Wishing All Malaysians : Happy New Year & A Prosperous Year Of The Rabbit ...!!!
NGEH KOO HAM
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
祝全马来西亚华人：兔年行大运...!!!
拿督倪可汉
霹雳州民主行动党主席
木威区国会议员 & 实兆远州议员
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
BN Perak Govt celebrates Christmas off season.
MEDIA STATEMENT
BN Perak State Government fixing 23rd January 2011 to celebrate Christmas defeats the spirit of celebrating the event.
I note with regret that the Perak BN Government deems it fit to celebrate Christmas 2010 out of season to celebrate it only on 23rd January 2011. Christmas is celebrated worldwide on 25th December 2010.
The purpose of a celebration is to observe the significance of an event, in our instant case the birth of Christ. Apart from that, a celebration uplifts and liberates the human spirit to bring happiness, gladness and joy.
The people of Perak are starting to feel the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year which falls on 3 February 2011. Therefore, to celebrate Christmas only on 23 January 2011 when the people are in the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year will overshadow the message and significance of the Christmas event. The festivity which Christmas brings to uplift the spirit of the people will also be lost.
I hope in future the State Christmas program will be celebrated during the season of Christmas.
Dated this 12th day of January 2011.
NGEH KOO HAM
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
媒体文告
国阵霹雳州政府定于2011年1月23日庆祝圣诞节违背了庆祝活动的精神。
我对国阵霹雳州政府在2011年1月23日过了圣诞节后才庆祝感到遗憾。全球都在2010年 12月25日庆祝圣诞节。
庆祝会的目的是在于认识基督诞生的重要意义。此外，庆祝会可提升和解放人的精神，带来幸福，欢乐和喜悦。
霹雳州的人们开始感受到于2011年2月3日庆祝农历新年的气氛。因此，在2011年1月23日庆祝圣诞，圣诞节的意义和气氛将会被庆祝农历新年的气氛所掩盖。而欢庆圣诞给于提升人的精神也将丢失。
我希望在今后，州的圣诞庆祝活动将在圣诞节举行。
日期：2011年1月12日。
拿督倪可汉
霹雳州民主行动党主席
木威区国会议员 & 实兆远州议员
BN Perak State Government fixing 23rd January 2011 to celebrate Christmas defeats the spirit of celebrating the event.
I note with regret that the Perak BN Government deems it fit to celebrate Christmas 2010 out of season to celebrate it only on 23rd January 2011. Christmas is celebrated worldwide on 25th December 2010.
The purpose of a celebration is to observe the significance of an event, in our instant case the birth of Christ. Apart from that, a celebration uplifts and liberates the human spirit to bring happiness, gladness and joy.
The people of Perak are starting to feel the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year which falls on 3 February 2011. Therefore, to celebrate Christmas only on 23 January 2011 when the people are in the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year will overshadow the message and significance of the Christmas event. The festivity which Christmas brings to uplift the spirit of the people will also be lost.
I hope in future the State Christmas program will be celebrated during the season of Christmas.
Dated this 12th day of January 2011.
NGEH KOO HAM
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
媒体文告
国阵霹雳州政府定于2011年1月23日庆祝圣诞节违背了庆祝活动的精神。
我对国阵霹雳州政府在2011年1月23日过了圣诞节后才庆祝感到遗憾。全球都在2010年 12月25日庆祝圣诞节。
庆祝会的目的是在于认识基督诞生的重要意义。此外，庆祝会可提升和解放人的精神，带来幸福，欢乐和喜悦。
霹雳州的人们开始感受到于2011年2月3日庆祝农历新年的气氛。因此，在2011年1月23日庆祝圣诞，圣诞节的意义和气氛将会被庆祝农历新年的气氛所掩盖。而欢庆圣诞给于提升人的精神也将丢失。
我希望在今后，州的圣诞庆祝活动将在圣诞节举行。
日期：2011年1月12日。
拿督倪可汉
霹雳州民主行动党主席
木威区国会议员 & 实兆远州议员
BN Perak State Govt promoting falsehood in a religious event
MEDIA STATEMENT
Dato Mah Hang Soon must not be allowed to promote falsehood in a religions event. The public demand a product as advertised, not a fake one.
