VALLEY VIEW by TAN KARR WEI
LOCAL authorities around the Klang Valley seem to be fighting a losing battle against illegal banners that are being put up at every nook and corner.
From SS2 in Petaling Jaya to Bandar Puchong Jaya and all the way to Old Klang Road and Cheras, these illegal banners are being put up by irresponsible people opting for a cheap method to advertise their products.
While illegal money lenders have been boldly putting up their banners and stickers all around the city, the latest product to make its way into the scene are sex toys and sexual enhancement creams.
If you think only these shady businesses put up illegal banners, then you would be in for a surprise.
All around towns and cities, there are banners for kindergartens, restaurants, warehouse sales, tuition centres and language courses, to name a few.
Even big-name developers, shopping malls and electronic brands have put up professional looking banners without a license.
To identify legal banners, most councils issue a license in the form of a sticker that is attached onto the banners that would be put up.
Local authorities have pumped in a lot of resources to remove these illegal banners and stickers but none seem to have found a workable and effective solution.
Most have a schedule for taking down these banners but new ones would be put up almost as soon as the truck full of banners leaves the location.
In Petaling Jaya, the task of taking down these banners was first given to Alam Flora but it could not cope and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has since taken back the responsibility.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San had in 2008 started a programme where residents were rewarded between RM1 and RM5 (from his constituency development fund) for each banner taken down and brought to his office.
The programme was fairly successful and helped to rid commercial areas like Sea Park of the unsightly banners but Lau had since stopped the programme when the MBPJ came up with their own to tackle the issue.
To try to nip the problem in the bud, MBPJ offered a reward of RM250 if the public informed the council when they saw someone putting up banners and the perpetrator is caught red-handed.
While it showed MBPJ’s effort in tackling the problem, catching these sneaks red-handed is not as easy as it sounds and so far, only a handful have been caught and charged.
Last year, the Subang Jaya Municipal Council teamed up with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to cut off the lines of numbers found on illegal banners and other councils like MBPJ and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) followed suit.
The move has yet to show any signs of effectiveness because it takes some time for the lines to be cut off.
More importantly, prepaid phone lines are available cheaply in Malaysia, with most telecommunication companies offering a start-up pack for less than RM10.
Perhaps the root of the problem is that banner printing services are available very cheaply.
Even these printing companies have been aggressively advertising their services on illegal banners put up all around neighbourhoods and commercial centres.
Maybe the local authorities should make it harder for these companies to print banners by making it mandatory for them to see a banner license before printing, failing which they should be fined heavily.
Another method is to impose stringent guidelines for these banner-printing businesses when issuing a license to them.
With no effective form of measure in sight so far, the councils need to look at the problem from all angles and work together with the relevant agencies to come down hard on those involved in putting up illegal banners.
Showing posts with label The Star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Star. Show all posts
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Spruce up at Sri Aman apartment
The spirit of neighbourliness was strongly felt at Taman Sri Aman Apartment, SS1, Petaling Jaya, on Saturday when the residents came out in full force to clean up their area.
Led by Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San and Petaling Jaya city councillor Ramakrishnan Suppiah, the residents sweated it out to scour the apartment where three dengue cases have been reported in the past months.
Alam Flora sent its workers to lend a hand, Fumakilla Malaysia Berhad sponsored the mosquito repellent products while the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) trucks and equipment facilitated the operation.
“This is the only place in my constituency reported to have dengue cases. The situation in areas under the MBPJ is not serious as compared with other municipalities in the state,” Lau said.
He urged the residents to take care of cleanliness in their houses and the surrounding area, adding that he was also following up on other problems they faced, such as leaking pipes and the setting up of seven more shops on the ground floor that have taken up motorcycle parking space.
He also bought a fogging machine, aerosol and mosquito liquid vaporiser for the residents.
Led by Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San and Petaling Jaya city councillor Ramakrishnan Suppiah, the residents sweated it out to scour the apartment where three dengue cases have been reported in the past months.
Alam Flora sent its workers to lend a hand, Fumakilla Malaysia Berhad sponsored the mosquito repellent products while the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) trucks and equipment facilitated the operation.
“This is the only place in my constituency reported to have dengue cases. The situation in areas under the MBPJ is not serious as compared with other municipalities in the state,” Lau said.
He urged the residents to take care of cleanliness in their houses and the surrounding area, adding that he was also following up on other problems they faced, such as leaking pipes and the setting up of seven more shops on the ground floor that have taken up motorcycle parking space.
He also bought a fogging machine, aerosol and mosquito liquid vaporiser for the residents.
Monday, May 18, 2009
MBPJ gets tough on illegal telco towers
COMPANIES that have installed telecommunication towers without planning approval have better remove the structures themselves or the Petaling Jaya City Council MBPJ will do it for them and charge for the job.
