Study constitution, BN rep aspirants told
Susan LoonePublished: Mar 10, 2011 3:02 PM | Updated: Mar 10, 2011 3:09 PM
A state executive councillor has called upon Barisan Nasional politicians who are hoping to win a seat in the coming general election to study the constitution closely before making negative remarks about Pakatan Rakyat’s performance in Kedah.
A state executive councillor has called upon Barisan Nasional politicians who are hoping to win a seat in the coming general election to study the constitution closely before making negative remarks about Pakatan Rakyat’s performance in Kedah.
S Manikumar, who is in charge of domestic trade and consumer affairs, rubbished allegations by the opposition BN that the Kedah government led by PAS has underperformed in its three years in office.
Manikumar (left), the PKR Bukit Selambau assemblyperson, accused the BN instead of merely “talking and making allegations” against the state government.
In reality, the present Pakatan government is “far better” than the previous one led by Umno and BN, he said.
He referred specifically to the state’s timber revenue which has drastically increased to RM53 million, compared to RM8 million during BN’s tenure.
He noted that government linked companies have been performing better since Pakatan took over the state leadership in 2008, thanks to proper management.
He blamed the previous government for not implementing projects efficiently to benefit the people.
“These projects did not make a real impact on the people,” he said.
On the federal government’s contribution to the state during the previous administration, Manikumar said this only confirms the “incompetency” of BN’s state leadership.
“We, however, are ready to cooperate and approve of any project which benefits Kedah, for example, fully funding the building of a new campus for Kolej Universiti Insaniah,” he added.
‘Laws are fair to all’
Manikumar denied that PAS has been implementing Islamic policies in Kedah, saying that laws are implemented according to the constitution and are fair to all.
“Those who are hoping to be YBs (members of parliament or assembly reps), please study the constitution first,” he told the opposition.
He was responding to allegations by state Gerakan and MCA who alleged that the non-Muslim communities are beginning to be worried about PAS’ intention to implement hudud laws.
On MIC’s allegations that the state has no policy for the Indian community, Manikumar said that it has provided land for building of temples.
The government has also approved a RM500,000 budget to provide aid to the community, said the exco member who oversees programmes for minorities, including Thais.
Meanwhile, in Penang, state MIC liaison committee chairperson PK Subbaiyah questioned the local administration’s handling of the Hindu Endowment Fund.
“I can categorically say that we had a RM20 million fund for projects with the help of the federal government,” he told Malaysiakini.
“I remember passing on that amount to the incoming leaders of the Hindu Endowment Fund,” added the board’s former chairperson.
“Where has all the money gone?” queried Subbaiyah.
However, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng recently announced a mere RM1 million for the fund, he said.
Last month, Lim said this was the first time that the state was giving an allocation to the board.
Before this the state had only given grants for events such as Thaipusam, he added, in an event where he was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.
S Manikumar, who is in charge of domestic trade and consumer affairs, rubbished allegations by the opposition BN that the Kedah government led by PAS has underperformed in its three years in office.
Manikumar (left), the PKR Bukit Selambau assemblyperson, accused the BN instead of merely “talking and making allegations” against the state government.In reality, the present Pakatan government is “far better” than the previous one led by Umno and BN, he said.
He referred specifically to the state’s timber revenue which has drastically increased to RM53 million, compared to RM8 million during BN’s tenure.
He noted that government linked companies have been performing better since Pakatan took over the state leadership in 2008, thanks to proper management.
He blamed the previous government for not implementing projects efficiently to benefit the people.
“These projects did not make a real impact on the people,” he said.
On the federal government’s contribution to the state during the previous administration, Manikumar said this only confirms the “incompetency” of BN’s state leadership.
“We, however, are ready to cooperate and approve of any project which benefits Kedah, for example, fully funding the building of a new campus for Kolej Universiti Insaniah,” he added.
‘Laws are fair to all’
Manikumar denied that PAS has been implementing Islamic policies in Kedah, saying that laws are implemented according to the constitution and are fair to all.
“Those who are hoping to be YBs (members of parliament or assembly reps), please study the constitution first,” he told the opposition.
He was responding to allegations by state Gerakan and MCA who alleged that the non-Muslim communities are beginning to be worried about PAS’ intention to implement hudud laws.
On MIC’s allegations that the state has no policy for the Indian community, Manikumar said that it has provided land for building of temples.
The government has also approved a RM500,000 budget to provide aid to the community, said the exco member who oversees programmes for minorities, including Thais.
Meanwhile, in Penang, state MIC liaison committee chairperson PK Subbaiyah questioned the local administration’s handling of the Hindu Endowment Fund.
“I can categorically say that we had a RM20 million fund for projects with the help of the federal government,” he told Malaysiakini.
“I remember passing on that amount to the incoming leaders of the Hindu Endowment Fund,” added the board’s former chairperson.
“Where has all the money gone?” queried Subbaiyah.
However, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng recently announced a mere RM1 million for the fund, he said.
Last month, Lim said this was the first time that the state was giving an allocation to the board.
Before this the state had only given grants for events such as Thaipusam, he added, in an event where he was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.
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