Media Statement by Ngeh Koo Ham in Ipoh on Thursday, 11^th June 2009:

Is the announcement by Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir of the RM9.0 billion investment by a South American Multinational Corporation another publicity stunt of the BN State Government?

Dato’ Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir has announced yesterday that a South American Multinational Corporation will be investing RM9.0 billion in Manjung for an iron ore/pellet distribution centre for Asia. He added that it is in the final stages of discussion and an agreement is expected to be signed next week.

I have been given to understand that the company is the Brazilian company, Compania Vale Del Rio.

It must be put on record that the said company was in negotiating with the Pakatan Rakyat Perak State Government before the latter was immorally, illegally and unconstitutionally overthrown by the BN.

I hope the BN State Government will not be continuing its policy of announcing many multi million/billion ringgit projects to paint a good picture of the government but none finally materialized as has happened under Dato’ Seri Tajol Rosli.

The Perak Pakatan Rakyat Government has a policy to announce the implementation of projects only if it has been finalized and ready to take off as we hold firmly to our principle that the people must not be misled. Many have lost money investing in lands surrounding projects announced by BN which did not materialize.

Dato’ Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir must confirm that the following are already in place if not the announcement is just another publicity stunt.

1. The Perak State Government has thought through thoroughly the decision to convert the area presently designated for tourism to industrial use.

2. The state government has gazetted the area for industrial use.

3. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report is ready and the report supports the said project.

4. Is the 1,300 acres of land private or state land? If it is private land has Compania Vale Del Rio concluded the purchase of the land with the owner? If it is state land, has Compania Vale Del Rio applied for the land and it has been approved by all the relevant departments and the state government?

* Ngeh Koo Ham, Perak DAP Chairman & Senior Exco Member Pakatan Rakyat Perak State Government