ISU RUMAH IBADAT (BUKAN ISLAM)

Saya telah membangkitkan satu pertanyaan kepada Menteri Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan, pertanyaan seperti berikut;

a) Jumlah rumah ibadat (bukan islam) yang berdaftar di Malaysia; dan

b) Jumlah peruntukan yang telah di beri kepada rumah-rumah ibadat tersebut sejak tahun 2000 hingga sekarang dan jumlah peruntukan yang akan di agihkan untuk membantu rumah-rumah ibadat tersebut dalam jangka masa 5 tahun akan datang.

JAWAPAN DARIPADA MENTERI;

a) Berdasarkan Kajian Inventori Tempat Ibadat Bukan Islam yang di jalankan oleh Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa (JPBD), Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan (KPKT) pada tahun 2008, jumlah rumah ibadat yang dikenalpasti samada berdaftar dan tidak berdaftar di seluruh Semenanjung Malaysia adalah sebanyak 4,244 buah. ia terdiri daripada Tokong Cina/Buddha/Watt Siam sebanyak 2,117 buah, Gereja 524 buah, Kuil Hindu 1,466 buah, Gurdwara Sikh 78 buah dan lain-lain tempat keagamaan selain Islam 59 buah.

b) Kementerian Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan tidak menyediakan peruntukan bagi kos pembangunan dan operasi rumah-rumah ibadat bukan Islam. Peruntukan bagi rumah-rumah ibadat bukan Islam di salurkan oleh Unit Penyelarasan Perlaksanaan (ICU), Jabatan Perdana Menteri. Berdasarkan maklumat yang diterima daripada Unit tersebut, bagi tempuh 2000 hingga 2010, sejumlah RM30juta (RM28,960,928.00) telah diperuntukkan bagi menaiktaraf dan membina 1,360 buah rumah ibadat bukan Islam.

MY REPLY TO JUDY - RESIDENT OF BUKIT BERUNTONG

By Judy on MENGATASI KESESAKAN JALAN PERSEKUTUAN RAWANG - SUN... on 11/23/10

As a resident of Bukit Beruntung (Sek. BB2)I would like to request your assistance to address the landfill stench (located near the toll) that we are facing daily. On a hot day after the rubbish is dumped there the smell is overpowering. I really feel more sorry for the toll booth staff who have to endure this. You promised a lot of things will be done to improve this place during the election and we are still waiting. Please DO NOT BE JUST LIKE THE POLITICIANS BEFORE YOU. All talk no action. The people residing in Kg. Timah, Rasa too need help and transport is one of their main concerns.

Dear Judy,

Let me first thank you for sharing with me on various issues via my blog. I would try my best to respond to you accordingly;

1. Landfill Stench the the BB Toll Plaza;

    For your information, the landfill is not near the Bukit Beruntong Toll Plaza, its near the Bukit Tagar Toll Plaza and for your information, the Bukit Tagar Landfill which is managed by KUB-Berjaya Enviro, is one of the best managed landfill in the country, you could read about their facilities as well as the way they manage the landfill via their website [www.kbenviro.com.my].

  Having said that, you are somewhat correct. There is a dumpsite which is located near Bukit Beruntong and i guess you are refering to that. For your information, the dumpsite there is being used by the Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor which comes under the jurisdiction of the State Government. Although, they can easily send their waste to the Bukit Tagar landfill, they choose not to, and their reason is because - its expensive. Which, i cannot accept, as tow other local authority are using the landfill (DBKL and Majlis Perbandaran Selayang). If Majlis Perbandaran Selayang can use it and send their lorries to Bukit Tagar, i dont see why Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor can's use it.

   I have requested the officers at Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor to consider using the landfill instead of using the dumpsite - I hope they will listen to me. 

2. Transport for people in Rasah.

   I was informed about this problem during one of my meet the people session in Rasah, while i acknowledge that there is a problem there, but, i may not be able to help them in total. As the request is quite a lot and if do help in total, there are many places in Hulu Selangor which is facing similar situation. I would end up providing only transport allowances to the people in Hulu Selangor instead of helping all on other social and welfare issues.

  I have informed the people in Rasah to send me a suggestion on how we can together solve this problem and im waiting for their proposal.

Judy, i would like to thank you for your concern and let me assure you that I would do my best to my friends in Hulu Selangor and thats is what i promised during the bye-election.

