Friday, June 29, 2007

MTUC picketing for RM900 minimum wage and COLA RM300.

MTUC picketing for RM900 minimum wage and COLA RM300 (Pt 2).

Local government election is the answer to the poor performance of local councils in Malaysia

Star Metro dated 27th June 2007 has come out with a write-up on Petaling Jaya City Hall (Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, MBPJ) again.

MBPJ was reported to pioneer a Residents Representation Committee (RRC) in an effort to ensure the public is heard.

The Star Metro on the same day reported as follows:

“Mayor Mohamad Roslan Sakiman, when launching the seminar on the topic, said the RRC could help channel residents issues and suggestions directly to councillors.

“Many residents groups now come directly to me, but I may not be around all the time to solve their problems,” said Mohamad Roslan.

The RRC is divided into seven zones and is scheduled to meet once a month.

A councillor will chair each zone.

The chairman of each group will select a secretary and treasurer from among the residents while committee members will comprise members deemed suitable and each committee is limited to a maximum of 35 persons.

The duty of the committee is to channel related problems within the community to the proper departments.

Mohamad Roslan said the programme was a directive from the state government and is presently being implemented to ensure that residents were consulted and informed of the council’s plans as well as to receive feedback and suggestions.”

With regards to the proposal to form RRC, which was a directive from the state government, the DAP would like to reiterate our strong stand, that the only solution to improve accountability and good governance in local authorities is none other than to revive local government election.


It is only by making councilors accountable to the people, then they can perform a better job by watching closing over the daily operation of the council, including scrutinizing financial operation of the councils in order to avoid misuse of public funds in the councils.

Local councils in Malaysia are seriously plagued by insufficient funds and this can only be solved by providing stricter checks-and-balances at the local level.

DAP is particularly doubtful in whether RRC can fully perform the job. After all, RRC is only led by seven councilors while there are altogether 24 councillors in Petaling Jaya City Hall.

Why would there be only 7 councillors working in the RRC and the other 17 of them are not involved?

How is the City Hall going to convince the people that 7 councillors can work better than a bigger team consists of 24 councilors, excluding the mayor himself?

Is it a poor reflection of the accountability of the councilors when not all the councillors are currently residing in areas under the jurisdiction of the Petaling Jaya City Hall? What have they to prove to the taxpayers of Petaling Jaya when the councillors, who are appointed by their political masters, are not even staying in Petaling Jaya?

The abolishment of local government election has resulted in lacking of good governance among councillors as they not longer compelled to seek mandate of the people.

Clearly, what is needed in this country is a long-term solution to the disappointing performance of local authorities. RRC and other measures are only short-term remedy just for window dressing purpose.

地方政府选举是挽救地方政府市政败坏的唯一方案

《星报》大都会于2007年6月27日再次刊登一则关于八打灵再也市政厅消息。

根据报道,灵市政厅将会成立居民代表委员会(Residents Representation Committee,简称RRC),以聆听人民的心声。

《星报》大都会:

“市长莫哈末•罗斯兰•萨基曼表示,RRC的成立将会把居民的问题和建议直接传达给市议员。

“许多居民团体现在直接来找我,但是我有时候可能不在办公室来解决他们的问题,”罗斯兰这么说。

RRC被分成7个区域,每一个区域就是一个小组,并且必须每个月会面一次。

每一个市议员都会负责一个区域。

每个小组的主席将会从居民之中委任一名秘书和财政。委员会成员将会从适合的人选之中选出来。最高人数是35人。

每一个小组的委员会是要把社区的问题直接传达给适合的部门。

罗斯兰表示这项计划是在州政府的指示下进行的,以便能够让居民知道市政厅的发展计划,同时也方便政府获取居民的回应。”
针对州政府发出指示给各地方政府成立RRC的建议,行动党重申我们的立场,即唯一能够解决地方政府欠缺透明度与良好施政的答案就是恢复地方议会选举。

只有通过票箱选出地方议员,地方议员才会向人民负责,如果要想人民负责,那么他们必须尽他们的本分,监督地方政府的日常行政,包括严厉监督地方政府使用公款,避免滥用公款。

马来西亚的地方政府的财政一直出现问题,导致长年累月缺乏充足的拨款来进行拨款。除非能够加强地方政府的监督,要不然这问题将一直存在。


在没有恢复地方议会选举之下,行动党特别关注到底RRC能够全面进行其所应该扮演的角色。另外,RRC只由7名市议员组成,与此同时,市政厅一共拥有24名市议员。

为什么24名市议员之中只有7名市议员参与RRC?为何其他17名市议员没有涉及其中?

