Pakatan Rakyat Wilayah Persekutuan KL

Poser over demolition of staircase - Star

2008-08-08T09:12:00.001+08:00

Aug 8, 2008 By OH ING YEEN

BUKIT Sri Bintang residents are unhappy with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for destroying the staircase along Jalan 3/36 without notice.

According to a resident, City Hall officers came at about 10.30am with two bulldozers, six lorries and two vans to demolish the staircase.

Eyesore: Residents pointing to the destroyed staircase as Lim (fourth from right) looks on.

Taman Bukit Sri Bintang Rukun Tetangga (RT) chairman Angus Ng said he suspected that this was an act by City Hall to warn that there should be no tables and chairs placed along five-foot ways.

“However, many municipal councils allow business owners to place chairs and tables outside as long as the local community do not object to it.

“And these people pay the council a fee.

“There should be laws and guidelines for restaurants or coffeeshops to continue placing chairs outside as long as public safety is not compromised,’’ he said.

He added that he was also concerned for the safety of the residents as now the drains were left uncovered.

Ng said residents understood that the officers were doing their job but that they were irked that they were not given ample warning about the demolition.

He said City Hall should discuss with community leaders before taking such drastic action.

Yong Man Kim, the owner of Restaurant Double Seven, said the staircase in front of his restaurant was originally built with steel but it was not sturdy. Many residents use it to cross the drain, which is 1.3m deep.

“However, the stairs have no connection between restaurants placing tables and chairs on the road side.

“I do not understand why they demolished the staircase.

He said since the demolition, he had not opened for business. He said 25 other shop owners were also affected.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said the rubble left behind after the demolition was an eyesore, adding that he would ask City Hall to clear the mess.

“The steel drain covers and recyclable materials were taken away.

“City Hall should be placing drain covers instead of taking them away,” he said.

BB folks object to open space plan - The Star

2008-07-24T13:30:00.000+08:00

Jul 24, 2008

LANDOWNERS and residents living along Jalan Beremi (Lot 751) in Bukit Bintang are objecting to proposals in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020, which has marked the area as Public Open space.

Normally residents would be jumping for joy when space is left for greening in any neighbourhood but the residents are not too pleased as the land belongs to them and they were not informed about the plan by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

“Our lots are located on freehold land and are designated mixed residential and commercial and hence we are against City Hall's plans to turn the place into a public open space,'' said resident K.K. Kwan.

Kwan said the existing park in front of his home is adequate and falls within the definition of local play area whereby open spaces located in residential areas or in urban commercial centres within walking distance of users is secured from developments through development control mechanisms.

Common stand: Fong (second from right) with residents from Jalan Beremi in Bukit Bintang who filed their objections to the draft KL City Plan 2020.

“The park is more than adequate for the use of residents within a 500m radius. It is not overflowing with residents and visitors that it needs to be urgently enlarged,'' he said.

Residents said that apart from them, drug addicts also frequent the park at night and they believe that by enlarging the park it will only create a much bigger social problem in the neighbourhood.

Resident Katherine Lim said that by acquiring their lots to enlarge an existing park would not contribute to the green lung effect for the community nor for the city landscape.

“There are other vacant plots of land in the neighbourhood. If there is a genuine need for a larger open area or green lung, City Hall should make use of this area instead and not pick on us,'' she told Star Metro after filing her objections at the lobby of City Hall headquarters yesterday.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun accompanied Lim and several other residents.

Fong said the lots in Jalan Beremi were freehold and it was unfair to reclassify the area as open space.

“It is too close to the commercial centre for it to be turned into an open space,'' he said.

“Besides, there was never a pre-consultative process with the residents as per the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 '' Fong said.

City residents have until Aug 31 to file their objections.

10-year wait for pedestrian bridge over - The Star

2008-07-21T13:02:00.002+08:00

Jul 21, 2008 Story and photos by PRIYA MENON

ABOUT 20,000 residents will benefit from the new pedestrian bridge in Wangsa Maju.

Section 2 Wangsa Maju residents are delighted that the new bridge connecting Block C, D and E to Block B is now ready for use.

“A walk to the shops or Wangsa Maju LRT station now takes just five minutes compared with 15 minutes previously,” said Marilyn Gerard, 23.

Work on the RM170,000 bridge began in February and was completed a week ago.

Long-awaited facility: The new pedestrian bridge will be useful to more than 20,000 residents in the Section 2 area of Wangsa Maju.

“We have been waiting for more than 10 years for the bridge to be built,” said Chan Sai Moi, 56.

A condominium built 10 years ago blocks the path residents used in the past to get across to the shoplots. The alternative route was to go around the blocks of flats to reach their destination.

“We are glad the bridge is ready but we hope that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) can put up streetlights because it is dark at night,” Chan added.

Wangsa Maju MCA division chairman Datuk Yew Teong Look said he would request for the streetlights to be put up as soon as possible.

Potential mosquito breeding ground: Yew looking at the brokenstone slabs in a drain located in Section 2 Wangsa Maju.

When Yew first asked the DBKL to build a bridge they had accidentally built it in Section 1, Wangsa Maju, but the bridge had also proved useful to the residents in that area.

“Although it was a mistake it was a good one because we were going to build one there anyway,” Yew added.

Yew said he had also asked DBKL to fix a broken drain in the area so that it would not pose problems for residents in the near future.

“The broken stone slabs will become an ideal place for aedes mosquitoes to breed, so we want to stop that from happening,” said Lim Cheng Hock, chairman of the Joint Management Committee of Section 2.

Lim said they would request DBKL to pay for the compound’s electricity bill that costs the residents RM700 a month.

“The committee has been paying for the compound lights for 20 years now when it is supposed to be paid by DBKL,” he said.

Mega development plan proposed for Pudu Prison land - The Star

2008-06-17T20:53:00.006+08:00

Jun 17, 2008 Stories by JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ

THE land on which the 113- year-old Pudu Prison is located has been identified as one of the major sites for mega development in the Draft KL City Plan 2020.

The colonial era prison was taken over by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) in November 1996 after it was officially closed.

First sight: The arch leading to the inner sanctum of the prison's X-shaped main block.

The land on which the prison structure stands has been earmarked for mixed development in the draft plan.

That means 70% of the land will be used for a commercial hub and 30% for residential development.

There are five plots involved in the proposed plan submitted by the UDA to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in July 2005.

Plots 1, 2 and 5 are proposed for commercial buildings, including a 33-storey office tower, a shopping complex, a 43-storey hotel tower and a 44-storey serviced apartment tower.

Familiar site: A look at the famous Pudu Prison mural and some of the buildings within the compound.

The old prison mosque will be maintained while plots 3 and 4 will feature two blocks of 44-storey condominiums on each plot. There is also a 1.2ha park proposed in the plan.

The proposal also involves the widening of Jalan Pudu and making a new traffic way at Jalan Changkat Thamby Abdullah to create a dedicated entrance to the development site.

The Hang Tuah monorail station will also be integrated with the proposed development site to create easy accessibility for the public.

According to DBKL town planning director Mahadi Che Ngah, the proposed plan has been discussed by the town planning committee and examined by former mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan when UDA submitted it in 2005.

Infamous resident: A file picture of Botak Chin who served time and was executed at Pudu Prison.

However, due to the proposal’s high density, the UDA was told to scale down the development.

“At present, the traffic condition along Jalan Hang Tuah is already bad. The developers have to find a good solution to tackle the traffic problems,” Mahadi said.

Hard work: Khong Yen Chong showing the award he received for painting the mural when he was an inmate at the prison in the 1980s.

“They can perhaps employ consultants to do traffic impact studies and make proposals on improving flow,” he said.

Mahadi said a major development with such a magnitude in Kuala Lumpur would enhance the confidence of local and foreign investors to invest in the city.

“In a way, if we do not propose this site for redevelopment, we are not encouraging other dilapidated properties in the city to be redeveloped by its owner. That kind of approach is not good for the city,” he said.

Mahadi: UDA submitted a proposal to develop the area in 2005 but was told to scale it down.

“If Kuala Lumpur is not booming who will want to come to the city?” Mahadi told StarMetro during an interview last week.

Mahadi said although the Pudu Prison was a well-known historical landmark in the city centre, its large area of 8.8ha should logically be capitalised in the city’s land development usage.

He said city development planning was always about striking a balance and there would always be a conflict in ideals and perception among various interest groups.

“But, as a city maker, we have to decide what is best for Kuala Lumpur by looking at benefits it has to offer,” Mahadi said.

“If there was a strong need to maintain part of the structure of the old prison building, then we would preserve it but probably not the entire site,” he said.

Mahadi said the UDA application status had lapsed since it was rejected for revision by City Hall.

“UDA was supposed to have come back to us within 30 days but it has been three years and there is no feedback from it on the plans. Based on our standard practice, the proposal is considered lapsed,” Mahadi said.

Lorries turn area into cowboy town - The Star

2008-06-15T13:57:00.002+08:00

Jun 15, 2008 By CHRISTINA LOW

HOW would you like to live in an area where more than 50 lorries laden with sand are driven to and fro in front of your house daily?

This is what residents of Taman Sri Segambut and a neighbouring residential area known as Bamboo Garden have to bear with daily.

Speaking out: Lim (right) listening intently as Saw explains his side of the story.

The lorries are used to carry sand from an area at the end of the road.

“They move in and out carrying sand daily and we had to shut our windows and doors because it is just too dusty,” Wong Kong Ban, 57, said.

On top of the noise and dust pollution, the safety of the residents, especially children and old folks, is also threatened.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng visited the site recently to see how bad the situation was after receiving numerous phone calls and complaint letters from the residents.

Lim said Batu MP Tian Chua had also informed him of the problem as the area borders both the constituencies.

Chua, who had also been approached by residents to help them resolve the matter, had sent a letter to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) last month.

Off they go: Lorries transporting sand out of the area.
He had asked the DBKL whether the sand removal activities had the approval from the authorities, but there was no reply from City Hall.

During a recent StarMetro visit to the site, the workers there shouted at the journalists.

“We have no choice but to use the residential road as there is no access road out to Jalan Kuching from here,” a worker said.

The residents claimed that the lorries had also driven through the playground as an alternative route out of the site.

They had not only damaged a section of the park but also the concrete slabs on drains.

However, an officer in charge of the site, who only wanted to be known as Saw, denied that they had used the playground.

“We don’t use the playground at all, only the road leading to Bamboo Garden,” Saw said.

He also said the workers were not there to steal sand but to take the sand in to be cleaned before transporting it out to construction sites.

“We have been renting the lot for three months now, and there are three more months before our contract ends,” Saw said.

Asked whether the site had been approved by the DBKL for such works, Saw evaded the question but went on to say that the workers had always cleaned the roads after finishing their work each day.

DBKL’s Segambut branch manager Norhaslinda Nordin also inspected the site, the first time she has visited the place, and took note of several matters.

Norhaslinda claimed that the DBKL did not receive Chua’s letter and was not aware of the problem.

“We will check thoroughly before taking further action,” Norhaslinda said.

Solar-powered parking meters

2008-06-12T10:22:00.002+08:00

Solar-powered parking meters

Jun12, 2008 By FAZLEENA AZIZ

THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will replace the present parking meters with the new electronic parking system SLKE in the city by next week.

The new Pay and Display scheme will see electronic machines placed at strategic locations to allow motorists to pay parking fees using cash or on credit via the Mykad.

Cash or credit: The new Electronic Parking System (SLKE) machine that will be installed at strategic locations in the city.

According to KL mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan, the solar-powered system is user friendly.

The operation period is from 7.30am to 10pm and the hourly parking rate is maintained at 80 sen in the city centre and 50 sen outside the city centre.

The first phase for the new system covers Bukit Bintang, Masjid India, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kampung Baru, Chow Kit, Pudu, Kompleks Damai and Loke Yew, which will be operational from next Monday.

The second phase and following phases will be implemented progressively according to areas by August.

“There is no cost on the part of the DBKL part but we have an installer and operators for the parking system,” Hakim said during a meet-the-press session yesterday.

Hakim also said that the system would be helpful in areas where they were illegal operators and jockeys.

The machines will be stationed at every 20 parking spaces and 50 enforcement officers will be on duty at four main zones, where the parking meters are installed.

The DBKL will pay RM1.50 a day to the system installer company for each parking space. An operator will be hired to handle collection and maintenance at every parking zones.

Asked about his recent “study trip” to Europe and Canada organised by the Federal Territories Ministry, the DBKL and Putrajaya Corporation, Hakim said the ministry would submit a report to the cabinet.

On the current government belt-tightening measures, Hakim said the DBKL would adhere to the cost-cutting and cost-saving agenda.

“We will save electricity by minimising the use of lights and air conditioners.

“The use of stationeries, events and the use of office vehicles will be minimised,” Hakim said.

“We will evaluate the need for having courses, overseas and local trips as well as other programmes,” he said.

Towards developing world-class status for KL - The Star

2008-06-11T16:49:00.001+08:00

Jun 11, 2008 Stories by BAVANI M (bavanim@thestar.com.my)

SOME quarters think that by increasing the Kuala Lumpur population of 1.6 million to 2.2 million by 2020 will result in density increases beyond sustainable limits.

And this would inadvertently results in poorer quality of life, traffic and crowd congestion, air and noise pollution and even unemployment.

But there are others who believe that if a city population declines it would lead to decay or even ruin, and eventually turned the once vibrant city into a ghost town.

Renewal: Changes are in the offing in KL.

The Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 envisions Kuala Lumpur as a world-class city with its residents living quality lifestyles despite a projected population increase of 600,000 by 2020.

The plan states that for Kuala Lumpur to progress and prosper, sustainable development is the only way to achieve it.

According to town planner Norliza Hashim, this is only possible if the people are willing to change their lifestyle patterns and make compromises.

She pointed out that the current land use pattern was the direct result of past practices and development trends, which were based on single land use zoning.

“Things have changed, trends have changed, market forces with environmental concerns requires new and integrated approach to land use planning,’’ she said.

Norliza said to become a world-class city, there must be a more flexible approach at land use zoning.

According to Norliza, some of the coordinated efforts in ensuring and supporting the city’s growth to cater for needs of its population include allocating land for future requirements, facilitating use of land and buildings, regulating incompatible land use and activities, integrating transport and spatial development, encouraging mixed-use development and transforming, and regenerating Brownfield sites and urban villages.

“Apart from the need to protect the environment and public open spaces, improving the traffic situation and upgrading public amenities, it is also time for people to embrace mixed use development,’’ Norliza said.

She pointed out that mixed-use development encouraged a balance of housing, employment, commercial and other community facilities in the same area.

“Working and living in the same area reduce travel time. Mixed development helps achieve intensive development by using the same space for more than one purpose,” Norliza said.

A valid point and one endorsed by Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) KL branch secretary Tan Ching Meng.

Tan said for KL to compete with other world-class cities it must move with the times.

“KL cannot be frozen by history and traditions. To advance, it needs to transform with the times and undergo a rejuvenation pro-cess,’’ he said.

A good example cited by both Norliza and Tan are Singapore’s Tao Payoh township and Bugis Street, which have successfully undergone regeneration process incorporating mixed-use development.

“There are commercial, retail, residential and transit stations nearby and, despite the lack in open spaces, the residents are enjoying a quality lifestyle,’’ Norliza said.

She said this could also happen in KL with proper planning and integrated development within the inner city.

According to Norliza, in most of the world-class cities, such Vancouver in Canada, the city is well integrated with high-rise buildings and yet could also boast the most number of parks.

Norliza said this could be done in Malaysia if the people recognised and accepted the fact that the way of modern life was high-rise and no longer horizontal.

Tan, meanwhile, said KL should not be stilted in comparison to its conurbations, the aggregations of urban areas.

“The capital city should be the liveliest in the country, with individual interest balanced with the overall needs of the KL residents,’’ he said.

Study trips to Germany and Canada under fire - The Star

2008-06-04T19:17:00.002+08:00

Jun 4, 2008 BY BAVANI M

A STUDY trip to a city in Europe and Canada organised by the Federal Territory Ministry, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Putrajaya Corporation has not gone down well with Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai.

The one-week trip from May 30 until June 7 is to study better ways of managing a city.

It involves a delegation of 15 high-ranking officers, including FT Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique and KL mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan.

Tan said the trip was unnecessary and a waste of money.

“Why must they go to Europe to study how to manage cities?” queried Tan. “Why can't they go to Singapore, Hong Kong or Taipei to learn?

Meanwhile, when contacted the minister's principal private secretary Shazril Fariza said the study tour to the two cities, Vancouver in Canada and Berlin in Germany was approved by the cabinet.

“The ministry picked these two cities because both have an excellent local governance system and a perfect place to learn.

“The ministry feels you cannot run a city the old way and in order to become a world-class city one must incorporate new ideas and ways and that's what this study tour is all about,'' said Shazril.

He added the delegation would also study ways to manage trafficcongestion and address environmental issues more efficiently.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras road to remain open - The Star

2008-05-30T20:14:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: May 30, 2008

The Cabinet has decided the Bandar Mahkota Cheras access road will remain open for now.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said that the road will remain open until the court decision on a lawsuit filed by developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd against Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) in 2007.

The matter was discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Friday morning.

Mohd Zin said the Government has taken into consideration the inconvenience caused to Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents because of the barricade placed on the access road there.

To avoid controversy and any untoward incidents the Cabinet had decided that the access road remain open.

Mohd Zin added that the residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras could now use the access road and there would no longer be congestion there.

He urged residents to calm down and hoped that they wouldn’t take the law into their own hands.

Pakatan Rakyat's Motion on BMC rejected by Parliament

2008-05-30T14:13:00.000+08:00

Bandar Mahkota residents take their case to Parliament - The Star

2008-05-30T11:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: May 30, 2008

Some 30 residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras brought their case to Parliament, wielding banners urging the Works Minister to reopen the access road to the housing area.

They gathered outside the Parliament building with banners which read: “Menteri Kerja Raya, Tolong Rakyat Buka Jalan” (Works Minister, please help the people open the road).

A resident, who only wanted to be known as Mas, said the barricade, built by highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, had created serious traffic congestion for the residents in the area.

“I have to leave my house every day at 5.30am to send my children to school. If I leave at 6am, I would not be able to make it,” said the mother of three, who has been living there for five years.

On Tuesday, Mas was at the site to show support to the residents who opposed the rebuilding of the controversial barricade at about 7.30pm.

She said, all hell broke loose when the crowd started smashing cars and throwing stones. She cracked a bone in her arm in the fracas.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who met the residents outside the Parliament building, asked for an inquiry into the incident in which thugs were allegedly used against residents during the protest.

“There should be a full inquiry into this incident. The residents have a right to object to the building of the barricade, and there should not be any physical violence,” he said.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung, replying to queries by MPs while winding-up the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill for his ministry, said nine police reports were lodged by the public following Tuesday's incident.

In the confusion, four people in a Proton Wira were detained for allegedly trying to run down police officers.

“There were allegations that the police had used force against the public, but none of the police reports we received were connected to this. I urge those who say they were assaulted by the police to lodge reports so that we can get to the bottom of the matter,” he said.

Chor said the police would not take sides in any situation and assured the House that they were always professional when carrying out their duties.

Cheers as residents pull down controversial barricade - The Star

2008-05-29T17:37:00.002+08:00

May 29, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR:

Residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras have torn down a barricade rebuilt by Grand Saga Sdn Bhd that prevented access into the housing area of some 38,000 residents.

Using mallets, car jacks and steel bars, the residents broke down the foundations of the barricade made of large boulders and forced the stones to the ground.

The boulders were then chained to lorries and dragged away to the side of the underpass of the Cheras-Kajang Highway, which leads into the neighbourhood.

Show of support: The crowd cheering as the first of the vehicles inch their way through the two-lane road in Bandar Mahkota Cheras Wednesday.

By 7.15pm, the first vehicle had managed to inch its way through the two-lane access road, amidst the cheers and loud blaring of vehicle horns from onlookers and residents alike.

Police and Light Strike Force personnel monitored the crowds, which swelled to a few hundred.

More roars of support ensued later when Selangor CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, who visited the spot, told the residents that he had advised Grand Saga to stop any construction of barricades in the area.

He said the public would be inconvenienced each time Grand Saga built the barricade. DCP Khalid also urged the Malaysian Highway Authority and the Public Works Department to settle the matter and come up with an amicable solution.

He also urged the elected representative not to incite the residents.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mood, who was also present, was hoisted up by several residents who lauded his support for their cause.

He also persuaded residents to remove several toppled boulders that were blocking cars going into the Bandar Tun Hussein Onn access road.

Several residents then pooled together RM900 to get the job done, saying that a third of the sum would be for the lorry’s petrol while the rest would be used to buy food.

