Tag: News

CM: Use State Reserves to Build Third Bridge in Klang

KLANG, 11 Nov: The State Government will proceed with the construction of a third bridge to overcome congestion in Klang if the Federal Government failes to do so next year, said Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

According to Abdul Khalid, the State Government will use the Selangor-owned reserves to implement the project which had been promised by the Umno-BN Government previously.

He said, during the reign of the former Umno-BN Government, they promise the people of Klang to build the bridge, they had even placed the foundation for the bridge construction.

However, he added, it now is just seen as an empty talk.

“The people of Selangor are the largest contributor to Malaysia. Therefore, next year we will be holding a variety of programs for people in this state. The people of Selangor is the largest contributor to the national economy, now is time to return the yields to the people.”

“Next year, if the third bridge is still not built in Klang, we will build it using state reserves. That way we can implement equitable development in Selangor,” he said while attending the Deepavali Celebrations at Jalan Tengku Kelana, this evening.

Before this, the Central Government had promised a third bridge in Klang worth RM230 million to benefit the community in the area.

The construction of the bridge which began in 2007, has however, still yet to be completed till now by the appointed contractor who is taking his time.

SPAD Fails Main Responsibilities regarding ‘Arab Touts’

SHAH ALAM, 11 NOV: The Metered Taxi Drivers Action Group (BBPTB) expressed the regret to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) which has been accused of washing their hands off the issue of curbing the ‘Arab touts’ that are becoming common in the capital.

Chairman, Amran Jan in a press statement said, BBPTB supports the Association of Bestari Taxi Driver’s action in fight against the increasing problem of ‘Arab touts’ that are stealing the livelihood of taxi drivers here.

But what is most regrettable, he said, that the association had acted alone, only assisted by the police, without any follow-up action from the SPAD.

“The SPAD should take more responsibility regarding this case instead of just taking the report lightly without any follow-up action. Such stance clearly shows that the chairman (Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar) is really not interested in addressing the problem or should we say the crisis that has troubled the taxi drivers for decades.”

“It also indirectly confirming the BBPTB insistence for Syed Hamid Albar to resign as Chairman of the SPAD, well founded,” he said.

He added that now the primary focus of the SPAD is being directed more towards the Mass Rail Transit (MRT) mega projects.

He added that the SPAD has been unable to solve existing problems in the taxi service industry in this country.

“This is in addition to the dilemma faced by lorry drivers who have already started to go on strike, like in Malacca recently. This is a fact that the SPAD has to face. It’s sad to say that perhaps Syed Hamid Albar has chosen the wrong ‘retirement plan’, “he insisted.

MB: Muslim Entrepreneurs Should Be More Brave

KLANG, NOV 10: Selangor Chief Minister (Menteri Besar) Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim advised Muslim halal industry entrepreneurs to be more daring in exploring other areas of production that has a high demand other than food.

Other areas for example would be production of ingredients, cosmetics and pharmasuitacals.

He said, based on the statistical count of Halal Certificate applications, non-Muslim companies go into these fields and non-Malay entrepreneurs are monopolising the food and beverage production as well as the slaughter houses in the country.

“We must learn to be Muslims who are more advanced in these areas in order to accommodate local demand,” he said when at the Halal Festival opening ceremony at Masjid As Sharif, here.

In relation to that, he asks Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) to come up with measures to help entrepreneurs develop the industry.

“I also hope this program will be continued and spread in other mosques around the country,” he said.

Up till 2011, as many as 4,787 halal certificates have been issued to factories, premises and slaughter houses in the country.

A total of 701 companies have been approved Halal certification to export production overseas.

At the Halal Festival at As Sharif mosque that went on for three days, a total of 30 outlets exhibited food, drink and clothing.

The festival that was organised by JAIS was the extension of the Halal carnival in the Selangor State last year.


Tee Yong Not Qualified to Challenge Bandar Tun Razak Seat

KUALA LUMPUR, NOV 9: Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry 2, Datuk Chua Tee Yong is not qualified to challenge the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat because he is said to have a track record far minuscule compared to Abdul Khalid’s excellent accomplishment as Minister of Selangor.

Tee Yong has also failed in ensuring that the ministry under him has successfully collected debts of RM250 million from the Wanita Umno chief Datuk Sharizat Jalil’s family controlled company National Feedlot Corporation (NFC), that was supposed to commence payments last January.

On the other hand, Abdul Khalid does not only have an excellent track record over the past four years in leading the Pakatan Rakyat’s Government in Selangor, but he had even managed to collect every sen of the RM392 million debt from Talam Corporation left by the previous BN government.

The following was said by the Petaling Jaya Utara MP, Tony Phua at the People’s Freedom Tour program held at Flat Sri Labuan, Cheras last night.

