Tag: State Assemblymen

CM Asks to Intensify Efforts to Fight Drug Abuse

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SUBANG JAYA, 28 Oct: The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim called on all parties, including government agencies and the private sector, to work hard to combat drug abuse in the country.

Abdul Khalid said cooperation from all agencies involved would be able to realise the government’s desire to make Malaysia drug free by 2015.

“The period is too short and I will ask State Executive Councillors, together with the Coordinating Chairman of the Selangor National Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Malaysia (PEMADAM), Dr Abdul Rani Osman to work hard in providing support in implementation efforts to combat drugs and make Malaysia drug free.

“We must work together and provide support, especially in efforts to prevent, combat and eradicate drugs in Selangor and Malaysia,” he said.

Abdul Khalid said this in a speech at a dinner in conjunction with the 38th PEMADAM Annual General Assembly at the Summit Hotel here in USJ last night.

Also present was the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, the National PEMADAM President, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, state Exco, Rodziah Ismail and Dr Abdul Rani and over 5,000 PEMADAM members from around the country.

At the same time, Abdul Khalid expressed his confidence in the Selangor PEMADAM which is always striving to ensure that drug abuse can be controlled and eradicated.

He said the statics of drug abuse in Malaysia shows that the problem has increased and has led to an unhealthy sign.

“According to statistics, around 1.27 percent from 5.4 million students in the country are involved in disciplinary problems, including involvement in drugs, as of January till June 2011.

“Meanwhile, a total of 4,474 children, some as young as seven, have been arrested in various criminal cases, including 1,847 being school children.

“The report by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) found a total of 137 students in Institutes of Higher Learning are involved in drug abuse, especially in Selangor since January till April last year,” he said.

Abdul Khalid: Establish a Commission to Increase Government’s Ability

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KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Oct: The Federal Government should set up an independent commission to conduct research so that administrative costs and bureaucracy in the government can be reduced.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that it is necessary because every year, there is an increase in government spending and at the same time, it is shown that there is no increase in revenue.

“This budget shows that the BN government’s budget methods and strategies are still following the old ways.

“That is why we need to study not only how revenue can be improved, but the cost and expenses which can be stopped from increasing,” said Abdul Khalid, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bandar Tun Razak, in Parliament today.

Abdul Khalid said he opposed the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) until the income of the people is increased and there is a fair distribution of wealth.

“So if the cost is already five percent, the government should only increase by one percent, that is if we are to implement it, we need a rate to increase income, and not the GST,” said Abdul Khalid.

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.

Selangor and Penang PR Governments Step Forward to Strengthen Democracy

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Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM) congratulated the Selangor and Penang PR Governments for moving another step to strengthen democracy in their administration radar.

On 18 September, the Penang Pakatan Rakyat Government, through the State Government Exco meeting, approved in principle the provisions for Assemblymen from the Opposition in Penang (read: Barisan Nasional) and the subsequent approval from the Exco Meeting will be tabled in the Penang State Budget 2014.

Meanwhile, on 10 October, the Selangor PR Government announced special allowances and privileges for the Selangor State Legislative Assembly Opposition Leader.

For Samm, this are valiant efforts in strengthening and educating the meaning of true democracy in Malaysia, in fact, understanding in the long history of oppression in translating the BN-style democracy system, actions such as this is hard to be accepted by various quarters in PR itself.

But if we are talking about a mature democracy, this is the best time to show that PR is different from the oppression politics of BN. We see all this while how PR representatives, especially Parliamentarians, are denied the right to serve the people without even a single cent of allocation being channelled through PR representatives who were voted by the people.

Now, it is a tremendous blow for BN Assemblymen in Penang. Do they want to receive provisions given to them despite Do they want to receive their allocation to them despite their opposition?

If they accept it, then they acknowledge the practice of the BN Government in other states and even the Federal level BN government as wrong to not channel allocations through representatives of the people who were elected by the people. But if they reject it, they will continue to be remembered for their narrow partisan politics and they can no longer complain in front of their voters that they do not have allocations.

Through the Penang State Government, PR proved that political clash is a different matter, but in matters of democratic state governance, the people’s choice should be respected and Penang PR has acknowledged that.

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the House (be it the House of Representatives or the state legislative assembly) is very important. But since the independence of Malaysia, it has not been honoured like other countries of mature democracy acknowledge the post.

The Selangor PR Government made a tremendous stride when they allocated RM8,260 per month with plenty other privileges to the Opposition Leader in the State Legislative Assembly.

