Question time: Kepong's Tan vs Lau
Having trouble deciding on which candidate to vote? Malaysiakini begins a series of interviews pitting opposing candidate together to state their stand on several hot button issues.
Having trouble deciding on which candidate to vote? Malaysiakini begins a series of interviews pitting opposing candidate together to state their stand on several hot button issues.
Development and waste management may be a major concerns in the bustling Kepong town but what are the candidates stand on national issues?
As election debates between candidates are rare in this country, Malaysiakini pitches 12 questions to opposing candidates to allow readers and voters to gauge their respective stand on several hot button issues.
In the second of a series of interviews, we pit six-term incumbent DAP’s Dr Tan Seng Giaw against Barisan Nasional’s rookie Lau Hoi Keong.
Once a unsinkable DAP stronghold, the BN has over the years reduced the opposition party's majority to within striking distance.
The industrial Kepong town has over 60,000 voters made up of 91 percent Chinese, 5.2 percent Indians, 3.5 per cent Malays and 0.3 percent of others.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw vs Lau Hoi Keong
1. Will you support the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)?
Tan (left): Yes, I will. The police and government should reconsider this Special Investigative Commission. In England and Australia, such a commission is highly effective but the police alone should not be ‘victimised’. The Road Transport and Customs Department should also be looked into.
Lau: Yes.
2. Will you support the implementation of local council elections?
Tan: We have always done that.
Lau: Nothing is wrong with the existing system. The only problem now is figuring out how to enhance and upkeep the system.
3. Will you support that Petronas' accounts be made public?
Tan: We have always asked for it.
Lau: I believe Petronas is a public-listed company. They have their own auditors and public auditors.
4. Will you support the idea of retaining subsidies of oil and other essential items?
Tan: That we have to got to work out. It must be done well, so that it will be effective. It has to be reviewed, reconsidered and revitalised. We need to see the experience of other countries.
Lau (right): Depends to what level. We need to take care of people’s needs and feelings.
5. Will you support universities to be autonomous or agree to the abolishing of the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971?
Tan: This must be studied thoroughly. See the best universities such as Harvard, and see how they do it. We are not even in the top 200 (universities in the world), so something must be wrong.
Lau: Yes. That’s my personal view. We need to review according (to) the current situation.
6. Will you support the idea of an Islamic state being established in Malaysia?
Tan: It cannot be because this is a multi-racial country. It must not be. It should never be established.
Lau: What’s the definition of an Islamic state? A lot of people are confused with that. This is the system now since independence, there’s nothing wrong with it. Everything is stated in the Federal Constitution.
7. Will you support the setting-up of the Inter-faith Council or a Non-Muslim Affairs Department?
Tan: That should be worked out. What’s the point if the Muslims don’t attend and be represented? What’s the point then?
Lau: Yes.
8. Will you support the call that the Anti-Corruption Agency be placed under Parliament?
Tan: We have always maintained that it should be independent and report only to the Parliament.
Lau: Yes. There will be transparency.
9. Will you support the idea of abolishing the Internal Security Act?
Tan: I was detained for a while in 1987 and 1988. There must be laws for all types of violence. ISA was designed to fight the communists. There are no communists now.
Lau: ISA was set during emergency. I believe the act should be reviewed.
10. Will you support public assemblies being held without needing to apply for police permits?
Tan: There should be peaceful assemblies by the people. There must be a genuine attempt for a peaceful demonstration, otherwise it will go violent. So the police and people must understand that a demonstration will be conducted peacefully. Assemblies are the start of democracy.
Lau: Depends on what kind of gathering it is.
11. Will you support the idea of fixing a minimum wage for workers?
Tan: This must be worked out carefully, the pros and cons. Rights of workers must be protected. There must be better ways to give voters decent wage. Changing minimum wage after (many) years doen’t make sense. That’s bondage!
Lau: Yes.
12. Will you support the idea of abolishing the New Economic Policy (NEP)?
Tan: We have always maintained this and to look into the policy and practice. There must be merit and need. Look at the situation such as the Orang Asli. Use meritocracy and they will be totally (left) out. How can people who live in jungle compare with people in town? How can they compete?
Lau: Yes, from my point of view.
