Tag: Improvements and Upgrading

Iskandar: 29 Percent of Abandoned Projects Completed

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: Since Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had taken over the state administration last September; the State Government has completed 29% of the 49,451 housing units which was abandoned by Umno-BN.

Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco member, Iskandar Abdul Samad said that the State Government under the leadership of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has taken the initiative to immediately resolve problems faced by the people.

He explained that the problem was a legacy left by the previous government under the leadership of Umno-BN and that it has been taken over by PR which is concerned about the Selangor people’s needs.

“From the 49,451 abandoned houses like residences and commercial buildings, we have managed to complete 14,245 units as of September which involves 19 areas in the whole of Selangor.”

“Apart from that, the State Government has also planned a state-wide welfare refurbishment programme (Ceria) with a total rotation fund of RM9.7 million where 17 areas involved in the programme for Phase 1 has been fully completed where else 33 of the 52 areas in Phase 2 have been completed apart from Phase 3 which will start with 93 areas,” he said in a press conference at the Annex Hall lobby here, today.

Also present were Meru Assemblyman, Dr Abdul Rani Osman, Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Exco member, Dr Halimah Ali and Malay Customs, Youth and Sports Exco member, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi.

Iskandar said that after more than four years, approximately 92% of apartments have benefitted from the free water initiative which was offered by the State Government.

According to him, an agreement was made with Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to loosen the clauses to hasten the transition from central metres to individual metres.

“Other efforts undertaken was the establishing of the Permai Task Force to encourage migration such as the Hands-On programme as well as the Concerned Committee to solve problems at multi-levelled housings regarding the individual metre changing process,” he said.

He said that the State Government had also built 1,682 Affordable Housings in areas in Bandar Baru Bangi, Bukit Botak, Kajang and other places.

Apart from that, he said that 1,215 more units will be built in Phase 1 from 2010 to 2013 while 9,481 units will be built from 2014 to 2018.

“Umno-BN’s efforts in building low-cost housing has encountered many problems and the State Government is introducing affordable housings which are better and cheaper compared to the houses under the same, PR1MA concept by the Federal Government,” he added.

MBPJ Asked to Research into Free Buses in Kota Damansara

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The State Government will ask Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Shah Alam Municipal Council (MBSA) to present a detailed investigation and to hold discussions regarding the provision of a free bus service in Kota Damansara.

The matter was brought forward by the Kota Damansara Assemblyman, Dr Nasir Hashim following the lack of public transportation in his area, especially to Sungai Buloh Hospital.

Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco member, Ronnie Liu said that the State Government and the Federal Government as well as the Land Public Transport Comission (SPAD) are working to overcome the problem.

“I have come to understand that the SPAD has the allocation to actualise the bus service and now talks are underway,” he said in the Selangor State Assembly sitting.

Ronnie added that as of now, the State Government has already provided two free bus services for the people of Putrajaya which is controlled by MBPJ.

“Truthfully, the responsibility of providing public transportation lies within the authority of the Federal Government. The State Government does not have the right to plan. However, we will try to take the initiative,” he said.

TALAM Spokespersons: Economics and Law Experts

SUBANG JAYA, 25 Nov: The four relevant official spokespersons regarding the Talam Corporation Berhad (Talam) debt settlement by the State Government were selected because they have expertise in the fields of economics and law.

They are also among the individuals who have delved into the Talam issue in detail since 2010 when the State Government had begun implementing the debt collection process.

Selangor State Investment, Industry and Trade Exco member, Teresa Kok said that the international independent audit firm, KPMG was also appointed to examine the debt collection process to ensure that it is done professionally and efficiently.

Teresa said this to refute allegations of Umno-BN assemblymen questioning the appointment recently at the Selangor State Assembly conference.

“This transaction is conducted professionally and carried out using professional advisers, but they (Umno-BN) insult their expertise.”

“When the State Government asked them to officially make a statement, they did not want to come and now they are talking nonsense behind our backs.”

