National Advocacy & Awareness Disability Campaign

SPEECH by Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun

held on 31st July 2009 @ SEGI UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

at the Opening Ceremony..from left Professor Dr. Muhamad Awang (SEGi University College Vice Chancellor), Mr. Kamal Malhotra(Resident Representative of the UNDP) & Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun
(photo by CFL)

First and foremost, allow me to take this opportunity to thank the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and SEGI University College for inviting me to officiate the National Advocacy and Awareness Disability Campaign. I am pleased to see such a distinguished gathering of representatives from policy makers, NGOs, schools, academia, media and civil society. We are all here for one purpose: to fight attitudinal prejudices and to galvanize support for disabled persons to ensure their rights and full participation in all aspects of society.

It is for this reason that “Real Lives, Real Abilities” has been chosen as the theme for this campaign today. It helps to draw our attention to the fact that disabled people are very much a part of our community and really like the rest of us want to enjoy life to the fullest. In this regard, every one of us here has a role and responsibility to play in order to mainstream the disabled people in all aspects of society and development. Also, we need to ensure they are not left behind as the country move forward.

Ladies and gentlemen,
The World Health Organisation estimated that there are approximately 650 million persons around the world living with disabilities – that is about 10 per cent of the world population and this ballpark figure applies to countries as well. In Malaysia, there is no comprehensive data on the prevalence of disabilities. As of Mac 2009, 256, 364 are registered with the Department of Social Welfare although the actual figure is expected to be significantly higher. The main reason for the low registration is because registration is voluntary. At the time being, the Government has no plans to make registration compulsory as we believe that persons with disabilities must be given informed choice. However, there is a need to create awareness among persons with disabilities and their families on the importance of registration and to encourage them to come forward to register.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Persons with disabilities encounter myriads of physical and social barriers and challenges that impede their participation in society. Society’s attitudes, prejudices, beliefs and ignorance create obstacles to inclusion. In addition, there is often failure to recognise their social and economic contributions and a tendency to see only the disability rather than the person. The lack of accommodation in employment, education and transportation present a much serious challenge. As a result, persons with disabilities often do not have access to the same opportunities as others, have higher rates of unemployment, live in poverty and they are more likely to be socially isolated.

However, the scenario is changing and affecting persons with disabilities globally. There has been a paradigm shift in attitude and approaches in dealing with issues of disabilities, from the medical model to the social model. Persons with disabilities are no longer seen as “objects” of charity and a medical problem but as “subjects” with rights. They are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society. The problem of disabilities lies not within the individual but rather on the social and physical barriers in our environment. This paradigm shift from charity-based to rights-based is the result of Disabled People’s Organisations who have work together to reposition disability as a human rights issue and also the work of the United Nations.

The United Nations General Assembly declared 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons. This is followed by the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons in 1982 and the Decade of Disabled Persons 1983-1992, urging member nations to bring positive changes to the lives of persons with disabilities. The Standard Rules on Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities was adopted in 1993, providing policy guidelines in promoting the same opportunities to persons with disabilities that others enjoy, and most recently the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which is aimed to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities.

at the Press Conference (photo by CFL)

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Malaysia has also moved in line with this paradigm shift. This is proven by the effort taken by the Government to put in place the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities to enhance their well-being and to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy equal rights and full participation in the Malaysian society.

The Policy sets out 28 strategies focussing on 15 priority areas namely advocacy, accessibility, health, rehabilitation, education, employment, personal safety and social protection, support services, social, development of human resources, participation of society, research and development, housing, children with disabilities and women with disabilities. A National Plan of Action has also been drawn to realise the objectives set out in the Policy and is being carried out through multi-sectoral collaboration.

Malaysia has also signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 8 April 2008. The signing of the Convention is our commitment to promote an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities, and is in line with other international agreements such as the “Proclamation for Full Participation and Equality of Persons with disabilities” and “Biwako Millennium Framework for Action” adopted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), of which Malaysia is a member.

Although Malaysia has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the signing itself shows our support for the Convention and an indication of our intention to ratify the Convention at a later date. I believe there will be no problem for Malaysia to ratify the Convention as the mechanisms are in place. Moreover, the Convention provides for progressive realisation as far as social and economic rights are concerned.

Ladies and gentlemen,
The Government has also passed the Persons with Disabilities Act which has come into force on 7 July 2008. The Act is the first legislation for persons with disabilities. It is also a first rights-based legislation in Malaysia, paving the way for equal opportunities and full participation of persons with disabilities. With the enforcement of the Act, physical and social barriers faced by persons with disabilities will be addressed. Thus, they will be able to enjoy better public transport facilities, amenities and services and equal opportunities to health, education, information, communication and technology, rehabilitation, improved employment opportunities as well as full participation in sports, leisure and cultural life.

Ladies and gentlemen,
The enforcement of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 is just the first step and a catalyst in ensuring that Persons with Disabilities enjoys equal rights and opportunities. It must be accompanied by actions and much works need to be done to produce the results aspired in the Act. First amongst all is the need to change society’s attitude on persons with disabilities.

As I have mentioned earlier, there is still lack of societal awareness on persons with disabilities. Disability frightens people and society often has negative attitudes and stereotype assumptions about persons with disabilities. Reaction such as rude stares, unkind remarks and discrimination are still rampant. This together with the lack of accessibility to the built environment and transportation has hinders their daily activities causing many persons with disabilities to be segregated from mainstream society.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I hereby congratulate UNDP and SEGi University College for the initiative taken to organise this awareness campaign. I understand that this campaign is not a one off programme but rather part of a national advocacy and awareness campaign to fight attitudinal prejudices and to galvanize public support for the need to ensure their full participation in all aspects of society. The campaign is being supported by two UNDP projects which are currently being implemented with the support of the Economic Planning Unit, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, and the State Planning Units for Johor and Penang. The projects aim to reduce barriers that persons with disabilities face in finding and retaining employment and accessing public transportation respectively, with the long-term objective of increasing their economic and social independence.

I know it is not easy to change deep-rooted perception and misconception about disability. However, we all can play a role to help hasten the process of mainstreaming disability by discarding negative perceptions of persons with disabilities as objects of pity but as individuals with different abilities and with rights as anyone of us. Therefore, it is time for us to come together to act and take steps to facilitate and ensure the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities into the society. Let us start by changing our mindset and perception on disability and dismantling the physical and social barriers that exist in our society.

On that note, ladies and gentlemen, I have pleasure to launch the National Advocacy and Awareness Disability Campaign. Thank you.

MOU Signing & Launching of “IMPACT PROGRAMME” of WEDC & COWAY

(photo by CFL)

OPENING REMARKS BY Y.B. DATIN PADUKA CHEW MEI FUN

National Chairman of Wanita MCA

On behalf of WEDC, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Woongjin Coway for working with us to offer job opportunities to women through the implementation of this “Impact Programme”.

I am indeed very happy that such a large and reputable corporation like Woongjin Coway has chosen to fulfil its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with a programme targeted specially for women.

Today Women Entrepreneur Development Centre (WEDC), an initiative of Wanita MCA and Woongjin Coway (M) Sdn Bhd (Coway) has come together today in partnership to recruit more Malaysian Women into the service support industry under the Coway CODY Recruitment Project. The CODY Recruitment Program will be part of WEDC’s “Impact Programme”, a programme that acts as a bridge to encourage women into entrepreneurship programmes in particular amongst those who have less access to existing social nets including single mothers.

Under the stewardship of WEDC ‘Impact Programme’ - the Coway’s CODY Recruitment Project provides a platform to enhance Malaysian women’s professional development. WEDC serves as the channel for Malaysian women to apply as a CODY (Coway Lady), at the same time enabling Coway to concentrate on the training program and cultivation for Malaysian women to be a professional CODY. As such, this collective effort between Coway and WEDC can in effect contribute to the development of Malaysian women in the economy.

(photo by CFL)

Ladies and gentlemen, This “Impact Programme” aims to encourage women into entrepreneurship programmes and introduce an alternative or additional household income solution with flexible working hours. This initiative could not be introduced in a better time. During this time of economic downturn, women face greater challenge to survive economically and to sustain their family financially. It is of utmost importance that every woman regardless of their education level, economic status and location amongst others to be financially savvy.

This is in line with the endeavour of The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development which focuses on the three main areas namely

i. Economic empowerment activities as first and foremost;

ii. Followed by Capacity building programmes; and

iii. finally Enhancing the quality of life.In addition, the Ministry has conducted over 200 training programmes to educate women on financial management and to encourage women to practise good financial management both for their personal and of their families.

Ladies and gentlemen, In today’s fast-paced world, it can be clearly seen that women have progressed, made inroads and earned recognition in many fields. Women of today are holding senior positions; they are owner of companies and professionals even in the fields that were previously dominated by men.

With the rapid urbanisation that the country is undergoing, women who make up almost half of the total population of Malaysia at 49.1% are not only playing a major role at home, but also contributing their skills and knowledge at the workplace and in the country to sustain the nation’s economy growth. This is especially so when women’s education level is on the rise with 61.7 percent of the enrolment to Higher Learning Institutions is female students.

Participation of women in the nation’s economic activities is no longer an option, but a prerequisite to boost Malaysia’s competitiveness. There are 45.7 percent women in the labour force in 2008; however a drop compared to 47.3 percent in year 2004. The Ministry is currently addressing the declining proportion of women in labour workforce and strategising to increase the participation rate of women in labour force particularly in income generating activities.

(photo by CFL)

Ladies and gentlemen, These programmes are being carried out with the aim to equip women with the knowledge and skills that can be utilized for them to start their own income generating activities.

Eliminating gender disparity is one of the key visions of my Ministry in promoting equal opportunities for both women and men at work. Hence, Woongjin Coway’s efforts assisting women in Malaysia particularly through this programme is highly commendable and should serve as a benchmark and role model to other private sector corporations. Thus, we would like to invite Coway to be part of the Jalinan Niaga which stands for Business Matching, an integral part of the Jalinan Rakyat from BN Wanita.

Ladies and gentlemen, As such, I hope that this “Impact Programme” will achieve its objectives and once again I would like to thank Woongjin Coway for providing this great opportunity to women from all over Malaysia. I hope Malaysian women would not miss this great opportunity to improve their financial status especially without having to interrupt their daily routine with flexi-work arrangements in addition to attractive remuneration packages.

Last but not least, I wish Woongjin Coway all the best in your future endeavours and with that, I launch the “Impact Programme”. Thank you.

