Tag: Infrastructure

Budget 2014: National Deficit Expected to Increase by One Percent

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SHAH ALAM, 23 Oct: The Budget 2014 is expected to reach RM270 billion, involving an increase of nine percent compared to RM260 billion for the Budget 2013.

The increase is expected to cause the national fiscal deficit to increase by about 0.5 percent to one percent.

Terengganu PKR Chairman, Azan Ismail said the budget which will be tabled by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak on 25 October will record a deficit for the 16th time in a row.

“This year, the amount if RM260 billion, but it may increase by about RM10 billion for 2014. This increase would cause the national deficit to increase by about one percent or at least 0.5 percent,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Azan said the approach used by Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, proves that the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government has failed in controlling spending by being responsible and prudent.

“For Pakatan Rakyat (PR), we will not guarantee a balanced budget, but we will try to present a budget where the deficit is not too high.

“If the increase in expenditure is RM10 billion to RM15 billion, we too have to increase to curb a higher increase in deficit,” he said.

Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, presented the Alternative Budget summary which amounts to RM262 billion, compared to an estimated revenue of RM228 billion, with the deficit of RM34 billion, on 21 October.

Among the contributing factor involved in the reduction is that the emoluments that are reduced by 10 percent involves operating expenses that do not include emoluments and the effort is a part of the long-term measures to reduce the country’s debt of over RM500 billion.

Selangor Government Targets for 35,000 RMM in Five Years

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SHAH ALAM, 22 Oct: The Selangor Government is targeting for 35,000 affordable housing units (RMM) in the next five years.

The Executive Councillor in charge of Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement, Iskandar Abdul Samad, said that the government will increase the number of affordable homes through the Housing & Development Board (HDB) or but existing affordable homes and place it under the HDB.

Through the Harakah Daily portal, he said the RM450 million allocation is aimed to involve the construction of 5,000 to 7,000 affordable housing units over the next five years.

“From the total projects of private and subsidiary companies of the state government, we target for 35,000 units of affordable homes to be built in Selangor in the stipulated period.

“We will not sell all the units because a part of it will be rented out to those who cannot afford to buy a house,” he said.

Iskandar said the State Government is focusing on private companies by placing requirements to build affordable housing in the first term of the Pakatan Rakyat administration.

“The housing problem is not just in terms of house prices, but the low income of the people. So to accommodate the number of people who cannot afford to buy a home, we will create homes to be rented to them, such as council homes,” he said.

Hulu Selangor Member of Parliament not Transparent in Channelling Assistance

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RAWANG, 22 Oct: Residents of Anggerik apartments in Bukit Beruntung said that the Member of Parliament for Hulu Selangor, P Kalamanathan is not transparent in channeling assistance for reparation works for the damaged roofs of the apartment.

Most of the residents in the apartment claimed that Kalamanathan channelled the assistance for the reparation to only a few individuals.

A resident, Maheran Teop, 55, describes the MP’s actions as being ‘biased’ and only helped his cronies overcome the problem of leaking and totting roofs in all apartment buildings, which is a major problem because it can be life-threatening in addition to the growing problem of theft.

“I understand that the MP did make repairs but for only some of the residents. This action raises dissatisfaction among other residents because we are facing many problems due to leaking and rotting roofs.

“In addition to the leaks, we fear that the roof might just come off in the event of high winds. I had also faced bad incidences when high winds caused roof debris to fall which really is worrisome for my family,” he said when met here today.

Previously, over 1,000 families residing in the area faced problems when the roof of their apartment was destroyed in a storm last year, causing many of them to move out, thus decreasing the property value in the area.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has approved an allocation of RM15.6 million to repair and refurbish the damaged roofs for 50 blocks of low-cost apartments in Bukit Sentosa and Bukit Beruntung after his survey session in 2010.

Another resident, Aris Jamian, 45, said that the said party only visited them when it was nearing the General Election by offering various promises since he started living in the apartment eight years ago.

“However, after the Election, all the promise ended up just as promises. We are very worried thinking about safety because this problem has caused our homes to be flooded every time it rains.

“Floods, which are common, cause our house to be dirty and our family is forced to keep important documents and electronics in a safe area. Residents would like to plead to the goodness of the State Government to repair our apartments which are getting rather dilapidated and we also do not have lights around the area,” he said.

