FACE TO FACE: Tony Pua
26 May, 2008
Frankly speaking, I would not know. It certainly wouldn't be the end of UMNO and it's too early to talk of its effects. Political organisations have the ability to rise from the ashes, and, in this case, should not be discounted.
Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob is a trained lawyer and Malaysian political commentator. He writes for numerous international newspapers and online journals as well as hosts Face to Face, an interview segment of Malaysian/regional issues and personalities hosted on Malaysia Today. He also serves as Foreign Correspondent for foreign news organisations.
Tony Pua, Oxford educated and polished. They call him the Whiz kid. Face to Face gets the self-made millionaire, newly elected Member of Parliament and economic advisor to the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to speak out on the gut issues.
1. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: Are you satisfied with Parliamentary sessions so far? What issues did you want to see debated but wasn’t?
Tony Pua: While I wish that there will be more time set aside to actually “debate” issues instead of making cursory mentions, I understand that there are 222 Mps in the parliament and the depth of discussions may often have to be curtailed.
In addition, I noted that issues which were more technical were often not raised, resulting which the Ministers are able to get away with superficial answers during the question time or the response to MP's statements. This will include more specific issues relating to the economy or say, information technology.
The nature of where parliamentarians come from will also mean that agriculture gets much more air- time than the manufacturing industry, although proportionate, the latter employs some one-third of the country's labour force versus 10% from the former.
2. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: It’s been over two months since DAP won big in the 12th Malaysian General Elections. What’s your observation of DAP’s/Pakatan Rakyat’s progress thus far?
Tony Pua: DAP as a party, has pretty much been absorbed into leading the state government in Penang, and participating in the coalition governments in Perak and Selangor.
As a result, co-ordination and policy-making has been pretty much decentralised due to the nature by which each of the above states are run. In addition, with the states being led by different parties – DAP, PKR and PAS, it will mean elements of differences in terms of policy approach. This is not necessarily a bad thing in that each of these states will have their unique requirements to meet, and friendly competition is always healthy to create the best policies.
3. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: What are the developments in your constituency of Petaling Jaya Utara?
Tony Pua: Over the past 2 months I have met up with most of the residents' associations and rukun tetangga committees in Petaling Jaya, and there are many!
Most of the problems faced are associated with local council issues, crime and security. While I have a full-time service offering assistance to residents on local council issues and will continue to entertain them, I'm thankful that many of the local residents' associations are understanding towards the responsibilities of an MP being first and foremost in Parliament.
I'm encouraged that quite of few of these associations have offered to first lodge these complaints directly with the local authorities while keeping us in the loop, and only request for our action if the authorities did not take the required actions.
4. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: I put it to you that Pakatan Rakyat is faltering in keeping with its promises and DAP in particular is raising the ire of the Malays in attacking its institutions and ideals? Comment?
Tony Pua: Heh, a question meant to stir the hornet's nest ;-)
The DAP is consistent in its position that we act in the interest of all Malaysians, Malays definitely included. When certain institutions, such as the New Economic Policy, which purportedly acts in the interest of Malays, are criticised by the DAP, it is because these institutions have failed to protect the interest of Malaysians, Malays included, and have sacrificed the interest of the groups which the institutions were meant to protect.
For example, if the current set of policies breeds cronyism and corruption which only benefits certain wealthy and influential segments of the society, then it is in the interest of the people, as well as Malays, that DAP puts a stop to the gravy train and puts forward alternative policies which will benefit the people particularly those in need. And if Malays form the bulk of the poor, then such improvements in policy will benefit Malays the most.
5. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: The Muslim-Malay majority still views the DAP as a Chinese chauvinistic party that’s supportive of Singapore-an image only made stronger with recent events. What’s your view?
Tony Pua: The Chinese chauvinistic perception of the party is partly due to its racial composition which is majority Chinese with significant Indian participation. We do have the largest representation of Indian MPs and ADUNs in the country.
In my opinion, while much is still desired in attracting greater participation amongst Malays, what is important is that the principles and policies of the Party protects and promotes the interest of all Malaysians without bias. An Indian prime minister who looks after the concerns of ALL Malaysians, is definitely preferred to say, one belonging to the majority race but only looks after parochial interests. It is important for the country to move towards a “colour blind” society.
6. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: How can DAP work with the Islamic Party (PAS). Isn’t this a political game of convenience, playing out supporters from either side?
Tony Pua : We will work with PAS and any other political parties on matters in which we have common grounds on such as good governance and anti-corruption. Our position on the constitution has always been clear, and we will not hesitate to protect the interest of the people. Hence this working relationship is a “political game” to bring out the greater good which can be created by introducing transparent and accountable policies.
7. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: If we are to take Anwar Ibrahim’s threat to topple the Government seriously, it raises ethical issues. And if the Barisan Nasional does collapse, Pakatan Rakyat’s government may also be weak with the spectre of UMNO and BN working to again entice Members of Parliament to change shirts. Is that good for Malaysia?
Tony Pua: The position of DAP is very clear, and I certainly personally support the party's policy against party hopping. We have stated outright that should an anti-hopping law be introduced in Parliament, all things equal, we will support the legislation.
8. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: What is your estimation of Tun Dr. Mahathir’s resignation and its effect on UMNO? Can PM survive? End of UMNO?
Tony Pua: Frankly speaking, I would not know. It certainly wouldn't be the end of UMNO and it's too early to talk of its effects. Political organisations have the ability to rise from the ashes, and in this case, should not be discounted.
9. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob : Can the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) recover lost ground with the Malaysian Chinese vis a vis DAP?
Both MCA and MIC can certainly recover their lost ground should DAP fail in our bid to fight for the interest of the rakyat. Having been presented opportunities to lead in Penang government and participate in the Selangor and Perak governments, it is critical that DAP proves itself to be more transparent, accountable and ultimately more competent than the previous BN parties.
Maintaining our position isn't an impossible task, but we must not let ourselves be complacent with the fact that the ball in on our court.
10. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: Let’s review the state of the economy. It seems now that the political instability as far as Malaysia is concerned despite the boom in commodities/strong consumer demand is overshadowing and having greater negative impact on the Malaysian economy. This begs the question whether the lacklustre economy post-elections is first and foremost a result of political uncertainty due to Pakatan Rakyat’s continued political tussle with Barisan Nasional. Care to comment?
Tony Pua: The lacklustre economy has absolutely nothing to do with politics between BN and others. The lacklustre economy has everything to do with the weak economic management by the BN government accentuated by the global economic downturn.
For an economy which announced a record budget and expenditure for 2008 based on record revenues collected by the Government, it is clear that the manner in which the government expenditure is allocated leaves plenty to be desired. A substantial portion of the revenues collected are unfortunately wasted on projects and activities with little economic multiplier effects e.g., on government operations (as opposed to development expenditure).
The lacklustre economy is also a function of the economy's over-reliance on the oil and gas sector which drives the macro economy of Malaysia, but doesn't trickle down to the masses. On the other hand, the manufacturing sector, which employs more than 30% of Malaysians is languishing and expected to grow by a miserly 1.8% this year (according to Bank Negara Malaysia).
11. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: What’s your assessment of the government’s food security initiatives and attempts to rein in inflation?
Tony Pua: To date, there has been some positive sound bites coming from the new Domestic and Consumer Affairs Ministers, Datuk Shahrir Samad, particularly on the fact that the government is reviewing its price control mechanism that doesn't only not control prices, it exacerbates the problems faced by consumers.
The minister's freeing up of the steel price control as well as opening up the sector to open competition is much needed and welcome.
However, such policies my work in conjunction with other lob-sided government policies which favour selected private corporations in making astronomical profits such as toll concessions as well as the independent power producers. Reducing toll rates as well as electricity tariffs can be achieved if these unfair contracts are revised, and will certainly go along way towards taming inflation in Malaysia.
12. Imran Imtiaz Shah Yacob: What’s your message to the Malaysian people?
Tony Pua: I hope that the March 8th general elections will serve as a platform for Malaysians to look beyond race and religion as a factor in politics, and use this opportunity to promote a truly multi-racial, multi-lingual society which at the same time protects the freedom of religion as enshrined in our constitution.
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