Tag: State Assemblymen

Infrastructure Requirements of Religious Schools Will Be Evaluated Every Year

SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov: The needs of Religious Primary Schools (SAR) will be evaluated annually by the Education Division of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) to ensure that the schools receive assistance according to its priority ranking.

Education Exco member, Dr Halimah Ali said that the policy practised every year will not only evaluate the schools’ infrastructure but it will also involve the need of educators for the schools.

She said this in reply to debate questions regarding the Budget Committee of the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department raised by Skinchan Assemblyman, Ng Suee Lim.

Suee Lim, in his question, raised the issue of the state of dilapidation of Sekolah Rendah Agama Parit 7, Skinchan which is facing infrastructure problems especially in student toilets.

“I agree that the school Skinchan mentioned is a priority because it concerns basic facilities,” said Dr Halimah again.

For this year, a total of RM8 million has been allocated by the Selangor Zakat Board for infrastructural development.

In addition, Dr Halimah also said that since 2008, Majlis Permuafakatan Institusi Pendidikan Selangor (MAPPIS) consisting of the Muslim population of Selangor was established to consider the long-term measures to raise the performance of religious schools in the state.

It is clear that religious primary schools are schools developed by the State including providing the building site while the people’s religious schools are fully funded by the people.

Up till now, Selangor has 23 religious primary schools, 11 religious integrated schools and more than 230 Kafa schools.

Owners of Low-Cost Flats Receive 25% Tax Deductions

SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov: Owners of Low-Cost Flats can receive a 25% tax deduction off the assessment rate from Local Authorities (PBT) even though there is no Joint Management Body (JMB) or a Joint Management Committee (JMC) at their flats.

According to the Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco member, Iskandar Abdul Samad, the deductions will be given directly to the owners when they make PBT assessment payments together with the special form.

He said that the discount will be given without needing all the owners of the flat buildings apply for it.

“Even if only one owner applies, he will get a cut of 25%.

“Each application must be accompanied with a special form approved by the JMC chairman or the MC, the PBT Commissioner of Buildings (COB) or a PBT council member,” he said.

He added that the cuts were only for flats occupied by the owner or the owner’s heirs.

He explained that the State Government does not have the total number of owners who have been given the discount because this policy was just enacted in September.

“This data will be obtained from the Local Authorities at the end of this year.

“From this data, a study will also be conducted by the State Government to determine whether with the tax cuts, more apartment owners will pay their building maintenance fees,” he said.

If the Federal Government Has No Money, The State Government is Ready to Advance It

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: Selangor is ready advance the state reserve funds for the maintenance of infrastructure to provide comfort to the people should the Federal Government issue a letter of guarantee in black and white to repay the sum.

However, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim urged the Federal Government to fulfil its obligations as these are part of its responsibilities.

To smoothly facilitate this, the State Government will set up a special team consisting of the Chief Minister, the State Financial Officer, the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) and the Public Works Department (JKR).

“The special team will present to the Federal Government any projects or infrastructure which have to be developed by the Federal Government.

“If the Federal Government gives an approval letter in black and white to a project using state reserves and agrees to return the money, the State Government is ready to advance the state’s money,” he said.

Abdul Khalid, who is also the Ijok Assemblyman said this during his winding up speech concerning the development allocation of RM59.6 million for the year 2013 which has been approved for the Public Works Department (JKR) .

He also defended the open tender system in the awarding projects adopted by the State Government since taking over the state.

He added that the practice has proven to save about 20 percent of JKR’s allocated funds.

He explained that each contractor is only allowed to profit around eight to ten percent to avoid them from distributing projects to sub-contractors.

“Once an acquaintance told me that he had won a contract worth RM2 million but did not know anything about how the project was carried out.

“This is because according to him, he had won the tender because he knew the Chief Minister (at the time) and had just divided the work to sub-contractors.

“The is the practice that we are changing,” said Abdul Khalid.

BN Assemblymen Have to Urge the Federal Government to Channel Allocations to JPS

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The State Government has urged the Selangor Umno-BN Assemblyman persuade the Federal Government to provide adequate provisions to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) to overcome the flooding problem in the state.

Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco member, Ronnie Liu said that JPS is now operating with a lack of funds by only receiving an allocation of not more than RM1 million a year from the Federal Government.

As a result, JPS is facing difficulty in carrying out its responsibility to properly maintain the irrigation and drainage systems in the state.