On 6th January, BN Perak State Government Executive Councilor, Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon announced that the well-known Christian Music group, Hillsong from Australia will take centre stage during the Perak State level Christmas and New Year celebrations at Stadium Indera Mulia in Ipoh on 23rd January, 2011.
Immediately, on the same day, the manager of Hillsong Music, Australia Mr. Timothy Whincop issued a letter confirming that the group performing at the event is not sanctioned or endorsed by Hillsong Music or Hillsong Church.
I have been given to understand that this matter has been brought to the attention of Dato’ Dr Mah. Despite the said knowledge he insisted that the group performing on 23/1/2011 be promoted as from Hillsong from Australia.
Yesterday, Hillsong issued another letter confirming that Hillsong is not and will not be performing in any event in Ipoh, Perak on 23/1/2011 and reiterates that Hillsong’s name may not be used without prior permission. Copies of their letters dated 6/1/2011 and 12/1/2011 are attached herewith.
Christianity promotes truth and respect for the rights of others. It is a shameful affair for Dato’ Mah to promote falsehood.
Dato’ Mah must let the public know exactly who is performing at the Christmas event. As the exco member in charge of consumer affairs, Dato’ Mah has the duty not to mislead the public but to describe a product accurately.
Christians and other Malaysians are upset that Dato’ Mah is not telling the truth. The public demand that they get the product as advertised, not a fake one.
Dated this 13th day of January 2011.
NGEH KOO HAM
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
Dato Mah Hang Soon must not be allowed to promote falsehood in a religions event. The public demand a product as advertised, not a fake one.
On 6th January, BN Perak State Government Executive Councilor, Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon announced that the well-known Christian Music group, Hillsong from Australia will take centre stage during the Perak State level Christmas and New Year celebrations at Stadium Indera Mulia in Ipoh on 23rd January, 2011.
Immediately, on the same day, the manager of Hillsong Music, Australia Mr. Timothy Whincop issued a letter confirming that the group performing at the event is not sanctioned or endorsed by Hillsong Music or Hillsong Church.
I have been given to understand that this matter has been brought to the attention of Dato’ Dr Mah. Despite the said knowledge he insisted that the group performing on 23/1/2011 be promoted as from Hillsong from Australia.
Yesterday, Hillsong issued another letter confirming that Hillsong is not and will not be performing in any event in Ipoh, Perak on 23/1/2011 and reiterates that Hillsong’s name may not be used without prior permission. Copies of their letters dated 6/1/2011 and 12/1/2011 are attached herewith.
Christianity promotes truth and respect for the rights of others. It is a shameful affair for Dato’ Mah to promote falsehood.
Dato’ Mah must let the public know exactly who is performing at the Christmas event. As the exco member in charge of consumer affairs, Dato’ Mah has the duty not to mislead the public but to describe a product accurately.
Christians and other Malaysians are upset that Dato’ Mah is not telling the truth. The public demand that they get the product as advertised, not a fake one.
Dated this 13th day of January 2011.
NGEH KOO HAM
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
BN Perak State Government fixing 23rd January 2011 to celebrate Christmas defeats the spirit of celebrating the event.
MEDIA STATEMENT
BN Perak State Government fixing 23rd January 2011 to celebrate Christmas defeats the spirit of celebrating the event.
I note with regret that the Perak BN Government deems it fit to celebrate Christmas 2010 out of season to celebrate it only on 23rd January 2011. Christmas is celebrated worldwide on 25th December 2010.
The purpose of a celebration is to observe the significance of an event, in our instant case the birth of Christ. Apart from that, a celebration uplifts and liberates the human spirit to bring happiness, gladness and joy.
The people of Perak are starting to feel the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year which falls on 3 February 2011. Therefore, to celebrate Christmas only on 23 January 2011 when the people are in the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year will overshadow the message and significance of the Christmas event. The festivity which Christmas brings to uplift the spirit of the people will also be lost.
I hope in future the State Christmas program will be celebrated during the season of Christmas.
Dated this 12th day of January 2011.
NGEH KOO HAM
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
BN Perak State Government fixing 23rd January 2011 to celebrate Christmas defeats the spirit of celebrating the event.
I note with regret that the Perak BN Government deems it fit to celebrate Christmas 2010 out of season to celebrate it only on 23rd January 2011. Christmas is celebrated worldwide on 25th December 2010.