I promised to my friends in Hulu Selangor that i will work hard for them,  just to quote on what i said 'Saya berjanji saya akan bekerja siang, petang, pagi, malam, subuh dan senja' and thats what i am doing.

I walk the talk.

P Kamalanathan

BINGO DAY IN PARLIAMENT

Yes indeed, it was a Bingo day for me in the Parliament as i was able to speak twice, earlier on budget matters relating to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and now with regards to the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities. 

Following are the matters i raised;

• Congratulated the Ministry for being able to do a good job in not only promoting Malaysian Palm Oil, but, also being able to defend its strength and promote it all over the world. Also congratulated them on their willingness to work closely with the Indonesian government not only in promoting palm oil but also to fight the anti-palm oil campaign which in being orchestrated by our competitors.
• The allocation of RM24 million ringgit may not be enough to fight the war against our competitors. We are facing various issues while we promote palm oil; environmental issues, nutritional issues, work force issues, competitors false information against palm oil. With so many things to do, and our competitors are financially rich, the government should consider providing more financial assistance to the Palm Oil campaign strategies.
• Also touched on the Malaysian Institute of Plantation and Commodity - It is indeed a commendable initiative to set-up an institute of this nature as it would help the local work talent to garner more experiance and we would be able to teach them how to serve the industry better. However, has the Institute served its objective? How many students have the Institute produced? and what are the future plans of the Institute?
• Also thanked the government for agreeing to develop the Lembaga Getah Malaysia's land in Sungai Buloh, it would surely bring a lot of development and benefits to the local residents there. My question to them was, when will they start to develope that land.

Am now waiting to hear the reply from the Deputy Minister.

BUDGET DISCUSSION CONTINUES IN THE PARLIAMENT

After a week break, Parliament sitting continued today.

We begin where we left on 11th November 2010 - Discussion on Committee stage on Rang Undang-undang Perbekalan 2011.

Today, it was the turn for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities to listen and later to explain the details which was presented in the budget 2011.

I manage to partake in the debate during the discussion with regards to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following are the issues i raised;

• That while Taiwan have given Malaysians an entry into their country without having a Visa, i thought it would only be fair that we do the same - no need to obtain a Visa for Taiwanese to obtain a Visa to visit Malaysia.
• What was even more disturbing was that, recently we also revoked the Visa On Arrival not only for Taiwan, but also a few other countries.
• I requested that we lift the Visa On Arrival in order to have more tourist visiting Malaysia as Malaysia seems to be a favorite tourist spot.
• As for Taiwan, it is only fair, since Taiwan does not require us to have Visa to visit their country, its only fair we do the same.

The second issue i raised to the Ministry was with regards to a certain politicians who travel the world and discredit Malaysia. Not only they discredit Malaysia, but they also spread lies and damage the good name of Malaysia.

They go against the 2nd Principle of the country that was thought to all Malaysians since we were in school 'KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA & NEGARA' or 'LOYALTY TO THE KING & NATION'.

They do this to seek sympathy, they do this so that foreigner have bad thoughts on Malaysia. If they can do this just to seek sympathy and support - one can wonder what other things they are capable of doing to win elections in this country.

I requested the Ministry to identify ways and means to curb such actions and if needed a law to be drawn so that politicians are carefull when they speak about Malaysia overseas.

I am now waiting to speak again this time on the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities - Hope to be 2nd time lucky today.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL ADHA

Saya ingin mengambil peluang dan ruang ini untuk mengucapkan SELAMAT HARI RAYA KORBAN kepada semua rakan-rakan seperjuangan saya dengan pesanan ini;

Kerana "IKHLAS" hati menjadi "BERSIH"
Kerana "IMAN" hati menjadi "KUAT"
Kerana "AKHLAK" hati menjadi "INDAH"
Kerana "MAAF" hati menjadi "KAYA"
Kerana "KORBAN" hati menjadi "PEMURAH"

Selamat menyambut Hari Raya Korban di samping sanak-saudara Dan keluarga yang tersayang, semoga pengorbanan dalam semua aspek kita di terima.

Dengan ingatan ikhlas,

P Kamalanathan

FACEBOOK & TWITTER INTO A NEW ZONE

I have been writing in my blog since 2006 and I must say it has not been that easy at all, I shared with you the ups and downs in getting an article across. But, not anymore, I try to write at least once a week, at times more than that.