“It is understood that in 2009, JPS had only received a total of RM8 million from the federal government for maintenance work, while for other years, JPS only received an allocation of not more than RM1 million.

“Recognising that fact, the State Government has allocated JPS funds totaling between RM5 to RM8 million a year. JPS also asked for RM1.2 billion to solve the flood problem in the Klang from the federal government, but until now the funds have still not arrived,” he said.

Ronnie said this when answering questions by Lee Kim Sin (PKR-Kajang) during the Committee Stage of the 2013 Budget debate at the Selangor State Assembly today.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Bukit Antarabangsa) urged JPS to take proactive steps in submitting a list of priorities to the State Government during the Executive Council Meeting (MTES) in implementing flood mitigation programmes.

He said that it was to enable the State Government to examine the urgent need for the implementation of the programme.

“If action is not taken, it will burden the State Government and the Local Authorities (PBT) who have to increasingly deal with frequent flooding that has been occurring in the state,” he said.

Over 83.000 join Selangorku Shopping Bonus

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The “Jom Shopping Bonus Selangorku” (Selangorku Let’s Go Shopping Bonus) included participants of the Selangor Children Heritage Fund (Tawas) and had received an overwhelming response with the attendance of about 65% of participants from the programme organized so far.

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture Exco member, Rodziah Ismail said that a total of 83,551 participants have been approved for the programme as of the 2nd of November.

According to her, the Jom Shopping Bonus Selangor benefits are awarded based on birth year of the participants.

“Now Tawas is distributing the benefits to members who were born in 2008 amounting to 16,000, as estimated and the benefit is divided according to race.

“This programme is a ‘one-off’ gift given during the Tawas participant’s 4th birthday whose registrations have been approved in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011,” she said.

She said this in response to queries by Sekinchan assemblyman, Ng Suee Lim at the Selangor State Assembly session today.

Rodziah said that the RM7.5 million allocation has been provided by Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) for the programme in which RM 1.6 million has been channeled to the Selangor Children Heritage Fund (Tawas).

State Government Opposes Mangrove Timber Smuggling

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The Selangor Government is using satellite systems to monitor and control trespassing of the Selangor mangrove forests as well as mangrove timber smuggling attempts.

Environment Exco member, Elizabeth Wong said the implementation of the satellite control system began over a year ago and has helped curb such activities.

“It is the latest system and it makes the monitoring process easier to conduct.

“In addition, we also have officers who will conduct fieldwork to monitor the area and provide air control from time to time,” she said when met at the Selangor State Assembly sitting today.

Commenting on mangrove timber smuggling incidences around Klang, he explains that legal prosecution have been imposed on the people involved.

“Usually, when there are smuggling cases, the public will immediately complain to us (the forest department).

“We have successfully taken action against all the cases and those who are guilty of smuggling have also been sentenced,” said Elizabeth, who is also Bukit Lanjan’s assemblywoman.

She added that most of the smuggling cases are done by Indonesian foreigners who trespass by using small boats.

“Thus, the State Government through the Forestry Department have designed a collaboration with all relevant agencies to carry out monitoring and enforcement to curb this issue,” she said.

Syabas has No Right to Approve New Project in Selangor

SHAH ALAM, 27 Nov: The Selangor Government has issued a directive to the Local Authority (PBT) to resume with the planning permission which has been applied by developers to implement new projects.

The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid said that the duty of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) is to supply and distribute treated water only.

Hence Syabas has nothing to do with the approval of the new factory, housing and commercial centre projects in the state.

“This is because we believe that if Syabas cannot execute the water supply services, then Syabas will be taken over by the state government,” said Abdul Khalid.

He said this at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sitting debates concerning the Public Works Department (JKR).

Before that, the Permatang Assemblyman, Sulaiman Abdul Razak has appealed for an explanation regarding Syabas’ actions of not approving the new factory, housing and the commercial centre projects.

Syabas was found to refuse approval for the new commercial and housing projects giving the excuse that there is not enough water supply in Selangor.

“The State Government has provided a team to assist in the distribution of water in Selangor,” said Abdul Khalid.

Iskandar: 29 Percent of Abandoned Projects Completed

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: Since Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had taken over the state administration last September; the State Government has completed 29% of the 49,451 housing units which was abandoned by Umno-BN.

Housing, Building Management and Squatters Exco member, Iskandar Abdul Samad said that the State Government under the leadership of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has taken the initiative to immediately resolve problems faced by the people.

