Media Statement by Ngeh Koo Ham in Ipoh on Tuesday, 28^th September 2010:

BN Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir, the court appointed Menteri Besar must explain why the sudden drop of RM247.5 Million in State reserve in less than 2 months or did he lied to the Perak State Assembly?

On 3/8/2010, Dato' Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir stated in the Perak State Assembly that the State has RM847.5 Million (according to book value) in reserve or RM928.36 Million if based on current market value.

The New Sunday Times in its 26/9/2010 edition quoted the Perak State current reserve stands only at RM600 Millions. Why a sudden drop of RM247.5 Millions in less than 2 months?

At the 3/8/2010 State Assembly sitting, Dato' Zamry boasted an increase in revenue of RM117.26 Milliion for the period of January to July 2010. What has happened to this additional amount? The state reserve should have increased in view of this additional income.

Dato' Zambry has nothing to boast concerning this additional RM117.26 million as I was given to understand this amount comes mainly from land premium payments. I was not given the opportunity to verify this from the State Government as Dato' Seri Zambry has insisted that the State Assembly can only sit for one day so that the elected representatives do not have the opportunity to question the state government on numerous issues. Income from land premiums only mean that the BN government has been approving many pieces of land to cronies at prices much below the market value. The increase in income was not due to good governance, competence, thriftiness or creation of wealth through effective development programmes.

The New Sunday Times report further quoted the State Financial Officer Datuk Jamalludin Al Amini Ahmad as saying that the State Treasury is recommending a RM50.0 Million deficit budget for 2011. Why further deficit when there is so much additional income?

Under the Pakatan Rakyat 10 months' rule, we increased the revenue by RM103 Million or about 17% of the state revenue without increasing any form of taxes despite giving water, study grants and other assistance to the poor. We also collected only nominal premium and quit rent for conversion of agricultural land to building category for non profit organizations like the schools, religious organization and dialysis centres which amount to millions of ringgit.

Dato' Zambry and the BN State Government have a duty to answer the people with regard to the abovesaid matters.

The people demands transparency and accountability from BN Perak Government but many people reminded me not to expect too much from robbers.

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