Who's giving pressure to Pak
Lah to return the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agricultural Park to Selangor?
Media Statement
by Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew
(Petaling Jaya,
Friday): It's
shocking to learn from the Agriculture and Agro-Industry Minister Tan Sri
Muhyiddin Yassin that the federal government has to return the Bukit Cahaya
Seri Alam Agricultural Park to the Selangor state government despite of the
state's big blunder. He told the journalists in a press conference yesterday
that the Prime Minister has told the Cabinet that certain people were
unhappy with the Cabinet's decision and the State government has rejected
the takeover proposal by the Cabinet. As a result of the "unhappiness" , the
Cabinet now leaves it entirely to the Selangor state government to decide
whether to lease the park to the federal government or turning it into a
state agricultural park.
Muhyiddin also claimed that the
state government was not willing to give up the park to the federal
government from day one. Muhyiddin has however refused to disclose the
identity of these people to the press. In response to the latest turnabout,
the Selangor MB merely said that he has met Pak Lah and he will follow
whatever order and suggestion made by the PM.
The Prime Minister has taken a
special flight on a helicopter to see the barren eye sore personally before
chairing the Cabinet meeting lat Wednesday. He has the backing of the
Cabinet to protect and save the agricultural park by taking over the park
from the Selangor State Government. He should also know that his decision
has won many praises from the public in general including the opposition
parties. Why should the PM and the Cabinet now leave it to the state to
decide what they want to do with the park?
Now, who is so powerful and
influential that even the Prime Minister has to reverse a Cabinet decision?
Or Pak Lah has in actual fact failed to convince all his Cabinet members on
the issue, and thus allowing the situation to be capitalized by such
powerful individual/individuals?
The rape of Bukit Cahaya Park
is unforgivable. Malaysian taxpayers have paid more than RM200 million to
develop the park. And more funds are needed to maintain the park as a
natural heritage for the country. The only way to save it is to take it away
from the irresponsible state government leaders who do not know the meaning
of sustainable development and the importance of a green environment. The PM
must not succumb to pressure from any quarters. His duty and responsible is
to serve the interest of the Malaysian people. Not any powerful and
influential individuals.
The Prime Minister has the full
support of the people and the DAP to turn the park into a permanent national
natural heritage for our future generations. If the story related by
Muhyiddin is true, it only confirms the belief of many Malaysians that Pak
Lah is too weak and have in fact lost control in his own party. Where is his
credibility and integrity as the numero uno of the nation?
.
(11/3/2005)
* Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew,
DAP International Secretary and NGO bureau chief
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