“He says we did not successfully collect the debt from Talam Corporation, however (independent auditor) KPMG confirmed that we have successfully collected it, but for this cattle project, the government had prioritised in issuing the loan amounting to RM250 million to the family of Datuk Sharizat Abdul Jalil, and until today the Federal Government has yet to collect a single sen from the NFC.

“I would like to ask the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Datuk Chua Tee Yong from MCA, who is competing for Bandar Tun Razak, can they guarantee that they will be able collect every sen from the RM250 million of the public’s money given to the family of Datuk Sharizat Jalil to buy luxury condos in Bangsar, Singapore, Kazakhstan and other places we are not aware of.”

“They have no right to contest in Bandar Tun Razak because they are not equal to the success, achievement and transparency of Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who will be competing in Bandar Tun Razak,” said Tony Phua.

Phua also reminded voters of Bandar Tun Razak regarding Abdul Khalid action in blocking the increase in water tariffs twice; 35 percent in 2009 and 25 percent in 2012, because he did not want to burden the people.

Additionally Abdul Khalid also managed to save RM100 million of public funds each year when he made the decision to terminate the Alam Flora’s contract and replace them with a new contractor through open tender.

The People’s Freedom Tour which was held in rainy conditions received more than 2,500 people from Bandar Tun Razak.

Aside from Tony Phua, the program also featured PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Abdul Khalid and Pokok Sena MP, Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

State Government Distributes Deepavali Hampers to Poor Families

SHAH ALAM, Nov 10: The state government will be providing 39,000 food hampers to be distributed to the 56 State Legislative Assembly (DUN) across Selangor in conjunction with Deepavali celebrations this.

Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Exco, Dr Xavier Jayakumar said almost all the items will be donated to the low-income Indian community.

He said each constituency (DUN) would receive between 500 to 700 hampers depending on the population of the DUN.

“Amongst the contents of the hamper is five kilograms of rice, two kilograms of cooking oil, meehun, maruku flour and packets of chicken curry powder, goat curry powder and Kurma powder,” he said in a press statement here today.

According to him, the distribution will be carried out by officers and personnel of the Section Sectoral and Macro Unit, and the Privatisation Unit of the State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) of Selangor.

“The State Legislative Assembly and Service Centre will distribute all hampers to residents within their area when the hampers are received.”

More Tadika Rakyat, Proposed State Government

PETALING JAYA, NOV 10: The State Government has proposed to build three more Tadika Rakyats in Serendah, Kampar and Dengkil to facilitate children from low income families to receive preschool education.

The constructions of these kindergartens are the continuation of the two existing kindergartens in Taman Sentosa, Klang and Kampung Lindungan in Petaling Jaya.

Hence, Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Exco, Dr. Xavier Jayakumar, welcomed parents who cannot afford preschool education to send their children to these kindergartens.

“This kindergarten is open to all races. Therefore, people in this area, do not miss the chance to register your children.”

“In addition to the low fees, children will also be exposed to early childhood education,” he added.

He said, pre-school education is the first step to prepare children before the commencement of
statutory education.

“Based on research, there are still 30 percent of children who are not enrolled in any preschool because they cannot afford the monthly fee.”

As a result, many children are left behind in terms of education like not knowing how to write, count or read.

This causes them to fall behind their peers when they eventually enter primary school and this causes serious problems in the long term.

“Lack of exposure to education in the early stages is among the factors that contribute to social problems,” he said during the Tadika Rakyat Kampung Lindungan launching ceremony here, early this morning.

The Tadika Rakyat at Kampung Lindungan is the second branch that has been built by the State Government along with the non-governmental organization (NGO), Child Information, Learning and Development Centre (Child).

The kindergarten is reserved for families earning below RM 1,500.

In addition to providing comfortable learning, students are only charged as low as RM 20 per month.

The kindergarten costing about RM 460,000 has been equipped with eight classes and is able to accommodate about 20 students per class.

The State Government has provided RM 50,000 for each of the kindergartens.

Also present was Local Government, Research and Development Exco, Ronnie Liu, Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Taman Medan assemblyman, Haniza Talha, Kelana Jaya MP, Gwo Burne Loh and Deputy Mayor of Petaling Jaya, Puasa Md Taib.

500 Gather in Protest Against AES

MANJUNG, 9 NOV: “AES Protest” urged Transportation Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha to cancel commencement of the Automatic Enforcement System (AES) within a week.

Joint Coordinator, AES Protest, Saifullah Zulkifli stressed that any efforts to combat the issue of accidents are welcomed.

Nevertheless, AES implementation is suspicious and a burden to the people.
“Protest AES gives a duration of a week to Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha to cancel implementations of the AES and to respond to the protests.”