Earlier, two photographers from Sin Chew Daily and China Press were attacked by two unidentified men, who had threatened to beat them if they did not stop taking pictures.

By 10pm, all boulders had been cleared.

Cheras Barricade reopens ...

2008-05-29T12:23:00.002+08:00

Lims calls for inquiry (Malaysiakini)

May 29, 2008

DAP leader Lim Kit Siang condemned the violence which resulted in the injuries of several residents two nights ago.

He also lambasted the presence of thugs to stop the residents from pulling down the barricade.

He also criticised the police for not only their "hands-off" policy during the rampage by the thugs, but also in going on a rampage of their own in assaulting innocent bystander Chang Jiun Haur.

"An independent public inquiry into the spate of physical violence against the protesting public by thugs and police personnel is fully warranted," he added.

He said that DAP MP for Serdang Teo Nie Ching will be raising the issue in Parliament today.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras - BLOCKED AGAIN!!!!!

2008-05-28T15:10:00.001+08:00

Cheras victim of police brutality? - Malaysiakini

2008-05-28T15:08:00.000+08:00

May 27, 2008

When Chung Jiun Huar, 21 drove out with his sister and boss to the barricade re-erected earlier by toll concessionaire Grand Saga, he did not count on being a participant to a continuing saga.

A participant he did become as he was allegedly beaten by police and FRU personnel who apparently were of the opinion he was driving his car 'as though he wanted to knock people'...

Standoff over Cheras barrier - The Star

2008-05-28T10:00:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: May 28, 2008 By RASHITHA A. HAMID, FAZLEENA AZIZ and ELIZABETH LOOI

Tensions ran high at Bandar Mahkota, Cheras, when hundreds of residents gathered to remove a barricade which was rebuilt early yesterday to prevent access into the area.

Four people were arrested in the incident.

Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire of the Cheras-Kajang Highway, had reconstructed the barricade after it was taken down by the residents a few weeks ago.

Barrier rebuilt: Residents gathering after the barricade was rebuilt by Grand Saga workers (inset) on Tuesday. Later in the evening, a fracas ensued as a group of unidentified men attacked the residents as they tried to dismantle the barricade. — CHUA KOK HWA, DARREN TAN and BRIAN MOH/ The Star

A fracas ensued at about 7.15pm when a group of unidentified men armed with sticks and helmets attacked the residents. Several residents were taken to hospital.

Also injured was a photographer from Utusan Malaysia, Roy Azis Abdul Aziz, who was beaten up when he tried to snap some photographs.

Several cars parked at the roadside were also smashed by the group.

The group of men sat on the blocks, not allowing the residents to remove them and threatened to attack those who tried to go near the barricade. However, the group disappeared when the police arrived later.

On May 8, about 1,000 residents from the nearby areas demonstrated at Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mood said Grand Saga Business Development and Corporate Affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali had written to him on Monday informing that they would rebuild the barricade, and requested for security.

However, ACP Shakaruddin rejected the request as there was no court order on the matter.

Grand saga contractors started to rebuild the barricade at 12.30am and finished at about 6pm. Zainal Abidin said the barricade was built on an “indisputable area” within Grand Saga’s boundaries.

Until last night, five of the injured had lodged reports at the Kajang police headquarters.

One of the victims, who only wanted to be known as Ina, said she and her husband with their four-year-old son were watching the drama when a group of men suddenly attacked them.

A resident, who only wanted to be known as Ken, said he was hit by a helmet and a pipe on his neck and back.

“I was only watching them pairing down the concrete sledge when suddenly a bunch of people arrived and started beating everyone up. I ran after I was beaten several times but some others were injured quite badly,” said the 28-year-old.

Another resident Kenny Ki, 45, said a group of men came in two cars and five motorbikes.

The residents disperse at 7.45pm but gathered again later to remove the barricades.

At 10pm, the Federal Reserve Unit arrived in three trucks and two water canon trucks and gave three warnings to the residents to disperse.

At press time, only a handful of people were still gathering a distance away from the barricade and several policemen remained.

The Cheras-Kajang Highway Saga continues ...

2008-05-27T22:42:00.003+08:00

Barricade re-erected, clashes with residents (Malaysiakini)
Syed Jaymal Zahiid | May 27, 08 2:11pm

It did not take long for toll concessionaire Grand Saga to rebuild a concrete barricade to block a toll-free access road to the Cheras-Kajang Highway in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC).

The task of building the five-foot high wall across the double-lane access road started at about 1am and was completed by 3.30pm today.

But tensions rose when BMC residents who attempted to tear down the wall clashed with a group of men purported hired by Grand Saga to protect the barricade.

According to residents, about a dozen people were injured after they were assaulted by 30 'thugs'.

By about 10pm, some 400 to 500 residents had gathered at the site, attempting to remove the concrete barriers.

According to eye-witnesses, about three or four such boulders have been torn down.

It is also learnt that two residents have been admitted at Kajang hospital after suffering injuries caused by the thugs. One of them is said to have suffered facial injuries and a broken hand.

Cheras folks debate on KL City draft plan - The Star

2008-05-27T10:48:00.001+08:00

May 27, 2008 By YIP YOKE TENG

CHERAS folks became the first group to have a discussion on the Kuala Lumpur City Draft Plan 2020.

Representatives of 40 residents and petty traders associations attended the discussion organised by Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai on Friday evening at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

All ears: Tan (standing) addressing the representatives of 40 residents and petty traders associations from Cheras during the discussion.

Town planning and transportation management expert Goh Bok Yen gave guidelines on how to analyse the draft plan since most of the attendees had not bought the hardcopies yet.

After the briefing, attendees were rather upset that even though the draft plan was set out to create a safe city for KL folks, it had not lined out the strategies to achieve so.

“An unsafe city is unfit to be called a world-class city. Not a single person here is satisfied with the security in his or her neighbourhood. Crime is rampant, we have only 12 years to 2020, is the government capable of fixing this problem within this period?” Tan asked.

He said while the draft plan seemed to be painting a perfect picture of the future Kuala Lumpur, issues such as potholes, basic infrastructure and public transportations that remained unsolved were making city folks sceptical.

Attendees also expressed mixed feelings towards the draft plan's proposal for the Bandar Tun Razak – Sungai Besi Strategic Zone to be largely residential as there would not be much push for commercial development.

“The draft plan only states that Cheras is to have street malls and sidewalk retails focusing on education, medicine and sports. Even today, Cheras only has Giant, Tesco and Leisure Mall that are not large-scale commercial centres,” said Goh.

The draft plan also indicates that Chan Sow Lin area would be further developed as an industrial zone dominated by automotive-related showrooms.

However, Goh highlighted that this would encounter hindrance unless rectified as many owners in the area hold short-term land titles.

He pointed out that the strategic zone was planned to have 97,000 residential units, compared to 29,000 currently.

With that, accessibility and connectivity are to be addressed with the 12 new rail lines, four of which cover some parts of Cheras, as well as congestion levy.

Goh, however, expressed reservation that the new rail lines could be completed in time judging from the current progress of public transportation development.

Tan advised attendees to scrutinise the land use zoning and development intensity proposed for the areas of their concern, and bring their queries up in subsequent discussion sessions.

He plans to hold the next session early July.

“This is a preliminary session for the residents. The draft plan is very technical and even the experts need time to digest it. City Hall should hold roadshows at various places around Kuala Lumpur to educate the residents on how to read the plan.

Sprucing up Bukit Bintang - The Star

2008-05-27T10:45:00.001+08:00

May 27, 2008 By CHRISTINA LOW

IT WAS another year of spring cleaning at the Bukit Bintang as traders and employees of various hotels from the area came together for a gotong royong session.

More than 500 people with the help of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Alam Flora and the Fire Department took part in the three-hour clean up which started at 9am.

Federal Territories deputy minister Datuk M Saravan who launched the event said Bukit Bintang was one of the popular spots among the tourists.

“Every tourist who visits Kuala Lumpur will put Bukit Bintang on top of the list,” said Saravanan.

Team effort: Participants sweeping the walkways outside Bukit Bintang Plaza and Sungei Wang Plaza.

Saravanan said such activities should be an ongoing one with everyone doing their part to maintain the cleanliness of the area and making it a better place.

“I also hope to meet the representatives from the hotels to see how we can uplift the image of Bukit Bintang in years to come,” said Saravanan.

He urged the traders and the public to suggest ways to improve the area as he welcomed ideas from all walks of lives.

The gotong-royong activity is an annual event held to enhance the existing relations between the various business communities in the area. Themed 'Cleanliness Ensures a Glorious City', this year the campaign was undertaken by Plaza Low Yat.

Participants were divided into various teams before being assigned the clean up tasks.

The areas covered included Jalan Alor, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Jalan Bulan, Jalan Bulan 2, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Pudu and Jalan Tong Shin.

Start cleaning: Saravanan flagging off the participants.

The teams swept walkways and cleaned clogged drains as well as trimmed overgrown plants in their respective areas. The hard day’s work ended with games and lucky draws.

Also present at the event was Bukit Bintang MCA division chairman Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall under siege - Demo 3 - The Star

2008-05-24T14:59:00.000+08:00

May 24, 2008 By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ

ABOUT 30 residents from Kampung Abdullah Hukum in Kuala Lumpur marched to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) complex yesterday morning to submit a memorandum demanding that the loacl auhtority fulfil its promise of providing them units at an apartment project.

The residents, accompanied by Ampang MP Zuraida Kamarudin and Wanga Maju MP Wee Choo Keong, had gathered at Dataran Merderka at about 10am to air their grievances.

Hear us out: Residents of Kg Abdullah Hukum holding up banners Friday.

They represent about 130 households who are in a dilemma over uncertainty of the status of their promised homes at the Apartment Abdullah Hukum.

These residents, who are now renting houses while waiting for their housing units, were supposed to have shifted to the new apartments a year ago.

Last year, the long-time residents of Kampung Abdullah Hukum were asked to move out to make way for the Eco City project by Pelita Dunia Sdn Bhd.

The project includes luxury homes, a commercial centre and a 70-storey tower.

According to Roslan Mat, DBKL has earlier promised that all residents affected by the project will be given a unit each at the Apartment Abdullah Hukum.

The cost of the promised unit was RM51,000. The residents were also promised a compensation of RM6,000 each.

Roslan said all affected residents were moved to the new home stage by stage.

“There are five stages of shifting. All have been moved but shifting for the stage three residents are still pending. The DBKL also have not shown the list of people who are going to be shifted.

“We want to know why is it still pending?” Roslan said.

Roslan, who has been staying in the kampung for 47 years, said the cost of RM51,000 for an apartment unit measuring less than 198 sq meters was too expensive.

“They should give us the homes for free because according to a source from the DBKL town planning department, we were told that the land cost was between RM350 and RM500 per sq feet,” he said.

Roslan also said under the DBKL open housing system (Sistem Perumahan Terbuka), the apartments units were also given to those not from Kampung Abdullah Hukum.

“There are those from outside the kampung and also certain people who got more than one unit. How is that possible?” Roslan said.

Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan's personal assistant Shaari Ahmad Junid accepted the memorandum from the residents.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall under siege - Demo 2 - The Star

2008-05-24T14:56:00.002+08:00

May 24, 2008 By FAZLEENA AZIZ

THE Kampung Baru Weekend Market Traders and Welfare Association is against the move by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to demolish part of the market in Jalan Raja Muda Musa to make way for a development project.

DBKL issued a notice to 32 traders operating at the site on May 8 under the Essential Regulations (Squatter Eradication) 1969 stating that they should vacate the site on or before May 22 as they were squatting at the place.

The weekend market is said to be a popular spot among tourists, locals as well as for the Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa stall.

No go: Kampung Baru Weekend Market Traders and Welfare Association traders holding a picket against City Hall’s plan to demolish the market.

The association's president, Dr Hosni Hussen Md Saat, said it was not proper for DBKL to label them as squatters.

“This is a place of business, it is not a squatter area.

“Most of us have been doing business here for many years and it is not fair for DBKL to come and do such a thing.

“Based on our findings, the land, which the area encompasses is under the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) and does not belong to DBKL.

“It is government land, managed by the government, when did it become a squatter area,” asked Hosni.

“DBKL was also selective in sending out the notices. We are finding contradicting facts to the whole matter.

“We are not against any development but for them to evade us and classifying us as squatters is not justified.

“DBKL should have brought us in and discussed with us on the development before going ahead with their plan. There has to be a win-win situation for both parties.

“So far they are only offering Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) as compensation to those, who live here while the traders were offered temporary relocation to Jalan Raja Mahadi, Jalan Raja Muda Aziz and Jalan Hashim.

Hosni said there were over 200 shops in the area, which would be affected by the development.

Nadzri Abdul Hamid, who is the association deputy president, asked if DBKL was sincere with their intention.

“If they want to develop this place then the development should include us not exclude us.

“When we can have places like Little India and Chinatown, why cannot we have a Malay town right here?,” asked Nadzri.

About 30 traders gathered in front of the market stating their protest with the hope that some light will be shed over their problem.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall under siege - Demo 1 - The Star

2008-05-24T14:53:00.003+08:00

May 24, 2008 By CHRISTINA LOW

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan was thrown into a lion’s den yesterday when he was being driven into the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) complex.

Greeting him at the entrance was a group of opposition MPs accompanying 200 traders who were staging a peaceful protest against the DBKL for allegedly being high-handed in dealing with them.

War of words: Gobalakrishnan (left) trying to grab Saravanan's attention while Zuraida (second from left) and Wee look on.

The traders were there to submit a memorandum to Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan but when they saw Saravanan being driven into the DBKL complex, they stopped and surrounded his car and demanded that he talk to them.

A fierce war of words then broke out between the deputy minister and Pakatan Rakyat MPs – Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju), Tan Kok Wai (Cheras), Fong Kui Kun (Bukit Bintang), Lim Lip Eng (Segambut), Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kepong), Loh Gwo Burne (Kelana Jaya) and Zuraida Kamarudin (Ampang).

Saravanan was confronted by Wee who demanded that he tell the traders what he would do to resolve their problems. This resulted in a shouting match, with the other MPs joining in challenging the deputy minister to state his stand on the issue.

Saravanan had to keep pleading to the crowd to allow him time to resolve their problems.

The traders had claimed that DBKL officers from its planning department had demolished their stalls on May 21 even after DBKL director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup had promised Wee a day earlier that the demolishing work would be put on hold for two weeks pending further discussion.

On May 21, the DBKL demolished 130 stalls in eight locations in Taman Desa Setapak.

The traders said they had told the enforcement officer in charge that morning of the 14-day grace period but the officer was said to be arrogant and ignored their request.

They said the officer also refused to give them time to remove their fans, fluorescent lights and signboards.

“When they came with huge excavators, lorries with DBKL officers, FRU and police to demolish, they gave us only 10 minutes to leave the area,” one trader said.

“We do not even have time to negotiate or talk to them,” said the trader who had been operating his business there for nearly 20 years.

After Wee contacted Salleh and the mayor’s special assistant Shaari Ahmad, the remaining stalls were given a reprieve.

The eight food court centres that were demolished were said to be trading on government land and had no approval from the DBKL to trade.

According to Saravanan, the DBKL has received complaints that the food court was the cause of major road congestions in the area and that traders did not keep the area clean.

Saravanan said the vacant land would now be used to build Rukun Tetangga and police beat bases as well as preserving it as a green lung

Villagers want link across DUKE - The Sun

2008-05-19T19:39:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR (May 19, 2008):

Kampung Puah Seberang residents in Sentul are riled up over the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) project which they claim will drive a wedge on the close communal ties they have forged within the neighbourhood.

Carrying banners and placards, about 80 residents staged a protest at 10am today next to an overhead pedestrian bridge at a section of the highway which is still under construction. The highway and cuts through their village.

The protest, led by Sentul MP Tian Chua and Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong, lasted about 30 minutes with residents demanding that the developer, MRCB Group, build an overhead motorcycle bridge linking the village which has been split by the highway.

"It's just like a knife cutting through and the developer does not seem to care what is in between.The people here have built a close-knit community over the last 50 years and they travel around on bicycles and motorcycles.

"When the highway is ready, they will have to go out to Jalan Sentul just to get to the other side, travelling about 7km.The highway will also bring massive pollution to their homes," said Tian Chua, adding that Batu Muda residents nearby were also facing the same dilemma.

He said there was no need for such protests had the developer taken time to meet residents and hear out their woes.

Wee said two-wheelers were the main mode of transport for the villagers to carry out their daily chores and without the motorcycle bridge, it would be a major inconvenient to them.

The MPs said they will raise the matter in Parliament and hoped the developer will resolve the matter amicably with the residents.

Pak Lah makes historic visit to Buddhist temple - The Star

2008-05-18T20:15:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: May 18, 2008

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became only the second Prime Minister to celebrate Wesak Day at the 113-year-old Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields.

Wesak Day visit: Abdullah and Ong being greeted by Sri Dhammaratana upon their arrival at the temple in Brickfields.

Yesterday, Chief High Priest of Malaysia, the Most Venerable K. Sri Dhammaratana, called it a historic moment for the temple, as it had been a long time since the country's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman visited the temple in 1967.

Abdullah's presence was confirmed only at the last minute as he had just finished a meeting with the MSC International Advisory Panel.

In his Wesak Day greeting to Malaysians, the Prime Minister hoped that the multiracial communities would continue to live in peace so the country could continue to prosper.

“No religions asks their followers to create trouble or problems for people of other faiths,” he said.

Present were Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Loon, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong

MP: Police chief must apologise - NST

2008-05-18T16:22:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: May 18, 2008

Segambut Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng is demanding an apology from Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar for the alleged "torture" he and several Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents were put through on May 8, at the Grand Saga demonstration, over an access road closure.

He claimed several residents were treated brutally when they were arrested for protesting.

Lim planned to sue the force over the incident unless Khalid apologised.

He claimed that he too was assaulted by plainclothes policemen while trying to prevent the Federal Reserve Unit personnel from using water cannon to disperse the crowd at Bandar Mahkota Cheras

Parliamentarians dismayed by draft plan - The Star

2008-05-16T14:51:00.003+08:00

May 16, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR parliamentarians said they were shocked, worried and concerned over the draft plan after they had a chance to look at it.

Even though the MPs did not have a chance to fully study the thick volumes of the draft plan, they did manage to spot problems by looking at the maps showing land use zoning and development intensity.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said that it looked like parts of Federal Hill, which were supposed to be for institutional use, had been identified for commercial development.

She also pointed out that stretches of Bukit Gasing had been marked for residential use while Medan Serai would have massive infrastructure development.

“This is an apparent encroachment of green lungs and excess development of the areas. This is worrying and we are very concerned,” she said.

“The whole purpose of this exhibition is for the public to give their views on the future plan for Kuala Lumpur.

“I hope this is not a public relations exercise and public opinions and objections must be taken into serious consideration,” she added.

Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong was shocked after finding out that stretches of Bukit Gasing would be developed instead of being kept as a green belt.

He also expressed frustration as his constituency would not be endowed with many green areas.

“It is definitely not right to have so many public housing projects clustered in an area, as it will worsen the area’s traffic problems. City Hall must not build and only think about preparing necessary infrastructure after that,” he said.

“It seems that City Hall is only interested in building a concrete jungle and not keeping the real jungle,” he added.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai highlighted that public hearings of the draft plan should not be conducted by only City Hall, who had been handling the planning and decision making of the draft plan.

“There should be a special task force comprising City Hall and other relevant parties like the MPs, NGOs, professionals, environmentalists, consumer groups and town planners, among others, to conduct the hearings,” he said.

Tan said he would hold dialogues with the local communities to study the draft plan.

He commented that even though the mayor said this was the time to object and to give opinions, it would not be right if the public were not allowed to raise issues after the plan was gazetted as they did not have access to details of the projects.

Like many of his counterparts, Tan urged City Hall to extend the exhibition period and to reduce the price of the draft plan’s hard copy to make it easier for more people to study it.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said the public needed more time to study the draft plan and to consult experts.

He urged his constituents to participate actively to help mould a better environment.

DBKL tears down hawker stalls - The Star

2008-05-16T14:32:00.002+08:00

May 16, 2008 By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ

EIGHT hawker stalls near Kampung Kerinchi were torn down by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officers yesterday for failing to move their businesses to another site nearby.

Despite being given several eviction notices by City Hall since September last year, the hawkers still did not move and this prompted the local authority to go ahead with the demolition plan.

All systems go: DBKL officers carrying out the demolition work in Kampung Kerinchi yesterday.

A DBKL officer said the hawkers would be shifted to a food court called Medan Selera Dataran Seri Angkasa Jaya, also located in Jalan Kerinchi. The officer also mentioned that four of the stall owners did not have any licences.

Headed by DBKL's enforcement and security department, the operation was also assisted by Tenaga Nasional Bhd, DBKL's mechanical and engineering department and the Brickfields police.