So far, one company has taken the initiative to take down two telco towers a day before the MBPJ enforcement personnel were scheduled to tear them down.
Tetuan Packet One Network (M) Sdn Bhd saved itself from the embarrassment when it took down two telco towers in Jalan SS9A/2, Kampung Seri Setia.
According to MBPJ Building Control Department assistant director Ismathinoon Rahman, the telco towers in Kampung Seri Setia had to be taken down as the company did not submit application to the council even though the structures conformed to the guidelines.
The case was highlighted by Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San following complaints from the nearby residents.
According to Ismathinoon, a demolition notice was first issued on Nov 12 last year. The company made several appeals following that but they were rejected. The MBPJ then suggested an alternative site but the company turned down the offer.
“Telco towers can be approved so long as the companies submit the required documents, have not receive objection from residents and adhere to the guidelines set by the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Selangor government. Approval will be given in the form of a one-year temporary permit,” he said.
The documents required include the building plan, an engineering report, an insurance policy and permits from Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Konsortium Jaringan Selangor.
Ismathinoon said the MBPJ had also launched a programme to remove telco towers that failed to comply with the guidelines.
According to Ismathinoon, of the 241 telco tower sites in the city, 48 have been found to have violated the guidelines and they will be given demolition notices.
Meanwhile, there are applications for 87 new sites.
Ismathinoon said his team would take action against one telco tower in Jalan Gasing within a month while 10 others were under close scrutiny.
Friday, May 08, 2009
History of new villages in pictures
A photo exhibition depicting the history of new villages will be held at the Sungai Way Community Hall in Petaling Jaya from 10am to 4pm on May 10.
The main objective of the exhibition, held in conjunction with the 61st anniversary of the new village in Malaysia, is to educate the younger generation about the origins of new villages.
Some of the activities lined up as part of the event are a story-telling session by senior citizens from the new villages, quiz and colouring competition.
The exhibition is organised by the Kampung Tunku assemblyman service centre and new village development and illegal factory task force committee together with the KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), Petaling Jaya city councillor Tiew Wan Keng’s office and the Sungai Way Village Security Development Committee.
According to Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San, at least 10 series of the photo exhibition will be held throughout Selangor.
He said most of the photos were contributed by the KLSCAH as well as the villagers from Sg Way.
“The Sg Way villagers witnessed the massive development that took place here including the construction of the Federal Highway.
“The villagers were also the main labour force behind the construction of the highway and Subang airport.
“Sg Way was one of the first areas to be developed in the Petaling district. It was initially surrounded by tin mines and rubber estates,” he said.
Lau encouraged parents to visit the exhibition with their children so that they would know about the history of new villages and appreciate what they had now.
The main objective of the exhibition, held in conjunction with the 61st anniversary of the new village in Malaysia, is to educate the younger generation about the origins of new villages.
Some of the activities lined up as part of the event are a story-telling session by senior citizens from the new villages, quiz and colouring competition.
The exhibition is organised by the Kampung Tunku assemblyman service centre and new village development and illegal factory task force committee together with the KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), Petaling Jaya city councillor Tiew Wan Keng’s office and the Sungai Way Village Security Development Committee.
According to Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San, at least 10 series of the photo exhibition will be held throughout Selangor.
He said most of the photos were contributed by the KLSCAH as well as the villagers from Sg Way.
“The Sg Way villagers witnessed the massive development that took place here including the construction of the Federal Highway.
“The villagers were also the main labour force behind the construction of the highway and Subang airport.
“Sg Way was one of the first areas to be developed in the Petaling district. It was initially surrounded by tin mines and rubber estates,” he said.
Lau encouraged parents to visit the exhibition with their children so that they would know about the history of new villages and appreciate what they had now.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
PJ eateries may close for a day
PETALING Jaya may experience an acute shortage of hot meals for one day.
The Coffee Bar and Restaurant Operators Association in Petaling Jaya is planning a one-day shutdown to protest against the new cleanliness guidelines introduced by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) recently.
A circular was distributed among restaurateurs to draw their attention to the compound fine of up to RM1,000, as well as Clause 25 which stipulates that the business licence of a food outlet will be revoked if it commits the same offence three times in a year.
It also highlighted that the new ruling, to be in effect from June onwards, "would seriously affecting the livelihood of restaurant operators to the extent of threatening their survival".
Letters have been sent to the association's 600-odd members on Friday to seek their support for the resolution.
"We have not fixed the date but many of our members have given their verbal support as all of us will feel the pinch," said association chairman Tang Sui Tee.
He said the association supported the council's move to ensure better cleanliness at food outlets for the benefit of consumers, but that the new guidelines were too stern.
"We have operators coming forward to say that they have been slapped with up to four compounds a day, and the fine for each offence has been increased drastically from RM250 to RM500 or RM1,000 now. This is taking a toll on us," he said.
