Budget 2014: MBPJ Proposes RM1 Million Allocation to Provide Free Feeder Buses

5.1

PETALING JAYA, 7 Nov: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) remains focused in efforts to develop the public transportation infrastructure as well as efficient and integrated traffic management to ensure that the locals are provided with comfort and facilities.

Petaling Jaya Mayor, Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad, said that MBPJ, in the Selangor Budget 2014, will propose for the state government to allocate RM1 million in providing free bus service.

5.2

Alinah said that the service involves access between the city centre, health centres, welfare offices, government offices and public educational institutes with a public transport terminal and walkways in addition to the existing community bus and also transit vans for people with disabilities (PWDs).

“In addition, MBPJ has prepared a five-kilometre (km) bicycle path encompassing the council area which was built in addition to the existing 5.6km.

“Four ‘park and ride’ facilities offering 1,911 car park bays at the existing Light Rail Transit (LRT) station will also be built,” he said.

Alinah said this in the ‘Transit Oriented Development (TOD): Towards a Livable and Sustainable City’ seminar which was attended by 300 participants, including residents’ committee, neighbourhood watch, students of higher learning institutions, consultants, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) and the Public Works Department at the Royale Bintang Damansara Hotel this morning.

5.3

She said that MBPJ has also started a pilot project of limiting parking hours to two hours at Sunway Damansara Town Centre on 1 October.

“Works to make the street at Section 52 into a one-way street will also begin in early 2013 to create more space for alternative transportation such as pedestrian and bicycle paths that are more safe and comfortable.

5.4

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, when inaugurating the seminar, said that the city of Petaling Jaya is not only booming, but it has complete infrastructure, thus making the city comfortable for residents to build a life.

“This can The situation can only be maintained by implementing plans to boost infrastructure development and public transport in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Power Distribution Reform

4

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Nov: Malaysia needs to implement a decentralisation of power of a total reform to the distribution of power in efforts to make the government more efficient.

Member of Parliament for Bayan Baru (PKR), Sim Tze Tzin, said that decentralisation process allows for power to be distributed more equally between the federal and state government, as well as the local authorities.

“For example, in the United States, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is collected by the local government and not the federal government.

“This similar in our neighbouring country, Indonesia, which implements the ‘Big Bang Policy’ a decentralisation of the central government to local governments,” he said during the Budget 2014 debate at the Parliamentary session last night.

Tze Tzin said that power that should be under the state government was transferred to the central government, including land and water, since independence.

The centralisation of power has not only caused various problems or left local issues hanging, but it has also increased the national debt.

“Malaysia has 35 ministers and 26 deputy ministers, but Australia, with a population which is about the same, only has 19 ministers, while Obama only needs 15 ministers.

“This centralisation of power has caused the operating budget to be huge and it has jumped up to 82.4 percent, compared to development expenses of a 17.6 percent growth rate,” he said.

Tourism Selangor and MPS Committed to the Success of VMY 2014

3.1

SELAYANG, 7 Nov: Tourism Selangor and the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) are committed to the success of the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 by taking the initiative to promote tourism and recreation places around Selayang.

3.2

The Manager of Tourism Selangor, Noorul Ashikin Mohd Din, said that they will seek feedback from the management of tourist areas beforehand to see if there is any need to ensure that the area has potential to attract tourists.

“We will determine the amount after we review and study the needs of a recreation area in order to add facilities to facilitate tourists or visitors who visit the place,” she told Selangor Kini.

She said that they are convinced that the state government would not hesitate to provide allocations, especially in efforts to make Selangor known internationally.

“If the place has real potential to attract visitors from the country and abroad, we are positive that the state government will help,” she added.

Among the focal points for tourism to be promoted are Damai Cave, Tasik Biru Kundang and the Selayang Hot Springs.

Promotional efforts are seen as a positive step to elevate Selangor’s tourism industry to a higher level.

Damai Cave which is located near Batu Caves, is a place for rock climbing enthusiast for a long time.