The purpose of a celebration is to observe the significance of an event, in our instant case the birth of Christ. Apart from that, a celebration uplifts and liberates the human spirit to bring happiness, gladness and joy.
The people of Perak are starting to feel the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year which falls on 3 February 2011. Therefore, to celebrate Christmas only on 23 January 2011 when the people are in the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year will overshadow the message and significance of the Christmas event. The festivity which Christmas brings to uplift the spirit of the people will also be lost.
I hope in future the State Christmas program will be celebrated during the season of Christmas.
Dated this 12th day of January 2011.
NGEH KOO HAM
Chairman of DAP Perak
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
Sunday, November 28, 2010
BN seems to be planning a one day sitting again from the agenda sent to Perak State Elected Representatives.
MEDIA STATEMENT
BN seems to be planning a one day sitting again from the agenda sent to Perak State Elected Representatives. Pakatan Rakyat Elected Representatives call for sufficient time to be allocated for elected representatives to debate the matters before the House for this coming State Assembly budget sitting commencing on 30/11/2010.
Last year the Perak 2010 budget was past without debate in 20 minutes by BN elected representatives because Dato’ R. Ganesan position as a Legitimate Speaker was in question and they do not allow that question to be raised.
In the last sitting on 3/8/2010, the BN appointed speaker, Dato’ Ganesan intentionally did not want allow the PR elected representatives to speak on behalf of the people. He decided that the sitting should be for one day only and allow opposition leader Dato’ Seri Mohd Nizar Bin Jamaluddin (who should rightfully the Menteri Besar) only 15 minutes to speak. The Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives protested as it makes a mockery of the State Assembly. Traditionally, there is no time limit imposed on the opposition leader to bring the State matters before the house just as no time limit is set for the Menteri Besar. So long as the matters spoken are relevant and relate to the State of Perak they would be allowed. On one occasion, I spoke for 3 hours as opposition leader and when PR was in government Dato’ Seri Tajol Rosli as opposition leader spoke for 2 ½ hours.
The PR elected representatives protested as they were expected to be given much lesser time to debate especially matters pertaining to their respective constituencies.
Dato’ Ganesan and the BN Perak Government accused the PR elected representatives of making a scene when our objection was to defend democracy. BN Perak Government had planned to make the State Assembly a rubber stamp without a debate. They use hundreds of police to surround and control the State Assembly to ensure that the State Assembly will be a mere rubber stamp to approve what they want.
Just like the last sitting where the matters to be transacted for that sitting were contained in a one day agenda, and subsequently all matters were approved within the same day, all matters that needed to be transacted in this coming State Assembly sitting are also listed a one day agenda.
The matters to be transacted are as follows:-
1. Oral Questions Session.
2. To pass the Perak Malays Higher Studies Scholarship Fund (Amendment) bill.
3. To pass the Perak Nationals (Non-Malay) Scholarship Fund (Amendment) Bill.
4. To pass Wood – based Industries (Amendment) bill.
5. To pass the supply 2011 bill (Budget) amounting to RM832,417,100.
6. To pass a motion to approve the use of RM273,000,000 from Consolidated Development Fund and
7. To pass a motion to approve the Perak Constitutional Amendment to include 4 other titled Raja (Raja Kecil Besar, Raja Kecil Sulong, Raja Kecil Tengah, Raja Kecil Bongsu) as members of the Dewan Negara.
The Perak State Assembly will become meaningless if the above said matters are past in a day without meaningful debate.
The BN Perak Government is expected again to use the police force to ensure that they will achieve their purpose in passing the above said matters without being questioned.
I call on Dato’ Ganesan to declare that he will allocate at least 4 days for debate and call on the BN Government to support my call.
If BN fails to restore democracy in Perak, let the people of Perak oust them decisively in this coming general election.
Dated this 28th day of November 2010.
DATO’ NGEH KOO HAM
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
BN seems to be planning a one day sitting again from the agenda sent to Perak State Elected Representatives. Pakatan Rakyat Elected Representatives call for sufficient time to be allocated for elected representatives to debate the matters before the House for this coming State Assembly budget sitting commencing on 30/11/2010.
