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

Speech at the DAP Perak State Ordinary Convention

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.

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.

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, DAP Deputy Secretary General & DAP Perak State Chairman