“If the reverse happens, another gathering of ‘AES Protest’ with leaders of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will be held at parliament,” she said in a press statement.

She said this after the People’s Gathering in Protest of AES that was attended by 500 supporters in Setiawan, Perak today.

The first gathered at Masjid An-Nasyirah, Sitiawan after Friday evening prayers and later moved towards the Cho Ha’s office who is the Lumut Member of Parliament.

A memorandum of protest against AES has proposed four reasons for the system’s rejection.

The four factors stated in the memorandum are the background of the two companies chosen and the suspicious deal of privatization.

The memorandum also states that accidents are not only caused by speed and that the implementation of AES will only add to the people’s burdens.

“Protest AES state their regret at the cowardly attitude of Lumut Member of Parliament, Datok Seri Kong Cho Ha in not facing the people directly and only sending an office clerk to accept the memorandum,” he added.

The gathering was attended by Pakatan Rakyar, NGOs and social leaders.

Amongst the leaders present who gave speeches were representatives of PKR Perak, Chang Lih Kang, Dr Raja Ahmad Iskandar who represented PAS Youth Assembly of Perak, Siti Aisyah Sheik Ismail as representative of PKR and few other NGO leaders.


5th December Assembly at Putrajaya for MyKad, Birth Certificate Issue

SHAH ALAM, 9 NOV: An assembly organised by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will be held in the compound of the National Registration Department (JPN) headquarters in Putrajaya, 5th December next year if the government does not solve the case of missing MyKads and birth certificates involving the Indian community in this country soon.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President N. Surendran said there are almost 300,000 reported cases of the missing documents among the community so far.

“We will allow a period for the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the government to solve this matter as soon as possible or we will go through with this large assembly,” he said when contacted by TV Selangor here today.

He said many Indian communities are denied the ownership of MyKads and birth certificates even though they were born in this country and are citizens.

Following that, he added that the community had to face many problems, such as children not being able to participate in the school environment.

“In one case, 10-year-old S. Logeswaran’s mother has a MyKad, but her father does not even though he is born in this country. As a result the government refused to issue Logeswaran a birth certificate.

“Logeswaran was not able to participate in the school environment. In three years she has only attended school for three weeks when she was forced to stop,” he said, convinced that there are still many cases like this involving other children who are denied the right to education.

Surendran said his party demands that the UMNO-BN-led government solves the matter immediately or they will face the people’s resurgence.

“Today, we are announcing that PKR, together with other PR allies, will have a large assembly at JPN Putrajaya next December. We will not leave until we receive a clear answer from the authorities at JPN,” he further added.

National Zoo Vist Organised by Sungai Pinang State Assembly Cultivates Interest in Nature

AMPANG, 9 NOV: Cheer was evident on the faces of the Standard 3 students of SRJK Pin Hwa when they were taken to visit the National Zoo.

The school’s first excursion under the ‘Ranger Kancil Zoo Negara Tour’ program organised by the Sungai Pinang State Assembly Office had provided exposure and cultivated the students’ interest in nature.

According to their Mandarin (language) teacher, Loo Boon Pei, there were those amongst the students that were visiting the National Zoo for the first time.

Physical Education and Science teacher, Shawn Khor Joo Huat was of the opinion that activities such as this have the capability to further expand students’ minds so as to be more actively involved in the learning process.

“A worthwhile program. I can see the students so excited and happy during the visit.”

“Services provided by the zookeeper were also good. They explain about what is available students were able to actively participate.”

“For the students, this is something worthwhile and meaningful. They do not just leisurely walk around, but they get to learn new things, “he said.

190 students attended this third program.

Previously, this program was organized by the State Assembly (DUN) office for SJKC Pin Hwa and SJKC Kong Hoe.
Overall, a total of 525 students and 56 teachers from DUN Sungai Pinang have benefited from this program.

The DUN has allocated nearly RM 29,000 for the three visits to the National Zoo; this includes the cost of the bus rental and food.

According to the Sungai Pinang assemblyman Datuk Teng Chang Kim, this program gives students the opportunity experience first-hand what is available National Zoo.

“This program is one way to help schools fill in the gaps in the education curriculum.”

“We have seen a positive reaction from students’ that are excited when they are brought here”.

“There are probably busy parents, so we are of the opinion that this program is beneficial to them,” he said when met at the foyer of the ‘Show Amphitheatre’, at the National Zoo”.

Teng, who is also the Speaker of the State House, said that he would recommend that this program be part of the Selangor state education program.

Meanwhile, the Department Head of Education at the National Zoo, Junaidi Omar said he welcomes this kind of interactive programs with schools.

“We provide message and education. This is a platform to communicate with the concept of recreation and education”, he said.

