DAP fails to slash Ka Ting’s ‘gaji buta’
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 29, 2006
Beh Lih Yi

The opposition failed in their bid to slash RM10 from Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting’s salary over his ‘unsatisfactory performance’.

When tabling the motion at the Dewan Rakyat today, Tan Kok Wai (DAP-Cheras) accused Ong, who is also MCA president, of ‘makan gaji buta’ (getting paid without doing work)

He claimed that the overall performance and integrity of local governments under the minister’s purview have deteriorated to the extent of ‘posing a threat’ to the public.

“The minister has been in office for seven years since December 1999. Sadly, the minister has makan gaji buta throughout the years with no policy achievement to boast about,” he argued.

Tan cited 10 reasons as to why the minister should be censured. These included corruption, lack of transparency and the misuse of public funds.

He also said the increase of crime, floods, landslides, dengue cases as well as the lack of cleanliness in streets, drains and washrooms warranted the pay cut.

“Ong’s seven years of makan gaji buta as the housing and local government minister, numerous policy failures and his inability to reform the local authorities have had grave consequences for the security, health and living standards of all Malaysians.

“He surely deserves a RM10-cut, if not sacking from the cabinet,” argued the opposition MP.

BN MPs to the defence

When the motion was open to debate, MPs from the ruling Barisan Nasional criticised the opposition for ‘wasting time’ as a similar motion against the four frontbenchers in the Education Ministry was also shot down on Monday.

The MPs also voiced their support for Ong. One of them Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) claimed that it was deliberate attempt by DAP to tarnish the minister’s image as the general election is approaching.

In his winding-up, Ong said the pay-cut motion was not an issue as his “conscience is clear” and that he has worked sincerely for the people.

“You (Tan) are blaming me for everything from floods to toilets, you just stop short of blaming me for rape cases.

“DAP knows the general election is coming and that is why they are attacking the MCA, but the best way to attack the party is to go after the president directly (and not through his ministerial portfolio),” he said.

The motion was defeated with the majority voice.

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