He said the compounds were mostly issued during lunch hour for not wearing aprons, not installing grease trap, not putting licence numbers on signages and for placing tables and chairs on the five-foot-way.
"How much can we earn from a cup of coffee and a plate of mee? Times are bad and the fine is too high for us. We are not trying to create trouble here, we are merely voicing out our grouses," he said.
He added that the members could not highlight their problems during a meeting organised by MBPJ as each person was given only five minutes to speak.
While restaurant operators are up in arms, local leaders and residents are in support of the new ruling.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San said it was high time the guidelines were enforced in view of the avalanche of complaints from consumers.
"The guidelines are comprehensive and are necessary to weed out stubborn operators who have been posing health risks to consumers. Of course, in the initial implementation, several items are being disputed and we allow discussions on their concerns, too," he said.
He also pointed out that the compound fine of up to RM1,000 had always been in existence on the legal provision.
All-Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Residents Associations Coalition (APAC) chairman Liew Wei Beng said the coalition was in full support of the new guidelines.
"The council is only trying to implement and enforce a necessary ruling so that the residents can enjoy dining in a clean environment, which has not been done all these while even when Petaling Jaya obtained city status," he said.
"I think this is a confrontational approach by the association and I don't think they should do this," he added.
MBPj councillor Michael Soon said the matter would be resolved soon as state exco member Ronnie Liu had called for a meeting with the restaurant and coffeeshop owners on Friday.
"While we take note of their operational problems, we do not want to compromise on hygiene and cleanliness which all residents demand. In fact residents are very happy that at last MBPJ is taking a serious view on public hygiene," he said.
He highlighted that the compound fines of RM1,000 was not a new rule as it was gazetted in 2007 under the by-laws of the Local Government Act.
"Sometime in March, the MBPJ enforcement officers were using new hand-held computers to issue compounds. These new machines have no option for the user to change the compounds to lower amounts. Since the act provides for RM1,000, the legal and IT department programmed the hand-held computers to the maximum fine allowed. However, this issue has already been resolved as all the machines have been re-programmed to RM250 since April," he said.
"Pertaining to the three-strike rule, which is having three compounds for the same type of offence, it appears punitive. But eateries can accumulate dozens of compounds as long as they do not cross the three compounds for the same offence. Currently, some eateries accumulate up to 45 compounds each year and this is not good," he said.
The Coffee Bar and Restaurant Operators Association in Petaling Jaya is planning a one-day shutdown to protest against the new cleanliness guidelines introduced by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) recently.
A circular was distributed among restaurateurs to draw their attention to the compound fine of up to RM1,000, as well as Clause 25 which stipulates that the business licence of a food outlet will be revoked if it commits the same offence three times in a year.
It also highlighted that the new ruling, to be in effect from June onwards, "would seriously affecting the livelihood of restaurant operators to the extent of threatening their survival".
Letters have been sent to the association's 600-odd members on Friday to seek their support for the resolution.
"We have not fixed the date but many of our members have given their verbal support as all of us will feel the pinch," said association chairman Tang Sui Tee.
He said the association supported the council's move to ensure better cleanliness at food outlets for the benefit of consumers, but that the new guidelines were too stern.
"We have operators coming forward to say that they have been slapped with up to four compounds a day, and the fine for each offence has been increased drastically from RM250 to RM500 or RM1,000 now. This is taking a toll on us," he said.
He said the compounds were mostly issued during lunch hour for not wearing aprons, not installing grease trap, not putting licence numbers on signages and for placing tables and chairs on the five-foot-way.
"How much can we earn from a cup of coffee and a plate of mee? Times are bad and the fine is too high for us. We are not trying to create trouble here, we are merely voicing out our grouses," he said.
He added that the members could not highlight their problems during a meeting organised by MBPJ as each person was given only five minutes to speak.
While restaurant operators are up in arms, local leaders and residents are in support of the new ruling.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San said it was high time the guidelines were enforced in view of the avalanche of complaints from consumers.
"The guidelines are comprehensive and are necessary to weed out stubborn operators who have been posing health risks to consumers. Of course, in the initial implementation, several items are being disputed and we allow discussions on their concerns, too," he said.
He also pointed out that the compound fine of up to RM1,000 had always been in existence on the legal provision.
All-Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Residents Associations Coalition (APAC) chairman Liew Wei Beng said the coalition was in full support of the new guidelines.
"The council is only trying to implement and enforce a necessary ruling so that the residents can enjoy dining in a clean environment, which has not been done all these while even when Petaling Jaya obtained city status," he said.
"I think this is a confrontational approach by the association and I don't think they should do this," he added.
MBPj councillor Michael Soon said the matter would be resolved soon as state exco member Ronnie Liu had called for a meeting with the restaurant and coffeeshop owners on Friday.
