Issue with DAP resolved, says Kedah MB

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 July 2009: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak considers the rift between the Kedah DAP and the PAS-led Kedah government as having been resolved.

Describing the matter as a “storm in the tea cup”, he said the issue was settled following the clarification given by both parties at a meeting with DAP Parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang here.

“We probably did not treat the matter seriously in the past. From now on, we will be more serious on such matters,” he said at a media conference today.

On the issue of the demolition of the pig abbatoir by the Alor Star City Council, Azizan said the state government had identified a new area nearby to replace the demolished building.

On 1 July, Kedah/Perlis DAP chairperson Thomas Su announced that the state DAP had no qualms about leaving the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) because it was unhappy over several issues, including the demolition of the only pig slaughterhouse at Kampung Berjaya in Alor Star.

Su also described the PAS-led Kedah government as weak and frequently raised racial problems, including imposing a bumiputera housing quota of 50%.

Recently, Su also repeated his claim that he had information about the decision of the state government to demolish several Hindu and Chinese temples.

When asked about the break-up between the Kedah DAP and the coalition in the state, Lim, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ipoh Timur, said Su had been advised to reconsider the decision.

“The meeting had been fruitful and Azizan had also promised to reconsider our request.

“As such, I advised Su to reconsider the matter,” he said.

When met at the press conference, Su said he welcomed the suggestion but had yet to make a decision.

“This matter must be taken back for discussion with the state DAP, and I can only make a decision after this,” Su said. — Bernama