Tag: Land

Pakatan Rakyat Manifesto Implementation Dialogue – Selangor 2014 Budget – 13 September

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This live discussion between the people and leaders is to receive input directly from the taxpayers to implement the Pakatan Rakyat Manifesto which was presented in the 13th general Election (GE-13).

Feedback from this discussion will be taken up in the 2014 Selangor State Budget.

“The Selangor Government is confident and believes that public opinion is very important in ensuring that all policies and plans outlined in the manifesto reaches the target group,” stressed the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

On September 9, the dialogue will be held simultaneously at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) Tower Gallery in Pandan Indah, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Banquet Hall and the Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) Siantan Hall starting from 8pm.

On September 10, the dialogue will be held simultaneously at the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) Tower Lobby, the Sabak Bernam District COuncil (MDSB) Sri Bernam Hall and the Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS) Dato’ Abdul Hamid Auditorium Hall in Batang Kali starting from 8pm.

On September 11, the dialogue will be held simultaneously at the Subang Jaya Municipal Coucil (MPSJ) Multipurpose Hall in Puchong Indah, and for the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), it will be held at the Sports Complex Hall in Section 15, Bandar Baru Bangi starting from 8pm.

For September 12, the dialogue will be held simultaneously at the Empress Hotel in Sepang bandar Baru for the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp), for the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) it will be held at the Bunga Tanjung Hall in Section 19, and at the Sri Jugra Hall in Banting for the Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) starting from 8pm.

Whereas on September 13, the dialogue will be held at the Hamzah Hall for the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) starting from 8pm.

KPKT the Reason Buyers Failed to buy Homes of ‘Abandoned’ Project

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SHAH ALAM, August 6: The Selangor Government regrets that buyers of an abandoned housing project which has been fully recovered failed to secure bank loans following the negligence of the Ministry of Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government (KPKT).

The Exco for Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement, Iskandar Samad said, the failure in being unable to secure a bank loan is because the KPKT still lists the project as ‘abandoned’.

Stating that the State Government has received many complaints, he said that the failure for prospective buyers to secure a load has caused the developer to face the problem of selling the remaining units thus financially impacting them.

“There is a Low-Cost Housing project in Subang which has been successfully restored and is now 80 percent completed. But because KPKT still lists it as an abandoned project, 140 buyers failed to secure bank loans,” he said.

Thus, Iskandar urged KPKT to remove the restored project from the blacklist so that it can be completed on schedule by the developers.

He hoped to have a meeting between the state government and KPKT in the near future to discuss the problem in addition to other housing issues.

“The other issue is the rising house prices, the construction of Affordable Housing and the maintenance of strata development.

“The State Government has twice written to the minister regarding the application to hold a meeting, however there has been no reply till now,” he said.

Selangor Targets 10 Million Tourists by 2018

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SHAH ALAM, July 26: By 2018, the Selangor Government targets for 10 million tourists to visit Selangor, says Exco for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment, Elizabeth Wong.

Elizabeth says the estimate is based on the increasing number of tourists every year in addition to the State Government’s target of 7 million tourists for the Visit Selangor Year 2015.

She said that as of now, the number of tourists has recorded a positive development; which is 6 million last year.

She said to realise the 10 million target, the State Government will change their promotional strategy.

“We also want to train tour drivers to be fluent in foreign languages and not only in English. This is because the increase in tourists in Selangor consists of tourists who are not from Europe.

In addition, the State Government will upgrade and maintain tourist sites in the next five years to add value and strengthen existing products.

She has targeted four rural areas that need attention, including Sabak Bernam, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat and Hulu Selangor.

Elizabeth added that at least 300 existing tourism sites have been identified to be improved or promoted.

“It encompasses the maintenance of the surrounding areas, reparation of public facilities and the improving of existing building structures,” she said.

“But from the amount, we may not work on all. It depends on the needs of the area as well.

“An example is the Sekinchan area which is now developing as a tourist destination. If we move a little ahead to Sabak Bernam, it would certainly grow because it has great potential to be developed.

“We want these places to be upgraded to an international tourism status, we want foreign and domestic tourists coming to the area because it will improve the financial status of villagers and the local population,” she said.

Selangor Sultan Officiates RM4.1 Million Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh Mosque

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PETALING JAYA, July 17: DYMM (His Royal Highness) the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah officiated the Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh Mosque here in conjunction with the DYMM Sultan of Selangor with the People Fast Breaking Ceremony.

The mosque building was constructed by the MK Land Company at a cost of RM4.1 million and can accommodate a congregation of 5,000, and this mosque is also known as the Yellow Mosque because of its yellow dome.

Sultan Sharafuddin also named the mosque the Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh Mosque.

In the same occasion, the Sultan donated Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr) contributions to 302 Asnaf comprising of orphans, the poor-needy (fakir-miskin), new converts and Tahfiz students.

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Meanwhile, the Gapurna Chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali in his speech said that the company has also contributed in terms of finance and material to upgrade the mosque.

“Among the upgrades include painting the walls of the mosque, repairing the ablution area and toilets, changing Kalimantan lights to floodlights for the pulpit, fixing and replacing the speaker system.