"While we take note of their operational problems, we do not want to compromise on hygiene and cleanliness which all residents demand. In fact residents are very happy that at last MBPJ is taking a serious view on public hygiene," he said.
He highlighted that the compound fines of RM1,000 was not a new rule as it was gazetted in 2007 under the by-laws of the Local Government Act.
"Sometime in March, the MBPJ enforcement officers were using new hand-held computers to issue compounds. These new machines have no option for the user to change the compounds to lower amounts. Since the act provides for RM1,000, the legal and IT department programmed the hand-held computers to the maximum fine allowed. However, this issue has already been resolved as all the machines have been re-programmed to RM250 since April," he said.
"Pertaining to the three-strike rule, which is having three compounds for the same type of offence, it appears punitive. But eateries can accumulate dozens of compounds as long as they do not cross the three compounds for the same offence. Currently, some eateries accumulate up to 45 compounds each year and this is not good," he said.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Residents protest over access road to be built on TNB land
ABOUT 50 residents from Jalan SS1/26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and Jalan 21/27 in Petaling Jaya gathered to protest against the access road leading to the Paramount View Condominium.
They are concerned about the road that will be built on Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) reserve land which already has high-tension cables and is only 7.3m wide.
The residents claimed that the illegal entrance will cause more congestion to the existing narrow roads in the residential area.
The residents also pointed out that once people started to live in the condominium, traffic and parking congestion will be a daily problem.
According to the SS1/26 pro tem committee member Kok Yoon Lee, the TNB had obtained an injunction preventing the construction of the access road.
He said the developer of the condominium was going to fight the injunction.
“They are going to build it right under the pylons, which is not only unsafe but against the guidelines.
“We have also yet to see the approval for the road, which the developer claims to have obtained from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ),” he said.
Kok also said the residents were never consulted over the access road.
StarMetro has been highlighting the issues over the 233-unit condominium, which has caused a stir over the placement of access roads leading to the project.
The 15-storey condominium project developed by the Sri Aman Development Sdn Bhd is located at the old squatter area of Taman Aman, near the Paramount Garden LRT station and is near the Section 22 and SS1 residential areas, as well as the Sri Aman Flats.
They are concerned about the road that will be built on Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) reserve land which already has high-tension cables and is only 7.3m wide.
The residents claimed that the illegal entrance will cause more congestion to the existing narrow roads in the residential area.
The residents also pointed out that once people started to live in the condominium, traffic and parking congestion will be a daily problem.
According to the SS1/26 pro tem committee member Kok Yoon Lee, the TNB had obtained an injunction preventing the construction of the access road.
He said the developer of the condominium was going to fight the injunction.
“They are going to build it right under the pylons, which is not only unsafe but against the guidelines.
“We have also yet to see the approval for the road, which the developer claims to have obtained from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ),” he said.
Kok also said the residents were never consulted over the access road.
StarMetro has been highlighting the issues over the 233-unit condominium, which has caused a stir over the placement of access roads leading to the project.
The 15-storey condominium project developed by the Sri Aman Development Sdn Bhd is located at the old squatter area of Taman Aman, near the Paramount Garden LRT station and is near the Section 22 and SS1 residential areas, as well as the Sri Aman Flats.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
CF for flats being looked into
THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will engage Selangor Economic Action Council and Housing and Local Govern-ment Ministry to discuss the issuance of Certificate of Fitness (CF) for the five blocks of PPR (Projek Perumahan Rakyat) flats in Lembah Subang.
In response to a question raised by Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San at the MBPJ full board meeting, mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the council was handling the matter with caution as the structures built on a former landfill involved complicated implications.
“We cannot rush into a decision as the matter is serious. We do not want another PJS 3 Taman Sri Manja, whereby the council had been held responsible for treatment on the environment as it issued the CFs,” he said.
A report that a total of RM89,000 was spent on Petaling Jaya Museum’s signage also raised eyebrows as several councillors said they did not see that many signs in the city and wondered how the bill could come up to such a staggering amount.
Roslan agreed to the points and ordered an investigation to be launched on the matter.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee again raised the issue of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and asked the mayor if anyone in the council could declassify local council documents.
The board was then told that deputy council secretary Ahmat Mahaayen Said had been given the authority to do so by the former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo.
Councillor Mak Khuin Weng, who sits in the billboard site inspection committee with three other councillors, asked why the formation of the committee and its members were not recorded in the minutes of the full board and sustainable development meetings.
“Even though the committee and its members is mentioned in the billboard guideline booklet, I cannot find any such records in the minutes,” he said.
Councillor Cynthia Gabriel steered the board’s attention to death threats received by several councillors in the course of their duties. She said her car had recently been vandalised for the same reason.
“We have sent a letter to the state informing them that the security of a number of councillors is at risk for helping the people. We will also send our officers to patrol the areas if need be,” Roslan said.