The vacated land will be used to build a public toilet for the food court and for some landscaping works by developer Nakkon Sdn Bhd.

Meanwhile, hawker Rohana Abu Samah whose shop was demolished said she did not receive any eviction notices from the local authority.

Still time: Stall owners trying to salvage their things as the backhoe (background) begins to tear down the stalls.

She added she was unprepared when the enforcement officers showed up in trucks and backhoe loaders.

“I asked for the eviction notice but they said it was given out but I did not receive any.

“So I had to quickly remove my things as they carried on with the operation,” said Rohana, who has been operating in Jalan Kerinchi for six years.

Kuala Lumpur City Draft Plan 2020 - The Star

2008-05-16T14:29:00.000+08:00

The draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 lays a series of goals and policies to achieve environmental, social and economic development simultaneously. The goals are:

1) To be a World Class City

KL will have made many positive changes to the physical environment without compromising the local environment and its ecology. It also commits to creating a liveable and attractive environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

2) A Dynamic World Class Business City

KL shall strengthen its role as the premier business and retail hub of the nation, becoming a dynamic international centre that will promote national and regional growth.

3) Connectivity and Accessibility for the City

The draft plan shall move towards an integrated approach to promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly transport system to enhance the city living environment. Transport proposal identified for the draft plan shall reinforce objectives of the KLSP2020.

4) Sustainable Land Use

The pattern of land uses, their location, mix and intensity, is a critical component of the city’s character and structure. It is intended to provide sufficient land for residential, commercial, industrial, and public use.

5) City Living Environment

KL is home to 1.6 mil people and this is expected to grow to 2.2 mil by the year 2020. With more than 464, 9966 homes today, the housing sector is fast growing and contributes significantly to the urban footprint of the city. Hence the plan emphasises the provision of adequate, safe, healthy and comfortable housing for all the city’s residents.

6) Protecting and Enhancing the Environment

As pressure for development in Kuala Lumpur becomes more intense, the need for the protection of the environment becomes greater. Ensuring environmentally sound and sustainable development and achieving world-class environment becomes more challenging and demanding for KL.

7) Enhancing Green Network and Blue Corridor

Parks, green spaces and rivers benefit cities socially, economically and environmentally. KL’s vision is of a network of high quality, accessible parks and green spaces which promote recreation, health, education and economic regeneration, helping to make Kuala Lumpur a significantly more attractive city in which to live and work.

8) Distinctive City Image & Identity

KL is a city of different races and cultures. As a fast developing city, KL has to define its image and identity to ensure that it's heritage is conserved and new developments within the city reflect greater awareness towards urban design excellence that shapes a distinctive KL.

9) Green Infrastructure

To become a sustainable world city, KL must use natural resources more efficiently, increase its re-use of resources, and reduce levels of waste and environmental degradation. As KL grows, these objectives will become even more important.

Tempers flare as KL Plan is revealed - The Star

2008-05-16T14:28:00.000+08:00

May 16, 2008 By BAVANI M and YIP YOKE TENG

TEMPERS flared, heated words were exchanged and some even uttered curses as residents voiced their dissatisfaction when Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) revealed the contents of the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 yesterday at City Hall.

Before Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan launched the plan, residents from Federal Hill, Bukit Gasing and Bangsar were seen scrutinising parts of the plan that was exhibited at the lobby of the DBKL headquarters.

Popular document: Hard copy versions of the plan were selling like hot cakes during the launch.

It did not take them long to pick out the discrepancies as many were present with their legal advisers.

When it dawned on them that some spots in their neighbourhoods had been earmarked for development, some started arguing in a loud manner and were even heard hurling expletives.

One of the more vocal groups were the Federal Hill residents when their greatest fear became a reality after discovering that their neighbourhood land which was formerly Institutional (Police Reserve land) had been rezoned as Commercial.

“I am disappointed and shocked at this turn of events. What was earlier zoned as government institutional land has now become commercial overnight and this was done without consultation with the community.

“This would significantly impact the quality of our lives here,” Federal Hill resident Amar Khan said.

“We did not expect this at all,” resident Pook Li Yoon said.

“We thought that they would take into consideration that the land is institutional and hence of low density as per the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSO2020). We are in shock at this blatant disregard of the rules,” she said.

Federal Hill legal adviser Derek Fernandez questioned the legality of the plan, which he said is in direct contravention of the KLSP2020.

“I want to know who approved the plan. He should go to jail,” the visibly-upset Fernandez said.

Fernandez said that under the law, before preparing the draft plan (and it was prepared two years ago), there must be a pre-consultative process under Sec 12 (a) of the Local Government Act 1976 (2002) and that DBKL did not do this.

Fernandez also said that policy CF3 of the KLSP2020 ensures that land designated as Institutional use (Police Reserve) must only be used for public purposes.

“Public purpose means public facilities like parks, museum, educational facilities and similar public facilities. This new development directly contravenes policy CF3.

“We will demand who had changed the land status and why there was no-pre-consultation. They are supposed to implement policies in the plan and this is not implementation but a violation of it,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, Bukit Gasing residents were also not happy with what the plan revealed, as there are proposed developments near the riverbank area.

One resident who identified himself as Vincent said the land surrounding Bukit Gasing is supposed to be meant for recreation but the plan shows that there will be developments right into the riverbank and this contravened the KLSP2020.

“The plan shows substantial development is being proposed here, it’s simply ridiculous,” Vincent said.

When contacted, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee expressed his concern over the proposed development and said he would be seeking more details on the matter as well asking to see the necessary papers.

Bangsar residents led by the Bangsar Baru Residents Association president Datuk George Joseph was also spotted checking out the plan and was heard commenting that he was not happy with the high density infrastructure taking place in the Medan Serai area.

Tan Poh Eng, 71, wanted to check the zoning status of his land in Segambut, which was zoned as agricultural.

“I was surprised to discover that there are proposals to break it up and I am worried about it,” he said, adding that he would be submitting his objections soon.

Pook said that DBKL has given residents six weeks to view and object to the draft plan and that during the recent round table discussions with the Kuala Lumpur MP’s, it was recommended that the hearing be extended to another three months.

“After all they took 26 years to produce the draft plan so what’s the hurry?” she asked.

No need to air-condition hawker centres - The Star

2008-05-14T13:58:00.000+08:00

May 14, 2008 By CHRISTINA LOW

THERE is no need for Kuala Lumpur to have air-conditioned markets or hawker centres, according to Federal Territories Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong.

“Take a look at Singapore. It has many hawkers centres, some located on the ground level of apartment blocks, but they are not air-conditioned” Tan said,

Tan: 'If the office workers in Singapore can accept the weather condition, I don’t see why we can’t'.

He said this during a meeting with Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan yesterday to discuss various issues pertaining to the city.

“Customers often complain of the hot weather but the Singapore climate is similar to ours,” Tan said.

“If the office workers in Singapore can accept the weather condition, I don’t see why we can’t,” he said.

He said the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) should build more hawker centres in the city to accommodate the hawkers currently trading along the main roads.

During the 40-minute meeting, Tan said he also discussed rebuilding the Chow Kit area.

“Jalan Raja Alang is like a war zone. I get frustrated and angry when I need to go there, because the hawkers are trading on the road reserve area and the customers double park everywhere,” he said.

Tan said there were also hawkers operating without licences and he urged the DBKL to issue licences to them.

Involved parties given a week to resolve access route issue - The Star

2008-05-14T09:07:00.001+08:00

SHAH ALAM: May 14, 2008

The Cheras-Kajang Expressway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Highway Authority have a week to resolve the ongoing tussle over the access route to the township.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has given the three parties a week to come up with a solution.

The ultimatum was issued after the state government, Grand Saga, Narajaya and the Highway Authority met for more than an hour at Khalid’s office here on Tuesday.

Khalid’s political secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Khalid had urged the three parties to be calm and not to resort to any drastic action until they came up with a solution.

“The three parties and Tan Sri Khalid will meet again after a week before a final decision is taken,” he said.

Nik Nazmi said Khalid would announce the state’s stand on the issue if no solution was found.

The issue became heated after the residents demolished a barricade erected by Grand Saga to bar residents from having free access to Bandar Mahkota.

As the barricade was built on state land, the Selangor Government fully backed the residents on the matter.

BMC residents doused and gassed - Malaysiakini

2008-05-13T19:38:00.000+08:00

The tranquil suburb of Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) descended into chaos last night when police doused some 500 residents with water cannons and fired dozens of tear gas canisters into the crowd.

Full story at Malaysiakini.com

Grand Saga can rebuild barrier - NST

2008-05-13T14:02:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: May 13, 2008

The High Court has refused to grant an injunction to stop Grand Saga from rebuilding a barrier at a Cheras-Kajang Highway intersection.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras Road Opening Action Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah filed the application ex parte on Friday.

Judge Datuk Muhamad Ideres Muhamad Rapee struck out the application in chambers here yesterday.

Member of Parliament for Serdang Teo Nie Ching, who acted as Tan's lawyer, said she would seek instructions from his client.

On April 21, the committee demolished the barrier to enable the residents access to the highway at the Bandar Tun Hussein Onn intersection without paying the toll. -- Bernama

MP: Rat problem caused by garbage - The Star

2008-05-13T13:55:00.000+08:00

May 13, 2008

THE campaign to catch rats in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, is akin to putting the cart before the horse, according to Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong.

“The problem should be tackled from the akar ubi (root),” Wee said.

Please help: Wee visiting one of the houses at Wangsa Maju.

He said that instead of focusing on catching rats, the massive rubbish all over the place should be cleared.

“There should be proper places for people to throw rubbish. Without the rubbish, there won’t be any rats,” he said.

Wee pointed out the piles of rubbish around Wangsa Maju when he visited the Teratai Mewah market on Sunday.

“Wangsa Maju is a very big area, so there are some places that I had not visited. Those with problems can come to my centre every Wednesday night or visit my blog,” he said.

During his round, Wee was approached by many residents and market traders who told him their grouses, such as poor water supply, drainage and housing problems.

A 75-year-old lady complained to him about the traffic situation and the lack of zebra crossing.

“Three years ago, we were promised by the previous MP that there would be a zebra crossing but no action has been taken till now,” she said.

“It’s very dangerous for the elderly to cross the roads. I’m old and I have to use a walking stick to walk,” she said.

Wee said he hoped that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would be more responsive to the needs of the people.

“We don’t have a state government here so the DBKL is like the state government. We, MPs, are not DBKL officers and so cannot take over their role,” he said.

Wee said that he did the work of almost three people, and having to attend to such matters about basic amenities would affect his role as an MP.

“I have just become the MP and there are so many problems in Wangsa Maju that have existed for years, it shows that Wangsa Maju has been neglected,” he said.

“I’m not in an enviable position because I had to start from zero,” he said, “but I am beginning to get organised with my service centre having been set up.”

After visiting the market, Wee went to the Kampung Lee Kong Chian community hall as there were complaints from the residents there, who claimed that DBKL workers marked their houses with red paint.

According to Lee Seng Chong, 60, the local resident association vice-presiden, the DBKL officers should have notified them earlier before spraying paint

“Residents are worried and confused about what is happening,” he said.

Lee said that some residents had given their houses a new coat of paint but now their walls were scarred by the red paint.

When Lee and representatives of the residents questioned a DBKL officer, they were told that it was for census purposes.

“They should have come to our residents association instead as we have all the records of the population here,” Lee said.

Wee promised to raise the matter when he meets with the DBKL officers this week.

Lim still waiting for action from cops - The Star

2008-05-13T13:52:00.000+08:00

May 13, 2008 By FAZLEENA AZIZ

SEGAMBUT MP Lim Lip Eng is still waiting for an investigating officer (IO) from the police station to look at his car, which is believed to have been damaged during the recent Bandar Mahkota, Cheras protest incident.

Lim’s car, a light green-metallic Proton Perdana, which is parked at a mechanic shop on Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur has visible scratch marks, flat tyres and missing number plate and Ahli Parlimen (MP) crest.

Damaged: Lim showing the scratches on his car.

“I had purposely parked my car between two Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) trucks. The police and FRU cannot say they did not know I was an MP because my car had the MP crest.

“I lodged a report at a pondok police near the Hospital Selayang at 6.20pm that day and an officer there took my statement. He said that they would send an IO from Kajang to see my car. It is Monday now.

“I have not repaired my car because I want them to take pictures and investigate. The damages could easily cost RM10,000.

During the Bandar Mahkota saga, Lim also sustained injuries.

“When I got down, the first thing I did was to ask who the officer in charge was but no one said anything, including the workers working on the barriers.

“I identified myself and had to take charge of the situation.

“People can say that the area is not under my jurisdiction but I have been the legal adviser for the Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee, how can I abandon them in their time of need.

“As I stood there while the police and FRU were warning the crowd to disperse, a plainclothes officer grabbed me from behind. I kept asking who these people were but no one answered me.

“Then some burning liquid was sprayed on my face, which temporarily blinded me. I then felt punches and kicks all over my body and even on my head.

“They only stopped when state executive councillor Ean Yong Hean Wah came to my aid. They did not dare touch Yong.

“I will pursue this matter in Parliament and I want them to apologise to me and to the people.

Lim added that he would not hesitate to sue the police if they did not respond accordingly.

About 1,000 residents from the nearby areas, gathered from 4pm on May 8 to stop the work conducted by workers at the Taman Mahkota junction.

More than 100 policemen, including personnel from the Light Strike Force and the Federal Reserve Unit, were dispatched to the area on Thursday when the residents held a demonstration to protest against Grand Saga.

KL draft plan for public scrutiny - The Star

2008-05-13T13:50:00.001+08:00

May 13, 2008 By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ

THE Kuala Lumpur City Draft Plan 2020 will be exhibited for public viewing for six weeks, from this Thursday until June 30.

The draft plan covers an area of 243km divided into six strategic zones: (1) the City Centre, (2) Damansara-Penchala, (3) Wangsa Maju-Maluri, (4) Sentul-Manjalara, (5) Bandar Baru Tun Razak-Sungei Besi and (6) Bukit Jalil-Seputeh.

»The acceptance of the draft plan will be announced in the media after the public hearing and when it is approved by the FT Ministry« DATUK SERI ZULHASNAN RAFIQUE

The public hearing sessions will begin in the second week of June and will carry on until the last week of July from 9am to 1pm daily on working days.

The sessions will be held at six venues located in the six strategic zones simultaneously.

According to Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique, the draft plan contains maps with written explanations.

Zulhasnan announced this at the launch of the KL Wireless Metro-politan at the City Hall yesterday.

He said the public could access information on the draft plan through the Executive Information System at the website klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my.

Zulhasnan said the public could give their comments and objections on the draft plan in writing by filling up a specific form available at the exhibition locations or through a form on the website.

“The acceptance of the draft plan will be announced in the media after the public hearing and when it is approved by the FT Ministry,” he said.

Zulhasnan said that once the draft plan was approved and gazetted, it would serve as the blueprint for the city until 2020.

Service a welcome boost for net users - The Star

2008-05-13T13:48:00.001+08:00

May 13, 2008 By JADE CHAN

WHEN I was asked to try out the free Wireless@KL service in downtown Kuala Lumpur, I began planning the spots I should go to see if such service is truly up and ready.

Being initially informed that the free Internet access service was available within the KLCC vicinity, I decided to test it at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur hotel lobby.

To my disappointment, the service was not available at the hotel.

I called a representative from Packet One Networks, only to be informed that the KLCC area is yet to be optimised for full Internet connection, and that it would only be ready in a week’s time.

However, the company’s technical department personnel said that the service is presently available at Dome KLCC.

A quick test with my laptop at Suria KLCC’s fountain area yielded no free connection either, which confirmed that I would have to enter Dome.

According to a staff member at Dome KLCC, the outlet presently does not offer any free Internet access service except for Wireless@KL, and that they expected it to be up only within the next few days.

Again, I opened my laptop, and it immediately detected the Wireless@ KL network.

After logging in to the Wireless@ KL website (www.wirelesskl.com), I was able to fully utilise the free WiFi connection.

I had no problems accessing my e-mails, using sites like Facebook, Wikipedia and Google, or chatting with friends online.

The connection was similar to what I would get in the office and the speed was detected at 11.0 Mbps.

My conclusion? If the Wireless@KL service was to be fully connected and optimised, Internet users in KL with laptops at their disposals wouldn’t have to travel far just to be connected to the World Wide Web.

KL the wireless online metropolitan - The Star

2008-05-13T13:47:00.000+08:00

May 13, 2008 By YIP YOKE TENG and JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ

WITH the launch of the Kuala Lumpur wireless metropolitan project at the City Hall headquarters yesterday, the entire capital city will be covered by a wireless broadband access network in the near future.

This means that if you are in KL, you will not need to patronise certain cafes or pay for Internet services to go wireless.

Everyone in the city will be able to use the service, which runs at 512kb per second, for free over the next two years.

The service is based on WiMAX 2.3 Giga Hertz. Kuala Lumpur is among one of the first cities in the world to use this technology.

The project was jointly launched by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique and KL Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan.

The city-wide project involves the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Synapse Technologies Sdn Bhd and Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd.

It involves two parts. The first is to make the city wireless with the collaboration of Packet One Networks while the second part is to have the city's own portal www.kul.com.my managed by Synapse Technologies.

The first phase of the project will see 1,500 Wi-Fi zones installed by end of this year at the commercial areas, offices, DBKL public housings and PPR flats, DBKL community centres and public areas.

Focus will be given to the KLCC and Golden Triangle where the World Congress IT 2008 will be held this Sunday.

A total of 200 Wi-Fi zones had been installed around the KLCC, concentrating on hotels, DBKL main offices and PPR flats.

Subsequent phases will see 2,000 more Wi-Fi zones installed to cover the whole of the Klang Valley by end of next year.

A total of RM60mil is being spent to make Kuala Lumpur wireless, with the DBKL Hall and MCMC contributing RM5mil each and Packet One picking up the balance tab of RM50mil.

According to Zulhasnan, the project is in line with the Klang Valley Broadband Push (KVBP) initiative undertaken by the MCMC that aimed at achieving 90% household broadband penetration in the Klang Valley by 2010.

“The government is committed to realise its vision to develop the country's ICT industry to make it at par with international standards,” Zulhasnan said.

“As such, apart from the KVBP, the government has also set up the Cabinet Committee for High-Speed Broadband under the National Broadband Plan and the MyICMS886 Strategy, which is to reach 50% household penetration in Malaysia by 2010,” he said.

Zulhasnan commended the local communication and multimedia industry for lifting the country's competitiveness in terms of the Networked Economy Index in the Global Information Technology Report 2007 published by the World Economic Forum and the French commerce research institute Insead.

Asked about the possibility of other local cities going wireless, Zulhasnan said the cost involved was high but that the government welcomed any private company willing to bear the cost for such projects.

According to Hakim, the effort to go wireless is in line with the objectives of Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 that aspired to make Kuala Lumpur a developed city by 2020.

“The Kuala Lumpur Wireless Metropolitan will also function as a super cyber highway that fosters closer ties between communities in the city and those in other parts of the world,” he said.

“We believe that the wireless feature will not only boost economic development, but also further enliven our tourism industry,” Hakim said.

He said that even the underprivileged in Kuala Lumpur will benefit from the efforts and therefore digital divide between urbanites can be shortened.

Packet One Networks chief executive officer Michael Lai said the company's priority was to establish as many Wi-Fi hotspots around Kuala Lumpur as possible, and that the company would provide an option for higher speed in the future.

Lai said that the company had absorbed the cost for free wireless access, setting up necessary infrastructure that included devices to convert the WiMAX spectrum for the Wi-Fi-enabled equipments widely used today.

According to Lai, the WiMAX technology comes with features of better potentials in terms of area coverage and line speed; it is said to be able to better support mobility, too.

To use the free wireless service, register as user at www.wirelesskl.com.

The portal www.kul.com.my will act as a one-stop information centre about all things in the city. It enhances the web presence of existing websites of government and private sectors, hence is expected to boost economic activity for Small Medium Enterprises.

It also acts as the branding tool for Kuala Lumpur, using broad-spectrum approach to direct almost all web traffic to the portal when users search under ‘Kuala Lumpur’’

Draft Local Plan for display - The Star

2008-05-12T19:36:00.002+08:00

May 12, 2008 By BAVANI M (bavanim@thestar.com.my)

FRIENDS Lee Soo, 84, Datuk George Joseph, 71, Thomas Rajaiah, 81, Chee Teng Hai, 83 and A. Parameswaran, 69 all bought their dream homes in Bangsar in the 1970’s.

It was an ideal location with all the necessary facilities for one to settle down and bring up children.

Today, as they stand on one of the last remaining green area in their neighbourhood –they fear that this precious land too may make way for development.

