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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