Tag: Solving the Rakyat’s Problems

PKNS Should Expand to a Global Level

SUBANG JAYA, 24 Nov: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has been recommended to expand its business to an international level and boldly go into new fields of business.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid said that PKNS should shift its way of thinking and not concentrate solely on land and housing development in Selangor only.

This is to ensure that the body, which has been established since 1964, is able to compete in the business world at a global level.

Abdul Khalid said that PKNS needs to learn business success from Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and Guthrie Holdings, both of which have managed to expand globally in several strategic businesses.

Abdul Khalid also said that PKNS should model after the Johor State Development Corporation (PBNJ) that has managed to expand its businesses in the Asean region.

“Now, PBNJ is not only successful in land development but it is also successful in providing health services, the plantation sector and several other businesses,” he said.

Abdul Khalid said this while officiating the PKNS Family Day at the PKNS Sports Complex in Kelana Jaya.

Meanwhile, PKNS General Manager, Othman Omar said that support from family members motivates PKNS staff to achieve the mission and vision of the company.

“In fact, it is with their strength and support that PKNS has been standing strong for 48 years,” he said.

The programme was organised to strengthen teamwork and strengthen Ukhuwah (brotherhood in Islam) relationships among the staff of PKNS and their families.

Also present was the Selangor Exco, Teresa Kok as well as PKNS Council members and about 2,000 PKNS staff and their families.

Potholes on Pandamaran Roads Cause Accident & Death

SHAH ALAM, 22 Nov: Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco member, Ronnie Liu claims that the failure to maintain and close potholes on several federal roads in the Pandamaran area has caused road accidents lately.

According to Ronnie, lately an accident happened at Jalan Kim Chuan, a road under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (JKR) and has claimed the life of a senior citizen.

Two weeks ago, there was another accident on Jalan Banting, in the Pandamaran area, due to the terrible condition of the road.

In the incident, a woman died while her child was seriously injured.

Ronnie said that as the State Assemblyman of Pandamaran, he has written a letter to JKR to repair the roads in the areas around Pandamaran.

“I have already informed JKR. JKR Director, Datur Ir Abdullah Abd Rahman said that he is unable to obtain allocations.”

“According to the law, state funds cannot be used (to repair roads) under Federal JKR.”

“In Banting, factories have to perform Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However, (for CSR) they have to get the cooperation of JKR,” he said.

Ronnie will be providing assistance to both families of the accident victims to find lawyers to take legal action against JKR.

Meanwhile, Ronnie also slammed the Works minister, Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor, regarding the allocation needed to repair the roads in the country for the year 2012, which was very small.

According to Ronnie, for the year 2012, the federal government has allocated RM870 million to repair roads in the whole of Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak.

He explained that the responsibility of JKR does not just involve roads, but also encompasses traffic lights, drains and pavements.

“I’m shocked as RM870 (million) to repair roads under JKR is very small.”

“It’s no wonder many roads, especially in Selangor under (the jurisdiction of) JKR including Pandamaran are in a terrible state. There are potholes everywhere resulting in many accidents,” he said in a media conference in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly lobby.

Ronnie also urged Datuk Seri Shaziman to take this matter to the Cabinet to ensure that the allocation made to repair roads is increased immediately as well as to provide compensation to the two families mentioned.

“I want Shaziman to immediately take this before the Cabinet for two reasons; increase the allocated funds to repair roads under (the jurisdiction of) JKR.”

“Second, to compensate the two victim’s families. If he is willing, I would bring the families to meet him.”

“He should also give instructions to repair the roads with many terrible potholes. I believe many more victims (accidents) will happen,” he added.

Apart from that, he also asked the Ministry of Works to review the appointment of the three primary contractors repairing roads in the Peninsular and the five contractors in Sabah and Sarawak which have failed to repair the roads properly.

Ronnie stressed that should JKR fail to act, he will instruct every Local Authority (PBT) to put up signs saying ‘This is a JKR road’ so that the people will know of the federal government’s failure to repair roads under their jurisdiction.

