Tag: Selangor Government Initiatives

PR Urges Central Government to Revoke Protection of Companies Monopolising the Sugar Market

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KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Oct: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) urges the Central Government to revoke the raw sugar procurement system and the protection of companies monopolising the sugar market in this country resulting in the higher price of sugar.

Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua, said that the action to revoke would allow for the government to offer a lower sugar price for the people after opening up the market involving sugar companies in the country.

He said, with the elimination of the monopoly, the people will enjoy lower prices for sugar and sugar companies will become more efficient by not having to rely on government assistance.

“Pakatan Rakyat is of the opinion that the monopoly of sugar companies does not benefit the people at all.

“It is better to open the sugar market and let the price of sugar be determined by competition between companies and suppliers of sugar,” said Tony Pua in a press statement at the Parliament lobby.

Tony Pua said the method of importing raw sugar from companies abroad is just a trick to get a lower cost, enabling the company involved to gain handsomely.

“If sugar prices are set by the government, it should not increase their (companies) profits by so much.

“We suspect that the government is importing raw sugar to enable these companies to gain more profit,” he said.

Yesterday, Tony Pua revealed that the sugar price hike is not on the basis of subsidy cuts, rather it stems from the Central Government’s move to sign the raw sugar agreement at a high price.

In January 2012, the Minister of Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives (KPDNKK), Datuk Ismail Sabri, announced that the government has signed a three-year deal to import raw sugar at the price of USD25 per 100lbs.

As a result, the people are forced to enjoy sugar that is more expensive due to the agreement signed by the KPDNKK last year.

RM3.14 Million Allocated to Improve Traffic Flow at Jalan Othman, Petaling Jaya

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PETALING JAYA, 30 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) decided to spend RM3.14 million to demolish the roundabout at Jalan Othman and replace it with traffic lights to solve the traffic congestion faced by motorists.

Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Selatan, Hee Loy Sian said the project which will be completed within the next 10 months is expected to improve traffic flow in the area.

“Originally, this project would take eight months. However, because technical issues caused by piping and wiring in the area, we expect for the project to be completed in September (next year),” he said.

“Currently, motorists in the area would need to take an hour to pass through the roundabout.

After the project is completed, we expect motorists to save 80 percent of the time taken currently,” said Loy Sian.

Hee Loy said this during the ground breaking ceremony of the Jalan Othman Roundabout Upgrading Project, together with the Assemblyman for Bukit Gasing, Rajiv Rishyakaran.

He said, this upgrading project will benefit residents of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 18, as well as those using the road leading to Puchong, Kota Damansara and Serdang.

Loy Sian urged the public to be patient at this point while waiting for the traffic lights to be set up in the specified period.

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CM Visits SP Setia Bhd Housing Project

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim spent over half an hour visiting the latest apartment housing project using the ‘prefabricated’ method which is being developed by a leading property developer, SP Setia Berhad.

During the visit to the project site, Abdul Khalid, who was accompanied by Selangor State Excos, was given detailed descriptions regarding the housing project by the Chief Operating Officer of SP Setia, Datuk Voon Tin Yow.

The housing project, among others, is being built near the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and Jalan Meru, Klang, with house area estimated at 850 square feet each.

A total of 3,960 apartment units at the 11-storey buildings are being offered at the market price of RM220,000, and has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and other facilities such as a swimming pool.

The medium-cost apartment project commenced building over a year ago and targets families with a household income of about RM3,000 per month.

It is understood that the housing project has been fully sold to the public.

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Selangor Provides Opportunity for University Students to be ‘Representatives of the People’

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SHAH ALAM, 29 Oct: Students of institutes of higher learning (IPT) have the opportunity to experience the real proceedings at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly (DUN) as ‘representatives of the people’ through the Selangor Young Assemblyman 2013 Programme from 16 to 18 December.

The programme, which is being organised for the first time, is a state government initiative to educate the younger generation on the role and responsibility of an Assemblyman, as well as provide exposure to the political world at an early stage.

The Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker, Hannah Yeoh, said the objective of the programme is to foster the attitude of leadership and cooperation between participants as well as to produce future leaders who have calibre and are responsible.

“The Selangor Young Assemblyman Programme organised by the Speaker’s Office and the DUN Office is especially for IPT students around Selangor to provide them a chance to experience real proceedings of the council,” she said in a press statement at her office this today.

Also present was the DUN Deputy Speaker, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad; the Assemblywoman of Damansara Utama, Yeo Bee Yin; the Assemblyman for Bukit Gasing, Rajiv Rishyakaran and the Assemblyman for Gombak Setia Hasbullah Mohd Ridzwan.

Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi said the programme is open to students between 18 to 24 years from public and private institutes of higher learning, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and student associations.

“This year, only 30 students will be chosen to participate in this programme. If the response is encouraging, we plan to run this programme two times a year,” he said.

He said participants will be given the opportunity to voice their opinions and ask the government about policies, especially those impacting the younger generation, in addition to providing the opportunity to bring up suggestions to introduce new laws in Selangor.

