CONSTITUENCY NEWSLETTER

Issue #9, July 2017 First parliamentary session of 2017 | Welfare month | SS19 free medical camp INVOKE Kelana Jaya phone bank sessions | P104 “Wonder Woman” movie fundraiser | Staff and interns

Wong Chen | Member of Parliament for Kelana Jaya Pusat Khidmat P104 Kelana Jaya Newsletter Issue #9

TÊTE-À-TÊTE: A FOREWORD FROM

My dear constituents of Kelana Jaya, Supply (2016) Bill 2017, the Bankruptcy

(Amendment) Bill 2016 the We have come to the mid-year of 2017 Self-Employment Social Security Bill and this is my ninth newsletter to you. 2017, the Tourism Tax Bill 2017, My team and I will continue to produce Consumer Protection (Amendment) a newsletter every six months to Bill 2017, and the Strategic Trade update you on our works and services. (Amendment) Bill 2017. A notable Parliamentary Duties change for me personally is the fact that in the last sitting, I gained some I am very happy to report that I had a goodwill and respect from several fruitful and successful Parliament senior BN Members of Parliament session from 6th March to 6th April (MPs) from and . 2017. After four years of refurbishment, the main hall was finally As I mature as a Parliamentarian, I am completed in time for the March learning the importance of setting sitting. As for the seating arrangement, I have been given a good aside political animosity when in visible seat in the middle of the Parliament. I have taken a new Opposition block. As usual, I diligently approach of openly sharing points and attended every Parliamentary sitting, positions on these bills with any MP spending an average of 10 hours a day who truly cares about public policy there. I also took part in the historic making. This is personally very 3.00 a.m. session when UMNO-BN fulfilling for me. I have been extremely engineered the debating hours to pessimistic in the last three years enable Hadi Awang to speak on the about the lethargic lawmaking process 355 motion. in . I want to see a Parliament that treats these bills with respect, to For the last sitting, I delivered key be logically and vigorously debated; speeches on the Supplementary not just blind rubber-stamping of

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legislations. Meeting MPs from both sustainable into Q2 and Q3. As such, sides who care enough to put some we can only make a better call effort into the bills gives me hope that sometime in September 2017 when the all is not lost in our beloved nation. Q2 numbers are published. The accepted wisdom is that the macro However, there is one clear narrative numbers will take about six months to emerging from this current slew of a year before they are felt by the bills: the federal government is facing people on the ground. While the macro a massive cash-flow crunch. This numbers are rosy, things on the ground austerity is forcing all ministries to are still grim. We all have had a quiet pursue deep cuts. This austerity has CNY and an equally quiet Hari Raya. also seen a more aggressive Shops and restaurants in our office tax-collection campaign. This neighbourhood have closed in the first cash-flow crunch can actually be six months of the year, despite having averted if the Government focuses on a spanking new LRT station in the combating corruption and wastage, immediate vicinity. Even no-frills something that will never happen as mamak shops are complaining of a long as MO1 is in charge. 10% drop in customers and a 10%

increase in operational costs. Economic Issues On the national front, the 1MDB The state of the Malaysian economy in scandal continues to haunt MO1 and Q1 2017 is good compared to YOY 2016. his wife with the latest DoJ report. This The Ringgit has settled from plunging haunting in fact hurts our overall further down; however, it has yet to economy as the rest of the world now show any signs of real recovery. sees the country as being completely Capital spending has picked up paralysed by corruption and impunity. robustly. On the negative side, inflation As long as the authorities continue to has also gone up. The overall big macro be in denial and refuse to take action data is encouraging but analysts are on 1MDB, we can expect the divided if these good numbers in Q1 are international community to continue

2 Pusat Khidmat P104 Kelana Jaya Newsletter Issue #9 to shun us. This is clearly evidenced by April 2017. This event basically sealed the continued sell-down of Malaysian the growing friendship and trust government bonds by foreign between Hadi Awang and . institutions in Q1, from 35% holdings to In April, BN seemed almost ready to call 25%. for a snap election in September 2017, secured by a three-cornered fight The big hope of mega Chinese scenario. However, that mood has investments to pump prime the somewhat changed with uncertainties Malaysian economy in 2017 seems to on political support levels in the last two have deflated somewhat. The TRX land months. INVOKE Malaysia has project saw a very public termination consistently published surveys to show of terms with a Chinese GLC. The that even in a three-cornered scenario, imposition of capital controls by China there is no clear winner for GE14. on its own companies has also severely INVOKE also noted the dwindling dampened the Chinese-led housing support levels for PAS. In an April survey projects in . The only bright spot conducted on FELDA areas, INVOKE seems to be the signing of the showed that UMNO is also losing Geely-Proton deal, but on closer support in its “fixed deposit” seats. inspection, it is clear now that Proton Coupled with a public quarrel at FGV, was basically gifted to Geely, and Najib is now not likely to call a snap Geely now has the enormous task of election in September 2017. The smart reviving the fortunes of Proton. money is now on a March 2018 election.

