Wong Chen

Parti Keadilan Rakyat | Member of Parliament for Kelana Jaya

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Happy Birthday YB Hannah!

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A poem for YB Hannah Yeoh on her birthday.

When we ran for office you were there to promote,
When we started office you were there to guide,
When we engaged constituents you were there to introduce,
When we served constituents you were there to advise,
When we dealt with local authorities you were there to navigate,
When our community funds got frozen you defended our honour,
When we needed an ally and friend, you stood by us.

When the nation is directionless, you are a beacon of faith and hope in Malaysian politics.

Nuturing, enlightening, clean, competent and just all round awesome, Happy Birthday YB Hannah!

From the Kelana Jaya P104 Office

Early Morning Thoughts

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Good morning. I got to my office super early today at 8 am. Sometimes, I like to just have some alone time to think and reflect. My office starts at 10 am and my officers and interns will usually trickle in around 9.45 am. We start later than the usual 9 am because every Monday and Thursday, the officers stay until 10 pm; Monday is community service night and Thursday is for INVOKE Malaysia phone bank activity.

This morning, I have been thinking about corporate tax issues. At breakfast my super brainy wife and I were discussing the super charged US and Western stock markets (due to Trump’s recent massive corporate tax cut). I don’t believe that US corporations that are now paying almost zero tax by using tax havens, will be incentivised enough to stop the practice. As such, I am extremely skeptical that the recent corporate tax cut will generate social good (i.e. increasing the working class wages) via trickle down economics. I am also skeptical that it will result in US corporations closing down of their cheap factories in developing countries and create new jobs in US. These tax cuts will most likely result in the shareholders and CEOs buying more private planes, luxury homes and yachts.

From pondering this big issue, my mind wandered to something smaller. I was thinking about my poorer constituents in Desa Mentari. I had really enjoyed the late dinner event in Block 3 Desa Mentari last Saturday and wondered why is it that the poorer communities tend to be relatively more generous than the richer neighbourhoods.

This led me to re-read some litreature in my mini library on poor economics. Can we do something relatively cheap (since my office has no meaningful community budget) to give impact to urban poor children? On page 91 of Think Like A Freak, the writers told a story of researchers finding a link between poor eyesights and poor academic performance. This is something that I will assign my interns to look into this week.

Wishing all a productive week ahead.

Update: Pakatan Harapan Convention (Part 3)

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In the last hour of the convention, Pakatan Harapan made the following three major announcements:

1. PM designate will be Dr. Mahathir and Dato Seri Wan Azizah as the DPM designate;

2. Upon winning GE14, Pakatan Harapan will immediate seek a full royal pardon for Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and make him the immediate PM designate; and

3. All the Parliamentary West Malaysian seats have been settled with Bersatu to contest in 52 seats, PKR 51 seats, DAP 35 seats and Amanah 27 seats.

These are very significant announcements as they put an end to the disruptive ambitions of a pretender, resolves cleanly the history of Anwar & Mahathir and galvanised most of the Pakatan Harapan leaders to unite and prepare for GE14.

Kak Wan gave an emotional speech and Dr. Mahathir reciprocated by acknowledging the pain the Anwar family had to endure when Anwar was put in jail during his rule. Those in attendance were deeply touched by both speeches. It was a genuine and heartfelt reconciliation of the two leaders.

The earliest likely date for GE14 is late April or early May. The seat settlement in West Malaysia means that Pakatan Harapan can now concentrate and mobilise resources for at least 4 months ahead of GE14. In comparison, for GE13 seat negotiations went on until the 11th hour and even after agreement, PAS still reneged on 3 seats. In short, we are much more united and prepared this coming GE without PAS.

On the issue of PAS, Tan Sri Muhyiddin concluded that the boat has sailed for PAS to join Pakatan Harapan. He said PAS is committed to “berkhalwat” (close proximity) with UMNO/BN.

So for all the propaganda that the Opposition cannot bury the past and that we cannot negotiate in good faith, well today we have proven BN completely wrong. Najib, Rosmah and whoever who still wants to negotiate with PAS will have sleepless nights.

I went to the convention with low expectations and left fully rejuvenated and ready to take on UMNO/BN. Lawan tetap lawan!

Update: Pakatan Harapan Convention (Part 1)

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The convention kicked off at 9.30 am. It is being held in IDCC. Apparently Pakatan Harapan failed to secure the SACC hall. The SACC is wholly owned by the Selangor government’s PKNS.

Senior leaders led by Dr. M and Dr. Wan Aziziah walked into the hall at around 9.45 am. At the front of the pack were Mat Sabu, Lim Guan Eng and Muhyiddin. Azmin Ali made a short appearance and left the hall.

The morning session are speeches by representatives of youth, women, civil servants, Felda and farmers. Aishah the singer belted out a Malay traditional song. The event is expected to end at 6.pm today.