到底是市政厅如何能够让纳税人相信由7人组成的RRC比24名市议员的团队更有效解决问题?

这是否反映市议员低劣的公信力,因为灵市政厅的市议员并不是每一个都是居住在八打灵再也?如果这些由各自政治主管委任的市议员都不是居住在当地,他们到底能够向纳税人做出什么贡献或表现?

废除地方议会选举已经为地方上的良好治理带来破坏,因为市议员本身无需再向人民征求委托。

明显地,我国正需要的是一项长期性的措施,以一劳永逸地解决大方政府长期缺乏良好施政的问题。RRC只不过是用来左修右补,粉饰橱窗的工具。

Saturday, June 23, 2007

黄世豪非法布条——促请马华党员就事论事评论课题

马华网站最近刊登一封署名张铁棒的马华党员所书写的读者来函。内容抨击本人‘千万百计企图破坏黄世豪出钱出力为青少年提供有益身心的活动’。

张铁棒在读者来函中以极为诬蔑和扭曲事实的词句批评行动党,指责行动党‘党格卑贱……自己不做有益青少年、社会大众的事,却妒忌马华为青少年、为社会大众作出贡献’。

本人必须交待的是,黄世豪医生是身为一名兼任市议员的州议员,人们期望他是一名奉公守法,遵守地方议会条规的议员。既然市政厅的地方法令规定所有布条,包括非政府组织、非营利团体的布条等等都必须依据正常手续向市政厅申请准证,那么为何黄世豪医生有豁免权呢?

如果兼任市议员的州议员连市政厅最基本简单的条规都无法遵守,那么政府还有什么道德权威要求普通老百姓遵照条规呢?

本人并不是反对黄世豪医生出钱出力主办任何有益社会人民的活动,本人也从来没有反对这些活动,甚至本人也赞成主办这些活动,不管这些活动是由人和朝野政党或个人团体所主办。但是,问题的核心不是在于这些活动,而是在于主办当局是否有遵守当局所立下的条规。

如果黄世豪作为市议员,本身更应该树立良好榜样。如果他自己本身的活动竟然没有申请准证,请问市政厅又有什么道德权威要求人民奉公守法?更何况,黄世豪是在本人多次施压之下才在过后乖乖向市政厅申请准证。

我呼吁张铁棒在下笔之前能够就事论事,讲事实摆道理,而不是胡乱含血喷人。

行动党施压成功为拉曼生争取政府承认

行动党施压成功为拉曼生争取政府承认。

首相阿都拉和高教部长慕斯达法前天和昨天异口同声表示,目前拉曼学院共有9项证书、6项文凭以及3项高级文凭课程受到政府承认。首相和高教部长慕斯达法在国会下议院以书面回答马华务边区国会议员陈祖排以及行动党士布爹区国会议员郭素沁的问题时表示,目前当局正评估拉曼学院另外62项科系,有待当局承认。

首相在回答陈祖排的问题时说:“根据当局检查,拉曼学院之前并没向高教部申请课程批准,过后公共服务局已要求拉曼学院提出申请,拉曼学院在今年4月10日获得批准。”

拉曼学院文凭不受公共服务局的事件是由本人在3月24日通过报章揭发。一名年龄26岁的拉曼学院毕业生苏柏良连续三年申请加入警察部队不果,随后经过一番调查之后,才发现原因在于公共服务局不承认拉曼学院的文凭,导致警察部队无法录用他。

陈祖排所获的答复显示拉曼学院之前并没有向高教部申请课程批准。既然拉曼学院每年获得政府的资助,那么拉曼学院必须首先获得高教部批准开办课程。只有获得高教部的批准,公共服务局才会考虑承认拉曼学院的文凭。