“Also fixed are helicopter fans at the main mosque area and the installation of additional tanks based on the list of priorities provided by the Mosque Committee,” he said.

Accompanying the Sultan of Selangor at the event was the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the State Government Secretary, Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi and the JAIS Director, Datuk Marzuki Husin.

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River of Life Project Oppress Residents of Kampung Puah Seberang

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KUALA LUMPUR, July 10: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Members of Parliament claimed that the River of Life (ROL) project launched by the Federal Government for the beautification of the Klang and Gombak rivers have oppressed about 100 residents of Kampung Puah Seberang in the area.

This is because, according to Wangsa Maju MP, Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong, the project which cost RM4 billion caused the residents to lose their homes because their land was taken by the Central Government.

What’s more unfortunate is that the residents were offered only low-cost flats by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to rent and a compensation of RM1000 to each family.

“As a representative of the people, I am curious as to how the government could implement the project on Malay reserve land.

“The government took the entire 22 acres of land while some residents claimed ownership and that they have been staying there for a long time.

“The compensation given is insufficient to meet the needs of residents to pay their house rent,” he said during a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Meanwhile, Batu Member of Parliament, Tian Chua said that the Central Government seems to be considerate when taking the residents land to be privatised to pay for the cost of cleaning up both the rivers.

He added that no transparency was practiced in the project when the government was said to pay a higher value to the contractor compared with paying compensation to the residents in the area.

He stressed that the residents were previously promised with the purchase of medium-cost homes but DBKL overturned the decision to low-cost houses at the last minute.

Therefore, he asked DBKL to review the compensation given to ensure that the residents would not be left out when the project is implemented.

“If you want cleaning to be done by just paying the residents RM1000, then we outright reject it.

“With this kind of money, they would not get comfortable homes,” he said.

The ROL project which was launched by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak in year 2011 was an initial project identified in the Greater Kuala Lumpur Greater Economic Area under the Government Transformation Programme.

It aims to change the look of the rivers flowing through the heart of Kuala Lumpur city by performing restoration work to the rivers and beautifying the river banks as well as to develop a river corridor.

Iskandar: 19 Abandoned Housing Projects Will be Saved

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SHAH ALAM, July 8: The State Government, through the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) identified 19 abandoned housing projects in Selangor this year with the potential to be saved.

Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement Exco, Iskandar Samad said, from the amount, saviour developers are conducting restoration on four projects.

While 15 others are in the discussion process for the same aim with the Committee for Rehabilitation of Abandoned Projects (JPPT).

He said, even though the jurisdiction lies under the Ministry of Housing, the State Government however is constantly trying to solve the problem of abandoned housing projects in Selangor.

Among the steps taken is to create the JPPT which comprises of the Selangor State Legal Advisor, the LPHS Executive Director, the assistant to the Exco of Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement, as well as other departments and government agencies.

“Other methods include regular discussions with all technical departments by imposing a minimum condition to allow for the project to be resumed with a small additional cost without compromising safety.”

Iskandar said this in response to a question by the Kuala Kubu Baharu Assemblyman, Lee Kee Hiong during today’s Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session.

“After that, we will organise meetings with financial institutions as lenders in addition to discussions with the Department of Insolvency for troubled developers with LPHS acting to propose the project to be restored by saviour developers.”

Selangor Government Provides Assistance Regardless of Political Affiliation

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SHAH ALAM, July 2: The State Government reminded all government officials, including the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to be professional when working by prioritising the interest of the people in Selangor without being biased.

Welfare and Women’s Affairs Exco, Rodziah Ismail said that all officers and employees have been asked to be open and responsible in discharging their duties regardless of political affiliation.

“All JKM officers are reminded to enhance their level of professionalism and to put the receiver who is truly in need as the priority basis without taking into account political background.

“Therefore, if there are any other officers who still do this, please report their names for further action.”

Rodziah said this when answering a question by Dusun Tua Assemblyman, Razaly Hassan during the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session here today.

Umno-BN’s Call For Pakatan to Provide Facts on Discrepancies Backfired

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SHAH ALAM, July 2: Urges from Permatang Assemblyan, Sulaiman Razak from Umno-BN against PAS Assemblyman, Dr Abdul Rani Osman to provide evidence with regards to the fraud that allegedly took place when BN led the Selangor Government finally backfired.

Dr Abdul Rani, who is the Meru Assemblyman, then listed the squandering scandal of 24 parcels of land given to Umno-BN component parties when the coalition ruled from year 2000 to 2008.

According to Dr Abdul Rani, in the One Malaysia Land Scandal (SAT1M), Umno acquired 15 parcels of land, MCA five, MIC three and Gerakan a piece of land where each of them only paid RM 1 per square foot.

“Then Umno remained silent on the issue of the Suria Damansara Condominium which was built on Umno’s land in Kelana Jaya.

“BN said that on this land, the supposedly were going to build a multi-purpose hall for a kindergarten. But apparently, the 200 unit Suria Damansara condominium costs RM450,000 each.

“When we contacted the Umno Information Chief at the time, YB Shukor, he said that he did not know. He redirected us to Datuk Bushro who also could not provide an answer and then redirected to Datuk Seri Noh Omar…who refused to comment. I want to tell you that everyone kept their mouths shut.”

