Media Statement by Ngeh Koo Ham in Ipoh on Saturday, 27^th November 2010:

Corrupt practice suspected in drastic drop in timber revenue

BN Perak State Government must explain why the revenue from timber concessions given out in 2009 is only RM12.3 Million while the revenue in 2008 under Pakatan Rakyat was RM40.0 Million.

Every year the Perak forestry department allows 7,000 hectares of timber concessions to be approved (on a sustainable basis). Despite the acreage being the same the following are the timber concessions revenue for the last 5 years received by the Perak State Government.

2005 RM15.14 Million (under BN)
2006 RM13.65 Million (under BN)
2007 RM16.00 Million (under BN)
2008 RM40.00 Million (under PR)
2009 RM12.30 Million (under BN)

The above figures clearly show that under the PR Government with its open tender system the State Government receives up to more than 3 times in revenue compared to BN's system of awarding timber concessions directly to the cronies. The PR Government channel this additional income to benefit the people of Perak while only certain individuals benefited from BN crony system. It is well known fact that BN politicians will have a share from the profits made by their cronies.

The above said figures also clearly show that all these years BN politicians and their cronies have been benefiting from their direct award system at the expense of the people.

I call on Dato' Seri Zambry Bin Abdul Kadir to explain why the drastic drop in revenue received from the timber concessions given out by the State Government, from RM40.00 Million in 2008 (when under PR) to only RM12.30 Million in 2009 (when under BN).

I also call on the Malaysian Anti Corruption Agency (MACC) to act swiftly to investigate if corrupt practices are involved. We see MACC acting swiftly in Selangor (PR State) when only a small sum is allegedly involved. I expect MACC to act more swiftly in Perak as the amount involved is many more times than the amount allegedly involved in Selangor cases. However, many people have expressed cynicism because the suspected corruption involved BN politicians. Many believe that MACC will only act against BN politicians if it gets the nod from the BN political masters.

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