有趣的是,拉曼学院这18项课程(9项证书、6项文凭以及3项高级文凭课程)是在公共服务局的要求下,才向高教部申请批准,然后才在4月10日,也就是在本人记者会过后的16天获得高教部的批准。

本人对于拉曼学院和马华当局一直以来没有处理拉曼学院的文凭承认事项感到非常遗憾和失望。这是因为院方的疏忽牺牲了许多拉曼学院生的出路,包括在政府部门任职的出路。苏柏良就是最好的例子。

我们难以想象,如果行动党没有通过媒体把苏柏良的案件带出来,到底拉曼学院和马华公会会不会采取行动争取政府承认?马华公会会否继续以‘拉曼学院文凭受政府承认’的谎言蒙骗广大华裔父母?

Saturday, June 16, 2007

马华一败涂地

马华公会署理总会长陈广才昨天表示马华公会没有必要和反对党辩论,原因是马华公会是‘踏实与务实,讲求真正效率’的政党。

陈广才还指责行动党是因为大选将近,所以选择以辩论的方式引起民众的注意。

陈广才的说法微弱得不堪一击。与其说行动党是因为大选将近挑战马华辩论,倒不如说是大选将近,平时不烧香的马华公会为了博取华社的短期支持,才选择临时抱佛脚,赶紧在大选将近向政府为华教争取拨款,以图以拨款作为大选政治糖果博取华社的支持。

如果马华公会认为它为华教争取了许多权益,它理应把这些表现和功劳公开宣传,而最好的方式就是在和民主行动党的辩论擂台上一比高低。我们质问陈广才,会有什么其他方式比这个方式更为务实、踏实?

本人曾经在文告中指出:“雪州行动党希望这将会是一场具有高水准,而且足以让人民有机会检视两党在华教发展的立场与贡献的辩论群英会,进而启发我国华社以及关心华教发展人士思考解决华教问题方案。”

也就是说,辩论会的目的是在与让人民以近距离的方式理解两党在处理华教课题上的立场,以及交待双方在这方面的贡献,这是一场辩论会,不是辩论赛,因此胜负只在观众的心中。

除非是马华公会暗地里认为自己的政绩微不足道,否则马华公会没有理由一次又一次地避开与行动党的交锋。马华公会不敢和行动党针对华教问题进行辩论,显示马华公会在争取华教合理合法权益一败涂地。

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

蔡细历作风言辞恰好自爆其短

今天的南洋商报报道马华副总会长兼马华柔佛州联委会主席蔡细历医生的谈话,即雪州行动党主席欧阳捍华并不是他的辩论对手。

他还说,他对欧阳捍华的认识不深,甚至不记得对方的名字。蔡细历进一步指出:“或者简单来说,他不是我的对手。”

蔡细历表明本身不是骄傲,因为‘在政治上,要和他人辩论,对方要有一定的水准,否则就是自我矮化!’

其实,蔡细历的作风言辞,恰好自暴其短。

第一,我在两天前曾经针对这场辩论会发表文告,即本人承蒙雪州行动党主席欧阳捍华的委托,已经在当天下午代表雪州行动党,正式通过传真发函邀请蔡细历在近日内委派代表,与雪州行动党进一步敲定有关辩论会的所有细节,确保蔡细历不会临阵退缩。

我在当天发布的文告也提到:
“雪州行动党准备以一对一的方式,如州主席欧阳捍华对蔡细历,或者是以团队方式和马华辩论团对垒。

当然,雪州行动党任何一位领袖都有能力跟蔡细历本人或其所委派的马华领袖过招,但这胥视双方最终所排出的阵容而定。”
这意味着整个辩论的形势尚未定夺,也意味着辩论的形式可以是欧阳捍华和蔡细历一对一单挑,也可以是以团队辩论的方式对辩,惟这胥视双方最终所排出的阵容而定。那么为何蔡细历如此拒他人于千里之外呢?难道蔡细历有什么难言之隐,以致他必须如此回应?

第二,蔡细历是在2007年6月7日回应欧阳捍华于2006年6月6日发表的文告

如果蔡细历认为欧阳捍华不是他的对手,为何蔡细历必须在欧阳捍华发布文告翌日便撰稿回应欧阳捍华?