Having said that, I am indeed happy to share with you that I have also achieved 2 other important milestone in my social media experience; both via my Twitter and Facebook.

YES, i have just passed the 2,000 follower via my Twitter account and also passed my 5,000th friend via my Facebook. It is true, the survey we all read, Malaysians are the most active social network user, but then again, in my case, both in my Twitter and Facebook account, I have either met or spoken to at least 80% of them.

During my recent paper presentation at the GoMobile Conference in Kuala Lumpur, I spoke to the participants how the new media kept me in touch with my constituents. There is no doubt, that the new media and social media is here to stay for a long, long time and if you don't get used to it - not only will you be left behind, but, you will not even be noticed.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my friend who have been following me via Twitter, Facebook and via my blog - YOU kept me going.

I would also like to seek a favor from you, as you are probably aware, the moment the Facebook friends reach nearly 5,000 we will not be able to add any more friends, as such, I would be knocking on your Facebook account to add me as your friend, i hope you would give me an opportunity to be in your Facebook as much as I want you in my Facebook.

GOD bless you and may we live to find out what's next in the social media.

DEEPAVALI - THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS THAT WILL BRING BRIGHTNESS TO ALL

This was my first Deepavali as a member of Parliament.

It was indeed a memorable one, besides being able to assist almost 1,000 constituents before the festive season, I also manage to organise a 'Open House' at the Bukit Beruntong Golf Club which was attended by more than 4,000 constituents.

In such a short time (6 months &  13 days) after becoming a member of Parliament, it was indeed not an easy task. Many of my friends - near and far, leaders and members of local Barisan Nasional component parties, opposition party members, Non-Governmental Organisations members, Residents Association members, Rukun Tetangga members, heads of departments and staffs of local government agencies and many more of them came, but what made me happy was the constituents - they came in full force, they begin to arrive as early as at 5:30 p.m and was there till we finished at 10:30 p.m. 

A trully 1Malaysia presence was seen in the hall - Malays, Chinese, Indians and also Orang Asli, they were treated equally and we also manage to give out some more assistance for senior citizens as well as to a few poor and needy friends as well.

I would also like to thank my fellow MP friends YB Kinabatangan (YB Datuk Bung Moktar Radin), YB Sabak Bernam (YB Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakri) and YB Jasin (YB Datuk Wira Haji Ahmad bin Haji Hamzah) for attending the 'Open House' along with YB Datuk Mohd. Idris, ADUN - Hulu Bernam, YB Datuk Mohd. Isa,  ADUN - Batang Kali and YB Tuan Wong K M, ADUN - Kuala Kubu Bharu.

I would also like to extend my sincere gratitudes to the Deputy High Commissioner of Singapore Mr. Kevin Cheok and his wife, Mr. Sevala Naik and his wife from the Indian High Commission for attending the dinner. 

My personal thanks to Y. Bhg. Datin Sri Indrani Samy Vellu for gracing the dinner along with Mr. S Vell Paari and his wife Puan Shaila Nair.

Thanks also to the Members of the MIC's Central Working Committee members, especially to my comrade Mr. Madhu Marimuthu, MIC Bahagian Selayang's Chairman Mr. P Palaniappan and YB Puan Usha Nandhini and her husband for accepting my invitation.

Not forgetting Mr & Mrs Wemel and to Mr. Keshwinder and his family and my fellow bloggers, facebookers and Twitter's - Thank You for being there.

and the list will go on and on, please forgive me if i did not mention your name, I met everyone of my invitees and my constituents and thanked them for attending this event.

I must say this Deepavali besides, being able to reach out to many of my constituents (more than 6,000), we were also able to put a light of brightness into the homes of many of my constituents, the lights may not be bright enough, but we have reached them and we will continue to reach them at all time.

This article would be meaningless if i dont appreciate and thank my team at PUSKAP (PUSat Khidmat Ahli Parlimen) Hulu Selangor. The entire programme was very well organised and i must congratulate Puan Mageswari - Pengarah Project and Encik Anwar Ridhawi (Co- Pengarah) and the entire organising team.

To all my Pegawai - Encik Md. Fuzi Abd. Lateh, Encik S Padmarajah, Encik S Yogendran and Ms Jessica Lai - Thank You for your assistance in supporting the PUSKAP team in organising the 'Open House'.

