Tag: Selangor Government Policies

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.

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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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.

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.

Budget 2014, MBPJ Focuses of 5 Key Development Sectors

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PETALING JAYA, 26 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will focus on five key development sectors in the Selangor Budget 2014.

These sectors are; infrastructure, environmentally friendly environment, efficient traffic management, sustainable lifestyle and organisation empowerment.

The Mayor of Petaling Jaya, Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad said emphasis will be put on providing world class services and facilities to meet the needs of the Petaling Jaya community.

“By improving efficiency in traffic management and infrastructure, the Council is committed to improving the quality of public facilities and public transport networks to address traffic problems,” she said when chairing the full MBPJ meeting here.

In relation to that, a total of RM1 million is allocated to provide feeder bus services, and RM4.67 million to provide ‘Park n Ride’ facilities in special areas, as well as RM6.07 million to build bicycle and pedestrian paths that are comfortable and safe.

She said, cooperation and full support from all parties is needed in order to achieve this vision.

“For example, support from the Petaling District Land Office is necessary for immediate processing of TOL land acquisition for the construction of the ‘Park n Ride’ facility, so is cooperation from utility provider agencies.

“This includes Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Indah Water Konsortium and other agencies so that any construction of road excavation will not cause serious disruptions to road users,” she added.

In the meantime, MBPK is also planning the development of the city so that it would become a city which is liveable, loved and has soul.

To achieve this, development planning should be focused on creating a workable public space to create social interaction among city dwellers.

“The council wants for city dwellers to be able to work, play and live in urban areas with passion, a sense of grace and wholeheartedly,” she added.

Seven New Projects for Selangor worth RM38.22 Billion

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SHAH ALAM, 25 Oct: The Selangor economy is expected to grow through seven development projects involving a land area of 3,771.81 hectares with an estimated total value of RM38.22 billion.

The seven projects have already been approved by the National Physical Planning Council involving land owned by the government and private parties, chaired by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak during a meeting on 17 October.

The planned development projects involve mixed development in Bandar Bukit Raja, Kapar (Sime Darby), mixed development in Rawang (Kudang Properties), an 18-hole golf resort in Batang Kali (Mines Gold & City Sdn Bhd) and a mixed development in Beranang, Hulu Selangor (Riverside Hills Sdn Bhd).

In addition, other projects involve residential and commercial projects in Dengkil, Sepang (Tristar Acres Sdn Bhd), a housing project in Semenyih, Hulu Langat (UEM Land Berhad) and the redevelopment of the Rubber Research Institute Malaysia area in Sungai Buloh (Kwasa Ldn Sdn Bhd).

The Department of City and Rural Planning in the State Economic Action Council (METS) meeting yesterday confirmed that 85,415 housing units will be built through the development for 401,700 people to live in.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state government will be actively involved in the project because it provides a significant impact and will directly benefit the people.

Abdul Khalid, who chaired the weekly meeting, directed government employees and state agencies to fully cooperate with federal agencies involved in the development of the project.

Abdul Khalid said the water company will be appointed by the state government after the restructuring of the water industry is completed and will play an important role in supplying clean water efficiently as a key service to residents of the new area.

“The Selangor Government is committed to settle the restructuring of the water industry and hopes that the acquisition will be settled by the end of the year as determined by the minister.

“Our team consists of a group of professionals who are experts and experienced in the current management of water. Their first task will be to reduce the rate of non-revenue water (NRW),” he said in a statement, here, this morning.

Pakatan Budget: PWD and Senior Citizens will be given Emphasis

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KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Oct: The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Budget 2014 announced RM500 million per year to carry out development for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

Among the initiatives is to increase subsistence allowance from RM300 to RM500 per month for PWD who work but with a monthly income below RM1,200 and to provide special allocation for those with severe disabilities, up to a maximum of RM1,000 per month.

To carry that our, PR aims to register 400,000 PWD a year beginning 2014 so that the total registered will be 80% within five years’ time, to ensure this community receive the full benefits entitled to them.

PR will also continue to emphasise in increasing access for PWD to facilities, amenities, services and public transport to enforce the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 which is rights-based.

This includes ensuring that the total number of car park bays for PWD follows UN standards, which is one PWD car park bay per 50 ordinary car park bays, with the appropriate car park size and location.

In addition, PR will improve road surfaces so that non-step buses can be fully utilised by PWD.

PR outlines to strengthen benefits for seniors by increasing the total number of geriatricians from approximately 16 today to at least 1,000 by 2030.

The effort is in preparing for an aging population including healthcare and welfare which will increase by a single fold from 7% to 14% in 28 years’ time.

Pakatan Budget: MyKad Replacement of Cash for JKM Recipients to Purchase Essentials

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KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Oct: The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Alternative Budget 2014 proposed the use of the MyKad to replace the cash system by depositing directly into recipients’ accounts as payment method at designated stores.

The current Social Welfare Department (JKM) welfare distribution system should be replaced with a cashless payment system which enables qualified recipients to select payment for exactly what they need without utilising cash.

It is an effort to ensure a fairer and better targeted subsidy regime and encompassing welfare system.

The credit contained in the recipients’ MyKad is used to purchase essentials such as rice, flour, sugar and other necessary goods.

PR also suggests for the MyKad to be used to track expenditure made by recipients and it can be combined with other programmes with other ministries such as keeping kids in schools and additional tutoring for single mothers.

Over 8% of Malaysians live below the existing Poverty Line Income (PLI) that does not address the hardship of current realities where thousands of households earn less than RM1,000 a month.

The usual practice by the Social Welfare Department (JKM – Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat) is to credit cash directly into recipients’ accounts which sometimes leads to problems of consistent delays in cash transfer and the inability to properly ascertain whether the intended outcomes are met in the first place.