Tag: Selangor Government

Selangor Willing to Help Recipients of AES Summons

SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: The Selangor State Government is willing to help road users who have been given summons by the Automated Enforcement System (AES) which have been placed around Selangor.

However, the reciepients of the summons have to first refer to the legislative counters which will be opened at the PAS Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The statement was made by the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim when asked by journalists regarding the State Government’s actions to help AES summon reciepients.

“Should the people need help, the State Government is willing to assist however this must be done in accordance to legal procedures,” he said.

Selangor has decided to postpone the AES implementation because they are not certain that it will lower accident rates.

On the contrary, the State Government is of the opinion that the Federal Government is installing AES to benefit the company that received the contract to install the system.

Prior to this, Pokok Sena MP, Datuk Mahfuz Omar had said that the Department of Law and Human Rights (JUHAM) as well as PAS Youth have set up free legal aid for anyone who have gotten summons from the AES camera.

Abdul Khalid has also previously said that the two AES cameras installed in Puchong and Kajang are illegal because they did not get approval from the Local Authorities (PBT).

According to him, the concession companies for the AES project would reap tremendous profit, approximately 17 percent per annum, from the total collected from summons.

State Government to Inspect Batu Caves Condo Project Planning Permission before Making a Decision

SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: Decisions regarding the condominium project in front of Batu Caves will be made after thorough inspection to prevent any negative effects to the rakyat and the Selangor Government.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that this approach is different from the Umno-BN Federal Government that is now promising to cancel the project although it was approved by the previous Umno-BN Selangor government.

He said that every project cancellation has to be done professionally, transparently and responsibly by following procedures to avoid negative consequences to the state.

It is being understood that should the project be cancelled without following procedures, the State Government will have to compensate the project developer, Dolomite Park Avenue.

“We are committed in fixing any carelessness and mistakes which had been made by the Umno-BN government before this.”

“However, this has to be done in order and in accordance with policies of the state government which is fair and just,” he said in a press conference after chairing the Exco meeting here, today.

Recently, the English language newspaper, The Sun, had exposed the approval of the 29 storey condominium project by the Selayang Municipal Council during the Umno-BN governance in 2007.

At the Batu Caves Deepavali celebrations last night, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had declared that Umno-BN will cancel the project should they return to govern Selangor.

In Abdul Khalid’s reply to Najib’s announcement, he said that the Umno president was not professional and that it was a cheap publicity stunt.

“Najib’s actions may bring about negative outcomes to the integrity and respectable administration because any cancellation to the project should be done according to procedure,” he added.

Simultaneously, Abdul Khalid has announced the appointment of Datuk N. Sadasivan as chairman of the Independent Taskforce to study the aforementioned project’s approval.

Abdul Khalid said that Sadasivan, who was the former Head of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) will be assisted by a group of professionals to work freely in the taskforce.

“Among taskforce’s scope of duties is to re-investigate all development projects which have been planned and carried out at Batu Caves taking several aspects into consideration such as, the people’s welfare, the Hindu community’s priorities and the law,” he continued.

Anwar: Rising Support for PR from the Indian Community

PETALING JAYA, 13 Nov: Policies introduced by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states, particularly Selangor can be seen to successfully increase support from the Indian Community for the coalition in the approaching 13th General Elections.

This is according to PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when asked about Indian support for PR at the PKR headquarters here.

He said the response from the Indian community regarding the programmes and schemes organized by the Selangor State Government for example, has drawn the attention of those who have been often ignored previously during the Umno-BN state government.

“Selangor under the PR’s leadership has been working to look after the Indian community in this state by providing a variety of assistance programmes including educational assistance amounting to RM4 million in all National-type Tamil Schools (SJKT).”

“PR is also trying to obtain identification cards for some of the Indians living in rural areas for decades but still have not been given citizenship,” said the Selangor State Economic Advisor.

Previously, Anwar had promised that PR would not abandon all races, including Indians if successful in taking over the Federal Government after the next General Election.

Anwar’s announced this during a visit to the Deepavali festival organized by the State Government in Jalan Kelana, Klang, which is also known as ‘Little India’ last Saturday.

He said that the Indians who have claimed to be ignored by the Umno-BN government for the past 50 years will be given equal attention, that includes all other races in this country.

“I do not want to hear any more fights about racial disputes, we will take care of all races and citizens in this country,” he said in his speech at the party.

The Number of Flood Victims in Selangor Rises

SHAH ALAM, 12 Nov: Selangor recorded an increase in flood victims amounting to 1,327 victims in three districts, Kuala Langat, Sepang and Kuala Selangor in comparison to 1,273 people victims last night.