蔡细历大可一笑置之,可是他何必动用到‘严厉抨击民主行动党雪州主席欧阳捍华的指责’、‘自爆其短,贻笑大方’等等措词强烈的字眼?蔡细历如此回应,正好显示马华自爆其短,当家不当权的悲观现实,也显示马华在争取我国华文教育平等权益上节节败退的困境。

第三,回到价值的层面来看,如果我们详细研究蔡细历夜访柔佛州州务大臣争取拨款一事,发现蔡细历等人是在周一晚上于大臣官邸用过晚餐后,针对已拟好的议程进行讨论至深夜11时,才争取到320万令吉的拨款。

西汉刘向著《战国策•齐策一》提及齐国晏子出使楚国不入狗门羞辱楚王一事。我们不能明白的是,蔡细历堂堂一名联邦部长、同时也是国阵老二副总会长,在为华教争取拨款时,竟然如此委屈,以致他必须在非办公时间(晚上)率众前往非办公地点(公邸)和州务大臣进餐之后才能谈华教课题。

这可以从蔡细历是在州务大臣公邸和州务大臣进餐之后必须深谈至深夜11时才能获得这笔拨款。蔡细历如此自我矮化,肯定是中华文化上下五千年史无前例,也显示他还得向不入楚国狗门的晏子多多学习。

基于以上三大理由,雪州行动党才认为雪州行动党任何一位领袖都有能力跟蔡细历本人或其所委派的马华领袖过招。更何况,如果蔡细历是一名‘堂堂正正做人、清清白白做官、踏踏实实做事’的马华高官,更口言马华对华教贡献良多,那他就必须有勇气在辩论舞台上让马华的‘政绩’接受唇剑舍枪的洗礼。

黄世豪是在行动党的压力下才贴上贴纸



本人谨此回应马华公会甘榜东姑区州议员黄世豪医生数天前的言论,即他声称他的所有布条都有向市议会申请执照。

本人要质问的问题是,如果黄世豪已经获得市政厅的执照,为何他迟迟不把执照贴纸张贴在布条上面,而要等到行动党带出这个课题时,他才姗姗来迟叫人把贴纸张贴上去?

黄世豪说他的布条有贴纸,可是为何我们在6月4日所拍下来的照片全部没有贴纸?(请看附图划红色圆圈部分WSH SERI SETIA PSR-2 BEFORE.jpeg、WSH SS1-2 BEFORE.jpeg、WSH SS2 BEFORE.jpeg以及WSH S21-2 BEFORE.jpeg)他是不是在行动党的压力下,才过后向市政厅申请执照?

并非是每一面布条都有贴纸,其中一条拥有铁质的布条是过后有人补上贴纸的布条就是张挂在八打灵再也SS2/45路通向白蒲大道出口的布条。但是,位于21/19路的布条却没有看到任何贴纸。(请看附图划红色圆圈部分WSH S21-AFTER.jpeg)

到底黄世豪是选择性地申请准证(因为SS2/45路是非常繁忙的车道),还是他并没有为其所张挂的所有布条申请准证?(请看附图划红色圆圈部分WSH SERI SETIA-AFTER.jpeg、WSH SS1-AFTER.jpeg、WSH SS2-AFTER.jpeg)。

虽然黄世豪的准证只允许他张挂布条到6月11日,但是他的布条到昨天(6月12日)还没有收下来,难道这不是知法犯法吗?

至于黄世豪会否继续犯规下去,我们将拭目以待。

Monday, June 11, 2007

致函蔡细历:民主行动党与马华辩论会

2007 年 6月 11 日

拿督斯里蔡细历
马华公会副总会长
Malaysian Chinese Association,
8th Floor, Wisma MCA,
163, Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.
电邮:csl@moh.gov.my
电话:03-2161 8044
传真:03-2161 9772 / 03-2162 6764 电邮 / 传真

民主行动党与马华辩论会

根据2007年6月10日《东方日报》A7版的报道,我方欣闻您欣然接受与行动党领袖辩论关于我国华教的问题。有鉴于此,雪州行动党准备跟贵党商讨及敲定进一步的辩论细节。

