KAMPAR: Jul 13, 2008
Barisan Nasional should wait for the next general election to recapture Perak from Pakatan Rakyat instead of trying to engineer a cross-over of PR assemblymen into the coalition, said MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
Ong, who is also Perak MCA chairman, said winning the state through the votes of the people would safeguard BN's image and signal the return of public confidence in the Perak BN.
"People may not have a healthy perception of BN if it comes to power (with the help of defecting PR state assemblymen.
"They may think that BN resorted to corrupt practices even if the party did not do such a thing," Ong said after a convocation ceremony at Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman here yesterday.
Earlier, Ong, who is Housing and Local Government Minister, presented diplomas and certificates to more than 700 KTAR graduands.
Recapturing power through the election process was also "safer" than relying on PR state assemblymen to defect and cause the collapse of the PR state government, he said.
"I, too, want to see a BN state government in Perak, but let's use the legitimate process so that the credibility of the BN government will not be questioned."
In the meantime, Perak BN should make use of the next three or four years to plug weaknesses which had caused it to lose seats and the state in the general election, he said.
"The state BN must work hard to identify its weaknesses so that it will be strong by the next general election and be able to wrest Perak from Pakatan Rakyat."
On Friday, Perak BN chairman Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said that more than two PR state assemblymen were expected to cross over to BN by Aug 31, which would lead to the fall of the PR state government. Tajol Rosli claimed that the PR assemblymen would not be defecting for money.
Meanwhile, the PR announced that it would be setting a trap for BN the next time it approaches one of its assemblymen with offers to defect.
Perak senior executive councillor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said the next PR assemblyman to be approached would accept the offer as part of a trap to be set up with the help of the Anti-Corruption Agency.
"You may ask us why we would announce the trap if it's a trap, but we have no more time for such antics.
"The state government wants to move forward. Investors are worried and we want to do this for the people's sake."
Ngeh also refuted Tajol Rosli's claim that no money was involved as more than 10 PR assemblymen had purportedly been approached but they had rejected the BN's offer.
Information such as names, telephone numbers and short-message service (SMS) were handed over to ACA but ACA senior officers suggested setting up a trap as the evidence was not strong enough to prosecute those involved, he said.
"We want to say to Tajol that the next person he approaches will respond positively to the offer. But be ready to be arrested and go to jail."
The PR controls Perak with a majority of only three seats, BN has 28 state seats to PR's 31, with 18 from DAP, seven from PKR and six from Pas.
In an immediate response, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said he shared the same views as Ong in that the BN should only attempt to wrest Perak at the next general election.
"I agree. (BN should try to win Perak) not just for the next election, but many 'next' elections," he said at a two-day carnival to showcase Volkswagen vehicles here yesterday.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
A suggestion to Perak PR led government. It will do a great deal of good, if all PR state assemblymen and executive counselors get to gether and come out with a signed statement pledging their continuous allegiance to the current leadership led by Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin. This should help to alleviate investor and the general populations uncertainty. I for one do not cherish the thought of seeing the corrupt Tajol Rosli coming back to Perak MB's post
Dear Raj,
For your information, the Pakatan rakyat MPs has signed the document pledging allegience and support to the present MB. It has been ratified by the Sultan Perak and the regent. So, basically, no issue at all. Mere politiking from Tajol Rosli. Anyway, those who wanna jump would be either extremely stupid or thick skin if they do so. I do wonder why MCA gotta standby UMNO. Indeed, MCA is a eunuch party. No I say one, LKY said one.
My wishlist is that DAP would at least get ready 5 prominent malay ADUNs to challenge UMNO ADUNs such as that ADUB from Pangkor. PAS can finish off the Kubu Gajah bugger. As for PKR, my message is that try to hold on to your 7 state seats. It's very shaky as 6 state seats has less than 1000 votes majority. Don't be hero, criticising DAP members such as Kulasegaran of becoming councillor or even Datuk Bandar. Especially when he intends to give his lucrative law firm. M$3000 per month is nothing.
Dear looes74,
Yes i am aware of this document, which was signed at the early stage of the PR state government formation. My suggestion is meant to dispel any lingering doubt on switching side now, when we are starting to see the fruits of new initiatives and policies. I would be a real shame if the fledgling PR state government were to fall. Its also my hope that Perakians vote wisely in the next election without fear or doubt for any PR candidate be they from DAP, PKR or PAS, im certain PR can garner much more seats in the 13th GE. We would have done well with a PAS representative from Sg Rapat instead of the moronic UMNO rep that we ended up with. The older generation of voters need to change their mindset, that PR can do much better than BN
Post a Comment