Parliament Review: Ibrahim Ali

Note: This one was an earlier review of the points raised by MPs in their first speech in Parliament. I missed out posting it here...

Now while I will admit it now that I haven't much data on this fellow as I should, other than he was there when Mahathir was tear gassed in Kelantan, I would definitely like to know more about this "Mr. Independent".

Points from his speech

1. Give Terengganu its fair share of the petrol royalties

Now while I support this, I don't see it happening any time soon, simply because the federal government probably relies on this income for their RMK-9 efforts.

2. Give allowances to single moms with two kids or more (RM500), orphans (RM100-RM200) and the disabled (RM300) regardless of race and religion.

This is actually a rather Islamic thing to do, which surprised me a lot. But yes, it sounds good enough.

3. Tok Guru Hadi Awang should be the next PM.

Right....I'm sure we'd all support that one (it's sarcasm, people)

4. The DEB has yet to meet it's target of 30% equity for the Bumiputeras after 18 years. What the hell's going on?

I agree fully with this statement.

5. Put out a white paper on the allegations made by Hindraf.

Yes. There are some nasty allegations brought forth by Hindraf that requires answering.

6. Investigation and publication of the current PM's Oil For Food scandal

Yes, it did hit some of Pak Lah's credibility, so I guess there is a need to investigate this as well.

7. Why hasn't Malaysia signed the UN Convention Against Corruption?

A good point to bring up. After all that talk about transparency and stemming corruption, why not do something to globally recognize it?

8. Change the OSA so that tenders are not included as "Official Secrets".

After all, the people have a right to know what you're doing with their cash.

9. Revamp the ISA, not dispose of it. Include Suhakam.

10. Investigate the cost of importing labor.

11. Investigate the misuse of study visas by foreign students.

12. Giving JPA scholarships to Bumiputeras who score 5As, or 6As while others have to get at least 9As, in the spirit of DEB.

13. Take advice from Tun M

14. Fix the roads in Pasir Mas.

15. OKU's and single mothers in Pasir Mas getting only RM80  or RM70.

16. Hasten the establishment of the Halal Hub in ECER.

17. Mandatory bonus to police and army personnel (RM500 - RM 1000)

These are good points, most of them, of course. Number 13's definitely something I personally don't agree with.

However, most of the points in his speeches are good and worthy of consideration, even if his recommendation for PM is someone I would not nominate within a billion years or so.

Next up: Fong Po Kuan