Extend number of days of sitting DAP reps:answer all submitted questions

Press Release by YB Wong Kah Woh, DAP Perak Publicity Secretary and the State Assemblyman for Canning on 29.11.2010 (Monday) at Wisma DAP Perak:


The DAP State Representatives in Kinta Valley have submitted questions on issues and problems in Kinta Valley to the State Assembly of Perak. The DAP State Representatives will ensure that the voice of the People of Kinta Valley be brought into this coming State Assembly.

The DAP Reps in a Joint Press Conference today urged the BN State Government to take this coming State Assembly sitting seriously, and extend the number of days of sitting in order to answer all questions submitted by the State Reps.

Apart from raising questions on the main issues regarding the State Government Policies, in an attempt to improve the welfare of the People of Kinta Valley as a wholem the DAP State Reps had submitted the questions relating to some unresolved local issues, including the efforts in improving the infrastructure in the market (questions raised by ADUN Canning, Tebing Tinggi and Kepayang), flood problems (by ADUN Canning, Bercham, Buntong and Menglembu), 2020 Ipoh Master Plan and CCTV Issues (by ADUN Bercham), insufficient parking in Ipoh General Hospital (by ADUN Kepayang), Ipoh airport (by ADUN Bercham), Telco Issues (by ADUN Canning), Rumah Pangsa and Squatters issues (by ADUN Buntong), development in Little India (by ADUN Buntong), lack of efficiency in street lights’ applications (by ADUN Menglembu), resurfacing of roads at old residential estates (by ADUN Tebing Tinggi) and the inhumane shooting of stray dogs (by ADUN Canning and Pasir Pinji).

BN Government should give answers and replies to all the questions raised and the Rakyat will never want to see another slip-in-duty by the State Government by holding another One-day assembly.

The practice of BN after the grabbing of power in February 2010 has proven that BN is not sincere in resolving the issues relating the welfare of the Rakyat. Not even a single question was answered during the sitting on 07.05.2009 and 28.10.2009, whereas in the Assembly on 30.03.2010 and 03.08.2010, not more than 15 questions were answered in the respective only day of sitting. It is also to be noted that a total of 127 oral questions (the entire number of the questions accepted) were listed on the first day of sitting on 03.08.2010, evidencing that BN State Government from day one had no intention at all to extend the sittings for more than one day.

Again, this shows that the BN State Government which was formed through an undemocracy process is lacking in People’s mandate, and the State Assembly is not functioning. The purpose of the aforesaid 4 State Assembly sittings were only to fulfill the constitutional requirements of not more than 6 months gap in sitting, so as to extend the life span of the BN State Government.

The PR Selangor State Government had managed to answer 80 oral questions in the 6 days assembly sitting recently. Whilst Dato’ Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir is talking about a developed state in the year 2015, there is no reason why the Perak State Government is unable to do the same in this coming sitting. It is all depends on the political will and sincerity in serving the Rakyat.

Those who are present at the Joint Press Conference including YB V Sivakumar (ADUN Tronoh), YB Lim Pek Har (ADUN Menglembu), YB Wong Kah Woh (ADUN Canning), YB Ong Boon Piow (ADUN Tebing Tinggi), YB Sum Cheok Leng (ADUN Bercham), YB A Sivasubramaniam (ADUN Buntong) and YB Loke Chee Yan (ADUN Kepayang).

BN will be holding a one day Perak State Assembly sitting again!

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)

Ngeh says jealousy behind ‘dictator’ label

By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider
November 18, 2010

AYER TAWAR, Nov 18 — Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, who easily won re-election last weekend as Perak DAP chairman, is claiming that jealousy is behind the widely-held perception that both he and his cousin Nga Kor Ming are dictators.

In an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider earlier this week, the veteran leader, who is now into his seventh term as state party chairman since 1998, lamented that the term “dictator” was likely pinned on him by people who disliked him and Nga were jealous as they had become so popular in the party.

Describing it as the scourge of Malaysian politics, Ngeh pointed to the example of the father-son team of DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

“We see it often in Malaysian politics. And like Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng, even though they have both served time in prison, people call it a dynasty.

