Choo Ching Yee
Malaysiakini

Candidates Lee Hwa Beng (MCA), Loh Gwo-Burne (PKR) and Billi Lim Peng Soon (Independent) are eying the Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat.

They will have to win over 79,649 voters, of whom the majority are Malays (41.9 percent), followed by Chinese (38.7 percent), Indians (17.9 percent) and others (1.5 percent).

Lee (centre in photo), the former Subang Jaya assembly representative, has been active in politics for 12 years.

Loh (left in photo), 34, has been involved in business and is making his debut in elections. His only claim to fame comes from his testimony as the maker of the video of the infamous Lingam tape.

Lim (right in photo), 57, is fondly known as the ‘Failure Guru’, the dare-to-fail motivational speaker who shows people how to pick themselves up. He previously contested in the Bukit Bintang parliamentary seat in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysiakini poses 12 questions on national issues to them, continuing a series that canvasses the views of election candidates.

1. Would you support the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission?

Lee: Of course this is (a) government-appointed commission, (otherwise) what’s the purpose of having the commission? I’m very surprised (that) the government is not implementing it. They (have) spent so much time on (it). These are views of the people.

Loh: I think there are many problem in the police force today. (It would be) very useful to have something like that [...] only if the complaints bureau has the power to act. (Otherwise we) might as well not have it. (We’d be) wasting time and money.

Lim: Yes. 100%

2. Would you support local council elections?

Lee: I’ve made a public statement (on this).
(In a report in The Sun on July 22, 2005, he had welcomed this but said there is little anyone can do about implementation, since it is a government policy.)

Loh: Well, I believe that the local council should be represented by locals instead of just bringing (over someone) appointed. If local people are given the opportunity [...], grievances will be solved more efficiently. They would have their ear to the ground.

Lim: I’ve been calling for this for some time. We should support the election of local councillors, as election would produce better leaders.

3. Would you support Petronas’ accounts being made public?

Lee: Yes, because Petronas is (a) company (created) by an Act of Parliament to collect royalties on behalf of (the) government. (Its accounts) should be made public.

Loh: Yes. Definitely. Oil reserves belong to (the) people, not to any institution or group of people.

Lim: Yes. (They’re) accountable to (the) public. Crude oil prices are increasing yet (they) still need to reduce subsidies. I think we should (know) exactly what has happened in this case.

4. Would you support the retention of subsidies for fuel and other essential items?

Lee: I will support (it for) oil. (This is) because we are net exporters of (crude) oil. We should use the revenue to subsidise (the retail price).

Loh: Well, it’s essential to have subsidies for certain crucial products. It’s useful to control inflation (which) may (otherwise) go out of control. Everybody knows we have oil reserves [...] (as for) other essentials like sugar, ensure (that the) price (is) at a reasonable level.

Lim: It depends. Doing this for the sake of doing it (will mean that) everybody becomes subsidy-minded. The way it’s given must be standardised. Subsidy must be used correctly.

5. Would you support autonomy for universities and the abolition of the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) 1971?

Lee: We have to look into amending it. There are good reasons for UUCA. Students should study as (their) first priority (but) allow (them some) leeway. Amend (the law) but don’t abolish it.

Loh: Basically, I think awareness (in) politics should be created at a young age. I would agree.

Lim: I remember (that) I was studying when this Act (was passed). (Students) are at (the) university level; they know how to think. This Act should be abolished.

6. Would you support Malaysia becoming an Islamic state?

Lee: We accept (that) Islam is Malaysia’s official religion. (However), MCA does not accept a theological Islamic state.

Loh: Basically, (it’s) not practical at this point. We are a nation with three main races. As long as (the) constitution remains the same, as long as there are other races in Malaysia, we should respect everybody. I seriously doubt that the legal system would be able to function properly if (an) Islamic state is established. All previous laws (are) based on common law.

