A total of 553 students were unable to enter any schools as there are no place for them at all the 12 schools in the district as the schools are full.

 

The sad thing is they will have to wait till end of the month after the education department here fix and iron out the space problems.

 

I visited the education department here and was told by Acting District Education officer Ahmad Rasyid and Schools Management officer Mohd Hj Nosu that at first there were 1,152 form students but after discussion with school principals the part of  the students were managed to be absorbed.

 

There are 4,145 space for form one students for the 2009 and there are 5,297 eligible from one students to be registered this year.

 

I was told the problem was known and steps such as cabin classes, ‘lightning projects’ at SMK Kinabutan were initiated but is yet to be completed. The 553 students do not include children from transferred government officers who are expected to register their children upon being transferred to Tawau. 

 

DAP Tawau branch complains bureau chairman James Leong, Teo Bun Ngee and me were swarmed with calls from desperate parents worried that their children would miss schools.

 

I am thankful for the 2.30pm appointment with the education department today so the matter could be clarified.

 

I was told the department will hold a meeting with all the school’s principal in the middle of the month and the 553 students would be able to be registered by the end of the month.

 

However, I am saddened this had happened, but we must resolve the problem and never let it occur again in future. Parents who were not well informed had been pleading to school’s principal to accept the children but turned away and this is a sad thing as the students will miss a month of education.

 

I urge everyone to poll their ideas to find a short term solution and not to let the students miss studies.

 

My idea is to let students attend any schools near their home and follow studies from outside classroom, a chair will do, at least they won’t loss much of the studies.

Sabah 7.5% Sales Tax – I will step down if CM can prove I am wrong

As I have said I will step down as Sri Tanjung Assemblyman if your honourable Chief Minister Datuk Sri Musa Aman can prove that the smallholders are not being taxed the Sabah 7.5% Sales Tax.

 

I had already highlighted the ‘error’ many times including at the State Legislative Assembly and even shown proves to the Chief Minister, Ministers and Assemblymen during the recent assembly.

 

It is the state government duty to correct what is wrong, I have come out with proves and many had also highlighted the matter in the news, but nothing is being done.

 

Therefore I put up this challenge and I will step down if CM can prove that I am wrong, and I hope CM too will do the same if he is wrong.

 

This is very important as it means the survival of the small and medium size planters and the whole oil palm industry. Even big companies in West Malaysia have already made statements that they are heading towards troubled waters. Planters in Sabah are even worst off with high fertilizer cost and the most taxes and the State Government cannot keep ignoring this and should act now before it is too late.

 

With the 7.5% Sabah sales tax still being erronously charged on planters and the government is not admitting the mistake I see another black history in the making of the agriculture industry. The first was cocoa where planters were left on their own by the government and one-by-one died and the cocoa industry was history for Sabah. I do not want to see the same thing happen to the oil palm industry and I will do my part to help.

On the price issue, I call the State Government to act immediately to help the oil palm sectors in the state that are now feeling the pressure and hard pressed due to the falling price of the commodity.

 

Without any concrete action from the government the situation will worsen and Sabah as the largest oil palm producers will become history.

 

I had many times urged the state government to review the 7.5% Sabah Sales tax imposed on the industry and had shown prove that the tax  has been passed to the smallholders no matter how small their plantation are.

 

If the situation is allowed to go on, it not only burden the planters especially smallholders but also make the state unattractive to investors.

 

I hope this issue will receive the government attention and drastic action as I had showed prove to the Chief Minister at the recent State Legislative Assembly that the planters including small and medium size oil palm planters are the one paying the 7.5% Sales Tax, though in the first assembly CM had told me that the government never taxed the small holders and only the big companies and I had proven to him that he got the wrong information.

 

With the Sabah Sales Tax matter coming to light and more people understanding the real situation, I hoped the state government would direct millers not to impose the 7.5% sales tax to planters and the tax be reviewed due to the drastic fall of the CPO (Crude Palm Oil) price.

 

Apart from that, the government should come out with a statement and explanation on what steps is being done, already done and will be done in connection with the fallen price of oil palm to help the industry.

 

The people in the oil palm sector and me would like to know whether the special committee to tackle the issue had been set up. If already set up, what had been done to address the situation?

 

I voice out on behalf of the oil palm industry and it should not be taken lightly as the price had gone down by about 70 percent compared to three months ago and cause loses not only to small holders but also big companies, millers, producers and fertilizer companies.

 

In fact, I am surprised to hear that a big listed company had to cut 20 percent of its employee’s salary following losses caused by the fallen price of oil palm. That was a few days ago, now many companies are either cutting cost by slashing employee’s salary or retrenchment. If no action is taken, I am sure the government plan to develop the Palm Oil Industry Cluster (POIC) will not bear fruit.

