Tag: News

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The state government has taken the approach to not issue a temporary occupation licence (TOL) until the use of the land is fully used by the land owner.

The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that giving the TOL without proper planning will make it difficult for the state government to use the land for other uses such as road widening and construction of drains.

He said that there have been cases where the land is abused by owners and is given to other parties for rental purposes.

“There are too many people getting the TOL, however they actually do not use the land, especially in Gombak. When we give out TOLs, it shows that the state government is already committed to hand over the land titles.

“However, most of the licenses granted is then used for rental purposes and causes this matter to not be resolved, and the revenue for the state is very little,” he said during a debate session at the Selangor State Assembly session today.

In relation to that, Abdul Khalid said that the state government will set several rules regarding the issuing of TOLs to ensure that the land titles given will no longer be abused by 2014.

At the same time, he also informed that the state government will help the local authorities across Selangor to fund the clean-up of trash in villages.

“This is because most of the residents in rural areas sometimes do not pay local authorities to collect trash. We have to sit down together and see how the payments for the clean-up can be done,” he said.

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The state government will not approve settlements to be placed at areas of the river reserve to avoid flood problems which is capable of socially impacting residents.

The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that the state government has also taken moves to evacuate people living on river reserve areas in stages.

He said that the residents will only be moved if new placements are established to avoid any other problems from arising.

“This is one of the results of problem analysis and how to resolve it performed by the state government in settlements facing flood problems.

“We must not allow settlements to be made on areas where rainfall is higher from housings because the risks are high,” he said.

He was responding to questions regarding to development planning implemented by the state government in determining a settlement or a residential area at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session today.

Abdul Khalid (PKR-Port Klang) said that the state government is also closely monitoring the developments being carried out so that they are in line with the structure plan concept agreed upon.

“Problems will arise when construction is done without following the structural plan, if construction is carried out prior to the plan or if development is done without approval. All problematic developments, or those not according to plan, are in the process of recovery,” he said.

Abdul Khalid said that he also hopes that Local Authorities will work together with the State Planning Unit (UPEN), as well as the Land and District Office, to find the best solution to overcome the impact of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) involving the existing structural plans.

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The failure of the Selangor Water Supply Company (SYABAS) to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) to 20 percent as stipulated in the concession agreement is considered a ‘sin’ to the people of Selangor.

The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that SYABAS’ failure is not due to lack of provisions, but because of the concessionaire’s weakness in planning and implementing the NRW reduction programme effectively.

He said that only 3,900 million litres per day (MLD) of water reaches consumers compared to the actual capacity of 4,832 MLD by the 32 water treatment plants.

“This failure has resulted in our lack of treated water and the state government is of the opinion that SYABAS and its parent company, Puncak Niaga, are not capable in terms of management and capital strength to resolve the matter.

“There is more that 30 percent of NRW leakages, while in the agreement signed between the state government and SYABAS in 2011, the concessionaire promised to bring it down to 19.98 or 20 percent.

“However, what is happening now is that the NRW is no longer at 30 percent, but has increased to 33 percent,” he said during the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) today.

Abdul Khalid said that water management is important because it is the right of all citizens, regardless of rank or political affiliation, since water is a necessity in daily living. In fact, SYABAS promised to bring down the NRW through provisions of RM784 million given by the state government, and the receipt of additional funding of over RM1 billion to implement the matter.

He said that SYABAS also ‘large cables’ to receive loans amounting to RM00 million interest-free for five years from the federal government.

“I would like to say that Selangor is facing a problem when the privatisation of water cannot be managed in the way promised in the privatisation of water agreement by SYABAS. Now, the state government’s duty is to solve the problem of water structuring and I will take the people of Selangor to Now, the task of restructuring the state is to solve the problem of water and I’m going to take the people of Selangor to fight one does not allow us control of their assets, “he said.

Meanwhile, when commenting on the freezing of SYABAS’s capital expenditure (CAPEX) which should have been used to replace 8,000 kilometres of water pipes, Abdul Khalid said that the move was decided after finding that the water concessionaire is unable to implement it.

