Invitation: Chinese New Year Open House

MCA Bagan Division, Youth Section & Wanita Committee
Cordially Invite All residents
To Attend Chinese New Year Open House on
05-02-2012(Sunday)，11.00am-1.00pm
at MCA Bagan Division Premises
4234,Jalan Kampong Benggali,
12200 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang.

Tel : 04-332 4545 Fax : 04-331 3182
Blog : http://mcabagan.blogspot.com
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/mcabagan
Email: mca.bagan.division@gmail.com

A night of fun and festivity

TENS of thousands of people jammed-packed Jalan Raja Uda in Butterworth, Penang, to attend two mammoth events held in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year.

In welcoming the Chinese Lunar Year of the Dragon this year, dragon dances and dragon-themed structures were the main attraction at both events.

Over at the Tow Boo Kong Temple, a bottle-constructed ‘Ambient Dragon’ sculpture and a giant inflatable ‘Flying Dragon’ took centre stage during the Miao Hui (Temple Fair) 2012 there.

Over at the Tan Si Eng Chuan Tong Clan Association on Jalan Kampung Paya nearby, a mammoth crowd attended the Bagan MCA division’s Chinese New Year Carnival 2012 celebrations.

MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who opened the event, joined about 1,300 line dancers in a brief dance stint before checking out the many activity booths and stalls.

■ Healthy activity: Liow (in red, right) , Dr. Tan Chuan Hong (Organising Chairman), MCA Bagan Division Chairman Loo Khay Thye, Bagan Barisan Nasional co-ordinator David Chua (next to Liow) and Sum Yoo Keong joining the line dancers during the Bagan MCA Chinese New Year Carnival at Dewan Tan Si Eng Chuan Tong on Jalan Kampung Paya, Butterworth.

Led by line dance instructor Lily Tan, the participants, who danced to 20 songs, came from as far as Taiping, Parit Buntar, Sungai Petani, Kulim and Alor Setar.

Liow also witnessed a dragon dance presentation, wushu and karate-do demonstrations as well as several Chinese cultural dances by Super Shape Fitness Centre, Tadika Kaliber and pupils from SJK(C) Kwang Wah Butterworth.

Some 40-odd children from private tutoring institute, Tan Educations from Taman Riang, Butterworth, captivated the audience through five endearing dance performances.

In keeping with the 1Malaysia spirit, the people were treated to several traditional Indian and Malay dances, as Liow later cut and distributed a 1Malaysia cake prepared by the state Information Department.

There were also several booths providing health care products and services, while the 1Malaysia Community Alliance Foundation was at hand to take down public complaints.





Popular Chinese comic characters Lao Fu Tze and Big Potato as well as the Health Ministry’s Germ Buster mascot also posed for photos with the people.

Liow later presented 5kg bags of rice to 251 needy senior citizens from the Bagan parliamentary constituency.

from The Star, Tuesday January 17, 2012

By DERRICK VINESH & HAN KAR KAY

more photo at : http://www.facebook.com/mcabagan

BN Bagan unstoppable public service

THE Bagan Barisan Nasional coordinator David Chua said that the Bagan MCA service centre on Jalan Kampung Bengali in Butterworth would be opened from noon to 5pm Monday to Sunday to receive the BR1M forms .

He said applicants could also submit their forms at the service centre of Bagan Dalam BN coordinator M. Karuppanan located on Jalan New Ferry from 10am to 5pm.

Bagan MCA had given away 25,000 BR1M forms in the constituency and had received more than 5,000 forms back, he added.

Chua, who is also the Bagan MCA division Youth head, said this after handing over 2,000 applications forms to the Inland Revenue Board office at Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam on Friday.

Karuppanan also submitted about 2,000 forms which were collected by his service centre while Bukit Mertajam MIC division head Datuk K.R. Murugaiah handed over 2,500 forms.

Under Budget 2012, the Government has allocated a one-off cash assistance of RM500 for households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and below under the scheme.

The deadline for the application to be submitted is Jan 10, next year.

