Tajuddin may get the stick

Malay Mail (28/11/08): Psychoanalysts say overreaction is a trait exhibited by children. But if you follow this argument, then you would be at a loss trying to explain the behaviour of our politicians, some of whom are, figuratively speaking, older than the hills.

When children misbehave or conduct themselves badly, adults advise or chide them to try to get them to mend their ways. Most grow out of their difficult years, but some of our politicians, unfortunately, may still be children trapped in adults’ bodies.

Whether he is one of them is subject to debate, but one thing is for sure: Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) is ultra-stubborn.

Having earned many colourful nicknames, among them keturunan lanun (descendent of pirates), from his peers and foes alike, Tajuddin, who came under heavy fire for uttering the word "b******" in parliament recently, yet again showed his defiance to calls for gentlemanly conduct in the august house.

Repeatedly warned by speakers and deputy speakers in the past for his penchant for vulgarities and crude behaviour, the menacing parliamentarian yesterday remained true to form as he raised his voice, volleyed abuses interjected with sexual innuendos.

It was too much to bear, even among his Barisan Nasional colleagues, as both backbenchers and opposition rallied to keep such unparliamentary behaviour out of the House.

This prompted Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to announce that a decision would be made against Tajuddin for uttering remarks deemed suggestive in nature to Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Pas-Parit Buntar) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

Noting that some MPs had gone overboard in using harsh language and unparliamentary words, Wan Junaidi said he would discuss with his colleague Datuk Ronald Kiandee, the Deputy Speaker in charge on Wednesday, and Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia before making a ruling.

"I was not in the House at that time. I did not watch the proceedings on the monitor and was not aware of what had happened. But I have been informed about it. And I feel sad that this has been done by an MP," Wan Junaidi said.

"However, I can’t make a decision in haste. I will discuss it with Kiandee. But, from the information I received, it was indeed disappointing that such words were used," he said, adding he would also check the Hansard.

Earlier, Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) said that Tajuddin had used sexually offensive language against Dr Mujahid when he (Mujahid) was debating a motion tabled by Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Serdang).

"Pasir Salak has always been using harsh words. Yesterday (Wednesday), he insulted another race. And then, he used words which berbau lucah (have sexual connotations). How can we let him repeatedly tarnish the (reputation of) Parliament? Stern action must be taken against him," said Fong.

"Why does he continuously insult the Dewan and the MPs and gets away scot-free? Please make a decision to protect the good name of the Dewan."

Fong was supported by M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat), who called for Tajuddin to be suspended from the Dewan under Article 26(1)(h) of the Standing Order.

He said if action was not taken against Tajuddin, the House would be practising double standards because when "Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) used disrespectful words and he was thrown out," Kulasegaran said.

Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) said he witnessed the incident on Wednesday and saw Kiandee "shaking his head in disgust".

"What Tajuddin did was humiliating."

Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing (BN-Tuaran), who supported the call, said BN MPs also viewed the matter seriously. As a long-term MP, he felt the MP must be of a "higher standard" and uphold their dignity.

The episode unfolded on Wednesday during a motion to dock RM10 from Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein’s salary when it turned into a shouting match with Tajuddin calling Kulasegaran "k*****".

Opposition MPs demanded Tajuddin immediately withdraw the derogatory term, with Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) protesting to Kiandee that Tajuddin was up to his offensive name-calling tricks again and deserved a strong telling off. Kiandee agreed and asked Tajuddin to withdraw his inflammatory word.

"I don’t want to. Why is he (Kulasegaran) allowed to say anything he wants? He is the one who’s kurang ajar (uncouth)," said the unfazed Tajuddin, which earned him a reprimand from Kiandee and a rebuke from Datuk Muhammad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading).

Tajuddin withdrew the derogatory word he hurled at Kulasegaran but the peace was only momentary.

A short while later, while Azmin was following-up on the RM10 ringgit motion against Hishammuddin, Tajuddin sprang to his feet and interjected Azmin’s criticism as biol (stupid).

Azmin blurted out his annoyance: "This is too much. If it is only once or twice, it is forgivable, but everytime he opens his mouth, he has no respect for anyone."

After prompting Kiandee to order a withdrawal, Tajuddin retracted but showed no remorse.

"OK la, the good, smart... and interesting YB Gombak. I withdraw the word biol," he said.

The altercations overshadowed the sexual innuendoes he earlier uttered while Dr Mujahid was speaking.

This had not escaped Yong’s attention as she yesterday expressed her disgust with Tajuddin’s suggestive remarks.