Last year the Perak 2010 budget was past without debate in 20 minutes by BN elected representatives because Dato’ R. Ganesan position as a Legitimate Speaker was in question and they do not allow that question to be raised.
In the last sitting on 3/8/2010, the BN appointed speaker, Dato’ Ganesan intentionally did not want allow the PR elected representatives to speak on behalf of the people. He decided that the sitting should be for one day only and allow opposition leader Dato’ Seri Mohd Nizar Bin Jamaluddin (who should rightfully the Menteri Besar) only 15 minutes to speak. The Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives protested as it makes a mockery of the State Assembly. Traditionally, there is no time limit imposed on the opposition leader to bring the State matters before the house just as no time limit is set for the Menteri Besar. So long as the matters spoken are relevant and relate to the State of Perak they would be allowed. On one occasion, I spoke for 3 hours as opposition leader and when PR was in government Dato’ Seri Tajol Rosli as opposition leader spoke for 2 ½ hours.
The PR elected representatives protested as they were expected to be given much lesser time to debate especially matters pertaining to their respective constituencies.
Dato’ Ganesan and the BN Perak Government accused the PR elected representatives of making a scene when our objection was to defend democracy. BN Perak Government had planned to make the State Assembly a rubber stamp without a debate. They use hundreds of police to surround and control the State Assembly to ensure that the State Assembly will be a mere rubber stamp to approve what they want.
Just like the last sitting where the matters to be transacted for that sitting were contained in a one day agenda, and subsequently all matters were approved within the same day, all matters that needed to be transacted in this coming State Assembly sitting are also listed a one day agenda.
The matters to be transacted are as follows:-
1. Oral Questions Session.
2. To pass the Perak Malays Higher Studies Scholarship Fund (Amendment) bill.
3. To pass the Perak Nationals (Non-Malay) Scholarship Fund (Amendment) Bill.
4. To pass Wood – based Industries (Amendment) bill.
5. To pass the supply 2011 bill (Budget) amounting to RM832,417,100.
6. To pass a motion to approve the use of RM273,000,000 from Consolidated Development Fund and
7. To pass a motion to approve the Perak Constitutional Amendment to include 4 other titled Raja (Raja Kecil Besar, Raja Kecil Sulong, Raja Kecil Tengah, Raja Kecil Bongsu) as members of the Dewan Negara.
The Perak State Assembly will become meaningless if the above said matters are past in a day without meaningful debate.
The BN Perak Government is expected again to use the police force to ensure that they will achieve their purpose in passing the above said matters without being questioned.
I call on Dato’ Ganesan to declare that he will allocate at least 4 days for debate and call on the BN Government to support my call.
If BN fails to restore democracy in Perak, let the people of Perak oust them decisively in this coming general election.
Dated this 28th day of November 2010.
DATO’ NGEH KOO HAM
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
Corrupt practice suspected in drastic drop in timber revenue.
MEDIA STATEMENT
Corrupt practice suspected in drastic drop in timber revenue.
BN Perak State Government must explain why the revenue from timber concessions given out in 2009 is only RM12.3 Million while the revenue in 2008 under Pakatan Rakyat was RM40.0 Million
Every year the Perak forestry department allows 7,000 hectares of timber concessions to be approved (on a sustainable basis). Despite the acreage being the same the following are the timber concessions revenue for the last 5 years received by the Perak State Government.
2005 RM15.14 Million (under BN)
2006 RM13.65 Million (under BN)
2007 RM16.00 Million (under BN)
2008 RM40.00 Million (under PR)
2009 RM12.30 Million (under BN)
The above figures clearly show that under the PR Government with its open tender system the State Government receives up to more than 3 times in revenue compared to BN’s system of awarding timber concessions directly to the cronies. The PR Government channel this additional income to benefit the people of Perak while only certain individuals benefited from BN crony system. It is well known fact that BN politicians will have a share from the profits made by their cronies.
The above said figures also clearly show that all these years BN politicians and their cronies have been benefiting from their direct award system at the expense of the people.
I call on Dato’ Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir to explain why the drastic drop in revenue received from the timber concessions given out by the State Government, from RM40.00 Million in 2008 (when under PR) to only RM12.30 Million in 2009 (when under BN).