For more details, call 04-8296 269/2268207/016-4788383.


Mobile centre filled to the BR1M

At a separate event, Bukit Bendera Barisan Nasional mobile service centre in Penang, which was set up to help the people with the application and submission of the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) forms, has received overwhelming response.

Air Putih Barisan Nasional coordinator Tang Heap Seng, who is also Bukit Bendera MCA division chief, said some 100 people had turned up to enquire and collect the forms.

He said the service centre, which was jointly set up by him and Bukit Bendera Barisan Nasional coordinator H’ng Chee Wey, was aimed at creating awareness on the RM500 one-off aid.

“Since the mobile service centre was set up in Air Itam on Friday, we have been receiving overwhelming response from the public,” he said.

The public could submit their forms personally to his service centre on Lorong Sempadan Dua in Air Itam on every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30am to noon, he said on Saturday.

He said another counter for the BR1M scheme was set up in Reservoir Gardens on Sunday from 9.30am to 10.30am.

At the mobile centre on Friday, H’ng said: “I have also prepared a photocopy machine here to photocopy the MyKad and payslips of the applicants on the spot,” he said.

He had distributed some 20,000 application forms so far.

One of the residents in Air Itam, Lee, 61, lauded the duo’s efforts.

“I can obtain the form and brief other applicants on details about the scheme,” she said.

Retiree Ooi Ah Lang, 63, said the RM500 aid would come in handy as it would ease some financial burden during the Chinese New Year.

“It is also convenient for retirees like me when there is a mobile service centre in the neighbourhood,” he said.

A consultation counter for BR1M scheme application was also set up at Taman Lumba Kuda on Saturday.

Early Yuletide cheer for 500 guests at special dinner

SOME 500 people were treated to an early Christmas dinner outside the Bagan Dalam Barisan Nasional service centre on Jalan New Ferry in Butterworth, Penang.

The dinner was jointly hosted by Bagan Dalam Barisan coordinator M. Karuppa-nan and the Special Affairs Department which is under Information Ministry.

The guests, comprising people of various races and religion, were from the Bagan Dalam state constituency.

The fine weather was a contributing factor in attracting the large crowd for the event on Saturday night.

Karuppanan said he was glad with the large turnout and hoped those present would vote for the constituency’s Barisan candidate in the next general election.

He took the opportunity to remind the people that photocopied Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia forms could be used to apply for the one-off RM500 aid.

He said he had received reports of someone spreading rumours that photocopied forms were disallowed.

“Please do not believe the rumours as photocopied forms are allowed,” he said.

Karuppanan said his office would be open every day from 10am to 5pm and additional staff had been deployed to help out in filling the forms.

Also present at the dinner were Penang MIC chief Senator Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah, Bagan MCA Youth chief David Chua, Bagan PPP chief N. Arumugan and state PPP Youth chief Andrew Rajah who is also Jasa information officer.

Warm reception

By DERRICK VINESH

TRADERS and shoppers at the Apollo Market along Jalan Raja Uda snapped up 1,500 units of the biodegradable bags in less than 30 minutes when the Penang Barisan Nasional members began distributing the items during their walkabout in Bagan, Butterworth.

Penang Barisan Nasional working committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the overwhelming response caught many of the coalition leaders by surprise.

“The response from the people in the Bagan parliamentary constituency was encouraging. They also opened up to us about some of the problems that they face,” he said after leading a group of about 50 Barisan members to the market yesterday.

■ Handy gifts: Dr Teng (in blue, second right) with Gerakan vice-chairman Ong Thean Lye (right), Chua (second left) and Sungai Puyu Barisan Nasional coordinator Sum Yoo Keong (fourth right) distributing the bags at Apollo Market.

Dr Teng, who is also the Penang Gerakan chairman, said some of the traders voiced their concerns about the poorly maintained infrastructure at the market.

He said the market had been in existence for nearly 60 years but there was no improvement done to make it more comfortable for the traders and shoppers alike.