To Encik Fauzi Manivannan, Encik Khairul Nizam, Puan Julimaria, Encik V Balasubramaniam, Encik P Shri Shanmuganathan, Encik Mughilan and Encik M Ravi - thank you for organising the hamper and sumbangan handout programmes in all our DUN (Batang Kali, Kuala Kubu Bharu and Hulu Bernam).

Although i am sad, that a few of my friends were not there with me, but, i guess they had other events and programmes to attend to - NO worries mate's - we shall meet for dinner soon.

Above all to all my CONSTITUENTS - THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YEHN INNIYA DEEPAVALI NALVAZHTUKAL = MY SINCERE DEEPAVALI GREETINGS TO ALL.

RESOLUTION ON THE GENTING SEMPAH & REMBAU BUS ACCIDENTS

Today i manage to speak on a resolution proposed by YB Er Teck hwa (Member of Parliament of Bakri), his resolution was to propose to set-up a Royal Commission to investigate the recent deathly accidents that took away 20 lives.

Following are the points that i raised during my debate;

• Started my speech with extending my sympathy to the families who lost their loved ones in that accident.
• To overcome or reduce the number of accidents in this country it should be the responsibility of the government, its agencies as well as the people.
• We have set of rules, speed limits and etc, but seems that no one uses them. We should impose high fines for those who break the rules. Despite knowing for a fact that one is not supposed to use hand phones while driving - they continue to do so.
• The government and its agencies should increase the number of raod safety campaigns to all levels of the society.
• The Department of Safety and Health (DOSH), Ministry of Transport should be more carefull in ensuring that the bus is in good condition.
• The guard rail (that divides the road) quality needs to be upgraded, at the present we have 823 km of highway, the guard rail at present is at quality TL 2 and we should increase it to TL 3 and in the black spot area we should be upgraded to TL 5.
• I ended my speech by thanking all my friends in the tweet and facebook for giving suggestions for my speech.

In conclusion i did not agree that we set-up a Royal Commission, instead the Minister of Transport should be transparent in ensuring that a complete report and all its agencies undertake their responsibilities well.

MY 100th ARTICLE...WILL IT BE THE LAST ONE?

My 100th article.....

I started to blog in 2006 after 3 of my friends encouraged me to do so; B Mahendran, K Novinthen and R Amutha and since then i have been blogging.

I have always mentioned in my previous articles - im not a BLOGGER per-se but am a 'SEASONAL BLOGGER', but then after 5 years, it looks like im getting in full gear BLOGGING now.

Perhaps being elected into the Parliament has made me realise and aware how important blogging is. Infact, during the bye-elections which i contested in April 2010, many of my friends who are active bloggers were kind enough to introduce me as a Blogger and that helped me a lot.

There were times during the last 5 years i gave up on blogging, i just had no inspiration to write and at times not knowing what to write. At that point of time, i must thank my best friends Thomas Samuel, S Suganthi and Shamini Chandrasekaran who gave me plenty of inspiration and at times gave me constructive criticism to carry on.

I used to write lengthy articles (probably because im a public relations practitioner) but after reading articles written by Y. Bhg. Datuk Ahiruddin Atan and Y. Bhg. Datuk Ahmad A Talib, i realised that simple, short and straigth to the point articles were the best way to attract readers - i try to do that, but i have still to get there. I will soon.

Despite being a seasonal blogger, i manage to organise BLOGGERS BUFF for 2 years and again i had a very supportive team in the name of K Novinthen, B Mahendran, R Amutha, N Puvanan, Tim Fernandez, Felicia Wong and i would love to organise them again.

Thru organising BLOGGERS BUFF i met some very good friends who have been my good friends till today and i value their friendship.

 
I must say, the lies that was spread about me on my education qualification did increase the number of readers - I thank the liers for lying. I guess we can never stop anyone from saying what they want to say - they will do just about anything to damage the character of a person (by hook or crook). I have told my self, i would rather stop blogging than writing lies and will not get into that.

I would also like to thank all my PUTERA MIC Puteran's for reading and promoting my website to their friends.

YES, there were a few suggestion on various topics that i should write as my 100th article, all the topics which we suggested via facebook, twitter and sms would be written soon, i like the topics suggested.

For those who sent comments which were vulgar and attacking my parents - I am sorry, i would not be able to publish your comments and i will never publish them.