I also call on the Malaysian Anti Corruption Agency (MACC) to act swiftly to investigate if corrupt practices are involved. We see MACC acting swiftly in Selangor (PR State) when only a small sum is allegedly involved. I expect MACC to act more swiftly in Perak as the amount involved is many more times than the amount allegedly involved in Selangor cases. However, many people have expressed cynicism because the suspected corruption involved BN politicians. Many believe that MACC will only act against BN politicians if it gets the nod from the BN political masters.
Dated this 27th day of November 2010.
DATO’ NGEH KOO HAM
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
Corrupt practice suspected in drastic drop in timber revenue.
BN Perak State Government must explain why the revenue from timber concessions given out in 2009 is only RM12.3 Million while the revenue in 2008 under Pakatan Rakyat was RM40.0 Million
Every year the Perak forestry department allows 7,000 hectares of timber concessions to be approved (on a sustainable basis). Despite the acreage being the same the following are the timber concessions revenue for the last 5 years received by the Perak State Government.
2005 RM15.14 Million (under BN)
2006 RM13.65 Million (under BN)
2007 RM16.00 Million (under BN)
2008 RM40.00 Million (under PR)
2009 RM12.30 Million (under BN)
The above figures clearly show that under the PR Government with its open tender system the State Government receives up to more than 3 times in revenue compared to BN’s system of awarding timber concessions directly to the cronies. The PR Government channel this additional income to benefit the people of Perak while only certain individuals benefited from BN crony system. It is well known fact that BN politicians will have a share from the profits made by their cronies.
The above said figures also clearly show that all these years BN politicians and their cronies have been benefiting from their direct award system at the expense of the people.
I call on Dato’ Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir to explain why the drastic drop in revenue received from the timber concessions given out by the State Government, from RM40.00 Million in 2008 (when under PR) to only RM12.30 Million in 2009 (when under BN).
I also call on the Malaysian Anti Corruption Agency (MACC) to act swiftly to investigate if corrupt practices are involved. We see MACC acting swiftly in Selangor (PR State) when only a small sum is allegedly involved. I expect MACC to act more swiftly in Perak as the amount involved is many more times than the amount allegedly involved in Selangor cases. However, many people have expressed cynicism because the suspected corruption involved BN politicians. Many believe that MACC will only act against BN politicians if it gets the nod from the BN political masters.
Dated this 27th day of November 2010.
DATO’ NGEH KOO HAM
MP for Beruas & State Assemblyman for Sitiawan
Friday, November 19, 2010
Perak Pakatan ready for snap polls, says Ngeh
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysia Insider
November 17, 2010
AYER TAWAR, Nov 17 — Perak Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has finally recovered from its bruising fall from government last year, declaring itself ready to take on the Barisan Nasional (BN) should snap polls be called soon.
Unlike in other states, the PR pact in Perak is said to be the most cohesive of the lot, bound together by the year-long constitutional impasse that rocked the state following BN’s infamous power grab in February 2009.
In an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider, newly re-apppointed Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said that since the power grab, all state PR leaders and members have been working themselves to the bone to ensure another victory in the next general election.
“Our PR brothers are very close here in Perak, not just because of the crisis but because we have very good, sound, matured and very capable leaders.
“And yes we are [ready to face elections]. In fact, we have been on election-mode since the power grab. And now that the election can be called anytime, we are ready.
“I believe our general election machinery is still in tact,” he said, when met at his office here yesterday.
Ngeh admitted however that due to the series of events during the constitutional crisis in Perak after the power grab, the PR machinery now desperately needed to raise more funds and quickly.
“When our machinery is enriched, then we can move smoothly. We have spent a fair bit on our expenses, especially when paying costs to BN during the court cases,” he explained.
The Perak PR has been engaged in a mountain of legal suits against the BN since February last year, during its many attempts to declare BN’s rule in the state as unconstitutional.
Despite this however, Ngeh, who was formerly a senior state executive councillor in the Perak PR government, claimed that PR has been making inroads with the more rural population in the state, where it had lost greatly to BN during Elections 2008.
In the March 2008 political tsunami, the traditionally BN-helmed state of Perak fell to the hands of the opposition with a narrow three-seat margin.
DAP had swept up all 18 state seats it had contested, primarily in the urban Kinta Valley area, while PKR had managed to win in seven seats and PAS, in six.