It first opened in 1998, and this cave is not a rock climbing location, but it is also a location for mountain climbing training.

This cave is ideal for beginners in mountaineering activities because most of the route is not too challenging.

Wira Adventure Consultant Manager, Mustafa Al Bakri Omar, said that he hopes that his efforts to promote this area internationally will receive support and assistance from the Federal and State Governments.

He said that this location has become a focus of an international diving programme each year before the country’s annual Kuala Lumpur Tower climb.

“More recently, mountaineers from 15 countries visited this place for training sessions and I believe if we focus on it, this place can become a major attraction for fans of outdoor activities, the best after Krabi, Thailand,” he said.

Mustafa who is also responsible for managing the Damai Cave Extreme Park, using his own capital to develop the area, said that it is now better after receiving RM1 million in allocations from the Federal Government to provide infrastructure such as parks, toilets, playgrounds and other facilities.

“An allocation of RM50,000 from the state government has also been received for next year. We hope that support from the federal and state governments will continue.

“It is our desire to widen the climbing area and of course, the maintenance will require a high cost, but it will be worth it for a tourist attraction,” he said.

Selangor Government Help Residents of Kampung Buloh Telor Overcome Riverbank Collapse

2.1

KUALA KUBU BAHRU, 7 Nov: The residents of Kampung Buloh Telor can now heave a sigh of relief as the riverbank collapse, destroying the only road linking the Orang Asli village, will be fully repaired soon.

Reparation work will involve the construction of a retaining wall at the bank and resurfacing of the damaged roads will be done with provisions channelled through the State Government.

2.2

The Assemblywoman for Kuala Kubu Bahru, Lee Kee Heong, said that the first stage of the construction of the retaining wall in the village of about 150 people from 37 Orang Asli families has already been completed.

“Although this is the responsibility of the Federal Government under the Department of Orang Asli Affairs Development (JHEOA), I ask the State Government to provide allocations to facilitate the residents of the village from entering and exiting.

“There are two parts of the river bank that needs to be repaired, where one has already been completed and for the other, I need to ask for new provisions from the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN).

2.3

“This is because when UPEN officers previously visited, some of the collapse was covered by trees and bushes, causing this part to not be seen at the time,” she said when visiting the construction site of the retaining wall and road at Kampung Buloh Telor.

Kee Heong added that the first stage of the construction reached a cost of RM19,000, while the cost of the second part and road reparation is still under UPEN’s evaluation.

Meanwhile, the Tok Batin (village chief) of Kampung Buloh Telor, Harun Adam, said that the riverbank collapse started in March dues to heavy rains.

“Since then, the road has been damaged and has become narrow because of the riverbank collapse. But with the help of the State Government, I hope that this problem can be completely resolved thus facilitating residents of the village.

“Thanks to YB Kee Heong and the State Government for this assistance which will make it easier for villagers to go about their daily business,” said Harun.

2.4

EXCLUSIVE SERIES FINAL – Shooting cases: Is Malaysia still peaceful?

1

SHAH ALAM, 7 Nov: Like situations in foreign countries that we often watch on television, the society is suddenly shocked with incident after incident of shooting since April.

The latest, a banker, Norazita Abu Talib, was shot dead by an Indonesian security guard when opening the bank vault at the USJ2 Ambank on 23 October.

The incident is among several cases reported by the mass media, making the people restless and on edge about the level of security in Malaysia.

What’s more disturbing is that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) confirmed that Selangor recorded the highest index of shooting compared to other states, with 15 cases from January to August.

It’s Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, also acknowledged that geographical boarder factors, such as between Malaysia and Thailand, is the cause of firearms smuggling activities to further contribute to the increase in criminal cases.

Lecturer, Ahmad Isa, 55, said that the shooting cases happening is a very sad matter, especially when Malaysia is about to step forward to the level of a developed country.

He said that the community has to live in fear and caution because they are afraid that they would be targeted next by criminals.

He said that the phenomenon occurring clearly shows that anyone can own a firearm (free for everyone) without restrictions from the authorities.