On public complaints, he said the council was re-zoning garbage collection areas for higher efficiency.
“Adjustments will be made to the list of 40 existing contractors upon Alam Flora’s recommendations. The figure will be increased to 112 by mid-May,” he said.
He also directed heads of department to meet complainants and called for a sense of urgency to be inculcated among all officials when handling public complaints.
The mayor also reiterated the effort of creating “Clean Zone” in the city, adding that the first on the list, Section 52, would be marked with signage and its accesses would be painted with apple green.
In response to a question raised by Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San at the MBPJ full board meeting, mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the council was handling the matter with caution as the structures built on a former landfill involved complicated implications.
“We cannot rush into a decision as the matter is serious. We do not want another PJS 3 Taman Sri Manja, whereby the council had been held responsible for treatment on the environment as it issued the CFs,” he said.
A report that a total of RM89,000 was spent on Petaling Jaya Museum’s signage also raised eyebrows as several councillors said they did not see that many signs in the city and wondered how the bill could come up to such a staggering amount.
Roslan agreed to the points and ordered an investigation to be launched on the matter.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee again raised the issue of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and asked the mayor if anyone in the council could declassify local council documents.
The board was then told that deputy council secretary Ahmat Mahaayen Said had been given the authority to do so by the former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo.
Councillor Mak Khuin Weng, who sits in the billboard site inspection committee with three other councillors, asked why the formation of the committee and its members were not recorded in the minutes of the full board and sustainable development meetings.
“Even though the committee and its members is mentioned in the billboard guideline booklet, I cannot find any such records in the minutes,” he said.
Councillor Cynthia Gabriel steered the board’s attention to death threats received by several councillors in the course of their duties. She said her car had recently been vandalised for the same reason.
“We have sent a letter to the state informing them that the security of a number of councillors is at risk for helping the people. We will also send our officers to patrol the areas if need be,” Roslan said.
On public complaints, he said the council was re-zoning garbage collection areas for higher efficiency.
“Adjustments will be made to the list of 40 existing contractors upon Alam Flora’s recommendations. The figure will be increased to 112 by mid-May,” he said.
He also directed heads of department to meet complainants and called for a sense of urgency to be inculcated among all officials when handling public complaints.
The mayor also reiterated the effort of creating “Clean Zone” in the city, adding that the first on the list, Section 52, would be marked with signage and its accesses would be painted with apple green.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Sleepless in PJ Section 22
Let’s find a solution: Lau (left) discussing with affected residents at the site of the Paramount View Condominium project.
THE noise pollution as a result of an ongoing condominium project called Paramount View Condominium has been a cause for concern for a group of residents in Section 22, Petaling Jaya.
“The project is located at the old squatter area of Taman Aman, near the Paramount Garden LRT station, and is near the Section 22 and SS1 residential areas, as well as the Sri Aman Flats,” said Kg Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San.
“The construction activities and heavy vehicles moving in and out have caused sleepless nights for the residents.
“The construction workers are only allowed to work from 8am to 6pm, but there were times when they worked right up to 9pm or even 1am!” he said.
“The local council (Petaling Jaya City Council or MBPJ) never approved the longer working hours because the project is located near residential areas.
“We want to achieve a win-win solution. During a meeting I organised last week between MBPJ, the developer and residents, we managed to reach a consensus that the developer can work from 7am to 7pm till November (when the project is estimated to be completed).
“They're only allowed to work from Monday to Saturday, and not on Sunday and public holidays.”
The project is supposed to be 12 storeys high with 233 units built in total.
“The heavy vehicles moving in and out of the construction site caused the previous access road from Lorong 22/44D to neighbouring lanes to collapse, and the developer has yet to have it repaired,” said resident Abdullah Sani, 42.
“Coincidentally, the number of break-ins have increased and the construction area has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.”
Another resident, Hisham Zafian, 40, said the houseowners are also concerned about the increase in traffic at the present access road, Jalan SS1/25, once the project is completed.
Lau said the residents had suggested having the entrance to the condominium through the existing landscaped garden on government TOL (Temporary Occupational Licence) land.
“I will check if the proposed access is a viable option or not, since Jalan SS1/25 is connected to Jalan 22/44. There are also technicalities to look into and whether it will affect other residents,” he said.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Assemblymen echo need for greater transparency
PAKATAN Rakyat assemblymen, when asked on their stand on the use of the OSA, focused on the need for caution in the handling of government documents.
“While I support greater transparency and the state itself has initiated discussions with several NGOs under the Coalition for Good Governance to look at a Freedom of Information enactment (FOI), the existing regulations are still in effect,” said Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
“MBPJ’s public hearing meetings have been done in the open where the press can report on the different interests at play.