“What dynasty, I would like to ask? I would like to point to the example of how the church preaches that a pastor who does not push his son to become a pastor like him is not setting a good example. Because being a pastor is a sacrificial position and before you ask someone else to sacrifice, you have to be willing to sacrifice your own son first,” he charged.

He pointed out that Kit Siang’s willingness to sacrifice his own son in prison to fight for the rights of the people should be considered as “exemplary” instead of a “dynasty”.

“I know them so well. They have sacrificed so much for the people and both even went to prison for it,” he said.

Ngeh noted that the reason why both he and Nga were accused of being dictators was purely psychological as it played on the basic human instinct of jealousy.

“It is just about that... the basic human instinct: jealousy. They see us up there as cousins and they call us dictators because we are both in power and we are cousins.

“It is totally unfair,” he said.

Ngeh (picture) pointed out that if he was a substandard party leader and had a bad track record, he would not have been voted back into power during Sunday’s polls.

“If Ngeh and Nga are lazy, if Ngeh and Nga are corrupt, if Ngeh and Nga are seeking benefits for themselves and not sacrificing, if Ngeh and Nga are not doing work, if Ngeh and Nga are for any reason, negative, then by all means reject us.

“But do not reject us when we have been sacrificing so much; our time, our money, our family and personal lives, do not reject us simply because we are cousins... it is totally unfair,” he said.

Ngeh added that the negative perception of him and Nga had prolonged because they had always chosen not to react to accusations.

“I have said that I would willingly suffer the injustice of being denied the right to reply and be subject to hurtful attacks assailed against me than to put my party in jeopardy and cause the mission of the people to be derailed.

“A good soldier is willing to keep a secret to safeguard a nation and risk being shot. This bad impression is given because I do not reply in the media. But it is a cost I would rather pay than to speak on the outside and cause the whole party to suffer,” he said.

Ngeh acknowledged that the accusations had begun even during the time when Pakatan Rakyat helmed the government in Perak, noting that they were merely “a pack of lies”.

Among others, former PKR assemblymen Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu, had levelled numerous complaints against both Ngeh and Nga, claiming that the duo often bulldozed decisions through during state executive council meetings.

All were a part of the state executive council line-up following Election 2008.

Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman had claimed in earlier interviews that their anger with Ngeh and Nga had been one of their primary reasons for abandoning Pakatan Rakyat (PR), a move which had caused the downfall of the Perak PR government in February 2009.

Besides them, former DAP assemblyman Datuk Hee Yit Foong had done the same and had also complained that the cousins had sidelined her when they refused to offer her a spot on the state executive council line-up.

“Firstly, both Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman never spoke out in our meetings. We made hundreds of decisions and only on one or two issues they spoke out and we were in agreement with their arguments.

“We were very professional and (former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad) Nizar (Jamaluddin) was very good. We would always go one round and ask everyone for their opinions... it was a perfect power-sharing formula and never before was it ever this democratic in the government,” Ngeh said.

On Hee’s case, Ngeh claimed that he had been very fair to have offered her the post of deputy Speaker in the state assembly.

“Her qualification was only up to Form Five and not that I am saying it’s a bad thing or I am looking down on her. Then, she is also a polio victim and she often complains about travelling. To be an exco member, you have to travel.

“So I thought that the perfect position to give her was the deputy Speaker’s post,” he reasoned.

Ngeh also denied that he had manipulated the votes on Sunday, pointing out that it was close to impossible for him to have forced such a large number of delegates to vote for him.

“We have 175 branches and over 1,200 delegates. It is impossible for me to control the minds of all the voters to choose me. In fact, one-third of them did not vote me and this shows there is freedom to exercise the right not to vote for me.

“How could I be dictatorial just because people voted for me? I do not have a gun to threaten them, I do not have anything to entice or seduce them to my side. But if the people, by my track record, want to vote for me, if they think I am popular, then what is wrong with having a huge majority?” he said.

