Tag: Housing

Selangor Chief Minister’s Christmas Day Message

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Malaysians are famous for multiple celebrations. Its trait as a plural society has made Malaysia among the unique countries in the world in terms of culture and beliefs of its citizens. And Christmas is one of the compositions of that faith.

If we observe the positive spirit infused in this celebration, Christmas brings the symbol of friendship and unity of the various races in this country. In fact, the culture of visiting each other and helping each other has become a tradition in our society and has been embedded as a compulsory agenda in the process of appreciation across religions and cultures.

Not only that, the festival highlighted with a public holiday has brought tremendous joy to most people. Although it is not celebrated on the factor of different beliefs, the holiday has certainly become an indirect platform for solidarity between Christians and non-Christians in this country.

Which is why Selangor has always made harmonious relationships between races and the well-being of the religious community a strong peg that must be followed by every state government agenda.

Every progress and improvement of the people’s quality of life has been lit till its roots so that implementation of positive values instilled in every belief and religion remains preserved.

It is not surprising that under the current government administration, apart from providing assistance to the development of Islam, we are also providing special provisions to help the management of worship places such as Christian churches, Buddhist and Hindu temples as well as other religions.

This matter is important so that every citizen in the state of Selangor will obtain fair and impartial assistance. This mechanism has been used throughout our given mandate. Hopefully, this will continue to be accepted by the people and will continue to be trusted by the people, especially in Selangor.

Therefore, as a representative of the Selangor State Government, I am pleased to wish everyone Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to the Christian citizens of Selangor.

Thank you.

TAN SRI DATO ‘ABDUL KHALID BIN IBRAHIM
Chief Minister of Selangor

Selangor Government Assesses 128 Apartments for Ceria Scheme Next Year

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SELAYANG, 23 Dec: Nearly 128 low-cost apartments and flats across Selangor will benefit from the Selangor Ceria refurbishment scheme for low-cost flats which will be implemented next year.

Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco, Iskandar Abdul Samad said that all 128 apartments are under the third phase of the Ceria scheme and their application will have to be approved in advance.

There have been a significant increase in the number of applications from the previous phase, where 43 flats were refurbished in the second phase while 17 flats were renovated in the first phase.

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He said, to date, RM12 million has been spent to refurbish flats in Selangor by using provisions from the special funds of the Ceria Scheme.

“I hope that once this project is completed, residents will be able to carefully look after the repaired facilities.

“This year alone we have exhausted nearly RM12 million of the special funds.

“If next year this money is used up, we will top it up and use it to brighten apartment areas.

“In the meantime, the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) has also increased resources to carry out this Ceria project.

He said this in a press conference while attending the Completion Certificate Presentation Ceremony for the First and Second Phase of Ceria
as well as the launch of the Neighbourhood Patrol Scheme at Pangsapuri Dahlia, Bandar Baru Selayang this morning.

At the event, a total of seven apartment areas in Bandar Baru Selayang were refurbished which involves pint works, roof repairs, gutter repairs and replacement of staircase railings.

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The Ceria scheme is a cost-sharing scheme between occupants of low-cost flats and the State Government in efforts to enliven areas surrounding the flats.

The State Government will help fund 80 percent of the work cost and the rest will be shouldered by the residents.

This scheme also aims to cultivate a sense of belonging for all residents in taking care and maintaining common property in the long term.

In the meantime, Iskandar also reminded residents to settle maintenance fees at their apartments so that reparations can be carried out quickly.

“If residents fail to settle payments, we will not hesitate to prosecute them in court. However, we will give them the flexibility of paying it off in instalments.”

Currently there are 54 cases of outstanding payments where 34 have been resolved by obtaining undertakings from the occupants to pay in instalments.

Meanwhile, Iskandar said that there are 20 cases which are still pending.

Small Altars Can Be Built In Residences

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SHAH ALAM, 19 Dec: ‘Altars’ or small shrines for individuals and families built within the house do not need approval from Local Authorities (PBT).

However, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that approval must be obtained to build additional or other structures outside the house.