Selangor Government Denies Developing Selangor Foundation Land.

Klang, 09 NOV: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid deniesd charges of former Selangor Foundation alumni regarding a plot of land belonging to the said Foundation in Klang which is to be developed as a Chinese Cultural Centre.

According to him, the State government has yet to decide on any plans regarding the development of the said land.

Also, it is clear that the 7.49 hectares of land officially belongs to the State government.

He explained that previously, the land had been given to a private company in 2002 by the Umno-BN government at the time.

Since the company failed to develop the land, the Selangor government nullified the deal and reclaimed the land.

Abdul Khalid also denied permission had been given to develop the land into a Chinese Cultural Centre.

“The company empowered by the Selangor Foundation failed to develop the land privately.”

“Additionally, five to six people including individuals from Umno has written letters to me requesting to develop the land,” he explained in a press conference following the opening of the Halal Fest at Masjid As Syariff, here.

Obviously, the deal was nullified due to its one-sided nature.

“It is stated in the deal that the Selangor Foundation had transferred its powers to the company.”

“We will develop the land except that we have no plans at the moment,” he said.

One newspaper reported that the Children of Selangor Foundation Acting Members Chairman, Badrulzaman claimed that the said land belongs to the Foundation and will be developed as a Chinese Cultural Centre.

They also claimed that permission had been given in a rushed manner to back up the Selangor Foundation.

AES Cameras in Selangor Not Legal, PAS Will Help Those Summoned

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 NOV: Selangor road users who have been summoned by the Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras in Puchong and Kajang can request help from PAS to resolve the summons.

This followed the government of Selangor’s decision which does not approve of the installation of AES cameras in Selangor because they doubted the intentions of the system’s implementation which has been accused of benefiting certain companies instead of reducing accident rates.

Selangor’s Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the two AES cameras installed in Puchong and Kajang were not legal because they had not been approved by the Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT).

“So, because of that, erecting the structure is not legal and if you are summoned in the state of Selangor, you can go to PAS to be brought to court,” said Abdul Khalid to the audience at the Jalajah Merdeka Rakyat talk at Flat Sri Labuan, Cheras last night.

Abdul Khalid said the Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Negeri Selangor (MTES) decided yesterday to delay the implementation of Automatic Cameras (AES) in Selangor until the government of Selangor are satisfied with the way it is implemented.

“The second issue that I have informed the Jabatan Pengangkutan about is that privatisations do not help the people.

“Privatisations are not for reducing accidents, but as a way to get payment and enrich people who gain concessions from said privatisations. We must stop this,” he urged.

According to Abdul Khalid, the concessionaire of the AES project will receive a large profit of at least 17 percent a year.

Meanwhile, Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mehfuz Omar also said the Jabatan Undang-Undang dan Hak Asasi Manusia (JUHAM) and PAS Youth will prepare free legal services to anyone who has been summoned by AES cameras.

According to him, PAS will open counters for any victims of AES to receive free legal advice on the 21st of November at the PAS headquarters at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.

“If you do not want to pay the compound but want to bring it to court, our lawyers will provide free service,” said Mahfuz.

Mahfuz also said the two concessionaires which manage the AES will earn as much as RM 384 million a year, outright allowing them to profit as early as their second year of operation.

Aside from Abdul Khalid and Mahfuz, last night’s Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat talk program also featured PKR’s parliamentary leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Khalid Ibrahim Will Defend Bandar Tun Razak

KUALA LUMPUR, 09 NOV: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim will return as a candidate for the Bandar Tun Razak Parliamentary seat in the upcoming 13th General Election (GE-13).

While announcing Abdul Khalid’s candidacy, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim encourages voters of Bandar Tun Razak to give their full support to Abdul Khalid, also the Chief Minister of Selangor.

Anwar also reflected how Abdul Khalid will also be given a big role at the federal level should Pakatan Rakyat conquer Putrajaya in the upcoming elections.

“This Tan Sri Khalid, as Chief Minister he has a big role, at Federal Government he also has a huge role, taking care of the nation’s economy,” said Anwar in the “Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat” talks at the Sri Labuan flats in Cheras last night.

In the GE-12, four years ago, Abdul Khalid defeated Datuk Tan Chai Ho from Umno-BN with the majority votes of 2,515, winning the Bandar Tun Razak chair.

Along with being Member of Parliament (MP) for Bandar Tun Razak, Abdul Khalid is also State Assemblyman of Ijok, Selangor.

The “Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat” program that was held last night received an encouraging reception when approximately 2, 500 people flooded the location despite the rain and mud.

Besides Anwar, also delivering a speech in last night’s program was Abdul Khalid, North Petaling Jaya’s MP, Tony Phua and Pokok Sena MP, Datuk Mahfuz Omar.