During Sunday’s polls, the Ngeh-Nga cousins made a near-clean sweep of the 15 posts on the Perak DAP state leadership committee and sailed to an easy victory.

While the duo had polled the top two highest number of votes, their arch-rival in an opposing camp led by former state deputy chairman M. Kulasegaran failed to even make it onto the team.

Kulasegaran and team members like Thomas Su Keong Siong, Keong Meng Sing, Cheong Chee Khing, Seah Leong Peng and Frankie Wong failed to secure a spot on the state committee.

Only one person in his camp scraped through in last place — Jalong assemblyman Leong Mee Meng.

The results were a resounding slap in the face for Kulasegaran, the Ipoh Barat MP, who for months had been attacking the cousins, accusing them of being difficult to work with and too top-down in their leadership style.

The leadership crisis flared last month when an angry Kulasegaran threatened to quit his state posts in the party following an unresolved dispute with the Ngeh-Nga cousins during a special meeting in Ipoh.

Although the leader was finally convinced to stay, tension between the two warring factions continued to rise and Sunday’s polls were a crucial stepping stone for Kulasegaran and his team to topple the cousins in Perak.

Despite their failure, the cousins and the newly-elected team of state committee members decided to co-opt Kulasegaran back into the state leadership as vice-chairman.

But Kulasegaran has yet to decide on the offer.

He has instead charged that there were irregularities during Sunday’s polls, claiming that there were 50 questionable branches represented by 350 delegates who were allowed to vote in the convention.

Ngeh however refuted this, pointing out that the state leadership did not have a hand in conducting the polls.

“Let us just move forward. The delegates have spoken. And I would like to clarify that everything was organised by the central executive committee. All our agents were from out of state.

“The qualification of branches was decided by our party headquarters and the Registrar of Societies so I think we should no longer question that. Everything was done professionally... let us move ahead and plan for the future,” he said.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ngeh-says-jealousy-behind-dictator-label/

Perak DAP accept’s Kula’s decision, will not ‘force’ him

By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider
November 18, 2010

IPOH, Nov 18 — The Perak DAP leadership has accepted M. Kulasegaran’s decision to reject its offer to be vice-chairman and will not “force” the leader to change his mind.

State chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham told The Malaysian Insider this evening that the party would respect his former deputy’s decision but still hoped to work closely with him.

“We still wanted him to work with us in the state committee, which was why we invited him onboard.

“However, if he has rejected the offer, we cannot force him to change his mind,” he said when contacted.

Ngeh added that the party still considered Kulasegaran as invaluable to Perak DAP due to his seniority and political experience.

“We still hope to work with him in the future, in his capacity as an experienced and capable politician,” he said.

Ngeh would not field questions on whether Kulasegaran’s decision was a direct snub of his leadership, expressing hope that the issue would not be played up in the media.

“I think it is best we lay it to rest, there is no need to comment on these presumptions. Kulasegaran has the right to make his decision and we respect it,” he said.

In a media statement today, Kulasegaran announced that he would not accept the party’s offer to be vice-chairman, citing the present circumstances in Perak DAP as his primary reason.

“After having weighed all opinions and taking into consideration the present political development and circumstances within Perak DAP, I have decided to decline the cooption offer from the state committee as a state committee member and as state vice chairman,” he said.

The leader had suffered a major defeat during last Sunday’s party polls when his entire team of supporters were wiped out from the state leadership.

Kulasegaran himself, formerly a deputy chairman in Perak DAP, had failed to secure a spot in one of the 15 state committee posts up for grabs.

The polls results were vastly different from the party’s previous elections in 2008 when Kulasegaran emerged top and polled the highest number of votes, above both his archrivals in the party, Ngeh and his cousin Nga Kor Ming.

This Sunday, it was both Ngeh and Nga who polled the top two highest votes and those said to be on their team sailed to an easy victory, snapping up 14 of the 15 state committee posts.

The duo was later reappointed to their original posts with Ngeh as chairman and Nga as the party secretary.

Only one member of Kulasegaran’s team made it into the team – Jalong assemblyman Leong Mee Meng – but even then, she only scraped through at the last 15th spot.

