The increasing number of scandals plaguing the Selangor state government leave the Federal government no choice but to completely revamp the state line-up, says an opposition state assemblyperson.

DAP assemblyperson for Sungai Pinang Teng Chang Khim said the clearing and logging works at Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam in Shah Alam, which led to public outcry over the destruction of the agricultural park's eco-system and bio-diversity, is only the most recent among a long list of controversies.

"There have been too many scandals and controversies throughout the administration of Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo since (the elections of) 1999 that have exposed his shortcomings as head of the state government," said Teng in a statement.

Until the whole state government wake up from its complacency or replaced, controversies would continue to plague Selangor, prevent its development, and keep it in a state of chaos, warned Teng.

"I have repeatedly called for the state government to seriously heed the people's criticisms against it and against the municipal councils, but because of the Selangor MB's complacency following Barisan Nasional's landslide win in the past elections, he has not acceded to such requests."

When contacted, Teng said the controversies include claims of an over-priced tender award to an allegedly blacklisted contractor, 'gifts' of land to state government officers and appointees, and "wasteful" overseas trips.

Teng also said he had in last December's session of the state assembly spoke against the involvement of a certain state executive councillor in a business company.

According to provisions.in the Federal Constitution as well as Selangor state laws, an executive councillor cannot participate in any business, trade or profession having to do with a matter or department under his or her portfolio.

"I raised the matter in last December's state assembly sitting, and lodged a police report, but it has been ignored by the state government," said Teng.

State leaders must be aware

Teng's comments come on the heels of a similar call by the youth wing of Islamic opposition party PAS, which had called for Khir's resignation following claims that he was in the dark regarding the approval for the development works at Bukit Cahaya.

According to Malay daily Utusan Malaysia , Khir said all matters pertaining to the approval and planning of buildings and earth works in the area concerned falls under the Shah Alam Municipal Council.

However, PAS Youth deputy chief Idris Ahmad said such a large scale project as that occurring in Bukit Cahaya in Shah Alam involving the development of 1,200 hectares by more than thirty companies, was one that could not have gone unnoticed by Khir and other state government leaders.

"This in not the construction of a toilet at the back of a village house. How can such a huge project as Bukit Cahaya be approved without the knowledge of Khir and the executive councillors?"

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was yesterday reported by Utusan Malaysia as expressing shock upon seeing the extent of clearing works occurring in Bukit Cahaya, and called for stricter regulations surrounding the enforcement of environmental and forestry regulations