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Straits Times (Used by permission)
Of the four states that fell to Pakatan Rakyat, Kedah has moved quietly along,
almost without controversy. Is it Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak's quiet way
of doing things or is it the quiet of Barisan Nasional politicians that is
giving the new state government the time and space to govern? NOOR ADZMAN
BAHARUDDIN, ADIB POVERA and TAN CHEW CHIN spoke to the people.
PAS' rule in Kedah enters its 100th day today but any regular
visitor to the state would be excused if they thought little had changed since
the Pakatan Rakyat coalition took over from Barisan Nasional after the March 8
general election. Even the locals have not seen the changes.
Except for a huge poster of Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak at the entrance of
Wisma Darul Aman, the seat of the state government, there are very few signs to
show that Kedah is now under Pas rule.
The poster of Azizan, who is also state Pas commissioner, was erected a few days
after he was sworn in on March 9. It is placed opposite a slightly smaller
poster of Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Sultanah Haminah
Hamidon.
Even in Sungai Limau, where Azizan is from, there are few signs to show that Pas
is now in charge after it won 16 state seats compared with BN's 14. Parti
Keadilan Rakyat won four, while DAP won one. An independent also won and he
later joined PKR.
There were moments of anxiety for many among the 1.9
million–odd population when the party swept into office and this is
understandable since Kedah has been one of BN's bastions.
The non–Malays were worried that syariah would be enforced, gaming outlets
closed and separate counters for men and women set up in public places.
For some Malay civil servants, they wondered if all Muslim women staff would be
required to wear the tudung.
The tourism trade was worried that there would be a ban on alcohol and live
music performances in hotels, especially in Langkawi.
The general business community, too, was concerned that the association of Pas
with syariah would deter investors.
Most of these concerns proved unwarranted, however, as despite its tough Islamic
image, the state government has yet to implement syariah. Nevertheless, there
are tell–tale signs of movement in that direction.
For one, there are no more traditional performances involving women dancers
during official state functions. There has been no official directive on the
matter from the menteri besar's office but organisers understand it as a no–no.
It is also learnt that a sizeable portion of Sultan Abdul Halim's golden jubilee
celebrations, especially those involving cultural performances and
entertainment, has been trimmed down.
Not surprisingly, the fear of a Pas–style Islamisation, although assuaged,
lingers in the minds of the ordinary folk.
A number of items in Kedah Pas' general election manifesto, contained in a
17–page booklet, is being carried out and most important of all is the
substantial rebates of up to 90 per cent given on quit rent.
Azizan has been careful to avoid controversies, unlike his counterparts in
Perak, Selangor and Penang.
To some, his "Mr Nice" image has been unwittingly exacerbated by the lacklustre
performance of the members of the opposition, now the Kedah BN.
Azizan's predecessor, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, had announced that the Kedah BN
had set up a "shadow cabinet" to monitor the Pas–led state government, but
little has been forthcoming.
One hundred days may be too short a time to gauge the state government's
performance.
Comments from players in the various economic sectors and NGOs
TOURISM:
The Pas–led state government has yet to introduce any policies that can
drastically change the people's lives. It is almost like the same state
government that we had before the March 8 elections. What worries us in the
tourism sector is the availability of funds to carry out tourism activities. The
state is run by the former opposition while the Federal Government is under
Barisan Nasional. This could be a problem. A lot of tourism sites in the state
depend on federal funding. – Lim Bao Lu, 45, Kedah Tour Guides' Association
president
CONSTRUCTION:
We have not been informed of any new programmes to boost the construction
sector. All these years, we have depended on the Federal Government for
projects. Our Class 'F' members are complaining of lack of projects and many are
depending on the state government for help but it is not forthcoming. We are
glad the Federal Government will not abandon us. – Ahmad Fatahi Omar, 43,
commissioner of Kedah Malay Contractors' Association
SPORTS:
We were worried that sports would be neglected when Pas took over the state. So
far, Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak has been supportive. Politics and sports
should be separated and we hope there will be continuous support from the
Federal Government. – Datuk Lim Teng Keat, 61, Kedah Badminton Association
and Kedah Rugby Association president
BUSINESS:
There have been no major changes since Pas took over the state government. It is
too early to judge the state government's performance. Kedah Pas has no
experience in running a state. Some segments of the Chinese community are
worried their lifestyles would be affected, but so far, nothing has happened
that warrants our fears. We welcome the state government's gesture in reducing
the quit rent. We believe more adjustments should be made to the quit rent
tariffs. We also hope for greater economic activities under Pas rule. We hope
the state government will remain friendly with all communities. – Cheng Lai
Hock, 49, Kedah Chinese Assembly Hall chairman
EDUCATION:
It is still too early to expect the Pas–led state government to show its
commitment to help private Chinese schools in Kedah. There have been some
changes in the running of the new state government but nothing drastic has taken
place. We feel there will be very little the state government can provide for us
since education is very much a federal concern. The menteri besar has promised
to help us and we will keep tabs on this. – Poh Chin Chuan, 53, Kedah United
Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia chairman
SINGLE MOTHERS:
It is too early to assess the Pas–led state government's performance. But what
is important is that the parties should keep their promise to voters before the
March 8 general election. – Azizah Mat Zain Seri Waja, Association
(association for single mothers) president
YOUTH:
The Pas–led state government has done little to help the youth. I don't hear or
see much activities being drawn up for our youngsters. Pas leaders have been
slow in this area. Our youngsters need guidance and activities should be carried
out to keep them off the streets. They are our future leaders and their time
should be filled with programmes that will develop their skills. – Datuk
Ahmad Zaini Jaapar, Kedah National Youth Council chairman
INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
The leaders are very polite and people–oriented since most have gone down to the
ground to meet the people, especially those with problems. They have a long way
to go to win the hearts of the people but given their attitude, it should not be
a problem. I hope the Pas–led state government will give more opportunities to
our youngsters to participate in the state's growth. – R. Kanusamy, 63,
chamber vice–president
ETHNIC GROUP:
The Siamese community was always close to the previous state Barisan Nasional
government. However, the new government has shown keen interest to endear
themselves to our 32,000–odd members. The appointment of state exco V. Arumugam
to deal with matters pertaining to our community is positive and he has held
several meetings with our leaders and members. I hope the welfare and other
needs, especially education, of our community would not be neglected. – Boon
Som Inong, 47, committee member of the Malaysian Siamese Association in Kedah