A spokesperson for the traders, Ong Kim Seah, said the 500 members there hoped that the Seberang Prai Municipal Council could repair the leaking roofs, clean up clogged drains and reduce traffic congestion.

“We hope the state will allow us to continue trading here and we also hope the Federal Government will help us obtain funds to improve the infrastructure at the market,” he said.

During festive seasons, the number of traders there would increase to above 700.

Barisan’s Bagan parliamentary constituency co-ordinator David Chua said many poor residents living in state government-owned flat units here were finding it hard to settle their monthly rent.

“There seems to be no proper mechanism in place to help the needy in Bagan despite Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng being its Member of Parliament,” he said.

Chua, who is also the Bagan MCA division Youth head, said the state government’s annual RM100 aid to the senior citizens had good intentions but it did not serve any real purpose because the blanket disbursement also reached those who did not need the money such as the rich elderly folks.

“It is a case of not spending wisely. The needy should be given priority instead. There are also several squatter issues here such as in Jalan Telaga Air, Jalan Siram and Raja Uda. The problem remains unresolved,” he said.

Penang MIC chairman Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah said there was hardly any development taking shape in Bagan.

Bagan rises to the occasion

Bagan MCA Youth is literally going to town with the Jalur Gemilang in the Bagan parliamentary constituency.

Bagan MCA Youth chief David Chua, who is also the Bagan Barisan Nasional (BN) co-ordinator together with Sungai Puyu BN co-ordinator Sum Yoo Keong and Bagan MCA Wanita chief Teh Lay Cheng and several MCA members distributed the Jalur Gemilang in the constituency.

★ Patriotic duty: (From right) Dhingaran, Chua and Bagan MCA vice-chairman Sum Yoo Keong (fifth right) and other BN coalition party members affixing the 'Jalur Gemilang' onto a vehicle at Jalan Raja Uda in Butterworth, Penang.

Also present to lend support was state MIC Youth chief J. Dhinagaran who also helped distribute the flags.

The group, acting in response to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s ‘Fly the Jalur Gemilang’ campaign, also raised 100 of the Malaysian flag at shophouses along Jalan Raja Uda in preparation for the country’s 54th Merdeka Day.

Chua said the campaign in the constituency kicked off yesterday morning with the group distributing 500 mini Jalur Gemilang flags to 500 pupils of the SJK(C) Chung Hwa (II) in Taman Bagan, Butterworth.

“We distributed the flag to the pupils to teach the younger generation to honour and respect our flag and to love our country, as the future of our country lies in the hands of our youth,” he said.

Chua added that the campaign also saw the group giving away 300 mini flags to motorists at Jalan Raja Uda.

Report from The Star. North Metro Tuesday August 23, 2011

1BAGAN Beach carnival fun for 2,000

Click to view album

MORE than 2,000 people thronged Pantai Bersih in Butterworth to join in the 1Bagan Beach carnival, which was organised by the Barisan Nasional’s Bagan division.

The weather was perfect as it was sunny for the various outdoor activities.

The crowd began to gather as early as 7am around the area near the Butterworth Outer Ring Road rest and recreational area in Bagan Ajam. Many took advantage of the weekend and brought along their family members to have fun.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong who kicked off the event, said the carnival was one of a series of programmes organised by the coalition to reach out to various communities.

“This carnival is a platform to build a closer rapport and to promote national unity among the various ethnic groups in light of the 1Malaysia concept envisioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” Lee said.

Present were the event organising chairman David Chua who is also the Bagan Barisan coordinator, Sungai Puyu Barisan coordinator Sum Yoo Keong, Bagan Jermal Barisan coordinator Maggie Teh and Penang MIC chief Senator Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah who is also the Bagan Dalam Barisan coordinator.

The activities began with a tai chi morning exercise and line dancing in which more than 500 people took part while about 300 children got themselves busy in a colouring contest.

Among the participants were representatives from Federal Government agencies and about 20 private non-governmental organisations.

Other events included an angling competition, a photography contest and free medical examinations.

There was a host of other exciting activities and among them were two volunteers from the Civil Defence Department who performed stunts in their motorised para-glider.

