Tag: Focus

Commercial Water Charges: MPAJ Investigates SYABAS Accusations

SHAH ALAM, 16 Nov: Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is currently investigating Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (SYABAS) accusations regarding the concession company’s statement accusing MPAJ for charging residents commercial rates although the premises are homes.

MPAJ Council member, Meor Rithuan Said stated that the matter will be discussed at the upcoming MPAJ meeting to confirm the allegation.

Previously, the residents of Pandan Jaya and Pandan Perdana had objected SYABAS’s actions of changing their water meter status from “residence” to “business”.

The change had caused the residents almost four times their normal water bill compared to before. In fact they also did not get the 20 square meters of free water which is given by the State Government.

The residents were wondering why Syabas had acted this way when they have been staying in the area for 20 years.

Pandan MP, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat on the other hand claimed that a thorough investigation was carried out and found that Syabas had imposed the commercial charges upon MPAJ’s approval.

Elaborating further, Meor denied the issue however said that on his part, he will discuss with the MPAJ management first before taking any subsequent action.

He said that as of now, 26 apartment residents in the surrounding area have made complaints regarding the incident.

Building Luxury Condos on Slope Taken to DNS Sitting

SHAH ALAM, 16 Nov: Hulu Kelang Assemblyman, Saari Sungib will be raising the objection from the people of Taman Sri Ukay and Taman Hillview regarding the building of luxury condominiums on the slopes not far from Highland Towers at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting next Monday.

Saari said that the issue is now under the supervision of Ronnie Liu, Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco member, and that he will review the matter before taking further action.

Ronnie said that the Selangor State Government, a concerned government, is taking the matter seriously because it involves a huge number of residents and issues regarding their safety and interest.

“The lives and safety of residents is very important and it is the main responsibility of the government to protect these. The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government is pro-rakyat therefore the rakyat is our primary concern. I have already brought the matter forward to the Exco members and we will wait for what further action will be taken to overcome this issue,” he said.

Last week, approximately 50 residents from Taman Sri Ukay and Taman Hillview held a peaceful demonstration to express their objection to the two high profile developments on the slopes near their homes.

One of the projects at Lot 847 near Taman Hillview will comprise of three 40-storey blocks and the other project at Lot 5 involves the building of five 17-storey blocks which will be developed not far from the Highland Towers condominium disaster site.

It has been understood that both the projects will be developed by two different developers.

The residents had surrendered their memorandum of objection to one of the assistants of Zuraida Kamaruddin, Ampang MP.

‘Bubur Lambuk’ Distributed to Flood Victims

SHAH ALAM, 15 Nov: In accordance with the Maal Hijrah 1423H celebrations, Dengkil (State Assembly) Service Centre Coordinator distributed ‘bubur lambuk’ to 1,200 flood victims housed, since last Wednesday, at the Bukit Changgang and Labuan Dagang Evacuation Centres.

The programme was implemented with the help of the PAS Unit Amal and the area’s Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK).

Dengkil DUN Coordinator, Borhan Aman Shah said that 1,200 packs of ‘bubur lambuk’ were distributed in conjunction with the Maal Hijrah celebrations.

Borhan also took the opportunity to mingle and find out about the situation of the flood victims.

“Although ‘bubur lambuk’ is synonymous to Ramadan, there is no wrong in distributing it during this Maal Hijrah celebration.”

“We are also able to reach out and check the situation of the flood victims in this evacuation centre. This helps should they require assistance.”

“Hopefully this small contribution will cheer up the residents who have been situated in this flood evacuation centre,” he said when contacted.

1,217 Flood Victims Still Placed in 7 Evacuation Centres

SHAH ALAM, 15Nov: There are 1,217 flood victims still located in 7 flood evacuation centres throughout Selangor.

According to the National Security Council’s (MKN) Flood Portal, as of 5pm, the total number of people has reduced from more than 1,300 individuals at 11am this morning, comprising of 3 flood areas.

They have been placed in seven flood evacuation centres, including those in Kuala Langat, Sepang and Kuala Selangor.