Despite being the former state treasurer, Leong was not given a post in the committee.

Others like incumbent state committee members Thomas Su Keong Siong, Seah Leong Peng, Keong Meng Sing and Cheong Chee Khing, as well as newcomer Frankie Wong, all known Kulasegaran supporters, failed to make the cut.

Despite this, the newly-elected committee agreed unanimously to co-opt Kulasegaran back into the team as vice-chairman, along with former vice-chairman A. Sivanesan and three others.

The party’s constitution provides for the co-option of five state committee members, to be handpicked by the newly elected team.

Tomorrow, Sivanesan, a close ally to both warring factions, will announce his decision in a press conference at 11am on whether to accept the vice-chairman’s post.

Earlier, the Sungkai assemblyman had told The Malaysian Insider that he was uncomfortable with the idea of entering the state committee through the “back door”, pointing out that he had lost in the polls and fully respected the decision of the delegates.

Today, he said that before making his decision, he would take into account several factors including the issue of party unity and feedback from his supporters and party loyalists.

“I have been receiving many SMSes from leaders and supporters so I will take everything into account. But whatever it is, the party’s interest must come first,” he said.

When asked if he would likely accept the post, Sivanesan declined to comment but added, “I will say this much – I will not let down the people and the party.”

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/perak-dap-accepts-kulas-decision-will-not-force-him/

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.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/perak-pakatan-ready-for-snap-polls-says-ngeh/

Speech by Ngeh Koo Ham at the DAP Perak State Convention on 14-11-2010

Speech by Sdr Ngeh Koo Ham at the DAP Perak State Ordinary Convention on 14th November 2010 (Sunday) held at Tower Regency Hotel, Ipoh.

1. Words of Appreciation

The last two years have been an exciting and yet challenging times for DAP Perak. Our membership has grown and increased significantly. We have now about 20,000 in our membership list. We have branches in all the 24 Parliamentary Constituencies in Perak. After the undemocratic grab of power by BN on 6/2/2009, we had to face numerous challenges including the use of force by the police and facing a judiciary that in the words of retired Court of Appeal Judge, Dato’ NH Chan ‘has on many occasions decided cases against the plain provisions of the law.’

I would like to thank the DAP National Leadership, the DAP Perak State Committee, elected representative of PR, members of PR and the public for their support. Not to forget the legal team led by Perak legal bureau chief, Sdr Nga Hock Cheh who has rendered excellent legal service to DAP and the PR with regard to the numerous legal cases on a pro bono basis.

2. Comparison between BN and PR rule of Perak.

Last year at our 15th Annual State Convention, I said ‘The Auditor General has confirmed that the Pakatan Rakyat State Government of Perak has caused improvement to each and every department and agency of the Perak State during its 11 months’ rule. The PR Government has succeeded in making historic achievements during this short period. It is without a doubt that PR is the hope of the people and it has brought the changes the people had voted for on 8/3/2008.”

The PR State Government has increased State Revenue by more than RM100 million from RM538,761,178 in 2007 to RM639,425,143 in 2008 despite not having increased any tax whatsoever on the rakyat and despite the PR State Government having reduced all land conversion premium and quit rent for not profit organizations to RM1,000 and RM40-00 respectively. The PR State Government increased revenue through hard work, open tender system and zero tolerance for corruption.

In the recently released 2009 report, the Auditor General reported that under the BN Perak State Government, the Consolidated Fund for Perak State has dropped from RM774.57 million to RM689.25 million. A drop of RM85.32 million.

The BN Perak Government which grab power undemocratically also show arrogance by refusing to be accountable to the people for what they do. They have refused to answer why lease renewal for Chinese New Villages residential houses is only 60 years when they have promised 99 years lease. They have refused to disclose the lists of lands approved after their power grab on 9/2/2009. I believe that the reason why the BN Perak State Government does not dare to reply or disclose the information requested is because what they have done will not be acceptable to the people of Perak.