 

Massive Unemployment

The global economic crisis is real, every seconds count and immediate action must be taken to address and counter the drastic fall in CPO prices. Massive unemployment will happen in Sabah if the State government failed to listen and act positively and immediately.

 

In Singapore and other develop countries retrenchment in other sectors of their industry has already started as condition gets tough. This is because there is no remedy in the sector they are in.

 

Our oil palm industry could be helped, however without aid, our oil palm industry too will head the same direction, starting from cutting cost, slashing salaries then retrenchment, resulting in many unemployment.

 

This could be remedied, but steps must be taken such as:-

-reviewing policies

-reviewing CPO taxes and cess (Federal and State government)

-reduction of fertilizer high price 

-review the plantation workers’ levy

-review of the RM40 per tonne discount on CPO price for east Malaysia

 

The state government has the voice and platform and should request for a review on the CPO taxes and cess such as discount on MPOB oil cess and subsidy for fertilizers.

 

To set a good leadership example the state government should take the lead by reviewing its 7.5% Sabah sales tax which is the highest in the country.

 

We cannot afford to wait and see for the impact to happen, our oil palm industry could be help, don’t wait until there are massive retrenchment of workers, acting at that time would be too late as the damage had been done and the government will have to fork out more to help those affected by the economic crisis.

 

Without the help from the Sabah State Government the oil palm industry that has been paying numerous taxes and cess to Federal and state government will collapse and I for one do not want to see them die-standing without being heard and getting help from Federal and State government so that they could survive the global economic crisis.

Yours sincerely

Jimmy Wong 

 

 

Saya mencabar Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Aman untuk membuktikan yang pengusaha kecil sawit tidak dikenakan cukai jualan dan jika perkara itu terbukti saya sedia meletakkan jawatannya sebagai Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri. Tetapi, jikakalau Datuk Musa tidak dapat buktikan seperti apa yang saya katakan sebelum ini, saya harap dia juga akan letak jawatani.

Saya telah banyak kaili cuba menerangkan dan sampaikan bukti yang pekebun-pekebun kecil kelapa sawit dikenakan cukai Sabah Sales Tax 7.5%, tetapi Kerajaan Negeri tidak ada mengambil apa-apa tindakan langsung malah mengatakan saya yang salah dan cakap kosong. Sekurang-kurangnya siasat dulu dan kaji dawaan saya sama betul atau tidak. Saya kesal dengan sikap kerajaan yang tidak ambil serius masalah pekebun-pekebun kecil kelapa sawit yang terpaksa membayar cukai yang pihak kilang-kilang yang sepatutnya bayar.
Berapa lamakah perkara ini harus berterusan sebelum kerajaan negeri sedar tetang kesilapan ini. Kerajaan harus berani bertangungjawab jika benar kesilapan telah berlaku.
Pada masa yang sama Kerajaan Negeri harus juga bertindak segera membantu para pengusaha ladang-ladang sawit di negeri ini, yang kini terus tertekan ekoran berhadapan dengan masalah kejatuhan harga buah yang mendadak.
Tanpa tindakan dari pihak kerajaan, situasi itu tentunya akan menjadi bertambah buruk dan dikhuatiri, kegemilangan negeri ini sebagai antara pengeluar sawit utama negara akan tinggal menjadi sejarah.
Seperti kenyataannya sebelum ini di dalam akbar dan di Dewan Undangan Negeri, saya ingin mendesak kerajaan supaya mengkaji semula kadar cukai sebanyak 7.5 peratus yang dikenakan kerana ia bukan sahaja melibatkan pengilang, malah para pekebun kecil.
Jika perkara itu diteruskan katanya, ia bukan sahaja akan lebih membebankan mereka yang terlibat di dalam industri penanaman kelapa sawit, malah para pelabur luar juga tentunya tidak berminat untuk melabur di negeri ini.
Saya berharap perkara ini mendapat perhatian dan tindakan drastik kerana saya telahpun menunjukkan bukti kepada Ketua Menteri pada persidangan Dun lalu yang pengusaha kecil sawit juga sebenarnya terpaksa menanggung kadar cukai tersebut.
Pekebun-pekebun kecil dan saya berharap agar kerajaan segera mengarahkan pihak pengilang supaya tidak mengenakan kadar cukai tersebut ke atas para pekebun kecil.
Saya juga meminta Kerajaan Negeri supaya memperjelaskan langkah-langkah yang telah, sedang ataupun akan diambil berhubung isu kejatuhan harga sawit.
Saya juga ingin tahu apakah jawatankuasa khas mengenai isu sawit jatuh harga ini telah ditubuhkan seperti yang dinyatakan sebelum ini? Jika sudah ditubuhkan, apakah yang telah dilakukannya berhubung kejatuhan harga sawit ini?
Apa yang disuarakannya itu haruslah diambil perhatian kerana kejatuhan harga sawit yang kini mencecah kira-kira 70 peratus berbanding tiga bulan lalu, bukan hanya merugikan para pekebun kecil, tetapi juga syarikat-syarikat besar, pengilang dan pengeluar serta pembekal baja.
Malah apa yang mengejutkan saya apabila mendapat tahu bahawa sebuah syarikat besar yang tersenarai di dalam Bursa Saham, turut terpaksa bertindak memotong 20 peratus gaji pekerjanya ekoran kerugian akibat dari kejatuhan harga buah berkenaan.
Jika tiada tindakan bagi mengatasi masalah ini diambil, saya yakin perancangan kerajaan seperti untuk membangunkan Program Palm Oil Industry Cluster (POIC) tidak akan berhasil. Justeru, lakukan sesuatu bagi membantu mereka yang terlibat di dalam industri ini.

