Even as national leaders of Pakatan Rakyat drop the hot potato that the proposed 'unity government' has turned out to be, Kedah Gerakan is checking out the idea at state level.

Its Youth wing wants the state PKR and DAP to snub PAS and tie up with Barisan Nasional to form a unity state government in Alor Setar.

Kedah Youth chief Tan Keng Liang alleged that PKR and DAP have many grouses against the leadership of Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, who is from PAS.

gerakan ndc 101008 tan keng liang Moreover, he said, PKR and DAP have more in common with BN component parties such as Gerakan rather than with the Islamic-based PAS

"Hence, I suggest it would be better for PKR and DAP to snub PAS and join hands with BN to form a unity government in Kedah," Tan (centre in photo) told Malaysiakini today.

Currently PAS is the largest single party in the state assembly, holding 16 of the 36 seats.

Umno, which is in the opposition, is second with 12, followed by PKR with five, while DAP, Gerakan and MCA have one each.

Besides filling the menteri besar's seat, PAS dominates the state executive council with seven members while PKR has three.

Bumiputera quota hike

Tan said the state's decision to hike the bumiputera housing quota from 30 percent to 50 percent has become the most controversial issue.

"It has provoked angry reactions from many quarters, including PKR and DAP," he said.

Another problem, he said, is the decision to shift a pig abbatoir from its current location in Mergong, Alor Star.

"Until today the government has yet to identify an alternative site. But it plans to demolish the abattoir by end of this month," he claimed.

luxury houses of mp ministers 081106 koh tsu koon Many Indian Malaysians are said to be unhappy with the state government's lethargic handling of their grievances, especially on land, housing, employment and vernacular education.

A state government source said senior civil servants have now become more powerful than the exco in deciding, executing and managing affairs.

Unlike the previous Umno-controlled Kedah government, the PAS-helmed government has failed to tame the overzealous, and at times arrogant, senior public officers, the source said.

He added that the local municipalities are incompetent and inefficient in performing daily tasks, particularly garbage collection. This has become a major talking point.

Outdated style

Several Pakatan leaders are allegedly unhappy that the state government had retained Umno-linked companies as concessionaires in sand excavation projects all over Kedah.

"Due to this, many residents have resorted to sand theft in several prime areas," said the government officer.

These contentious issues have been blamed on the PAS-helmed government's lack of conviction to initiate changes.

kuala kedah shoplots 110805 lot 2 Azizan is accused of being reluctant to abandon an orthodox political system, leadership and style of governance.

According to a Pakatan source, instead of becoming a well-oiled, refined, reformed and pro-active government, the PAS-led government has stuck with the outdated Umno style of administration.

"It is reluctant to ruffle feathers for fear of antagonising the all- powerful senior civil servants," he said.

Meanwhile, Tan said the state economy, employment opportunities and business growth have all become stagnant.

He claimed that a BN-PKR-DAP partnership can safeguard the interests and rights of Kedah citizens and deliver constructive and progressive policies to stimulate growth.