BN had managed to score 28 seats, thanks to Umno’s popularity in the more rural Malay-dominated areas in the silver state. MCA only won in one state seat while MIC failed to secure any.
In the early hours of March 9, 2008, the three opposition parties of DAP, PAS and PKR came together in a hasty meeting and made an agreement within an hour that it would form a tripartite government in Perak.
Due to the defections of three PR assemblymen however, the government fell back to the BN in February 2009 and the state was plunged into turmoil for over a year.
Today, after exhausting all avenues to seek legal redress over the power grab, PR has now set its sights on recapturing Perak from BN in the coming general election, said to be held early next year.
This Saturday, the BN supreme council will meet to chart campaign plans for a possible snap polls widely speculated for the first half of 2011.
In Perak, PR’s greatest hurdle is the Malay vote, particularly in the semi-urban and rural areas contested by Umno in Elections 2008.
But Ngeh remains confident that coupled with the injustice of BN’spower grab and PR’s 10-month performance in Perak, PR’s influence with the Malay voters has now greatly improved.
“We believe and hope that we already now have at least 40 per cent of support from the Malays in the rural areas.
“Ideally, our target is not to win with just a majority of three seats. This time, we aim to win two thirds of the 59 state seats in Perak,” Ngeh declared.
He claimed that the Malay ground was now “ripe and open” to the opposition, judging from the general sentiment of voters in the traditional Umno strongholds.
“It is a great transformation. Before March 2008, the DAP could never even raise our flag there. We could not even enter their territory.
“But now, they welcome me and when I come, I speak to a crowd of two thousand people. I feel very welcomed,” he said.
DAP, he said, was no longer considered a “Chinese chauvinist party or a Communist party”.
Similarly, Ngeh added, voters in the Chinese community, no longer feared non-Chinese centric parties and were now in acceptance of multiracial parties like PKR and even Islamist party PAS.
“This is why what we are doing now is to ensure that there is non-Malay support for PKR and PAS in the areas where DAP is not contesting.
“We are persuading the Chinese not to fear these parties and we have been moving to infiltrate all the deepest recesses of Perak,” he said.
Strategically, Ngeh said the PR alliance already has its presence in all 24 parliamentary constituencies in Perak.
“We have formed PR liaison committees in every parliamentary constituency, represented by nine members – three from each party,” he explained.
For DAP, Ngeh added, there were at least one or more branches in each area.
“That is why, we always have people moving on the ground there, working the ground and helping us to mobilise our functions when we plan any,” he said.
He added that each PR party is also expected to provide service in the areas that they would likely be contesting in the coming elections.
The seat distribution among DAP, PKR and PAS, he added, would likely be the same as the last general election.
“It is not a problem for us. It is true that DAP gave up two seats to PKR to contest but we are not fighting among ourselves for the seats. What is important is that our relationship is sound.
“That is why Perak PR is so close... your area is considered my area and we count ourselves as PR leaders, not just leaders of our own respective parties,” he said.
In Elections 2008, DAP contested in 18 seats, PKR in 20 seats and PAS in 21 seats.
Ngeh added that it was a general consensus among PR leaders that former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, a PAS man, would be retained as the Mentri Besar.
“We look at merit and Nizar was a sterling leader and a great Mentri Besar. In fact, when Nizar said, as an MB, that he would administer the state irrespective of race or background, I knew I would support him all the way, we do not even need to discuss policies,” he said.
November 17, 2010
AYER TAWAR, Nov 17 — Perak Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has finally recovered from its bruising fall from government last year, declaring itself ready to take on the Barisan Nasional (BN) should snap polls be called soon.
Unlike in other states, the PR pact in Perak is said to be the most cohesive of the lot, bound together by the year-long constitutional impasse that rocked the state following BN’s infamous power grab in February 2009.
In an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider, newly re-apppointed Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said that since the power grab, all state PR leaders and members have been working themselves to the bone to ensure another victory in the next general election.
“Our PR brothers are very close here in Perak, not just because of the crisis but because we have very good, sound, matured and very capable leaders.
“And yes we are [ready to face elections]. In fact, we have been on election-mode since the power grab. And now that the election can be called anytime, we are ready.
“I believe our general election machinery is still in tact,” he said, when met at his office here yesterday.