The decision was made after reviewing reports of the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp) on the issue of demolition of an “altar” in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi last month.

“MPS has already explained to the State Government regarding the demolition of the altar in Sepang.

“We have received and examined the memorandum from communities of the race, apart from views of other groups, asking us to find a suitable way to solve this problem.

“So, we have come to a decision,” he told reporters here, in a press conference after chairing the Exco meeting at the State Government headquarters.

Abdul Khalid said that the State Government will look into the operations of the MPSp to be fair to all parties.

On November 20, a total of 30 MPSp enforcement officers entered the compound of a Hindu, Umah Devi in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi and demolished a small altar which was built there.

The action was reproved by several parties, claiming that the State Government had violated the family’s freedom of worship.

Consequently, the State Government initiated an investigation into the operation after it was revealed that it did not get approval from the Head of MPSp, Sayuthi Bakar and other Excos in charge of non-Muslim affairs.

Five Professionals to Look Into Controversial Batu Caves Condo Project

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SHAH ALAM, 19 Dec: Five professionals have been appointed by the State Government to be part of an independent committee to examine the construction approval for the condominium project at Batu Caves and its surrounding areas.

The professionals are Klang District Dignitary, Datuk Setia Diraj Datuk Abdul Ghani Pateh; Neuro surgeon, Dr M Nachiappan; former Judicial Commissioner, Datuk Ranita Hussein; construction law specialist, Harbans Singh and Geology expert, Tan Boon Kong.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the committee will examine the issue freely and professionally, and advise the State Government on the issue.

The committee will begin its first official meeting in the near future.

“The State Government is grateful to these five professionals for their willingness to help resolve the matter,” he said in a press conference after the Selangor Exco meeting at the State Secretariat headquarters.

Prior to this, the Dolomite Park Avenue project by developer Dolomite Properties Sdn Bhd at Batu Caves received strong opposition because the area is the focus place for Hindu worship.

As a result, hundreds of devotees and Hindu activists held a rally to object the construction.

Meanwhile, some have accused the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat Government of approving the construction of the condominium.

However, the Selayang Municipal Council (MPSp) revealed the full monthly meeting minutes, showing that the project was approved in 2007 during the administration of Umno-BN.

Over RM600 Million Spent on the People of Selangor’s Welfare

KUALA SELANGOR, 15 Dec: The Selangor Governement has already spent RM600 million for welfare programmes under the ‘Localising the Selangor Economy’ also known as ‘Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor’ (MES) agenda.

These programmes include aid in the case of deaths and the Jom Shopping Golden Age Friendly Scheme (SMUE – Skim Mesra Usia Emas) and the Selangor Children Heritage Fund (TAWAS).

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that although the Selangor Government has allocated a huge amount for the programmes, however the Selangor Government Cash Reserves has now increased to RM2 billion.

“So this means that although the Selangor Government is spending a lot, it still has savings because we know where the money is spent.

“Of all the money spent by the Selangor Government, the people can see its transparency.

“That way the people will come together in its development. Now, the people can say that it is ‘our money’,” said Abdul Khalid.

He said that Selangor government has an effective record system for seniors compared to the previous government. This system will ease the channelling of assistance.

He said this during the SMUE Assistance Presentation Ceremony at the compound of Ijok State Assembly Service Office.

Abdul Khalid and his wife, Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut together delivered the SMUE to 47 recipients for the Second Phase of the Ijok area worth RM1,000.

Also present was the President of the Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS), Noraini Roslan and the newly appointed Kuala Selangor District Officer, Mohamad Yasid Bidin.

Yasid also previously served on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Meanwhile SMUE benefits recipient, Mohd Sahar Sadri, 43, said the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) led Selangor Government’s efforts should be emulated by other states.

“This SMUE programme is good and I would like to thank the Selangor Government under the leadership of Pakatan Rakyat that is running this scheme because it can also lessen the burden of beneficiaries,” he said.