2. 承蒙雪州行动党主席欧阳捍华的委托,本人将代表雪州行动党跟马华公会敲定这场辩论会的一切细节,包括辩题、双方阵容、辩论形式、范畴、辩论规矩、时间、地点等详情。根据我方的初步意愿,我方建议有关辩论应订在董教总举行,辩题为〈我国华教是否获得公平待遇?〉。

3. 我方希望这将会是一场具有高水准,而且足以让人民有机会检视两党在华教发展的立场与贡献的辩论群英会,进而启发我国华社以及关心华教发展人士思考解决华教问题方案。

4. 有鉴于此,本人谨代表雪州行动党正式发函邀请您在近日内委派代表,与我方进一步敲定有关辩论会的所有细节。

任何疑问请联络本人手机号码016-3231563或电邮lauwengsan@gmail.com。

谢谢!

刘永山
雪州行动党授权代表

雪行动党致函蔡细历商讨华教辩论会细节

随着2007年6月10日《东方日报》A7版报道,即马华副总会长兼马华柔佛州联委会主席拿督斯里蔡细历欣然接受与行动党领袖辩论关于我国华教的问题,雪州行动党准备跟蔡细历商讨及敲定进一步的辩论细节。

雪州行动党主席欧阳捍华已经委托我在近日内,跟蔡细历代表联系并敲定相关的细节包括辩题、双方阵容、辩论形式、范畴、辩论规矩、时间、地点等详情。根据行动党的初步意愿,我们建议有关辩论应订在董教总举行,辩题为〈我国华教是否获得公平待遇?〉。

有鉴于此,本人今日下午谨代表雪州行动党,已经正式通过传真发函邀请蔡细历在近日内委派代表,与雪州行动党进一步敲定有关辩论会的所有细节,确保蔡细历不会临阵退缩。

雪州行动党希望这将会是一场具有高水准,而且足以让人民有机会检视两党在华教发展的立场与贡献的辩论群英会,进而启发我国华社以及关心华教发展人士思考解决华教问题方案。

雪州行动党准备以一对一的方式,如州主席欧阳捍华对蔡细历,或者是以团队方式和马华辩论团对垒。

当然,雪州行动党任何一位领袖都有能力跟蔡细历本人或其所委派的马华领袖过招,但这胥视双方最终所排出的阵容而定。

无论如何,雪州行动党将确保这是一场最具有水准,而且足以让人看清马华技穷一面的辩论会。

Friday, June 08, 2007

黄世豪应该以身作则


黄世豪医生身为雪兰莪州马华甘榜冬姑区州议员兼八打灵再也市政厅一名资深市议员应该以身作则,遵守市议会条规。

我今天在八打灵再也Jalan 5/46民众会堂举行的市长会客日,正式向市长作出投报。


身为一名兼任市议员的州议员,人们期望他是一名奉公守法,遵守地方议会条规的议员,但是最近黄世豪医生在其所举办的多项活动一再触犯市政厅最基本条规,即为其活动的布条申请市政厅准证。


黄世豪于2007年5月19日在双溪威华小颁发奖学金给甘榜冬姑州选区的贫困学生。我在一周之后向市政厅投诉,市政厅在翌日把布条拆除。这件事情也获得媒体的报道。

令人遗憾的是,黄世豪似乎不把市政厅的条规放在眼里,一再在同样的地点张挂布条。
事实胜于雄辩,如果黄世豪指出他的布条全部拥有准证和市政厅的贴纸,可是为什么我们看不到他的贴纸?还是他讲骗话?有关活动的宣传布条已经张挂在该选区数个地点。

如果我们详细留意,这些四处张挂的布条几乎没有一条是合法的,因为合法的布条必须贴上市政厅的贴纸,方是合法的布条,要不然市政厅执法组人员有权力没收这些布条。


然而,黄世豪所张挂的布条却却不是那么一回事。其在甘榜冬姑州选区所张挂的4张布条(21区、双溪威巴刹,SS1以及他在SS3服务中心外)以及在SS2区的一面布条,没有一条是有贴上市政厅的贴纸。 市政厅服务管理局(执照局)表示,市政厅的收费并不是想象中的高昂。

一片布条的费用大概不会超过50令吉(胥视布条尺寸和张挂期限)。市政厅在处理申请大多只耗费5天工作天。


因此任何人士,尤其是市议员,以及兼任州议员的市议员应该以身作则,奉公守法遵守市政厅所订下的条规,尤其是这些并不是什么苛刻无理的条规!如果兼任市议员的州议员连市政厅最基本简单的条规都无法遵守,那么政府还有什么道德权威要求普通老百姓遵照条规呢?