Political Issues On a personal front, my office continues to be very supportive of the efforts of The biggest issue to dominate the INVOKE and urge all to join and support domestic political scene in the last six them. INVOKE is a non-partisan months continues to be Hadi Awang’s political volunteerism movement. so-called “hudud bill.” The bill was Please do visit their site at read and partly debated by Hadi www.invokemalaysia.org and get Awang with the support of BN on 6th involved.

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Community Front After the disclosure, we finally got a In the first six months of this year, I response: the government attended 67 community programmes. has recently taken steps that have I want to thank both my ADUNs, YB resulted in our inability to continue our and YB , all Bulan Kebajikan welfare programme the councilors, JKP members, and for the poor. We will continue to community leaders for their hard engage the Selangor Government to work and enthusiasm in organising resolve the matter and keep you programmes in Kelana Jaya. updated on developments. We intend to continue the practice of full My office is unfortunately currently transparency and accountability in all embroiled in a quarrel with the that we do, including this ongoing issue with the Selangor government. Selangor government on an audit that was supposedly conducted on Lastly, I am aware of the many my office spending in March 2016. My challenges ahead for the 2nd half of office only received the report in 2017. My officers, interns, and I will take February 2017, eleven months later. these challenges in good stride and We objected to both the process of deal with them with sincerity and the audit, which we deem was done integrity. We will continue to fight for without due process, as well as the your rights and to push for greater findings, which we refuted as discourse on public policy. In short, we baseless. The Selangor government will continue to put in all our efforts to then proceeded to stonewall my office make Malaysia a better and fairer for three-and-a-half months, despite place for all. my office issuing four letters to them.

Having given them a final 14-day Yours sincerely, notice to reply to my letters (which the

Selangor government yet again failed to respond to), we then disclosed via Facebook our objections to the audit.

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MARCH/APRIL 2017 PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS UPDATE

GENERAL UPDATES

The March/April 2017 parliamentary However, as the session winded down to its session started out well enough—bills final days, parliamentarians suddenly were assigned to different MPs to found themselves bombarded with nine debate on, with Kelana Jaya originally bills, bringing an astounding total of 12 bills tasked with researching the to be debated within the last two days of Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2016 and Parliament. Stamp (Amendment) Bill 2016. While the latter was later withdrawn, YB The second-last day of the session Wong Chen went on to deliver a key dragged on to 5.00 a.m. in order to speech on the former, and accommodate the RUU 355 motion, a new participated in debates on other bills, record for the Dewan Rakyat. including the Supplementary Supply (2016) Bill 2017. Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, it did not end there. On the final day of the Most notable for this sitting was the Parliament, bleary-eyed MPs were Sexual Offences against Children Bill confronted with the motion to debate the 2017, a long overdue law that promises amendments to RUU 355, implying that the to protect children from sexual slew of laws earlier was merely tabled to predators; for the first time in a long exhaust MPs into submission. while, politicians from both sides of the divide united to support the passing of So is this how democracy ends, not with a the bill. bang but with a whimper?

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THE RUU 355 “DEBATE”

“Tak berani! Tak berani!” Hadi Awang’s contentious Private Member’s Bill, aka RUU 355, to the “Takut! Takut!” next sitting.

“Kuasa disalahgunakan!” After Hadi tabled RUU355 at noon, (PAS) was allowed “Dewan Rakyat apa macam ini?! Apa to speak for 1.5 hours. He extolled the ini?! Memang hari PAS dengan UMNO virtues of the proposed bill and je lah hari ini! Islam ke macam ni?! paused only for interjections from Tak beri kita berhujah?!” UMNO MPs supporting his speech.

These shouts from outraged In reply to PAS, MPs Opposition MPs marked the end of had coordinated for Rafizi Ramli the March/April 2017 parliamentary (PKR) to speak first, then Mujahid sitting. Having stated that he Yusof Rawa (AMANAH) and Gobind “[didn’t] want to be a bloody fool,” Singh Deo (DAP). Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin used his power as Speaker to But there was no such debate; only defer debate on Hadi Awang’s shouts of outrage.