“However, certain sub-committee meetings might need to be closed-door due the nature of their discussions. I think a balance between being transparent and having an efficient decision-making process must be struck,” said Nik Nazmi.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San echoed Nik Nazmi’s concerns and said that the minutes should be made available to the public to promote more transparency but cautioned that until the documents were declassified, there would be legal implications involved in presenting the documents publicly, which was the case with the leaked MBPJ meeting minutes.
Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Nasir Hashim differed in his view and said that the meetings should be made available to the public and where necessary, decisions must be open to review.
“Meetings tend to be secretive or not transparent when there are possible hidden agendas or the fear of being unnecessarily sued or accused for being insensitive.
“It is the ongoing hope that those involved, be it the council members, people’s representatives or the public have understood the rules of the game so that they will always be responsible enough to make their own decisions.
“We should push for transparency and I strongly believe that the public is mature enough to participate and judge us. Such a move will certainly build confidence and empower the people,” said Nasir.
“While I support greater transparency and the state itself has initiated discussions with several NGOs under the Coalition for Good Governance to look at a Freedom of Information enactment (FOI), the existing regulations are still in effect,” said Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
“MBPJ’s public hearing meetings have been done in the open where the press can report on the different interests at play.
“However, certain sub-committee meetings might need to be closed-door due the nature of their discussions. I think a balance between being transparent and having an efficient decision-making process must be struck,” said Nik Nazmi.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San echoed Nik Nazmi’s concerns and said that the minutes should be made available to the public to promote more transparency but cautioned that until the documents were declassified, there would be legal implications involved in presenting the documents publicly, which was the case with the leaked MBPJ meeting minutes.
Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Nasir Hashim differed in his view and said that the meetings should be made available to the public and where necessary, decisions must be open to review.
“Meetings tend to be secretive or not transparent when there are possible hidden agendas or the fear of being unnecessarily sued or accused for being insensitive.
“It is the ongoing hope that those involved, be it the council members, people’s representatives or the public have understood the rules of the game so that they will always be responsible enough to make their own decisions.
“We should push for transparency and I strongly believe that the public is mature enough to participate and judge us. Such a move will certainly build confidence and empower the people,” said Nasir.
Fears over Kelana Jaya project
THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has been urged to conduct an independent traffic study for the proposed development on the Football Association of Selangor (FAS) field in Kelana Jaya.
The proposed development involves a complex with 92 units of shop offices and a basement car park, and residents in the vicinity are worried that the project would add to the traffic chaos they are now facing daily.
About 10 representatives of the developer and about 30 residents staying around the area attended the first public objection hearing on the project conducted by MBPJ secretary Puasa Mohamad Taib on Monday at the MBPJ complex.
Also present were Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo-Burne and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San.
Tan Sri Dr Lau Ban Tin, representing the developers, said that the land was privately-owned and was never a public recreation area.
Lau said that even the existing access road used by residents had not been surrendered to the authorities and was in effect still privately-owned.
He said the development had already been scaled down from the previous plan consisting of four condominium blocks, one 23-storey office block, one eight-storey service apartments and one six-storey commercial and carpark podium.
“The FAS training centre will be relocated to a three-storey sports complex with full facilities for the Selangor football team in Section U15, Shah Alam,” Lau said.
“The Yayasan FAS and FAS hope to generate recurring income from this project because right now, they don’t even have the funds to maintain existing facilities,” he said.
A Runding Trafik MZK representative also presented a traffic impact assessment (TIA) report during the hearing.
Taman MegahMas residents’ association secretary Dr Chau Foon Yeap said that the traffic congestion continued to be a nightmare for the residents due to cars coming in and out of the tunnel leading to Ara Damansara.
“This project and other projects coming up in the area will add to our problems. We can’t even get out of our houses during peak hours,” he said.
According to former Taman MegahMas residents association chairman S.K. Tan, the problem has been going on for at least eight years and yet the MBPJ did not have a solution for the two tunnels which residents claim are illegal to begin with.
“The MBPJ should resolve this problem before approving the project,” Tan said.
Another resident said that the TIA report projected around 1,000 cars at the main access road during peak hours but the previous traffic study conducted by the MBPJ for the tunnels had recorded more than that.
Pua asked the traffic consultant if the figures took into account the Phase 3 development comprising two blocks of multi-level commercial blocks.
“No, it doesn’t, but we took into consideration the projected growth rate of traffic in the area,” the consultant said.
Pua then asked the developer to conduct a more thorough traffic study, taking into account the proposed commercial buildings.
All-Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Residents Associations Coalition (APAC) chairman Liew Wei Beng said that under the Petaling Jaya Local Draft Plan 2 (RTPJ2), the land was proposed as a commercial area.
“We have not had the RTPJ2 objection hearing sessions and the draft plan has not been gazetted,” Liew said.