With this, this position which is upheld through the democratic pr In this position he also transported through the democratic process of the people’s voice can be used to jointly develop the state. Opposition leaders can have complete office efficiency with enough research officers and Opposition leaders can have a complete office efficiency with enough research officer and able to debate and make constructive criticism to state that ultimately benefit the people.

The question now is would the Opposition Leader from BN in Selangor receive the allowances and privileges or will he reject with narrow political party thinking.

If he accepts it, he would admit the wrong practice of the Central and State Governments under BN in denying the role of Opposition Leaders elected by the people.

This is how the politics of the nation should be practiced with policy competition and competition in improvements which will ultimately strengthen democracy and benefit the people.

SAMM has greats hopes to see the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, to make the word ‘transformation’ as his daily chant when tabling the Budget 2014 this Friday which can truly welcome the moves taken by the Penang and Selangor PR Governments.

This move is also positive and everyone should move to strengthen democracy by acknowledging the role of PR members of parliament by taking into account the channeling of provisions through those elected by the people and uphold the role of the Malaysian Parliament by acknowledging privileges for Malaysian Opposition Leaders.

Without that, the ‘transformation’ chant will continue being a rhetoric laughed by those from the country and abroad.

Badrul Hisham Shaharin
Youth Solidarity Malaysia

Selangor Government Targets for 35,000 RMM in Five Years

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SHAH ALAM, 22 Oct: The Selangor Government is targeting for 35,000 affordable housing units (RMM) in the next five years.

The Executive Councillor in charge of Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement, Iskandar Abdul Samad, said that the government will increase the number of affordable homes through the Housing & Development Board (HDB) or but existing affordable homes and place it under the HDB.

Through the Harakah Daily portal, he said the RM450 million allocation is aimed to involve the construction of 5,000 to 7,000 affordable housing units over the next five years.

“From the total projects of private and subsidiary companies of the state government, we target for 35,000 units of affordable homes to be built in Selangor in the stipulated period.

“We will not sell all the units because a part of it will be rented out to those who cannot afford to buy a house,” he said.

Iskandar said the State Government is focusing on private companies by placing requirements to build affordable housing in the first term of the Pakatan Rakyat administration.

“The housing problem is not just in terms of house prices, but the low income of the people. So to accommodate the number of people who cannot afford to buy a home, we will create homes to be rented to them, such as council homes,” he said.

MPSJ Urban Poverty Eradication Programme Increases Participants’ Income

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SUBANG JAYA, 21 Oct: The step by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) to have the Urban Poverty Eradication (PKB) programme showed a positive development when s study found that the average income of the programme’s participants increased.

MPSJ found that the average income of the participants increased to RM1,153 compared to about RM793 per month prior to joining the programme.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the programme should be continued and emulated by other Local Authorities, thus increasing the quality of life and education of participants.

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“This effort should be emulated by other local authorities because we must find a way to help them increase revenues; for example, single mothers. Children of every local authority participant should be monitored so that they are properly educated,” said Abdul Khalid at the MPSJ Urban Community Wellbeing 2013 Award Ceremony here at Sunway Hotel Resort & Spa yesterday.

The PKB programme involved coaching classes and skills training to help residents of MPSJ to improve their family’s side income by selling items that can be manufactured on a small scale but have a positive impact on them.

Among the training provided were sewing workshops, beading, making decorative food covers, repairing computers, jambu (water apple) entrepreneurs, making cupcakes, cakes and bread, and a Back To School Programme.

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In 2009, MPSJ allocated RM100,000 to implement the programme and the amount has been added to RM300,000 since 2010.

At the same ceremony, a beading business operator, Noor Ashikin Ramli and a decorative food cover entrepreneur, Rabitah Yusuf, were awarded the MPSJ Urban Community Wellbeing 2013 Award.

Noor Ashikin said the beading workshop was beneficial in diversifying attractive stitching, thus attracting customers to purchase.

Meanwhile, Rabitah said she did not think that the decorative food cover business she operated on a small scale could generate a decent income for her family.

Contributions in forms of daily necessities worth RM100, given to 20 orphans, single mothers and the needy was also held at the event.

CM: 3 Million Land Records Replace Filing System to Avoid Fraud

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SHAH ALAM, 20 Oct: The Selangor Government managed to record a total of three million land ownership files in the state into a digital computerised system to ensure a more effective storing and retrieval system.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said through the ‘Land Bank’ problems of loss and difficulty in finding files on land ownership can be resolved because now it can be found quickly and accurately.

Abdul Khalid said the system which was implemented since a year ago also helps the State Government identify the land owned and also can plan land development better.

“Now I can know the actual number of land owned by the State Government which was previously unknown,” said Abdul Khalid.