“Participants will play the role of an Assemblyman in the council session, together with the Speaker and I, the Deputy Speaker. The programme also received the attention of state government executive councillors who are expected to take part in the session.

In relation to that, those interested in participating in the programme can apply online at www.adunmudaselangor.com before 8 November.

MPK Confiscates Illegal Adverts

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KLANG, 29 Oct: The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) confiscated 37,564 illegal adverts, including 9,064 loan shark advertisements at Berkley Roundabout and other major roads.

The Director of MPK’s Enforcement Department, Andry Arman Masrom, said the move was made under the MPK Advertising By-laws (UUK) 2007 for the offence of putting up adverts without permission from local authorities, meanwhile, the act of bringing down the adverts was done under UUK 21 (2).

He said that the illegal advertisements were mostly in the form of buntings and posters that were giant sized, which obstructed the view of the public.

“We welcome information from the public in efforts to eradicate illegal adverts such as this, which are not only against the law, but affect the health of localities.

“In addition, some of these adverts obstruct the view of road users, as they were placed without following procedures set by the council,” he said in a press statement recently.

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Andry said among the locations of placing illegal adverts are at Bukit Tinggi, Bayu Perdana, Taman Sentosa, Pekan Kapar, Meru and Port Klang.

He said MPK frequently monitors illegal adverts from time to time in effort to overcome problems of obstructing road signs.

“MPK also hopes for cooperation from local communities to immediately report to us if they see any illegal adverts in their area,” he said.

MBPJ Becomes First Local Authority to Organise World Animal Day Every Year

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SHAH ALAM, 29 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) made history when they became the first Local Authority in Malaysia to organise the World Animal Day every year since year 2009.

The fourth celebration themed ‘Pet Ownership Responsibility’ was aimed at increasing awareness of pet owners and a sense of responsibility towards pets.

In conjunction with the World Animal Day 2013, a forum entitled ‘Responsible Pet Owners’ was held here at the MBPJ Community Library Knowledge Hall recently.

The programme was inaugurated by the Assemblyman of Seri Andalas, Dr Xavier Jayakumar, and was also attended by the MBPJ Director of the Department of Environmental Health, Dr Chitradavi, the Director of the DBKL Department of Health and Environment, Dr Hayati Abdullah, and MBPJ Council Members.

At the same event, pet owners were given certificates in addition to the presentation of work papers and a question and answer session with panel members.

MBPJ also informed that the by-laws concerning licencing and dog breeding homes have been implemented to ensure that irresponsible parties will not mistreat animals.

A penalty of RM2,000 or imprisonment of less than a year, or both, will be imposed if anyone goes against the by-laws.

MBPJ also established the Canine Advisory Team (CAT) in Selangor as a sign of concern and responsibility on animal welfare.

PEKAWANIS Hands Out Deepavali Aid

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SHAH ALAM, 28 Oct: The Selangor Women’s Welfare and Charity Organisation (PEKAWANIS), consisting of wives of Assemblymen and Members of Parliament as well as Women Members of Parliament handed out aid to ease the burden of the less fortunate for the Deepavali celebration.

A total of 30 women, most of whom are single mothers, received a cash donation of RM100 and gift bags presented by the Seri Andalas Assemblyman, Dr Xavier Jayakumar at the Seri Andalas Assemblyman Community Service Office recently.

During the same ceremony, recipients also raised a number of health problems which they suffer from to Dr Xavier.

PEKAWANIS is an association devoted to welfare efforts as well as the management of a welfare home in Shah Alam from young women who are facing problems, and the association also managed a dialysis centre in Klang.

During festival celebrations, the association will contribute RM3,000 to be distributed to poor women and families in every constituency.

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The People Should Practice Cleanliness and Environmental Care

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: The people have been urged to always practice cleanliness, which is the central to the well-being of a family in creating a culture where the community is responsible towards environmental care.

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Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said effort towards cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility which should be implemented, especially in urban communities.

He said that communities should have the attitude of ensuring that their families and neighbours live in a clean and protected environment.

“The Selangor Government will continue to support all efforts and activities related to loving a green and clean environment,” said Abdul Khalid.

Abdul Khalid said that the aspect of cleanliness is to overcome political interests that need to be nurtured by all members of society, regardless of their background.

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He said this during the opening speech of the “Enhancement of IQ vs the Strengthening of Immunity” which was held here at the Setia City Convention Centre.

About 500 people attended the programme, including the Chairman of Top Glove, Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai and the Vice-President of SP Setia, Datuk Khor Chap Jen.

The programme was organised by three companies; Top Glove Corporation Berhad, SP Setia Berhad and Khind Holding Berhad, in conjunction with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the companies in preserving a greener environment.

Implement GST, More People are Burdened

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: The implementation of the GST will only increase the price of goods and the tax burden would have to be shouldered even after the abolition of the Sales and Service Tax (SST).

Serdang Member of Parliament, Dr Ong Kian Ming said that the Umno-BN Government is misleading the people by giving the impression that most of the prices of goods and the taxes paid by consumers will be reduced after the introduction of the GST.

