issues in Tapah. We would not have spent the RM3000 for spring cleaning if our street cleaning team, rubbish collectors and grass cutters had done a good job. Also, there are hardly or no public dustbin along the main streets of Tapah which such as Station Road and Jalan Raja.

3. Meet the people session
Town councilors should organize meet the people session every month or at least once a quarter. For example, it can be held every first Monday of the month at 7, 8 or 9 pm. Meet the people session can be organized at the respective community hall or “dewan orang ramai”. It will afford a great avenue to gather feedback from the locals and their plights, as well as to share with them on our on-going initiatives.

4. Annual report card for town councilors starting from 2010.

It is a setback that none of the elected representatives within Tapah district (apart from Sivanesan, the State Assemblyman for Sungkai) have attended Tapah District Full Board meeting through-out my time as a town councilor despite official invitations from the District Office. These elected representatives are MP for Tapah, State Assemblyman for Cenderiang and State Assemblyman for Air Kuning.

Community Hall or “Dewan Orang Ramai” in Tapah (Part 1)- Questions for MCA Assemblyman

It has been almost 2 months since I sworn in as Tapah town councilor and I have been generous in commenting on the past performance of MCA and BN town councilors--Tapah town council to be specific. There were obvious weaknesses, mismanagement, misuse of public funds and a string of inferior qualities that makes me ponder if the past BN councilors take their appointment seriously.

However, the Perak MCA Assemblyman for Cenderiang, Dr. Mah Hang Soon statement in today’s Star entitled “Perak government under fire” has provided me with a meat to chew on. In the article, Dr. Mah seemed to champion the rights of the people. He went on claiming that the hall committee had been taking good care of it. In addition, he lashed out that the action by the council to take back the administration had created problem.

I wonder if Dr Mah be bold enough to take on the Tapah district council or the state government if he knew the performances of the previous MCA councilors and the decisions they have made.

Perhaps, Dr. Mah has little understanding with the local government administration. Nevertheless, let me start my guiding Dr. Mah with the following questions:

1. Did he know who built the Kampung Baru Bukit Pagar Community Hall?
2. Did he know how much Tapah district council spent to build the Kampung Baru Bukit Pagar hall?
3. Did he know the additional expenses to renovate the hall? Did he know who paid for it?
4. Did he know if there is any rental agreement?
5. The hall committee is supposed to manage and pay rent to the Tapah district council. Did he know how much the hall committee pays to the Tapah district council on monthly basis? As a hint, it is less than RM20 per month!
6. Where are the proceedings from those rented the hall from the hall committee?
7. Did he know the rate per hour or per day?
8. Did he know if there is standard charge for the hall usage?
9. Did he know how much premium the Bukit Pagar Hall committee charges compare to Dewan Muhibbah in Bidor or Dewan Merdeka in Tapah which was managed directly by the Tapah district council?

I am more than willing to expose the past poor performances of the MCA or BN councilors if challenge. However, I would rather spend my energy to work on things that matters, ammend the wrongs and improve the weaknesses of the past.

Propose Tapah Town Council Meeting To Be Open To Public

During the first full board town council meeting on the 28th of July, councilors were asked to decide or vote on whether the town council meetings should be open to public. However, I have requested to postpone this agenda until the next council meeting since there was no prior notice before the said meeting.

Our country's constitution under local government act of 1976 (Act 171) & subsidiary legislation part iv, 23 provide that "all meetings of local authority shall be open to the public and to the representatives of the Press unless the local authority by resolution at the meeting otherwise decides"

Unlike the previous government who lacks transparency and accountability, the present councilors encourage greater transparency and greater local participation on local matters. Moreover, public is allowed to Parliament and State Assembly proceedings on invitation.

Therefore, I will propose in the next town council meeting that Tapah town council meeting to be open to public. However, we will have to limit the number of observers due to the capacity of the meeting room. I will suggest 50% of the total observer seats to be allocated to political parties and the rest to public on first come first basis or by invitation.