Landslide Monitoring Hotline

SHAH ALAM, 12 Dec: Following heavy rains occurring almost every day, the State Government has taken the initiative to provide a hotline to ease the public in monitoring and to report any early signs of possible landslides in the state.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the toll free number, 1-800-88-2824, will be operational beginning Monday by providing the public the facility of reporting any incidents or in providing information regarding movements of land in their areas.

According to him, all complaints will be notified immediately to the Local Authorities (PBT) and other authorities to carry out further investigations.

“The public will be able to report should they find water coming out of the surface of the ground or slopes; fences; retaining walls and trees that are leaning or have fallen; cracks growing on the surface of slopes or pavements such as roads and vehicle routes; leaking underground pipes or stairs having gaps,” he said.

This was said by Abdul Khalid to reporters in a press statement after chairing the Executive State Council conference at the State Secretariat Building (SUK), today.

In the meantime, he also advised local residents, especially those living in high risk areas such as on slopes and hills, to provide an early warning system within the community including relocation plans in the event of landslides.

“The State Government is concerned about the safety of the people and is advising the people of Selangor to become more aware of any changes around because early preparation can save lives and property,” he added.

BN Failed to Finish Home Ownership, No Land Premium Deduction Given

SHAH ALAM, 1 Dec: Although Umno-BN had governed the administration of Selangor for over 50 years, not only have they not given discounts for residential land premiums for the people, but they have also failed to resolve residential land ownership issues faced by the people of this state.

This situation shows that Umno-BN lacks determination in helping the people of Selangor when they were previously, governing the state.

However, the problems have finally been solved when Pakatan Rakyat (PR) took over the administration of Selangor in March 2008.

This is according to Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco, Iskandar Abdul Samad’s statement in a press conference at the Selangor State Assembly Annex Building lobby, yesterday.

“Previously they did not do it, now all of a sudden they say that they can do it, let’s not just talk about reduced premiums, they cannot even give land approvals, however we have solved more than 6,800 land ownership problems left over by Umno-BN.

“What guarantees that they can reduce premium rates? It all depends on the people and whether or not they choose to believe that they can reduce the premiums because during their administration, they had failed to resolve land ownership problems,” he said.

When PR took over the administration of Selangor in 2008, a variety of problems, including issues that have been lingering for almost 20 years that were abandoned by the previous government, have been solved by the current government.

The Selangor Umno-BN had previously promised to solve the problem of home ownership and to reduce land premiums should they return to power in the upcoming 13th General Elections.

Majority of New Land-Owners are Malay

SHAH ALAM, 29 Nov: Since the State Government had taken office four years ago, nearly 7,000 land titles have been issued.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim informed the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) that more than half of these owners are from the Malay community in Selangor.

A total of about 3,833 recipients are Malays, Chinese 1,994 while 1,171 are Indians.

Abdul Khalid when answering questions from Sekinchan Assemblyman, Ng Suee Lim, also said the State Government is promoting collective land applications.

All applications that meet the conditions, are complete and are in order will be approved by the State Government.

“However, there also issues which make it a problem for us to approve the people’s applications,” the Ijok Assemblyman said.

Among the issues faced by the District Land Office are applications that involve government reserves such as road and river reserves as well as technical problems between the situation of the land and the different parishes of land that require separate reports.

Selangor to Provide Homes For Poor Urban Dwellers to Rent

SHAH ALAM, 29 Nov: The State Government plans to provide poor urban dwellers with homes for rent as a measure to make sure all the people in Selangor have homes.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the matter has to be carried out as not all people in this state can afford to buy a house or own their own homes.

“The matter is very important and must be discussed from the aspect of policy making.”

“I have found that in order to provide homes for entire families in Selangor, we should not only undertake strategies to sell houses to the people but, also allow them to rent homes.”

“We will start working on it so that in the future,whether they are owners or tennants, no one will be homeless.”

He said this in reply to a supplementary question by Lembah Jaya Assemblyman Khasim Abdul Aziz at the Selangor State Assembly session today.

Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid said that the State Government’s efforts to build more low-cost and medium-cost houses will be carried out continuously.

He said that the State Government will create a new strategy of using an allocation of RM50 million from the state reserves to increase construction of Affordable Homes in Selangor.