星洲互動‧2009.07.28

周美芬：單身應做好晚年規劃

（吉隆坡）婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長拿汀巴杜卡周美芬提醒任何欲選擇單身的人士，做好老年的生活規劃，以免晚年生活受到影響。

她說，如果政府或私人領域等方面認為目前的情況不理想，就有必要想方設法，協助人民度過幸福的晚年。

“入住社會福利局老人院的老人，有相當部份是單身，任何人選擇單身，都應該做好老年規劃，以免晚年生活受到影響。”

也是馬華婦女組主席的周美芬今日（週二，7月28日）見證大馬Woongjin Coway私人有限公司與馬華婦女組婦女企業發展中心簽署推出CODY徵員計劃的諒解備忘錄後說，老人遭遺棄的課題，當然不僅是只有貧窮的一群遺棄自己的父母，一些不孝的子女，也是會這麼做，但婦女部目前還未討論到立法懲罰遺棄父母的子女。

她指出，如果立法懲罰，就等於承認大馬人不孝，而孝順父母理應發自內心。

她說，無論本身的財務狀況如何，為人子女的，都不應該遺棄自己的父母，在這方面，部門已做好準備協助貧窮的子女奉養父母。

她指出，生活在貧窮線下的老人若符合資格，每月可獲300令吉的福利金，至於家中有殘疾、不能自理的親屬，且收入在3000令吉以下，也能申請每月300令吉的福利金。

光华日报：二零零九年七月二十八日 下午五时十五分
周美芬：立法惩罚遗弃父母者 等于承认大马人不孝

（吉隆坡28日讯）妇女、家庭及社会发展部副部长拿汀巴杜卡周美芬指出，立法惩罚遗弃父母者，等于承认大马人民不孝。

她说，该部将召开内部策划会议，讨论如何协助贫穷人士改善财务状况，减低遗弃父母的社会问题。

周美芬也是马华妇女组主席。她今日见证马华妇女企业发展中心与WoongJin Coway签署CODY谅解备忘录后，受媒体询问时这么说。

报章早前报导，去年有539名老人被遗弃在各政府医院。
她举例，马华曾大力推动阅读《弟子规》运动，灌输人民孝道精神，这种发自内心的孝心，远比立法惩罚不孝子有效。

她认为，为人子女不应遗弃父母，因为下一代会有样学样，遗弃父母者日后也将落得相同下场。

另外，她说，政府为残疾人士及生活在贫穷线下乐龄人士，提供每月300令吉的福利金。

“只要家庭收入低于3000令吉，便可向福利局提出申请。”

尽管如此，她鼓励单身者做好晚年规划。

基于不少乐龄人士是单身，因此，她建议政府与私人界合作，让这些单身的乐龄人士能受到援助，安享晚年。

Chew: Many childcare centres being charged exorbitant fees

The Star News : Sunday July 26, 2009

PETALING JAYA: Many local councils and authorities are charging childcare centre operators exorbitant licence fees, sometimes as high as RM5,000 annually, said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

Local authorities should be mindful of the importance of childcare centres and not view them as merely business entities, she added.

“Many of these local councils are not aware of the nature of this industry so they impose expensive licence fees,” she said at the SEGi College’s closing ceremony of its fourth Early Childhood Professionals appreciation day yesterday.

Chew, however, acknowledged that it was difficult for local councils to develop a set of uniform guidelines or regulations to govern childcare centres.

“There are different by-laws and regulations for different local authorities,” she said.

Chew also voiced out concerns on some providers who went ahead to operate childcare centres while waiting for approvals from the different authorities, which sometimes could take up to two years.

“When the various local councils have many applications to vet through, those from the childcare centres are usually not given priority,” she said.

Chew also told parents to only choose childcare centres registered with the Social Welfare Department (JKM).

She said there were 2,266 registered centres with the ministry and they were required to display their licences.

“The ministry has done our part to amend the law (2007). We have tightened the monitoring system for childcare providers.” she said.

周美芬：要转型 马华须上下齐心

光华日报 ：二零零九年七月二十七日 晚上八时十九分

（槟城27日讯）马华全国妇女组主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬说，马华要进行整体转型，是全党上下共同的责任，惟基层的配合和主动有待加强。

她说，党无法仅祈求高层做出改变，而是应由90万名的党员作出相应的调整和改变。如果每一名党员都能配合党所推动的“拼经济、拼种族和谐、拼政治”，并监督民联政府、向党提出诚恳及建设性的建议，就能让自己及外人感受到党的整体改变。

她也是妇女、家庭与社会发展部副部长，她指出，马华妇女组近期专注于政策的倡导及建议。她说，支会、区会及中央应分层次的主办活动及角色扮演，各司其职，以便能回到政治本源，专业论政。

针对记者询及马华对民联的监督不甚活跃时，她说，执政不能只求专业，要赢取民心，还得处理人民的情绪。她坦承说，马华党员目前或许还未适应308的重挫，而现今的政治局势跟以往的已有很大的差别。

她为马华槟州妇女组政治干训营主持闭幕仪式后，如是表示。这是为了响应中央的号召而举办的活动，共有13个区会派出代表参与，探讨现今政治课题之余，也评估民联执政年余的成绩、赵明福事件等。

陈清凉：已呈协调员名单
槟州马华妇女组主席陈清凉指出，4国10州的协调员名单已呈上，目前在等待委任信，不过他们目前已投入选区服务。她说，监督州议会局已成立，而她本身是主任，成员包括所有协调员及区会主席。马青及妇女组皆踊跃派人出席，进行监督工作。

Tingkatkan keintiman suami isteri

Berita Harian 28 Julai 2009, oleh Sariha Mohd Alisariha@bharian.com.my


(photo by CFL)

Perceraian beri impak negatif kepada keluarga terutama anakPASANGAN suami isteri yang sudah lama berkahwin sering mengalami masalah dalam perhubungan intim yang dikatakan semakin merosot, akibat wujud pertambahan komitmen dalam rumah tangga, sekali gus menyebabkan perkara itu bukan menjadi keutamaan lagi. Kurangnya komunikasi di antara pasangan dan perkongsian emosi akhirnya menjurus kepada ketiadaan persefahaman di antara suami isteri dan keadaan menjadi bertambah parah apabila pasangan membawa haluan masing-masing.

Dalam alam rumah tangga, jika ada sesuatu yang tidak memuaskan hati pasangan, ia pasti melukakan hati pasangan yang seorang lagi dan ada kalanya, hati yang terluka itu sukar diubati sehingga menimbulkan konflik dalam perkahwinan. Konflik inilah yang akhirnya menjadi penanda aras sama ada rumah tangga yang dibina itu bahagia atau sebaliknya kerana jika pasangan bahagia, jumlah konflik yang berlaku adalah kurang. Malah, keadaan ini boleh berlaku walaupun pada saat kedua-dua belah pihak iaitu suami dan isteri masih menjalankan tugas dan tanggungjawab masing-masing.

(photo by CFL)

Timbalan Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, berkata pakar keluarga berpendapat krisis dalam rumah tangga biasanya berlaku selepas lima tahun berkahwin dan di Malaysia, peratusan cerai mengikut kumpulan umur boleh dikatakan hampir seimbang pada setiap peringkat umur mereka yang berkahwin.

Ini bermakna, perceraian berlaku bukan saja kepada pasangan yang baru berkahwin, malah turut membabitkan pasangan lama. Disebabkan itu, program pemantapan perkahwinan perlu diberi bukan saja kepada bakal pengantin, tetapi juga mereka yang sudah lama berumah tangga.

“Institusi perkahwinan di negara ini perlu diberi perhatian yang serius ekoran bilangan perceraian yang semakin meningkat dengan kebanyakan kes disebabkan kurang persefahaman.

“Setiap perceraian yang berlaku meninggalkan kesan trauma kepada keluarga terutama anak-anak, malah kajian yang dilakukan sebelum ini menunjukkan anak yang masih kecil lazimnya tidak mempunyai hubungan yang akrab dan mesra dengan bapa walaupun bapa terus memberikan nafkah, menyediakan keperluan pendidikan dan material kepada anak terbabit.

“Malah, kajian di Barat mendedahkan perceraian memberi impak negatif kepada anak dalam banyak perkara terutama tingkah laku antisosial mereka, gangguan emosi, pencapaian akademik merosot dan kemurungan.

(photo by CFL)

“Jadi, ada baiknya jika kita belajar kaedah dan cara untuk meningkatkan keintiman antara pasangan yang akan diberi oleh pakar perkahwinan dan kekeluargaan dari Amerika Syarikat, Dr Huang Wei Jen, dalam usaha mengelak berlakunya perceraian,” katanya ketika merasmikan Seminar Perkahwinan Bijak: Laluan Kepada Keintiman, di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.

Majlis anjuran kementerian, Lembaga Penduduk dan Pembangunan Keluarga Negara (LPPKN) dan Focus On The Family (FOTF) itu turut dihadiri, Ketua Pengarah LPPKN, Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman dan Pengarah Eksekutif FOTF, Lee Wee Min. Antara eleman yang sering dilupakan atau kurang diberi penekanan dalam perhubungan pasangan adalah kecerdasan emosi dan dalam perkahwinan atau perhubungan dengan pihak lain, elemen kepekaan dan perkongsian emosi amat penting.

Chew berkata, perkahwinan harus dibina berasaskan kasih sayang dan keluarga yang dibentuk dengan asas penekanan emosi yang kurang, tidak akan memiliki daya tahan dalam mengharungi cabaran.

“Usaha meningkatkan kualiti perhubungan antara pasangan berkahwin adalah teras kepada perhubungan yang berkualiti sesama ahli keluarga. Jadi, LPPKN meletakkan kepentingan pengukuhan perkahwinan melalui pendidikan praperkahwinan dan pemantapan keluarga `SmartStart’ kepada pasangan baru atau akan berkahwin yang dilaksanakan sejak 2006.

“Cabaran yang dihadapi keluarga pada masa ini menjadikan hanya mereka yang berdaya tahan saja mampu melepasi dugaan yang datang, selain perubahan dan cabaran dalam hidup.

“Jadi, kita perlu belajar resipi meningkatkan perhubungan intim dalam rumah tangga sebab perkahwinan yang kukuh sekalipun, mungkin akan dilanda badai dan terluncur daripada landasannya,” katanya.

Large number of Chinese at homes

The Star News : Monday July 27, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese make up a huge number of old folk abandoned at welfare homes.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said 33% of the residents in government-run old folk homes were Chinese.

At the same time, the Chinese only make up about 25% of the 27 million Malaysians.

Last year, 125 of the 293 old folk abandoned at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and 11 of those 24 dumped at the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital in Seremban were Chinese.

Chew, who is also Wanita MCA chief, said the statistics “certainly did not augur well” for a community in which filial piety was much revered as a traditional value.

In Singapore, where 75% of the population are Chinese, a law has been enforced since 1996 to compel children to care for their aged parents.

Those parents aged above 60 years and who do not have the means of supporting themselves, can sue their children for upkeep under the Maintenance of Parents Act.

There were 127 new cases of parents suing their children for support last year, as compared to 109 in 2007 and 79 in 2006.

Project to allow women flexi working hours

The Star News : Saturday July 25, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: A project offering jobs with flexible working hours for women will begin next week.

The partnership between Wanita MCA’s women entrepreneur development centre with a South Korean company will kick-start at 10am at Wisma MCA on Tuesday.

Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the target group was women below 40.

“They can earn up to RM2,000 a month,” she told reporters after chairing the wing’s central committee meeting yesterday.

“It is for those who need to spend time with their family, but also need to generate income to help support them.”

Between 200 and 250 women are expected to benefit from this programme, as it aims to create jobs and business opportunities, she said.

