Tag: Infrastructure

Selangor Water Dam Full, Overflowing

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SHAH ALAM, 24 Dec: Selangor Waters Management Authority (SWMA) today refuted claims by Pandan Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Ing Tee Keat regarding the alleged supply decline and the absence of raw water resources in Selangor.

SWMA Director, Md Khairi Selamat said that the statement is inaccurate because almost all the dams in Selangor have recorded full water levels.

Md Khairi said that until December 20, 2012, the water capacity for Subang Lake Dam, Semenyih Dam, Langan Dam, Klang Gates Dam and Batu Dam are all 100 percent full.

He said there also have been overflows occurring at Subang Lake Dam, Langat Damn and Semenyih Dam.

“Meanwhile, the water capacity at Sungai Tinggi Dam on the same date is at 93.33 percent.

And for the Sungai Selangor Dam, up till December 20, 2012, the water capacity has risen to 90.17 percent which is 207.40 million cubic meters at a height of 216.65 metres.

“This increase is compared with the water capacity of the dam on October, 11, 2012, which is 52.02 percent with a total amount of 119.65 million cubic metres at a height of 199.3 metres,” he said.

He further explained that the total amount of water flow from rivers is able to supply raw water for five water treatment plants (WTP) in Rasa, Rantau anjang and Bestari Jaya.

Daily balance readings for this flow is high compared to the minimum flow requirement of 300 Million Litres Per Day (MLD).

“Meanwhile, water release from Sungai Selangor Dam has reduced to 91.34 MLD on December 20, 2012.

“This reduction in water release is compared to 521.3 MLH on October 11, 2012. Patterns and the average water levels of the Sungai Selangor Dam from January till November 2012 is shown is Graph 1,” he added.

Sungai Selangor Dam and Sungai Tinggi Dam capacity is expected to increase further due to heavy rainfall during the Northeast Monsoon from November till March.

“Based on the increase rate of the reservoir, the capacity of these two dams is expected to return to full before February 2013,” he added.

New Parking Lots for Sri Tanjung Apartments

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SUBANG JAYA, 24 Dec: For 11 years, shortage of parking spaces and narrow streets at Sri Tanjung Apartments at SS 16, have not only been the residents complaints but it also threatens their security.

In November, the Chairman of the Sri Tanjung Apartment Residents Association Mohd Nizam Abdullah said that there was a fire at one of the apartment units.

Because residents have been forced to double-park their cars, fire engines were not able to enter their area.

“However, we are thankful as there were no casualties resulting from the incident,” he explained this morning at the press conference here.

Finally, under the policy of attentiveness, the Selangor Government has contributed more than RM253,000 to build a new parking area for the apartment.

That amount is 80 percent of the total cost of RM317,000 for the facility.

In addition to the State Government’s contribution, funds have also been obtained from the Management Committee apart from RM5,000 which was received through personal contributions from Senior Executive Councillor, Teresa Kok, who is also the Kinrara Assemblywoman.

Previously, the apartments only provided 650 parking lots although it has a thousand residential units and 28 commercial units.

Now, a new parking area will be built on the site of a children’s playground and is estimated to accommodate 216 cars and 450 motorcycles at a time.

“We will have to move the playground and split the into two due to lack of space.

“Of course, the problem cannot be fully resolved, however we are relived that at least parking congestion can be reduced,” he added.

Also present at the press conference were Senior State Government Executive Councillor Teresa Kok, Puchong MP, Gobind Singh, Subang Jaya SS16 Senior Police Officer Azman Md Zain and MPSJ Council Member, Cheah Sang Soon.

Teresa who is also the Kinrara Assemblywoman took the opportunity to donate school bags to 30 children from Seri Tanjung Apartments.

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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.

Donald Lim Should Personally Meet With Terentang Community

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SELAYANG, 23 Dec: Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai has been advised to meet with the people of Sungai Terentang regarding the issue of building Central Area Reinforcement (CAR) high voltage cables by the State Government.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim gave the advise and also added that Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) demands regarding the project was not in line with the needs of the community of Kampung Terentang in Rawang.

“The meeting should be held for Donald Lim to personally understand the people’s voice regarding the issue.

“There if no need for me to meet with him to explain everything unless he personally meets with the people, which is what the Sungai Terentang community wants,” Abdul Khalid said yesterday in a press conference.

Donald had previously sought clarification from the Chief Minister regarding the action of delaying the CAR project between Bukit Tarek, Rawang and Kamung Chubadak, Sentul, which according to him, will result in severe disruption of electricity supply.

However, the State Government had previously suggested alternative routes to replace TNB’s original route. Unlike the original route, the alternative route will not go through homes of the residents of Kampung Sungai Terentang.

Commenting on other questions regarding the Quit Rent increase by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Abdul Khalid once again stressed that the tax which will increase is the Land Utilisation tax.

