Auction Under The Tree

Auctioning of five pieces of broken democracy tree plaque by
Pakatan Rakyat.

RM61,000 raised at auction of broken pieces of 'democracy plaque'
Humayun Kabir

IPOH (March 22, 2009) : Five broken pieces of the plaque erected at the Perak Pakatan Rakyat (PR) democracy tree were today auctioned off for a total of RM42,900 within an hour.

The biggest piece fetched the highest bid of RM17,100 while the lowest bid was RM5,200 for another piece.

When bidding started for the first piece at RM500, 11 bidders raised the price to RM6,800, bid by Ipoh businessman Khor Lian Sing, 45.

The second piece went to another businessman, D. Richard Jairaj, 67, who offered RM5,200 after three others made their bids.

The third piece with an opening price of RM5,000 attracted four bidders, with petroleum products businessman Lee Chee Seng, 55, offering RM6,800.

There were 14 bids for the fourth piece which retired teacher, C.B.Ang, 62, clinched with an offer of RM7,000.

Frankie Wong from the DAP who acted as auctioneer, opened bidding for the biggest and last piece at RM4,000, and after 19 bids, the item was sold for RM17,100 to a businessman who only identified himself as Lee.

Several hundred people were present for the auction near the tree behind the state secretariat building at 10am although it was scheduled for 11am.

Pakatan Rakyat's Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin officiated the auction, held in the presence of police and Special Branch

Later, DAP Taiping MB Ngah Kor Ming told the media a total of RM61,000 was collected from the auction as well as from donations from people in the wet markets on the city limits.

He said some of the money will be used for another plaque and PR will discuss its placement with Ipoh City Council.

The balance of the funds collected will be placed in a legal fund for PR. (Source: The Sun Daily)

I'm just wondering is this a legal action for having an auction under the tree? It just sounds very bad and sadly to have the auction for 'Broken pieces of Democracy Plaque'. Our DEMOCRACY is already broken. Then, you still want to bid it ! ! Those businessman want to keep the broken pieces in their house, office... as a souvenirs. There are marbles! Broken pieces of marbles! Keep it for what!

You knew that, once you build the plaque without approval by MBI, one day, the MBI its gonna removed it . Thus, why you still want to waste money for re-building another plaque? The motives are simple... aroused the attenction from the people, raised anger among the people to the government... and the most important thing is they fear that people are going to forget them. It is no need to do such things where people now is awake and the civic awareness is strong enough. Stop praying to the tree where most of the roadsides in Ipoh state are planted by this kind of tree! Stop wasting money for re-build a plaque where you know it just a symbolize. We don't want symbol anymore. We want something that is more realistic, useful, durable and effective.

PR, move forward for the people's democratic. Not the marble or a tree, please.