BN State Government is also not able to defend its policies because Dato’ Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir, the BN MB for Perak does not dare to authorize Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon to debate with me on BN and PR Perak State Government policies in the debate that was planned at the Kwangtung Association Hall, Taiping on 1/11/2010. Dato’ Dr Mah who was the one who challenged me to the debate chicken out and failed to turn up for the debate.

PR State Government has proven to be a better government and the people are hoping that we will come back to manage the State in the next general election. Let all members unite and continue to work together to ensure victory in the next general elections.


3. Democracy

Malaysia is a democratic country and we elect our leaders through democratic means. We condemned BN for the undemocratic grab of power of the Perak State Government on 6/2/2009. We know that a healthy democracy will help a nation grow. Myanmar (Burma) is a clear example of a rich nation that became poor because her leaders refused to allow a healthy democracy. Similar, DAP is a democratic party. As DAP members, let us nurture the democratic virtues in us so that it can become part of our culture. The purpose of a democratic election is to choose leaders to serve for a term specified. Those elected by members are to lead with service also in mind. Those who do not succeed in an election are still part of the team to work together with the leaders that have been chosen.

Members and the public must not always take an election contest as factional when differing views are expressed during the run up to an election. The expression of different views is part and parcel of a healthy democratic process. I regret to note however, that some media tend to sensationalise the run up to an election and I hope members will not be trapped into it.

Let the delegates expressed their democratic choice to elect the DAP Perak leaders for the next 2 years. Just as a Prime Minister is a prime minister for the people of the whole nation, those elected to position must act and carry out their duties as leaders for the whole membership of DAP Perak.



NGEH KOO HAM
CHAIRMAN OF DAP PERAK

Media stetement from YB. M. Kula - I will bite the bullet!

Press Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on Monday, November 15, 2010

Despite my defeat at the state election, I shall continue to soldier on the DAP’s political cause of fighting for a better Malaysia for all Malaysians.

The results of the Perak DAP election held yesterday came as a shock to me. It was also a very painful day for me.

It was shocking because capable and dedicated leaders like Sdr Thomas Su, Sdr Seah Long Peng, Sdr Keong Meng Sing, Sdr Cheong Chee Khing, and Sdr Frankie Wong.. were heavily defeated. They even lost to candidates who had no track record and were lesser or hardly known within and outside the party.

I accept my defeat as in any contest, one either wins or loses. I am pained though by such setback.

What has pained me is the fact that what should have been a healthy contest has turned out to be a day of “slaughter” of capable, committed and dedicated comrades who could have easily sailed through in a fair and healthy contest.

There have been questions about the entitlement of about 50 branches to send 350 delegates to the Convention and this will definitely cast doubt on whether the winners have the right to claim moral authority of their victory.

Nevertheless, I wish to announce that despite my defeat at the state election, I shall continue to soldier on the DAP’s political cause of fighting for a better Malaysia for all Malaysians.

I like to take this opportunity to thank party leaders, members and supporters who have since yesterday, through sms, tweets and phone conversations, conveyed their kind and encouraging words of support and solidarity.

I also wish to thank Sdr Dr Chen Man Hin, Sdr Karpal Singh, Sdr Lim Kit Siang , Sdr Lim Guan Eng and Sdr Tan Kok Wai for their tireless efforts before the Convention to ensure the election could produce a united, dynamic and capable team of state leaders.

I had played my part and offered my olive branch but sad to say, the top leaders’ efforts had failed as their success would require willingness from both sides to cooperate for the larger interest.

Lastly, I received a sms this morning from Sdr Ngeh Koo Ham which reads “Sdr Kula Would like to inform you that the new state committee unanimously agree to co opt you and elect you to the post of Vice Chairman. Looking forward to working together with you.”

I shall seek feedback and views from party leaders and grassroots as well as supporters on whether I should accept such a cooption.

Among the factors which I shall like to find out is how best I continue to play an effective role in state politics.

M. Kula Segaran - 012-5034346

Regards,

Tanabalan Devarajoo - 010 3993 020
Political Secretary to YB M. Kula Segaran
Member of Parliament for Ipoh Barat