24 Pakatan Rakyat Councilors Sworn in at Tapah Town Council 28th July 2008

24 Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Tapah town councilors took oath at Majlis Daerah Tapah today, 28th of July 2008. The 24 councilors who will serve up to 31st December 2008 are:

1. Mohd. Yunus, Ayer Kuning. H/p: 016-454 4680


2. Lau Foon, Bidor. H/p: 012-510 0592


3. John Woodworth, Bidor. H/p: 019-564 9991


4. Thana, Bidor. H/p: 016-518 2231


5. Liew You Wuu,Bidor. H/p: 014-604 3401


6. Ramani, Bidor. H/p: 012-278 2062


7. Ng How Chong, Kuala Bikam. H/p: 019-513 6907


8. Tan Seng Tin, Sungkai. H/p: 012-505 2048


9. Rostam, Sungkai. H/p: 016-5454 268


10. Mooken, Sungkai. H/p: 016-319 8684


11. Mary Thomas, Tapah. H/p: 016-5326538


12. Apalasamy, Tapah. H/p: 017-507 2195


13. Ramu/ Krishnan, Tapah. H/p: 016-596 4248


14. Loh Peng Lam, Tapah. H/p: 012-377 8838


15. Ahmad Razi, Tapah (Jln. Bidor). H/p: 019-508 4755


16. Ridzuan, Tapah (Jln. Pahang). H/p: 012-512 4881


17. Manikam, Tapah (Jln. Pahang). H/p: 012-528 1887


18. Lt. Nathan, Tapah (Tmn Bunga Raya). H/p: 012-362 3490


19. Chow Chai Woh, Tapah (Tmn Kenari). H/p: 017-5516780


20. Pajand Singh, Tapah (Tmn Saga). H/p: 012-661 7108


21. Kalthum, Temoh. H/p: 016-530 5399


22. Mohd Yusof, Temoh. H/p: 013-529 9164


23. Ikram (Tmn Dato Kamaruddin). H/p: 012-573 1073


24. Yang DiPertua (TDP) Dato' Md. Damiri.
    

These are the first batch of PR's councilors for Tapah.

During the first full board meeting, the council has approved the financial statement for fiscal year 2007 and endorsed allowance increment for town councilors in accordance to the matrix system set by the state government.

Dinner with Lim Kit Siang at Tapah, Sunday 10th of August 2008

DAP Tapah branch dinner at Dewan Orang Ramai Bukit Pagar, Tapah on the 10th of August, 7:30 pm.

Special Guests:
Lim Kit Siang, Kulasegaran, Sivanesan, Ngeh Koo Ham, Nga Kor Ming, Sivanesan, Chen Fook Chye

Responsiblities of District Town Councilors in Malaysia

My former schoolmate from ACS, Ipoh, who is now residing in Singapore dropped me a note last week. In her email, she asked about the role of town councilors in Malaysia.

Malaysian administrations consist of the federal government, the state government and the local government. The district town councilors are part of the local government.

Most local government comes under the jurisdiction of the state government and is the lowest level of government under the Malaysian government system. KL/W.P., Labuan and Putrajaya is managed by the federal government.

The responsibilities of the local government include:

1. General policies that involve planning, upgrading and usage of land and buildings.
2. Town planning
3. Effective and systematic governing of a specific area
4. Infrastructure upgrades and development.
5. Provide recreational and services to the locals.

The local government also performs:

1. By-laws or subsidiary law—"undang-undang kecil". The by-laws are only applicable for the specific district or city. Examples of such laws include advertisement, business, industry and profession, car park, etc.
2. Collect land tax and property assessment tax.
3. Various licensing such as business license, grave yard license, hawker license, entertainment license, animal license, pasar malam, various rentals, etc.
4. Rubbish and drainage.
5. Collective local government funds "Kumpulan Wang Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan".
6. Government contract, prosecution and own properties.
7. Name for streets.
8. Traffic lights & bus stop

Fire Victim at Jalan Pahang, Tapah

(At Jalan Pahang, Tapah)









(Photo from today's Sin Chew Jit Poh)



Visited fire victims on Friday, 25th July 2008 at Jalan Pahang along with Perak State Exco and Keranji Assemblyman, Chen Fook Chye. The Perak state government and the DAP will assist the fire victim.

Appointment as Tapah Town Councilor

(Courtesy of Sin Chew Jit Poh)




The appointment of Tapah town councilors took place today at the Perak State Assembly on the 18th of July 2008. 24 councilors were appointed for Tapah.

Being a "Tapah-boy" who has received education at St. Mary's Kindergarten, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (1) or SRK 1 and subsequently Sekolah Menengah Buyong Adil (SMBA), I hope to contribute back to Tapah and the people of Tapah. Tapah has always been close to heart and mind.

Previous town councilors, except for the late Zakaria’s family members who sat in the Klang municipal council were never make known the the public. As such, these councilors lack accountability or perhaps no accountability at all. As a change, Tapah councilors will be make known to the public, so that they will know who to go after if we do not perform.

