by T.K. Tan
The rising support for Pakatan in Perak has so unsettled BN that Najib and other BN leaders have visited the state numerous times and promising millions of goodies. But many are unfazed; PR’s policies during 2008 have brought unprecedented changes, benefitted many and left a deep impression upon the people. Perak DAP state chairman Ngeh Koo Ham outlines PR’s vision for Perak with the Rocket:
“Whatever that has been promised during our previous administration will be continued if we win power again,” Ngeh said. The Beruas MP said that PR’s manifesto has brought an upbeat mood that has definitely spread around the state. He explained PR’s guiding principles to manage Perak as underlined in the manifesto.
Land For The People
“First of all, we will be issuing freehold land titles to the 349 Malay kampong tersusun (settlement villages) whereby 102,000 titles will be granted and for the 134 Chinese new villages, 47,000 titles. PR wants all legitimate and deserving Perak state residents to get freehold land titles for their properties, be it homes or land.”
Ngeh explains that during the Emergency period, the new villages were akin to detention camps for the Chinese, as they were forced to congregate there. “Why punish them for the second time by withholding their land titles, since the threat of communism is now over?” he asked.
He points out that PR’s policies are meant to enrich and empower the state’s residents through granting of land titles. Through studies made by property valuers, PR’s land title conversion policy would have increased the net value of the property owners in the villages by RM 5 billion without the state forking out a single sen.
“Many of these villagers were unable to get loans from banks as they were unable to pledge their temporary occupied license (TOL) properties as deposits, which were what their homes were. They would also be able to get loans to rebuild their dilapidated houses,” he explained.
Through this rebuilding process, PR hopes to also stimulate the state economy through the accompanying construction booms in these villages.
“This policy would benefit many poor people in the state, especially the Malays as they would receive the most land titles from this exercise. It is part of the positive discrimination that the deserving would receive aid tangibly.”
Another noteworthy policy is title granting for agricultural land. Perak has 63,000 acres of ‘illegal’ land where many are already farming them for food, aquaculture and fruits.
Ngeh points out that as a result of the collapse of the tin mining industry in the 1980s, there were financial hardships in the state. ‘Many went into farming these lands for survival. Not only did the BN state government do nothing for them, they even classified these lands as illegal.’
“Many of these farmers are in limbo; they can’t expand their business through bank loans as their land is “illegal.” PR has studied and looked into granting lease hold titles of varying tenure for these lands to enable them to gain financial certainty.”
However, since 2009 BN has put a freeze on this policy, refusing to continue it.
Guided welfare
One of the welfare policy started in Perak under PR that was emulated by other states was providing food to hardcore poor in the state. Many in the state, especially the Malays were provided food worth RM 100 every month. PR intends continue with this policy.
Also other policies such as gifts for university entering students, non-Muslim affairs endowment will be continued. Perak was the first state to establish a non-Muslim affairs bureau that was continued by the BN government. “PR will strengthen and bolster its funding further,” Ngeh added.
Another of PR’s policies that will be continued is giving discount on land conversion premium and fees for non-profit and religious organisations and charging low, nominal fees for conversion of private and vernacular school sites into permanent school status. “This is to recognise these institutions’ contribution to society,” he said.
Unfortunately BN has chosen to discontinue this policy as well.
Continuing Honesty
Ngeh says the core of the manifesto is about promising the people a clean, transparent and conscientious government that has been reflected in its financial performance.
In less than one year the Perak state government’s revenue increased by RM 103 million, resulting in a budget surplus of RM 13 million and FDI increased by RM 1.09 billion to more than RM 3.2 billion.
“Under our tenure there has been no increase in land and local council taxes,” Ngeh said. With its people-centric policies, PR’s track record in Perak is there for the public scrutiny.
Close knit cooperation
Perak PR is the first state to have joint secretariats in every parliamentary seat that is also active. “Since 2009 we have been campaigning non-stop in anticipation of the dissolution of the state assembly. We have been on the ground and in touch with the people almost daily. We are ready to govern,” he asserts.
Ngeh said PR will be resolute this time around in dealing with civil servants who have ulterior agendas and questionable loyalty to the state government. As for the other civil servants, PR will not cause problems for them. Civil servants will be looked after as long as the state government policies are carried out, he promised.
Vision for Perak
In its vision, PR aims to establish Perak as a vibrant tertiary education centre that can produce technically equipped and competent graduates.
“We will encourage more quality research centres to be set up here. Perak has many world-class researchers and scientists based all over the world. However, the constant lament from them was the lack of employment opportunities here,” he explains.
To nurture and attract back critical knowledge workers, PR will look into fostering research and development in cooperation with the help of local universities. “We will be providing more incentives such as extending leasehold tenure of the research centres, which was already initiated in 2008,” Ngeh said.
“Ipoh is dire need of an international convention centre that can attract business activities and expositions. In addition, Perak’s tourism is in need of better promotion and coordination efforts. We have some of the most scenic sites in the country, but it’s generally unknown outside of Malaysia,” he points out.
“With all this vision requires implementation. As Malaysians have observed from PR’s performance in other states, we can deliver,” Ngeh says.
Learning from others
“PR will be looking to implement open tenders in all possible and logical avenues that can benefit the state government yet deliver the goods to the people. We have held open tenders in timber harvesting that netted the state government 150 per cent in extra royalty revenue in 2008.”
“Another area of transparency that will be implemented is the personal asset declarations by the Menteri Besar and EXCOs,” Ngeh ended. -The Rocket