She added that the centre and its partners would offer job placement, soft skills training and entrepreneurship guidance.

The centre would sign a memorandum of understanding with another company next month to offer similar opportunities.

女人看天下·周美芬死里逃生的覺悟

LifeTV享樂 2009-07-26 10:32

http://www.lifetv.com.my/node/12390

周美芬給自己的承諾是，盡力突破自己，做到最好。


周美芬喜歡大自然，因爲心情特別輕鬆。

女人，總的而言給人一種柔弱的感覺，不過，在柔弱的背後，有時有的女人也有悍強的一面，令人刮目相看。

經歷了一場嚴重車禍，接着308大選又在政治上重重的摔了一跤，拿汀巴都卡周美芬接着就是一段休息期，一個峰迴路轉，她接棒婦女、家庭及社會發展副部長一職，以及當選馬華婦女組主席。YB周美芬輕描淡寫地説：“人生有起有落，那只是一個挫折，總得面對，現在的我生活除了忙碌外，我還會過得很充實。”

身爲女高官，私生活也可以平凡見眞章，當中包括品嚐媽媽的愛心湯水、看電影，她更喜歡登山。

愛心湯水

2007年，拿汀巴都卡周美芬在前往關丹聆聽林明水災彙報會途中，在東海岸大道遇上嚴重車禍後，整個人生起了很大轉變。這時候望着她，突然有種對生命開竅的感覺，她坦然的説：“車禍與死神擦身而過，再加上308的大選落敗後，人生確實有了很大的不同，休養期間很多人給予關心、慰問等，開始領悟到時間的有限，生命的可貴，所以現在更懂得珍惜每時每刻，及自己寶貴的生命。”

“我並不是要退出政壇，我只想好好的把握自己人生的每一刻，不要讓生命白過。”她接着説車禍及敗選後，她搬回父母家隔壁住，這樣即使工作多么的忙碌，還是可以抽出一點的時間和家人團聚，盡享家庭天倫之樂。拿汀還打趣的表示，與家人兩隔壁住之後，只要沒有出外應酬，還有媽媽的湯水滋補呢。感覺很幸福。

自有黃金屋

一天睡眠不超過6小時的周美芬除了政務就沒有其他娛樂了嗎？喜歡閲讀的人都會認爲這是一件快樂的事，儘管職務多么的繁忙，周美芬幾乎每一天都會閲讀5份不同語文的報章，在家空閑小休就會閲讀書籍，果然深諳書有自有黃金屋的道理。

周美芬説自己只會茶藝皮毛功夫，早前本想深入學茶道，享受一邊品茶，一邊閲讀，感受一下古代書生閲讀的氣氛，結果因爲官途忙碌，就連朋友送的茶具也只好擺放在辦公室當裝飾。閲讀的刋物：局勢評論書或管理書籍、報章。

最愛電影周美芬也喜歡看電影，幾乎什么電影都喜歡看，不過筆者萬萬沒想到這位政壇女高官最不喜歡看恐怖電影。周美芬的理由是，“恐怖電影都是製作出來嚇人的，明知道會被嚇倒，爲什么還要浪費時間去被它嚇呢？”果然不失大將之風，正如明知山有虎，爲什么還要衝上山給虎咬呢？倒不如轉個彎找尋另一條生路。電影：早前剛看了《貧民百萬富翁》。

2次登神山衆所周知，周美芬是一個非常熱愛運動的健將，除了投身工作的拼搏精神外，對於運動也一樣，她曾經是個籃球健將，也曾分別在1996年及2006年帶領一衆馬華女靑年浩浩蕩蕩的向着神山出發，更以‘豪情萬丈，笑傲神山’，創下全馬最大團純女性登神山隊伍記録。

喜歡登山的周美芬認爲，爬山除了可以鍛煉體格之外，也可以在過程中讓腦袋放鬆下來，而且還可以和黨員朋友有更密切的交流，感覺很棒。儘管，周美芬很想再次登上神山，不過，自從發生車禍以後，避免傷及舊患，醫生已經再三叮矚她不要做激烈運動，所以，周美芬只好選擇不激烈的慢跑、行山等運動。

登山小貼士：

帶備充足食水、帶備防曬、防蚊用品，宜穿上輕便、淺色和透氣服裝、宜較早出發，避免在太陽猛烈時在室外暴曬、找熟悉該路徑人士帶領前行，否則之前就要做好準備功夫，瞭解整個環境的狀况。

撰文：春金 攝影：Terry

JOINT STATEMENT BY MCA MINISTERS AND DEPUTY MINISTERS 马华正副部长联合声明

We note with great concern the recent press reports on the challenges which our President Y.B. Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat has to face in his handling of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue.

This is an appropriate time for us to show our unity and our support for the leadership of Dato' Sri Ong Tee Keat as our President.

We share his stand that the interests of the people must be adequately addressed, as the government and the public await for an acceptable solution to the PKFZ saga. Those who create obstacles, make threats, suppress the truth and mislead the public must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.

MCA is now on a difficult and tedious journey to redeem itself and to win back the support of the Chinese community in particular and all Malaysians in general.

We need a leader who has the credibility and moral standing to make MCA a modern, reconfigured and cohesive party that is able to support and strengthen the Barisan Nasional.

Dato’ Sri Ong is our clear choice to perform such a task.

He has not only answered the call for change but has been at the leading edge of reforms within the party as well as the party’s efforts to serve the members and Malaysians.

Our President has shown us in recent times by example the importance of having selfless leaders who can wade the party through the dangerous places and rivers we have to cross.

We pledge our support for our President in his principled stand in addressing party issues and concerns, consistent with our party constitution and mission.

We assure the President of MCA that we shall stand shoulder to shoulder with him as our party move forward in its struggles. We have to work as a team and as one Party to build Malaysian Chinese Association into a worthy partner in the Barisan Nasional coalition under the leadership of our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The signatories to the above statement are:
Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai , Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen, Datuk Dr. Wee Ka Siong, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Datuk Lee Chee Leong, Senator Heng Seai Kie, Dr. Hou Kok Chung & Saudara Wee Jeck Seng

马华正副部长联合声明

我们，马华全体正副部长，极度关注我党总会长拿督斯里翁诗杰处理巴生港口自由贸易区(PKFZ)课题以来，在报章和媒体报导所面对的严峻挑战。

我们矢言共赴时艰，团结一致，全力支持拿督斯里翁诗杰总会长的领导。

如今，政府和人民仍等待巴生自贸区的合理解决方案，我们认同我党总会长立场，即必须保护和维持公众利益。我们强力谴责那些制造问题、作出恐吓、隐瞒真相及误导公众的相关人士。

马华目前正面对艰难而漫长的历程，我们必须极力挽回声誉，以及赢回华社及全体马来西亚人民的支持。

我们需要可靠及具有道德价值观的领袖，以打造一个现代化，具有强大的凝聚力，及重新出发的马华，进一步支持和巩固国阵。

显而易见，拿督斯里翁诗杰是肩负此重任的明确选择。

总会长不仅吹起党内的改革号角，更致力地走在改革的最前端，无怨无悔地为党员和人民服务。

总会长已多次身体力行，体现如何无私的放下个人议程，带领马华攀山涉水和越过荆棘。

我们强力支持总会长履行我党党章所赋予的使命，始终坚定不移地积极处理国家和党务，以及勇敢的表达党的立场。

我们保证与总会长肩并肩，共同努力，为党奋斗。我们也将团结一致，成为国阵最值得信赖的政治伙伴，共同与首相拿督斯里纳吉，为国家作出贡献。

马华正部长：
拿督斯里江作汉, 拿督斯里廖中莱, 拿督斯里黄燕燕医生,
马华副部长：
拿督魏家祥博士, 拿汀巴杜卡周美芬上议员, 拿督威拉曹志雄, 拿督李志亮, 王赛芝上议员, 何国忠博士, 黄日升
联启

周美芬：政府应修改法令，解决遗腹子身份问题

文告（22/7/2009）

马华妇女组全国主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬呼吁政府从宽处理赵明福遗腹子报生纸上能否填上生父名字的问题，政府也应考虑修改相关法令，以便在申请者满足特定条件的情况下，一劳永逸解决相关案例的问题和争议。这和政府决心在近期内全面解决国内公民权问题的精神是一致的。

周美芬指出，马华妇女组与国内公民权工作小组已拟定三份备忘录，即《在本地出生或定居人士的公民权问题》、《马来西亚儿童的公民权问题》以及《外籍配偶的居留权和公民权问题》，以提呈予内政部长。马华妇女组将在有关备忘录中，加入研究修改法令的建议，并提出各种处理方式的细节，以解决遗腹子身份的问题。

“我们了解作为法治社会，凡事须依法行事，因此马华妇女组呼吁政府寻求各种管道，让出现这方面争议的孩子能够得到他们应得的身份，包括修改相关法令，以在申请者满足特定条件的情况下，合法化相关孩子的身份，并一劳永逸解决此类案件的争议，这是儿童的基本人权。”

周美芬表示，法律不外乎人情，法律既然是为人类群体生活服务，就应该以人道主义为本，不能过于僵化和迂腐。赵明福作为其遗腹子的生父是不能否认的事实，若其孩子的报生纸无法填上生父名字，这是不近人情的。

Wanita MCA calls on NRD to register Teoh Boon Hock’s child in father’s name & amend outdated birth registration laws

Press statement by Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun

Sharing in the grief of the fiancé and family over the tragic loss of the late Sdr Teoh Beng Hock, Wanita MCA calls on the government to register Sdr Teoh as the father of the child upon birth and to amend whilst complying with conditions the existing law necessitating the physical presence of the biological father at birth registration whereby when the child is born, the baby’s birth certificate will only carry the mother’s details.

This is in line with the efforts by the government and announcement by the Home Minister Dato’ Sri Hishamuddin bin Tun Hussein Onn to decide on the application for Malaysian citizenship for four categories i.e. applicants for permanent resident status; stateless children; those without birth certificates; and those without documents who are residing in Sabah and Sarawak.

The NRD should register the birth of Teoh’s child identifying Teoh as the father. Moreover, the couple had made known to all relatives and friends that they were scheduled to register their marriage on 17 July 2009.

In conjunction with the upcoming submission of three (3) memorandums by Wanita MCA to the Home Minister in our citizenship registration project that seeks to address citizenship rights of Malaysians in the following areas:
1) children born to at least one Malaysian parent,
2) foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens,
3) stateless Malaysians whose births were either not registered, or who were not given citizenship despite having been born and bred in Malaya/Malaysia all their lives and having applied for citizenship,

Wanita MCA and the MCA Citizenship Task Force will study existing laws related to citizenship and registration of births. Recommendations to insert or amend or remove any existing clauses that hinder the identity and/or citizenship rights of rightful Malaysians will be tabled in the memo.

Given such circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased and on humanitarian grounds, Wanita MCA urges the Home Minister to allow the child to be registered in the father’s name when he/she is born. It is a gross injustice to the unborn child to be registered in his/her mother’s name as the innocent child will suffer the stigma throughout hi/her life of being identified as a mother’s love child rather than as a child of both parents. At all times, the rights of a child to citizenship and identity should respected and safeguarded.