He said that the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) is ready to call all council members from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Barisan Nasional (BN) to explain the matter.

“This matter has been discussed since 2006 and is admitted by the central government that SYABAS does not have the ability to do so. UPEN is ready to call all council members to explain this matter,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Nov: The Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, rejected Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin’s (PKR-Bukit Katil) motion to scrutinise the spying of three countries on Malaysia, in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The urgent motion, tabled under the Standing Order 18(1) was to condemn the actions by the United States (US), Singapore and Australia for allegedly working together to intercept Malaysia’s radio, telecommunication and internet information to spy on the nation’s leadership, was rejected on grounds that it does not need to be discussed immediately.

Shamsul said that Australian newspapers, Der Spiegel and the Sydney Morning Herald, reported that intelligence collection was being conducted on Malaysia by the US and Australian embassies, as disclosed by the former US security contractor, Edward Snowden.

“Netherlands media, the NRC Handelsblad, revealed that Singapore was also helping provide access to communication and was a key partner in the ‘5-Eves’ intelligence group led by the US for the purpose of recording phone conversations and to monitor the communications network in Kuala Lumpur.

“Meanwhile, Fairfax (Australia) revealed that Singapore is a friend to the Australian electronic intelligence agency, the “Defence Signals Directorate” to bypass the SEA-ME-WE 3 cables; the longest telecommunications cables in the world managed by Singtel, a telecommunications company owned by the Singapore government.

“The activities of espionage and spying on each of the country’s leadership certainly violates Malaysia’s sovereignty and independence, not to mention that we recognise the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the US, Australia, as well as Singapore, is based on trust,” he said quoted from Malaysiakini.

He said that Malaysia should emulate Brazil, Germany and Indonesia, which expressed their objections by demanding an apology and recalling their ambassadors from Australia.

“The failure of the government, especially the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) in issuing a strong stand will result in such rude acts to continue,” he said.

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The state government, through the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has managed to build 1,422 housing units for the housing redevelopment at Bukit Botak after the project was failed to be completed by the previous developer.

The Executive Councillor in charge of Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement in Selangor, Iskandar Abdul Samad, said that 1,178 names of participants have been received by the Gombak Land Office for the offer of houses in Bukit Botak since 31 October.

“All participants have been contacted and from the total, 1,156 participants have been offered one housing unit each. The remaining 22 participants will receive offers in the near future,” he said.

Iskandar said this when replying to a question by Zaidy Abdul Talib (PAS-Templer Park) regarding the development of low-cost houses in Bukit Botak, which were previously abandoned, during the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session today.

Meanwhile, 11,085 participants have been recorded and 1,447 applicants were awarded affordable housing since 2012 till 1 November this year.

“For low-cost housing, the composition of Malays is 9,013 people; Chinese, 1,100 people; Indians, 862 people and others, 110 people. Meanwhile, for affordable housing, the composition of Malays are 745 people; Chinese, 326 people; Indians, 375 and others, 1,” he said when replying to a question from Ng Suee Lim (DAP-Sekinchan) regarding the number of successful applicants who received offers for low-cost housing in Selangor.

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The state government is still conducting a detailed study in the suitability of incinerator technology for disposal of solid waste in Selangor.

The Executive Councillor in charge of Local Government, Studies and Research, Datuk Teng Chang Khim, said that several things need to be considered, among them being the type of technology to be adopted, the financial module, long term effects of the system, social impacts and environmental impacts.

“In this case, the state government places great emphasis on the importance of the public before making final decisions on the use of better technology from the sanitary landfill system used prior to this,” he said.

He was responding to a question by Dr Abdul Rani Osman (PAS-Meru) regarding the state government’s stand regarding the incinerator system in Selangor during the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session today.

Teng said that the state government has also undertaken a number of studies comparing three solid waste disposal systems; recycling, sanitary landfills and incineration.

He said that sanitary disposal of solid waste is the lowest cost method in terms of construction and operation, however invites the problem of pollution. Meanwhile, the recycling method does not treat solid waste as a whole because it is only a support system.

