Ramblings of Abufaris

Pakatan Rakyat is going great in Perak. The Perak government is doing just fine and I do hope the prosperity last forever. Last saturday, Silverians could witness the wedding ceremony of the MB’s daughter in the MB’s official residence and every level of citizens were welcome to celebrate.

Q: Can you describe the relationship between the parties in the Pakatan Rakyat state government?

A: Superb. We move like a rocket. We eat chicken rice together. We have a marvellous relationship.

Q: What about the relationship between the state government and the civil service?

A: It has improved tremendously. In the early days, the civil servants had a wait-and-see stance. Now, they are beginning to show allegiance to the state government.

Q: Is your administration rakyat-friendly?

A: I believe we are a people-oriented government. Many have come to see executive council members and departmental heads for help to solve their problems. Their offices are packed from 8am to 7pm, especially on Tuesdays, which is reserved for the public. Besides that, exco members also handle SMSes and phone calls. We have our hands full with the people’s problems, but we welcome them.

Q: Your take on the state-federal relationship?

A: Very, very good. The whole Northern Corridor Economic Region team, headed by Datuk Seri Annuar Zaini, came to my office and together with the exco members, we discussed how we can cooperate with the Federal Government. The state government will assist in the NCER, including the double-tracking rail project between Ipoh and Padang Besar.

Q: The Federal Government is not providing financial assistance to the state government. How will you manage the state?

A: Actually, the Federal Government has been quite kind. We just had a briefing with the state development officer. He was talking about giving some money for projects in all the state constituencies.

Q: But the money will be channelled through the federal development office?

A: That is just their (the Federal Government’s) modus operandi. But they are not stopping the funds. They are merely channeling the funds through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

Q: Do you have the financial resources to carry out your day-to-day administration?

A: Yes. The financial position of the state government is stable. We have RM700 million in cash reserves. Despite the deficit budget in the last four years, the financial situation is manageable.

With the state government’s active promotion of industries and investments, we will see higher revenues. We hope to break the (deficit) jinx and present a balanced, if not a surplus, budget.

Q: Are you satisfied with the delivery of promises made by Pakatan Rakyat parties during the general election?

A: I do not think we have obtained a satisfactory level of achievement. In fact, we are only beginning to grant land titles to villages. There are a lot more areas to be decided on and implemented.

Q: You declared that the state government’s priority was to spur economic growth. How do you propose to do this?

A: We are speeding up applications from local and foreign investors. Furthermore, we have set up a special committee, of which I am chairman, which will focus on increasing state revenues.

Q: Have you attracted new investments to the state?

A: We have closed some deals. The state government is very investor-friendly.

Q: From the social aspect, will there be new policies that will affect Perak residents?

A: Have you felt any changes in your social life? Are we biting you?

Your children go to school. You are working and getting paid. Any disturbance? No.

Q: The state legislative assembly starts tomorrow. Are you ready to face the opposition?

A: Perak is special because we have the largest number of opposition members compared with other states.

So, you can imagine how happy we are. Many of us are newcomers, but do not worry, we will be up to the mark. — By Jaspal Singh, P. Chandra Sagaran, Brenda Lim and Veena Babulal