“This means that is previously, the land was not developed and now there is development on the land, then of course the tax imposed will vary according to the usage of the land,” he explained.

The State Government has also established a Special Committee chaired by the State Exco, Ean Yong Hian Wah, to hold public information sessions for the people regarding the tax increase.

Earlier, Abdul Khalid presented detached house grants to 661 individuals who were former Bukit Botak settlers. presenting offer letters to 961 individual detached house which was the former Bald Hill urban pioneers.

Flood Problems In Klang To Reduce In Eight Months

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KLANG, 22 Dec: Majority of water retention ponds in areas prone to flooding, is expected to be completed in eight months, whereas the largest water retention pond in Taman Sentosa is expected to be completed in a year.

The ponds that are expected to be completed in eight months are at Bandar Bayu Tinggi, Bandar Bayu Perdana, and Bandar Tengku Kelana. All of which are almost 80 percent complete.

Whereas, the 23 acre retention pond in Taman Sentosa will take more time because of its larger size.

The overall cost for these projects is RM5 million, said Dr Xavier Jayakumar, the Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Executive Councillor.

The construction of these water retention ponds involve agencies such as the Public Works Department (JKR), the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) as well as the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA).

“We are prioritising Klang town first as this area is very prone to flooding.

“Once that is done, several other areas will be identified for constructing water retention ponds because it involves a complicated process,” he told reporters today after a meeting at the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) building.

Also present were the Acting President of MPK, Mohd Ikhsan Mukri, Kota Raja MP, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, Seri Muda Assemblyman, Shuhaimi Shafiei.

Previously at the last Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting, an allocation of RM50 million was approved to combat flood problems in Selangor.

Dr Xavier said that MPK will take strict action against developers who do not follow building structure plans which do not provide sufficient channels for rain water drainage.

In the meantime, a work paper regarding the water retention pond for areas other than Klang, will readied to be brought before the Selangor Economic Action Council (MTES).

Alinah’s Appointment Will Empower Women

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SHAH ALAM, 21 Dec:Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad’s appointment as the first female Mayor in Malaysia will strengthen Selangor Government’s efforts in empowering women.

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science Technology and Innovation Exco, Rodziah Ismail said that the hopes of women in Selangor is enormous to all women who hold key positions in the public sector.

“Her experience and dedication in Selangor’s public service as well as her concern for women’s issues will give impetus to the efforts of women in the state.

“Congratulations and well done on the first time appointment of a woman to hold the top post at the City Local Authority (PBT) level in Selangor and Malaysia,” said Rodziah in a media statement.

On Dec 19, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim announced the appointment of Alinah, who was the former Executive Director of the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS).

Alinah will assume her duty as the Mayor of Petaling Jaya on January 1, 2013.

She previously served as Deputy Director at the Selangor Land and Mines Office, Kuala Langat Head assistant district officer (ADO), Petaling District Office Enforcement ADO, State Financial Secretariat (SUK) Head Assistant and Implementation and Coordination Unit (ICU) Secretary Head Assistant, Prime Minister’s Department.

Alinah will be replacing Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman who is currently the Deputy State Secretary (Development).

“Hopefully, Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad will continuously be successful and improve the quality of life for people in Selangor, especially for women,” said Rodziah.

MAS Management Urged to Explain Foreign Workers Recruitment Policy

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SHAH ALAM, 21 Dec: The new management of the national airline carrier, Malaysia Airlines System Berhad (MAS) has been called upon to explain their foreign workers recruitment policy which might affect the efficiency of the company.

Shah Alam Member of Parliament, Khalid Abdul Samad said that MAS performance recovery efforts have to be reported to the country and not just to cronies profiting from the company.

“It is understood that a lot of MAS work have been outsourced and have been distributed to cronies.

“And a lot of MAS work such as cargo maintenance is done by foreign workers who do not have the skills and training like the original MAS workers,” he said in press conference at his office.

In the press conference, Khalid showed the media a video which was said to be sent to his office by an anonymous individual regarding negligence of foreign workers in maintaining aircraft owned by MAS.

The video, dated in November which was a duration of about two minutes, showed the alleged foreign worker’s actions of banging into a 737 aircraft engine on a runway which was at an unspecified location.

He said that previously, MAS had equivalent standing and rank as foreign airline companies such as Singapore Airlines System (SIA) and other international companies.

However, due to granting maintenance work and management to cronies, the performance of MAS is now disputable.

“After all kinds of political interference, especially during Tun Mahathir’s time, the situation has been deteriorating.

“We want transparency and accountability from MAS, we do not want things that happened during Tajuddin Ramli’s time to repeat,” he said..

Previously, MAS recorded a net loss of RM2.52 billion for the financial year which ended on December 31, 2011, the largest in the corporate’s history with earnings of RM13.9 billion.