Lim: No. You see this country (is) multi-ethnic (and) multi-religious. Our country has never been Islamic in the first place. I believe in people having (the) right to practise their religion. Religion is something personal; this shouldn’t be (caught up) in politics.

7. Would you support the creation of an Interfaith Council or a Non-Muslim Affairs Department?

Lee: Definitely. Very good. All the major religions are found here. I support the Interfaith Council.

Loh: There are a lot of difficulties. Who’s to solve (the) problem? An Interfaith Council would be (a) good way to start. For example, there have been cases of body snatching (in conversion cases). Problems crop up during the funeral. Where do we go to solve issues? If (we) go to the Syariah court, (the ruling) would be biased.

Lim: (It is) better to have an Interfaith Council. I think (it’s) very important. Dialogue is the least they can (undertake).

8. Would you support the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) being placed under Parliament?

Lee: (This) have to (be) studied further. It may become too bureaucratic to move fast. (When) politicians get involved, everything (has) to go through (them). (It) will be too slow.

Loh: Well, theoretically ACA should be made more accountable. I think the ACA should be held accountable for so-called investigations. If it is under Parliament, I’m not so sure (that can be achieved as) the majority will always rule. I’m not so certain that will have any positive effect. So, I think the ACA might need wider powers. I believe (we) should somehow make ACA truly independent.

Lim: Yes. (ACA) should be neutral. (Otherwise), everybody will accuse it of being corrupted.

9. Would you support the abolition of the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA)?

Lee: I think a lot of countries (are (have enforced similar laws) after the rise of terrorism, (including the) UK and US. I think all of us support the ISA to combat terrorism and also inter-racial disharmony. But we must have clauses to prevent abuse (of the law).

Loh: I would support abolition. (It’s) being abused by (the) administration.

Lim: My relative was detained under the ISA. Many (of my) friends during the student uprising were (also) put under the ISA. That was going too far. I’ll support its abolition.

10. Would you support public assemblies being held without the need for a police permit?

Lee: No. Because sometimes racial politics prevail. DAP claims (to be) multi-racial but they still depend on Chinese votes. During election campaigns, everyone has to apply for police permits.

Loh: I need to see both sides of the argument on this. Given that our administration has a serious habit of totally ignoring the (people’s) grievances, I would support (this).

Lim: No doubt (we) want things to be done in a secure way. (When) we (plan to hold a) ceramah, (we) waste a lot of time getting a police permit. It’s something like saying ‘The cat is given authority to take care of the mouse’. People care for the (the) safety of (the) people. A solution has to be found to have a peaceful assembly. Lately, the police have been quite cooperative.

11. Would you support a minimum wage for workers?

Lee: The human resources ministry has appointed me as chairperson of the national minimum wage council for private security guards. I have completed (the) report. I’m in favour of raising the minimum salary. It shouldn’t be rigid (as) it makes business impossible.

Loh: Well, the problem in fixing minimum wage would be implications for inflation. If you lift the ceiling, it would have some implications. But if you fix wages while maintaining subsidies for essentials, you can control inflation. How far would you want to want to raise the minimum wage? Many people believe we should have a certain minimum wage. The question is at what level it should be.

Lim: I think, on this matter, we have to support a minimum wage (and) see how (it) is implemented.

12. Would you support the abolition of the New Economic Policy (NEP)?

Lee: I think even Umno has admitted (there) should be (a) timeframe for NEP. There (must come a) a time (when) it has to be stopped.

Loh: I actually think the NEP [...] not such a bad thing. Clearly certain groups of people are impoverished. The question (is) should (the NEP) be racial in nature? I disagree. It should be extended to poor people of all races. The NEP now serve the powerful more than (the) poor people. (We) seriously need to revamp it so help goes to the needy and not the wealthy.

Lim: It’s one thing to help the so-called less competitive community. It’s another thing to have a blanket policy. It seriously needs revision. It has created discontent. This does not augur well for the unity that we talk about. (Being given) everything will not make people strong (enough to survive on their own.) Certain people need (help). (The NEP) should be for all communities.