Perak strives to rise above differences of opinion
IT has been a year full of challenges for Pakatan Harapan as they attempt to take full reins of the Perak government.
Among them were the hosting of the Malaysia Games, the attempt to uncover shady businesses by the previous administration in its state government-linked companies and illegal land clearing of some 10ha of land on Bukit Kledang in Ipoh.
However, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu is definitely the one in the spotlight.
Ahmad Faizal got off on the wrong foot with DAP over the issuance of 999-year or permanent land titles to new villagers following the 14th General Election.
While DAP had promised the land titles to new villagers, the Mentri Besar maintained his stance that only 99 years would be given.
Differences in opinions between him and his fellow executive council members over several issues also set tongues wagging that cracks had appeared even before they reached the one-year mark.
With these clashes of opinions, it remains to be seen how long Ahmad Faizal, the sole assemblyman from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, can hold on to his post and how Pakatan can work as a team to develop Perak.
In one press conference, Ahmad Faizal had said he had hoped for better cooperation between him and the exco members.
“I think there are still some who are not clear that I am the Mentro Besar,” he was quoted as saying.
“All of our performances can be better. They are not perfect, I am not perfect.”
Despite all that, there have been some good policies by the state government under his leadership.
These include the standardised parking rates for all districts in the state, the removal of the Business and Industrial Trades 2017 By-Law that increases licensing fees and recently, the introduction of the Kad Prihatin Perak that alleviates the needy’s spending needs on groceries and healthcare.
A political observer, who declined to be named, believes Ahmad Faizal is doing okay.
“He is a practical man and I believe he has visions. The state’s policy on housing, for example, was one of the things done right.
“They are really focusing on helping the B40 group to own affordable homes, which do not generate much revenue as the profit margin is very low,” he said.
“The other thing that has improved is tourism. We can see slightly more visitors coming to the state and staying overnight in Ipoh, improving the local economy.
“Ahmad Faizal is doing his part and he needs the backing of his exco members,” the observer said.
He added that the state was still lacking in other areas such as foreign investment and there was room for lots of improvement.
“I believe the report that said Perak is the second poorest state in Malaysia is true. But Pakatan should no longer put the blame on the previous government. They are the government now and have all the power to make things right.
“Malacca and even Negri Sembilan have overtaken us in terms of development. More investors are going to the two states,” he said.
He added that the industrial parks in Jelapang and Menglembu have been left for dead, with many abandoned factories in those areas.
“Even the local small and medium enterprises that provide supports and supplies to bigger factories are leaving the state,” he said.
To attract foreign investors, he said Perak badly needs a new airport and to develop its infrastructures.
“Presently, visitors to the state have to land in Penang or Kuala Lumpur and then travel to Perak, which is inconvenient.
“We cannot settle for just upgrading the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport and having flights within a limited range in the southeast region,” he said, adding that there was already a plot of land in Seri Iskandar ready for it.
“We need a proper airport that can cater to countries beyond Asia and with cargo facilities. Only then can Perak flourish,” he said.
He also said much could be done to improve the transportation sector and networking facilities.
“Perak does not even have a proper ring road, which is another inconvenience. It’s important to have accessibility and networking between areas.
“In Ipoh, it takes 40 minutes to travel from Pengkalan to Klebang, which is considered a long journey.
“We also have the train station in Ipoh, as well asthe Electric Train Services. Why can’t the state make use of these?” he asked.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman political science lecturer Teh Boon Teck opined that Pakatan’s performance was just above average.
“I’ll give them a six out of 10. I could say their performance is slightly better than the previous administration, but the improvement is not significant.
“For me, the good thing they have done is allocating more funds to the Non-Muslim Affairs Department. Another is the open tender policy for state housing development.
“On the other hand, it is a fact that they couldn’t fulfil their promises made during GE14,” he said.
On DAP’s failed promise to give the permanent titles to new villagers, Teh believes village folk were disappointed but would not mind not getting it.
“I feel that they are more unhappy that the renewal process is slow.
“Another issue that concerns the villagers, especially farmers, is that they still can’t get land titles for land that they have toiled for decades, more so now that Pakatan is helming the government,” he said.
Teh believes Ahmad Faizal is not in a favourable position, being the only representative with state executive power from Bersatu.
“Those close to him are mainly from Umno or ex-Umno people, and I think he still can’t win trust from other component parties.
“I don’t see him being removed anytime soon unless he is caught abusing power. But if there’s a chance to remove him, I think DAP, with the majority of the state seats, will do so.
“I think it has been DAP’s intention to appoint one of its own as the Mentri Besar. This is why I believe they brought in a non-local, (Tebing Tinggi assemblyman) Dr Abdul Aziz Bari, to contest in the state and become an exco member,” he said.
Teh said Pakatan needed to recruit more locals and train them to become grassroots leaders to implement state policies effectively.
“Most assemblymen and local councillors still act like opposition members. They are the government and when it comes to being critical of services or performance of state agencies and staff, they should try solving the problem internally immediately instead of criticising them openly in public,” he said.