According to MKN, everyone has been advised to ensure that their drinking water has been boiled once the flood waters recede to avoid drinking contaminated water.

They also advised people to wash their hands with soap before handling food, while preparing food or even when handling objects that have been contaminated by flood waters; including food items that have been contaminated by flood waters.

They should also dispose of food that was left in refrigerators that have been contaminated by flood waters or items that smell foul or have changed colour.

Residents Are Advised Against Making Agricultural Sites Out of Trenches

SHAH ALAM, 15 Nov: Residents around Dengkil have been advised to stop making trenches and the area around the trenches, agricultural sites as the trenches built could rupture causing flood.

Dengkil State Assembly Coordinator, Borhan Aman Shah said that his department has found out about the situation when briefed by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS).

He said that the residents have been planting various crops like banana palms which have made the trench structure unstable and should there be strong currents in the river, the trenches could eventually risk being raptured.

Several raptured trenches or channels include areas around Bukit Changgang, Labuan Dagang, Kuala Langat ad Sepang.

Previously, the mainstream media reported that the Selangor Umno-BN administration blamed the raptured trenches, sand mining and unmanaged trenches, for causing flood in Dengkil .

Bohan further denied that the flooding has worsened due to the aforementioned allegations.

He said that JPS has informed that currently there is high tide, water levels being higher than usual and unusual distribution of rain.

He explained that his department has identified several raptured trenches and that JPS have already sent their report to the State Government for further action.

“Of course they will be repaired as soon as possible. We do not deny that there are broken trenches and regardless, we have identified the actual situation and we have already sent the report yesterday.”

“We have disallowed flood victims from leaving evacuation centres until this Sunday because we reckon that it will continue to rain and flood,” he said when contacted.

Meanwhile, according to the JPS portal, until now, in Selangor, water levels in Sungai Langat, Bukit Changgang, Kuala Langat and Sungai Selangor have exceeded the warning level at 6.02, 4.08 and 3.97 meters respectively.

The current total number of flood victims is 1,309 individuals and involve 7 evacuation centres around Selangor.

The People of Selangor Benefit from the Move to Pakatan Rakyat’s Government

SHAH ALAM, 15 Nov: Selangor’s move from the previous government (Umno-BN) to the new administration has benefited the people of this state.

The ‘Merakyatkan Ekonomi Negeri Selangor (MES)’ or loosely termed the Selangor People’s Ecomony, is most evident of the benefits reaped by the rakyat.

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation Exco member, Rodziah Ismail said, the change of government has clearly benefitted the Selangor people economically, politically and also environmentally in addition to efforts to introduce culture to the people through the formation of Women’s Cultural Centres or Pusat Wanita Berdaya (PWD) around the state of Selangor.

“All 25 demands in the 12th General Elections Manifesto have been fulfilled except those that require changes in Federal level Acts.”

“For instance, housewives are given lifetime financial security through periodic contributions to EPF (KWSP) and SOCSO,” said Rodziah in her media statement in accordance with the Awal Muharam 1434 Hijrah celebrations.

She said that the “Kembalikan Nikmat Rasa Aman dan Selamat Rakyat” (Return the People’s Peacefulness and Security) agenda is the Selangor government’s ambition to make Selangor the safest and most prosperous state for the people.

Efforts to increase the rakyat’s quality of life, especially those from low income groups, have been made through affordable housing, free wi-fi, child care for working parents and single mothers as well as free water supply.

This also includes efforts in upgrading infrastructure, investment programmes for new-born babies, educational contributions to students of higher education, Women’s Health Schemes, microcredit schemes and economic empowerment programmes as well as efforts for women’s development through PWD.

“The move from the old administration to the new administration aspires to optimise resources at a minimum cost to fully localise revenues and reserves for the welfare of the people,” she said.

AES Summons: Ronnie Instructs MPKj to Bear Witness

SHAH ALAM, 15 Nov: Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco, Ronnie Liu, will instruct the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) to bear witness to road users who have been issued summons by Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras.