According to Lau, the land status had already been converted in 2003.
Liew said the council should appoint an independent traffic consultant to conduct another study.
Another resident asked why 29 units of the shoplots had been sold when their planning approval had expired.
It was previously reported in StarMetro that the planning approval had expired on November 30, 2007.
Pua said that the views from all parties would be taken into account when the One Stop Centre committee makes its decision.
He said although the Selangor Economic Action Council had given the approval for the project in October last year, it was still subject to approval by the MBPJ.
The proposed development involves a complex with 92 units of shop offices and a basement car park, and residents in the vicinity are worried that the project would add to the traffic chaos they are now facing daily.
About 10 representatives of the developer and about 30 residents staying around the area attended the first public objection hearing on the project conducted by MBPJ secretary Puasa Mohamad Taib on Monday at the MBPJ complex.
Also present were Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo-Burne and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San.
Tan Sri Dr Lau Ban Tin, representing the developers, said that the land was privately-owned and was never a public recreation area.
Lau said that even the existing access road used by residents had not been surrendered to the authorities and was in effect still privately-owned.
He said the development had already been scaled down from the previous plan consisting of four condominium blocks, one 23-storey office block, one eight-storey service apartments and one six-storey commercial and carpark podium.
“The FAS training centre will be relocated to a three-storey sports complex with full facilities for the Selangor football team in Section U15, Shah Alam,” Lau said.
“The Yayasan FAS and FAS hope to generate recurring income from this project because right now, they don’t even have the funds to maintain existing facilities,” he said.
A Runding Trafik MZK representative also presented a traffic impact assessment (TIA) report during the hearing.
Taman MegahMas residents’ association secretary Dr Chau Foon Yeap said that the traffic congestion continued to be a nightmare for the residents due to cars coming in and out of the tunnel leading to Ara Damansara.
“This project and other projects coming up in the area will add to our problems. We can’t even get out of our houses during peak hours,” he said.
According to former Taman MegahMas residents association chairman S.K. Tan, the problem has been going on for at least eight years and yet the MBPJ did not have a solution for the two tunnels which residents claim are illegal to begin with.
“The MBPJ should resolve this problem before approving the project,” Tan said.
Another resident said that the TIA report projected around 1,000 cars at the main access road during peak hours but the previous traffic study conducted by the MBPJ for the tunnels had recorded more than that.
Pua asked the traffic consultant if the figures took into account the Phase 3 development comprising two blocks of multi-level commercial blocks.
“No, it doesn’t, but we took into consideration the projected growth rate of traffic in the area,” the consultant said.
Pua then asked the developer to conduct a more thorough traffic study, taking into account the proposed commercial buildings.
All-Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Residents Associations Coalition (APAC) chairman Liew Wei Beng said that under the Petaling Jaya Local Draft Plan 2 (RTPJ2), the land was proposed as a commercial area.
“We have not had the RTPJ2 objection hearing sessions and the draft plan has not been gazetted,” Liew said.
According to Lau, the land status had already been converted in 2003.
Liew said the council should appoint an independent traffic consultant to conduct another study.
Another resident asked why 29 units of the shoplots had been sold when their planning approval had expired.
It was previously reported in StarMetro that the planning approval had expired on November 30, 2007.
Pua said that the views from all parties would be taken into account when the One Stop Centre committee makes its decision.
He said although the Selangor Economic Action Council had given the approval for the project in October last year, it was still subject to approval by the MBPJ.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Positive response to Najib’s billboard call
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s recent call to do away with billboards featuring him and Cabinet ministers has received positive response.
Selangor local government research and studies committee chairman Ronnie Liu said billboards should not be erected aimlessly.
He said the billboards should be able to furnish relevant information that would be of benefit to the public.
“There is no point in displaying a giant-sized image of the Prime Minister or ministers without the information needed,” he said.
Liu agreed with Najib who said that public funds were being wasted by having too many billboards that bear the image of the PM and his ministers.
He said the images of the individuals should not be overplayed as this would not serve the purpose.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail said that he would have to wait for further clarification on Najib’s call not to have faces of politicians on billboards and banners.
The mayor said 90% of billboards in Kuala Lumpur were owned by the private sector with the balance by various ministries.
“Billboard owners would normally get help from the private sector to put up the visuals including those from the ministries,” he said.
“We have to get more details such as does it include all politicians, including MPs, before we can proceed further,” Fuad said.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had recently issued an ultimatum that billboards in Kuala Lumpur must comply with DBKL guidelines and owners who fail to do so were given a maximum of three months to take them down.
Fuad said the guidelines issued in December last year gave importance to factors like safety, location, design and visuals displayed, including aesthetic value.
He said a one-stop centre would be set up at City Hall soon to manage all matters related to billboards including licences.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the city council would wait for directive from the government to take further action.
