Zambry upbeat amid protests

By Lee Wei Lian
IPOH, Feb 7 -- If Datuk Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, the newly sworn in chief minister for the BN Perak state government, was ruffled by loud jeers from the passionate candle and flower waving protestors when he arrived for Chinese New Year celebrations organised by the MCA, he didn't show it.
Once inside the Yuk Choy chinese school hall, just down the road from the official mentri besar's residence, where Pakatan Rakyat's Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin is holed up, he was all smiles as he wished the crowd.
Naturally, almost everyone was eager to hear what he had to say about the political impasse in Perak but Zambry touched on the subject only briefly saying that "if there are any problems, let us discuss. Use proper channels. Do not use violence and defiance."
He also said that BN's approach is like water.
"We use the water approach," he says.
"Water can cool passions. We don't play fire with fire. As a humble mentri besar, I don't say we are the best but we have to make Perak to be once again the richest and most successful state in the country. Our main concern is to bring prosperity to all. I am the mentri besar for all Perakians regardless of party affiliations."
Before he ended his speech he announced a RM30,000 allocation for the Sam Tet orchestra which had performed earlier.
Zambry was introduced by Datuk Kong Cho Ha, deputy minister of finance, who also apologised for Datuk Seri Najib Razak's absence.
Najib was scheduled to attend the function and had to cancel at such a last minute that the banner welcoming him to Ipoh was left on stage.
Kong explained that Najib had to cancel because he had to attend national chinese new year celebrations which are being held in Kuala Lumpur.
The Malaysian Insider however, understands that Najib decided to skip the festivities to avoid aggravating the tense atmosphere in the Perak state capital.
Zambry left to polite applause in the hall but was once again showered with jeers from protestors on the road outside.
A spectacular fireworks show lasting about 15 minutes ended the night.