There were also various traditional dance performances.

Bagan Ajam residents all for 1Malaysia clinic

■Bagan Ajam residents holding placards showing their displeasure at Penang exco member Phee Boon Poh for claiming that 1Malaysia clinics were a waste of resources by the government. — NST picture by Mohamad Danial Mohamad Saad

BUTTERWORTH: Residents of low-cost flats in Bagan Ajam yesterday vented their fury on DAP assemblyman Phee Boon Poh for questioning the existence of 1Malaysia clinics during the recently concluded state assembly.

The residents, who staged a peaceful protest, said the state welfare, health, caring society and environment committee chairman should realise the important role played by the clinic and what it meant for the low-income earners.

They carried placards during the 30-minute protest in front of the Bagan Ajam 1Malaysia Clinic here.

Petty trader Emelia Saidin, 30, said she and her family found it convenient to seek treatment there instead of going far away for treatment.

“We thank the Federal Government for offering such services to the poor,” she said.

Housewife M. Parvathy, 59, who sought treatment for a cut on her left hand, said she paid only RM1 at the clinic.

The residents, Ibrahim Othman, 55, said the clinic was a boon to the poor as they could get outpatient treatment at a nominal RM1 fee.

"The clinic is a blessing for us as we no longer have to seek treatment at private clinics or pharmacies for slight illnesses."

His statement was echoed by resident M. Parvath, 54.

He said he no longer needed to travel for half an hour to the nearest hospital for his basic health check-up as it was available at the clinic.

"It saves us time and travelling cost. Why should someone question its existence?"

It was reported that during his winding-up speech at the state assembly on Monday, Phee had described the 1Malaysia clinics as a waste as there were already health clinics around to provide the people with proper services.

He said the clinic was a mismanagement of resources by the government as they were only manned by hospital assistants and not doctors.

Bagan Barisan Nasional coordinator David Chua said the Health Ministry had initially refused to open the clinic there.

“But, I appealed to the ministry because there are many poor people living in the Taman Tun Sardon and Taman Pantai Bersih flats and in several nearby villages,” he said.

Chua said Phee had not visited the clinic since its opening about three months ago.

“Phee should apologise for running down the clinic,” he said.New Straits Times. 2011/05/12
The Star.Metro

Land a RM13,000 first prize in fishing competition

MORE than 1,000 people are expected to take part in the Karnival Pantai 1Bagan fishing competition on May 22 offering RM13,000 cash as first prize.

The event is to be held from 7am to 4pm at the Butterworth Outer Ring Road’s rest and recreational area in Bagan Ajam.

The first runner-up will receive RM4,000 cash and the second runner-up RM2,000 while the fourth and fifth placed winners will take home RM400 each.

The sixth to 10th, 11th to 20th and 21st to 30th placings will each receive RM250, RM150 and RM80 respectively, and other gifts.

Organising chairman David Chua, who is also the Prime Minister’s Department Implementation and Coordination Unit officer for Bagan, said various events had been lined-up for the event, which would be officiated by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong.

“Sports, recreational and heath events such as tai chi, line dancing, colouring, photography and medical examinations have been organised for the day-long event.

“The highlight of the event will be the search and rescue demonstration at sea by the marine police using a helicopter,” he told a press conference.

Chua added that government agencies and about 20 private and non-governmental organisations were involved in organising the event.

For further details on the fishing competition and early registration, call Shaiful Amry (012-4676766). For other details, contact Chua (016-4184898).


The Star | Thursday May 12, 2011

Free eye checks for two schools

PUPILS from two schools in Butterworth got free eye checks in a programme organised by the Rotary Club of Butterworth.

Six volunteers from the club spent more than three hours at SK Assumption and SK Kuala Perai recently to conducts the tests. There are 240 pupils in SK Assumption and 170 in SK Kuala Perai.

The programme, which included food for the pupils, was funded with a RM2,000 allocation from the Prime Minister’s Department that was channelled through Barisan Nasional’s Bagan co-ordinator David Chua.