Chew: Welfare aid not for everyone above 60

The Star News Saturday July 18, 2009


Applicants for welfare aid have to fulfil certain criteria before they are approved under the welfare aid scheme.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said some people misunderstood the scheme as some people thought anyone aged above 60 could claim welfare aid.

Chew said this after paying a surprise visit to the Welfare Services Department (JKM) office in Pekan Ampang recently to understand how help was provided and to assess its performance.

While there, she spoke to the poor and disabled who were there to collect financial aid.

She said the office was in a strategic location, but it was not conducive to the disabled and elderly as there were no drain covers and the floor was uneven, making it unsafe for them.

JKM officers said steps would be taken to address those problems.

Additionally, a pedestrian bridge is being built making the road outside the office uneven.

JKM officers are there every Tuesday and Thursday to register applicants and distribute aid money.

Welfare officers under Project CARI are also stationed there to register the destitute and the disabled.

Project CARI is a project conducted by the JKM to search and identify those who were eligible to receive welfare aid.

According to Chew, Selangor had been allocated RM50mil out of the national allocation of RM800mil for welfare aid.

Police & MACC must conduct thorough investigation on Teoh Beng Hock’s sudden demise – Wanita MCA

17 July 2009

Press statement by Wanita MCA chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun calling on police & MACC to conduct thorough investigation on Sdr Teoh Beng Hock’s sudden demise

Extending our deepest sympathies to the family of the late Sdr Teoh Beng Hock, Wanita MCA mourns with concern the deceased’s unnatural departure at the MACC Selangor Headquarters building yesterday, 16 July 2009.

The women’s wing of MCA urges the police to conduct a thorough probe and leave no stone unturned at this most unfortunate incident which robbed the life of a youth at a tender age of 30.

The government should also consider setting up a royal commission to investigate Teoh’s death and releasing the findings of the inquiry to public.

To show that MACC has nothing to hide, it becomes incumbent on MACC to furnish to the public the entire details and circumstances surrounding the commission’s duration spent with the late Beng Hock as well as his presence at the MACC office. This includes from the moment the MACC raided his office, seized his laptop computer, took him in for questioning, his release at 3:45 a.m., his nap on the settee at the MACC office, and the discovery of his body at 1.30 p.m.

If the matter is not investigated and handled properly or efficiently, the reputation of MACC is at stake and its credibility will be lost.

Wanita MCA hopes that truth and justice will prevail. We urge MACC to give full co-operation to the police in their investigation. If any MACC employee or any other individuals are found to be involved, prosecution charges must be reined on them accordingly.

WANITA MCA fully supports MCA President Dato Sri’ Ong Tee Keat to investigate and reveal the truth on PKFZ

17 July 2009

Press statement by Wanita MCA chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun expressing support for MCA President on the PKFZ issue

Reference is made to the press interview with MCA President, Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat as published by Sin Chew Daily on the PKFZ investigation.

Wanita MCA fully supports the MCA President’s courage in handling the above-mentioned issue according to the following points:

(1) It shows the determination of Barisan National to ameliorate the shortcomings of the past and move forward with a brand new start
(2) Immediate correction can be taken through investigation. This could avoid further losses that could hurt our economy.
(3) The investigation will offer a comprehensive detail towards possibly amending any policy related with PKFZ
(4) If no investigation is conducted, it is similar to an act of self-deception
(5) If no correction or improvement is carried out owing to non investigation, issues surrounding PKFZ maybe a lurking time bomb waiting to bring massive destruction

Wanita MCA supports and respects the decision and action taken by the MCA President, although in the process, a lot of obstacles and threats are encountered.

周美芬：國陣政府不斷提昇樂齡人士福利

星洲互動‧2009.07.19
（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也）婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長拿汀巴杜卡周美芬說，國陣政府不斷提昇樂齡人士福利，持續以不同管道，加強並改善樂齡人士在各個領域的福利待遇，如增加貧窮樂齡者每月津貼至300令吉。

她說，社會福利局經鑒定身份後，為貧窮的樂齡者提供每月300令吉的生活津貼，政府已經兩度調整津貼，從原有的125令吉調整至250令吉，再增加至目前的300令吉。

她在哥打白沙羅8區人民組屋，為馬來西亞全國樂齡組織總會（NACSOM）的日間照顧中心主持開幕啟用儀式時表示，根據人口統計數據，明年大馬的樂齡人數將多達213萬人，而如何確保樂齡人士擁有健康的晚年生活，則是政府十分關注的事項。

“每個人都需要永續性的心靈支持，更何況是樂齡人士更需要健康的社區活動與生活方式，政府在全力發展國家時，也沒有忘記曾對國家發展建設做出貢獻的樂齡者。”出席開幕儀式者包括馬來西亞全國樂齡組織總會長拿督林敬德、署理總會長拿督孫鎮信等。

周美芬表示，樂齡組織為照顧老人福利運動設下典範，也是其它非政府組織學習對象。政府已經撥出176萬令吉，充作此組織興建老人院、日間照顧中心及終身學習中心費用，以持續為樂齡人士提供優質的休閒場所。

周美芬：非逾60歲都受惠‧申請福利金須符資格

光明日報‧2009.07.16


周美芬（左）到訪位於安邦大街毗鄰的福利局，並向申請援助金的人士瞭解情況。（圖：光明日報）

（吉隆坡）婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長拿汀巴杜卡周美芬澄清，只有符合資格和條件者才能獲得福利援助金，並非如外界謠傳凡60歲以上的老年人都可以獲得福利援助金。

她強調，60歲以上的貧窮人士才有資格申請福利援助金。

她表示，中央政府每年撥給雪州政府5000萬令吉的福利金，因此，福利局並不欠缺福利援助金予有需要援助的人士。

周美芬今日（週四，7月16日）前往巡視位於安邦大街毗鄰的福利局，瞭解當局的操作情況，並向前往當局申領福利援助金的人士瞭解，他們是否順利領取福利援助金等問題後，向記者這麼指出。

助渡過困境
她說，婦女、家庭及社會發展部屬下的福利局官員將會想方設法，以加速處理延遲處理或批准申請援助金的個案。

“安邦福利局每週二（7月14日）和週四都會開放讓有需要申請援助金的人士，前往尋求協助。我相信當局每週開放2天讓有需要的人士前往尋求協助，已是足夠了。”

她表示，鑑於該福利局外面正在進行著工程，對一些前往當局尋求協助的殘障人士，帶來不便。
因此，她將會與當局官員進一步瞭解此處的環境情況，或是否還有更適合的地點，或在這間福利局的進出口處鋪上溝渠蓋，以方便殘障人士進出。

“我發現不少到福利局尋求協助的人士，他們都不太瞭解向福利局申請援助金的程序，或從那裡可獲得援助的問題。”

她說，週三（7月15日）她已與“尋找計劃”的官員和福利局主任，以及華裔基層領進行交流，收集有關人士面對的問題，以尋求改善和搜集意見。

“在婦女及社會發展部911名員工在推行“尋找計劃”（Program Cari）下，化被動為主動地尋找需要尋求協助的貧窮人士，以協助他們渡過困境。”

婦女、家庭及社會發展部屬下福利部於去年即展開“尋找計劃”，福利部要求福利官嚴格執行在一個月內完成審查和批准個案的申請程序。

同時，除了“尋找計劃”外，福利部也要求任何獲得福利部撥款的福利單位每週提呈報告給總部，以確定撥款不被濫用。

玻馬華：解決白卡問題‧建議邊境另設檢查站

光明日報‧2009.07.18

出席聆聽的馬華黨要包括遠道而來的沙區州婦女主席沈清玉，左5起為王桂葉、張華清、陳偉聰、游非金。（圖：光明日報）

（玻璃市‧加央）馬華玻州聯委會主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬指出，馬華建議在邊境的一兩公里外建立第二個檢查站，以解決玻州巴東勿剎關卡的117白卡問題。這項建議是能否通過，則有待內政部決定。

“我們在為商家爭取利益的同時，也不能忽略國家的安全。”

周美芬週五（7月17日）晚出席馬華玻州聯委會公共服務及投訴局主辦的《從容面對挑戰》講座會致詞時，這麼表示。

她說，她已和拿督張天賜會見內政部長、副秘書及玻州務大臣，以談論邊境白卡問題，雖然目前還無法解決問題，但經過幾次的會議，終於找出一些方案。

待內長批准
“只要內政部長同意，巴東勿剎關卡的白卡問題，很大機會能夠完善解決，讓泰國公民在不持護照或邊境護照的情況下，進入巴東勿剎。”

也是婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長的周美芬披露，起初她以為這件事容易解決，但見了當局及聽取他們的解釋後，才明白到白卡與國家安全息息相關，所以內政部才禁止使用白卡。

至於馬泰邊境旺吉輦採用自由出入措施一事，她聲稱，泰國公民進入兩公里外的地區，就得在第二個檢查站出示他們的證件，但巴東勿剎卻沒有執行這項措施。

“所以，要解決巴東勿剎的問題，就得在距離關卡一兩公里處設立第二個檢察站。如果內政部同意，就可恢復117白卡措施。”

她指出，一旦內政部同意，泰國公民便可進入巴東勿剎一兩公里內的地區消費，此舉可解決商家面對的問題。

她披露，公共服務及投訴局處理的問題可以小至申請一盞街燈，大至國家人民的移民政策，如外籍太太能否拿到居留權或身份證？

马华妇女组希望外籍配偶和孩子的居留权及公民权问题获得解决

文告:

马华妇女组全国主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬欢迎内政部长拿督斯里希山慕丁宣布政府将全面解决国内公民权问题，并希望存在已久的外籍配偶和孩子的居留权和公民权问题将获得一劳永逸的解决，以体现大马政府实践平等及杜绝歧视的人道主义精神。

“马华妇女组一直以来都在关注外籍配偶和孩子的居留权和公民权课题.并以作出相关努力。上个月5日（5/6/09），妇女组针对有关课题，曾与包括律师公会 (BAR COUNCIL)妇女援助机构（WAO），全国妇女理事会（NCWO）和隆雪华堂妇女组等数个非政府组织举办对话会，除了听取相关民间组织的意见，亦提出本身的看法。”

周美芬指出，许多外籍太太在申请延长签证时，必须仰赖丈夫充当她们的担保人，对于一些不幸的外籍太太而言，这造成她们必须忍受丈夫的无理对待。

“尤其是已经生儿育女的外籍太太，由于不愿意在离婚时因为没有居留权而被迫与儿女分离，她们往往必须默默忍受这种恶劣遭遇。因此我们希望内政部能全面解决外籍配偶和孩子的居留权和公民权问题，尤其是保障已经生儿育女的外籍配偶，应该给予她们合法身份。”

周美芬也表示，在一些偏远乡区，由于父母的无知，没有为孩子办报生或来不及办或婚姻没有注册和配偶身份等问题，导致孩子无法申请身份证，内政部应该给他们一个合法身份，以保障他们的权益。

“此外，尚有许多独立前在本地出生或定居本地的50岁以上老年人，一直只持有红身份证而无法获得正式身份证。有关人士既已年迈，对国家也有贡献，而且也不会对社会带来任何伤害，应该向他们发出身份证。希望随着内政部长的宣布，他们的申请可见曙光。”

Wanita MCA: Home Ministry should expedite citizenship application

Press statement issued by Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun welcoming the announcement by Home Minister Dato’ Seri Hishamuddin bin Tun Hussein Onn of a decision on the fate of applicants for Malaysian citizenship

Wanita MCA welcomes the announcement by the Home Minister Dato’ Seri Hishamuddin bin Tun Hussein Onn to decide on the application for Malaysian citizenship for four categories i.e. applicants for permanent resident status; stateless children; those without birth certificates; and those without documents who are residing in Sabah and Sarawak. Wanita MCA urges the Home Minister to expedite the Ministry’s decision on granting Malaysian citizenship on humanitarian grounds.

