Teng: 5 reasons why Mohd Khir must quit

In a scathing speech at the Selangor state assembly today, DAP state representative for Bandar Klang Teng Chang Khim outlined five reasons why Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Toyo was not qualified for the post.

Topping the former DAP Youth chief's list was the menteri besar's immaturity, which he said was displayed o­n more than o­ne occasion.

He said before coming into office in 2000, Mohd Khir, who is also the Sungai Pajang state representative, had issued a statement saying he was prepared to 'bathe in blood' to defend Malay rights.

"This provocative statement reflected his immaturity to be a leader in a multiracial country such as Malaysia," said the opposition leader when debating o­n the motion to thank Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for his speech at the assembly.

A copy of his speech was made available to malaysiakini later.

Teng also recalled another incident where the menteri besar had told a forum recently that foreign prostitutes preferred Malaysian youths because they could "only last for five minutes".

"The Sungai Pajang representative may have been talking about his own capability which nobody was interested in. But as a state and Muslim leader, his statement was embarrassing to the government," he said.

According to Teng, Mohd Khir (left) had also failed to understand and showcase his managerial abilities since assuming the post.

He said while the government's efforts to curb vice activities should be commended, the menteri besar must not exploit it for his political interests and to attract cheap publicity.

Teng was referring to the recent crackdown o­n vice activities in the state codenamed 'Ops Kelawar' which saw Mohd Khir in the forefront.

"Never in the history of Malaysia has a MB personally headed an enforcement unit to raid entertainment outlets suspected of being involved in vice activities.

"Such action is not suitable for someone who is a policy maker and administrator. It also gives the impression that the state government has lost faith in the police and local authorities," he said.

The third reason, Teng said, was Mohd Khir's poor administrative skills which was reflected in the state's financial situation.

"Whatever flowery language that is used by the supporters to praise the menteri besar, o­ne reality which cannot be denied is his poor performance in administrating finance matters. Figures don't lie," he said.

The fourth reason was the state government's over expenditure, especially when it came to visits abroad.

"While the state government faced a decline in financial administration, it was adept in the aspect of overseas visits," he said.

The DAP leader said in 2000, the state government spent a total of RM1.95 million o­n foreign visits while from July to September 2001 it spent RM485,000.

He added that for last year, a total of RM1.31 million was spent o­n visits abroad.

The fifth and final reason which made Mohd Khir unsuitable for the job, Teng said, were the issues of cronyism, corruption, nepotism and his failure to set an exemplary leadership.

He said several cases of embezzlement were previously raised in the state assembly but had failed to evoke satisfactory replies.

Land allotment

Teng then cited two more issues relating to the allotment of land, which he claimed were suspicious.

The first was the allotment of state government land for a project to expand a traditional kampung in Mukim Dengkil for plantation purposes.

According to Teng, in an exco meeting which approved the land application, five exco members, including Mohd Khir, declared their personal interests.

The second was the allotment of land for the expansion of Kampung Labu Lanjut also for the purpose of plantation.

Teng said in the ensuing exco meeting, the MB o­nce again declared his personal interest in the matter.

"As the highest leader in the state, the MB must be responsible for both these cases. The approval of the land allotments which reeks of cronyism, corruption and nepotism is his responsibility," he said.

According to the DAP leader, Mohd Khir should resign since he had lost the credibility and the moral authority to lead the state government.

Meanwhile, Teng also criticised the need for the sultan to compliment the menteri besar twice in his speech at the assembly.

"The sultan's speech, which was based o­n administration matters, should have been neutral and free of political elements," he said.

Referring to the part where the monarch had praised Mohd Khir for garnering strong support from the people, the DAP leader said the menteri besar has yet to be tested.

Teng claimed that Mohd Khir was o­nly riding o­n the success of his predecessor Abu Hassan Omar who led Barisan Nasional to victory in the state during the last general election.

"As though this controversial accolade was not enough to convince the people, the government had to advise the sultan to compliment the menteri besar again as well as to openly accuse that 'there were certain quarters in the state who do not believe in our success'.

"The fact that the government has to advise the sultan to praise the menteri besar twice and make such open accusations was enough to display the glaring weakness in the state government," he said.