He said this when he inaugurated the Land Convention and National Municipality which was held here at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Building Silver Jubilee Hall.

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Abdul Khalid said that management of land using filing system was changed because it did not benefit the people and it was open to fraud.

“The three million files have been placed in that Shah Alam Stadium, so there are no more missing files and we can find out more efficiently.

“We are open and transparent on the issue of land ownership. Everyone deserves to know who the landowner is. Because of that, land ownership records are very important,” he said.

About 300 people attended the convention, which was also attended by PAS Vice-President, Salahuddin Ayub, Mahfuz Omar and the Exco in charge of Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlement, Iskandar Abdul Samad.

Residents of PJS 9 Confused with the Change in Postcode

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SUBANG JAYA, 18 Oct: The residents of Petaling Jaya Selatan (PJS) 9 are confused with the change in postcode by Pos Malaysia for Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya.

Based on the notice issued by Pos Malaysia earlier this month, the new postcode for Subang Jaya, which also involved PJS 9 and PJS 11, is 47500.

The change is due to the Election constituency division which set for PJS 7, PJS 9 and PJS 11, which is located in Bandar Sunway, to be placed under the Subang Jaya State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).

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Meanwhile, the Desa Mentari area involving PJS 8 and PJS 10, is placed under the Seri Setia DUN and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

The Deputy Chairman of the PJS 9 Rukun Tetangga (Neighbourhood Watch), Mohamad Noor said that he is confused by the change in the postcode as his identity card still uses the 46150 postcode, and states that it is in the area of Subang Jaya, while the same postcode printed on his driving licence but is registered as being in Petaling Jaya.

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“The new changes to the 47500 Subang Jaya postcode will burden residents, especially in matters involving correspondence address,” he said in a press conference here at the PJS 9/14 field today.

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The Chairman of the PJS 9 Rukun Tetangga, Goh Hai Thun said that his identity card and driving licence still uses the 46150 postcode which is registered as being in Petaling and can be contacted for correspondence.

“As a committee member for the residents, we would like to know the main reason for this postcode change which occurred without informing the residents. We live in PJS, which means Petaling Jaya Selatan and if we are to be put under Subang Jaya, it should be changed to SS.

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Meanwhile, the Subang Jaya Assemblywoman, Hannah Yeoh, who was also present at the press conference, said that the latest announcement confused residents, especially when involving important documents because several agencies should be notified regarding the change in postcode.

“We have a sophisticated MyKad system and residents do not have to go to the National Registration Department (JPN) to change their postcode. Instead, JPN should automatically inform about the change.

“Pos Malaysia should inform the residents of this change, however, until now, we do not know whether they are changing it or not, including informing important agencies such as Bank Negara and the Land Office to change the postcode in their systems,” she said.

KPRU: Status of Opposition Leader Should be Equivalent to a Cabinet Minister

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SHAH ALAM, 17 Oct: The Political Studies for Change (KPRU) think tank urges Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to emulate the step taken by the Selangor state government in recognising and honouring the position of the Opposition Leader.

According KPRU, the recognition of the Opposition Leader is essential to bridge the gap between the remuneration and various forms of allowances received by the Opposition Leader, Cabinet Ministers and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“The Office of the Opposition Leader should receive allocation for the purpose of employing staffs such as researchers, press officers, executive assistants and so forth to manage with different tasks and affairs in Parliament.

“Such provision is important to enabling the Office of the Opposition Leader to obtain sufficient manpower, as well as allocations in performing and carrying out his duties and responsibilities as the Opposition Leader, as well as an elected representative of the people effectively and smoothly,” KPRU said in a statement.

Prior to this, the Selangor Government strengthened parliamentary democracy in Malaysia by giving special allowances and privileges amounting to RM8,620 per month to the Opposition Leader of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.

“This was indeed a breakthrough in upholding the principles of democracy, as well as to advocate the rights and roles of the Opposition Leader as a crucial component in a democratic government in carrying out his/her role of check and balance to the existing government,” KPRU said.

KPRU said that in the two terms of leading the state government, the Selangor and Penang Government managed to take the initiative to mobilise the democratisation of State Assemblies and set an example to other state governments.

Ironically, the Central Government, despite ruling for over half a century, has still failed to make important strides.

“Where does BN Government’s ‘face’ (reputation) lie if they are still behind in upholding principles of democracy while they are eagerly shouting of “transformation” and “endless possibilities”,” KPRU said.

PKNS Asked to take Action to Overcome Problems of the Solid Waste System

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PETALING JAYA SELATAN, 17 Oct: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has been asked to take immediate action to overcome the solid waste system faced by the residents of the PKNS Apartments here in PJS 6.