He said that he will instruct MPKj to send officers to witness in court to confirm that the installation of the cameras was done illegally.

Ronnie said that the installation of AES cameras at two areas in Kajang was not legal and that the contractor hired by the Federal Government did not get Planning Permission (PP) from MPKj.

“The AES installation in Kajang falls under the Local Authorities Act 1976 and any kind of installations should obtain PP from the Local Authorities (PBT).”

“Even though you are a land owner, without a PP, it is illegal and you cannot do that,” he told reporters at the Selangor State Secretary (SUK) building last night.

Ronnie explained that the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung and Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha should have known about the ACT because any kind of installation would have to first get approval.

“Only after getting permission, can installation be done. Even ministers (Cho Ha and Chee Heung) have to follow the law,” he explained.

In connection to that, the State Government would have to instruct them to dismantle the cameras within 14 days, starting last Monday.

Ronnie said that should they ignore the warning, the State Government will instruct MPKj to dismantle the cameras.

“If they do not take the cameras down, we will ask MPKj send out a demolition letter, should they not comply and dismantle the cameras within 14 days, we will dismantle them. We are following the law,” the State Assemblyman for Pandamaran said.

Previously, two AES cameras were installed at kilometre 6.6 on the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) and at kilometre 301.6 heading north on the North-South Expressway.

Seroja Scheme Not Competing with Rukun Tetangga

SHAH ALAM, 15 Nov: The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme (Seroja) which was established by the State Government is not aimed at competing with Rukun Tetangga. Its main objective is to instil a sense of responsibility and togetherness among residents to eradicate vandalism.

Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco, Iskandar Abdul Samad said that the scheme which was first launched in Pangsapuri Taman Puchong Permai on the 10th of November is part of the “Keep Our Apartments Clean, Cheerful and Harmonious” campaign that was launched in 2009.

“This year, three areas have been chosen pilot the programme.”

“This scheme is exclusively for apartment residents in Salangor who want to conduct security patrolling around their apartment areas,” Iskandar said in his press statement.

Iskandar said that the patrolling is restricted to areas that are under the Joint Management Body (JMB) and the Management Committee (MC).

“The State Government will provide every Seroja volunteer with Takaful insurance.”

“The apartment areas that participate in this scheme will also be given safety vests and torchlights for patrolling,” Iskandar said.

He explained that should the scheme be successful in the pilot areas, the scheme will be extended to ten more neighbourhoods next year.

“Nevertheless, the number of neighbourhoods will increase if there is encouraging response,” he said.

Federal Government Transfers Zainal for Making a Statement Detrimental to Umno-BN?

SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: The Federal Government’s move to transfer Datuk Zainal Abidin Aala, Chairman of the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) is believed to be related to him exposing that it was the Umno-BN government that approved the Batu Caves condominium project.

Ronnie Liu, Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco said that Zainal Abidin was the “circumstantial victim” when he was forced to expose facts regarding the controversial project.

“He was forced to also mention that the project was not approved recently, rather during the previous BN government.”

“When the press asked for the minutes of the meeting, he had to surrender them because Selangor has an Information Transparency Act, so he really should not be blamed,” Ronnie said when addressed after the Exco meeting here today.

Previously, Zainal had declared that the controversial Dolomite Park Avenue at Batu Caves project’s Planning Permission (KM) had been released during the BN administration on the 30th of November, 2007.

Zainal also disclosed that the project was approved by the Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia (JMG).

However, the Department of Environment Malaysia (JAS), in their initial report, did not support the project’s development for unstated reasons.

He also revealed that it was clearly established in an MPS meeting minutes that the Planning Permission for the 29 storey condominium was released in that meeting.

The development project by Dolomite Properties Sdn Bhd at Batu Caves is considered a sensitive issue seeing that the area is considered a sacred worshipping site for the Indian community.

Ronnie also mentioned that this Friday, Zainal’s transfer to a still unknown department will be enforced.

“Today is Zainal’s last day in MPS because tomorrow is a public holiday and later, I will be speaking to him. No matter the situation, I feel that this action is unfair,” he added.