TVSelangor found that five blocks of the five-storey apartment are damaged in addition to being dilapidated and ’empty’ due being unoccupied.

MPSJ Urban Poverty Eradication Programme Increases Participants’ Income

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SUBANG JAYA, 21 Oct: The step by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) to have the Urban Poverty Eradication (PKB) programme showed a positive development when s study found that the average income of the programme’s participants increased.

MPSJ found that the average income of the participants increased to RM1,153 compared to about RM793 per month prior to joining the programme.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the programme should be continued and emulated by other Local Authorities, thus increasing the quality of life and education of participants.

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“This effort should be emulated by other local authorities because we must find a way to help them increase revenues; for example, single mothers. Children of every local authority participant should be monitored so that they are properly educated,” said Abdul Khalid at the MPSJ Urban Community Wellbeing 2013 Award Ceremony here at Sunway Hotel Resort & Spa yesterday.

The PKB programme involved coaching classes and skills training to help residents of MPSJ to improve their family’s side income by selling items that can be manufactured on a small scale but have a positive impact on them.

Among the training provided were sewing workshops, beading, making decorative food covers, repairing computers, jambu (water apple) entrepreneurs, making cupcakes, cakes and bread, and a Back To School Programme.

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In 2009, MPSJ allocated RM100,000 to implement the programme and the amount has been added to RM300,000 since 2010.

At the same ceremony, a beading business operator, Noor Ashikin Ramli and a decorative food cover entrepreneur, Rabitah Yusuf, were awarded the MPSJ Urban Community Wellbeing 2013 Award.

Noor Ashikin said the beading workshop was beneficial in diversifying attractive stitching, thus attracting customers to purchase.

Meanwhile, Rabitah said she did not think that the decorative food cover business she operated on a small scale could generate a decent income for her family.

Contributions in forms of daily necessities worth RM100, given to 20 orphans, single mothers and the needy was also held at the event.

PJS 6 Residents’ Problem Solved by PKNS

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SHAH ALAM, 21 Oct: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has already directed the contractor responsible to take action and clear up the heap of trash at the Petaling Jaya Selatan (PJS) 6 apartment area.

PKNS Public Relations Managed, Ishak Hashim said that the trash pile that occurred in the area is caused by dumping of trash by outsiders because the apartment is near a site for the night market and food stalls.

TVSelangor found that a small hut reserved for solid waste disposal in the area failed to be properly managed and domestic waste such as household goods and vehicle frames are dumped there.

The problem caused discomfort to the residents and led to the breeding of rats which can threaten the health of the local residents.

“We have received the complaint and appropriate action will be taken to address the problem faced by the residents in the area,” he said in a press statement.

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Meanwhile, Ishak said that reparation works to the wastewater channel that overflowed in Block 2, 3, 4 and 5 at the PKNS Apartments in PJS 8/14, Bandar Sunway, will also be done immediately.

He said PKNS and Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) will work together to ensure that the issue is resolved as soon as possible despite IWK previously claiming that the broken sewage pipe in the PKNS apartment happened when the maintenance was handed over to the sewerage company.

“PKNS has appointed a technical consultant to identify the real cause of the sewage overflow. Robotic camera methods will be used to examine whether the condition of the sewage pipe is broken or otherwise,” he said.

He added that the full report of the investigation will be used to repair the pump causing the sewage overflow so that residents in the apartment no longer have to deal with the problem.

MBPJ Implements Time-Limit Parking System

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SHAH ALAM, 19 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) approved the implementation of a time-limit parking system on a three-month trial basis at Dataran Sunway City Centre in PJU 5, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

The MBPJ Media Secretariat said the two-hour time limit set began on 15 October and will carry on till 14 January 2014.

The statement said that the system is being implemented to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre due to vehicles double parking.

“It aims to encourage motorists who park for long periods to use the parking facilities at the Parking Complex available,” the statement said.

It also said that motorists who park for short periods of less than two hours are recommended on street parking.

The parking facilities available at Dataran Sunway City Centre as follows:-

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Members of the public are asked to fully cooperate and comply with the set time limit.

Failure to comply with this time limit will result in vehicles being clamped and MBPJ will take action by towing cars parked outside the box.

Views from the public about the implementation of the time-limit parking system can be channelled directly to the following e-mail address:- [email protected] or contact the Engineering Department of MBPJ at 013-79584221.