“I cannot express in words how unfair the whole proceeding was. If UMNO and PAS are so adamant that this 355 is good for the country, why are they so afraid to even debate us?”—YB Wong Chen

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COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND UPDATES IN AND ABOUT KELANA JAYA

THE SS19 FREE MEDICAL CAMP 2017

The office had its annual free medical Thanks to our cooperative, efficient camp on the 5th of March 2017, a little volunteers, the camp served 142 earlier than usual, and this time, it was residents, most of whom were children. at the SS19 low-cost flats. A shout out of appreciation to Medical The camp, organised in collaboration Outreach PJ, the doctors, the with Medical Outreach PJ and YB pharmacists, the medical volunteers, Hannah Yeoh’s office, provided free P104 and N31 staff and volunteers as medical consultations and medication well as the SS19/7A Rukun Tetangga for to the urban poor of Subang Jaya. your hard work!

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JUNE 2017 WELFARE MONTH

As per custom, our office ran our Unfortunately, due to unavoidable welfare programme in June 2017 to circumstances, our office was forced to provide financial assistance to the suspend the programme this year. hardcore poor of Kelana Jaya. Last year, 792 applicants came through our As of the suspension date, we completed doors, most of whom reside in Desa interviews of 361 applications. The Mentari, Kg. Lindungan, and Desaria. breakdown of the data is as below.

Others Medical (20.22%) (25.21%)

Elderly (13.85%) OKU (19.94%) Single parents (20.78%)

Breakdown of applications according to category

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OFFICE EVENTS AND UPDATES OF PUSAT KHIDMAT PARLIMEN KELANA JAYA

INVOKE: KELANA JAYA PHONE BANKING SESSIONS

Every Thursday evening, the office encourage people to vote in the next runs a phone banking session in general election. collaboration with INVOKE Malaysia. With the help from our enthusiastic To all our volunteers, you are beyond volunteers, the sessions aim to recruit inspiring. Thank you for reminding us that more volunteers for INVOKE and there is good worth fighting for.

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“WONDER WOMAN” MOVIE FUNDRAISER

For P104, it is tradition to hold two of whom have never had a real cinema movie fundraisers a year, all in the experience, with the help of two name of keeping our service centre in nonprofit organisations, Malaysian continuous operation. To appease our Care and Community Transformation inner comic book enthusiast, we chose Initiative. Each and every one of these to watch “Wonder Woman” on the 2nd seats were sponsored by our of June 2017 at Golden Screen kind-hearted supporters. Cinemas, 1 Utama. We would like to express our sincerest As with every fundraiser, the support gratitude to everyone who helped us we received was incredible beyond make our fundraiser a success. Your words, culminating in a total of unwavering support humbles us and RM19,700 raised from the ticket sales we promise to continue to serve the and donations. 98 seats were also nation to the best of our abilities. allocated for the underprivileged, most

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THE INTERNS OF PUSAT KHIDMAT PARLIMEN KELANA JAYA

SEAN TAN MEGAN KWAI MELISSA DARSHINI

My time as an intern with YB I vividly remembered my first The experience I have gained Wong Chen was insightful and day as an intern - it was in from my time with Wong meaningful. It was a very Parliament. Chen’s office has been interesting experience being nothing short of an able to observe and be I was nearly late and I had a invaluable one. I particularly involved in the work of a Milo stain on my pristine white enjoyed serving in the parliamentarian. I was able to blouse. Everything was a blur. community events that were see first-hand and be involved All I remembered was being so held. I even got an in the process of drafting taken-aback at seeing a herd opportunity to draft a policy as well as scrutinise of Bambi’s just chilling within business plan for a laws tabled by the the compounds of Parliament. community tuition centre in government. It was at the same time Desa Mentari. In terms of perplexing and astonishing. policy, I was able to research Aside from learning about how on areas of free education an MP is involved in the But the fun did not stop there; and income inequality (if you process of national politics, it my internship experience was are ever interested in the idea was also eye-opening to see indeed a colourful one! I got to of free education or even how an MP can positively cosplay, show off my labour rights—I recommend impact everyday lives of amateurish dancing moves on the documentary ‘Where to ordinary people in his Facebook Live, and catch a Invade Next’). constituency through various chicken. welfare programs aimed at The office atmosphere was supporting the urban poor. Besides all the fun and games, very warm and welcoming, While I was there the office was this internship was really something I missed the most involved in raising funds for valuable to me for it did after I had finished my 3 individuals in need, and impact me in ways I never month internship! All in all, I collecting donated computers thought possible. am grateful for the for Sister Stella which she opportunity to experience needed for teaching children The journey that everyone and learn new things. in her community. takes here is itself … magical.

