Almost RM43,000 collected in tree auction - Malaysian Insider

Going, going….gone! Pakatan Rakyat members auctioning five shards of the 'democracy plaque' that had been erected under a rain tree to mark the historic emergency sitting of the Perak State Legislative Assembly last month. - Picture by Choo Choy May

By Debra Chong


IPOH, March 22 - Five shards of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) erected democracy plaque here went on the auction block today. The highest bid stood at RM17,100.

A Johor based businessman who only wanted to be known as Lee collected the prized black marble inscription, widely seen to be a symbol of democracy for the ousted PR government.

But he told reporters he was only a proxy for "a friend."
He refused to divulge further details.

But it is believed the new owner originates from the Perak royal town of Kuala Kangsar.

The auction was organised by the DAP and launched by Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddinn who maintains he is the lawful mentri besar of the state.

It was held under the shade of the rain tree at Persiaran Istana opposite the Perak state secretariat.

Bidding started from RM500.

The amount collected from the auction was almost RM43,000.

It will be used to build a "new greater more lasting monument" to democracy, said Nizar.