In the coming months as Tapah town councilors which expires 31st of December 2008, my plans are:

1. To donated ALL my first pay-check or allowance to a welfare organisation or charity within Tapah area.
2. Systematic visit to various towns or villages within Tapah district and to make know Pakatan Rakyat (PR)'s councilors to the locals.
3. To publish my meetings attendance record to the public.
4. Encourage greater local participation on local council matters.

While I may not extend my appointment after 31st of December 2008, I will initiate efforts to bring in foreign or local investors to Tapah.

DAP Bidor Service Centre Opening Ceremony

(DAP Bidor service centre opening ceremony speech on 24th April 2008)

The March 8th general election was not about Sivanesan’s victory and neither it was the DAP’s victory. But it was the people’s victory! Makkal Sakti!—which means people’s power, and it was people’s power that created 3 historical event in Bidor.

Firstly, the people of Bidor has elected a DAP representative as their “wakil rakyat” which was not seen since 1969 when the late Loh Jee Mee was elected as the DAP MP for Batang Padang.

Secondly, the people of Bidor is part of the history to vote in the DAP as the new state government which was never happen since our independence. (or the people of Bidor is part of the history in voting out the BN state government)

Thirdly, the people of Bidor have voted in a state executive counselor (exco)—the first DAP state exco for Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sungkai.

Unlike, the MIC whereby their candidate, Datuk Veerasingam, immediately pack his bag and close-shop by 7:30 pm on the 8th of March; Sivanesan of DAP remains committed to Bidor and the people of Bidor despinte loosing the 2004 general election. His service center remains open from 2004 until now.

Today, we are here to officiate the opening of Sivanesan-DAP service centre. The service center will not be officiated by an assembly or an MP, but in recognition of a local personality. Madam Lee, the late Loh Jee Mee's wife will officiate this service centre.

In remembrance of a local personality from Tapah, Perak-- The late Loh Jee Mee.

(Taken from The Star, 28th of March 2008)


Finally, I have managed to start a blog after thinking about it for months.

I would like to start by honoring a man, who I appreciate but left us 11 years ago.

At around 8 p.m. (eastern time zone in US) on the 28th of March exactly 11 years ago, I received a distress call from a lawyer, Surjan Singh. His message was simple—there is a family emergency with regards to your father and you are required to come home as soon as possible. I was expected to take the earliest available flight home. It was a short message with no details.

I immediately called my eldest sister, Soo Mei who was in London to verify such request and if I may be excused since my final year exam was within a month. Moreover, the cost for a round trip ticket from the US to Malaysia was expensive then.

I was troubled when I was greeted by my eldest sister with a tearing voice. She has no intention to keep the passing of my late father a secret despite requests from family members to do so.

11 years have passed but the event is still close to mind. There is much regret that I did not get to spend much time with my late father and to get to know him better—a man who has dedicated his lifetime in pursuit of justice and service to the community.

The late Loh Jee Mee started his political struggle during World War 2, when his late mother (my grand mother); Chan Oi Lin was executed by Japanese soldiers. He was actively involved in the MCA in the 50s and 60s, and was the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) youth leader then. He was elected by the people of Tapah as town counselor in early 60s before the government removed local counselor election.

His first general election appearance was the 1965 general election, when he stood as an independent candidate for Batang Padang parliamentary seat against Hamid Khan, the then Minister of Education. He lost, but committed to soldier on. Politics aside, he was still in good rapport with MCA veteran such as Tan Sri Lee San Choon.

The political break through was seen in the 1969 general election when the late Loh Jee Mee won the Batang Padang parliamentary seat but lost to Ho Seng of MCA for Cenderiang state seat with a slim majority—less than 20 votes. He was therefore the first 13 DAP Member of Parliament (MP) for the 1969-74 term along with Lim Kit Siang and Dr. Chen Man Hin.

History has recorded that the late Loh Jee Mee defended and contested the same seat—Tapah parliament (Batang Padang seat was divided to Tapah and Tanjong Malim from 1974 general election) in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986 general election and lost. He has never lost sight of serving the community despite the set-backs in life.

The 1990 general election was his last general appearance. Yet, I am certain that he would have contested another round if health permits. He was elected to the Perak State Assembly in the 1990 general election and retired in 1995.

Besides being the juvenile court advisor for more than 25 years, a committee member for the district well fare department, he was much sort after from locals for various issues even after retirement.

Some one once mentioned that suffering and success go together. If you are succeeding without suffering, it is because others before you have suffered; if you are suffering without succeeding, it is that others after you may succeed.

I am touched and glad to meet those who have succeeded because of him during the recent general election campaign.