Club president Khor Meng Chong said the club would sponsor the spectacles for pupils who were recommended to wear them after the test.

“We have been conducting the programme for the last five years to help needy pupils,” he said.

Khor said the club also organised other yearly events such as water awareness programmes for schools, festivals of joy for children in orphanages and medical camps.

“We also give out hampers to the needy during the major festivals, wheelchairs to deserving patients, and school bags, uniforms and shoes to poor students,” he said.

SK Kuala Perai headmaster Zainalee Ibrahim thanked the club for selecting the school for the programme.

He said this was the first such programme held in the school.

Thousands attend police do

The first-ever Penang police contingent Chinese New Year open house was a smashing success with thousands of people attending the festive event in Sungai Ara.

Heavy rain, which had battered the site in the early afternoon, abated just before cars started to arrive, leaving a comfortable, cool atmosphere that lasted the whole night.

The open house site — covering a basketball court and a surrounding open space on Jalan Sungai Ara 1 — was transformed with massive tents erected around a large stage and seating area.

And at 7.30pm, the food started to be dished out. There were rice with rendang, curry chicken and achar (pickled vegetables), ikan bakar (grilled fish), laksa, rojak, satay, fresh fruits and a variety of kuih.

There was also long lines for koay teow basah (fried rice noodles in gravy) and ais kacang.

“This is my first time at an open house. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough food, but there’s plenty and the hospitality is great,” said Cangkat Sungai Ara resident Scott Choo, 31.

While scores of people sat at tables or on stools enjoying the food, groups of performers took to the stage to provide the entertainment.

Among the memorable acts during the night were performances of 24-season drums, wuhsu and lion dances on high stilts.

The crowd was then treated to a colourful fireworks display that lit up the night sky for five minutes.

In his speech, state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said he was heartened by the number of visitors who came dressed in their Rukun Tetangga, Volunteer Patrol Squads and Community Policing uniforms.

“This is a positive sign that many realise that it takes a collective effort to keep Penang safe,” he said.

Other guests included Penang MCA deputy chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun, Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Seri Hilmi Yahaya, Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad and Barisan Nasional co-ordinators David Yim (Bayan Baru), Wong Mun Hoe (Pantai Jerejak) and Goh Kheng Sneah (Batu Uban).

The open house on Sunday was co-organised by the Southwest District Residents Association.



Over in Butterworth, more than 300 people thronged the Chinese New Year open house hosted by the Bagan MCA division.

The event was held outside the Bagan MCA division office and it was well attended by several leaders from the Barisan Nasional component parties and, also residents living in the area.

The highlight of the event was the ceremonial tossing of yee sang, which created a festive atmosphere.

Bagan MCA division chief Loo Khay Thye said he was delighted to see the big crowd.

He also took the opportunity to thank Barisan Nasional coordinator for Bagan, David Chua, for obtaining a federal allocation of RM10,000 to replace the water pump at the low cost flat at Taman Pantai Bersih in Butterworth.

- The Star - Metro North

DPM: Govt fair to all states

GEORGE TOWN: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the federal government had always been fair in its treatment of all states, including Penang and others under the Pakatan Rakyat rule.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the federal government’s policies and projects had benefitted everyone and called on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to be fair to the people in the state regardless of their race.

He said Barisan Nasional had never side-lined Penang and the state had benefitted from the success of National Key Results Area (NKRA) initiatives.

“We have achieved almost 100% of the NKRA targets and Penang was not left out.

“We will continue to develop Penang because the rakyat need our assistance,” he said at the state Barisan Nasional Chinese New Year open house at the Penang Chinese Town Hall on Sunday.

Lim was also present at the function.

Muhyiddin urged Lim to be fair to Malays, Indians and Chinese.

“Serve the people of Penang - the Malays or Chinese or Indians. Give them the opportunity to do business as they want to earn a living by themselves,” he said, adding that the state government should provide opportunities and encouragement to entrepreneurs to earn a living instead of preventing them.