According to the National Security Council (MKN) flood web portal, Kuala Langat district recorded the highest number of victims, 954 victims, who have been placed in four evacuation centres till 9 o’clock this morning.

A total of seven evacuation centres have been setup to accommodate the increasing number of flood victims with the highest number of victims in Sekolah Kebangsaan Rancangan Tanah Belia Bukit Changgang amounting to 772 victims.

Meanwhile, heavy rain in Bestari Jaya since a few days has caused the total of flood victims to increase from 15 to 33 people until 12 o’clock noon yesterday.

All the victims have been placed in Kampung Seri Makmur Evacuation Centre, Bestari Jaya involving eight families.

Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) web portal reported, water levels of the two main rivers, Sungai Langat in Bukit Changgang and Sungai Selangor in Kuala Badong, have exceeded the warning levels and people in the surrounding areas have been asked to be careful.

Income Growth for Paddy Farmers Using SRI Technique

SUNGAI BESAR, 12 Nov: Paddy farmers who are using the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) stated that their incomes had risen since using that method.

The SRI method is one of the projects under the Chief Minister Incorporated (MBI) with the Selangor Department of Agriculture which has had tremendous support from the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to increase farmers income in the state.

The system which was introduced to farmers around Tanjong Karang, Sekinchan and Sungai Besar about three years ago is increasingly getting the attention of farmers because the system has proved to be capable of yielding better results compared to the conventional way at the moment.

According to farmer, Fadzlin Taslimin, 60, since using the SRI method for the last few seasons, paddy planting has become more fertile and that the use of unsafe chemical pesticides is no longer necessary.

He said, the cost now is only around RM1,600 compared to more than RM5, 000 previously.

“This season I expect the cost to be less than RM1, 000,” said Fadzlin during the launching ceremony of SRI Paddy Seeds at Tali Air 14 Simpang Lima here.

Mohd Subki, 40, said that his health has been improving as no longer needs to wallow around, using various chemical pesticides that are harmful to his health.

He said he is now able to get up to 10 tonnes compared to only 5 tons previously and expects these figures to improve further in the coming seasons.

Meanwhile, according to the Selangor SRI Paddy Advisor, Noorazimah Taharim who explained how the method works said, paddy farmers can conserve of up to 50 percent of water usage in the paddy fields, thus overcoming irrigation in the paddy fields during drought.

She said that with the SRI method, farmers can produce fertilizer and insect repellents which are easily and readily available around the village area.

Farmers can produce fertilizer from bamboo shoots, apple snails, pineapples, bael (labu kayu), water spinach (kangkung), amaranth leaves (bayam), banana hump, bananas, cocoa, coconut husk, coconut bud, eggshells and bones.

Meanwhile, to make the pesticides, farmers can use garlic, chilli, soursop leaves, ‘mambu’ leaves, galangal (lengkuas), ginger, lemongrass, bael fruit and tobacco.

He said, this method requires only about 5 kilograms per hectare including the seeds for sowing which will nearly 90 percent compared to the conventional method.

“The increase in revenue that can be attained is up to 11 tonnes per hectare and there are also reports that profits can reach up to 15 tonnes per hectare in Indonesia, India, China and Afghanistan through SRI methods that are becoming more common in countries around the world,” he said.

State Government Channels RM40, 000 for Drainage Upgrade in Combating Flood

SHAH ALAM, 11 NOV: Flood problems that have struck Kampung Jenjarum will be fully resolved when an allocation of RM40, 000 is channelled by the State Government to solve the problem.

The allocation channelled through the office of Teluk Datuk Assemblyman Datuk Bay will be used to upgrade and maintain the drainage along Jalan Kampung Jenjarum in the village concerned.

According to Teluk Datuk Assemblyman, Philip Tan Swee Choon, although works will only start next month, latest, early action to control flooding from further occurring has been taken.

“Previously, when it floods, the water will only recede in four to five days, but now it rarely happens because we had previously cleaned the drains and opened blockages near the stalls there.”

“It’s just that lately because of heavy rain every day in addition to the high tide the water level has risen, but not as bad as before and it takes about two to three hours only to recede, it does not take days like before.”

“Once the upgrade project is completed I am certain that flooding will not be an issue anymore,” he said.

Additionally Swee Choon has also requested for the Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) to meet with a developer who is actively completing a housing project near the area that has been prone to flood.

“I have asked that an MDKL Officer meet with the developer and instruct them to build a more suitable and proper drainage system for their housing project “

“Usually developers will build the building first, drainage system later and this causes water in the area to flows easily to the rural areas,” he said.

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.


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.

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.