DAP Perak Must Do Better

The new Perak government was finally formed and sworn in after 2 weeks of controversial lobbying and bargaining for Menteri Besar and State EXCOs position by the loose coalition of DAP-PKR and PAS. Even though the DAP won 18 seats and holds the largest voice in the loose coalition, they lost the Menteri besar post to PAS. If the coalition’s relationships are not properly managed, their manifesto and promises to the Perak’s rakyat will be in the question.

As a consequence, the most important portfolios - economic development, land matters, natural resources, security and rural development was grabbed by the PAS Menteri Besar Nizar. DAP state chairman was only given a senior EXCOs post to oversee finance committee, water, energy and non-muslim affairs portfolio.

The DAP candidates promised the Perak voters in the 12^th general election to restructure the state land policy and allowing the new villages temporary occupancy license (TOL) be extended to 99 years if they won the election. In addition, Perak Senior EXCOs Ngeh in an interview with Sinchew Daily on March13, 2008, unveiled that DAP will take a move to make sure all farming land and commercial land in Perak be granted 99 years of TOL or given a free hold status.

Perak’s land farming land issues was also given an attention by the previous Perak government. In February 2008, the Prime Minister and the Perak Menteri besar has agreed to lease the 2,903ha of land in the state to 931 farmers located in Coldstream, Kuala Bikam, Malim Nawar, Jeram, Kuala Kuang and Kanthan for 30 years – the maximum allowed years under the State Land and Mines Policy. So, if the DAP wishes to extend the land license to 99 years or free hold status, they have to amend its laws to be passed in the state assembly.

For the sake of the community, we hope that the newly formed Perak government can keep their promises and find a way to continue helping the farmers in granting a 99-years land lease or freehold status farming land.

Other than that, DAP must also endeavor to change the mindset of the Perak State Civil Service to the liberalization of land licensing and answer to the plight of the farmers. “Pakatan Rakyat” must adhere the principle of fairness and justice for all that they promised to deliver.

Since the national agriculture policy was aimed at reducing the nation’s reliance on imported food by 2010, we hope that the farmers will use their rights to push for the legitimization of their farming land too.

With the cooperation of the new state government, DAP must help to create a better improved agriculture sector for the Perak farmers, beginning with helping them to secure a better tenancy agreement.