Selangor Government Urged to Establish a GLC to Repair Roads

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SHAH ALAM, 21 Dec: It has been proposed that the Selangor Government establish a Government Linked Company (GLC) specifically to repair roads in the state.

Shah Alam MP, Khalid Abdul Samad said that damaged roads can be resolved immediately with the existence of a GLC due to constraints of Local Authorities (PBT) to act quickly.

“It is hoped that the Chief Minister’s Office will give due consideration to determine the efficiency of the Selangor Government in dealing with road problems,” he said.

He said that the Selangor Government can also use any existing GLC to undertake the task.

The roads are under the jurisdiction of the Selangor Government.

“At the moment, the Selangor Government has the funds and there is no excuse to not repair these roads immediately,” he said in a press conference at his office.

These GLCs can claim back their funds used for road reparations, from the Local Authorities, after the work is done.

MBPJ Establishes Lake Cleanliness Committee

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PETALING JAYA, December 21: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) recently established a committee to maintain the cleanliness and beauty of lakes around its area.

The Lake Treatment System Subcommittee will be developing strategies to reduce odours and problems of murky waters that are tainting the beauty of lake parks in that city.

MBPJ Department of Health and Environment Director General, Dr Chitra Devi said that the council has agreed to conduct a pilot project by using the ‘ultrasonic algae control system’ at Tasik Aman in Section 22/44.

“It will be endeavoured by a company that has agreed to fully finance the lake water treatment project for a trial period of three months.

“This treatment method is used to combat the serious problem of algae growth in this lake,” said Dr Chitra during a joint visit between MBPJ and the Taman Aman Section 22/44 MBPJ Council Member.

She said that this project began in mid-August and is still going on till now.

MBPJ found that odours and algae growth have reduced after using this system.

“The council hopes that all parties play a role together in preserving the cleanliness of the lake by not channelling pollutants into public drains which flows directly into the lake.

“The spirit of loving these lakes should be within every resident as it is an invaluable asset for the country and it belongs to all,” she said.

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CM: Consolation Prize for Customer Service Hotline Complainants

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SERDANG, 21 Dec: The Selangor State Government will be handing out consolation prizes to individuals who report three major problems to the Customer Service Hotline Centre which will be launched next year.

The Customer Service Hotline Centre which will be launched on January 15 2013, will raise complaints regarding garbage collection, treated water supply and road conditions in their area.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that incentives will be given to each complainant as effort by the State Government to appreciate every complaint as feedback to improve public service.

He said that every problem will be recorded and from time to time, the individual concerned will be contacted to find out if there are any new problems in their area to be complained about in future.

“This is the way for every person in the community to involve themselves with the State Government to help resolve any problems that occur,” he said.

Abdul Khalid was met by reporters last night after presenting the Residents Committee Award (JKP) and Local Youth Movers Award (PeBT) organized by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) at the Palace of The Golden Horses, Sri Kembangan.

In the meantime, this customer service centre will help all Local Authorities (PBT) in the state in addressing problems.

“We have a special team to run the customer service centre instead of being run by the local governments.

“When this begins to run, and problems have begun to be forwarded to us, we will seek assistance from Local Authorities (PBT) involved to help solve problems such as garbage (removal) and damaged roads.

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.

CM: Assessment Tax Set by the Ministry of Finance Not Local Authorities

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SHAH ALAM, 18 Dec: The increase in assessment tax and business licence process is not determined by the Local Authorities (PBT) in Selangor but it is set by the Department of Property Assessment (JPPH) and the Ministry of Finance, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

“It is not up to 10 times. Zin is not good at counting. This matter is not made by PBT officers at liberty, but there are laws. It is based on the current value of the land and not made by MBSA or other Local Authorities. It is set by JPPH from the finance ministry.

“They determine the value and we cannot change the value, so do not blame the local authorities.

“All parties should understand the value of properties in the Klang Valley are high, coupled with higher domestic investment compared to other states, it is not impossible for them to raise the taxes,” he said when commenting on Selangor BN coordinator, Datuk Seri Mohd Zin who claims that there will be an increase in assessment of up to 10 times in Kampung Sungai Buloh and Kampung Baru as well as other places starting next year.

Abdul Khalid also informed that the State Government will meet with the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and parties involved on the issue of the increase of assessment tax and business licences in January.

The Chief Minister said that after the meeting, his party will hold an information session on the tax increase, how the process will be carried out and finally the result of the discussions.

“So far we have done it transparently. The way we calculate it is transparent and we can make some temporary cuts until the increase in cost is finalised,” he said in a media session after officiating the Artists Love Islam Assembly (HIAS).

Also present were the Deputy Director of the State Islamic Religious Department, Ahmad Zaki Arshad and Standing Committee of Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Exco, Dr Halimah Ali.