He explained that the problem was a legacy left by the previous government under the leadership of Umno-BN and that it has been taken over by PR which is concerned about the Selangor people’s needs.

“From the 49,451 abandoned houses like residences and commercial buildings, we have managed to complete 14,245 units as of September which involves 19 areas in the whole of Selangor.”

“Apart from that, the State Government has also planned a state-wide welfare refurbishment programme (Ceria) with a total rotation fund of RM9.7 million where 17 areas involved in the programme for Phase 1 has been fully completed where else 33 of the 52 areas in Phase 2 have been completed apart from Phase 3 which will start with 93 areas,” he said in a press conference at the Annex Hall lobby here, today.

Also present were Meru Assemblyman, Dr Abdul Rani Osman, Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Exco member, Dr Halimah Ali and Malay Customs, Youth and Sports Exco member, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi.

Iskandar said that after more than four years, approximately 92% of apartments have benefitted from the free water initiative which was offered by the State Government.

According to him, an agreement was made with Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to loosen the clauses to hasten the transition from central metres to individual metres.

“Other efforts undertaken was the establishing of the Permai Task Force to encourage migration such as the Hands-On programme as well as the Concerned Committee to solve problems at multi-levelled housings regarding the individual metre changing process,” he said.

He said that the State Government had also built 1,682 Affordable Housings in areas in Bandar Baru Bangi, Bukit Botak, Kajang and other places.

Apart from that, he said that 1,215 more units will be built in Phase 1 from 2010 to 2013 while 9,481 units will be built from 2014 to 2018.

“Umno-BN’s efforts in building low-cost housing has encountered many problems and the State Government is introducing affordable housings which are better and cheaper compared to the houses under the same, PR1MA concept by the Federal Government,” he added.

Object Sacking of Politically Motivated Teacher

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The NGO Inisiatif Selamatkan Insan Tertindas (INSAN) or Supressed Individuals Rescue Initiative strongly objects political interference in the management of the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (JAWI) resulting in the sacking of a temporary teacher, Qatrun Nada Mohd Latif from Sekolah Rendah Agama Islam Rancha-Rancha in the Federal Territory of Labuan.

INSAN coordinator, Mohd Faris Abdullah said that as a government agency, JAWI should be neutral and professional in their governing management.

He said that this interference would only taint JAWI’s image as a government body founded on Islam.

“JAWI had also filed to provide a reasonable explanation as to why Qatrun Nada (small picture) was sacked. This issue strengthens the claims that JAWI is influenced by Umno political interests that they are willing to oppress their own staff.”

“This issue is clearly contradictory with JAWI’s own vision of wanting to be a front-runner in upholding Islamic Affairs,” he said to TV Selangor in a media statement.

On the 15th of September 2012, Qatrun Nada had attended a talk organised by Pakatan Rakyat which was delivered by PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. She was then investigated and had received a letter of termination on the 24th of October 2012 from JAWI.

The notice that she received however failed to state the reason of dismissal.

Qatrun Nada had then sent a letter of appeal to enquire the details of the grounds of termination. JAWI had only responded that her service was eventually going to be terminated at any given time according to her appointment contract.

Prior to this, she had also received a phone call from an individual who introduced himself as a powerful individual of Umno Labuan on the 9th of October.

During the phone call, that individual had given Qatrun Nada a warning to not get herself involved in the opposition party’s political activities.

On the 22nd of October, Qatrun Nada was called to the Labuan JAWI office for investigation regarding her activities outside of being an educator. Qatrun Nada finally received her one-month notice of termination on the 24th of October which will take effect on the 1st of December.

Mohd Faris also criticised the Umno-BN’s action which used a government agency to curb the political progress of the opposition party.

“As a political party, Umno should understand fully that the right to engage in politics is the right of every citizen of Malaysia which is warranted under the Federal Constitution.”

“INSAN urges the top leaders of Umno to take disciplinary action against individuals involved for executing actions that defames the image of Umno.”

“The disciplinary action is important to show that Umno also opposes any misuse of power in the party’s administration or the administration of the government,” he added.

In relation to that, INSAN will be sending a letter of memorandum to the Director of JAWI, Datuk Che Mat Che Ali on the 29th of November 2012, urging him to free JAWI from any narrow-minded political interference.