“I think that everyone will live in fear when we see crime happening so frequently, especially in Selangor. Drastic action should be taken by the government and the authorities so that it can be resolved from the start because crimes involving firearms are getting more serious.

“I do not want future generations to live this way. Now is the time for the MOHA to take serious action so that Malaysia becomes peaceful again,” he told the Selangor Kini portal recently.

Marketing Assistant, Mohd Alitaha Jamal, 31, claimed that poor enforcement by the Malaysian Government has encouraged criminals to work beyond the limits, endangering the lives of innocent people.

He said that the police and the MOHA cannot be complacent on the matter and urged to tighten existing laws, in addition to finding out the real cause so that crimes involving firearms can be resolved.

“Human life is likened to that of mosquitoes, immediate death when hit. Firearms are so easily available, making the people wonder what the Malaysian authorities are doing in Thailand. If there is no smuggling of weapons, such incidents will not happen.

Vendor, Zamri Kassim, 50, is of the opinion that the safety of the people is at the tip of a horn because they are at risk of being randomly shot because firearms are easily accessible.

Zamri said that he also does not rule out the possibility that such crime is a shortcut used by criminals to get simple pleasure.

“National security is getting worse and this is because previously, the Government gave identification cards at random, especially to foreigners. I also do not rule out the possibility that this factor is due to the burden of the standard of living and crime is a shortcut to make it easier,” he said.

UMNO biggest loser and MCA biggest winner in Sungai Limau by-election?

9

(PRESS STATEMENT)

If MCA leaders are to be believed, UMNO is the biggest loser and MCA the biggest winner in the Sungai Limau by-election on Monday.

Are MCA leaders to be believed?

MCA leaders, including the Kedah State Exco-designate Dr. Leong Yong Kong had told Chinese media that Barisan Nasional secured 75.27% of the Chinese votes, i.e. 892 out of 1,185 Chinese votes cast and that BN did not win a single extra Malay vote in the by-election.

This is an increase of over 732 Chinese votes cast for the BN in the 13th general elections, as MCA claims that BN did not secure more than 10% of the 1,600 Chinese votes on May 5, 2013, i.e. from 892 – 160.

But the Barisan Nasional candidate, Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, despite BN’s expenditure of over RM15 million, only managed to get an additional 465 votes in the by-election as compared to the general elections. i.e. 10,985 votes in the by-election as compared to RM10,520 votes in the 13GE.

If MCA leaders are to be believed, that BN had an addition of over 732 Chinese votes in the by-election as compared to the 13GE, this could only mean that the BN had lost at least 267 Malay votes, as BN vote in the by-election would have fallen from 10,520 to 10,253 without the increase of at least 732 Chinese votes.

So, is UMNO the greatest loser and MCA the greatest winner in the Sungai Limau by-election?

I leave it to UMNO and Barisan Nasional leaders to decide whether to accept the MCA’s analysis of the voting trends in the Sungai Limau by-election as there could be different interpretations in the absence of specific information about the voting (which is not completely possible as voting is secret), and the low percentage of Chinese voters in Sungai Limau.

But what is plain and obvious is that the Sungai Limau by-election had been a major test for PAS and Pakatan Rakyat on the one hand and UMNO and BN on the other six months after the 13GE, and PAS and Pakatan Rakyat had come out of the test with a significant victory considering the money politics and the mountain of lies and falsehoods mobilised during the by-election to hold both the Malay and Chinese voters to ransom.

PAS and Pakatan Rakyat must cherish the victory in the Sungai Limau by-election, learn from the electoral weaknesses highlighted by the by-election so that PAS and Pakatan Rakyat will be stronger and more formidable as an electoral force in future tests whether in urban or rural areas, or whether among Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan or Iban voters.

Lim Kit Siang
DAP Parliamentary Chief and Gelang Patah Member of Parliament

State Government Committed in Helping Improve Infrastructure in Orang Asli Village

8.1

KUALA KUBU BHARU, 6 Nov: The Selangor Government is committee in helping improve the standard of living of the residents in Kampung Buloh Telor by providing various infrastructures to facilitate residents of the Orang Asli (indigenous) village.