黄世豪医生曾经指责我在双溪威新村张挂的布条也市非法的。我承认我在今年新年期间在没有获得市政厅的批准下在双溪威新村张挂农历新年祝贺布条。
这是因为我看到当时八打灵再也多位过州议员,包括灵北区国会议员周美芬、百乐镇区州议员林春景以及武吉加星区州议员林传盛四处张挂农历新年祝贺布条。

当我们的布条遭拆除后,我们却发现国阵国州议员的布条却原封不动,我们曾经向市政厅询问,才发现原来在市政厅掌管范围内所张挂的所有布条(包括非商业性质的布条)都必须获得市政厅的准证,那就是每一张布条必须拥有市政厅所发出的贴纸。


我们是因为看到国阵国州议员的布条四处张挂,以为市政厅批准人们在佳节期间张挂祝贺布条。因此,黄世豪医生不能胡乱指责。如果他无法树立一个良好的榜样,他日必定有人以为可以随便张挂布条,殊不知张挂任何不挑必须获得市政厅的批准。


铺好道路,才来收费


市政厅最近在八打灵再也SS3/31路增设额外停车位,但是市政厅的这项举动引起居民的不满,因为这些停车位只有三分之一的路面使良好的,其余三分之二则是凹凸不平的石头路。

停泊在这些地方的车子往往倾斜。另外,市政厅也没有把该道路旁边的沟渠围棋来,避免驾车人士在下车时不慎掉入沟渠。


我们要求市政厅展停收费,现填补该地区的道路,以及增设栏钢,然后才来向驾车人士收费。
市长在接获我的投诉后当场要求交通组人员处理此事。

行动党双溪威支部主席郑天赐过后向我正式市政厅已经派人前外该处把黄线图黑,展示让人免费停车,直至有关道路获得完善修补为止。


组屋遭‘五雷轰顶’

我今天也带领双溪威英比安拜杜里组屋居民会见八打灵再也市政厅市长,同时向他投诉多项课题。


双溪威英比安拜杜里组屋最近遭‘五雷轰顶’的事件,导致该组屋D座17楼屋顶的洋灰石块被雷电击中而掉落,砸损停放在组屋顶层的轿车,所幸未伤及居民。

我曾经接获D座组屋居民协会筹委会主席梅育铭的投诉,更曾经前往该组屋巡视,发现该组屋面对一连串的民生问题。

第一个最主要的民生问题,也同时关系居民性命安全问题就是发展商当初承建这座组屋的时候,没有为每一各单位的窗口安装铁枝,导致居民时时刻刻担忧家中的幼儿随时会因为玩耍不小心冲撞窗口而掉出去。
双溪威英比安拜杜里组屋居民是原本当地非法木屋地区的居民。

市政厅是在州政府的零度木屋之下把这个地区的非法木屋铲平,然后委任发展商Taipan Focus在该地区进行重建工作,承建四座组屋,并命名为Impian Baiduri组屋(中文译:英比安拜杜里组屋)
居民投诉在两年前当他们迁入这座组屋时便已经发现问题的存在。居民更曾经在对话会上向发展商和雪州行政议员莫达达南声诉,但是却一直没有下文。

组屋窗口没有安全铁枝


发展商以消防局的理由,即发展商应该为居民提供火灾逃生活门,而决定不为组屋单位装置窗口铁枝,但是,可是当发生火灾时,居住在17楼高的居民如何能够从17楼高通过窗口逃生呢?而且雪州其他比英比安拜杜里组屋更高的组屋都有装置窗口铁枝,英比安拜杜里组屋的发展商没有理由如此偷工减料。

此外,居民也表示这个地区本来是闪电高风险区。居民怀疑发展商是否装置充足的避雷针。居民也表示前天发生的闪电事件已经是第五次发生。

如果当天闪电集中的是其中一条电缆的话,那么整座组屋肯定会着火燃烧,后果肯定不堪设想。在政府大厦最近频频出现状况之后,居民开始怀疑到底发展商是否有依循建筑条规来城建整座组屋。


