A Perak state assembly representative has lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) against the state government for alleged irregularities in awarding logging concessions at a fraction of premium prices.

Pantai Remis state assembly person Nga Kor Ming lodged his report at the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya this morning, accompanied by several DAP leaders.

They included Perak organising secretary The Hock Kee, Youth vice-chairperson Chan Su Sann, Youth national secretary Anthony Loke, Youth international secretary John Chung, and national exco member Ean Yong.

Nga pointed out that 96 percent, or 364 logging rights, were passed from 1998 to 2001 without an open tender.

His information was drawn from the 2001 Auditor-General's report, which revealed that only 14 licences were granted via open tender during the three years.

The report assessed that concessions awarded by tender would on average earn RM2,542 per hectare for the state.

However, the state only collected an average RM750 a hectare from companies that were allowed to bypass the tender system - a discount of almost 70.5 percent of the standard premium value.

If the logging licences were awarded via open tender, the premium collected would have amounted to RM73.65, Nga said.

"Unfortunately, as a result of the Perak government's misuse of power, the amount collected only came to RM26.93 million, causing a loss of RM52.02 million," he added.

Motion rejected

In a related matter, Nga claimed that attempts to raise these irregularities at the Perak state assembly on Nov 14 last year were met with stiff resistance from Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives.

Nga said his proposed motion, requiring the state government to reveal the list of individuals or companies granted the concessions - on grounds that a number of them included MCA and Umno members - was rejected by the 44 BN state leaders.

"The prime minister has urged all levels of government to get rid of corruption, but this case clearly shows how the state government dismissed the directive. The ACA should move quickly to investigate without fear or favour," he said.

In recent months, allegations have been levelled at parties in power in Pahang and Kelantan about irregularities in awarding contracts for timber concessions. These are being investigated by the ACA.