And they have good reason to be fearful.

On May 15, one of the most significant documents will go on display at the lobby area of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

Fresh air: Bangsar Baru residents taking a leisurely walk in the neighbourhood’ s last remaining green area.

Significant because it concerns the future of the city as every KL residents, home owner and rate payer will be inadvertently effected by it as it has the ability to either improve their quality of life or destroy it.

The document is the long awaited Draft Local Plan for the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

The Draft Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2020 (DKLPT2020) has taken City Hall over two decades to draft.

Why the delay is anyone’s guess but it is no secret that it was prepared with great reluctance by the city planners.

“The DKLPT2020 is long overdue – 26 years to be exact. In should have been prepared when the Federal Territory Planning Act was passed in 1982,’’ said local government and planning expert Derek Fernandez.

“The plan would allow purchasers of property in the Federal Territory to know in advance what is going to happen in their neighbourhood. It would remove ambiguity and ad-hoc planning which is the source of corruption,’’ said Fernandez.

City denizens have witnessed throughout the years how the city planners have used this uncertainty to increase density, change land use and increase build up area at their whim and fancy where unsustainable development flourished.

A good example would be the Federal Hill case whereby the residents are currently disputing the status of their land from institutional to commercial – which contravenes policy CF3 of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP2020).

Due to the mushrooming of unsustainable developments in the city, the Federal Government in 2002 passed an amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (TCPA).

In particular, they provided that any local plan prepared must be consistent with the National Physical Plan in addition to it being consistent with the KLSP2020 (which was passed in 2004).

A local plan is like the architectural plan of Kuala Lumpur city. It contains detailed information on land use and development, environment, infrastructure and open spaces and it basically shows where everything is going to be.

The plan is important to implement macro planning policies which has been set out in the National Physical Plan and which are prepared under the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.

It also requires meaningful pre-consultation under Sec 12 (a) of the TCPA before the draft plan is prepared which means that notice must be given in preparation of the draft.

So technically, if the draft contains proposals that were not the subject matter under the pre-consultation of Sec 12 (a), the draft is invalid.

In other words, new additions should not be made without public consultation.

“At the heart of this issue is that home buyers should not be cheated. If they buy property on the basis of a certain locality and quality of life, and later there is a substantial change in environment because a particular development is allowed, and is inconsistent with the basis upon which they bought their property, then they have been cheated,’’ said Fernandez.

With that being the case, city folks like Lee, George, Thomas, Chee and Parameswaran who bought their dream homes in Bangsar with the believe that it was the ideal neighbourhood to live in have every right and a duty to dispute the plan and should exercise their right to object to any form of unsustainable development taking place in their neighbourhood.

It was during the 80's that the DBKL had said that there was only 0.2ha of green open space available per 1,000 persons. That was considered scarce even back then.

Yet they continue to approve development projects year in and year out. So now it is up to the city folk to make a difference by actively participating in and voicing out objections to the draft plan for the sake of the younger generation.

The draft would be displayed for the period of one month (May 15 – June 30) and is required by law to be consistent with the policies of KLSP2020 Sec 13 (6) and the National Physical Plan.

Time frame would be fixed for the making of the objections and it may be necessary to extend the time frame so that there would be better participation.

The residents who are likely to be affected by the proposals from the DKLPT2020 are those living in Sri Hartamas, Mont Kiara, Bangsar Hill, Bukit Tunku, Bukit Damansara, Damansara Heights, Federal Hill and Segambut/Jalan Duta.

What you can do
·Right to be heard

It is crucial that KL residents ask for a further right to be heard in accordance with Local Agenda 21 and for owners of neighbouring lands to be incorporated into the draft plan.

If this is not done, the mayor may be able to approve development plans after the draft plan is passed without giving them any further right of hearing.

This is necessary because more often then not the draft plan has insufficient details so as to ensure protection to the surrounding residents. For example, they may say an area is commercial and allows a maximum height of 20 storeys.

But when the proposal to develop comes about, the conditions may not be ideal for 20 storeys and the infrastructure may only be sufficient for a 10-storey building. Residents should be able to make representation as to why the maximum should not be given in the draft local plan.

·Written objections

Residents should make written objections if there is ambiguity; seek an oral hearing in relation to the hearing.

·Be organised

They must be organised. It is important to work with Residents Associations, MP's and if necessary have experts’ assistance.

Failing to make objections would result in the plan being passed and this may have a long term detrimental effect to KL-ites. For example, if there is a development project taking place in your neighbourhood, it would be too late to object once the plan is passed.

·Details

Residents must demand that the draft plan be as detailed as reasonably possible.

·Pre-consultation

Check to see if any of the proposals of the draft plan was subject for preliminary discussion under Sec 12 (a). If not, the draft plan would be ultra vires. This is to prevent “last minute’’ sneaking in of proposals into the draft plan during its preparation.

Residents must ask themselves if there ever was pre-consultation made on such matters before making their objections.

·Power in numbers

The majority principle should apply. Residents should get as many rate payers as possible to support. If there is overwhelming objections then the mayor is duty bound to uphold the objection on the majority principle and reasonableness.

·Maximum density

Ensure there is density lock in the area you are living. That is, the maximum allowed density should be fixed. If you do not want to see a high-density project in your neighbourhood, you are entitled to object to it. This is especially important in areas that are of low density where the residents want to preserve the low-density status.

·Avoid mixed development

Say no to mixed development – mixing of commercial and residential in traditionally residential areas.

·Demand open space

Insist that a 10% open space requirement be based on built up area and not land area.

·Public parking rate

Make sure public parking does not exceed the DBKL rate and that car parking ratio should not increase.

The public can buy a copy of the Draft Plan priced at RM150 at Jabatan Pelan Induk, Tingkat 12, Bangunan Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Raja Laut during office hours from May 15 to June 30 except on Saturdays Sundays and public holidays.

City folk can make their objections or representations in writing in respect of the Draft Plan to the above address on or before June 30.

At the Parliament - Bandar Mahkota Cheras issue

2008-05-12T13:51:00.001+08:00

May 12, 2008

The Federal Government has to wait for the court to decide on a lawsuit filed by developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd against Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga in 2007 before negotiations could resume.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said as yet no action could be taken by the Federal Government for fear of subjudice.

"The Government has held a series of meetings between Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents and the concessionaire to resolve the matter over the access road.

"The terms of the agreement signed between the Federal Government and the concessionaire that any leakage and loss in traffic volume from the toll highway will have to be borne by us," he told Tan Kok Wai (DAP - Cheras).

Rep: Grand Saga has no right to barricade access street - The Star

2008-05-11T17:09:00.002+08:00

KAJANG: May 11, 2008 By CHARLES FERNANDEZ and JADE CHAN

The Cheras-Kajang Expressway operator has no right to barricade the road into Bandar Mahkota Cheras because a survey has found that it is located on state land.

Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu said a Survey and Mapping Department report had shown that the land on which Grand Saga Sdn Bhd had earlier erected a barrier to stop residents from using a toll-free road was state land.

The report and a map have been forwarded to state legal officer Datuk Zauyah Lothy Khan.

“Even before the survey, the state government had ample proof that the road was on state land.

“And until today, the highway concessionaire has yet to show documents to stake its claims,” he said at a press conference at the site yesterday.

The residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras have been engaged in a battle with Grand Saga since 2005 over the use of a road which allows them a shorter and toll-free route into their housing area.

Grand Saga had earlier built barricades across the road but residents had dismantled the barriers.

The battle turned ugly on Thursday night when police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds of residents who were trying to dismantle the latest barricade.

Liu said Grand Saga should just let the matter rest if it could not dispute the state government’s claim over who controlled the land. It should also not stop the residents from using the toll-free access road.

Liu said he would discuss with the Public Works Department to see if another access road running parallel to the highway belonged to the state to avoid another land controversy.

Grand Saga has applied for an injunction against Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah, Liu and the Kajang Municipal Council to stop them from entering the expressway area.

Tan confirmed that he was served with an ex-parte injunction on Friday night.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, who claimed he was injured during Thursday night’s commotion, said he admitted himself into the emergency ward of Selayang Hospital on Friday afternoon as he was in pain.

Relating Thursday’s events, Lim said: “A plainclothes officer grabbed me from behind and some burning hot liquid was blasted into my face, which temporarily blinded me. I then felt punches and kicks all over,” he said.

He said his car was damaged – tyres punctured, wipers ripped off, surface scratched and a number plate broken.

Rep: Grand Saga has no right to barricade access street - The Star

2008-05-11T10:02:00.000+08:00

MP hospitalised after Cheras fracas - Malaysiakini

2008-05-10T00:09:00.001+08:00

Andrew Ong | May 9, 08 7:13pm

DAP member of parliament for Segambut, Lim Lip Eng, has been warded at 3pm today following his scuffle with police officers in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) near Kajang last night.

According to Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San who notified the press on the matter, Lim was complaining of dizzy spells and could not open his eyes.

“His family had him warded for observation. We’re not sure what’s wrong with him,” said Lau.

More news at www.malaysiakini.com

Mahkota Cheras 2008 - MP Chan Kok Wai

2008-05-09T23:56:00.001+08:00

Cheras residents in stand-off to protect toll-free road - Malaysiakini

2008-05-09T23:55:00.001+08:00

BMC residents doused and gassed - Malaysiakini

2008-05-09T23:52:00.001+08:00

Get injunction against Grand Saga, folks told - The Star

2008-05-09T12:45:00.000+08:00

May 9, 2008 Story and photo by GEETHA KRISHNAN

BANDAR Mahkota Cheras residents have been advised to apply for an injunction against Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd for erecting another barricade on the toll-free access road belonging to the Selangor Government.

The advice came from state executive councillor Ronnie Liu in light of the events that unfolded on Wednesday night when Grand Saga installed a new barricade on the road under the watchful eyes of Federal Reserve Unit personnel.

Once again, Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents dismantled the barricade denying them access to the highway. Three people were arrested during the fracas that ensued.

Collective effort: Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents standing near some of the concrete blocks dismantled from the barricade put up by Grand Saga.

Liu maintained that Grand Saga had committed a serious offence by erecting the barricade. “No party has the right to erect the barricade without the state government's approval and we received no such application,” he said.

The earlier barricade installed in 2006 was demolished on April 21 by residents led by the Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee. The road has been a major subject of controversy since the right of way is yet to be clearly determined.

Liu said although the Survey and Mapping Department had yet to release its report, the state government had ample proof that the road was on state land.

“We have been informed that the department which is under the control of the Federal Government is not being cooperative because the report should be ready by now. I have asked Kajang Municipal council president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abdul Rahman to pursue the matter,” he added.

Liu also told residents to seek legal redress for the various grievances they have suffered during the closure of the road.

Four arrested in Cheras demo - The Star

2008-05-09T09:38:00.000+08:00

KAJANG: May 9, 2008 By ANDREW SAGAYAM

Four people were picked up after they demonstrated at Bandar Mahkota, Cheras, due to road works being carried out at a traffic light junction leading to the area.

The demonstration which saw about 1,000 people, mostly residents from the nearby areas, gathering from 4pm to stop the work conducted by workers.

The protesting crowd played a cat-and-mouse game with the authorities until 10.30pm when the situation worsened.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng pulled the plug of a generator before standing in front of a water cannon to prevent the police from aiming it at the crowd.

During the ensuing commotion, Lim was said to have been assaulted .

It is learnt that Lim was rushed to the Kajang Hospital by Seri Kembangan state assemblyman Ean Yong Hean Wah and a friend.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mood said police resorted to firing the water cannons several times to ward off the protestors who were riding motorcycles and speeding towards the police barricades.

He said there were more than 100 policemen including personnel from the Light Strike Force and the Federal Reserve Unit at the scene.

The four arrested, aged between 20 and 30, were taken to the Kajang police station for questioning.

On Wednesday, a large group of residents from Bandar Mahkota and Sungai Long in

DBKL wants proof on poisoning claim - The Star

2008-05-08T18:13:00.001+08:00

May 8, 2008 BY BAVANI M (bavanim@thestar.com.my)

THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) wants proof from those claiming that its dog-catching unit are poisoning stray dogs to curb their population in the city.

“Show us proof! Either in photographs or the vehicle number plates and we will take action,'' an upset DBKL health department director Dr Zainol Ariffin Pawanchee said.

Zainol denied that the DBKL employed such cruel methods in its treatment of stray dogs.

“We have never resorted to such cruel methods to catch dogs. In fact the practice of shooting dogs, which was practised in the early 80s, has also been stopped,” he said.

Flashback: The StarMetro report on April 26 about the dog poisonings.

“Today we use traps, wire loops and sedatives to catch the dogs. We work with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and the SPCA to ensure that it's done properly,'' he said.

Zainol was commenting on a report in StarMetro that several people had seen food being thrown out to dogs from a DBKL van in several parts of the city.

According to StarMetro reader Prakash Singam, he first spotted food being thrown out to dogs from a DBKL van cruising around his neighbourhood early in the year.

Prakash said that after eating the food, the dogs would start foaming at the mouth and would become disoriented.

He said two of his dogs were also taken ill after returning home foaming at the mouth and was diagnosed with pesticide poisoning.

Zainol said that since Jan 15 this year, his department had received over 130 complaints from the public about stray dogs in their neighbourhoods.

“Our dog catching unit has caught some 659 strays while our contractors hired to catch strays have caught about 2,149 strays,” he said.

“Our methods are humane, In fact, the contractors are strictly told to bring in live dogs. We pay them RM22 per dog,'' Zainol said.

He said the DBKL had even offered the SPCA to be their panel operators.

Zainol said that the SPCA-DBKL low-cost Klinik Kembiri embarked on a spaying operation since the project kicked off in 2003.

He said that from 2003 to last year more than 8,000 cats and dogs had been spayed to prevent unwanted stray population.

Precinct 11 housing project at a standstill - The Star

2008-05-08T11:12:00.005+08:00

May 8, 2008 By GEETHA KRISHNAN (geetha@thestar.com.my)

FAILED projects are the bane of any modern city and a planned enclave like the nation’s administration centre Putrajaya has not been spared the construction consternation.

The fiasco of the stalled housing project at Precinct 11 has been kept under wraps for two years to protect the Putrajaya image but the disappointed and disgruntled buyers are not prepared to suffer in silence.

Eyesore: The signboard outside the stalled project.

A group of them met with StarMetro recently and divulged some pertinent details of the mixed-development project.

The project comprises the Garden Resort and Amber Homes double-storey link houses, Citrine semi-detached houses, Saujana Aster condominium and shop offices, all priced at between RM165,500 and RM882,996. There are also double-storey and two-and-a-half-storey houses for civil servants.

According to a Garden Resort buyer who asked not to be identified, the buyers are getting the raw end of the deal owing to a dispute between Peremba Jaya Sdn Bhd and Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd (PJH).

“The bulk of the project was originally given to Arif Cerah Sdn Bhd, a company under Peremba, but Arif Cerah got into financial difficulties and the work stalled in 2005,” the buyer said.

Bright spot: The completed playground sticks out like a sore thumb amidst the stalled project.

“We heard that PJH then terminated the contract with Arif Cerah due to the delay and we are caught in a bind as a result. We have already invested a substantial amount of money and have been servicing our loans since the project stalled,” he said.

According to Amber Homes buyer Stanley Ng, the sales and purchase agreement was signed in 2003 and delivery was promised in 2005.

Ng said he had received a letter from the developer in September last year promising delivery this month.

“How can my house be ready when I have gone to the site and seen that the construction work is about 45% complete? The infrastructure is also incomplete,” said Ng, who booked a RM293,000 double-storey link house.

Amber Homes buyer Mawina Mat Aris said she learnt that Arif Cerah was to have surrendered the land title to PJH on April 30 for work to resume under the responsibility of PJH but the arrangement only applied to the government houses.

Ugly sight: Fallen hoarding only adds to the unsightly image.

“Why the discrimination? We are already being victimised through late delivery and do not know if any party will fulfil its obligation to compensate us,” she said.

Mawina said that the bank where she obtained her loan had already released more than RM100,000 for her house, and she was also paying a RM700 monthly instalment to the bank. The buyers also said that work on the government units had resumed but the other houses remained untouched.

StarMetro visited the site yesterday and found that while some of the houses were nearing completion, most were left partially completed. Untrimmed grass added to the ugly picture.

According to statistics obtained from sources, 23 of the 26 Garden Resort houses offered for sale have been sold, 104 of the 114 units of Saujana Aster Condominium were sold, 72 of the 97 Amber Homes houses were sold and 12 of the 22 Citrine houses were sold. The shop offices were all sold out.

Stalled: The Garden Resort houses were almost 65% complete.

When contacted in November 2006, an Arif Ceria spokesman had said that the project was slowed down due to unforeseen circumstances.

“However, we will fulfil all obligations stipulated under the sales and purchase agreement and will compensate buyers for late delivery. We also want to assure buyers that the project will be completed,” he said.

PJH, meanwhile, declined to comment on the matter, stating this was due to a legal dispute between the companies.

The buyers have decided to form a committee to seek legal redress and hope to forward their complaints to the Housing Tribunal.

500 protest as road is closed again - NST

2008-05-08T08:35:00.002+08:00

KAJANG: May 8, 2008

Cheras member of parliament Tan Kok Wai (left) appealing to Kajang deputy district police chief Superintendent Toha Abdullah to stop Grand Saga workers from replacing the barriers for an access road near the Cheras-Kajang Highway
Residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras and Sungai Long came out in full force yesterday to demonstrate against the closure of an access road near the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

The closure meant that motorists could no longer by-pass the Batu 11 toll plaza and they would have to pay the 90-sen toll.

The 500 residents and several representatives from Pakatan Rakyat had gathered at the access road junction as early as 2pm to stop Grand Saga, the highway's concessionaire, from closing the road.

The access road was closed by Grand Saga two years ago, but was reopened illegally by the residents on April 21 with the help of several Pakatan Rakyat representatives.

When Grand Saga sought to replace the barrier yesterday, residents fumed.

They said barricading the access road with concrete was inconsiderate as it inconvenienced motorists.

Police and Federal Reserve Unit personnel were present to control the situation, and they had cordoned off the entrance to Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

Despite police warnings, several protesters threw stones at the authorities and workers.

Kajang district police chief Assistant Commissioner Shakaruddin Che Mood said police arrested two residents for throwing stones and unruly behaviour during the demonstration.

Meanwhile, Selangor executive council member Ean Yong Hian Wah said residents had appealed to Grand Saga to reconsider its decision not to close the road, but there was no response, adding that he would apply for a court order to get Grand Saga to reopen the road.

Also present were Cheras member of parliament Tan Kok Wai and Serdang member of parliament Teo Nie Ching.

Residents and FRU in stand-off over barricade - The Star

2008-05-08T08:18:00.000+08:00

KAJANG: May 8, 2008 By GEETHA KRISHNAN and RASHITA A. HAMID

A large group of residents from Bandar Mahkota Cheras and Sungai Long in Kajang gathered to protest against the closure of a road that leads to both housing areas.

The residents said the action of the Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire, Grand Saga, to place concrete barriers at the road greatly inconvenienced them.

The closure of the road meant that residents had to pay toll and take a longer route to get to their homes.

Residents had demolished the barriers on April 21, two years after it was put up by Grand Saga, which has maintained that it had right of way over the road.

Yesterday evening, the concessionaire put the barriers back in place. The angry residents had gathered earlier yesterday to prevent the concessionaire from the placing the barriers.

Tensions ran high when the residents had a stand off with Federal Reserve Unit personnel, who were on standby.

The standoff also caused a traffic jam along the highway in the evening.

The Selangor Government is still waiting for a report from the State Survey and Mapping Department to determine the question of right of way.

Grand Saga business development and corporate affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali, who was at the site, said while he sympathised with the residents for being forced to use a longer route, a new barrier would be erected as the concessionaire was concerned about safety issues.

He said the road was now the subject matter of a lawsuit filed against Grand Saga by township developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd.

Police Disperse 500 Protesters In Bandar Tun Hussein Onn

2008-05-08T08:01:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama)

Police Wednesday dispersed 500 residents of Bandar Tun Hussein Onn who gathered to protest the reinstallation of a concrete barrier at the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

Some 60 policemen, including from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), had to be mobilised to control the tense situation when the residents refused to disperse.

Kajang OCPD ACP Sakarudin Che Mood said the police also arrested two men in their 20's for acting aggressively towards police personnel.

"FRU had to be called to disperse the group, some of whom threw road cones towards the workers of the highway concessionaire," he told reporters at the scene.

The police managed to control the situation at 8pm. It also caused more than 3km of traffic jam along the road.

Residents claimed that with the reinstallation of the barrier, those who wanted to go from Bandar Mahkota Cheras and Sungai Long had no option but to pass through the toll plaza and pay 90 sen each way.