Appoint Independent Experts to Assess Slope Status

SHAH ALAM, 21 nov: Hulu Kelang Assemblyman, Shaari Sungib urged the State Government to set-up a team of independent experts to assess the status of the slope in Taman Sri Ukay and Hillview Park near Highland Towers.

He firmly said that if the slope is not safe, the State Government should gazette the area and ban any development in the area.

“In the past there have been studies saying that the Highland Towers incident was caused by underground water flow.”

“And now, the construction of the planned condo is only a few meters from the scene. This situation is obviously troubling,” he said during the 2013 Budget debate in the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting just now.

Recently, Shaari and 50 residents from Taman Sri Ukay and Hillview Park held a peaceful demonstration to express their opposition regarding the two high-profile projects on the slope near their homes.

One of the projects involving three blocks of 40-storey buildings will be built at Lot 847, near Taman Hillview, while the other project on Lot 5 involves the construction of five blocks of 17-storey buildings near the ruins of the Highland Towers condominium.

It is understood that the two projects will be implemented by two different developers.

Yakoob: State Government Provides Fishermen with Various Initiatives

SHAH ALAM, 20 Nov: The Selangor State Government has provided fishermen with various initiatives, like boats and fishing equipment, to increase the fishermen’s income in this state.

Agricultural Modernisation, Natural Resources Management and Entrepreneurial Development Exco, Yaakob Sapari said that in 2012, the State Government had allocated the Department Of Fisheries Malaysia a total of RM300,000 to help fishermen in Selangor.

He said that they had provided fiberglass fishing boats (sampans), engines and fishing nets.

“Through the provision of funds by the (Selangor) State Government; that had given various equipment and fishing apparatus, we hope that the catch will be increased,” the Kota Anggerik assemblyman said.

Yaakob said this when answering Dr Shafie Abu Bakar’s (Pas-Bangi) question during the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting today.

Up till now, there are 7,655 fishermen in Selangor located in six districts; Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.

Their average income is around RM1,000 to RM1,500.

Meanwhile, the Selangor Zakat Board (Lembaga Zakat Selangor) has provided an assistance program to supply fishing equipment to fishermen in the state.

In the meantime, Yakoob said, assistance programs to upgrade fish landing jetties is being carried out by the Local Authorities (PBT), Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) and the Department Of Fisheries Malaysia.

State Reserve Funds are only for Special Projects NOT for Administration Expenditures

SHAH ALAM, 19 Nov: The State Government will only use state reserves to fund special projects and not to shoulder administration costs, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Reserve funds also cannot be used to pay for management expenditures and other such expenses by the State Government because it reflects inefficient financial management.

The presentation of the budget’s deficit to cover administrative expenses also reflects the failure of efficient financial management and demonstrates the failure to control spending.

Abdul Khalid said this when explaining the State Government actions in using state reserve funds to finance four projects at a cost of RM500 million.

“The project we are doing is separate so that its (the reserve funds) usage is more transparent.”

“The people do not want the reserves to be used to cover administrative expenses.”

“If this happens, people will think that the government can spend extravagantly, so with the separation, we cannot spend extravagantly,” said Abdul Khalid in a press conference at the State Assembly Annex Building lobby.

Abdul Khalid presented the 2012 Budget today, the first day of the Third Meeting of the Fifth Session. The Budget is themed ‘Selangor, Leader of Malaysian Economy’.

When presenting the budget, Abdul Khalid announced the decision to build the third bridge in Klang costing RM300 million, the implementation of Storm Water (RM100 million), upgrading and repairs of drainage systems (RM50 million) and the building of fully-furnished affordable housing (RM50 million).

However, these projects are not included in the 2013 Budget, instead it will be using State reserves.

Ceria Scheme: 71 Apartments Benefit

SHAH ALAM, 19 Nov: Since its introduction in 2011, the Ceria scheme costing RM97 million has benefited 71 apartments across Selangor.

Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco member, Iskandar Abdul Samad said that the Ceria Scheme applies to two types of apartment units, Low-Cost and Medium-Cost, during the State Assembly (DNS) sitting this morning.

For Phase One in 2011, only 17 low-cost apartments received assistance from the Ceria Scheme.

Where else for Phase Two in 2012, a total of 43 low-cost apartments and 9 medium-cost apartments have benefited from the scheme.

Phase Three this year involves two medium-cost apartments.

Iskandar said, when answering questions from the Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad regarding this scheme, that the State Government has also designed a few upgrading programmes under this scheme.

“Among them, the State Government has organized an educational hands-on programme for apartment owners. This is the Anti-Vandalism themed ‘Keep Our Apartments Clean, Cheerful and Harmonious’ campaign.”

“For the care of reconditioned lifts, the Government has also implemented the installation of CCTVs and lift census programmes in collaboration with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (JKKP),” said Iskandar, who is also the Cempaka State Assemblyman.

The Ceria scheme is a cost-sharing scheme between apartment residents and the State Government to beautify the surrounding areas of apartment buildings.

The scheme also aims to cultivate a sense of belonging of each unit in maintaining the common property in the long term.

KASE Receives More Than 100 AES Complaints

SHAH ALAM, 16 Nov: The counter that has been set up by the Anti-Postal Summons Campaign Department (KASE) have now received more than 100 complaints from road users who have fallen victim to the Automated Enforcement System (AES).

KASE legal advisor, Zulhazmi Sharif said that the counter which has been open since the 21st of November have received many complaints from road users who have received summons through the implementation of AES cameras from all over the country.

He said that he and the KASE Department will make the announcement regarding actions that will be taken to assist those who have received summons.

“As of now, the complaints counter is still open and we have yet to separate them (the complaints) according to states. We will make the announcement regarding the case next week.”

“This is because the earliest court date involving receivers of the summons is the 7th of December 2012 and we will be appointing lawyers to help them,” he said to TV Selangor today.

Meanwhile, the counter which is open every fortnightly at 12pm to 2pm is intended to facilitate those who have received AES summons with legal advice and legal aid, both of which are free of charge.

“In Selangor alone, there are umpteen road users who have received AES summons and it has been informed that only two areas in Selangor have (AES) cameras, which are in Kajang.”

“More shockingly, a road user had received three summonses on the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) because it’s his daily route,” he said.

Previously, KASE Chairman, Datuk Mahfuz Omar had mentioned that a group of lawyers would be provided should receivers of the summons agree to go to court and legal services from the Department of Law and Human Rights (JUHAM) will be provided to those involved.

1,217 Flood Victims Still Placed in 7 Evacuation Centres

SHAH ALAM, 15Nov: There are 1,217 flood victims still located in 7 flood evacuation centres throughout Selangor.

According to the National Security Council’s (MKN) Flood Portal, as of 5pm, the total number of people has reduced from more than 1,300 individuals at 11am this morning, comprising of 3 flood areas.

They have been placed in seven flood evacuation centres, including those in Kuala Langat, Sepang and Kuala Selangor.

According to MKN, everyone has been advised to ensure that their drinking water has been boiled once the flood waters recede to avoid drinking contaminated water.

They also advised people to wash their hands with soap before handling food, while preparing food or even when handling objects that have been contaminated by flood waters; including food items that have been contaminated by flood waters.

They should also dispose of food that was left in refrigerators that have been contaminated by flood waters or items that smell foul or have changed colour.

AES Summons: Ronnie Instructs MPKj to Bear Witness

SHAH ALAM, 15 Nov: Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco, Ronnie Liu, will instruct the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) to bear witness to road users who have been issued summons by Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras.

He said that he will instruct MPKj to send officers to witness in court to confirm that the installation of the cameras was done illegally.

Ronnie said that the installation of AES cameras at two areas in Kajang was not legal and that the contractor hired by the Federal Government did not get Planning Permission (PP) from MPKj.