Yahya Sahri Free of the Charge of Using Fake Documents

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SHAH ALAM, 18 Oct: Mohd Yahya Mat Sahri, the former Special Duties Officer to the Chief Minister of Selangor, was acquitted and discharged by the Shah Alam Sessions Court of the charge of using fake documents, namely the ‘Resolution for Account Opening for the Selangor Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’, five years ago.

Yahya said he was grateful to be free from the charge and thanks all who provided moral support over the years.

Yahya, 47, was charged for committing the offence at the Bandar Sunway Maybank branch on 14 May 2008.

“I am grateful to my lawyer, friends and party leaders who continuously provided support from the beginning till now,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor.

At the end of the defence proceedings, Judge Azhaniz Teh Azman Teh held that the prosecution had failed to prove their case against Mohd Yahya and ordered his RM10,000 bail to be refunded.

The charges were made under Section 471 of the Penal Code which is punishable under Section 465 of the same Code which provides for imprisonment of up to two years or a fine, or both, if convicted.

On Dec 1 2010, Azhaniz Teh had acquitted and discharged Mohd Yahya, 47, of the same charge under Section 471 of the Penal Code without calling for his defence on the basis that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against him.

However, the prosecution had filed an appeal on the decision at the High Court, which allowed it and ordered Mohd Yahya to enter his defence in July this year.

Deputy public prosecutor Norazah Kasran conducted the prosecution while Mohd Yahya was represented by lawyers Ahmad Nizam Hamid and T.Suresh.

MACC Should Immediately Act to Overcome Money Politics in Umno

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SHAH ALAM, 18 Oct: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should be more proactive and brave without being trapped captive under Umno in investigating allegations of money politics involving three Vice-President incumbents of the party.

Member of Parliament for Bukit Katil, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said that he welcomed the call by Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) urging the MACC to step in and take stern action against the alleged practice of money politics in Umno.

He said the MACC cannot consider the problem of money politics as an internal problem which only happens in Umno because the effect would be detrimental to the country’s future if it is not addressed in a timely manner.

Previously, the President of TI-M, Datuk Akhbar Satar, said they received numerous feedbacks that a lot of money is being used and distributed in ‘special’ programmes organised for the three Vice-President incumbents, who are holding senior ministerial posts.

The three individuals are; the Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, and the Defense Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

They will be challenged by the Chairman of Felda, Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad, former Chief Minister of Malacca Senator Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, and the Chief Minister of Kedah, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

Shamsul said the problem of money politics could lead the nation towards disputing their leadership credibility in spurring development and progress in the long term.

He said, wastage and improvidence of the country’s funds amounting to RM30 billion reported in the Audit Report 2012 is a result of the practice of money politics in Umno and the problem should be stopped immediately.

Residents of PJS 9 Confused with the Change in Postcode

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SUBANG JAYA, 18 Oct: The residents of Petaling Jaya Selatan (PJS) 9 are confused with the change in postcode by Pos Malaysia for Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya.

Based on the notice issued by Pos Malaysia earlier this month, the new postcode for Subang Jaya, which also involved PJS 9 and PJS 11, is 47500.

The change is due to the Election constituency division which set for PJS 7, PJS 9 and PJS 11, which is located in Bandar Sunway, to be placed under the Subang Jaya State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).

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Meanwhile, the Desa Mentari area involving PJS 8 and PJS 10, is placed under the Seri Setia DUN and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

The Deputy Chairman of the PJS 9 Rukun Tetangga (Neighbourhood Watch), Mohamad Noor said that he is confused by the change in the postcode as his identity card still uses the 46150 postcode, and states that it is in the area of Subang Jaya, while the same postcode printed on his driving licence but is registered as being in Petaling Jaya.

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“The new changes to the 47500 Subang Jaya postcode will burden residents, especially in matters involving correspondence address,” he said in a press conference here at the PJS 9/14 field today.

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The Chairman of the PJS 9 Rukun Tetangga, Goh Hai Thun said that his identity card and driving licence still uses the 46150 postcode which is registered as being in Petaling and can be contacted for correspondence.

“As a committee member for the residents, we would like to know the main reason for this postcode change which occurred without informing the residents. We live in PJS, which means Petaling Jaya Selatan and if we are to be put under Subang Jaya, it should be changed to SS.

