FT minister fails to satisfy PR members

Source: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=40117 (By Husna Yusop, 11/11/2009)

Federal Territory and Urban Well-Being Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin was grilled in the Dewan Rakyat by several opposition MPs today when he delivered his winding-up speech for the ministry. Replying to points raised during the debates on Budget 2010, Raja Nong Chik spoke for more than two hours as the unsatisfied MPs took turns to stand up and asked for his explanation on certain issues.

Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), Dr Lo’ Lo’ Mohd Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa) and Wee Choo Keong (PKR-Wangsa Maju) asked him about the problems of illegals working as traders in their areas. They also queried him for declining to hold a meeting with all the opposition MPs in the Federal Territory, like what the previous minister had done. "The previous minister had a meeting with all of us within a month of us being elected. This was then followed by a retreat. But, in your case, we are upset because you only agreed to meet Bandar Tun Razak (PKR MP Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim)," Lo'Lo' said.

"Why is that? Are we second class MPs?"

Raja Nong Chik said what matters to him is he could solve the people’s problem and the ministry does its work accordingly, not whether he meets the MPs or not. "I have met several MPs from the other side when I went to the ground, like Titiwangsa, Lembah Pantai (PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar), Kepong (DAP’s Dr Tan Seng Giaw) and Bandar Tun Razak. "I have asked to meet Seputeh (DAP’s Teresa Kok) to solve the squatters problem there. My meeting was to solve the people’s problems. There is no need to have a meeting with all the MPs if in the end we could not solve the people’s problems," he said. On the illegals, Raja Nong Chik said they are under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Department but the ministry has acted against some of them with regards to the issue of trading licences. "However, we also received requests from local traders to allow foreigners to help them with their business in the markets. So, we have to find the middle way and enforce the law with wisdom," he said.