MBPJ Asked to Research into Free Buses in Kota Damansara

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The State Government will ask Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Shah Alam Municipal Council (MBSA) to present a detailed investigation and to hold discussions regarding the provision of a free bus service in Kota Damansara.

The matter was brought forward by the Kota Damansara Assemblyman, Dr Nasir Hashim following the lack of public transportation in his area, especially to Sungai Buloh Hospital.

Local Government, Research and Development Committee Exco member, Ronnie Liu said that the State Government and the Federal Government as well as the Land Public Transport Comission (SPAD) are working to overcome the problem.

“I have come to understand that the SPAD has the allocation to actualise the bus service and now talks are underway,” he said in the Selangor State Assembly sitting.

Ronnie added that as of now, the State Government has already provided two free bus services for the people of Putrajaya which is controlled by MBPJ.

“Truthfully, the responsibility of providing public transportation lies within the authority of the Federal Government. The State Government does not have the right to plan. However, we will try to take the initiative,” he said.

Microcredit Scheme Also For Youth

SHAH ALAM, 26 Nov: The Selangor State Government will be giving everyone, including youths, the opportunity to start a business via the Urban Microcredit Scheme (Mimbar).

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation Exco, Rodziah Ismail said that in addition to providing services to those who have already started businesses, Mimbar Niaga is opening up opportunities to individuals who want to generate income to improve living standards.

She said that youth who want to start a business will be given the capital, basic equipment as well as consistent guidance.

“Under the Mimbar Niaga programme, the State Government will be providing the basic capital and guidance to participants. This programme is also aims to assist individuals who do not already have businesses but want to give it a shot for a trial period of 6 months. If successful, their businesses can be expanded to a higher level,” she said.

Rodziah said this while answering questions from Amirudin Shari (PKR-Batu Caves) regarding the Selangor Microcredit Scheme (Skimsel) and Mimbar.

Rodiah added that since October this year, 12,175 participants have qualified to receive assistance from both the schemes; 6758 under Skimsel and 5417 under Mimbar.

From the total, 2,962 participants are youths (Skimsel), while for Mimbar, 2,331.

“Skimsel has successfully managed to obtain 97.02% of the returns while Mimbar, 83.03%. Most of the loans are paid back consistently by the participants using the bank services provided,” she added.

Disciplinary Action unto Sexist Umno Assemblyman Has Been Suggested

SHAH ALAM, 25 Nov: Selangor Pakatan Rakyat Assemblymen will propose a motion for Umno-BN assemblyman Datuk Mohd Isa Abu Kassim to be brought before the Committee of Privileges following the women insulting words he used last Thursday.

The motion to be proposed this week will call for a disciplinary action to be taken against the Batang Kali Assemblyman for the statement said during the his winding up speech of the Selangor 2013 Budget debate in the State Assembly.

The proposal will be put forward as Mohd Isa had previously refused to retract the statement and apologise giving the reason that he did not mention those words.

Welfare, Women’s Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation Exco member, Rodziah Ismail said that the Selangor State Assembly hansard clearly shows that he mentioned those words.

“I am more disgusted that when it was raised by (Subang Jaya assemblywoman) YB Hannah Yeoh, he allegedly denied that he had used those words, but it was evident when the hansard was distributed, the words clearly exist.

“In fact, the Backbenchers Club (BBC) had discussed and it was agreed that one of the motions to be presented to the council in this week is to call for Batang Kali to be tried under the Committee of Privileges.

“Such statements do not reflect his respect for women and if someone would mention it to his wife, mother or daughter, how would he feel,” said Rodziah to TV Selangor today.

On Thursday, Mohd Isa allegedly uttered indecent words during Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Exco member, Elizabeth Wong’s recap of the forest reserves in the Templer Park’s status.

Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Haniza Talha reminded that all the other women also have the right to be respected, just as Mohd Isa’s own mother.

“Can he joke that way to his mother? Of course not. If he cannot, would it be any different for other women because other women also have the right to be respected, “said the Taman Medan assemblywoman.

Haniza also recommend that women voters in Batang Kali Dun ‘teach’ the Assemblyman by rejecting him in the upcoming election.

Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Exco, Dr Halimah Ali said that Mohd Isa should apologise to Elizabeth.

Popular artists, Abby Abadi had described the statement by Mohd Isa as rude and are only issued by individuals who are less moral.

“Such statements cannot be accepted, is outrageous, off-topic, especially when it is produced by someone who should be an example to the community in areas he is in charge of,” said Abby.