“The incinerator system, on the other hand, can treat solid waste by 90 percent and is able to treat toxic gases as a result of burning.

He said that the state government is always serious in ensuring a reduced waste disposal and to create a clean and green environment.

“Various programmes have been implemented including the “Recycling Campaign”, the ‘3R’ programme (reuse, reduce, recycle) and the “No Plastic Bag Day” every Friday for government buildings and every Saturday for all supermarkets in Selangor,” he said.

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: So far, the state government has managed to channel accumulated allocations amounting to RM30 million through the Natural Disaster Fund (TABA).

The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that the amount is part of the RM50 million capital injected to be channelled in stages over five years, starting from 2011 to 2015.

He said that the allocation provided is invested in investment instruments to increase income for the aim of consumption for natural disasters in the future.

“TABA can be used to help the state government cover expenses in the event of natural disasters by using profits and surplus generated from the initial fund injected into the fund.

“The total funds raised for this fund before auditing is RM30.21 million as of 30 September,” he said.

He said this in response to questions from Amirudin Shari (PKR-Batu Caves) on the current status of TABA, which was first launched in July 2011.

Abdul Khalid (PKR-Port Klang) said that the state government is also handling the Selangor State Special Disaster Fund in addition to TABA.

“This fund is aimed at providing financial aid to ease the burden of victims of natural disasters, providing food and drinks to victims and staff involved during a disaster.

“It is also to provide rescue assistance in relation to disasters, as well as other expenses set by the District Disaster Relief Management Committee (JPBBD),” he said.

He said that the state government created a separate fund under the development provisions to provide assistance in the event of flash floods.

“Flash floods occur frequently and are often caused by overflow of excess rainfall in areas affected which have no room for a working water cycle because of humans themselves. Flash floods occur within a certain period involving small losses and can be overcome,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Nov: The Member of Parliament for Pokok Sena, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, asked the Ministry of Defence to explain the status of the Tebrau and Plentong military camps in Johor.

Mahfuz also questioned whether the two camps were mortgaged to the Malaysian Buildings Society Sdn Bhd (MBSB) for RM465 million; where the original project worth RM256 million was not completed in the stipulated time.

He said that the project started in 2002, however the 2012 audit report revealed that the development of the project under KCSB Konsortium Sdn Bhd was only 18 percent completed.

“According to the audit report, the government must immediately end this company. Has it been terminated because the camp ground has been mortgaged? What happened is a real betrayal and treason to the country.

“We talk about the upholding the welfare of troops, however they were betrayed,” he said quoted from Harakah Daily when debating on the Bill f Supply under the Ministry of Defence at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Mahfuz said that KCSB would profit easily even though the project given has yet to completed.

“I am asking for an explanation on how the contractor was selected. This is not a durian hut which can be mortgaged on a whim, but it is the living quarters of soldiers, their children and their families, where their welfare should be taken care of,” he said.

SHAH ALAM, 25 Nov: Muslims in Selangor are reminded to not make working on Friday an excuse of difficulty in fulfilling the obligation of Friday Prayers.

The Selangor Deputy Mufti, Datuk Abdul Majid Omar, said that instead, this issue relies on the respective individuals in performing the duty.

“We cannot say that working on Friday makes it difficult to perform the Friday Prayers.

“Even if an off day is given, there are still some who do not go for the Friday Prayers and stay home because they do not want to go.

“It is according to each individual. There is enough room for the Friday Prayers and offices also let people off from 12.15, and some even from 12.30pm to 2.30pm,” Abdul Majid said when contacted by Selangor Kini today.

Abdul Majid said that he also performed enforcement on those who do not go for Friday Prayers, including employers who do not let their workers off from time to time.

In Selangor, there are over 300 mosques and suraus that can be used to perform the Friday Prayers, including economic centres, offices and placements.

The atmosphere and facilities provide comfort to Muslims to go to mosques, especially to perform the Friday Prayers.

SHAH ALAM, 25 Nov: Selangor estimates that 15,251 affordable housing units, involving 38 projects, can still be offered to buyers by 2021.