Citizenship for “stateless” Malaysians
Wanita MCA is deeply concerned that many residents born in Malaya before our country’s independence in 1957 have still not been issued with a blue MyKad. There are also cases of red MyKad holders who were born in 1965 during the separation of Singapore and Malaysia, and owing to technicalities, have not been granted Malaysian citizenship. These residents who call Malaysia home are loyal, law-abiding people who pay taxes and contribute to the nation’s development.

Equally worrisome are the scores of indigenous children living in rural areas in the Peninsular or in the deep interiors of Sabah and Sarawak, and children born in estate plantations whose births have not been recorded and no birth certificate issued. The women’s wing of MCA strongly urges the National Registration Department to expedite the documentation of births and issuance of Malaysian citizenship to these very deserving cases.

Right of stay of foreign spouses
A forum on foreign spouses in Malaysia on 5 Jun 09 organised by Wanita MCA raised awareness on long-standing challenges faced by foreign spouses, both foreign wives and husbands and also children of a foreign parent.

Foreign wives/husbands encounter challenges in terms of social visit pass, spousal visa, permanent residency and citizenship. The process to renew spousal visa and, application for residency and citizenship is often cumbersome as the visa needs to be renewed annually with the mandatory presence of the sponsor of a foreign spouse which is usually the Malaysian female or male citizen.

The mandatory presence of the sponsor is particularly problematic with cases involving domestic violence as women are placed at the mercy of their husbands where they may have to continue enduring violence in their home for fear of being deported. Compounding this would be if they have children who are born in Malaysia and the foreign wife would fear having to be deported without her children. Or in situations where their husband disappears or in the case of divorces, and they face real risk of deportation without a sponsor. Thus, foreign wives may be stranded here in Malaysia for she may not be able to bring home her children due to financial constraints and her children need to stay in Malaysia since they are Malaysia citizens.

Wanita MCA also urges the Home Ministry to look into the predicament faced by foreign husbands. Current consideration of a foreign husband’s citizenship application is based on a case-to-case basis at the discretion of the Minister. However, this right to citizenship is not stipulated for any foreign husband of a Malaysian. On the grounds of gender equality, a foreign husband’s application for citizenship should be considered on an identical basis as that of a foreign wife.

Citizenship for children
Children who are born to Malaysian women and her foreign spouse are not entitled to citizenship. This is because Malaysian women are not accorded equal rights to confer citizenship to her children if they were to be born outside of Malaysia (UNHCR 2002; WCC statement Apr 2008 citing New Straits Times, 25 Apr 2008). Evidently there is double standard where a Malaysian father could confer citizenship to his child(ren) irrespective of the place of birth.
Similarly in the case where the marriage between a Malaysian citizen and his/ her spouse is not registered in Malaysia, their child(ren) when born would be recorded as “non citizen” in the birth certificate.

Wanita MCA is of the view that all children whose one parent is Malaysian is entitled to citizenship whether born in Malaysia or overseas. Children born prior to the registration of marriage should also have equal rights to citizenship.

By improving the quality of family life of Malaysian citizens, this is consistent with the “1 Malaysia” vision, which is inclusive of non-Malaysian spouses.

Speech by YB Datin Paduka CHEW MEI FUN,
Chairman of Selangor Wanita MCA
at the 34th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of Delegates of Selangor Wanita MCA on 12th July, 2009, at 13th Floor, Wisma MCA

First and foremost, I would like to warmly welcome our comrades, sisters and friends of the media for your attendance to our annual general meeting of delegates. I would like to thank our Secretary General and Selangor State Liaison Committee Chairman, and President of Dewan Negara, YB Senator Wong Foon Meng for taking time off to officiate this meeting. Let us put our hands together to congratulate YB Datuk Wong for his appointment as the President of Dewan Negara on 7th July.

Fellow comrades, in the last 16 months, comrades at MCA continued to endure public indignation after the general election. It was a very difficult and trying period for both the BN and MCA as we were blamed for anything we did. However, despite the grave challenges, our members remain undaunted!

We did not face our loss of the power in the State with pessimism. Instead we continue to actively carry out various programmes and activities because we know that MCA, a 60-year old political party, has a solid foundation. But whether we can return to the mainstream in the political arena depends largely on our ability to recover from defeat or our courage and fighting spirit. As long as we are decisive to carry out reforms, innovations and remain steadfast, we shall prevail and will be back in power.

Although the taking of office by the new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak did not create the intended response and effects similar to those when previous Prime Ministers firstly assumed office, his steady and pragmatic approach; his brainchild the 1 Malaysia concept and a recent series of liberalization and democratic measures announced by him has seen an increase to his approval rating to 65% from 45% in May this year. These positive initiatives by the Prime Minister coupled with intensifying internal conflicts of Pakatan Rakyat, which has merely been in power for slightly more than a year yet continues to claim only credit and passes the buck, exploits various issues, instigates public emotions, and disregards the economic welfare of the people as if it is still in the opposition in addition to an array of policy blunders by the Pakatan, have led wise Malaysians to begin to appreciate the sincerity of BN in implementing reforms and Pakatan’s pan politicalization and irresponsibility. They now realize the importance of giving a fair platform to both BN and Pakatan to compete for public opinion. They now realize that giving a biased support to Pakatan can only lead to its complacence while taking the BN to task for everything it does is detrimental to the nation’s democratic development. In fact, the ruling party and the opposition can exercise mutual supervision and check and balance against each other.

EMBRACING THE E-ERA AND REGAINING OUR VOICE IN CYBERSPACE

In other words, the honeymoon of Pakatan is over. The time for people to be realistic and practical has come. I would like to call upon all Wanita members to review and dispose of the role they used to play as part of the ruling coalition as soon as possible and change their attitude where they used to leave it to their male comrades to express their views and represent their voices. Instead, they should actively play their role as an opposition party and closely monitor the policy and actions of Pakatan by speaking out loudly and clearly without fear or favour. In addition, we should fully embrace the arrival of the e-Era by making full use of the cyberspace to create personal blogs to express our views and tell the truth in addition to rebutting lies, distortions and sensational postings in certain blogs so as to turn the tide of the publicity war in the cyberspace, in which we are still disadvantaged, to our favour and regain our say by revealing the truth and communicating the good policies introduced by BN to the public.

SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES IN A CRISIS

Fellow delegates, leaders of the Pakatan state governments are infamous for their preoccupation with personal political interest and gain. Immediately after coming to power in several state governments, they soon displayed their excellent skills by acting like rugby players which are even superior to star players of the Manchester United soccer team. Just like rugby players in the field they would dearly hold on to any piece of good news, even though it was a leftover achievement by the previous BN government, and try to pass it on to their teammates to maximize its political mileage until they touch down over the goal line and score. But whenever they are faced with any tricky issue, they would make a 180 degree change and conveniently kick the ball to the court of the previous BN government. This trick has been repeatedly used by Pakatan after the March 8 general election. But now the Rakyat have seen the true colours of Pakatan and will no longer buy it！

Life under the Pakatan rule is not a bed of roses as anticipated by many voters. Recently, when speaking at the 29th Anniversary Dinner of the South Johor Hawkers Association, the president of the Malaysian Federation of Petty Traders Associations Datuk Ghai Soo Ming complained that hawkers and petty traders in Selangor are now in a much more difficult situation since the Pakatan government came into power. During its election campaign, the CAT government in Penang led by Lim Guan Eng promised to resolve the land issue for the villagers of Kampung Buah Pala. But sadly, after the election, the buck was passed to the previous BN government. But the residents no long buy it.

Lim claimed that his Penang state government is a government of Credibility, Accountability and Transparency, or CAT in short. But he did not have the guts to face the lawyers and residents of Kampung Buah Pala over the land issue. He only allowed five residents to see him without the presence of their lawyers. May be he thought that it would be easier for him to convince the five residents than their lawyers and also for him to pass the buck to others again！

On the other hand, the frankness of Parti Keadilan is equally shocking. As reported in the press, PKR Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) whip Johari Kassim who was sacked by the Penang government for boycotting the swearing-in ceremony of former North Seberang Prai district officer Mokhtar Mohd Jait as new council president, has openly apologized to Lim Guan Eng just because he wanted to save his post as the PKR whip and councilor of the Seberang Prai Municipal Council. He said in a statement that he decided to apologise for his personal criticisms against the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng after taking into consi­deration the people’s and Pakatan Rakyat’s interest and Anwar’s struggle for justice.[1] Fellow delegates, as we can clearly see from such an important statement, the core objective of the struggle of Parti Keadilan appears to be for Anwar only. Obviously, they believe that the people’s interest must be based on the victory of Anwar. From this, we can see how Parti Keadilan idolizes Anwar, and this is extremely dangerous.

Fellow delegates, as we know, PAS champions the cause of Islam while Parti Keadilan struggles for Anwar, and the DAP struggles for pan politics. I wonder who in Pakatan Rakyat truly struggles for the people and the nation？

In the past, a substantial number of Chinese voters traditionally supported the opposition in their belief of the need to exercise political check and balance. As a result, MCA was subjected to intense pressure in Chinese-dominated constituencies. But whether such opposition-biased belief has changed after the opposition gained power in several states and getting the opportunity for them to prove themselves and allowing the people to compare Pakatan’s performance with the past record of BN government? Personally, I am optimistic. I think that this is the time for us to turn a crisis into an opportunity. When the assemblymen and assemblywomen under-perform, our dedicated and tireless service to the people will be appreciated.

POLICY-GUIDED AND PROFESSIONAL POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Fellow delegates, to advance we need a clear direction and goal. We need to put our strategy to work and we need strategic approaches to do that. We can only bring hope to the people when we innovate and reform！

The theme for this year’s Annual General Meeting of Delegates of MCA Wanita Selangor is “Policy-Guided and Professional Political Participation” which forms part of the 7 Objectives and 5-Point Action Plan advocated by the National Wanita MCA. The object of this theme is to highlight the direction of political struggle as follows：

As a political party we must return to the origins of our political struggle;

As the leading body for 22 Divisions State Wanita MCA, MCA Wanita Selangor shall actively take interest in state and national policies- to be aware, to deliberate, to initiate or implement national policies;

As part of a multi-ethnic nation, we must care for all the citizens of Malaysia and break down any racial political barrier; and

We must face up to the challenges in a rapidly changing information age and to progress, we need to be professional, factual and pragmatic in our political debate and deliberation.

REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS BY THE POLITICAL STRATEGY BUREAU OF WANITA MCA

In line with the overall objective of the Policy-Guided and Professional Political Participation, the National Wanita MCA immediately formed the Political Strategy Bureau after the new committee was elected last year. The Bureau has carried out studies and deliberated on various issues concerning women’s rights and has taken effective actions to rectify and safeguard rights for women. In addition, it has over a short span of 9 months, expressed the views of Wanita MCA on a range of national issues and has addressed several issues and in the process of addressing some issues：

The recognition of the Malaysian Women Tourist Guides Association by the Ministry of Tourism, allowing its members to renew their licenses without being affiliated to the Malaysian Tourist Guide Council which had rejected their application as an affiliate member;
The stern policy announced by the Tourism Minister YB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ng Yen Yen that licenses of travel agencies will be revoked if they continue to require women tourist guide/tour leaders to share the same room with their male colleagues while on tour;

According to a reliable source, prohibition on the use of sexist and gender discriminatory language in Parliament by the Dewan Rakyat Proceedings Regulations Subcommittee chaired by the Speaker and the prohibition will be integrated into the existing Standing Orders upon the approval by the Dewan Rakyat;

Consent of the past President of the Dewan Negara to amend the Standing Orders to safeguard the image of the Parliament and the dignity of members of Parliament of both genders. We believe this amendment will soon materialize following the appointment of MCA Secretary General Y B Senator Dato’ Wong Foon Meng as the new President of Dewan Negara；

Active participation and initiative with party leaders and non-government organizations on the proposed amendments to the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 to ensure that such amendments will not affect the rights of non-converting spouse, children and family members when a spouse convert to Islam; and

The organization of a seminar on The Rights of Foreign Spouses which was actively participated by non-government ogranisations and the on-going preparation of a memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs to comprising recommendations which includes amendments to relevant legislations to safeguard rights of foreign spouses and their children in Malaysia.

When we fully complete the above tasks, we will call for a meeting with child care centre operators to discuss how district and municipal councils could simplify and standardize the regulations governing child care centres and resolve the issue of exorbitant license fees imposed upon child care centres. This would help address the social issue revolving the shortage of child care centres and reduce the over-reliance on foreign maids. Upon completion of this Memorandum to relevant authorities, we will organise meetings with child care centre operators in all states so as to pool our resources and strength to present to relevant district and municipal councils with proposal on improving the current situation and ensuring prompt implementation of our recommendations.

RECOGNISING DEGREES IN CHINESE STUDIES FROM CHINA AND TAIWAN AND UNIFIED EXAMINATION CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS TO OVERCOME SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS

Fellow delegates, with regard to the recent June intake of Chinese studies university graduates who intend to teach in Chinese schools upon graduation from the Teacher Training Programme for Postgraduates (KPLI) were yet again arbitrarily placed by the Ministry of Education into National Schools (BCSK) and the shortage of over 30 lecturers in the teacher training colleges all over the country, we hope the government could recognize the seriousness of the situation and take immediate and effective measures to resolve this long outstanding issue.

I believe the reason for the arbitrary placement of university graduates of Chinese studies enrolled under the Teacher Training Programme for Postgraduates (KPLI) by the Ministry of Education into National Schools (BCSK) was that both the Chinese Primary Schools and National Primary Schools are facing immense shortage of Chinese language teachers. The incident of “teachers’ pinching” between Chinese Primary Schools and National Primary Schools happened because graduates in Chinese language from teacher training colleges are inadequate to meet the demand for such teachers. The shortage of Chinese language lecturers in teachers training college will further aggravate the problem.

In light of the foregoing, we call upon the government to expedite the recognition of degrees in Chinese studies from China and Taiwan to help resolve the shortage of lecturers in Chinese Language in teacher training colleges as well as recognize the Unified Examination Certificate of Chinese independent secondary schools in order to attract more students to apply for teachers training.

OBJECT THE TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE BY BAHASA MALAYSIA IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

On the topic of teaching of the subjects of mathematics and science in English, we welcome the recent decision of the government to resume the teaching of mathematics and science in national primary schools in Bahasa Malaysia and mother tongue in Chinese primary schools. However, we have reservation about the use of Bahasa Malaysia to teach mathematics and science in secondary schools. We hope the Ministry of Education could review this decision to avoid any problem of adaptation faced by year one secondary students who are now learning mathematics and science taught in English when the language swap takes effect in 2012 as well as to avoid the problem of language continuity when secondary students proceed to tertiary education which is generally taught in English.

LEARNING THE LESSON FROM THE ZAKARIA PALACE FARCE AND ERADICATING CORRUPTION

Fellow Delegates, while our memory on the infamous Istana Zakaria built by the late Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros is still fresh, another controversy has taken place over Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, the former Selangor Menteri Besar ’s brand-new palatial mansion. We hope that the BN government could view this matter seriously and make a clear stand to wipe out corruption by carrying out an internal investigation and taking firm action if any corruption is proven in order not to allow a bad apple to spoil the rest.

PARTY LEVELS ENTRUSTED WITH SPECIFIC DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

Fellow delegates, our party is structured into various levels at the branch, divisional, state and central. Each level is entrusted with specific roles and functions in carrying out respective duties: community relations and services as the main axis at grass root level; while the participation in state and national policy making forms the main axis of State and national party setups.

Looking forward to years ahead, MCA Wanita Selangor will intensify its monitoring over the Selangor state government while complementing the National Wanita in promoting various policies. In addition, it will fully support efforts to recruit more members and continue to uplift its standard of service to empower underprivileged women and children. It will assist the Party to set up more para-counseling centres in the various states across the nation and continue to organise courses in implementing the Life Long Learning campaign for the community. In a continuous effort to breakdown any racial barrier and promote the spirit of an extended family among all Malaysians, we will encourage all divisions to organise community programmes and activities which are open to all races. We hope to regain the people’s support and approval with a series of innovations and transformations, and by working with the party’s central leadership to work for political rights, economic development and racial harmony and the 1Malaysia democratic policy advocated by the Prime Minister.

Fellow delegates, in another two to three years, we will be facing the next general election. We, therefore, must remain united and systematically uplift our service quality, strengthen grass-root organization and linkages, sincerely rally the support of the rakyat with a brand new image and strategy, and go all out to reinforce our existing seats in the Parliament so that we can effectively launch an offensive to recapture the seats which we lost in the last election.

Thank you very much and I wish you good health and happiness.
[1] Sin Chew Jit Poh 7 July 2009, pg 7

周美芬于马华雪州代表大会讲词

马华雪兰莪州妇女组第卅四届会员代表大会
州主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬讲词
日期：2009年7月12日， 时间：上午9时， 地点：马华中央党部 13楼

首先我要热烈欢迎同志们，姐妹们和媒体朋友们踊跃出席今天这项马华雪州妇女组一年一度的代表大会,并感谢我党总秘书兼马华雪州联委会主席尊敬的拿督王弗明上议院主席今天拨冗出席为我们主持大会的开幕典礼，更要借助大家的掌声来恭贺尊敬的拿督王弗明于本月7日荣升我国国会上议院主席。

各位同志，在过去的16个月里，我们大家一起经历了大选后民情依然愤慨，国阵与马华动辄得咎的一段艰苦时期，难得的是，无论外头如何风大雨大，都比不上我们同志姐妹的志气大！

我们并没有因为输去了州政权而消极以对，我们继续积极的推动了多项的计划与活动，因为我们知道马华这60年老店根基虽然深厚，但能否重回主流，全看同志们在这关键的时刻是一蹶不振还是斗志昂扬，只要我们勇于改革，勇于创新，坚持挺进，我们将重新执政！

虽然首相拿督斯里纳吉的上任并没有如过往般产生新首相效应，然而随着他沉着坚毅的表现，他贯彻《一个马来西亚》精神的多项民主政策陆续出台后，人民对他的支持度已从5月的46%提高到65%， 加上民联政府内部矛盾日益激化、执政一年多依然不改功劳全揽，错误推诿，同时不断借题发挥，煽动情绪，忽略民生经济的在野本色和多项施政失误后，精明的人民已开始感受到了国阵革新的诚意和民联的泛政治与不负责任。人民开始发现为国阵与民联在民意上提供公平竞争平台的重要，一味的倒向民联只会让他们得意忘形，而动辄谴责国阵也将有损朝野互相监督，相互制衡的民主发展。

进入e-时代，赢回网上话语权

换言之，民联的蜜月期经已过去，人民实事求是的大环境经已出现，我要呼吁雪州的姐妹们应尽快从执政党的角色中抽离，改变以往把所有对外表达意见与发言的工作都交给男同志的态度，积极扮演在野党的角色，对民联展开慎密严格的监督与针砭，敢敢讲，大声讲，义正词严的讲，不但要讲，也应全面进入e-时代，在设立个人部落格之余，积极登入充斥网际网络的各个部落格，尤其是在哗众取宠，扭曲是非的部落格中表达看法，揭发谎言，道出真理，全面反击，以扭转我们直到现在仍处于劣势的网上宣传战，赢回网上话语权，让真相浮现，让国阵的良好施政得以传达。

在危机中掌握转机

各位，民联执政才不过短短的1年多，我们看到三党之间为了个人小我的权益已斗得不亦乐乎，在北部的那边厢行动党和公正党因为新威省市政局主席莫达事宜的纷争才刚刚以道歉勉强落幕，这边厢又发生了公正党国际山庄区州议员莫哈末阿兹敏因县市议员名单问题质疑雪州行政议员的表现，建议雪州州务大臣重组雪州行政议会，甚至撤换表现欠佳的州行政议员，结果引得双方中央级领袖互相自挺各自党员，热闹非常。

昨天槟州公正党连槟州元首封赐该党当权派领袖也导致派系倾轧恶化，让州主席再林备受千夫所指，结果不得不辩护本身与林武灿受封有理，更恫言要求党中央对付那些酝酿集体上书，撤换他的区部主席。

各位，回教党也好不到哪里去，在玛力勿莱补选活动进行得如火如荼的时候，竟然发生了该党署理主席纳沙鲁丁被禁助选的笑话，显示该党内部权争的激化。

民联政府凡事以个人政党政治利益为考量的举动让人不敢恭维，他们在大选执政几个州属后就立刻展现了他们精湛的橄榄球球技和比曼联足球明星还高超的好脚法，凡是好的消息，即使是国阵政府执政留下的施政成果，全部如在橄榄球场上接到球时紧紧地抱住，再想办法传给队员，让他在全国发酵，最后冲线得分！然而只要抓到了烫手山芋，就立刻施展大腿摇摆幅度高达180度的踢球法把球一踢，踢了给前朝国阵政府。这种技俩，在308大选后初期确实屡试屡爽，但是现在人民已看清了他们的真面目，再也不吃他们那一套了！

日前，大马贩商总会会长拿督蔡树民在出席柔南流动小贩公会庆祝成立29周年晚宴上指出，雪隆一带的小贩自民联执政雪州之后的处境更惨，林冠英主导的猫政府（CAT）在大选前承诺为槟城豆蔻村村民解决土地问题，大选后却想一脚把问题踢给国阵政府要来一个金蝉脱壳，可惜居民们已不再卖他们的帐。

林冠英说他领导的槟州政府是CAT 政府，即 Credibility 诚信， Accountability 负责和Transparency透明,但是他在处理豆蔻村村民土地事件上却以一句“我个人不曾承诺，在大选前更因时间紧凑未踏足该村”试图脱罪，同时不敢面对豆蔻村的律师和所有的村民，连会见村民也只限5名，同时不让律师陪同，大概他认为说服5名村民比说服他们的律师容易而尝试借机推卸责任吧！

各位，林冠英是一党之尊，一州之长，协助豆蔻村村民处理土地事宜的承诺是否出自他的金口并不重要，重要的是那是该党在大选时所作出的承诺，这和平时任何一位党要所作出的承诺在级别上是有所不同的，选前一套说辞，选后又另一套说辞，与欺骗选民没有分别。

另一方面，公正党的坦白也同样让人民惊讶，早前因抵制新威省市政局主席莫达而遭槟州政府革职的公正党市议会党鞭佐哈里为了挽回他的市议员和党鞭职位所发表的其中一段声明说：“基于更大的议程、考量人民的利益及人民公正党为拿督斯里安华的公正而斗争的目标，我为我在媒体上所作的言论和人身攻击道歉。”各位，他在一份这么重要的声明中说了这番言论，清楚的告诉了我们公正党的斗争中心目标是为了安华个人，显然他们认为人民的利益必须建基于安华的胜利，我们看到了公正党在神化安华的举动，这是非常危险的。

各位，回教党的斗争是为了回教，公正党是为了安华，而行动党则一切泛政治化，那到底民联中谁在为人民，谁在为国家呢？

各位，过去华裔选民因为相信政治需要制衡而传统上较倾向在野党，因此让马华在许多华裔占大多数的选区承受了极大的压力，但是这种传统上较倾向在野党的心理随着在野党已成了执政党，有了表现的机会，提供了人民比较的机会后是否会有所改变呢？我个人的看法是乐观的，我认为这是危机也是转机，当民联的面具由他们自己一面一面撕开后，当他们的议员没有表现时，人民将会重新评估，首相以民为本的新政和我们努力不懈为人民服务的代表也将会获得青睐。
政策倡导，专业论政

各位姐妹，我党总会长拿督斯里翁诗杰倡导拼经济、拼政治和拼种族和谐三拼纲领
，我们的新任首相纳吉在上任首一百天里已带领政府迈向新的议程，他昨天发表上任一百天发表了“以民为本”的演词，公布了6个关键领域以及11项利民措施，证明了挺进需要方向，进发需要目标，落实需要策略，实践需要方法，唯有创新让人感觉清新，唯有改革给人民希望！

今年马华雪州妇女组代表大会以中央妇女组所推动的《7大目标，5大计划》中的“政策倡导，专业问政”作为主题，其用意在于传达以下奋斗方向：

1。身为政党组织，我们必须回到政治奋斗的本源；
2。身为领导属下22个区会的州妇女组必须积极参与国家政策的聆听、议论、倡导和实践；
3。身处多元种族国家我们必须关怀全民，突破种族政治框架；
4。面对讯息万变，进展神速的时代挑战，论政，议政必须专业，有理有据，有实践基础。

马华中央妇女组政治策略局的政绩
配合《政策倡导，专业论政》的大目标，中央妇女组自去年新届委员会成立后即成立了政治策略局，不但针对多项和妇女权益有关的议题进行了研究与探讨和采取实际有效的行动进行纠正与争取，也积极的针对许多国家议题表达妇女组的立场，在过去短短9个月里我们完成或即将达成的工作包括：

1） 成功为马来西亚女导游协会申请获得旅游部的承认，无需通过拒绝该会加入的马来西亚导游协会的协助即可协助属下会员跟新执照；
2）获得旅游部长拿督斯里黄燕燕医生的支持，以撤销旅行社准证警告，严禁女导游被逼与男同事同房的事情再度发生。
3）根据消息由国会下议院议长所主持的议会常规小组已开会通过将“SEXIST”(性别歧视)的语言”列为国会内禁止使用的语言，只要提呈下议院通过后即可成为议会常规的一部分。
4）获得上一任国会上议院议长同意修改议会常规，作出相关修正，以维护国会形象与两性议员的尊严。我们相信随着尊敬的马华总秘书接任为上议院主席后，这项争取将很快就在上议院落实；
5）积极带动及参与和党内领袖及党外非政府组织有关修正《1976年婚姻、离婚改革法令》的讨论，确保配偶、孩子与家庭成员的权利不会因为某一方半途皈依回教而受到影响；
6）已召开有关《外籍配偶权利》的研讨会，获得非政府组织的积极参与，草拟备忘录的工作已进行至半途，将在近期内向内政部提呈，要求修改法令，保障外籍配偶与孩子的权利。

在完成了上述各项工作后，我们将召集托儿所业者进行会商，探讨如何促使各县市议会简化及划一设立托儿所条规与征收过高执照费的问题，从根源解决目前托儿所不足，家庭过度依赖外籍女佣的社会问题。待有关的备忘录完成后，我们将动员各州属下各区会召集区内的托儿所业者会商，结合大家的力量向相关的县市议会提呈改进现况的建议并确保尽速落实。

承认中台中文系与独中统考文凭，解决师资问题
各位同志，针对今年6月开课的大学毕业生师范课程（KPLI）再次发生大学中文系毕业生被教育部擅自安排进入国小华文组（BCSK），同时全国师范学院尚缺30多位讲师事宜，我们希望政府正视其严重性，并迅速采取有效的方案解决这项存在已久的问题。

我认为参与师范课程的大学中文系毕业生被教育部擅自安排进入国小华文组（BCSK）的主要原因是因为华小和国小同样面对华文老师不足，而进入师范学院的华文科学生在毕业后也不足以应付需求，因此才会发生了国小和华小“抢人”的事件。除此，师范学院的华文讲师不足将进一步激化华文师资的培训问题。

因此我们呼吁政府加速承认中台中文系文凭，以解决师范学院讲师短缺的问题，承认独中统考文凭，以吸引更多学生申请成为教师。

反对中学国语教数理决定
在英语教数理课题上，我们欢迎政府恢复在国小以国语教授数理和在华小只以华语教授数理的决定，然而我们认为连中学也以国语教授数理的决定值得商榷，我们希望教育部重新检讨这项决定以避免目前正在以英语学习数理的初中一学生在2012年改以国语学数理时面对无法适应的问题，同时也避免中学生面对无法和高等教育接轨的问题。

我们欢迎政府增加英文上课时数的决定，但，我们对于国小和华小在英文上课时间的差距上感觉忧虑，国小第一阶段教育的英语上课时间从240分钟增加到330分钟，第二阶段则从240分钟增加到300分钟，但华小的第一阶段却只从60分钟增加到120分钟，第二阶段则从90分钟增加到120分钟，这等于华小学习英文的时数比国小少了180到210分钟，我们希望教育部立即缩短国华小在英文上课时数上的差距。

吸取查宫教训，严打贪腐

各位，在大家对已故查卡里亚的查宫记忆犹新之际，最近又发生了基宫事宜，我们希望国阵正视这项问题，在反贪委员会进行调查之余，也以反贪的鲜明立场展开内部调查，如果证据确凿决不手软，勿让一粒老鼠粪坏了整锅粥，更期待首相即将在7月底公布的政府反贪政策是可行有效的方案，避免空有理论而无法落实。

各级组织，各司其职

各位，党组织分为支、区、州与中央各级，用意在于各司其职，支、区会宜以基层组织的推展工作，社区联谊与服务工作为主轴，州会与中央则宜以参与州级中央国家政策为主轴。

马华雪州妇女组将全面配合中央妇女组在《7大目标，5大计划》下所倡导和推动的各项政策与妇女企业发展计划。在政治上我们将加强对雪州政府的监督、在培育新血方面姐妹们应全面协助广招女青年、在协助弱势妇女与儿童方面，我们将提升服务水平，协助中央在全国各州设立辅导室、在贯彻终身学习精神层面，我们将持续推动社区的各类课程、在突破种族框架，展现全民一家方面，我们鼓励姐妹们加强与他族的联系，在组织上各区会与各局应主办开放予各族一起参与的社区计划与活动，我们希望通过一系列的革新与转型，配合党中央的拼政治、拼经济、拼种族和谐的三拼奋斗纲领和首相的《一个马来西亚》民主政策下，重新赢回人民的支持与肯定。

各位，距离下届大选只剩下2至3年多的时间，我们必须精诚团结，在接下来的2-3年里必须系统性提升服务素质与服务层面，加强基层组织工作与联系，以诚意、崭新的形象和策略赢取人民的支持，全面巩固我们现有的议席并强攻在上届大选输去的议席。

谢谢。祝大家身体健康，万事如意。

周美芬：落實總會長直選‧馬華婦女組支持修改黨章

星洲日報‧2009.07.12

（吉隆坡）馬華婦女組全國主席兼雪州婦女組主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬今日（週日，7月12日）指出，馬華婦女組全力支持修改黨章，以落實總會長直選的建議。

她說，馬華黨員中有38%是女性，若直選總會長，意味總會長未來的施政和決策必須考慮女性的課題，未來的競選宣言也會把落實婦女在各階層佔30%決策權納為重要考量。

她在雪州婦女組大會上總結代表們的辯論時，促請婦女組領袖坐言起行，週日開始主動聯絡失聯的女黨員，以便凝聚力量，“一次過”展示女性的力量和落實婦女組的訴求。

較早前，署理主席周麗玉在總結辯論時也指出，婦女組中央代表只佔全體中央代表的約10%，若直選總會長，女黨員更能展示她們的力量。

不能只停留在“只對華人喊話”
另一方面，周美芬指出，馬華若要在大馬政壇立足，就不能停留在“只對華人喊話”，只把意見和觀點傳達給本身族群的階段，反之，馬華黨員和領袖必須向各種族傳達訊息。

她說，若馬華黨員和領袖無法跨越語言藩籬，也就無法超越種族藩籬，因此，他們在舉辦活動時須大膽嚐試，邀請其他族群和國陣成員黨參與，以開拓未來的政治疆土。

她也希望婦女組黨員在設立個人部落格之余，也要積極登入其他部落格，尤其是嘩眾取寵、扭曲是非的部落格中表達看法、揭發謊言和道出真理，以扭轉馬華直到現在仍處於劣勢的網上宣傳戰，贏回網上話語權，讓真相浮現，更重要的是讓國陣的良好施政得以傳達。

周美芬：除承受肉體痛苦‧乳癌患者擔憂丈夫反應

星洲日報‧2009.07.10

周美芬（次排左6）為網站主持推介後，與乳癌康復者在台上合照留念。（圖：星洲日報）

（吉隆坡）婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長拿汀巴杜卡周美芬指出，數以千計的乳癌患者在患病後，最擔憂和牽掛的是丈夫的反應，及如何繼續維持1個美滿、幸福的家庭。

她說，女患者所承受的壓力除了肉體上的痛苦外，也擔心家庭是否會毀於一旦、四分五裂。

周美芬今日（週五，7月10日）為2009康復之路（Reach to Recovery 2009）網站http://www.pinkribbonr2r.my/主持推介禮時指出，為人夫者必須明白和支持患病的妻子或身旁女性，丈夫的支持和鼓勵是幫助患者的最主要動力。

她說，女性患癌所帶來的影響與國家發展息息相關，因為47%大馬患癌女性是職業女性。

僅53%女性自行檢查乳房.