“They even insulted the professional auditors KPMG’s report,” she said when met at the kampung carnival program, which is a tradition at Kampung Tengah A, Puchong, yesterday.

Early September 2012, the State Government had appointed four individuals as official spokespersons to explain the Talam issue to the public.

They are the Kuala Selangor MP, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Selayang MP, William Leong, North Petaling Jaya, MP, Tony Pua and Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of Selangor, Faekah Husin

Tony Pua, before getting involved in politics, was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cyber Village Sdn Bhd, a company listed on the second board of the Singapore stock exchange.

He holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economy from Keble College, Oxford University.

Earlier this year, Tony had written a book entitled “The Tiger That Lost Its Roar”, a tale on Malaysia’s political economy.” which is about the backwardness of Malaysian economy.

Dr Dzulkefly is a PAS leader who often writes and debates about economic issues in the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Faekah was a lawyer before he was appointed as Political Secretary.

PKNS Should Expand to a Global Level

SUBANG JAYA, 24 Nov: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has been recommended to expand its business to an international level and boldly go into new fields of business.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid said that PKNS should shift its way of thinking and not concentrate solely on land and housing development in Selangor only.

This is to ensure that the body, which has been established since 1964, is able to compete in the business world at a global level.

Abdul Khalid said that PKNS needs to learn business success from Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and Guthrie Holdings, both of which have managed to expand globally in several strategic businesses.

Abdul Khalid also said that PKNS should model after the Johor State Development Corporation (PBNJ) that has managed to expand its businesses in the Asean region.

“Now, PBNJ is not only successful in land development but it is also successful in providing health services, the plantation sector and several other businesses,” he said.

Abdul Khalid said this while officiating the PKNS Family Day at the PKNS Sports Complex in Kelana Jaya.

Meanwhile, PKNS General Manager, Othman Omar said that support from family members motivates PKNS staff to achieve the mission and vision of the company.

“In fact, it is with their strength and support that PKNS has been standing strong for 48 years,” he said.

The programme was organised to strengthen teamwork and strengthen Ukhuwah (brotherhood in Islam) relationships among the staff of PKNS and their families.

Also present was the Selangor Exco, Teresa Kok as well as PKNS Council members and about 2,000 PKNS staff and their families.

Appoint Independent Experts to Assess Slope Status

SHAH ALAM, 21 nov: Hulu Kelang Assemblyman, Shaari Sungib urged the State Government to set-up a team of independent experts to assess the status of the slope in Taman Sri Ukay and Hillview Park near Highland Towers.

He firmly said that if the slope is not safe, the State Government should gazette the area and ban any development in the area.

“In the past there have been studies saying that the Highland Towers incident was caused by underground water flow.”

“And now, the construction of the planned condo is only a few meters from the scene. This situation is obviously troubling,” he said during the 2013 Budget debate in the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting just now.

Recently, Shaari and 50 residents from Taman Sri Ukay and Hillview Park held a peaceful demonstration to express their opposition regarding the two high-profile projects on the slope near their homes.

One of the projects involving three blocks of 40-storey buildings will be built at Lot 847, near Taman Hillview, while the other project on Lot 5 involves the construction of five blocks of 17-storey buildings near the ruins of the Highland Towers condominium.

It is understood that the two projects will be implemented by two different developers.

Yakoob: State Government Provides Fishermen with Various Initiatives

SHAH ALAM, 20 Nov: The Selangor State Government has provided fishermen with various initiatives, like boats and fishing equipment, to increase the fishermen’s income in this state.

Agricultural Modernisation, Natural Resources Management and Entrepreneurial Development Exco, Yaakob Sapari said that in 2012, the State Government had allocated the Department Of Fisheries Malaysia a total of RM300,000 to help fishermen in Selangor.

He said that they had provided fiberglass fishing boats (sampans), engines and fishing nets.

“Through the provision of funds by the (Selangor) State Government; that had given various equipment and fishing apparatus, we hope that the catch will be increased,” the Kota Anggerik assemblyman said.

