IPOH: The Perak Constitution will be amended soon to create the post of a state opposition leader.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin said this would be the first time that such a post would be established in any state legislative assembly.

The move, he said, was to recognise the duties, responsibilities and contributions of the opposition leader which previously had only been accepted thro-ugh convention, but was not provided for under the law.

"We (the Pakatan Rakyat state government) will table the amendment to the constitution of the state so that this post will be recognised officially," he said after chairing the state executive council meeting here yesterday.

The amendment would be tabled during the state assembly meeting which begins on June 24.

"I hope all the 28 Barisan Nasional state assemblymen will support the amendment.

"The PR state government recognises the choice of the people who elected them (BN representatives) and as a mark of respect, the state exco has decided to recognise the post of the opposition leader."

It is widely tipped that former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, who is Perak BN liaison chairman, would be elected as the opposition leader.

Mohamad Nizar said the state government would provide an office for the opposition leader at the Perak state secretariat.

"Office equipment and necessary assistance will also be provided."

On another matter, Mohamad Nizar said the state government had decided to abolish the levy imposed on property transaction involving foreigners.

"The abolition of the RM5,000 levy imposed by the previous state government will attract foreigners to purchase property in the state."

Asked if the move would deprive the state government of added income, he said it would actually attract foreigners to purchase properties, whether house or land.

"I do not see it as depriving the state's coffers. The long-term benefits are greater."

The abolishment would also benefit Malaysian parents whose children had become citizens of other countries.

At present, their children are required to pay RM5,000 levy, as a form of transfer fee, to enable them to own their parents' properties in the state.

Nizar also announced that the state government had allocated 70ha of land to be given to squatters living along the proposed Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double-tracking project.

"This is our goodwill gesture to the federal government as we want the ties between the federal and state governments to be enhanced. We hope the relocation will speed up the completion of the federal government's project."

He said the squatters would be relocated to the Larut, Matang and Selama districts in a one month.