她說，雖然乳癌是大馬女性的頭號殺手，但大馬國家人口及家庭發展局在2004年的調查發現，僅53.2%大馬女性自行進行乳房檢查。

她披露，衛生部在2002年的調查發現，在1872名進行乳房X光片檢查的女性當中，年齡介於41至60歲的女性佔83.1%，其中有3.8%女性懷疑患有癌症。

她表示，醫學到今日仍無法確認患上乳癌的病因，所以女性要時常自我檢查，提早發現病情可阻止癌細胞擴散到身體其它部位。

設康復之路網站‧讓患者互相交流
2009康復之路主席兼乳房外科醫生顧問迪瓦南指出，設立康復之路網站是為了讓乳癌患者有一個分享經驗、互相交流的管道。

他披露，康復之路網站是由一班乳癌康復者合力設立與管理，目的是與其他患者一起共同面對癌症，和分享走過抗癌之路的經驗。

他說，民眾可從網站獲悉一切相關資料，包括病者可食用的營養食品指南、求醫機構或單位；他也希望通過網站收集更多病者的資料，以掌握國內乳癌病患的最新數據。

The Star News: Saturday July 11, 2009

Now cancer patients can virtually learn about the illness

KUALA LUMPUR: When property manager Jessie Chai was diagnosed with breast cancer, she felt devastated. Her immediate thoughts were whether she could continue to eat sambal, practise Qi Gong or even where she could buy a wig.

“I went on a frantic search for information,” she said. “But I realised then that there was no related information based on Malaysians’ dietary habits and our style of living.

“Most of the information were for Westerners,” she said, adding that the thousands of pages she downloaded from websites and books were too clinical for her to understand.

To prevent Malaysian women like Chai from flailing in the dark, the breast cancer survivors’ support group Pink Ribbon had launched its website at www.pinkribbonr2r.my with information on the illness.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the group played a significant role in providing peer support to breast cancer patients.

“One woman, who previously has been treated for cancer, can be a valuable source of support for another who has been recently diagnosed,” she said, adding that some 1.2 million people worldwide had cancer. The illness kills 400,000 people yearly.

Chew urged women to conduct breast self-examination regularly and go for mammogram screening each year, adding that 31% of cancer patients in Malaysia had breast cancer.

She said women, who were above 40 years old with a household income of RM5,000 or less, would also be eligible for a RM50 subsidy if they were to go for screening at private mammogram centres registered with the National Population and Family Development Board.

周美芬：一粒老鼠糞壞整鍋粥‧國陣應正視“基宮”事件

星洲日報‧2009.07.12

周美芬（前排左3）贈送水果籃給王茀明。（圖：星洲日報）

（吉隆坡）馬華婦女組全國主席兼雪州婦女組主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬促請國陣正視“基宮”事件，以免讓一粒老鼠糞壞了整鍋粥，使“基宮”事件對國陣造成破壞。

她說，在反貪污委員會調查“基宮”事件之余，國陣也應以反貪的鮮明立場展開內部調查，如果證據確鑿，決不能手軟。

盼納吉反貪政策有效
她期待首相拿督斯里納吉於7月杪公佈的反貪政策是可行有效的方案，避免空有理論而無法落實。

她在馬華雪州婦女組第34屆大會上致詞時說，馬華婦女組歡迎政府恢復小學以母語教授數理，但認為中學以國語教授數理的決定值得商榷。

“我們希望教育部重新檢討這項決定，以避免目前正在以英語學習數理的初中一學生在2012年改以國語學習時無法適應，同時，也避免中學生面對無法和高等教育接軌的問題。”

促加速承認中台中文系文憑
她對國小和華小在英文上課時間出現差距感到憂慮，並希望教育部立即縮短國華小在英文上課時數的差距。

她說，婦女組也希望政府加速承認中台中文系文憑，以解決師範學院講師短缺的問題，並且要承認獨立統考文憑，以吸引更多學生申請成為教師。

周美芬：再給首相半年至一年時間

星洲互動‧2009.07.12
（吉隆坡）馬華婦女組全國主席兼雪州婦女組主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬今日（週日，7月12日）指出，若再給首相拿督斯里納吉半年至一年時間，待其宣佈的各項利民措施發酵，相信在其聲望進一步提高的情況下，將能一冼國陣的頹勢。

她說，屆時將為國陣製造一個有利的大環境，讓國陣能全面與民聯比拼和競爭。

她在馬華雪州婦女組大會開幕禮後舉行的新聞發佈會上，針對納吉於週六（7月11日）宣佈的11項利民措施時說，要為貧窮和赤貧家庭紓困，需要各單位和各項政策的互相配合才能奏效。

她指出，凡家庭收入每月低於720令吉都歸類為赤貧，政府於2010年前分配各別1萬單位的宏願信托基金給1萬個赤貧家庭，相信能協助到真正需要援助的人士。

周美芬：應該給外籍配偶合法身份

星洲互動‧2009.07.10

（吉隆坡）馬華婦女組主席拿汀巴杜卡周美芬指出，內政部應全面解決外籍配偶和孩子的居留權和公民權事項，尤其保障已經生兒育女的外籍配偶，給予她們合法身份。

她今日（週五，7月10日）發表文告，歡迎內政部長拿督斯里希山慕丁宣佈政府將全面解決公民權問題時表示，部份外籍太太由於不願意離婚後因為沒有居留權而必須與孩子分開，以致必須忍受不幸的婚姻。

“也有外籍太太為了申請延長簽證，被迫仰丈夫鼻息，因為她們證件的申請必須獲得丈夫擔保。”

周美芬：須符合條件‧有需要貧戶可申請福利金

星洲日報／大都會‧2009.07.07

周美芬（右三）到吉膽島頒發福利金給有需要幫助的島民。左起為謝茂存、李至尊和宋奇才，右為阿南阿布峇卡。（圖：星洲日報）

（雪蘭莪‧巴生）婦女、家庭及社會發展部副部長拿汀巴杜卡周美芬表示，不管是來自國陣或民聯的選區，只要是窮人，當局都會給予援助。

她說，雖然民聯州政府也有提供福利金，但它給予的只是一小部份，始終還是國陣政府給的最多。福利局的資金充足，任何有需要的人士和符合資格者都可申請。

她指出，每月收入少過750令吉的家庭即可申請福利金。另外，家中有親人病重的家庭、殘障人士和單親家庭，同樣可提出申請，惟必須符合條件。

頒福利金給42吉膽島民
周美芬週一（7月6日）頒發福利金給吉膽島42名島民時，發表談話。受惠膽島民包括17位無人照顧的樂齡人士，他們每月可得300令吉福利金；7位每月獲得100令吉兒童福利金的兒童；3位每月收入少過1200令吉的殘障人士，每人每月可得300令吉。

另外，有12名來自困苦家庭的島民，也獲頒福利金，另外有3人因家裡有無法自理生活的親人，且家庭收入少過3000令吉，而每月獲得300令吉福利金。

其他出席者包括雪州福利局長阿南阿布峇卡、馬華加埔區會主席拿督宋奇才、區會婦女組主席楊媚惠、區會青年團團長李至尊、馬華吉膽島支會主席謝茂存等。

巴生區今年至6月獲發171萬福利金
周美芬指出，自今年1月至6月，中央政府已發出171萬令吉的福利金給巴生一帶有需要幫助的貧戶。

她說，今年上半年全國共有16萬5000多名人士向政府申請福利金，其中1萬3000人是雪州子民，來自巴生、加埔和吉膽島的居民共有1830人。

她表示，中央政府提供的福利金，都是每月撥款，歡迎有需要幫助的人士提出申請。

婦女部鞏固家庭結構強調婚前輔導重要性
針對吉膽島婦女於數月前提出反對中國女郎到島上賣淫的事件，也是馬華全國婦女組主席的周美芬表示，外國人若到大馬進行不法勾當，那是移民局和警方的責任。

至於婦女、家庭及社會發展部的責任，她說，該部負責使到大馬家庭的結構更加鞏固。

該部門強調婚前輔導的重要性，所以通過非政府組織的協助，每年舉辦至少150場婚前輔導課程，另外還舉辦親子講座。

Saturday July 11, 2009
Now cancer patients can virtually learn about the illness
KUALA LUMPUR: When property manager Jessie Chai was diagnosed with breast cancer, she felt devastated. Her immediate thoughts were whether she could continue to eat sambal, practise Qi Gong or even where she could buy a wig.
“I went on a frantic search for information,” she said. “But I realised then that there was no related information based on Malaysians’ dietary habits and our style of living.
“Most of the information were for Westerners,” she said, adding that the thousands of pages she downloaded from websites and books were too clinical for her to understand.
To prevent Malaysian women like Chai from flailing in the dark, the breast cancer survivors’ support group Pink Ribbon had launched its website at www.pinkribbonr2r.my with information on the illness.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the group played a significant role in providing peer support to breast cancer patients.
“One woman, who previously has been treated for cancer, can be a valuable source of support for another who has been recently diagnosed,” she said, adding that some 1.2 million people worldwide had cancer. The illness kills 400,000 people yearly.
Chew urged women to conduct breast self-examination regularly and go for mammogram screening each year, adding that 31% of cancer patients in Malaysia had breast cancer.
She said women, who were above 40 years old with a household income of RM5,000 or less, would also be eligible for a RM50 subsidy if they were to go for screening at private mammogram centres registered with the National Population and Family Development Board.

The 3rd East Asia Gender Equality Ministerial Meeting

Date: June 24(Wed) ~ 26(Fri), 2009

Venue:The Shilla Seoul

Hosted by : Ministry of Gender Equality, Republic of Korea

Group photo of all invited guests from Brunei Darussalam, India, Islamic Repulic of Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Suriname, Uzbekistan, UNESCAP, UNDP.

Chew Mei Fun presenting "The Economic Crisis and Women" during the Plenary Session.

Opening Session (25 June 2009)

Session 2 Presentation by Chew Mei Fun on "Violence Against Women"

High-level Roundtable

Exchange souvenir with Kantha Phavi Ing, Minister for Women's Affairs, Cambodia

Krishna Tirath, Minister of Women and Child Development, India

Do-Yoon Byun, Minister of Gender Equality, Korea

Xiurong Chen, Vice-Chairperson of All-China Women's Federation, China

Farida Akbarova, Chairperson of Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan


2 other delegates from Malaysia : En Mohammad Foad Haji Abdullah (Timbalan Pengarah Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita) and Ms Chua Fong Ling (Private Secretary to Chew Mei Fun)