The DAP has told Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak that double-standard practices must be addressed and curbed to ensure that the prime minister's fight against corruption is strengthened.

The deputy premier was asked to step in on three major cases which the DAP views as examples of shortcomings in executing policies and laws in the country.

In a memorandum dated April 8, and submitted to the DPM by hand, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng drew attention to the cases - at both the federal and state government level - which exemplified practices of favouritism and cronyism.

"The deputy premier must denounce the statement by Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin that past corruption cases will not be acted on," said Lim in the memorandum.

Khairy's statement which was made during an interview with the International Herald Tribune indicated that the premier, who is also Khairy's father-in-law, has no intention to prosecute corrupt practices which occurred prior to last year's general election.

"It is important for the government to show a continued commitment to the premier's anti-corruption campaign which has since fizzled out. Khairy's statement contradicts the premier's guarantee to fight graft.

"It must be assumed that his statement explains why the administration and the Anti-Corruption Agency has conducted lacklustre investigations so far," added Lim.

To prove this wrong, Lim said the government must act against 18 corruption cases which involve notable figures including a government minister.

Forest reserve destruction

Lim cited further cases which gave rise to injustices and deprived the public, one of which was the destruction of the Bukit Beruang permanent forest reserve by the Malacca state government.

"Malaccans care for their forest reserve and support its preservation. The logging conducted in the reserve has raised people's unhappiness with the state government for its failure to protect it.

"What's more shocking to the people is that the destruction went on with the state's knowledge and approval," added the former parliamentarian.

Lim submitted that the Malacca people were not consulted when the destruction was done - to accommodate a theme park - and have rejected the state chief minister's claim that the project was carried out because the city folk wanted it.

"Conduct a consensus and it will reveal that the people do not want their forests destroyed. The project only benefits a small section and not the community as a whole.

"There is only one forest reserve in central Malacca left. It must be protected," added Lim.

Criminal records

The DAP leader also urged Najib to restore public confidence in the integrity of government officials and state councillors by stopping the appointment of individuals with criminal records to public positions.

"The (state-backed) Malacca International Trade Centre Sdn Bhd (MITC) general manager Hasnoor Sidang Husin has been convicted of a criminal breach of trust while a Malacca councillor is a rent defaulter for a state project," said Lim.

He pointed out that it was a dangerous and not a "credible" appointment for a former convict to manage millions of ringgit in state funds.

The deputy premier was reminded that the government has a moral authority to rid the nation of cronyism, discrimination and double-standards and action should be seen to be taken to curb these undemocratic activities.

For a clean administration to be seen in operation, Lim has urged Najib to instruct the "stubborn" Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam to sack both the MITC GM and the councillor.