THE Pakatan Rakyat has been accused of condoning lawlessness - NST

2008-05-07T22:58:00.000+08:00

May 7, 2008

Datuk Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) said MPs from PR had supported a group of Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents in removing the barriers placed across an access road to the Kajang-Cheras highway.

The road was built by Narajaya Sdn Bhd, the developer of the Bandar Mahkota Cheras township, to ensure speedy access to the highway.

However, Grand Saga, the highway's concessionaire, was against the access road as it would bypass the Batu 11 toll plaza.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras motorists would have to pay a 90 sen toll if there was no access road.

The road, built three years ago, was barricaded upon completion due to the tussle between Grand Saga and Narajaya.

However, 10 days ago, residents and elected representatives from PR removed the barriers.

Tiong demanded to know from Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) if he condoned such lawlessness from his party men.

"Is this not abuse of power?" he asked during the debate on the King's speech.

Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), who was present at the Cheras incident at the end of last month, interjected and said they did not take the law into their hands.

Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Serdang), who was also there, defended her role and said that it was within the prerogative of the state government to remove the barriers.

Kit Siang said he was not aware of what his party men had done.

"I don't know about this," he said brushing aside Tiong's claim that the DAP leaders had been involved in an unlawful act.

Later, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said at the lobby of Parliament that the state government did not condone an illegal act.

"The state would not like to break the law," he said adding that the people were seeking to expedite the decision-making process involved in opening the access road. He added the state government wanted to find an amicable solution.

1,000 penduduk bantah di bandar Mahkota - Malaysiakini

2008-05-07T19:45:00.000+08:00

Abdul Rahim Sabri | May 7, 08 5:48pm

Kira-kira 1,000 penduduk di taman perumahan di bandar Mahkota di Cheras berhimpun petang ini bagi menghalang syarikat konsesi - Grand Saga - membina semula tembok menutup jalan masuk ke perumahan mereka.

Mereka mula berkumpul tengahari tadi selepas mendapat tahu yang syarikat berkenaan akan memulakan kerja membina tembok penghalang tersebut.

Sebelum ini, tembok penghalang di situ telah dibuang pada 21 April lalu, selepas bantahan keras dari penduduk yang sama.

Pada kira-kira jam 3 petang, para pekerja dilihat mahu memulakan kerja-kerja pembinaan tembok di situ tetapi dihalang oleh penduduk terbabit.

Menurut pengerusi jawatankuasa bukan jalan, Tan Boon Wah, beliau telah merampas kunci jentolak yang digunakan untuk membina tembok tersebut.

Manakala ada juga yang bertindak nekad duduk di tempat di mana tembok itu sepatutnya dibina.

Kemudian, kira-kira jam 4.50 petang, Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM) menghantar seorang pegawai dari Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj) mengarahkan syarikat konsesi itu menangguhkan kerja tersebut.

Tetapi pengarah eksekutif syarikat konsesi tersebut, Zainal Abidin Ali menafikan menerima sebarang arahan daripada LLM.

Sebaliknya, tegas beliau, pihaknya akan meneruska kerja untuk membina tembok menutup jalan tersebut, demi keselamatan lalulintas di situ.

Selepas itu, penduduk dilihat mula bersurai tetapi menjadi kecoh semula apabila mereka melihat lapan trak Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU), termasuk meriam air tiba di situ.

Ia menyebabkan berlaku kesesakan lalulintas yang teruk. Polis juga mengadakan sekatan di jalan tersebut.

Selepas rundingan antara ahli parlimen Cheras, Tan Kok Wai dan ahli parlimen Serdang, Teo Nie Ching dengan pihak polis, penduduk di situ diarah bersurai.

Menurut Teo, polis menerima arahan daripada peguam negara supaya jalan tersebut mesti ditutup semula.

Pada jam 6.45 petang, polis mengeluarkan arahan kepada penduduk yang berkumpul di situ supaya bersurai.

Bagaimanapun, penduduk tidak bergerak. Ekoran itu, anggota FRU menggunakan perisai untuk menyuraikan mereka.

Terbaru, pekerja syarikat konsesi telah memasangkan tembok penghalang di situ, manakala orang ramai mengejek mereka.

Condo project yet to take off after many years - The Star

2008-05-06T22:14:00.001+08:00

May 6, 2008 By CHRISTINA LOW

THEY have invested their hard-earned savings as downpayments for their dream homes, but after many years, all that the more than 60 distressed and depressed apartment buyers can see is an empty piece of idle land.

They are the buyers of apartment units of the four-block Casa Gemilang condominium project comprising 380 units in Taman Midah in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai visited the site on Sunday morning and found only several containers fixed with air conditioners, apparently used as site offices.

Lorries were seen moving in and out of the construction area but no work seemed to be going on.

Still waiting: Tan (second from right) talking to buyers of the Casa Gemilang apartments in front of the cordoned-off area in Taman Midah, Cheras.

“The company has cordoned off the area, which looks like a construction site, but nothing seems to be going on there. No piling work has been done,” Tan said.

The condominium units cost from RM148,000 to RM223,000 each. All the buyers had paid their 10% downpayment upon signing the sale and purchase (S&P) agreement.

According to Tan, the buyers had given up hope that the project would take off and had decided to take legal action to recover their losses.

Tan said in August last year, the developer, Jeram Permata (Cheras) Sdn Bhd, had admitted to the buyers that it was unable to carry out the project but did not give the reason.

He said the developer, however, did not mention refunding the 10% downpayment paid by the buyers.

“The buyers just want their down payments refunded.

“They are not even asking the company to pay for the legal fees for the S&P agreements,” Tan said.

He said he hoped to meet the developer next week.

he added that he would also ask the Housing Ministry to cancel the developer’s licence and blacklist it.

Next to the apartment project is a RM340mil rehabilitation hospital project under the Health Ministry.

Except for a small corner used for the Cheras Health Clinic, the hospital project has been abandoned and left idle for more than 15 years.

However, earthworks and tree felling at the hospital project site started about three months ago.

Tan said he had received numerous complaints from the residents, who were worried about damage to the environment due to the tree-felling activities.

He said it was discovered that the contractor did not even have a development order.

On April 30, a StarMetro report, “City Hall puts a stop to rape of the environs”, said that a stop-work order was issued by the Kuala Lumput City Hall (DBKL) on April 28 along with a compound of RM50,000 under Section 70A of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.

The order came after the DBKL found that land-clearing works, including earthworks and tree felling, had been carried out by the contractor of Konsortium Gadang Perembun without approval from the local authority.

Hardly a week after the report appeared, work resumed at the site.

“Our service centre has received many calls from the residents, asking if the report they read was true, because they had spotted trucks moving in and out again,” Tan said.

Tan said he was still trying to contact the Public Works Department officer in charge for an explanation.

He urged the DBKL to continue monitoring such sites strictly to ensure that no foul play was involved.

Different Hikes In Rice Prices In Supermarts, Sundry Shops In Kuala Lumpur

2008-05-04T07:52:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) By Nur Syuhada Shamsuddin & Balkish Awang

Prices of all types of rice in several supermarkets and sundry shops in the capital were up since two weeks ago, albeit in different quantums.

Supermarket operators met by Bernama charged that they were forced to raise prices, following hikes by millers and wholesalers who in turn, said they were dictated by the rise in prices on the world market.

A random survey found that a 10kg sack of local super-special grade rice at some supermarkets was sold at between RM24.58 and RM28 and limited to two sacks to an individual.

At sundry shops, the price was between RM26 and RM29.

A 10kg sack of fragrant Siamese rice was sold for between RM26 and RM29 at supermarkets, and up to RM36 at most sundry shops.

The survey also found that there was supply of local super-special grade (five percent broken) rice and fragrant Siamese rice in the market. Local super-grade (15 percent broken) rice, a controlled item, was sold at between RM1.65 per kilogram and RM1.75 per kilogram.

Muslim Restaurant Operators Association of Malaysia (Presma) president Jamarulkhan Kader said a 50kg sack of local super-special grade rice rose from RM80 to RM120 in the last two weeks.

He said many restaurants used this good-quality rice besides 'basmati briyani' rice and Siamese rice.

"All prices of rice have gone up. So far, supply is sufficient. Only it is difficult to find 15 percent broken rice on the market. However, many restaurants did not use this rice before," he told Bernama.

Asked about the factors leading to price rises, Jamarulkhan said if millers raised prices, wholesalers and retailers were forced to do so.

Worried about the situation, he called for other companies, besides Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), to be allowed to import rice. Bernas is the sole importer in the country. The secretary-general of the Muslim Mini-Markets and Sundry Shops Operators Association of Malaysia, Kamal Musthaffa, said rice supply was sufficient for now, but there was a price rise of between 20-30 percent.

A wholesaler in Keramat, who wanted to be identified as Ahmad, said: "Two weeks ago, I raised the price of 10kg sacks of local super-special rice and fragrant Siamese rice by RM6.

Twenty years in the business, Ahmad, 45, said he did not limit the quantity bought by his customers but gave a discount on purchases on more than three 10kg sacks.

Meanwhile, a sundry shop operator in Setiawangsa, Nordin Mohamed, 25, said many consumers grumbled over the hike in the price of rice and as such, he did not want to stock too much.

Punished for tranferring licences to foreigners - The Star

2008-05-01T08:24:00.000+08:00

May 1, 2008

A total of 473 petty traders had their licences revoked last year for renting or transferring their licences to foreign workers.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall's Petty Traders' Development and Management Depart-ment acting director Ibrahim Yusoff said City Hall was closing an eye on licensed operators to make sure that they did not engage foreign workers in an effort to minimise the possibility of public nuisance.

He said according to Haw-kers and Stalls' Licensing Bylaw (Kuala Lumpur) 1989, hawkers were not supposed to even hire foreign workers to man their stalls.

He said defaulters would be given a show-cause letter and were expected to stop hiring foreign workers within 14 days.

He added that a total of 61 show cause letters had been issued to operators in Petaling Street and all of them had given written replies pledging future cooperation. City Hall would follow up with the issue.

“Pudu Market and Selayang Market are having the same problem, we are looking into it,” he said.

He said meanwhile, City Hall was monitoring the situation of illegal hawkers with frequent enforcement, adding that once caught, the defaulter would be fined between RM300 and RM2,000 or sent to court if he or she failed to settle the fine.

A greener city with 60,000 trees - The Star

2008-05-01T08:23:00.000+08:00

May 1, 2008

A total of 60,000 trees will be planted in Kuala Lumpur this year to make the city a greener place.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan said it was part of efforts to make Kuala Lumpur the Eternal Tropical City (Bandaraya Tropika Lestari) by 2020 and the Kuala Lumpur Greening Programme launched in the 1970s.

The large-scale tree-planting programme would involve 40 main roads and 40 open areas in Kuala Lumpur.

The programme would be carried out in four phases, from April.

About 15,000 trees will be planted each phase, which spans over three months. The first phase involves Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Ipoh and Jalan Duta among others.

Hakim said RM5mil had been allocated for the programme this year.

“The programme is in tandem with the Cabinet's decision to encourage tree planting in major cities, and to increase public awareness on the importance of tree canopies to maintain a high percentage of green in the cities,” he said.

He added that many trees in the city had been found to be unsuitable as they broke drains and road kerbs and such trees would be replaced from time to time.

Pay & Display parking system in KL next month - The Star

2008-05-01T08:22:00.000+08:00

May 1, 2008 By YIP YOKE TENG

THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will be introducing the “Pay and Display” parking system and extending parking meter hours to 10.30pm in June.

This is part of the local authority's effort to create more parking spaces in the city and to address existing problems concerning parking such as illegal car jockeys in busy commercial areas.

Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan said DBKL had been conducting frequent enforcement against illegal car jockeys but the problem still persisted.

“The public parking rate is only 60 sen per hour in the city centre and 50 sen in suburbs, by extending the parking meter hours we can ensure that the facility is not abused by unlicensed car jockeys and those soliciting parking charges illegally,” he said at the weekly meet-the-Press session.

He added that there were 9,000 over metered parking bays in the city and there would be 30,000 bays in total following the implementation of “Pay and Display” system in June.

The new system would be similar to the one being used in Selangor.

He said currently seven operators were managing the metered parking system while 15 others were taking care of the off-street parking in the city’s outer areas.

On the exorbitant rates imposed by private parking operators, Hakim said the existing Private Parking Bylaw did not have control on the rates but DBKL would arrange for a meeting with the operators to discuss the matter.

“It also depends on whether the residents and motorists accept the rates.

“There would be no issue if they are comfortable with the rates they are paying,” he added.

Gloom in the city over flash floods - The Star

2008-05-01T08:18:00.002+08:00

May 1, 2008 By DEBBIE CHAN

EACH time the sky turns gloomy with dark clouds hovering above, Chin Yee Lun gets jittery and starts bracing up for a wet and hard day.

Chin gets exhausted just thinking about the difficult time he will have when the rain comes down and the flood goes up, causing his shop in Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin, Kuala Lumpur, to be flooded.

Inundated: The car park behind Concorde Hotel after a downpour.

Since the beginning of this year, Kuala Lumpur has been cast under a wet spell with heavy rainfall occurring almost every evening, causing flash floods in various parts of the capital city, resulting in traffic chaos, damages to vehicles, losses in business and goods, and a mountain of other problems.

Chin is just one of the hundreds of traders in the vicinity of the Petaling Street hot business area who have been badly affected by the frequent flash floods. They not only cannot do business in the unfriendly weather, their goods are also damaged, costing them much financial losses.

The geographical contour of Kuala Lumpur has many low land areas in the prime city spots, including Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Alor, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Petaling and the surrounding areas.

The areas surrounding Jalan Petaling have always been flood-prone even during the pre-independence days when the commercial hub of the Chinese community moved from the then High Street to Petaling Street.

»The DBKL should consider upgrading the drains, especially in tourist hotspots like Petaling Street« FONG KUI LUN

The main concern is that for years the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has tried but never succeeded to mitigate flash floods.

With the current daily heavy downpours, the inefficiency of the city’s drainage system is becoming a major grouse of city folks.

“Even the DBKL has admitted that clogged drains and poor drainage system are the main factors causing flash floods in parts of Kuala Lumpur. If they already know the problem, then why not work at solving it?” Chin asked.

The DBKL has since initiated some ad hoc short-term preventive measures, including immediate clearing of clogged-drains and conducting frequent checks on low land areas, but there is an urgent need to come out with some specific long-term flood mitigation measures.

“It is most unfortunate that the heavy rainfalls for the past few months have so badly affected Kuala Lumpur with many traders and even hotels being on the losing end,” Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun said.

“When the flood level rises, water enters the shop lots and destroys the goods. The traders have to spend time cleaning up and bear the losses,” he said.

“The DBKL should consider upgrading the drains, especially in tourist hot spots like Petaling Street. It should have put priority to solve flood woes there because it’s such a bad image for foreigners. They will think that this is a country that is flooded all the time,” Fong said.

In terms of long-term preventive measures, building more retention ponds may be an effective option to consider.

Accoding to SMART Tunnel general manager Mohd Fuad Kamal Ariffin, such a measure should be undertaken by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).

“We work with the DID to divert water to ponds but ultimately it is the DID's responsibility to increase the number of retention ponds,” Fuad said.

“It is obvious that when there are more ponds, it would definitely assist in the diversion of water to prevent it flowing into the city. But ultimately, we must realise that all flood-preventive measures must be complemented by a good drainage system,” he said.

“The ponds should be completed as soon as possible because we need more retention ponds to cope with the rapid development in the city. We must also have enough monsoon drains,” Fong said.

The Concorde Hotel along Jalan Sultan Ismail has been one of those big buildings in the city that has been affected by flash floods for more than a decade.

“The usual case would be water flowing from the Caltex petrol station opposite our hotel right to our entrance,” Concorde KL marketing communications manager Julini Yusof said.

According to Julini, the Concorde team has been working closely with the DBKL in the last few weeks to offer suggestions on measures to curb the floods.

“We are willing to work with the DBKL to solve this problem because this is something that affects everyone. We usually take photos and keep tabs when flash floods occur and send them to the DBKL. We also got our engineering people to look at our drainage and see what can be done,” Julini said.

This is a sentiment shared by most establishments in the flood-prone areas, as they are worried that people would be discouraged from going to those areas.

Tiada kuasa tangkap pekerja asing - Malaysiakini

2008-04-30T19:47:00.000+08:00

Oleh Muda Mohd Noor | Apr 30, 08 4:41pm

Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpurl (DBKL) tidak boleh mengambil tindakan ke atas pembantu kedai warga asing kerana perkara itu bawah bidang kuasa Jabatan Imigresen, kata pengarah jabatan peniaga kecil dewan itu Ibrahim Yusof.

"Kami hanya boleh mengambil tindakan ke atas pemilik gerai terbabit," katanya kepada pemberita di ibu negara hari ini.

Beliau berkata, peniaga yang mengupah pekerja asing boleh didenda RM300 untuk kesalahan pertama, kesalahan kedua RM600 dan seterusnya boleh dibawa ke mahkamah jika terus berdegil

Menurutnya, DBKL telah mengenal pasti sebanyak 473 lesen peniaga kecil telah disewakan kepada orang asing dan pihaknya telah membatalkan lesen-lesen tersebut.

"Manakala jumlah penjaja haram ialah 5,000 orang tetapi kita sukar untuk mengesan mereka kerana bijak melarikan diri apabila penguatkuasa DBKL membuat operasi," katanya.

Ibrahim berkata, kawasan-kawan yang menjadi tumpuan peniaga yang menggunakan khidmat pekerja asing antaranya di sekitar Pasar Pudu, Jalan Petaling dan pasar borong di Selayang.

"Kita mengenal pasti 61 penjaja di Jalan Petaling menggunakan pekerja asing," katanya lagi.

Beliau berkata, pemegang lesen penjaja kecil tidak boleh menyewakan kepada warga asing atau menggaji mereka seperti syarat undang-undang kecil perlesenan penjaja dan gerai (Wilayah Persekutuan Kuaal Lumpur) 1989.

Ibrahim juga menjelaskan, pihaknya sedang berusaha untuk memindahkan penjaja di tepi jalan ke tempat niaga di dalam bangunan pada tahun 2012.

Katanya, DBKL mengambil keputusan untuk tidak menggalakkan lagi penjaja di tepi jalan kerana jumlah yang ada sudah ramai.

More may get free water - The Star

2008-04-30T10:27:00.000+08:00

SHAH ALAM: April 30, 2008

Consumers in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya may be able to enjoy the first 20 cu m of water free if the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Putrajaya Corporation are agreeable to the Selangor state government's calculations.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said although both Federal Territories also get their water supply from Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) the offer for now was only for Selangor residents, who would get the free water from June 1.

He said the state government would present to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Putrajaya Corporation its calculations on how the free water supply was made possible in Selangor and ask if they want to join the exercise.

“If we can work out the calculations with (the local authorities in) Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya then we can extend the free water to these two places too,” he told a press conference after launching the Animal Homes Exhibition at the state museum yesterday.

He said the state government could not make a decision for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as it only had jurisdiction in Selangor.

However, according to industry sources, the state government is reluctant to provide free water to the two Federal Territories as it would further reduce profits to the state government.

The state government holds a 30% stake in Syabas through state-owned investment arm Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) and feels that the profits belong to its taxpayers and thus it is all right to reduce them to benefit Selangor residents.

Khalid said the free water scheme for Selangor would be introduced as scheduled and the state government was working with Syabas on the implementation as well as changes in the billing.

Pedestrian project a monument to shoddy work - The Star

2008-04-29T15:08:00.000+08:00

April 29, 208 By YIP YOKE TENG

Behind the hoardings at the busy Masjid Jamek LRT station, construction of the Pedestrian Plaza is under way to integrate the two LRT lines and shield commuters from the weather. However, the multi-million ringgit project might have failed to meet these objectives and may even become a danger to users.

THE Pedestrian Plaza at the Masjid Jamek LRT station may be one of the most anticipated projects to rectify a major problem in the city's public transport system but the RM5mil development seems to have become another public display of Kuala Lumpur City Hall's shoddy monitoring of projects.

City Hall Urban Transportation Department director Dr Leong Siew Mun said the plaza was aimed at providing further integration with the Ampang/Sri Petaling-line LRT station and to protect commuters from the weather.

It is supposed to fix what has been described as “a shame of the city” – that the two LRT lines at the interchange station are located away from each other and commuters are exposed to the weather when travelling from one side to the other.

Work started on the project early last year. In an earlier public announcement, it was said that the main entrance to the Kelana Jaya-line station would be closed from Oct 22 last year to Jan 23 this year for the construction. However, the entrance is still closed till today.

Dr Leong conceded that there was a “slight delay due to several issues arising from day one of the project, namely site constraints, inclement weather and technical problems.”