"His actions have affected the name of Parliament. Before this, he had used abusive words and this had hurt the people's sentiment. Are you going to allow him to repeatedly abuse the sanctity of Parliament?" she asked.

During the entire speech by Dr Mujahid, Tajuddin kept interrupting to be allowed to interject, uttering remarks like masuk, tak masuk lagi, tak bagi masuk, main tepi saja, bila nak keluar air dia!

And Dr Mujahid, innocently kept saying tunggulah, nantilah and sabar lah, belum lagi.

More than 3,000 non-bumis in Mara colleges

The Star (15/5/08): A total of 3,094 non-bumiputra students are studying at 40 Mara Junior Science (MRSM) colleges, Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said.

He said MRSM colleges reserved 10% of its places for qualified non-bumiputra youths.

“This year, we received 334 applications from non-bumiputras to go into Form 1 at MRSM, of which 172 were accepted.

“Overall there are now 3,094 non-bumiputra students of the total of 26,251 students in MRSM colleges nationwide,” he told Roslan Shaharum (PAS - Bukit Gantang).

Noh said although MRSM was created to accept youths with 5A results in the UPSR examinations, it also accepted students whose parents received RM600 or lower in monthly salary.

These students were exempted from the RM270 annual fees and given RM1,600 worth of school items and equipment.

“Fifty percent of MRSM students, who are from poor families, achieved 8A results in their PMR examinations.

“MRSM will continue with its duty to provide help to poor and bright rural students.”

He told Razali Ibrahim (BN - Muar) that 16 more MRSM colleges would be built under the terms of the 8th and 9th Malaysia Plans, in addition to the 40 existing ones.

Priority in education development to Sabah, Sarawak, Dewan Rakyat told

Bernama (14/5/08): The government always gives priority to development in Sabah and Sarawak including in education, and the two states receive greater focus and allocation than the other states, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Wednesday.

He said that, for example, under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), the government had allocated RM3.4 billion to Sabah and RM3.1 billion to Sarawak for education.

"The ministry is aware of the gap in the level of education between the urban and interior areas in Sabah and Sarawak, and allocations have been made to upgrade the infrastructure and amenities in schools there," he said when winding up debate for his ministry on the motion of thanks for the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat.

Hishammuddin said allocations had been made to implement 3,604 education development projects in Sabah and 2,187 projects in Sarawak.

"Statements that Sabah and Sarawak have been marginalised are inaccurate; in fact, they are given priority and higher allocations," he said.

Referring to a question from Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang), he said the ministry would ensure that all projects were completed in the alloted time as far as ensuring that there were no more schools in poor condition in the Sabah and Sarawak interior.

"It is not possible to resolve all problems in a matter of two or three years. Sabah is 73,710 sq km in size while Sarawak is 125,000 sq km in area and they have 1,271 and 1,439 schools, respectively. Sabah has 497 underpopulated schools while Sarawak has 788," he said.

On the relocation of underpopulated Chinese and Tamil schools, Hishammuddin said the ministry had resolved the matter and denied that its actions were politically motivated.

The Dewan Rakyat will sit again Thursday.

Fong: Open pre-U courses to all races

The Star (8/5/08): A former minister has called for pre-university courses and matriculation programmes to be open to all races.

Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN – Alor Gajah) said the current system involving two years of STPM or a year of matriculation meant that there were two systems although both served as entry to university.

Dr Fong said many people were unhappy with the criteria for entrance into local universities.

“The perception is that the distribution of places and financial aid provided to deserving students are unfair and not keeping to the principle of meritocracy. A policy of meritocracy in the long run will enrich our human capital,” said Dr Fong when debating on the motion of thanks on the royal address.

Salahuddin Ayub (PAS - Kubang Kerian) said sweeping reforms should be made to Parliament to ensure that it was a respected national institution.

Parliament’s role should be enhanced to guarantee the people’s belief in democracy, he said.

“Parliament should be impartial and be able to ensure that enforcement agencies are fair, prevent the abuse of power in the appointment of judges and protect the people’s rights,” he added.

Salahuddin suggested that Parliament be made the main instrument in checking the powers of the Attorney-General, Inspector-General of Police, Anti-Corruption Agency and other national agencies.

Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR – Machang) called for an amendment to the law to ensure that profits from Petronas are utilised “properly” by the Government.

“The Petroleum Development Act should be reviewed so that the House will know how much of the company’s profits are spent,” he said.