Yaakob said this when answering Dr Shafie Abu Bakar’s (Pas-Bangi) question during the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting today.

Up till now, there are 7,655 fishermen in Selangor located in six districts; Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.

Their average income is around RM1,000 to RM1,500.

Meanwhile, the Selangor Zakat Board (Lembaga Zakat Selangor) has provided an assistance program to supply fishing equipment to fishermen in the state.

In the meantime, Yakoob said, assistance programs to upgrade fish landing jetties is being carried out by the Local Authorities (PBT), Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) and the Department Of Fisheries Malaysia.

State Reserve Funds are only for Special Projects NOT for Administration Expenditures

SHAH ALAM, 19 Nov: The State Government will only use state reserves to fund special projects and not to shoulder administration costs, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Reserve funds also cannot be used to pay for management expenditures and other such expenses by the State Government because it reflects inefficient financial management.

The presentation of the budget’s deficit to cover administrative expenses also reflects the failure of efficient financial management and demonstrates the failure to control spending.

Abdul Khalid said this when explaining the State Government actions in using state reserve funds to finance four projects at a cost of RM500 million.

“The project we are doing is separate so that its (the reserve funds) usage is more transparent.”

“The people do not want the reserves to be used to cover administrative expenses.”

“If this happens, people will think that the government can spend extravagantly, so with the separation, we cannot spend extravagantly,” said Abdul Khalid in a press conference at the State Assembly Annex Building lobby.

Abdul Khalid presented the 2012 Budget today, the first day of the Third Meeting of the Fifth Session. The Budget is themed ‘Selangor, Leader of Malaysian Economy’.

When presenting the budget, Abdul Khalid announced the decision to build the third bridge in Klang costing RM300 million, the implementation of Storm Water (RM100 million), upgrading and repairs of drainage systems (RM50 million) and the building of fully-furnished affordable housing (RM50 million).

However, these projects are not included in the 2013 Budget, instead it will be using State reserves.

Ceria Scheme: 71 Apartments Benefit

SHAH ALAM, 19 Nov: Since its introduction in 2011, the Ceria scheme costing RM97 million has benefited 71 apartments across Selangor.

Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco member, Iskandar Abdul Samad said that the Ceria Scheme applies to two types of apartment units, Low-Cost and Medium-Cost, during the State Assembly (DNS) sitting this morning.

For Phase One in 2011, only 17 low-cost apartments received assistance from the Ceria Scheme.

Where else for Phase Two in 2012, a total of 43 low-cost apartments and 9 medium-cost apartments have benefited from the scheme.

Phase Three this year involves two medium-cost apartments.

Iskandar said, when answering questions from the Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad regarding this scheme, that the State Government has also designed a few upgrading programmes under this scheme.

“Among them, the State Government has organized an educational hands-on programme for apartment owners. This is the Anti-Vandalism themed ‘Keep Our Apartments Clean, Cheerful and Harmonious’ campaign.”

“For the care of reconditioned lifts, the Government has also implemented the installation of CCTVs and lift census programmes in collaboration with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (JKKP),” said Iskandar, who is also the Cempaka State Assemblyman.

The Ceria scheme is a cost-sharing scheme between apartment residents and the State Government to beautify the surrounding areas of apartment buildings.

The scheme also aims to cultivate a sense of belonging of each unit in maintaining the common property in the long term.

KASE Receives More Than 100 AES Complaints

SHAH ALAM, 16 Nov: The counter that has been set up by the Anti-Postal Summons Campaign Department (KASE) have now received more than 100 complaints from road users who have fallen victim to the Automated Enforcement System (AES).

KASE legal advisor, Zulhazmi Sharif said that the counter which has been open since the 21st of November have received many complaints from road users who have received summons through the implementation of AES cameras from all over the country.

He said that he and the KASE Department will make the announcement regarding actions that will be taken to assist those who have received summons.

