(Petaling Jaya, Sunday): Selangor Mentri Besar Khir Toyo yesterday mentioned that it is unnecessary for the state government to openly declare that Selangor is a developed state. He also openly denied any intention of the state government to open declare and celebrate that Selangor has already achieved developed state status.

Yesterday was supposed to be the day whereby the state government will hold an open celebration and dinner to celebrate “Selangor Maju 2005” but it was called off last minute.

Together in a press conference with representatives from Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) and a group of worshippers of a demolished Hindu Shrine in Kg Kayu Ara, Petaling Jaya, DAP Selangor and DAP International Affairs Secretary Sdr Ronniu Liu have openly called on Khir Toyo to also cancel any declaration or announcement related to announce Selangor to be a developed state in 2005.

Even though Khir mentioned that the key standards (or indicators) have shown that Selangor is a developed state, Khir’s statement, that the declaration is unnecessary, has indirectly proven the correct stand of DAP Selangor, NGOs and civil society that:

• The State Government had once announced that it will celebrate the grand event but now the State Government has decided to neither continue with the celebration nor to even declare it. This shows that the authority has to some extent agreed to the views of the opposition and civil society.
   
• Such declaration would only raise more doubts as the survey conducted by NPC is questionable. Most importantly, NPC and IMD World Competitiveness Centre have openly disassociated themselves from “Selangor Maju 2005”.
   
• Such declaration will turn Selangor to be another international laughing stock as the so called Selangor Developed State is a complete DIY fiasco, especially when NPC and IMD World Competitiveness Centre have openly clarified that they do not award such status to any state.
   
• The state government should do more and talk less in creating a better living environment for the people of Selangor. In his statement published in the DAP Website (http://www.dapmalaysia.org/english/2005/Aug05/bul/bul2797.htm), Sdr Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew has described a lot about the critical problems faced by the people of Selangor which require immediate attentions and actions from the State Government.

Therefore, there are a lot of works to be done but unfortunately, like the issue of Illegal land clearing in Bukit Cahaya, Khir does not have any sense of regret and he does not seem to learn his lesson when 7 of his Excos officially moved into the luxurious Exco bungalows in Section 7 Shah Alam yesterday which cost the state government RM 21 million. As such, if he continues his boastful style of managing the state government, the people of Selangor deserve all the rights to keep him under watchful eye, just like how PM said during the Bukit Cahaya issue.