As the structure looks to be nearing completion, StarMetro investigated the site and was shocked to find that those sweet promises are not forthcoming.

First of all, the roof – in a fancy multi-layered design – does not shield commuters from rain or shine.

Amazingly, the ticketing counters and the ticket-vending machines are located outdoors.

Secondly, the Kelana Jaya line and Ampang/Sri Petaling line stations are supposed to be linked by the same platform so that commuters can go between the two sides with ease.

However, a wide gap now runs between the two and the stretch had better be fenced up as the gap is so deep that anyone falling into it would suffer severe injuries.

If the gap is still there after construction is completed, commuters will then have to use the same old routes in Jalan Melayu or Jalan Melaka to get to the other station.

If that is the case, what is the point of spending RM5mil on the Pedestrian Plaza?

Public safety is another major concern. Railings are low with horizontal bars that will enable children to easily climb over.

The floor will also be slippery whenever it rains since the roof does not cover the structure.

Earlier, LRT users had pointed out that the gutters of the roof contain stagnant water and could be a mosquito-breeding spot.

When informed of such concerns, City Hall assured the public that they would constantly monitor the site.

The high ceiling of the project would also make maintenance like changing bulbs and cleaning difficult.

These structures not only show that public funds have not been wisely spent, but also give an indication of the future problems commuters may face when the building is finally ready to be used.

Massive tree felling at site of former Lady Templer Hospital - The Star

2008-04-28T14:14:00.000+08:00

April 28, 2008 By YIP YOKE TENG

IT WOULD have been further damage to the environment, if the folks of Taman Midah, Cheras, had not intervened and voiced their objection at the massive tree felling at the former site of the Lady Templer Hospital.

All but one block of the hospital covering over 20.2 ha (50 acres) had been demolished to make way for a RM340mil rehabilitation hospital, a project under the Health Ministry.

The building had been abandoned for more than 15 years; only a small section was used for the Cheras Health Clinic.

Work at the site comprising earth works and tree felling started about three months ago and with the increasing damage to the green lung surrounding the area, the residents became worried.

However, their worry turned into shock when Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai discovered that the contractor of the project didn’t even have a Development Order to begin with.

This was also confirmed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officials from the Public Works Department and Landscape Department, who visited the site with Tan, residents and representatives from the contractor recently.

Tan said that he welcomed such a project in the neighbourhood, since it served a good purpose, but he added that the contractor should not have started the work without prior approval from DBKL.

He said the contractor must obtain a development order prior to doing any site work so that the relevant departments could monitor to ensure every aspect of the project was safe.

“You have nearly 50,000 people living in Taman Midah and without proper monitoring, this project might affect the residents with negative repercussions on the environment such as flooding, soil erosion and others,” he said.

According to the contractor no development was being carried out on the site, just earth works to build a silt trap.

Tan was not convinced and said he would seek immediate stop-work order from the City Hall.

Housing relief for Kg Pakar residents - The Star

2008-04-28T14:07:00.001+08:00

April 28, 2008 By DEBBIE CHAN

MOST of the residents of Kampung Pakar, Sg Besi, have been offered public housing at PPR Muhibbah in Puchong after a thorough investigation by Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

Some 83 households would be relocated to the Muhibbah flats while another six are awaiting pending appeals as they were not included in the census conducted during the floods last year.

“These six households were not affected by the floods and were not counted in the census done by City Hall then.

“We have appealed to the authority and hope that these six families will get a place in public housing as well,” Seputeh MP Theresa Kok said.

The rest of the squatter households have been disqualified from public housing as they were not families or were occupied by foreign workers.

The squatters were asked to leave their houses by June 17, 2008, to make way for the construction of new factories by the developer GSS Properties Sdn Bhd.

GSS Properties has offered to pay compensation to the squatters and the value of the compensation was made based on the sizes of the houses with payments ranging from RM2,000 to RM6,000 per family.

The squatters recently voiced their concerns that City Hall might not be able to provide the public housing units in time. They are also unsatisfied with the valuation of the compensation that seemed to be inconsistent.

“Some of the residents complained that the compensation values differed even when the houses were of the same size.

“I advised the residents that if they were not happy with the compensation value, they should get surveyors to measure their houses and provide some sort of documentation so that I could then talk to the developers,” Kok said.

Kok added that Kampung Pakar was a tough situation as some of the squatters were located on public land while some were on private land.

“At the meeting with the Federal Territories Ministry, we tried to figure out if the houses were on public land as City Hall procedures call for priority to be given to squatters on public land.

“However, at the moment, most of the squatters, regardless of the status, have been offered a place at the Muhibbah flats,” Kok said.

In a statement issued by the developer, it stated that it did not have any objections for the residents to tear down their own homes provided they cleaned up before or on the due date given.

The developer also stated that the compensation is purely an ex-gratia payment based on the size of the houses.

More than 95% of the squatters have signed the agreement to vacate and have agreed to move by the due date.

Kok also advised the squatters to take up the offer of public housing and said that the main priority for her is that everyone gets a home to live in. According to City Hall statistics, there are about 40,000 people with no proper homes in Kuala Lumpur.

TTDI folks appalled by development plan - The Star

2008-04-28T14:02:00.001+08:00

April 28, 2008

TAMAN Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI) residents who live along Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi are appalled by a new development plan for the area.

The project, a 20-storey twin tower office and apartment with three levels of basement carparks was said to have been approved by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and clearing works had already begun.

The site is located on the land currently occupied by Makbul Nasi Kandar restaurant. Rasta food court, which had also been on the land, has been shifted to another location in the vicinity.

Gone forever: The land where the Rasta food court once stood is being cleared for the project.

Resident Aznei Jaffni said the residents along Lorong Burhanuddin Helmi 1received a letter from DBKL in November 2007 informing them of the development plan and asking for consensus.

“We wrote a reply objecting to the plan based on several factors involving the environment, safety and traffic in the area. But we received no replies from DBKL.

“The next thing we know, the foodcourt had been shifted and they are breaking the ground, ignoring our interests as residents.

“Only residents living along Lorong Burhanuddin Helmi 1 received the letter from DBKL, those living on other nearby streets did not receive it,” Aznel said.

Another resident See Kot Yeng said the development would bring more traffic to the already congested business centre.

“It will be a high-density development with office blocks and apartments, so you can imagine the traffic flow.

“When the work starts, there will also be noise and air pollution,” he said.

Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi is a trunk road that connects motorists to Bandar Utama, the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) and to other parts of TTDI.

It is sandwiched between a business district and a housing area.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said he would bring the matter to DBKL and work with the residents to resolve the matter.

GREEN LUNG HAVOC AND SIR, AFTER FEDERAL HILL, DOES BANGSAR GO TOO? - Malay Mail

2008-04-27T16:08:00.000+08:00

April 27, 2008

THE only remaining green lung in Bangsar is slotted for development. But not if the residents of Jalan Medang Serai, Bukit Bandaraya, have any say
in it.

Residents are up in arms against a proposed high-rise luxury condominium project by Bandar Raya Developments Berhad.
The developer has announced it will be putting up eight blocks of 212 luxury condominium units and multi-level car park.

Of the eight blocks, two blocks will be 28-storeys high and the rest 11 and six storeys.

A City Hall notice on the project had stated that the project would increase the density in the area from 30 people per acre to 175 people per acre —an increase of 500 per cent.

This has caused residents in the Medang Serai area, including those living in townhouses, Tivoli Villa and Bangsar Puteri, to see red as they claimed that the proposed development would not only destroy their only patch of green lung but also cause massive congestion in an already congested area.

“The dust and noise will be a health hazard to the residents and there is no logic in increasing the density by 500 per cent,” said Medang Serai Residents Action Committee pro-tem president Tunku Zurie Tunku Izham.

She said residents were also shocked that the project was being promoted and advertised in a newsletter and on its website although City Hall claimed that it had not issued any development order.

“It smacks of arrogance on the developer’s part to promote the project when no approval has been granted,” said another resident, who had been living in the area for more than 20 years.

However, Gunasegaran Naidu, deputy-director of Monitoring and Enforcement (National Housing Development) in an e-mail to a resident representative, who had lodged a complaint with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, said the brochure did not advertise any sale.

“It was an announcement that BRDB will be launching a con- dominium project in the area.

Neither was it an exercise to register prospective buyers,” s a id Na idu .

The residents had also organised a signature campaign and sent a petition to, among others, the mayor, the director-general of City Hall, the Lembah Pantai member of parliament and the Federal Territories Minister.

Residents had also put forward their concerns at a hearing called by City Hall but to date, the anxious residents have not been told of the outcome.

“We urge the authorities not to approve the project. A massive high-rise project such as the one being proposed is not suitable as the Medang Serai area is made up of mostly low-rise houses and apartments.

“With the current flash floods that we have been experiencing in Kuala Lumpur, we should not be cutting down more trees,” said Tunku Zurie.

Environmental experts have also pointed out that sacrificing forests for high-rise buildings negate efforts to promote tree planting in cities.

Many have pointed out that it is a paradox for City Hall to spend millions on tree planting while at the same time, projects were be- ing approved which destroyed the greenery.

Late last year, Datuk Bandar Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan had stated that City Hall was spending an additional RM5 million on tree planting in the city.

Another RM94 million has been allocated in this year’s budget for the building of recreational parks and green a re a s.

In 1980, City Hall had admitted that there was only 0.2ha of green open space available per 1,000 persons —which, even at that time, was considered insufficient.

“If so, why does City Hall con- tinue to approve projects at the expense of the remaining urban forests?” asked a resident, who said that the pressure from urban living requires the community to seek relief and the urban forests are a fine example of providing a soothing atmosphere.

Builder: We are only rectifying flaws in Damansara 21 project - The Star

2008-04-27T09:44:00.001+08:00

April 26, 2008

DAMANSARA 21project developer SDB Properties Sdn Bhd in a statement issued yesterday, explained that the work carried out at the site in Medan Damansara were to rectify the project’s shortcomings.

The company reassured residents that it did not ignore City Hall’s stop-work order and that the work under way were in accordance with City Hall’s order.

The work is to build a retaining wall between Jalan Setia Bestari and the construction site.

The developer is also required to erect hoardings at the perimeter of the construction area, plant grass on the hillslope, replace torn plastic covers as well as build drains and silt traps.

It has agreed to comply with the directives by May 20 and to report to City Hall on the project’s progress weekly.

“SDB Properties Sdn Bhd will continue to maintain the highest safety and environmental standards,” the statement read.

“We will also comply with all directives recently announced by City Hall within the agreed deadline. The company is committed to safeguarding the interests of stakeholders and the community,” it said.

The project, which began in early December, comprises 21 bungalows, costing between RM10mil and RM15mil each. Residents had objected to the project.

City Hall had issued a stop-work order and slapped a RM100,000 fine on the developer as it was found that the project did not comply with safety standards and there was no proper drainage system.

Saravanan Wants A Balanced Racial Composition Of Traders In FT

2008-04-26T09:15:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama)

The Federal Territories Ministry will ensure a balanced racial composition of traders in wholesale markets, said its deputy minister, Datuk M. Saravanan.

By this, he said the ministry would ensure that every trader was given equal opportunities to run their businesses, without taking race or religion into consideration.

"In the near future, I will meet with the respective traders associations to find a way in balancing the composition of the traders," he told reporters after visiting the Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market here Friday.

On his visit to the market, Saravanan who is also MIC information chief, expressed dissatisfaction with the racial composition of the traders there.

"Of the approximately 465 traders at the market, only 50 are Malays and three are Indians.

"However, I am satisfied with the prices of items sold at the market," he said.

On illegal traders, including foreigners, who set up stalls and sell similar items as those inside the market, Saravanan said their action would only jeopardise the businesses of the legal traders.

"Therefore, my ministry intends to work closely with the police and the immigration department to curb the problem," added the deputy minister.

Earlier, Saravanan visited the Pudu market and found the cleanliness much to be desired.

He said he would seek an explanation from the Alam Flora Sdn Bhd management on why the market's cleanliness was below par.

RM10m gone in 3 days - The Sun

2008-04-25T12:40:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA (April 24, 2008): By R. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez

Three days after their husbands lost power to rule Selangor, the wives got into the act – plotting to dissolve a welfare body and remove almost RM10 million from its bank accounts.

But their attempts have been thwarted by Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who wrote to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to question the validity of the decision to dissolve the Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis).

It is learnt that Abdul Khalid has ordered a thorough investigation and audit into the affairs of the association which was set up in 1985 to undertake welfare work.

According to documents sighted by theSun, Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, the wife of former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo had on March 11 convened an extraordinary general meeting of the committee to dissolve Balkis and close its bank accounts. The following day, the accounts were closed, with the money transferred to another account and then to Bakti – the federal Organisation of Wives of Ministers which Balkis is affiliated to.

On March 13, the former exco members of Balkis issued a notice of dissolution to the ROS, which included amending the constitution of Balkis and establishing a new organisation – Balkis-BN, is among the names suggested.

“This was to prevent the Balkis premises (Kompleks Wawasan Balksi - KWB) and the association itself from being taken over by the new state government,” said an insider.

“Once this was done, then the money will be transferred back to the new organisation,” the insider added.

However, the ROS in a letter stated that Balkis' application for dissolution was incomplete and gave it 30 days to furnish additional information.

The constitution of Balkis states that the mentri besar's wife should be the president. Sources in the state government argue that since Mohamad Khir is no longer MB, Zaharah is no longer the president and has no power whatsoever to dissolve the association or liquidate its funds. Incidentally, the constitution also states that the organisation must remain apolitical.

Legal experts say by right, following the events of March 8, the exco headed by Zaharah should have convened an emergency meeting to discuss the handing over of Balkis to a new exco – with the new president being Abdul Khalid’s wife Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut.

Bakti, meanwhile, according to minutes of a recent meeting it held, had under advice of a sitting judge received the RM9.9 million from Balkis, which it has placed in a fixed deposit. The money would then be transferred back to the new organisation set up by the former Balkis members.

Bakti would also take over a Special Education Project involving millions of ringgit until the “new” Balkis is formed.

This is clearly goes against Balkis’ constitution which states that in the event of a dissolution, all monies must be transferred to the government or a similar fund, with the approval of the Inland Revenue Board director-general.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Abdul Khalid had in his letter to the ROS on Wednesday (April 23) said of the amount in Balkis’ accounts, about RM850,000 was donated by state government companies – Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd which gave RM268,862 last year and Perbadanan Kemajuan Negri Selangor (PKNS) which contributed RM590,379.50 between 2006 and 2007.

It is understood that Abdul Khalid is also investigating the transfer of 43,560sq ft of land in Section 7, Shah Alam, which the state government had in 2002 offered to Balkis at a nominal cost of RM250,000 (RM5.74/sq ft) for the setting up of a shelter home for women that cost RM5 million.

DBKL acts to stamp out corruption - The Star

2008-04-25T12:32:00.000+08:00

April 25, 2008 By ESTHER CHANDRAN

A TOTAL of 10 City Hall staff have been investigated by the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) for corruption so far.

As such, DBKL wants to improve the public’s perception of the local authority by showing transparency in conduct and to eradicate complaints of corruption among its staff.

DBKL director general Datuk Salleh Yusup said all 12,000 employees would have to attend courses and training to understand the importance of anti-corruption.

He said City Hall was working with the ACA on an integrated plan to educate its staff on the vices of corruption.

Departments considered “high risk” were those that were constantly dealing with the public.

Salleh said the Planning, Building Control, Housing Management Department, Public Works Department and Hawkers Department were among those considered “high risk”.

“The plan involves providing them with education and information on corruption as a vice, ways to stamp it out, penalty for accepting bribes and the necessary action that can be taken against those found guilty of corruption.

“The penalty for those found guilty is rather severe,” he said, adding that he hoped the efforts would deter DBKL staff from corruption.

He said DBKL staff had been sent for courses, including personal morale development, in batches since 2007.

Salleh said the training was the first of its kind to be implemented for any local authority in the country.

“We want to win back the people’s confidence and we are trying our best to educate our staff to project and portray a clean image,” he said at a meet-the-press session on Wednesday.

On another matter, Salleh said the construction of the new Datuk Keramat market would be completed by the end of May.

He said the market, complete with market space, retail area and hall that could accommodate 1,000 people, was needed to replace the old Datuk Keramat market that was rather run down and congested

Deputy FT Minister asks residents to be reasonable - The Star

2008-04-25T12:31:00.000+08:00

April 25, 2008

AFTER years of protest with regards to flash floods, the Federal Territories Ministry has finally decided to relocate SRK (T) Ladang Bukit Jalil in Kampung Muhibah, Kuala Lumpur.

However, the decision was not well received by some residents who have been living around the school since the 50s. They had refused to move out from the area. One of the residents, S.Thiakarajan, 54, said that the flash floods were caused by a nearby construction with bad drainage system.

“During downpour, there was no proper flow of water. But now the pipes are being fixed and I am sure we can resolve the flash floods issue,” said Thiakarajan.

Deputy FT Minister Datuk M.Saravanan, who visited the site of the 60-year-old school recently, said the residents should be reasonable.

He said that there were no other Tamil schools in the FT area that had been given such a conducive location with so many facilities surrounding it. Currently the school had six classrooms with 102 students and the new school is expected to be bigger and better.

The school had been hit by flash foods more than 10 times since October and the Education Ministry had also pledged RM650,000 for building of the new school.

“We cannot allow our personal interest to destroy the future of Tamil schools in this country. The present area is just not suitable and more than half of the residents in the area had already moved out to the public housing units nearby. But the remaining ones still insist on their houses being built here,” said Saravanan.

The schools parents’ teachers’ association (PTA) president S. Balakrishnan said a meeting would be held with the parents on April 27 to notify them about the move.

“We don’t know if they would agree to the move. Lets see what happens,” said Balakrish-nan.

Earlier, Saravanan spent almost two hours visiting Hindu temples in Brickfields together with DBKL deputy director of services Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz.

They identified six Hindu temples along Jalan Ang Seng that sat on illegal land.

”We are looking at an alternative site for these temples, somewhere more centralised,” he said. Saravanan said the temples currently sit on a police reserve land and once the temples are relocated, a logistic department would be built there.

Drama unfolds as cops step in to block road - The Star

2008-04-24T23:24:00.000+08:00

April 24, 2008 By GEETHA KRISHNAN

MORE drama unfolded at Bandar Mahkota Cheras yesterday when the Kajang police temporarily closed the controversial road offering toll-free access to the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

Several patrol cars were used to block the road under the flyover leading to the Cheras 11th Mile toll plaza from 8am to 9.50am. This led to a large group of angry residents gathering at the site to protest the move.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, who arrived at the scene at 9am, called Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mood to seek an explanation.

“I have spoken to the OCPD and he said it was done to protect road users’ safety as the traffic lights at the junction have not been synchronised.

“The police fear accidents may occur,” Tan said.

He appealed to ACP Shakaruddin to allow residents to use the road for another day, pending the outcome of the survey to determine who has the right of way over the road at a meeting at Menara MPKj in Kajang at 3pm.

Police personnel later removed their vehicles to allow motorists to pass through.

The access road built by Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd was opened in September 2005 and closed soon after by highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, who cited a loss of toll collection as the reason for the closure.

On Monday, residents defied an order from the Selangor government and opened the road.

The government had wanted a survey to be carried out with reports from the Hulu Langat Land Office, Kajang Municipal Council, Narajaya and Grand Saga.

At a press conference later, the surveyor said he needed a few more days to prepare the report and it would be ready soon

Judicial review on Bukit Gasing development tomorrow - The Sun

2008-04-23T20:59:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23, 2008):

The High Court here today granted a two-day extension on the suspension of all constrution work on Bukit Gasing pending a judicial review of Kuala Lumpur City Hall's decision to give Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd planning approval to develop the hill.

The review will be heard at 3pm tomorrow following a request by counsel Sivarasa Rasiah representing the applicants, the Joint Action Committee for Bukit Gasing (JAC).

"The stay is pending the actual final hearing to determine whether the residents have a right to be given a public hearing and copies of the technical reports giving planning approval to Gasing Meridian," said Sivarasa.

The extension and tomorrow's hearing follow an ex-parte interim injunction which expired today granted by the High Court to order a halt to work on the 15.5ha site on Bukit Gasing upon which Gasing Meridian plans to develop 68 bungalows.

The review challenges City Hall's approval of the Development Order which was granted without consultation of the residents of Bukit Gasing, according to JAC counsel Derek Fernandez.

JAC representatives condemned City Hall's lack of transparency and unwillingness to cooperate with the committee.

"In 2004, Gasing Meridian sued City Hall for not giving them the approval to develop. First, Gasing Meridian appealed to City Hall's appeal board, and this was rejected. Then they followed up with action in the High Court, and Gasing Meridian lost the case, and the reason City Hall won was because of the topography of the area, which is very hilly.