“The AES installation in Kajang falls under the Local Authorities Act 1976 and any kind of installations should obtain PP from the Local Authorities (PBT).”

“Even though you are a land owner, without a PP, it is illegal and you cannot do that,” he told reporters at the Selangor State Secretary (SUK) building last night.

Ronnie explained that the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung and Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha should have known about the ACT because any kind of installation would have to first get approval.

“Only after getting permission, can installation be done. Even ministers (Cho Ha and Chee Heung) have to follow the law,” he explained.

In connection to that, the State Government would have to instruct them to dismantle the cameras within 14 days, starting last Monday.

Ronnie said that should they ignore the warning, the State Government will instruct MPKj to dismantle the cameras.

“If they do not take the cameras down, we will ask MPKj send out a demolition letter, should they not comply and dismantle the cameras within 14 days, we will dismantle them. We are following the law,” the State Assemblyman for Pandamaran said.

Previously, two AES cameras were installed at kilometre 6.6 on the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) and at kilometre 301.6 heading north on the North-South Expressway.

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.

Yaakob – Farmers Income Targeted at RM3, 000

KUALA LANGAT, 12 Nov: To continue the development of agriculture in Selangor, the State Government targets farmers to earn RM 3,000 and above per month from the proceeds of their cultivation.

Selangor Agricultural Modernisation, Natural Resources Management and Entrepreneurial Development Exco, Dr. Yaakob Sapari said that this would be done through research to modernise and improve crop harvest.

Yaakob said that the State Government would also ensure that only farmers get agricultural land and not those who were not involved in the industry.

To achieve this goal, the State Government also hopes that the farmers would market their produce without a middle man to save costs.

He said that this approach can reduce the cost of expenditure as much as RM 500 to RM 700 per month.

Agriculture is a field that will provide handsome returns should farmers pay serious attention to it,” Yaakob said in during the visitation session at the Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM) here at Kampung Sungai Kelambu.

“We also want the youth to participate in agriculture especially university graduates.”

“This way agriculture can be developed because of participation from the educated,” he said.

“With the determination from the State and all parties involved, it has been recorded that Selangor produces about 60 percent of the country’s agriculture.”

Apostasy Happened in the Umno-BN Era, They Should Blame Themselves, says Tuan Ibrahim

SHAH ALAM, 12 Nov: The Umno-BN government should blame themselves on the issue of Muslim apostasy because as history proves it happened at the time of their administration when some Muslims’ applications were approved for the very same purpose.

PAS Information Chief, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said apostasy in Islam is a big offence and should not be allowed.

According to him, the statement made by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, that last year there were 168 apostasy applications approved, and should be seriously contemplated by the Umno-BN government before blaming others with issues of which legitimacy is still unconfirmed.

“We too feel strange at how religious councils can approve apostasy because if taken from the viewpoint of Islam, apostasy is a capital offense and it should not be religious departments or ministers that are responsible for making the approval.”

“Instead those who want to renounce should be guided and faith should be preserved through guidance councils or faith strengthening programs. We feel disappointed with the statement when their application is approved, that is precisely the clarification we need from him (Jamil Khir),” he told TV Selangor when contacted here today.

Tuan Ibrahim said, for PAS leaders, the issue regarding PKR Vice-President, Nurul Izzah Anwar, was suddenly amplified by Umno-BN leaders with reports in mainstream media that is under their control.

He said that the issue should not be politicised and Nurul Izzah herself should respond to clarify the statement she made.

“What exactly was said? When we reviewed the report by Utusan Malaysia, Utusan Malaysia clearly slandered and manipulated the truth.”

“I think this issue is not to prevent and preserve the faith because previously Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who insulted Islam, was not criticized by Umno-BN leaders at all and the also statement by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) who reject Hudud law,” he said.

In a forum entitled “Islamic State: Which version? Whose responsibility?” that took place recently, Nurul Izzah as a panelist was alleged for making a statement that freedom of religion should apply to all, including the Malays.

Nurul Izzah, however, denied the matter and appeared to clarify things at the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) last Saturday.