Dr Abdul Rani said this during while responding to the speech by DYMM the Sultan of Selangor in the second day of the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session today.

Earlier, Dr Abdul Rani also raised the issue of fraud and discrepancies that happened in the recent 13th General Election.

Water Restructuring to Complete in Two Months

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SHAH ALAM, 2 July: The State Government expects for negotiations about the water management with the Federal Government to complete in two months.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that they have readied the agreement letter between the State Government and the Central Government regarding the negotiations.

“It was prepared based on the offer which has to be accepted in accordance with the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655).

“We are also optimistic about this matter as the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has stated his agreement for the water management restructuring in Selangor,” said Abdul Khalid in the Selangor State Assembly session today.

He was responding to a question from the Meru Assemblyman, Dr Abdul Rani Osman regarding the progress of the water management in Selangor.

Abdul Khalid also explained that through thorough preparation, the State Government will also set up a team of competent professionals to handle the water management in Selangor if the takeover process is successful.

“The management team will consist of executives from overseas who are qualified.”

The water industry restructuring process was initiated by the State Government last year in an effort to acquire the supply, treatment and distribution operations from four private companies.

The purpose of the restructuring is so that the people will receive efficient and affordable treated water supply.

The State Government has offered RM9.65 billion to acquire the four companies and so far, they have responded positively to the offer.

State Government Supports JAIS to Temporarily Close Religious Schools

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SHAH ALAM, June 26: The State Government fully supports the recommendations of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to temporarily close religious schools in certain areas experiencing haze with Air Pollution Index (API) readings above 300.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that all State Religious Schools, schools that receive assistance (KAFA Integration) and private schools registered under JAIS are automatically required to shut down temporarily when the API exceeds 300.

Khalid said it is as directed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education.

For areas with API readings between 250 and 300, the school administration has to inform the department regarding the closure of schools.

“Schools in areas where the API is below 250 can still be open, by taking measures such as wearing masks, limiting outdoor activities and to immediately refer to a hospital if students and teachers experience health problems.

“All schools must comply with the guidelines issued from time to time by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as well as the Malaysian Ministry of Education, to close schools or to grant leave to teachers and students due to the haze,” said Abdul Khalid in a media statement.

CM: Hopes Schools Will Consider Student Attendance

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SHAH ALAM, June 25: Parents have been advised to consult with schools regarding the attendance of their children in several areas in Selangor which are still affected by dangerous and unhealthy haze levels.

In making the call, the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim expressed concern on the contaminated air levels exceeding 200 on the API which takes its toll on children and hopes that parents and teachers are able to reach a final decision.

“The power (to close schools) is in the hands of the ministry, so we do not want to close schools because teachers are involved.

“I hope that when the haze level reaches 200, parents will not send their children to school,” said Abdul Khalid when asked if the State Government will issue a orders to close schools.

The Ministry of Education has issued directive that schools will only be closed if the haze level exceeds 300 on the API, which is the “dangerous” level.

Currently, a number of areas in Selangor such as Kuala Selangor, Banting, and Shah Alam have recorded API levels exceeding 200, which is “very unhealthy”.

Port Klang has recorded 474 on the API, according to readings from the Department of Environment website.

Previously, the Environment Exco, Elizabeth Wong urged the Federal Government to allow for schools to close if the API levels exceed 150, an “unhealthy” level.

Khalid said that the Selangor Government will issue immediate provisions to each constituency to buy and distribute masks to the public.

SELESA Enactment, A Selangor State Assembly Reform Agenda

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SHAH ALAM, June 21: The combination of the new Speaker and her Deputy, Hannah Yeoh and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, are optimistic that the Selangor State Assembly Service Assembly Enactment (SELESA) will be successfully realised in this second term.

Hannah said that the implementation of the Bill is among the reformation agendas which are expected to bring about change and to improve the quality of the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sessions.

“We expect when the enactment is approved, we will provide more facilities to the DNS session.

“This includes providing more assistance to Assemblymen for them to carry out research better before an issue is debated.

“This will definitely make the quality of the debate better, hence benefiting the people,” said Hannah who is also the Subang Jaya Assemblywoman.

She said this in a press conference at the Annex Building of the State Secretariat Building soon after the Oath Swearing Ceremony this morning.

Nik Nazmi, who was also present at the press conference, explained that the SELESA enactment is important to be implemented so that an independent and professional administration team under the direction of the Speaker can be created.

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The enactment will divide the government power into three parts; the executive power under the Chief Minister, the judiciary body under the power of the Federal Government and state laws, and the legislative power to be fully under the DNS.

“When the DNS is free from the influence of the executive, monitoring and reviews of the administration can be carried out comprehensively without any restrictions and excessive bureaucracy,” said Nik Nazmi.

He added that the Bill is not a new practice because before it was abolished in 1992, the Parliament also had the Parliamentary Service Act which managed daily operations and financial management of the House of Representatives with interference from the executive.

The SELESA enactment was first drafted in 2009, and is now being studied in detail by the State Government Exco line-up as well as Selangor legal advisors.