“I know that Penang is under the opposition government, but what is important is that the opposition makes a commitment to help the people just like Barisan, which has made a commitment to bring progress to the people without bias,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the government wanted to make sure that its initiatives touched all levels of society but stressed that efforts to develop the nation was not solely the responsibility of the federal government.

“If we want to become a developed nation by the year 2020, we must foster closer relationships between all races,” he added.

He said the government was trying its best to ensure that the delivery system was efficient as it realised that the people wanted to see results.

Those present at the function included state Barisan chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Penang MCA chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, state MIC chairman Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah and several state exco members.

Free haircuts for Taman Mesra folk

SOME 40 residents from the Taman Mesra flats in Bagan Lallang, Butterworth, were thrilled when they received free haircuts, courtesy of the Penang MCA’s 1Bagan mobile service team.

The residents eagerly waited in line as a female hairstylist engaged by the service team trimmed their hair.

■ Snip, snip: A child having his hair trimmed by a hairstylist during the community service effort at the Taman Mesra flats in Bagan Lallang, Butterworth.

Many school-going children grabbed the opportunity to get themselves a haircut during the event on Boxing Day before the new school term began earlier this month.

Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua Teik Siang said the activity was part of the team’s monthly community service programme for the parliamentary constituency.

“We are pleased by the strong turnout. A total of 88 residents underwent free medical screening tests. We also registered 103 new voters,” he said.

The half-day event was participated by representatives from the Seberang Jaya Hospital, state Welfare Department and the Employees Provident Fund.


from : The Star.Metro.North January 25, 2011

1Bagan Mobile service team's first community service

WHEN the 1Bagan Mobile service team conducted its first community service, they only expected a handful of people to turn up at the Tow Boo Kong Temple in Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth.

But they were proven wrong when more than 125 people thronged the temple premises to take advantage of the free medical checkup, which included sugar level and blood pressure screening, from 8.30am till noon on Sunday.

Bagan MCA Youth chief David Chua said eight volunteers from the Segi Nursing College on the island conducted the medical check-up with help from Sungai Dua government health clinic representatives.

"The state Welfare Department also sent a six-member team to register the poor for welfare aid. More than 20 people registered for welfare aid on that day."

"At the same time, the Election Commission also set up at booth and managed to register about 100 new voters." he said in a press statement on Monday.

Chua, who is also Bagan parliamentary Barisan Nasional(BN) co-ordinator, said MCA members from the Bagan division turned up in full force to help.

click to view album 按此观看照相簿

The Star.Metro 09.09.2010

MCA division sets up service team to help needy folk

COME tomorrow(28 August), the Bagan MCA division in Penang will launch the 1Bagan Community Service Team aimed at helping the people.

Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua said the team would be going around their divisions to register new voters and provide assistance to single mothers, the handicapped, poor and needy.

“Representatives from the Federal Government together with the state Welfare Department, state Health Department and Election Commission will be present at the launching.

“It will be held at the Tow Boo Kong Temple on Jalan Raja Uda from 8.30am,” he told a press conference at the Bagan MCA division headquarters on Jalan Kampung Benggali.

“Even though Barisan Nasional lost some of the seats in the last general election, we are still committed to helping the folk,” he said.

Also present were state MIC liaison committee chairman Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah, Bagan MCA Wanita chief Teh Lay Cheng and Bagan MCA division vice-chairman Sum Yoo Keong.

Chua, who is also the Barisan Nasional parliamentary co-ordinator, said the service team would go around the Bagan constituency looking for people to help.

Subbaiyah praised the people’s outreach programme to be carried out by the Bagan MCA.

■ Bagan BN 1Malaysia mobile service project committee members (seated from left) State MIC Chairman Datuk PK Subbaiyah, Bagan BN Parlimentary Co-ordinator David Chua, Bagan MCA Vice-chairman Sum Yoo Keong and Bagan Jermal Constituency Co-ordinator Teh Lay Cheng discussing during the meeting as other committee members looks on at Bagan MCA office in Butterworth yesterday.

