State opposition leader Teng Chang Khim (DAP-Sungai Pinang) launched his first salvo at the Selangor legislative assembly today, arguing that the state had long been a "corruption and malpractices hub".

Teng was debating the motion of thanks on the royal address, made by the Selangor sultan on Saturday to mark the opening of the assembly's second term.

In his royal address, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said that the state was working towards making Selangor a transhipment, educational excellence and halal hub.

But Teng begged to differ.

"The historical reality is that Selangor has had the most number of menteris besar who have had to resign because of corruption allegations. One was jailed, one had to resign after being caught for smuggling currency, and one left because his morality was questioned," he told the state legislative assembly.

"Only in Selangor. I guess this is the 'Selangor Boleh' spirit."

Teng's references were to former menteris besar Harun Idris, Muhammad Muhd Taib and Abu Hassan Omar respectively.

He also expressed disappointment with the royal address, which has been traditionally written by the state government.

"In Commonwealth practice, the speech is made to inform the public of administration affairs and is not misused as a political ploy to seek protection and avoid admonition for the government's shortcomings," he said.

"It's not good (or) right practice when the menteri besar is commended four times in a royal speech. It's also not a good sign for the ruling party to rely on compliments in the speech (for) its political longevity."

Financial woes

Teng listed several reasons as to why the state ruler had no cause to compliment the administration of Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

"In debating the 2005 budget last year, I raised the (consistent decline) of the Selangor Consolidated Fund, (which) dropped 73.76 percent from RM2,702.71 million in 1997 to RM709.32 in 2003," he said.

He said the menteri besar's claim (then) that the money had been spent on development averaging RM200 million a year over six years, was inconsistent as that would only mean RM1.2 billion had been spent. This did not tally with the audited loss of RM2 billion.

Teng also said it was also "a cause for worry" when the financial reserves of local authorities - such as Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Klang, Ampang Jaya and Selayang - were also falling rapidly.

The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council recorded the largest drop in reserves - by 78.6 percent - between 2000 and 2003.

"This is definitely related to weak policies and improper fund management by the state," Teng said.

Scandals

He further questioned the absence of a response from Mohd Khir against serious allegations of corruption, in relation to a book that was recently published, adding that this indicated either guilt or confidence that he would escape a reprimand.

The allegations included claims that Mohd Khir had bypassed state approval procedures to award land to private companies in Templer Park and that he owns a luxury home in Janda Baik.

Other recent controversies in the news were the aborted junket to Egypt , the building of exclusive executive bungalows and environmental destruction .