Klik gambar thumbnail untuk baca. Petikan akhbar ini Datuk Tawfiq jelas menyatakan ’sales tax’ adalah untuk CPO. Saya sudah mengajukan perkara ini ’sales tax’ atau cukai jualan dimana peladang-peladang kecil dan peladang-peladang kelapa sawit tidak seharusnya dikenakan cukai. Ini adalah kerana mereka menjual buah kelapa sawit/Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) dan bukannya CPO (minyak sawit). Jadi yang patut kena cukai adalah pengilang atau pengusaha CPO dan bukannya peladang. Tetapi cukai ini telah di kenakan kepada peladang-peladang oleh pembeli-pembeli/kilang-kilang. Saya rasa perkara ini seharusnya dikaji semula. Mungkin tanpa kerajaan sedari, pengilang-pengilang telah mencukai peladang-peladang yang menjadi mangsa untuk membayar ’sales tax’ bagi pihak pengilang.

It is clear from the news, Datuk Tawfiq said the 7.5% sales tax is only for CPO (Crude Palm Oil) but then why are the planters being taxed. They are producer of FFB (Fresh Fruit Bunch) and not CPO. I feel the government had overlooked the matter where the millers are ‘passing the buck’ to the planters. The planters, small or big are at the mercy of the millers, I hope the matter woul be straighten out as soon as possible.

 

Dear Voters of Sri Tanjong N57

VOTE FOR OPEN SPACE

VOTE FOR A VOICE THAT SPEAKS UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS

VOTE FOR DAP

Open space is your space. Keep it for your family and the future generation.

Government agencies are duty bound and entrusted by you to protect open space.

It is an abuse of your rights when the very government entrusted with this duty signs an agreement to let a company to make profit by building shops on our open space.

The government can easily stop this abuse. Their leaders come and make empty promises. The government can easily gazette the open space. They failed to do this.

The lame duck YB, Mr. Samson Chin of BN failed to protect your rights. He once said if this issue is not resolved, it will cost him this election! To date, this issue is still not resolved. So, you know what to do.

Where was Kong Hon Min when you needed a voice? He has been a member of almost every political party and having tried his luck and failed to get elected in so many other places he now comes to fish for your vote in Sri Tanjong.

I have always been around. I have spoken up for Tawau. I will continue to do so.

But I need your support.

I am not seeking personal power in this election.

I am speaking up for the people of Sri Tanjong N57.

DAP is not attempting to form the next Sabah State Government.

Support DAP so that your voice can be heard.

I have always spoken up on issues that I think are important to people of Tawau.

Remember the hunger strike? I did it not for my pocket; it’s for your power and electricity!

I will not keep quiet

This election is not about me

It is all about you. Do not let them continue to ignore your rights.

Do not accept a dumb representative. You have a choice.

We will not keep silent.

We will not allow a few people to make huge personal profits

Say NO to abuse of open space

This election is your opportunity to exercise the power in your hands.

You only get this chance once in 5 years

Exercise your democratic rights as people of Sri Tanjong N57

This is a referendum on open space

Give them your verdict by coming out to vote on 8 March

Send them your message before it’s too late.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

VOTE FOR DAP

Jimmy Wong Sze Phin

Candidate for Sri Tanjong N57

Come March 8, 2008, the people of Tawau will have to decide who they want to defend their basic rights and most important to voice-up injustice, their plights and problem to the government at the State Cabinet. The decisions is in your hand on polling day. 

Pada March 8, 2008, penduduk Tawau akan membuat pilihan siapa yang mereka mahu untuk mewakili mereka dan mempertahankan hak-hak asas dan yang paling penting untuk menyuarakan ketidak adilan, kesukaran dan masalah kepada kerajaan di Kabinet. Keputusan di tangan anda pada hari mengundi.

DARE TO DEFEND PUBLIC PROPERTY

BERANI MELINDUNGI HAK ORANG AWAM

Here are the DAP 2008 Election Manifesto in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese. Click on the Thumbnail to read the manifesto.