Ngeh admitted however that due to the series of events during the constitutional crisis in Perak after the power grab, the PR machinery now desperately needed to raise more funds and quickly.
“When our machinery is enriched, then we can move smoothly. We have spent a fair bit on our expenses, especially when paying costs to BN during the court cases,” he explained.
The Perak PR has been engaged in a mountain of legal suits against the BN since February last year, during its many attempts to declare BN’s rule in the state as unconstitutional.
Despite this however, Ngeh, who was formerly a senior state executive councillor in the Perak PR government, claimed that PR has been making inroads with the more rural population in the state, where it had lost greatly to BN during Elections 2008.
In the March 2008 political tsunami, the traditionally BN-helmed state of Perak fell to the hands of the opposition with a narrow three-seat margin.
DAP had swept up all 18 state seats it had contested, primarily in the urban Kinta Valley area, while PKR had managed to win in seven seats and PAS, in six.
BN had managed to score 28 seats, thanks to Umno’s popularity in the more rural Malay-dominated areas in the silver state. MCA only won in one state seat while MIC failed to secure any.
In the early hours of March 9, 2008, the three opposition parties of DAP, PAS and PKR came together in a hasty meeting and made an agreement within an hour that it would form a tripartite government in Perak.
Due to the defections of three PR assemblymen however, the government fell back to the BN in February 2009 and the state was plunged into turmoil for over a year.
Today, after exhausting all avenues to seek legal redress over the power grab, PR has now set its sights on recapturing Perak from BN in the coming general election, said to be held early next year.
This Saturday, the BN supreme council will meet to chart campaign plans for a possible snap polls widely speculated for the first half of 2011.
In Perak, PR’s greatest hurdle is the Malay vote, particularly in the semi-urban and rural areas contested by Umno in Elections 2008.
But Ngeh remains confident that coupled with the injustice of BN’spower grab and PR’s 10-month performance in Perak, PR’s influence with the Malay voters has now greatly improved.
“We believe and hope that we already now have at least 40 per cent of support from the Malays in the rural areas.
“Ideally, our target is not to win with just a majority of three seats. This time, we aim to win two thirds of the 59 state seats in Perak,” Ngeh declared.
He claimed that the Malay ground was now “ripe and open” to the opposition, judging from the general sentiment of voters in the traditional Umno strongholds.
“It is a great transformation. Before March 2008, the DAP could never even raise our flag there. We could not even enter their territory.
“But now, they welcome me and when I come, I speak to a crowd of two thousand people. I feel very welcomed,” he said.
DAP, he said, was no longer considered a “Chinese chauvinist party or a Communist party”.
Similarly, Ngeh added, voters in the Chinese community, no longer feared non-Chinese centric parties and were now in acceptance of multiracial parties like PKR and even Islamist party PAS.
“This is why what we are doing now is to ensure that there is non-Malay support for PKR and PAS in the areas where DAP is not contesting.
“We are persuading the Chinese not to fear these parties and we have been moving to infiltrate all the deepest recesses of Perak,” he said.
Strategically, Ngeh said the PR alliance already has its presence in all 24 parliamentary constituencies in Perak.
“We have formed PR liaison committees in every parliamentary constituency, represented by nine members – three from each party,” he explained.
For DAP, Ngeh added, there were at least one or more branches in each area.
“That is why, we always have people moving on the ground there, working the ground and helping us to mobilise our functions when we plan any,” he said.
He added that each PR party is also expected to provide service in the areas that they would likely be contesting in the coming elections.
The seat distribution among DAP, PKR and PAS, he added, would likely be the same as the last general election.
“It is not a problem for us. It is true that DAP gave up two seats to PKR to contest but we are not fighting among ourselves for the seats. What is important is that our relationship is sound.
“That is why Perak PR is so close... your area is considered my area and we count ourselves as PR leaders, not just leaders of our own respective parties,” he said.
In Elections 2008, DAP contested in 18 seats, PKR in 20 seats and PAS in 21 seats.
Ngeh added that it was a general consensus among PR leaders that former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, a PAS man, would be retained as the Mentri Besar.
“We look at merit and Nizar was a sterling leader and a great Mentri Besar. In fact, when Nizar said, as an MB, that he would administer the state irrespective of race or background, I knew I would support him all the way, we do not even need to discuss policies,” he said.
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