另外,该组屋也经常面对电梯失灵的问题。发展商委任的维修公司往往没有在第一时间之内修理损坏的电梯,造成居民在出入方面的很大麻烦。其中D座组屋的电梯已经停止操作长达一年之久。


组屋一千居民没有草场

另一个关系所有居民的问题就是该组屋对面的空地问题。根据居民当初迁入这四座组屋的时候,图册中注明组屋对面的一片空地是草场。

居民也认为这片草场不仅应该保留下来,甚至也应该美化成为一个能够让居民作息的场所。现有的小型儿童游乐场所根本不能应付双溪威英比安拜杜里组屋1千多户人家的需求。


由于儿童和成人都需要充足的活动空间,因此居民对于最近这片空地遭发展商以铁锌片围起来而感担忧,恐怕这片土地最终不保而被发展成另一个人口高密度的地区。


市长过后表示,针对草场一事,他将会下令城市规划局测查。由于这片土地已经有了地契,他将会要求土地局提供报告。必须要求州政府插手处理。针对铁枝事件,市长将会请求州政府属下的建筑物调查员(Commissioner of Building)插入处理此事。我也在会上呼吁市长确保市政厅的行政能够透明化,以便居民能够时时刻刻跟进这两件事情的进展。

Monday, June 04, 2007

DAP FORUM THIS THURSDAY: MALAYSIA AFTER LINA JOY

Is SMART tunnel functioning?

It happened again yesterday when another flash floods hit KL.

People are questioning the functioning of SMART Tunnel. SMART owes KL motorists a question.

Flash floods hit KL

By KULDEEP S. JESSY

KUALA LUMPUR: Several areas in and around the city were hit by flash floods in the last two days with Jalan Duta the worst hit yesterday during a two-hour downpour.

At the height of the downpour, many low-lying areas were submerged in at least one metre of water.

In Jalan Duta, part of the road was cut off to traffic when a 0.5km stretch was submerged in 1.5m of water while in the opposite direction, the road heading towards Jalan Semantan had a fallen tree obstructing two of its lanes.

A small portion of the road was also damaged by strong currents.

A City Hall operations centre spokesman said other areas affected by the flash floods were Jalan Travers, Jalan Bangsar, Jalan Tun Sambanthan in Brickfields, Jalan Semantan and Jalan Universiti.

The other affected areas were Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Chan Sow Lin.

The waters, however, receded within minutes after the rain stopped.

The City Hall spokesman also said several areas in Salak South and Ampang were hit by flash floods when waters began to rise after it started raining at about 4pm.

There were no casualties or major accidents reported during the downpour, he said, adding that some roads were hit by flash floods due to clogged drains and road construction.

Trees along several roads were also uprooted but City Hall workers managed to clear them away.

A Jalan Bandar Traffic Police spokesman said policemen were deployed to monitor and direct traffic, adding that the congestion eased after 7pm when the water levels receded.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

"SMART" Tunnel not so smart

I was disturbed by this news that another flash floods hit KL after heavy downpour yesterday as the first question raised in my mind is the SMART Tunnel.

The SMART Tunnel, which is an acronym for Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel, is a project under the Federal Government initiated to alleviate the flooding problem in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur.

The project is implemented through a joint venture pact between MMC Berhad and Gamuda Berhad with the Department of Irrigation And Drainage Malaysia and the Malaysian Highway Authority as the executing government agencies.

And according to the website of the company which owns the tunnel, the SMART system is built to divert large volumes of flood water from entering the critical stretch of Sungai Klang between Sg Klang /Sg Ampang confluence and Sg Gombak/ Sg Klang confluence via a holding pond, bypass tunnel and storage reservoir. This will reduce the flood water level at the Jalan Tun Perak Bridge, preventing spillover.

The project, which was incepted by the project proponent, namely MMC Berhad-Gamuda Berhad Joint Venture, primarily aim to mitigate the recurring floods in the city of Kuala Lumpur, the financial, business and commercial hub of Malaysia.