The Assemblyman for Seri Setia, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said till now, there is still no consensus on the problem of solid waste management due to conflicts of jurisdiction between PKNS and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

According to him, immediate action must be taken to prevent residents of the apartment from facing health problems.

“We have found that there is a serious trash situation. We brought along representatives from PKNS and MBPJ. So far there has been no coordination.

“Because this is a huge apartment, I am worried that other health problems will arise,” he said.

A survey by TVSelangor found that the small trash hut reserved for the disposal of solid waste has failed to be managed well seeing that there are domestic waste disposal such as household goods and vehicle frames.

This situation invites an uncomfortable feel for residents and will lead to the breeding of rats which can threaten the health of local residents.

A local resident, Mohd Zulkifli Mohd Nasir, who lives in Block 5 said that the problem of trash heaps which has been happening since two years ago, has resulted in the breeding of mice.

“I hope there will be help from the government and cooperation between residents so that harmony can be maintained,” he said.

State Government Helps C.Sugumar’s Family

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HULU LANGAT, 15 Oct: The Selangor State Government handed an assistance of RM10,000 to the family of C.Sugumaran who died while in police custody.

The contribution was personally presented by the Selangor Executive Councillor in charge of Welfare, Rodziah Ismail, to the mother of the deceased, Manaigalai Kuppamuthu, recently at the victim’s family home in Taman Sri Nanding.

Rodziah was accompanied by the Assemblymen for Dusun Tua, Razaly Hassan.

“I urge for the Home Affairs Minister to be careful and to be humane when he talks about issues concerning safety and the lives of people. Does the minister even think of the lives in his hands to a point of him issuing a statement when such things happen – we shoot first? Is shooting the best way to solve it?” she asked.

“In my opinion, defending the people is when equality is given, regardless of who he is, or if the party is in the wrong. Bring it to court so that it can be proved accordingly,” she said.

Rodziah said that the Sungai Tua constituency Office proposes to settle the registration of the victim’s mother under the Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE) senior citizen scheme.

Meanwhile, the cousin of Sugumaran, K.Anantha Kannan who was met hopes that those responsible for the death of his cousin will be brought to justice and prosecuted under Section 302.

According to him, to this date, the case has not been filed in the civil court and the family has rejected inquests by the police.

“The police has obtained all of the old document stating that he (Sugumar) is a psychiatric patient to humiliate the late C.Sugumar. We feel humiliated because the police is in the wrong,” said Anantha sadly.

“The police had already handcuffed him, and then spread curry powder on his face. He fell and the people from a nearby coffee shop came to beat him up. The police just watched. So far, only one witness has been questioned in the Kajang Magistrate Court,” he said.

He added that several witnesses will be called to testify in the case hearing after the Eid al-Adha celebration.

Sugumar, a security guard, was arrested in January this year after allegedly suffering from mental problems and damaging public property.

The autopsy report stated that he died of a heart attack; however witnesses claimed that during the arrest, a policeman stepped on his neck when he was handcuffed.

The incident photograph also showed the turmeric powder spread on his face.

Witnesses claimed that about 20 people from a nearby restaurant helped the police to arrest him and together beat up C.Sugumar.

The ‘Allah’ Word: Not an Excuse to Create Religious Tension

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SHAH ALAM, 14 Oct: The decision of the court of Appeal to prevent Catholic churches from using the word ‘Allah’ in their Malay-Language weekly, The Herald, is not an excuse for any party to create religious tension, hostility and hatred.

PKR Information Chief, Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty said tensions that have arose due to the use of the word ‘Allah’ which is racist and extreme should be stopped immediately so that the tension will not grow.

He said that there should be more frequent meetings between religious leaders, politicians and non-governmental organisations to enhance tolerance and mutual respect between the different religions in this country.

“Prior to this, not many meetings had taken place to alleviate mistrust between each other.

“If more meetings are held, this tension can certainly be reduced,” said Dr Manuty when contacted by TVSelangor.

Dr Manuty said inter-religious dialogues should be increased in aims to improve the space of tolerance allowed to better understand each other.

Member of Parliament for Parit Buntar, Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the court’s decision should not affect the good relations between religions in the country.

“When the court has decided, all parties should respect the decision.

“This is not a reason for relations between religions to become tense,” said Dr Mujahid when contacted by TVSelangor.

Dr Mujahid said when a meeting between religious leaders is held, it can avoid racist and religious prejudiced parties taking advantage of the situation to create religious conflict.

“The effect of the court’s decision will hopefully continue discussions and reinforce our determination for a peaceful atmosphere to increase dialogues and so on,” Dr Mujahid said.