FT Gerakan Chief Confirms Taking Up Pakatan Rakyat's Offer

KUALA LUMPUR, Federal Territory Gerakan chief Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong Wednesday confirmed that he has accepted an offer from the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) controlled Selangor government to head a special task force on land management.

Tan, 61, a former deputy minister, has followed the example of former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon, who accepted the PR Penang government’s offer to head two key state agencies - InvestPenang and Penang Development Corporation.

"Yes, I have taken up the offer to be joint chairman of the six-member task force.

I'm thankful to the Selangor Government for the trust they have placed in me and to tap on my experience in dealing with land matters.

"A lot of things need to be done and we have been given three months to come out with a report to the Selangor government on the matter of land titles," he told Bernama when contacted late Wednesday night.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim Wednesday evening announced the formation of the task force comprising six members to be jointly chaired by Tan and Datuk Dr Nik Mohd Zain Nik Mohd Yusof.

Tan was deputy land and cooperative development minister from 1999 to 2004 while Mohd Zain had been the ministry’s director-general from 1996 to 2002.

Asked why he decided to accept the offer, Dr Tan said: "As you know, I have always been seen as the "thorn in the flesh" or "trouble maker in the party".

"I have tried to do something for Gerakan but have always been regarded as the person who went against the system. I'm already 61 years old now and I'm pleased that Tan Sri Khalid appreciates my past experience. My party does not appreciate me," he added.

Asked whether he would resign from Gerakan, Dr Tan said: "Let the party leaders see the news Thursday and I will wait to see what they are going to do".

Meanwhile, Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, when contacted, said the party would like to hear from Dr Tan himself on his decision to accept the Selangor government offer before making any statement.

"Until then, that is my comment. Until now, we have not received any notification from him," he said.

By Alan Ting
Bernama
28/05/08