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Meanwhile, the Subang Jaya Assemblywoman, Hannah Yeoh, who was also present at the press conference, said that the latest announcement confused residents, especially when involving important documents because several agencies should be notified regarding the change in postcode.

“We have a sophisticated MyKad system and residents do not have to go to the National Registration Department (JPN) to change their postcode. Instead, JPN should automatically inform about the change.

“Pos Malaysia should inform the residents of this change, however, until now, we do not know whether they are changing it or not, including informing important agencies such as Bank Negara and the Land Office to change the postcode in their systems,” she said.

KSSB Intensifies Sand Mining Monitoring

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DENGKIL, 17 Oct: Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) will intensify monitoring of sand mining areas to ensure the quality of river water is preserved.

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The Chief Executive Officer of KSSB, Datuk Dr Azimuddin Bahari said that they have set up a Monitoring Committee tasked to monitor all sand mining activities by providing reports every two weeks.

“We will conduct tight monitoring to ensure that appointed contractors do not break the rules set,” he told TVSelangor at the Ibadah Korban (Sacrificial) Ceremony organised by KSSB here at the As-Shariff Mosque.

Azimuddin said KSSB’s role is to assist the State Government in maintaining the river water irrigation system from flooding.

“KSSB assists in terms of flood mooring and sand dredging to smoothen the river water flow,” he said,

Azimuddin said the three appointed contractors have been terminated for violating regulations.

The Korban ceremony was attended by over 300 staff of KSSB and local residents, with six cows being sacrificed.

Hishammuddin, Isa Samad and Ali Rustam to be Left Out?

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SHAH ALAM, 17 Oct: The incumbent of the Umno Vice-President post, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, is expected to be left out in the contest for the Vice-President seat in the Umno Elections 2013.

Among the contributing factors to Hishamuddin’s defeat is his failure to achieve good performance hoped for by Umno as both, the Vice President of Umno and as a Cabinet Minister.

Political analyst, Prof Datuk Mohamad Abu Bakar said Hishammuddin’s victory in the previous Umno election was assisted by the Umno President, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is his cousin.

Apart from Hishammuddin, also expected to lose in the six corner contest are Datuk Seri Ali Rustam and Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad.

“I cannot predict the exact outcome but I can say that some of the old members in Umno are being disliked by more and more parties from Umno and outside Umno, such as Hishammuddin, Isa Samad and Ali Rustam.

“Ali Rustam did not win in Malacca, Isa Samad was previously subjected to disciplinary action while Hishammuddin was said to be unpopular in the last Umno election but was saved by Najib,” said the lecturer of International and Strategic Studies from the University of Malaya (UM).

Elaborating, Mohamad said the three other candidates, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, are expected to win by a small difference in votes.

“For those who win, they will no longer be ranked like Umno leaders before this. Previous leaders, when they win, they are considered as leaders that not only shape Umno but those who shape BN internally and also the country.

“In the past, a victory in Umno, other BN component parties such as MCA and MIC would bow to it (their victory) and for the opposition; their voices are not taken into account because they do not have the majority support at the time.

But now, Pakatan Rakyat has obtained over 50 percent of support from the people, making them stronger than Umno,” added Mohamad.

Continuous Supply of Treated Water till 2022

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Mitigation measures implemented by the State Government are expected to ensure a continuous supply of treated water for another decade, which is till year 2022. The mitigation project is expected to complete this year.

Among the mitigation measures being taken is the restoration of the Bukit Jelutong water treatment plant which has been shut down. This is expected to increase the water reserves to 851 million litres of water a day (MLD). The use of membrane technology will increase the production of treated water by an additional 100 MLD.

The Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC) however urged the State Government to be more decisive in ensuring tighter maintenance of the treatment plants and pipes.

“The study conducted by a survey firm, Enrico, found that all 29 water treatment plants which are being managed by Puncak Niaga are not operating at optimal levels. About 18 of the plants need to be repaired and upgraded,” SERC advised.

SERC urged the State Government to resolve water pollution in major rivers in Selangor, especially in Semenyih and Langat.

River pollution causes a reduction in raw water supply.

“As of April 2012, there were at least 13 incidents of downtime at treatment plants due to high pollution levels,” the report stated.

The sources of pollution identified are from manufacturing activities, poultry farms, oil spills and sand mining.

The State Government has been asked to enforce laws punishing river pollutants, to curb water theft and fraud, and to relocate factories to appropriate areas.