Finally my dear friends - I thank you very much for all the encoragements, motivations and above all reading my articles. I know at times the spelling and the grammer is bad, but, sorry lah - tak sengaja.

I am happy i got into this world of blogging, my writtings are being read by more than 1,000 readers in a week and from all over the world.

As for, will this be the last article, NO I DON'T THINK SO - Unless death takes me away. But then again, if death does come by - at least my writting will still be here for all to read.

MENGATASI KESESAKAN JALAN PERSEKUTUAN RAWANG - SUNGAI CHOH

Jawapan yang saya terima daripada YB Menteri Kerjaraya;

Kementerian Kerja Raya sememangnya sedar dan mengambil maklum mengenai isu kesesakan dan peningkatan aliran trafik di Jalan Persekutuan 1(FT01) antara bandar rawang ke Serendah melalui Sg. Choh. khususnya pada waktu puncak. Bedasarkan Bancian Trafik Kebangsaan 2009, purata trafik harian yang dicatatkan di laluan tersebut  ialah sebanyak 30,000 kenderaan sehari.

Sehubungan itu, antara alternatif yang sedang dilaksanakan Kerajaan bagi mengurangkan kesesakan di jalan tersebut ialah seperti berikut;

• Pembinaan projek Jalan Pintas Rawang (Rawang By-Pass) - Sehingga kini fasa pertama sepanjang 18.5 kilometer tealh di siapkan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-sembilan (RMKe-9). Skop projek fasa 1 itu melibatkan pembinaan dan naik taraf jalan 4 lorong 2 hala dari persimpangan Sungai Chu hingga ke Taman Warisan Negeri di Templer Park dengan kos sebanyak RM260.5 juta.

• Dalam RMKe-10 pula, Kementerian Kerja Raya telah mencadangkan pembinaan fasa 2, iaitu melibatkan skop pembinaan elevated structure sepanjang 3.3 kilometer melalui Taman Warisan Negeri dengan anggaran kos projek RM397 juta.

• Dari aspek perancangan jangka panjang pula, Kajian Pelan Induk Pembangunan Rangkaian Jalanraya (HNDP) Fasa 1 telah mengenal pasti keperluan bagi menaik taraf Jalan Persekutuan 1 (FT01) dari Templer Park hingga ke sempadan Negeri Perak.

Perlaksanaan projek ini akan di cadangkan dalam rolling plan kedua RMKe-10.

MINISTERS TO REPLY MY QUESTIONS

From today till 8th November the Ministers would be responding to all matters which was raised by Parlimentarians during the budget debate which was held between 18th October 2010 till 28th October 2010. I am indeed waiting for my questions to be answered, following are my questions and suggestions which was raised during my budget presentation;

• 
  To increase the excise duty for the compounded hard liquor - To be answered by Minister of Finance.

• Setting up a special Unit called 'Unit Polis Sekolah' - To be answered by Minister of Internal Affairs and/or Minister of Education.

• Suggestion for tax exemption for tax payers for are taking care of their elderly parents and at the same time a system should be introduced when elderly people are send to old folks home. - To be answered by Minister of Finance and/or Minister of Women, Family and Community Development.

• Suggested tax exemption for donations made for primary schools - To be answered by Minister of Finance and/or Mnister of Education.

• Setting-up of a system to implement and monitor the implementation of the Housing for estate workers - To be answered by the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities.

• Proposing to consider to allocate RM85 million to make Hulu Selangor as an important tourist destination - To be answered by the Minister of Tourism.

• Hiring retired teachers to teach language under the 1Malaysia Training Programme. - To be answered by the Minister of Youth and Sports and/or Minister of Education.
  
  

GRATITUDES TO MY CONSTITUENTS

The third meeting of the third session of Twelfth Parliament which is ongoing now will end on December 15. I am indeed very happy to note that this time around i have a few of my questions within the top 10.

For this to happen i must thank my constituents, it was via their input which was given to me during a dialogue i had in my office. There were many questions which was raised, however, since each Parliamentarian can only ask 10 oral and 5 written questions, thus, some of the questions could not be raised.

While i would continue to engage with my constituents via various meetings, dialogues and discussions, i would also continue to have meetings with my constituents with regards to matters to be raised in the parliament.

I realised that this session was indeed good and productive and the participants mostly were constituents and most importantly voters of Hulu Selangor.