“The truth is that the tax imposed under the SST is far less than what is taxable under the GST,” he said in a statement.

Kian Ming said among other things claimed to not be under the sales tax but will be under the GST includes many non-luxury items such as milk, tea, mineral water, canned fruit, newspaper, stationery, school bags and boxes.

He said consumers of electricity below 200kWh (any amount exceeding RM50) will also be charges the GST. The price of these items will definitely increase after the GST because the abolishing of the SST has an impact on price.

Currently, the sales tax is limited to certain restaurants and professional services such as accountants, architects, motor vehicle service and repair centres, telecommunication services, security services, real estate agents, car park operators and legal services.

“The broader coverage under the GST means that more services will be subject to the GST compared to the current service tax. This would mean that the price of services will increase.

“The truth is that the GST will increase the price of the majority of goods and services even after removing the SST, the financial burden of the people will increase,” he said.

Umno-BN Government Improvident, People Incur the GST and Reduction of Subsidies

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: The reduction of subsidies and the imposing of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not a solution to the country’s economic problems which stems from the improvident attitude in Umno-BN’s spending.

PAS Information Chief, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the implementation of the GST can only be done when the Umno-BN takes responsibility to reduce its operational management and not continue to be improvident with public money.

He said that the people are not given a period to adjust to the GST when it is announced at the high rate of 6 percent starting from 1 April 201.

“With the GST, those who do not have cars and do not have permanent jobs so as to not quality to pay taxed on every purchase,” he said in a statement.

Tuan Ibrahim said, in Singapore, the GST was introduced at a rate of 3 percent before gradually increasing to 7 percent.

“Some say that villagers will not feel the burden of the GST. It should be reminded that most of the items sold in grocery stores in villages come from suppliers in the city.

“The goods would already be subject to the GST when they arrive at the grocery store. Although small grocery stores are exempt from the GST because it does not exceed the minimum procurement, goods sold to village communities would certainly be more expensive because it would already been subject to the GST by suppliers,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua said that the government’s move to impose the GST is not able to hide their failure in controlling excessive spending since the deficit remains the same.

The additional collection in tax as specified in the Economic Report 2013/2014 should help alleviate the chronic deficit to 2.6 percent, but instead it remains unchanged at the four percent forecast.

“Although the government collects much higher that the revenues expected, the deficit for 2013 remains unchanged at RM39.3 billion.

“This means that every cent of additional revenue collected by the government is immediately spent, rather than contributing to reduce the debt,” he said.

Shah Alam to Receive Investment of RM35 Billion

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: Foreign investors to invest RM35 million in Shah Alam in the next five years in various fields, thus boosting the Selangor economy.

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Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the forecast is based on positive feedback given by investors during his visit to Singapore recently.

“Shah Alam will become the most prominent city in Malaysia as having the most potential to be developed,” he said.

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Abdul Khalid said, thus to ensure progress, efficiency of public transport needs to be improved to reduce traffic congestion.

“Any development in the future should emphasise the aspect of public transportation. It is time for use to use public transportation compared to personal transportation.

“Personal transportation has become ineffective seeing the time we spend in traffic jams,” said Abdul Khalid.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Cahaya SPK flyover bridge and the “Flag Off 5km Fun Run” here at the SPK Sahaya Club

Abdul Khalid said that the state government’s long term plans is to upgrade the public transport network.

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“At this time, the network of public transportation is less than 7 percent. We strive to improve it so that we can reach 60 percent in 10 years,” he said.

Earlier, Abdul Khalid inaugurated the 536 metre Chaya SPK Flyover which cost RM12 million to complete in early 2013 to reduce traffic in the area and to facilitate 20,000 residents.

Also present at the ceremony was the Mayor of Shah Alam, Datuk Jaafar Mohd Atan and the Executive Director of Group Cahaya SPK, Saiful Aznir Shahabudin.

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Budget 2014 Fails to Offset Maximum Limit of the National Debt Below 55 Percent

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SHAH ALAM, 26 Oct: The Budget 2014 presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak failed to offset the maximum national debt below 55 percent from the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and reduce deficit by 3 percent in 2015.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the approach taken in the Budget 2014 to increase revenue through the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the increase in the real property gains tax (RPGT) does not meet with the requirements of actual changes in ensuring efficiency of expenditure and rationalisation to reduce improvidence and leakages.

“Operating expenses for cost rationalisation will increase to 82.4 percent in 2014 from 80.2 percent this year,” said Abdul Khalid in his media statement.

Abdul Khalid said that Selangor will take advantage of the move to enrich the services sector through the Services Sector Blueprint when the Federal Government plans to launch it in 2014.

Among the sub-sectors of services to be promoted is that Selangor will be the leader in logistics, aviation, tourism and bio-based industries.

“As the gateway to Malaysia, Selangor will endure that various programmes and activities will be held to explore opportunities in Malaysia’s tourism industry by aiming to welcome 28 million tourists in 2014 in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year,” said Abdul Khalid.