Selangor Willing to Help Recipients of AES Summons

SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: The Selangor State Government is willing to help road users who have been given summons by the Automated Enforcement System (AES) which have been placed around Selangor.

However, the reciepients of the summons have to first refer to the legislative counters which will be opened at the PAS Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The statement was made by the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim when asked by journalists regarding the State Government’s actions to help AES summon reciepients.

“Should the people need help, the State Government is willing to assist however this must be done in accordance to legal procedures,” he said.

Selangor has decided to postpone the AES implementation because they are not certain that it will lower accident rates.

On the contrary, the State Government is of the opinion that the Federal Government is installing AES to benefit the company that received the contract to install the system.

Prior to this, Pokok Sena MP, Datuk Mahfuz Omar had said that the Department of Law and Human Rights (JUHAM) as well as PAS Youth have set up free legal aid for anyone who have gotten summons from the AES camera.

Abdul Khalid has also previously said that the two AES cameras installed in Puchong and Kajang are illegal because they did not get approval from the Local Authorities (PBT).

According to him, the concession companies for the AES project would reap tremendous profit, approximately 17 percent per annum, from the total collected from summons.

CM Witnesses PKNS Recite the CIP

SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) emerged today as the first State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) in Malaysia to recite the Corporate Integrity Pledge (CIP) as an effort to fight against corruption in the business place.

The CIP is a document that allows an organisation to commit to upholding anti-corruption principals by establishing fair and transparent trade free from corruption.

The pledge was signed by the Head Director of PKNS, Othman Omar and was overseen by the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Deputy Head Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (Prevention), Datuk Sutinah Sutan.

In his speech, Abdul Khalid said that the ministry is able to reinforce accountability and administration while altogether being committed in creating an organisation that is transparent and absent of corruption.

“I believe with the existence of this system, PKNS can be trusted, and with integrity and honour, clients of PKNS will trust them and with this trust, PKNS will have the opportunity to progress more in developments.”

“This shows the worker’s preparedness to serve with a high efficiency rate as well as being able to follow orders and regulations while keeping employer and company secrets,” he said.

Parallel to the ministry, Abdul Khalid also launched the PKNS Whistle-Blowing Policy which is a channel to receive complaints and give the public and PKNS staff the opportunity to report any discrepancies in implementation activities or disciplinary offences.

Also appointed as the Whistle-Blowing Committee Chairman is the Chairman of the Audit Integrity Committee, Datuk Mohd Salleh Mahmud.

Previously, PKNS has carried out various initiatives to strengthen the management structure.

Among which is the establishment of the Department of Administration and Integrity (JKTI), the establishment of the Department of Procurement, Department of Organisational Management and Integrity, the appointment of the Accredited Integrity Officer and formation of the ‘No Gift Policy’ that discourages the giving of gifts and hospitality.

For the record, approximately 130 Government Linked Companies (GLC), private or organisations, around the country have signed the CIP.

MPSJ Raids Illegal Dog Shelter

MPSJ carried out the action after being informed by neighbours regarding the noise and cleanliness of the premises which was believed to be used by a group of animal lovers.

In a statement, MPSJ informed that the owner and residents had ignored several notices and 6 compounds.

During the raid, the owner of the premises acted aggressively by spraying water at the MPSJ enforcement officers.

However, the residents cooperated when the MPSJ officers and police told them that firmer action will be taken should they resist.

From the raid, 18 dogs were moved to the MPSJ dog pound at Taman Perindustrian Puchong Utama.

The owner of the house was also issued another compound.

“Residents of the premises can be charged with the offences of obstruction, disruption and assaulting the enforcement officers who were carrying out their duty under Section 112, of the 1976 Local Government Act (Act 171).”

“If found guilty, the residents can face fines up to RM2,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both,” he said.

In relation to that, MPSJ is advising all dog owners to abide by the rules and laws under the Licensing of Dogs and Kennel Establishments By-laws 2007 as well as the terms of the Pet Licence.