Among the facilities that have already been channelled includes basic necessities such as running water and electricity to be enjoyed by 37 families in the village.

Today, the Assemblywoman for Kuala Kubu Bharu, Lee Kee Heong, said that the move demonstrated the seriousness of the State Government in helping the group compared to the Federal Government.

8.2

“After over 50 years without electricity, the State Government is the first to install metered electricity in the houses of villagers and only after that, the Federal Government took note and supplied electricity.

“If at the time the Federal Government refused to supply electricity, the State Government would supply it,” said Kee Heong during a visit to the construction site of the retaining wall and roads here in Kampung Buloh Telor.

Selangor Kini understands that with efforts from the Exco of Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment, Elizabeth Wong, the cost to install metered electricity in houses will also be shouldered by the State Government.

Meanwhile, the villages have also started to enjoy piped water for over a year as a result of efforts from the State Government.

In addition, infrastructures have also been improved with the installation of streetlights, the provision of badminton courts, bus stops and speakers at the village mosque.

“Many things have been done by the adopted Assemblyman, Lau Weng Sang (Assemblyman for Kampung Tunku) prior to this, as well as the Jom Shopping (Let’s Go Shopping) programme in conjunction with the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

“We also took about seven Muslim families and they were happy to be shopping at Econsave for the first time,” she added.

8.3

More ‘Special Branch’ Members in Najib’s Time Compared to the Era of Emergency

7

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Nov: The number of members in the Special Branch (SB) of the Police is more in Najib’s time compared to the Emergency in the 1950s, said Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam, Steven Sim.

Steven revealed that in 1954, when a state of emergency was declared, there were only 459 members of the SB, about two percent from the entire police force.

“But in 2012, under the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, there are 8,200 SB members compared to only 5,000 members in 2005 under Tun Abdullah Badawi.

“Does this mean that Malaysia, under Najib, is worse than the era of emergency?” asked Steven during the House of Representative’s session when debating on the Budget 2014.

Steven said that last year, SB completed 380,000 intelligence reports, equivalent to 1,000 reports per day, while the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) only successfully completed 60,000 cases in the same year.

“The number of cases solved by the CID was only 15 percent of the crimes reported.

“Wouldn’t it be better if the SB’s excellence in intelligence, including political intelligence, is used to fight crime,” said Steven.

US Spying on Malaysia, Immediately Stop TPPA Negotiations

6

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Nov: The Federal Government has been urged to halt talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) with the United States and Australia following the surveillance activities conducted on Malaysia.

Member of Parliament for Klang, Charles Santiago, said that the action was necessary to show Malaysia’s dissatisfaction on surveillance as a violation of human rights of the citizens of this country.

“Instead, the government merely sent a protest note which was embarrassing and shows that the Malaysian government is weak.

“Even Najib merely responded that he will wait for response from the US about what is happening in Malaysia,” said Charles.

He said this in a press conference here at the Parliament lobby, which was also participated by the Member of Parliament for Bayan Baru, Sim Tze Tzin.

Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a memo of protest after news of spying by the two countries on Malaysia was exposed by the media.

Tze Tzin, in a statement, urged for Najib and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, to urge the American and Australian embassies to explain the real situation to the Federal Government.

“We hope that the government will seek an explanation from both the embassies this week and that they will give us an answer in Parliament next week.

“This matter cannot be regarded as petty because it involves national sovereignty,” said Tze Tzin.

The two parliamentarians urged Najib, ad the Prime Minister, to rise up and protest strongly on the spying done.

Healthcare Costs to Increase due to the GST

5

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Nov: The cost of healthcare will increase with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) despite the Minister of Health issuing a statement that says otherwise.

Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua, said that the GST will still have an impact on consumers when the hospitals have to pay the GST for all their services and products purchased from suppliers.

“Without the GST, hospitals, for example, pay RM50 to suppliers and resell it to patients at RM55 for a profit of ten percent. With the GST, hospitals would need to pay suppliers an additional of 6 percent, thus making the cost RM53.

“It is impossible for hospitals to maintain the sale cost to consumers with a profit of only 3.8 percent, if it is sold for the same price of RM53,” said Tony Pua.

On Monday, Datuk Seri S.Subramaniam claimed that the implementation of the GST in 2015 will not increase the cost of healthcare because it is exempt from the GST.

“Suppose the hospital wants to maintain the ten percent profit in the previous example. Then the price would be RM58.30 (RM53 + RM5.40), which still causes consumers to pay the GST.

“Looks like BN should stop misleading the public and begin to come clean about the impact of the GST,” he added.

Therefore, he said, Pakatan Rakyat will continue to oppose the implementation of the GST, even more so in the country’s administration which is filled with leakages, corruption and cronyism.

“What’s even worse is that the GST is to be implemented when 80 percent of the people do not have enough income to pay the income tax,” said Tony Pua.

Fishermen Protest Federal Government’s Reduction in Subsidised Diesel

4

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 Nov: This morning, about 50 fishermen held a peaceful protest outside the Parliament House to protest against the move by the Central Government to reduce diesel subsidies.

They also urged the government to review the use of the 38 millimetre (mm) hole size of trawl nets.

A representative of the fishermen, Cheah Swee Teck, said that boats in Zone C2, waters up to 30 nautical miles from the mainland, is now charged RM2.00, while for Zone A, B and C, the price has increased from RM1.25 to RM1.45.

“The action to reduce the subsidy burdens fishermen nationwide.

“And the use of 38mm hole trawl nets affect the catch of fishermen, for example, the fishermen in Hilir Perak are affected badly because the 38mm nets are not suitable to catch shrimp in the area,” said Swee Teck.

According to him, attempts to negotiate with the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries, Datuk Ismai Sabri, have been ignored until now.

“So is the proposal for the hole size of trawl nets; the government did not respond.

“So we decided to send a memorandum of protest today to be submitted to Ismail Sabri,” he said.

The peaceful assembly was attended by fishermen from Selangor, Johor, Perak and Pahang, and lasted about 30 minutes.

Also participating in the demonstration was the Member of Parliament for Gelang Patah, Lim Kit Siang, and Member of Parliament for Ipoh Barat, M.Kulasegaran.

Sallehen: Fishermen Strike Requires a ‘Win-Win’ Solution

3

SHAH ALAM, 6 Nov: The Central Government and fishery associations are urged to resolve the issue of net sizing and the prohibition of employing foreign workers immediately before consumer are affected from the fishermen’s strike which was been going on since 1 November.

The Executive Councillor in charge of Islamic Affairs, Agricultural Modernisation and Rural Development, Sallehen Mukhyi, said this when he found that the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry refuses to budge and the fishing communities have resolved to continue the protest by refusing to go out to sea until the enforcement of certain provisions in the Fisheries Act 1985 is withdrawn.

Sallehen is actively monitoring the situation through meetings with the fishing community. He said that he is ready to help so that discussions between the two sides are finalised.

“We are not saying that the enforcement is improper and we are also not saying that the actions of the fishermen are not right. However, to appease the situation, a public hearing must be held.

“Views of the fishermen and all involved parties should be taken into account and a win-win solution has to be found” he said.

On 1 November, the Ministry enforced the law that the hole size of nets were to be enlarged from 25 millimetres to 38 millimeters. The overall size of the nets is also to be reduced to only 3 metres.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said that the existing small size of the holes also trawl fish fry, resulting in the overall supply of fish to be affected.

However, the fishermen say that the large size of the hole causes their catch to decline by 60 percent.
Fishermen also said that the fry caught are sold as snacks for fishery cultivation and fertiliser.

The new policy also sets for fishermen that fish at Zone B (five nautical miles from shore) to not be allowed the services of foreigners.

The services of foreigners are only allowed for fishing in Zone C (12 nautical miles from the shore and above). Licencees mus be on the ships that sails the seas.