“As of now, the complaints counter is still open and we have yet to separate them (the complaints) according to states. We will make the announcement regarding the case next week.”

“This is because the earliest court date involving receivers of the summons is the 7th of December 2012 and we will be appointing lawyers to help them,” he said to TV Selangor today.

Meanwhile, the counter which is open every fortnightly at 12pm to 2pm is intended to facilitate those who have received AES summons with legal advice and legal aid, both of which are free of charge.

“In Selangor alone, there are umpteen road users who have received AES summons and it has been informed that only two areas in Selangor have (AES) cameras, which are in Kajang.”

“More shockingly, a road user had received three summonses on the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) because it’s his daily route,” he said.

Previously, KASE Chairman, Datuk Mahfuz Omar had mentioned that a group of lawyers would be provided should receivers of the summons agree to go to court and legal services from the Department of Law and Human Rights (JUHAM) will be provided to those involved.

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.

Yaakob – Farmers Income Targeted at RM3, 000

KUALA LANGAT, 12 Nov: To continue the development of agriculture in Selangor, the State Government targets farmers to earn RM 3,000 and above per month from the proceeds of their cultivation.

Selangor Agricultural Modernisation, Natural Resources Management and Entrepreneurial Development Exco, Dr. Yaakob Sapari said that this would be done through research to modernise and improve crop harvest.

Yaakob said that the State Government would also ensure that only farmers get agricultural land and not those who were not involved in the industry.

To achieve this goal, the State Government also hopes that the farmers would market their produce without a middle man to save costs.

He said that this approach can reduce the cost of expenditure as much as RM 500 to RM 700 per month.

Agriculture is a field that will provide handsome returns should farmers pay serious attention to it,” Yaakob said in during the visitation session at the Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM) here at Kampung Sungai Kelambu.

“We also want the youth to participate in agriculture especially university graduates.”

“This way agriculture can be developed because of participation from the educated,” he said.

“With the determination from the State and all parties involved, it has been recorded that Selangor produces about 60 percent of the country’s agriculture.”

Apostasy Happened in the Umno-BN Era, They Should Blame Themselves, says Tuan Ibrahim

SHAH ALAM, 12 Nov: The Umno-BN government should blame themselves on the issue of Muslim apostasy because as history proves it happened at the time of their administration when some Muslims’ applications were approved for the very same purpose.

PAS Information Chief, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said apostasy in Islam is a big offence and should not be allowed.

According to him, the statement made by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, that last year there were 168 apostasy applications approved, and should be seriously contemplated by the Umno-BN government before blaming others with issues of which legitimacy is still unconfirmed.

“We too feel strange at how religious councils can approve apostasy because if taken from the viewpoint of Islam, apostasy is a capital offense and it should not be religious departments or ministers that are responsible for making the approval.”

“Instead those who want to renounce should be guided and faith should be preserved through guidance councils or faith strengthening programs. We feel disappointed with the statement when their application is approved, that is precisely the clarification we need from him (Jamil Khir),” he told TV Selangor when contacted here today.

Tuan Ibrahim said, for PAS leaders, the issue regarding PKR Vice-President, Nurul Izzah Anwar, was suddenly amplified by Umno-BN leaders with reports in mainstream media that is under their control.

He said that the issue should not be politicised and Nurul Izzah herself should respond to clarify the statement she made.

“What exactly was said? When we reviewed the report by Utusan Malaysia, Utusan Malaysia clearly slandered and manipulated the truth.”

“I think this issue is not to prevent and preserve the faith because previously Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who insulted Islam, was not criticized by Umno-BN leaders at all and the also statement by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) who reject Hudud law,” he said.

In a forum entitled “Islamic State: Which version? Whose responsibility?” that took place recently, Nurul Izzah as a panelist was alleged for making a statement that freedom of religion should apply to all, including the Malays.

Nurul Izzah, however, denied the matter and appeared to clarify things at the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) last Saturday.