The Executive Councillor for Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement, Iskandar Abdul Samad, said that the offer will only be open to buyers after the projects receive advertisement permits from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).

He said that the three affordable housing projects involve 1,682 units built by the state government and private developers, while three other projects involving 469 units are under construction.

“The Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) have offered the purchase of the three completed affordable housing projects at Bukit Botak (Selayang), Section 3 Bandar Baru Bangi and Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang, to 1,682 qualified buyers.

“The percentage of completed affordable housing offers is also at 100 percent. However, the state government still has 15,251 affordable housing units that can be offered till 2021,” he said.

He said this in response to a verbal question from Hasbullah Mohd Ridzwan (PAS-Gombak Setia) regarding the status of affordable housing at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session today.

The affordable housing in Bukit Botak has an area of 850 till 2,200 square feet, and offered at the lowest selling price of RM99,000 per unit. Meanwhile, in Section 3 Bandar Baru Bangu, the units are between 700 to 800 square feet and sold at RM60,000 till RM90,000 per unit.

SHAH ALAM, 25 Nov: The state government is considering establishing a People’s Dialysis Centre (PDR) in every State Legislative Assembly (DUN) to meet the needs of the people.

The Executive Councillor for Health, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Daroyah Alwi, said that there will be cooperation between several entities, including the private sector, to fulfill that desire.

She said that the state government is also planning to hold a meeting with the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, to discuss and seek cooperation in realising this aspiration.

“Cooperation from the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, is important because valid licences are needed before a PDR can operate.

“At this point, the state government has established four PDRs in Ampang, Taman Medan, Sementa and Lembah Keramat, while another at Jalan Kebun is waiting for approval from the ministry.

“33 dialysis machines are being used and 91 patients are receiving treatment at all existing PDRs,” she said.

Daroyah (PKR-Sementa) said this in response to a verbal question from Razaly Hassan (PAS-Dusun Tua) regarding efforts taken to achieve the planning for the people’s dialysis treatment centres in all districts in Selangor.

Daroyah said that the state government also intends to provide relief of cost from patients with kidney problems at hemodialysis centres in addition to PDRs because many DUNs still do not their own dialysis centre.

She said that PDRs are able to provide the best service, especially to those who are less fortunate, at no charge until now.

“The services provided are regardless of gender, race, religion, political affiliations or the individual’s position in the society.

“Every citizen of Selangor is entitled to get the best and that is the government’s aspiration and it will be supported for the benefit of people from all walks of life,” she said.

SHAH ALAM, 25 Nov: The Klang River conservation and development project will be fully funded by private companies through the Public/Private Partnership (PPP).

The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, said that so far, the three companies that have been shortlisted are TSS-MAKO Engineering Sdn Bhd, Wessex Water Sdn Bhd/I Berhad Consortium and GJA Engineering & Construction Sdn Bhd.

Abdul Khalid said that the company should submit a property development proposal by considering the state government as a return from the project.

“This project will be fully funded by private companies appointed to defray the cost of conservation and river cleaning. In return, they will advance property development adequately,” he said.

Abdul Khalid (PKR-Port Klang) said this in response to a question by Dr Yaakob Sapari (PKR-Kota Anggerik) at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) today.

He said that the state government is studying the possibility of the conservation and cleaning of the Klang River, which will focus on three key areas which are; conservation and development of raw water channelling, flash flood control and river redevelopment.

In relation to that, Abdul Khalid said that the State Government Council Members (MMKN) will decide to appoint Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB) to manage the companies involved in this project.

“The Exco agreed to appoint KDEB as the company which will call anyone interested to participate in this programme. Many are interested but I worry it is only to get this project, but have no financial power to implement it. Therefore, it will take time and opportunity to implement this very large project,” he said.

At the same time, Abdul Khalid said that the state government is gazetting the Klang riverfront and each development must receive approval to focus on efforts to conserve the river.

“We have given notice and it will be taken by the government. In addition, a compensation will be given if we need this land,” he said when answering a supplementary question from Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku).