Media Statement by Ngeh Koo Ham in Ipoh on Saturday, 23^rd October 2010:

Dato' Ngeh Koo Ham accepts the challenge by Dato' Mah Hang Soon to debate on the policies of Pakatan Rakyat and the BN Perak Government

Dato' Mah Hang Soon, a member of the BN Perak State Government Executive Councillor has recently thrown a challenge to the Pakatan Rakyat Perak to debate on the policies implemented by Pakatan Rakyat during its 11 months' reign in Perak before the power grab by BN on 6/2/2009.

Dato' Mah asserts that the policies of BN are better than PR which the latter disputes.

PR Perak has authorized one of its then PR Perak Government Executive Councillor, YB Nga Kor Ming to represent PR to debate with Dato' Mah Hang Soon. Dato' Mah Hang Soon however, chicken out giving the excuse that he will only debate with me. I did not accept then because Dato' Mah Hang Soon like many other Executive Councillors and Ministers of MCA does not have a say over the policies of BN which are dominated by UMNO and therefore, they cannot represent BN.

I had then suggested that since it is a debate over the policies of BN and PR State Governments, Dato' Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir as BN Menteri Besar should take on Dato' Seri Nizar Bin Jamaluddin the PR Menteri Besar in the debate. My suggestion has not been taken up by BN as I sincerely believe that Dato' Seri Zambry does not dare to take up the challenge because BN policies pale in comparison with the PR policies.

In order not to give an impression that the PR Government cannot defend its policies, I hereby declare that I will take on Dato' Mah Hang Soon to debate on the policies of PR and BN Governments of Perak. I would however, like him to get the mandate from the BN Government of Perak that he represents the BN Government of Perak. I will await the announcement from Dato' Seri Zambry that his government endorsed Dato' Mah as his government's representative. The reason why I insist that Dato¡¯ Mah must get the endorsement from BN Perak Government is because it has been proven that he has no say in the BN Perak Government.

When PR Government approved the freehold titles for Kg Tersunsun and New Villages, Dato' Mah had asked that the premium discount should be 90% instead of the 80% (of the enhanced value of the property) given by the PR Government. Now, that he is in government he cannot influence the BN Government to give the 90% discount proposed by him. He could not even get the BN Government to continue approving freehold title to the residents of Kg Tersusun and New Village.

I do not want Dato' Mah to come to the debate delivery the policies of BN which are in fact not that of BN.

I am awaiting to meet Dato' Mah Hang Soon at Kwantung Association, Taiping at 8.00 pm, 1st November 2010 (Monday).

* Ngeh Koo Ham, DAP Deputy Secretary General & MP for Beruas