"Secondly, the soil structure is very loose. Now the very same reasons that won them the case are being thrown out the window," said JAC member Johnny Yew.

"Despite the High Court's direction on March 17 that City Hall provide information to us at least one month in advance of today's hearing, we have received no documents, either approvals or technical reports until the the receipt of an affidavit yesterday confirming the order approving earth works and their opposition to stay the order granted on March 2," said Gary Yeoh, another JAC member.

"Contrary to City Hall's statement to the press that the hill is 'safe for hillside development', the developer plans to build on steep slopes. Almost 50% of the slopes are above a 25 degree gradient," he added

City Hall sets up integrity unit - The Sun

2008-04-23T20:58:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23, 2008): By Kimberly Lau

Criticised by opposition Members of Parliament recently for being synonymous with corruption, Kuala Lumpur City Hall today announced it was setting up an integrity unit, and rolling out an integrity action plan.

Its director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup told reporters in a weekly meet-the-press session that the purpose of such an action plan was to educate the staff so that they are aware of the problem of corruption and will help to prevent it.

"We have a lot of courses for our staff but we are also sending those who are in high-risk situations, or those who have had complaints lodged against them, for special courses on corruption."

Asked how many out of its 12,000 staff members are involved in the special courses, Salleh said: "All levels of staff attend these courses, from the top to the bottom level."

He said those who were found to have been involved in any form of corruption would be punished, including being asked to resign from City Hall.

The Integrity Unit, set up under the Human Resources Department in March, will also play the role of smoothening the bureaucratic process so that there will be less opportunities for corruption. He cited the setting up of standard operating procedures and a One-Stop Centre (OSC) to increase City Hall’s efficiency.

"The time to process development plans should take, at the most, three months to approve, depending on the project size. The OSC will make it easier for people to pay their licences and such."

City Hall recently received flak from Pakatan Rakyat MPs that it was ridden with corruption. In reply, the mayor had challenged the MPs to lodge reports with the ACA if they had proof.

On grouses by Medan Damansara residents over the Damansara 21 project over the felling of trees on the hillslopes, CIty Hall Public Works Department director Siti Saffur Mansor said the developer had the right to do so.

"Their mistake in this case is not that they chopped the trees but that they did not follow the geotechnical report and do the work in stages."

She said the developers had received permission from Environment Control to begin felling trees, but were required to do it phase-by-phase.

The residents had held a protest on Sunday (April 20) complaining that the project did not have silt-traps, hoarding and a plan to prevent erosion, following which City Hall issued a stop-work order and fined the developer RM100,000 for non-compliance with safety standards.

The project which began early December comprises 21 luxury bungalows costing between RM10 million and RM15 million each.

She said engineers and technicians are being sent to the site to monitor the rectification progress every day.

The developer has promised to rectify the faults by May 20

BUKIT GASING: High Court extends injunction - NST

2008-04-23T19:15:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, WED: April 23, 2008 - Bernama

The High Court today extended to Friday, an ex-parte interim injunction to 108 Bukit Gasing residents to halt all action pertaining to the hill slope development which was earlier approved by the Kuala Lumpur mayor.

Justice Lau Bee Lan allowed the extension of the injunction given on April 3, to give ample time to counsels representing the mayor and developer Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd (GMSB) to look into the affidavit in reply.

The court was told that it was only yesterday afternoon that the affidavit was served to the counsels.

On Friday, the high court will hear an inter-parte injunction on the application by the residents to stop all action approved by the mayor, in respect of a developer’s application for planning permission.

At this juncture, Joslyn Gooting appearing for GMSB, gave an assurance that his client would not continue with the erection of hoardings or begin any earth works in the area, pending hearing of the stay application.

Romesh Abraham appeared as counsel for the mayor.

On March 18, the high court here granted a leave for judicial review to the residents, allowing them the right to express their concerns for a development project in the area.

The residents were also granted leave to quash the decision of the Kuala Lumpur mayor not to hold a public hearing on the application by GMSB for a development order.

In their grounds of application, the residents represented by counsel R.

Sivarasa, said the mayor had erred in law and acted in excess of his jurisdiction when he wrote the letter stating that the procedure for hearing objections would not be implemented as it would violate existing rules and regulations.

The residents claimed the mayor had failed to take into account that they had a right under common law to be given due notice and be given a chance to voice their opinions in the decision-making process of planning.

They stated that the mayor had acted in contrary to the policy and intent of the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982 (Act 267).

Taman Kepong folks want an answer - The Star

2008-04-22T14:28:00.000+08:00

April 22, 2008 By YIP YOKE TENG

AFTER five years, the Taman Kepong Residents Association wants the developer to give them an answer as to when the long-delayed low-cost housing project will be completed.

The association represents more than 500 households, involving some 3,600 people, from Taman Kepong (Section C) who were relocated to make way for development.

They will be moved to the 550-unit low-cost housing project that is a joint venture between the landowner and its appointed developer. Construction began in early 2003 and was scheduled to be completed in 2006. However, the RM23mil project that is 80% complete has come to a standstill.

The residents have bought the units at RM42,000 each and are burdened with RM400 in instalment and RM200 on interest every month.

Waiting in vain: Residents explaining their problems to Dr Tan (seated).

“We want our houses ready soon and we want the developer to compensate us for our losses,” said association secretary Lim Kon Son at a meeting with Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw and attended by about 50 residents.

“We want the developer to resume work immediately,” he added.

Many residents lamented that their homes were flood-prone or in a deplorable state but they could not carry out renovations as they were supposed to move into new homes.

“We are in a quandary and are forced to live in terrible conditions while waiting for our new homes,” sub-contractor Lai Piang Yong, 54, said.

Dr Tan said the developer should compensate all residents on the extra interest paid as this had been stipulated in the contract.

“They have to also make sure that the units meet the residents’ requirements, including getting the strata titles,” he said.

A spokesman for the developer said they were forced to halt the work as the landowner refused to carry out the necessary measures, including building an access road and diverting a stretch of river.

“We can’t carry on with the work if they are not doing their part, as the building will not get its Certificate of Fitness,” he said.

Angry residents remove barrier at access road - The Star

2008-04-22T12:54:00.000+08:00

April 22, 2008 by Geetha Krishnan

JOY turned to despair and anger when Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents learnt that the toll-free access road to the Cheras-Kajang Highway would not be opened yesterday as earlier anticipated.

More than 700 angry residents who had gathered at the barricade under the flyover before the Cheras 11th mile toll plaza and at the junction to Bandar Tun Hussein Onn took matters into their own hands by forcefully removing the blockage.

With the use of heavy machinery, they removed the barrier placed by highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd in 2006 and defied an order from the Selangor state government to wait till Wednesday.

An excited crowd lead by Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah had earlier gathered at the location yesterday, expecting the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) to remove the barrier at 10am.

This came about because on Friday, Selangor State Local Government, Study and Research Committee chairman Ronnie Liu had said that the land belonged to the state and gave the council the power to act.

In their own hands: Residents tearing down the barricades yesterday.

At 10.20am, heavy machinery brought in by the Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee with the help of developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd which built the road, began drilling holes into the concrete barriers, amidst cheers from the residents.

Elected representatives who addressed the jubilant crowd in the morning were Hulu Langat MP Che Rosli Che Mat of PAS, Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching and Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, both of the DAP.

Work was stopped at 10.40am when MPKj president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abdul Rahman arrived to announce the bad news that the wait would be prolonged.

“The council has received orders from the state government to appoint a surveyor to determine who has right of way over the road.

“The surveyor will collect reports from the Malaysian Highway Authority, Narajaya and Grand Saga and deliver his findings on Wednesday,” Hasan told the crowd who booed and jeered at him.

Calls were then made to the state government to ascertain if this was true.

The elected representatives then left for Menara MPKj to view the letter purportedly from Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, asking for all work to stop and for the crowd to disperse peacefully.

“We were told to wait but the federal and state governments must understand that we cannot wait any longer. Who is Grand Saga to flex its muscles so that we residents have to live with traffic jams every single day?” Tan asked.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents Phoon Chee Kai, 68 and Kelly Moh, 35, said they were tired of battling traffic every day just to access the highway using a longer route that measured 4.5km.

Residents were unanimous in their decision to ignore the calls to stop work and the barriers were removed by 4pm. Re-surfacing work was carried out soon afterwards.

Wee takes Saravanan to task - The Star

2008-04-21T10:25:00.000+08:00

April 21, 2008

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan should provide a solution to the problems in Chinatown.

In a statement, Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong said he was shocked by the “extreme tolerance” shown towards illegal immigrants in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.

“I note that in last Saturday’s StarMetro article, Saravanan had said that Chinatown was a tourist destination and therefore harsh action could not be taken against illegal immigrants trading there,” he said.

Wee called upon the FT Ministry to clarify its position on the illegal immigrants in Jalan Petaling.

He also took the ministry to task for failing to solve the flood problems in Kuala Lumpur as well as being unable to change the public perception of corruption in City Hall.

Association tells Wee not to interfere - The Star

2008-04-21T10:24:00.000+08:00

April 21, 2008 by Yip Yoke Teng

Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association vice-president Datuk Ang Say Tee has advised Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong to stay out of the issue of foreign workers in Petaling Street.

Ang said Wee should not create more problems as they were already working on the issue of the area’s foreign workers with Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun and City Hall.

Petaling Street is packed with both licensed and unlicensed foreign workers. Operators hire foreign workers to man their stalls but have been urged to limit the number to conserve Chinatown's image.

Unlicensed foreigners also operate a number of stalls, believed to belong to a syndicate, affecting the business of others while messing up the place.

No choice: Traders are forced to hire foreign labour as the locals do not want to work in Petaling Street.

Ang said Chinatown had an even more serious problem now as Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said City Hall would be forced to take aggressive action following Wee’s remarks, even though they were having talks with the association to come out with a better solution.

“Wee was the Bukit Bintang MP more than 10 years ago but he did not care about us, because, according to him, he was someone who dealt with national issues only, not petty matters like hawkers’ problems,” Ang said.

He added that the issue of foreign workers was national one and could not be solved within a week or a month.

He said both parties should not oppose for the sake of opposing because that would only bring harm to the people and the country.

“You quarrel, we have trouble,” was also the general sentiment of operators at Chinatown when they heard that City Hall would take action against the foreign workers there.

“They are fighting between themselves but they are victimising us. They should tolerate each other for the benefit of the people,” a trader, who wanted to be known as Fen said.

She admitted that illegal foreign workers were a nuisance but urged the authorities to refrain from taking harsh action, as that would scare tourists away.

Another trader, Loke, said their businesses would be further affected if City Hall carried out harsh enforcement.

“However, we need City Hall to take action against the illegal foreign workers who open stalls every evening from 2pm till late night, blocking access to our stalls,” he said.

“At the same time, please leave the legitimate workers alone.

“We have no choice but to hire foreign workers because locals do not want to work here,” he said.

When contacted, Fong said no one should oppose for the sake of opposing because they were here to solve problems rationally.

He said City Hall could install CCTV cameras to control the situation, instead of sending enforcement officers regularly as that would tarnish the image of the tourist destination.

“We want City Hall to clamp down on the illegal traders, but allow more time for operators to adjust to employing a smaller number of licensed foreign workers.

“However, many of the past enforcement operations dealt with only the licensed ones, as the unlicensed ones are nowhere to be seen during raids as they always seemed have been tipped off before they happen,” he said.

Medan Damansara folks object to project - The Star

2008-04-21T10:23:00.001+08:00

April 21, 2008 by Jayagandi Jayaraj

MEDAN Damansara residents are irked by Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) lack of transparency and failure to abide by simple by-laws and the manner they were pushed around concerning a hillside development in the area.

The residents are questioning City Hall’s grounds for approving the project.

Considering the damage done to the green lung, they are requesting an immediate stop-work order because the project did not silt-traps, hoarding and a plan to prevent erosion at the site.

Bone of contention: The development taking place on the slopes of Medan Damansara.

They are also requesting for a copy of the Development Order to be made public.

The project, which began in early December, is to build 21 bungalows costing between RM10mil and RM15mil each on 10% of the land that was set aside as a green lung.

Medan Damansara Residents Association secretary Peter Raiapan said the residents were also questioning if the developer had fulfilled all the conditions by the Drainage and Irrigation Department.

He said when it rained, Lorong Setiapuspa 1 turned into a “muddy river”.

“The developer has promised to look into it and assured us that a monsoon drain along the foot of the slope to drain away water but that has also not been done yet,” he said.

He added that during a meeting at the FT Ministry office in October last year, the developer had assured residents that access to the project would be through Jalan Beringin.

Checking: Saravanan (left) and Lim (centre) studying a map of the project with resident Randhir Singh.

“Now, we are shocked to find that a few trees have been felled to build an access road via Jalan Kasah,” he said.

Raiapan said it was agreed with the developers that an independent environment consultant be appointed to make sure all conditions stipulated by City Hall were adhered to.

“However, the plan was to appoint Kumpulan IKRAM who are already involved in the project.

“That does not give them an independent position.

“We also do not have any answers on appointing an independent engineer identified by the association although we have submitted our suggestion,” he said.

The residents are also worried that the gradient, which is more than 30°, is unsafe for development.

“There were two landslides in the area in the 1970s,” a resident said during a meeting with Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng over the issue.

Also present at the event were Medan Damansara Residents Association president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Shukor Abdullah, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah.

There was also a surprise visit by deputy FT Minister Datuk M. Saravanan.

Emotions were running high among the residents over the development issue and their disappointment over City Hall's lack of concern towards the people's needs.

Saravanan promised the residents that he would get an answer within a week or two.

“I have heard you and now we should work as a team to solve the issue,” said Saravanan, who lives nearby.

Saravanan lashes out at some aggressive KL reps - The Star

2008-04-20T22:54:00.000+08:00

April 20, 2008 by Yip Yoke Teng

IS this how an MP should behave?” questioned Deputy FT minister Datuk M. Saravanan in relation to the two-day round-table forum organised by the Federal Territories Ministry at Hotel Istana.

He was commenting on the attitude of some MPs at the conference, “in particularly Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong and Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng”.

He said the FT Ministry was worried by the pressure and threat from some MPs, citing that the authority was forced to take action against the foreign workers at Chinatwon in a few days following Wee's accusations of Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) incompetence.

“City Hall has already told Wee that they were discussing with the hawkers and petty traders' association in Chinatown to find out better ways to deal with the problem, but he said that was a stupid answer and distributed a statement with the remark to everyone at the retreat on the first day,” he told a press conference.

“We have to deal with the issue sensitively because Chinatown is a tourist destination known to the world, and we want to allow the operators there to adjust themselves. We cannot just carry out harsh enforcement.

“However, with the pressure and threat from this MP, we have no choice but to take action against the foreign workers,” he said.

“Your representative asked us to take action,” he stressed.

On Lim, Saravanan said he asked for reserved parking from the hotel for MPs. “Now as an MP in the opposition you want free parking, if you are in the ruling party, would you ask to own the hotel?”

He criticised that some MPs did not make good use of the chance, and that veterans Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai and Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun could have done better.

However, he commended Bandar Tun Razak MP Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Batu MP Tian Chua and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar for their professionalism.

Asked if ties between the ministry and the MPs were ruined, he said: “Some, not all. I must be fair, there are MPs who can think.”

He said KL MPs should know the operating mechanism in the Federal Territories, that the authority could not take immediate actions in some cases and “just bring the weapon there and shoot”, as they needed to discuss with relevant ministries and consider many aspects.

Saravanan also said that the need for these kind of forums again would be reassessed. However, he added that the ministry still valued constructive suggestions.

“If you think you respect us, we will listen; but if you think you don't respect us, sorry, we have no time for you,” he said.

He assured that the participants would see results to the matters raised, but they have to give them time.

“We look at the urgency level. Some matters, for instance, the suggestion of a three-day feedback timeframe is being implemented but we can't curb rising crime rate in one or two days,” he said.

Meanwhile Federal Territory Barisan leaders hit out at some of the opposition MPs in Kuala Lumpur for their improper behaviour at the forum.

FT Umno information chief Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman said the MPs regardless from which party they belong should have used the roundtable meeting to debate proper proposals.

“Even if you want to criticise it should not be done in an aggressive manner. This is only their arrogance.

“If this is the way they are going to conduct themselves then I propose that the FT Ministry do not hold such meetings in the future as it is simply waste of time. The action by the irresponsible MPs would only make the people suffer,” said Suhaili.

FT PPP also hit out the opposition MPs saying they should not “play politics” but should instead show willingness to work and resolve the problems faced by city folks.

Its chairman A. Chandrakumanan said the behaviour of the some KL opposition MPs reflected their true character.

“Among themselves there seems to be no cohesion. For example Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong placed banners thanking the voters in his constituency with only the PKR and PAS logos while the DAP logo was missing. Where is the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat that they are talking about?” said Chandrakumanan.

Need to set up task force - The Star

2008-04-20T22:53:00.001+08:00

April 20, 2008 by Yip Yoke Teng

PAKATAN Rakyat MPs in Kuala Lumpur have called for the setting up of task forces to attend to three main issues plaguing Kuala Lumpur folks – cleanliness, hawkers and housing.

That was one of the points raised on the second day of the roundtable conference organised by the Federal Territories Ministry.

Bandar Tun Razak MP Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim told reporters during the tea break of the closed-door conference that they hoped these three problems could be resolved in two months.

“For cleanliness, the task force should find out what is the best way to tackle the problem in the city, assess privatisation arr-angements and look into the cleanliness of drains.

“Hawking is a main problem. There are 70,000 licensed traders in Kuala Lumpur and 100,000 unlicensed ones. The task force has to find a way for them to earn a living without creating public nuisance. Housing is another long-standing matter. Some city folks are still waiting for a place to stay after 20 years,” he said.

He proposed FT Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique to be member of the task force for cleanliness alongside eligible MPs, as privatisation of waste collection would involve discussion with the Federal Govern-ment.

He also proposed that Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai to manage the task force for hawker issues alongside MPs as well as officials from the FT Ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and the mayor to manage the task force for housing issues with MPs and officials from the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

Batu MP Tian Chua urged City Hall to extend the Draft Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2020's public viewing period from six weeks to six months. The plan is scheduled to be exhibited on May 15.

“The period is too short. The public need time to find consultants, speak to the residents associations and come out with alternatives as the plan has great implications on the development of Kuala Lumpur in the next 50 years,” he said.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said there was room for the MPs to voice problems in their respective areas, but commented that it was rather one-sided as they did not hear the views of Barisan Nasional MPs, including Labuan MP Datuk Yusoff Mahal and Zulhasnan himself, who is Setiawangsa MP.

“It showed the FT Ministry and City Hall's preparedness in listening to our views and suggestions, but nevertheless, we want to see results.

“We want permanent solutions to the matters we raised, not short-term measures,” she added.

From lawbreaker to lawmaker - The Star

2008-04-20T20:34:00.000+08:00

April 20, 2008 by June Wong and Chin Mui Yoon

He is one of Malaysia’s best-known activists for human rights and political reform. Yet little is known about Tian Chua, Parti Keadilan Rakyat information chief and newly elected MP for Batu. He shares his life’s story for the first time.

ON April 14, 1999, images of a young, scrawny Chinese man sitting defiantly before a Federal Reserve Unit water cannon truck sent to disperse pro-Anwar Ibrahim protestors were flashed around the world.

In Malaysia, people wondered who this strange man was. They soon got a name to the face: Tian Chua.

As an activist, Tian Chua has had many brushes with the law, as this 2005 file photo of him in a police truck after a demonstration at KLCC shows.
In the years before and since that incident, Chua – whose real name is Chua Tian Chang, meaning “to fortify” – has consistently fought for justice and human rights, including throwing himself into protests and demonstrations.

In the eyes of the authorities, he was a law-breaker and he was duly arrested countless times, bashed about and even imprisoned.

But all that changed on March 8, 2008. Chua found himself catapulted onto a national platform and respectability when he was elected Member of Parliament for the Batu constituency with a 9,455 majority.

Up close, Chua, 44, displays none of that aggression and indignant anger one would expect in a rebel with plenty of causes. He is still reed-thin and boyish-looking, mild-mannered and soft spoken. He seems more at home buried in some dusty library instead of facing off policemen on the streets.

“I don’t get heated up easily!” Chua says earnestly when we meet in Petaling Jaya over dinner. “And please don’t call me YB (Yang Berhormat). I’m extremely uncomfortable when people address me by any title. Just call me Tian.”

Now that he is a Member of Parliament for Batu, will he give up street demos?

He may be an honourable MP now but his troubles with the law have not ended. He has several cases pending, including a charge captured in local dailies; Utusan Melayu’s headline on Dec 12, 2007, screamed: Tian Chua gigit polis (Tian Chua bites policeman.)