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JOEL LIM CALVIN TAN ALYSSA YEO

I first came into P104 in “It’s going to take time.” Wong Chen’s internship January by accident, but “What is?” program has given me the as Master Oogway from opportunity to experience a ‘Kung Fu Panda’ once said, “Changing the whole nation, different reality scope that that is,” he said rather “There are no accidents”. was inaccessible before. It cryptically. Why is he telling us this? I thought as I fidgeted has taken me on a personal I was mostly there to help in my seat. tour of the political sphere in out with video work and Malaysia, and in turn I have “I am telling you this because I was given the freedom to amassed great and valuable changed my way of thinking. I come up with ideas as well used to treat interns like any knowledge to carry with me as help out Tania for the other boss—little more than for the rest of my life. Monday Night Chat office help. Nowadays I streams, before it actually try to train them,” he With the chance to hone my switched to the sighed. research and policy-writing pre-recorded format. skills, I was able to produce a “Train them in what?” paper about an issue I felt

Interning at P104 also strongly about: women’s “I told you it’s going to take helped me see the current time. That’s why I am reproductive rights under the state of politics at the teaching you interns how to guidance of extremely highest level. YB Wong think critically—what do you capable personnel who Chen is also an easy going think those policy papers are assumed the role of mentor person, that’s always for? I tell you what it means to for the duration of the willing to answer any be a politician, what the internship. government is doing because questions you may have. I want to change your perspective. The young This immeasurable exposure people are the catalyst for is certainly a rarity few change in this nation, and I experience, thus I thank the put my hope in them. It’s not office for giving me this going to happen overnight privilege. and it never will.

“No, I am not some starry-eyed idealist. I am just trying to do my part and move on.”

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DAVID LEONG RETNA ALYSSA CHUA LEE SHIN HUI

My time at YB Wong Chen's Interning at YB Wong My month-long internship at office has been magnificent. Chen’s office was the YB Wong Chen’s office was Within these two months, I perfect way to end my gap truly rewarding, as I gained have had the honour of year. From going to not only immense insight into visiting Parliament, meeting parliament to participating the convoluted world of the country's leaders, and of in community work around Malaysian politics but was Kelana Jaya, I experienced course, serving our fellow also able to directly so much more than I’d brothers and sisters of contribute to it. Indeed, days anticipated. I was also Malaysia in the Kelana Jaya at parliament were by far my given the opportunity to constituency. write a policy paper on a favourite- researching bills, topic of my choice. After I attending briefings and even The brief spell that I enjoyed finally settled on the discussing issues with at the office was definitely subject of women parliamentarians. one of the best periods in my participation in Malaysian life, and I owe it all to YB politics, YB Wong Chen and Meanwhile, days at the office Wong and his staff, Nadirah, his staff were helpful every consisted of a plethora of Tania and Abigail. Not only step of the way. tasks. From visiting have I understood the constituents and writing responsibilities a politician Most of all, my time here letters, to bringing my own bears, I now am also able to has given me a greater sex education policy paper to appreciation for my see the education, fruition. Not to mention, the country and the good experience and hardwork intensely thought-provoking people who have sacrificed that one has to put in or chats Wong Chen has with so much to make it a better obtain in order to be good place. Thank you for all the interns concerning our one. that you do and for all that social, economic and political you’ve taught me these milieu. Thank you for educating me, past two months. making me grow in maturity I could never have chosen a and for allowing me to better place to do my first journey alongside you. From internship and am very the bottom of my heart, thankful to everyone in the thank you for everything. office for making it such a fulfilling experience.

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Want to learn about the Malaysian Parliamentary process?

Curious to know what your Member of Parliament does?

JOIN US FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Depending on your skill set, you can help us with policy research, community service, or both.

Please send us your CV and a 500-word letter to [email protected]. Pusat Khidmat P104 Kelana Jaya Newsletter Issue #9

THE STAFF OF PUSAT KHIDMAT PARLIMEN KELANA JAYA

ABIGAIL NIMBALKER NADIRAH SHARIF TANIA LOKE

Abigail is a graduate from Nadirah is a Cardiff A Physics and Political the University of Reading University Law School Science & International before pursuing her alumna and a graduate of Relations graduate from Masters in International the Malaysian Certificate the University of Western Law at the International in Legal Practice. She first Australia, Tania swam Islamic University. She first met YB Wong Chen and his against the brain-drain joined the office as a team while volunteering at tide to serve Malaysia. She curious intern, before a medical camp. Intrigued, interned with YB Wong being offered the position she joined the office as an Chen in early 2016 before of Operations Officer. intern before accepting joining them as Research the position of Research Officer. As Operations Officer, Officer. Abigail has handled Tania was one of the key various welfare and Nadirah conducts legal contributors to the citizenship cases. She has research on the bills and Opposition’s Alternative also researched on the motions tabled in Budget 2017 and now TPPA and contributed to Parliament. She also works closely with INVOKE the Opposition Leader's manages the day-to-day Malaysia’s Centre for parliamentary speech on administration and Policy Initiatives. the Child (Amendment) finance of Pusat Khidmat Bill 2015. P104 Kelana Jaya. Beyond desktop research, which she does standing Abigail is currently the Nadirah is the office’s up, Tania is also in charge office’s broadway musical resident graphic designer of photography and star and interior designer. and illustrator. videography of the office.