Saturday August 28, 2010 . The Star

MCA: Resolve ‘Allah’ issue fast

PETALING JAYA: Christian groups want the issue over the use of the word Allah in Christian publications to be resolved as soon as possible, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

“The MCA presidential council held a dialogue with the Christian Federation of Malaysia last week and the non-governmental organisation felt there was a need for the issue to be resolved as soon as possible,” said Dr Chua in a press statement.

He clarified that the MCA did not share the same stand with the DAP on the call to lift the ban on the use of “Allah” by non-Muslims.

Dr Chua explained that the MCA was only voicing out the wish of the NGO because the issue had not been resolved since it was brought up last year.

“We are not making the same stand as DAP. We only want the Barisan Nasional government to resolve the issue as soon as possible so that it will not be exploited further by the Opposition,” said Dr Chua.

The MCA president was responding to a statement yesterday by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who said he did not understand why the MCA, as a component party of the Barisan, had joined the stand taken by DAP in calling for the ban on the use of the word Allah to be lifted.

“The (Barisan) component parties agreed it (the issue over the use of the word Allah) should not be debated any more, as it will heat up matters that have since cooled down.

“It is best not to start the issue again. Consider the interest of the public and not the interest of any specific group, be it a political or administrative group,” the Deputy Prime Minister told a press conference after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Youth Development meeting here yesterday.

He was commenting on calls by several parties that Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein lift the ban on the use of the word Allah in Christian publications.

Muhyiddin said it was best that all parties leave it to the courts to decide.

The Star - Wednesday August 4, 2010

BN ideas on the table

By WINNIE YEOH

THE Penang Government will adopt a non-political approach to resolve the Rumah Hijau longhouse issue in Mak Mandin. A total of 66 families there have refused to relocate to another place.

State Town and Country Plan-ning, Housing and Arts Commit-tee chairman Wong Hon Wai said he would look into the proposals submitted by state Barisan Nasional leaders and also the financial implications.

“The leaders explained the history of the longhouse issue and the state government needs some time to look into the matter,” he said after a one-hour closed-door meeting with state Barisan leaders in Komtar on Friday.

Among those present were state MIC chairman P. K. Subbai-yah, Bagan Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Latiff Mirasa, Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua, state exco member Lim Hock Seng and some 20 residents.

Some of the residents are unhappy that they have to move to other flats in Ampang Jajar, some 3km away from the longhouses.

Last November, 170 of the 236 families there accepted the keys to their flats.

The remaining 66 families, who declined the offer, have chosen to remain in their village while demanding that the state build a block of flats within the village.

Abdul Latiff said there was an understanding between the previous state government and the residents that a block would be built there.

“The state government is quite sympathetic and is looking seriously into resolving the issue.

“The residents will stay put until a solution is found,” he said.

Chua said Barisan leaders told Wong and Lim to study minutes of the previous meetings as it could shed some light on the issue.

“The state government has agreed to check and get back to us,” he said.

Subbaiyah said there was a letter dated June 13, 2007, from the previous state govern- ment stating that the residents would be allowed to live there but there was no follow-up action.

The Star - Monday April 5, 2010

Drawing people together

IN the spirit of 1Malaysia, Bagan Barisan Nasional (BN) organised a Juara Rakyat programme in Mak Mandin in Penang recently which attracted about 1,000 people from all walks of life.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of food hampers comprising rice, biscuits and other items to 250 poor people.

Bagan Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Latiff Mirasa gave away the food hampers.

The event kicked off with an aerobics session at 7.30am which drew residents and leaders of political parties.

Viewa photo album

Bagan parliamentary constituency coordinator David Chua said many people participated in the various activities held on that day.

He said residents of Mak Mandin flats also took part in a fire-fighting drill to equip them with basic knowledge in the event of a fire.

“Residents also enjoyed multi-cultural performances such as silat, lion dance and BharataNatyam,” he said.

Many children also took part in a colouring contest.

Also present at the function were Bagan MCA chairman Loo Khay Thye and Bagan MCA Youth vice-chairman Sum Yoo Keong.

from : The Star