That dramatic scuffle with the law took place on Dec 11 last year while Chua was trying to deliver a memorandum to Parliament to protest a Bill to extend the Election Commission members retirement age from 65 to 66.

Just how did a middle class Malaysian Chinese boy grow up to be such a non-conformist?

Early years

The eldest of four siblings, Chua was born on Dec 21, 1963. The family home was a single-story house in a working class neighbourhood in Malacca.

His father, Chua Neo Lai, 71, is of Hakka descent and was a rice wholesaler. His late mother, Chan Yuet Chien, was a Chinese schoolteacher.

His brother Tian Chien, 43, is married and owns an IT firm. His sisters, Thien See, 38, is an independent film maker while Thien Ting, 35, is currently studying and working in New York.

From young, the family was caught up in the ideals of democracy and socialism; Chua describes his parents, especially his mother, as “socialist-conscious”.

His father remembers Chua as a calm and steady bookworm who didn’t excel in sports.

“But he is very stubborn; when we asked him not to confront the Government, he replied that he was fighting for our rights. Still, he would walk away rather than argue with us.”

Chua studied at Siang Lin Primary School and Malacca Catholic High School. After Form Six at Gajah Berang High School, he went to study Agricultural Science in Sydney University, Australia.

“I wanted to be a scientist and invent things, like Edison. I got interested in the agro-sciences as I wanted to study things that could be useful,” recalls Chua.

But in his third year, he switched to Philosophy at the University of New South Wales. Australia in the 1980s was a hotbed for student activists. “My father had hoped I’d study law for good future prospects. But I became exposed to peace movements, environmental issues, and human rights situations around the world.”

He became an active student leader and his mates included Steven Gan and Premesh Chandran, co-founders of news website Malaysiakini.

Together, they protested against the imposition of university fees on foreign students started by Bob Hawke’s administration in 1985.

Chua had his first taste of arrest when he was locked up after a demonstration in Sydney. He was also recruited by East Timor then leader-in-exile, now president Ramos Harta to help prepare newsletters.

Upon returning to Malaysia in 1990, Chua joined the NGO Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) to campaign against the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Two years later he left for the Hong Kong based Asia Monitor Resource Center (AMRC) as a researcher on regional labour issues.

He then received a scholarship to do his Masters Degree in Employment and Labour Studies at the Institute of Social Studies at the Hague, the Netherlands.

After his studies, he took the long way home via an overland route. “I took trains, buses, whatever. It took me three months. It was the most enjoyable and freest time of my youth,” he recalls fondly.

The rebel

Upon his return to Malaysia in 1996, he was immediately caught up with the East Timor movement. Then the 1997 Asian financial crisis started.

“In Malaysia, we grow up and live in a culture of fear in the shadow of May 13. That fear has been built into our political system and has remained a part of our psychology.

“At the same time, our model of development had made us uncompetitive by the late 1980s. Yet, while Asian countries were suffering from the global financial breakdown, Dr Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim told Time magazine that everything was fine. It was ridiculous!

“Then cracks started showing in their relationship but we never expected Dr M to take such drastic measures,” says Chua who was then writing research papers on labour conditions for trade unions and was in the Suaram secretariat.

Anwar’s subsequent sacking from Umno and ISA detention were just what the alternative parties needed as a unifying factor to confront the Government in the 1999 general election.

“NGO activists brought DAP and PAS together and the Reformasi movement was born. It was bigger than we ever expected.

“You’ve never seen so many Malays wanting change. It was a mass movement. People wanted change for economic and ethical reasons.”

In 1999, Tian decided to join the newly formed Parti Keadilan Nasional headed by Anwar’s wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and was elected national vice president.

“It was not so much because of Anwar but the principle of opposing the use of ISA that I became actively involved in the Reformasi movement,” Chua explains.

“The Government needed to be changed and we had to start somewhere. If Anwar was ready to do that, then I was prepared to join him. I met him just once in his house before his arrest. I had no chance to see or talk to him after that. I joined Keadilan as the token Chinese member!”

Chua is frank that “while he (Anwar) was in government we didn’t think much of him” but believes he is a changed man.

“People go through different stages of life. I knew him when he was totally down. It’s the people who have made Anwar who he is now.”

(Interestingly, Anwar was the first person Chua called after he won his Batu seat.)

In 2004, Keadilan merged with Parti Rakyat Malaysia to form Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Chua was appointed its information chief, a post he has held since.

By then, he was quite famous – that photo of him defying a water cannon truck had stuck in many people's minds.

He is surprised when asked if it was a tactic to attract attention. To him, what he did was nothing new; he was doing what other activists for change before him had done.

“I merely followed the peaceful protest and non-confrontational approach as practised by Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.

“We need to confront the powers-that-be but avoid violence yet at the same time. “The objective is to appeal to the human goodness in even a very agitated opponent.

“(By sitting down) it enables the aggressors to see that we’re not running around and there is no need to fear us. I was confident the truck driver would not run me over. He is after all a human being too.”

But his confrontational style can be, as MCA Youth vice-chairman Chew Kok Woh says, disturbing.

“Tian Chua is a radical. Most Malaysians find his style disturbing. He lost previously but because of the euphoria this time, he has been elected,” observes Chew.

Chua's tactics have also not gone down well with others as well: He's been described as a “real nutter” and a “drama queen”. One blogger felt that Chua's Dec 11 arrest was a publicity stunt (http://obscure-thoughts.blogspot.com/2007/12/tian-chuas-arrest-he-wanted-it.html),

This blogger wrote that he was initially shocked at the level of “physical action” required to arrest him. “However, only after viewing the full unedited video, I (have) come to the conclusion that Tian Chua himself wanted the arrest and the subsequent publicity.”

Imprisonment

On April 10, 2001, Chua was arrested under the ISA and sent to the Kamunting Detention Camp for two years with five other activists – Ezam Mohd Noor, Hishamuddin Rais, Saari Sungip, Dr Badrul Amin and Lokman Adam.

At Kamunting, Chua kept himself busy by dabbling in his love for drawing and painting.

He drew the insects that entered his cell and made over 100 Hari Raya and Chinese New Year cards for friends and family. He had much time to read (including heavy tomes like Homer's Iliad, says Ezam who remains on very friendly terms with Chua after his departure from PKR), and learnt Thai, Norwegian, Arabic, French and Sanskrit, which he has mostly forgotten now.

“Honestly, we hadn’t anything to worry about. It was a good rest. Once we accepted the basics, it was okay. It was just the denial of total freedom that was hard to accept. We had to ask for permission for every single thing,” says Chua.

“When we started adapting to the conditions, the authorities asserted the fact that we were completely powerless. One day we decided to plant vegetables. As the plants were growing, they destroyed the plot.

“Kamunting was a test of my patience but I totally believed that one day I would be freed. It was this belief that kept me going. My father took my detention with some humour. When he visited me he said, 'At least now I know where to find you!'

To Chua Senior, his son's imprisonment came as no surprise:

“I always knew the day would come when he would be detained. When it happened, I actually felt it was safer for him to be in detention than leading demonstrations everywhere!”

Lonely warrior

Chua was released on June 4, 2003. Once out, Chua was back in form again. In February 2004 he was detained for being in a rally calling for police reforms and an inquiry into the deaths of detainees.

In March of that year, he stood for the Batu constituency in the general election but lost to Gerakan’s Ng Lip Yong by 11,000 votes.

Four years on, it's a different story. Since his election as MP, Chua has been besieged by calls for help from the people. An irate lady phoned to ask for her neighbour’s cat to be relocated as she couldn't stand the stench anymore.

People whose problems have not been dealt with for 20 years suddenly demand for them to be solved in two weeks.

But perhaps Chua welcomes it. One of the biggest casualties of his incarceration was his relationship with his long-time girlfriend and fellow activist, Mabel Au Mei Po. After his arrest, she was blacklisted and deported back to Hong Kong. They have remained apart since.

(In article posted on Aliran's website, Au writes how she asked Chua if there was anything special she could do for him in the event of him being a political detainee:

“Tian thought for a while and said, 'Nothing. I believe you can take care of yourself. I shall be happy as long as you enjoy a happy life'.”)

His home – a house in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, that his mother left him after her death from cancer in 2000 – is a true bachelor's pad.

It is sparsely furnished and there are watermarks on the walls from years of unchecked leakage during his detention.

Chua's dining table is buried under a mountain of paper and unopened letters and baskets of dried jasmine garlands presented by his constituents. A lonely looking catfish curled inside an aquarium in a corner of the living room is his only companion in the silent house.

Built-in bookshelves dominate the space upstairs. There are reams of fading, yellowed Chinese books and English titles ranging from Crime of War, What the Public Should Know, to 700 Years of Dutch Cartography and a beautiful leather-bound copy of the Quran.

His dressing table is heaped with hairbrushes, peanut crackers and a large tube of muscle relaxant cream for his frequent back pain due to a fracture he suffered during his detention.

Chua shows us several sketchbooks filled with penciled drawings of bugs, beetles, praying mantis and other winged creatures that visited his cell in Kamunting.

The finely detailed drawings include notations on the creatures’ anatomy and observations of a person who, frankly, had nothing else to do with his time then.

On June 24, 2001, he records, “8am, this Pelesek Grasshopper was spotted resting on a window frame.

“The next day, the creature had a “strange, sudden collapse at 9pm last night after struggling weakly. It stayed motionless when fed with a cricket.”

Others were quick sketches made during his travels, like Angkor Wat and Bayom temples of Siem Reap, and traditional dancers performing in Ubud temples in Bali.

“I really don’t have time for anything anymore,” Chua replies with a laugh when asked about his hobbies. He writes in a diary jam-packed with appointments and notes the old fashioned way with a blue ballpoint pen.

“All my assistants and secretaries left me after they too won in the general election! I’ve lost two PDAs so I have to resort to using a diary,” he explains.

MP Chua

In a constituency with the most number of Project Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) flats sprawled across problematic old areas like Selayang and Jinjang, will Chua be buried under a growing mound of petty problems?

“It’s unfortunate that in the Federal Territories, an MP also has to handle local affairs,” Tian says. “There is little avenue to seek redress so I don’t blame Malaysians for turning to their representatives for help. I will have to balance between serving the people, speaking up in Parliament, and continuing to uphold justice.”

March 8 was only the beginning of change in Malaysia, Chua believes.

“We all need time to put aside our prejudices,” he says. “In PKR, we do not hide issues but we confront them.

“I wouldn’t say that PKR is the finest party but it is the best platform for us. It is all too easy for us to imitate BN, like letting PAS take the Malay heartland and similarly for the Chinese to control the Chinese areas.

“We need dialogue and debate. In the end, we still need to seek out solutions that may not please everyone but are the most acceptable.”

Although he has been imprisoned, injured and lost his girlfriend, there are no regrets, Chua says. His motto sums up his life’s philosophy, which he puts in his website: La vie existe grace aux choix, or Life exists because of choice.

“Life is what you choose to put into it – mine is a natural unfolding of the choices I’ve made. I believe I am part of a bigger society and movement. We all are and we either choose to stay away or stay in it.

“I consider myself lucky to be doing what I am doing. I have been given an overseas education with free access to information, my father gave me his car and my mother left me a house. Given such privileges, I’d be guilty if I don't do what I should be doing.”

Chua has said he won't change his ways but now that he can bring his issues to the Dewan Rakyat, will demonstrations be a thing of the past?

Certainly, MCA's Chew hopes Chua understands that he cannot continue to be rabble-rouser. “The MCA Youth hope that he won't bring his antics to the Dewan Rakyat,” he says.

Penang MCA Youth chief Ooi Chuan Aik expressed similar sentiments, saying Chua must realise that “his days of street politics” was over.

“He has spent a lot of time in the streets as a student leader and Reformasi activist. I hope he has grown up since the elections.”

But Chua's good friend, Premesh Chandran, isn't betting on it:

“I am sure we will see Tian drive his agenda in Parliament, but I am also sure his days of taking the fight to the streets are not over.”

Tian in their eyes
TIAN Chua, as his father and friends know him.

Chua Neo Lai, father, 71

My son has always been calm and steady. He never argued, fought or raised his voice. Often he gave way to his younger siblings.

He was a bookworm and didn’t excel in sports! He was a prefect in secondary school and he showed quiet leadership.

When we cautioned him to stop confronting the Government, he'd say, “These are our rights; I didn’t do anything wrong, they are wrong to arrest me without cause or warrant.”

He is so stubborn in his ways. I honestly do not know how I came to have a son like him who so adamantly fights for what he believes in! But my son has never stolen, harmed, robbed or killed anyone; he lives an honest life.

When he was detained under the ISA, I already knew the day would come and had prepared for the worst. At some point, I felt maybe it was safer for him to be in detention instead of leading demonstrations everywhere!

Now that he is an MP, I hope he will abide by the law. And yes, it’s about time he has a family of his own.

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail,
PKR president and
Opposition Leader

Tian has always been a very sincere and earnest man. He has a strong passion for human rights in an unselfish way.

When Anwar was jailed, I could not ask for a more loyal friend. When he was detained himself, he patiently waited it out and during that time worked on his artistic skills, which I never knew he had. He is a man who has always been gentle but he dares to stand up for what he believes in.

Cynthia Gabriel,
regional director of an NGO

I met Tian when he joined Suaram after returning from overseas. He seemed a very ordinary guy! But as I got to know him, I realised he is just determined to see change and to work for it.

As a friend, he is warm and soft-spoken. It’s nice chatting with him as he always has many theories and ideas. But it’s not easy getting to know his private life. He is always very composed and takes stress well. Even repeated arrests do not bend his steely resolve.

If he has a weakness I’d say Tian has the tendency to take on everything; he can’t say no!

The situation was bleak after he was discharged in 2003. The war on terror had started and the democratic space was shrinking.

Many felt that the Reformasi movement had died down. But Tian was determined to make it work. He went all out to rebuild cooperation between colleagues, NGOs and political parties.

It was his courage, consistency and determination to see change that inspire us. Not once did he ever lose his belief and vision in a multiracial party. I think the detention had only strengthened his resolve!

Mabel Au, former girlfriend,
wrote in Aliran:

I remember Tian asking me what I would do if he became a political detainee one day. My answer was: “I will continue with my work and my life as usual.

Then you do not have to worry about me. You can do whatever you have to do for the Reformasi movement. Do you have anything special you expect me to do for you?

Tian thought for a while and said, “Nothing. I believe you can take care of yourself. I shall be happy as long as you enjoy a happy life.”

My heart sinks whenever I recall what he said. All I wish is that he can keep up his spirits and stay in good physical and psychological health, in order to continue the struggle.

(Au is former vice-chairperson of the Industrial Relations Institute in Hong Kong and programme coordinator for the Bangkok-based Committee for Asian Women. Her full account of her detention and deportation experience in 2001 can be read at aliran.com).

‘Silent’ MPs give excuses - The Star

2008-04-20T20:22:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Some said they forgot, others said they were too busy while at least one blamed it on a communication breakdown.

Whatever the reason, bloggers slammed the MPs who did not fulfil their elected responsibility to question the Government on all sorts of issues.

According to some blogs, the number of MPs who did not submit a single query totalled 29, with 15 of them said to be from the Barisan Nasional.

The DAP has admitted that five of its MPs failed to submit questions, while six PKR MPs have come out to state why they did not submit any question.

The new Parliament session begins on April 28 with the MPs swearing in, and the “no question” issue is so hot in cyberspace that DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang had to apologise for what he termed “this regrettable episode” in his blog, saying “the excuses are not acceptable”.

“I have checked with the five DAP MPs and they have confirmed the mistake of missing the April 8 deadline for the submission of questions for the month-long inaugural meeting of the 12th Parliament starting on April 28 – although they would still be able to take part in the supplementary question stage of the daily 90-minute Question Time.

“The party had reminded DAP MPs not to miss the deadline for questions and lose the opportunity to pose questions in the first meeting of Parliament (an important aspect of the work of Opposition parliamentarians) but mistakes are still being made,” he wrote.

The five DAP MPs are Charles Anthony Santiago (Klang), Er Teck Hwa (Bakri), Dr Hiew King Cheu (Kota Kinabalu), John Fernandez (Seremban) and Dr P. Ramasamy (Batu Kawan), who is Penang Deputy Chief Minister II.

The PKR MPs were Tian Chua (Batu), Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (Kuala Langat), Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas (Teluk Kemang), N. Gopalakrishnan (Padang Serai), Ahmad Kasim (Kuala Kedah) and Rashid Din (Merbok).

Abdullah said he had been very busy and forgot about submitting questions to Parliament.

“Furthermore, I do not recall that a deadline was given to us during the (MPs) briefing (on April 3).

“Perhaps, the Parliament secretariat officers had mentioned the date when I had left the room briefly,” he added.

Gopalakrishnan said he would reveal in the Dewan Rakyat why he refrained from submitting written questions.

“You will know the answer on April 29,” he said when contacted.

Ahmad said he had already prepared 10 questions.

“But I wanted to put it as oral questions as I need time to carry out more research to ensure the questions are still relevant as some of the issues may have been resolved at ministerial level,” he said.

Rashid clarified that not submitting written questions did not mean he had no questions to ask.

“We are prepared to ask oral questions and raise supplementary questions,” he added.

Dr Hiew said he simply had no time.

“The briefing for MPs was on April 3 and I returned to Kota Kinabalu on April 5. I've explained this to the DAP leadership.”

Fernandez said he could not submit his questions earlier as he was busy setting up his service centres.

“I was reminded by my political secretaries that the deadline was nearing but I just couldn’t find the time to submit the questions,” he said.

Kamarul Baharin said his assistant had wrongly calculated the days left before the deadline to submit the questions.

“We were careless. We were given 14 working days or almost three weeks to do so but still missed the deadline.

“However, I will surely ask many supplementary questions,” he pledged.

The Barisan’s newly-elected MP for Sibuti in Sarawak, Ahmad Lai Bujang, said he sent three questions to Parliament by fax on April 18 but was surprised when told that his questions were not received.

The Barisan MP for Kimanis Datuk Hanifah Aman also stated that he could not submit questions on time.

MPs must submit questions 21 days before Parliament meets - The Star

2008-04-20T20:20:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: April 20, 2008 by Lee Yuk Peng

Each MP should submit 10 oral questions and five written questions for Dewan Rakyat’s Question Time 21 days before the house begins each meeting.

Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang said for the coming meeting, the deadline for MPs to submit questions was 5pm on April 8.

The inaugural meeting for the new incoming Parliament begins on April 28 and ends on May 27.

The next meeting when the MPs will get another chance at asking questions begins on June 23.

The questions, whereby MPs can ask the Government to explain their policies, decisions and actions, can either be faxed or e-mailed to the secretary of the Dewan Rakyat.

A list of questions, normally about 20 to 30 oral questions will be printed on the Order Paper for each sitting.

In the past, Question Time would occupy the first hour and a half of each sitting although there have been suggestions that more time should be allotted for it.

On a normal day, about eight questions will be answered. Oral questions that are not answered will be replied to in writing the following day.

MPs would get to ask the questions listed on the Order Paper, known as the “original question” and two to three supplementary questions are allowed.

The right to ask the first supplementary question will go to the MP who asked the original question.

The MP who asks the question must be present in the house before his question is answered.

If not, his question will be skipped.

The questions would be answered by the relevant minister, deputy minister or parliamentary secretary – known as the “Frontbenchers” – although there will not be any parliamentary secretaries for this term as none has been appointed.

MPs would often race against each other and stand up to try to catch the Speaker’s attention once the answer is given so that he will be allowed to ask a supplementary question.

Question Time is often lively as MPs trade barbs with the frontbencher when they are not satisfied with the answer.

Often, when it is an Opposition MP asking the question, Barisan Nasional MPs will come to the “aid” of the frontbenchers by shouting at him and this will provoke other Opposition MPs to respond.

The procedure for Question Time in the Dewan Negara is similar except that the questions must be submitted to the secretary 14 days earlier.

Vocal MPs rapped for not sending queries to Parliament - The Star

2008-04-20T20:19:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: April 20, 2008

Fourteen Opposition MPs, some of whom had been very vocal when campaigning before the general election, have been heavily criticised on websites for squandering their chance to question the Government on various issues at the first Parliament session to be held on April 28.

Bloggers had reported that 29 MPs, including three ex-Ministers and one former Deputy Minister, had not submitted any question to Parliament.

They had singled out two Opposition MPs, who had been very anti-establishment when they were merely members of political parties or non-governmental organisations, for stinging attacks, accusing them of not doing their job as MPs and betraying those who voted them into power.

The MPs, 15 of whom are from Barisan Nasional, five from DAP and nine from PKR, have been called “irresponsible”, “MPs of the most slothful kind” and “unreliable”.

Since they missed sending questions for the first meeting, they will have to wait till the next meeting in June.