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FACES AND PLACES: RECENT EVENTS IN PICTURES

From left to right, top to bottom: 1. Visiting the USJ 7 Ramadhan bazaar with YB Hannah Yeoh’s office. 2. Celebrating Dato’ Nor Hisham’s retirement as the MPSJ President. 3. Abigail commiting arson preparing to boil the milk during the PJS 10 Ponggal celebration. 4. Soaking in the positive energy at Block 3 Desa Mentari’s annual sporting event. 5. Breaking fast with Subang Jaya community leaders at Masjid Al-Falah USJ 9. 6. On-site welfare interview with a Desa Mentari resident.

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From left to right, top to bottom:

7. Officiating the USJ 5 garden community. 8. Participating in ‘INVOKE: A Guide to Rebuilding Our Nation (Vol. 1)’ policy launch. 9. P104 interns receiving a pep talk from YB Rafizi Ramli. 10. At the Chinese New Year Jom Shopping Programme with YB Hannah Yeoh. 11. Pedal go-karting during the ‘School’s Out, Get Active’ event at Subang Parade. 12. Facilitating a meeting between the resentatives of the Rachel Siew Suet Li Trust Fund and the Deputy Minister of Health about funding of the Morquio Syndrome treatment.

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From left to right, top to bottom:

13. At the KRT Gabungan Desa Mentari’s Karnival Mega Keselamatan with Dr Fahmi Ngah. 14. Speaking at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies with Shaun Kua of INVOKE. 15. At Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s 12th national congress. 16. A choir performing during the Wesak celebration at the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association. 17. With the team behind the success of INVOKE’s fundraising dinner on the 15th of April. 18. Meeting with the Sungai Wey police department with YB Nik Nazmi to discuss safety issues at Desa Mentari.

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From left to right, top to bottom:

19. Joining residents for the Gotong Royong event at Taman Desaria. 20. INVOKE preparing for Parlimen Rakyat to debate the Amendment to Act 355. 21. Receiving the Johns Hopkins University delegation at Parliament with YB Dr . 22. Office mascot Sir Percival the cactus having a photoshoot for Chinese New Year. 23. Preparing for a special Monday Night Chat with Wong Chen: Episode 14. 24. Honouring all MPSJ councillors and JKP members’ hard work and celebrating YB Hannah Yeoh‘s birthday.

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WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?

We serve all residents in the Parliamentary constituency of Kelana Jaya which includes: USJ | PJS 5 - 10 | Taman Glenmarie Kelana Jaya | SS5, SS7, SS8, and SS9

COMMUNITY ISSUES

PARLIAMENTARY ISSUES

Raise various national issues on your Support application for medical aid and behalf | Represent Kelana Jaya on welfare payments | Apply for medical policies and laws | Update residents on all exemptions | Connect with welfare and national issues medical NGOs

VOLUNTEERISM

CITIZENSHIP ISSUES

Support applications for blue ICs and Liaise with INVOKE Malaysia, a volunteer- issue letters of enquiries | Follow up with based NGO | Conduct phone banking, JPN and immigration canvassing, and other campaign activities

For enquiries: Email: [email protected] Tel: 03-5613 7918 Address: 113B (2nd floor), Jalan SS14/1 47510, Subang Jaya, Selangor Wong Chen Enquiries: Kelana Jaya Email: [email protected] Newsletter #8: July 2017 Tel: 03-5613 7918 Editor: Wong Chen Fax: 03-5613 7919 Contributors: Nadirah Sharif, Address: 113B (2nd floor), Tania Loke, Koh Wyhow Jalan SS14/1, 47510 Subang Jaya, Front cover and staff pictures: Joel Lim Selangor, Malaysia

Wong Chen Kelana Jaya Constituency Newsletter is published by Pusat Khidmat P104 Kelana Jaya Ahli Parlimen Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Wong Chen Kelana Jaya Constituency Newsletter is an unregulated product. Information in the newsletter is for general information and is not intended to be relied upon by individual readers in making or not making specific personal, business, and/or investment decisions. Should you wish to cite, reproduce or adapt any content in any manner, please seek our prior written permission.