DAP scoffs at Perak’s mega-projects

Projects are simply feel-good announcements in anticipation of the general election, says a DAP leader.

PETALING JAYA: DAP scoffed at the Perak state government’s mega-project announcements, claiming that they are nothing but puffs of hot air.

These included the state’s aluminium plant, Gulf Petroleum and the International Halal Meat Hub projects, according to Sitiawan assemblyman Ngeh Koo Ham.

“The BN government tries to give the impression that it has brought so much development when in fact it has failed to do so,” said the DAP Perak chairman.

Ngeh said that many of these projects had failed to materialise despite much hype and promises and thumbed his nose at the latest planned Perak Eco Industrial Hub.

According to a Star report, Perak MB Zambry Abdul Kadir said that the 1,214.1-hectare hub would create 12,000 jobs and contribute 14% to the state’s gross domestic product.

Ngeh, however, was far from convinced of this claim, and said that interested inquiries from investors didn’t mean that the hub would be built.

Broken promises

In comparison, he said that when Pakatan Rakyat was in charge, projects would only be announced when all the details had been worked out.

Ngeh later told FMT that many developers and investors had complained to him of broken promises made by the state government.

“Many have come to me, saying they feel dejected by these unrealised ventures,” he said.

Asked why they had approached Pakatan when they were not in power, Ngeh said: “A lot of people still see us as coming back to lead the state.”

He also warned that many announcements and measures undertaken by Zambry were in fact preparations with a vew towards the coming general election.

“They are feel-good measures, but they give the impression that the elections are coming,” Ngeh said, and asked Perakians not to be cheated by them.