Lunas state assembly representative Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the inappropriate practices of the government justifies the need for an opposition to represent the people.

Speaking at a function to officiate a Keadilan branch in his constituency last night, Saifuddin cited a few cases of such practices which he had raised in the Kedah state assembly recently.

He criticised the state government for planning to privatise the water department, saying the move will lead to residents forking out more money.

He also questioned the state government's decision to allocate a huge amount of land, mostly water catchment areas, to a Sarawak-based company which has no logging experience.

The Keadilan Youth deputy chief also took a swipe at Kedah Menteri Besar Syed Razak Syed Zain for allowing the state to owe the federal government RM1.3 billion.

"If Kedah is a company, I am sure Danaharta will buy it," he said.

He also urged the crowd to give an applause to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for making his home state poorer by several million ringgit.

Saifuddin who won the traditional Barisan Nasional stronghold Lunas seat in a by-election in November 2000 also criticised the recent re-delineation exercise carried out by the Election Commission.

Echoing the view of other opposition leaders, he said the exercise serves to benefit the ruling Barisan Nasional, a claim which has been denied by both the commission and BN.

'Spirit of Lunas'

In Lunas, he said, the three polling stations where he won have been shifted to another constituency, Merbau Pulas. However, the polling station in Merbau Pulas where he lost has been moved to Lunas.

"This is one way for them to win Lunas back. But we are not defeated, we simply have to work harder and get more members in," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Keadilan supreme council member Dr Lee Boon Chye, who was also present, urged the people to "reactivate the spirit of Lunas" as it is feared by Mahathir.

Lee said it was possible to relive the spirit only when all the races unite with one force and purpose to oppose BN.

"Saifuddin won Lunas not only because of Malay support but the support of the Chinese and Indians as well.

"If Malaysians of all races unite, we will definitely be able to defeat even the most cruel enemy," he said.

The new branch which has 270 members of which 138 are Chinese Malaysians was officiated by Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.