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Monday, October 13, 2014

DREAM ON! ‘People now feel MCA’s sincerity’ - Wee

DREAM ON! ‘People now feel MCA’s sincerity’ - Wee
Question: What has been your focus since returning to the cabinet?Answer: There are 607 Chinese new villages in the country, comprising traditional new villages, kampung baru rangkaian (new village clusters) and fishing villages. My focus is to ensure the infrastructure of all these villages is well taken care of.
I visited these new villages to understand the situation on the ground. I have visited 38 new villages and, after each visit, I had an overview, particularly on how infrastructure projects were being carried out. Whatever projects that need to be carried out must be on a cost-saving basis. I have cut down allocations for “distance claims”, as most of the projects are handled by village development and security committees (JKKK).
Another focus is on the classification of the new villages. The characteristics of new villages are different from each other. There is a need to reclassify the types of new villages, so we can address their needs effectively. We are getting Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman to research the characteristics of the villages. The data can be utilised later.
I also introduced social programmes because I do not believe infrastructure development alone can meet the aspirations of the villagers. We want to connect the villagers to the authorities via JKKK. Instead of just approving projects, we are using another approach. We want the villagers to decide what types of projects are required.
For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), although I was assigned to take care of Chinese SMEs and micro-credit, we are not serving only the Chinese. We are ready to help the Indians and Bumiputeras, too. I believe that by improving the SME sector, we are helping the Chinese community, as the majority of them is involved in the sector.
We have formed the Secretariat for the Advancement of Malaysian Entrepreneurs (Same) recently. Same will act as a channel of information between 15 ministries and 61 government agencies for local entrepreneurs to establish a one-stop centre for information dissemination and leadership for trade associations.
It is also to assist entrepreneurs in embracing technology, cut reliance on foreign workers and strengthen businesses to be globally competitive.
Question: What were your significant achievements over the past 100 days?Answer: My first achievement, where new villages are concerned, was cutting down on the cost of projects and ensuring that the final outcome was not substandard. I provided a direction for the new villages with the social programmes implemented, as well as put villagers in a position where they can determine the projects to be carried out in their villages by next year.
On SMEs, we connected SME associations and chambers of commerce, at the state level and district level, with the government. Most importantly, whatever input we obtained during town hall meetings was utilised in the formulation of new strategies.
Question: What is your key performance indicator for next year?Answer: We will make sure there is an 80 per cent level of satisfaction, based on surveys and social programmes, for projects implemented in the villages. Also, the reclassification of villages will help in formulating a new village master plan. We have to examine the current strategies and see whether they are still applicable, and what new strategies can be introduced.
For the next two months, we will work with the relevant agencies to facilitate SMEs. Next year, we plan to have more expositions and gatherings for SMEs and we want to launch directories compiled for them.
Question: Is MCA now, under the new leadership, more acceptable to the people, particularly the Chinese community? How is MCA connecting with the grassroots to ensure it is relevant?Answer: Party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and I have travelled around the country to meet members of the public. So far, the response has been encouraging. Liow has also gone to all states to talk with Chinese assemblies and trade organisations. People are starting to appreciate the new MCA leadership.
Additionally, consultative sessions for the 2015 Budget were held with the Chinese community and, as a result, a joint memorandum was submitted to the government. I think the people can now feel the sincerity of MCA.
Question: Malaysia was recently hit by two of the worst airline disasters in history. You have been part of the team handling the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 tragedy, especially in the repatriation of victims. How has it been dealing with the victims’ families, the media and making sense of the horror that took place?Answer: The most unforgettable was the process of engaging the families. I remember when the incident happened and it took me more than 10 days to visit every family of the victims to gain their trust. I was later sent to assist in the repatriation of non-Muslim victims.
The process for the first batch was the most difficult. I went to the mortuary every day, and the hotel to meet the next of kin. I met with ambassadors to check on the progress of the process and to make sure all the remains were returned home.
Question: How do you see Malaysia’s position at the global level as we are nearing 2020? Will our development goals be achieved?Answer: Yes, we will be meeting our goals and that is why, as far as SMEs’ position is concerned, we need to enhance their contribution to the gross domestic product, which is at 33.1 per cent. We need to enhance it to 41 per cent by 2020.
The per capita income will increase and more job opportunities will be created. A balanced society, not only in terms of income but also social aspects, will take place.
We also do not want to see the new villages being left out of the process.
Question: Do you feel that under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Malaysia is progressing towards the 1Malaysia concept? Is it harder for political parties, especially Barisan Nasional component parties, to convince the people that they are doing the job, particularly in the social media sphere? Answer: We need to improve our weaknesses, especially on social media. It is easy to tarnish the image of the ruling party via social media. Nowadays, people assume that all information on social media is true. Trust is not there and, therefore, we have to improve in this aspect.
Najib is far-sighted and has the vision to carry the country towards a more harmonious future, where we talk about 1Malaysia as being about inclusiveness. That is why during the cabinet reshuffle in June, I was appointed to the look after the Chinese community’s interests. The prime minister is concerned about the wellbeing of all races in the country. -NST

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