However, at the design stage of SMART, the dual purpose concept was born from the ingenuity of the project proponents and the motorway tunnel was integrated into the system to relieve traffic congestion at the main Southern Gateway to the city centre.

The motorway tunnel will provide an alternative route for motorists from the Southern Gateway, i.e. KL-Seremban Highway, Federal Highway, Besraya and East-West Link entering and exiting the city centre. It is believed that this will reduce traffic congestion at the Southern Gateway leading to the city centre. The travel time is expected to be reduced significantly.

Now, after all these huh-hah, perhaps it is good for us to ask if this tunnel really works when flash floods could still take place after when the tunnel is fully operational, only to wait for the announcement of its toll rate by the government. Or is it really safe enough for motorists?

My friend, Ronnie Liu has his comment. What do you think

Below is the story from the Star:

Flash floods hit KL after downpour

KUALA LUMPUR: Several areas in Pudu, Salak South and Ampang were hit by flash floods after an evening downpour yesterday.

Waters began to rise after it started raining at about 6pm.

By 7.30pm it had, according to some victims, reached to their waists.

A restaurant owner in Jalan Besar, Salak South, said such flash floods happened almost every time a big storm occurs.

“In the 20 years I have operated my shop here, the problem has persisted.

“We have complained to the authorities numerous times but the situation has not improved,” said the 65-year-old man who only identified himself as Chan.

By about 9pm, the water level had dropped to ankle level.

Friday, June 01, 2007

Hindu woman wants Islam status removed

Hindu woman wants Islam status removed
Soon Li Tsin

Born into Islam out of family circumstances 25 years ago, a practising Hindu now wants to change her religion so she could marry a Hindu man.

Jamaliah was soft-spoken and related her harrowing story at a press conference held at the Selangor DAP office today with her lawyer Lim Lip Eng (right) present.

Expressing that she dislikes the name ‘Jamaliah’, she calls herself Priya and did not wish to be photographed.

“For all my life I have been a practising Hindu and I only want to marry a Hindu man. If possible, I want to change my religion to Hindu but the Lina Joy decision has destroyed all my hopes for the future,” she said.

Currently a clerk, Priya was told by her previous employer, a lawyer, to wait for Lina Joy’s Federal Court decision before deciding what to do.

On Wednesday, the apex court with a 2-1 majority said that word 'Islam' cannot be removed from Lina’s IC and that she can only apostatise through the Syariah Court.

Father took second wife

Relating to reporters on her family background, Priya said her father had converted from Hindu to Islam after taking on a second wife who is an Indian-Muslim.

Her birth certificate and IC both states that she is Islam.

“My mother who was the first wife remained a Hindu but she left the family later after falling out with my father,” she said.

Priya (right) said her stepmother had supported her in being a Hindu and had never compelled Priya to practise any Muslim rites such as fasting or praying after her father died when Priya was seven years old.

She has five elder siblings, one brother and four sisters who are all practicing Hindus.

The Perak native said she has never faced any problems concerning her Muslim status during her school days as she was not compelled to attend Islamic studies.

The cruncher only came when her Hindu boyfriend of six years recently left her and said he cannot accept her Islam status and was not willing to convert to marry her.

“He cannot accept my status and won’t marry me. He now says he wants to find another Indian girl to marry,” she said.

Last week she attempted suicide by drinking poison and was warded in Sungai Buloh Hospital for three days before deciding to take this matter to Lim.

Legal options

Lim then brought the matter to DAP who are now highlighting that conversion cases are not uncommon.

“I don’t think she is the only one. There are many affected by the Lina Joy judgment and I hope with more case highlighted we can find means of helping them,” he said.

Meanwhile, he added that Priya would consider all legal options available including seeking redress in the Syariah Court.

“The process to leave the religion through the Syariah Court are obstructive. We have heard that duress and pressure are applied on the applicant.

“It is also a very long process and there’s no guarantee that the Syariah authorities would approve the apostasy,” Lim stressed.

He said Priya now runs the risk of being detained and sent to a rehabilitation camp for declaring that she wants to leave Islam.

Asked what her hope is, Priya said: “I want to leave a religion that I never practiced. I will go to the Syariah Court but I am afraid of what will happen.

“I just want to be recognised as a Hindu and marry a Hindu man,” she added.