“We will have to wait for the directive or further clarification before taking the next step,” he said.
The billboard industry in Petaling Jaya was recently revamped in an effort to weed out unscrupulous operators with the launch of billboard guidelines that will be adopted by other local councils in the state.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San said he had no objection to the Prime Minister’s call on not putting politicians’ photographs on billboards or banners.
However, as such billboards are normally contributed by the outdoor advertisers to fulfil their social corporate responsibility, they should still be used to spread social awareness messages.
“If the authority does not put up photos of politicians, the billboards should be put in good use to spread public awareness campaign such as anti-crime and road safety,” he said.
Najib’s call received immediate response from Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj), the local authority for Putrajaya.
PPj city services director Datuk Ghani Ahmad said billboards erected in areas under the jurisdiction of the local authority were brought down soon after Najib made the request.
“However, we have no authority over similar visuals in private buildings and within office complexes or compounds,” he said.
Selangor local government research and studies committee chairman Ronnie Liu said billboards should not be erected aimlessly.
He said the billboards should be able to furnish relevant information that would be of benefit to the public.
“There is no point in displaying a giant-sized image of the Prime Minister or ministers without the information needed,” he said.
Liu agreed with Najib who said that public funds were being wasted by having too many billboards that bear the image of the PM and his ministers.
He said the images of the individuals should not be overplayed as this would not serve the purpose.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail said that he would have to wait for further clarification on Najib’s call not to have faces of politicians on billboards and banners.
The mayor said 90% of billboards in Kuala Lumpur were owned by the private sector with the balance by various ministries.
“Billboard owners would normally get help from the private sector to put up the visuals including those from the ministries,” he said.
“We have to get more details such as does it include all politicians, including MPs, before we can proceed further,” Fuad said.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had recently issued an ultimatum that billboards in Kuala Lumpur must comply with DBKL guidelines and owners who fail to do so were given a maximum of three months to take them down.
Fuad said the guidelines issued in December last year gave importance to factors like safety, location, design and visuals displayed, including aesthetic value.
He said a one-stop centre would be set up at City Hall soon to manage all matters related to billboards including licences.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the city council would wait for directive from the government to take further action.
“We will have to wait for the directive or further clarification before taking the next step,” he said.
The billboard industry in Petaling Jaya was recently revamped in an effort to weed out unscrupulous operators with the launch of billboard guidelines that will be adopted by other local councils in the state.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San said he had no objection to the Prime Minister’s call on not putting politicians’ photographs on billboards or banners.
However, as such billboards are normally contributed by the outdoor advertisers to fulfil their social corporate responsibility, they should still be used to spread social awareness messages.
“If the authority does not put up photos of politicians, the billboards should be put in good use to spread public awareness campaign such as anti-crime and road safety,” he said.
Najib’s call received immediate response from Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj), the local authority for Putrajaya.
PPj city services director Datuk Ghani Ahmad said billboards erected in areas under the jurisdiction of the local authority were brought down soon after Najib made the request.
“However, we have no authority over similar visuals in private buildings and within office complexes or compounds,” he said.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
MBPJ to start towing cars parked at illegal spots
IT’S no April Fool’s Day joke when you find your car missing today if you have parked it at an illegal spot earlier. It has probably been towed away by enforcement personnel of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
It was announced at the MBPJ full board meeting yesterday that effective today, cars or other vehicles parked illegally in designated towing zones in Petaling Jaya would be towed away.
According to MBPJ enforcement department head Mohd Fauzi Maarop, Zon Tunda (towing zones) signboards have been put up at various locations in the city for the past one month.
The locations are Section 8, Section 52, Jalan Chantek in Section 5, SS6 in Kelana Jaya, Section 14, SS2, and Damansara Uptown in SS21.
A motorist will have to settle the RM300 compound before he can get back his car from the storage area in SS8/2. He will also be charged a storage fee of RM10 for the first day, followed by RM5 for each subsequent day the car remains there.
“We will put a chalk marking on the road after the cars are towed away and the police will also be informed when an operation takes place,” Fauzi said.
Councillor Chan Chee Kong said the RM150 charged by the towing company for each car towed was high compared with market rates.
According to mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman, the company was hired through an open tender process and only three companies submitted proposals.
Fauzi said if the councillors felt that the charge was too high, they would not award the contract for the time being and the enforcement team would make do with the council’s one tow truck.
Councillor Derek Fernandez, meanwhile, raised the issue of the confidentiality of the MBPJ sub-committee meeting minutes, saying that some of the documents were sent to several PJ assemblymen.
According to an officer from the MBPJ legal department, the minutes are confidential and classified under the Official Secrets Act.
Fernandez said he would lodge a police report regarding the circulated documents.
Another hot topic debated at the meeting concerns the decision against the waiver of the RM10 dog licence fee for the disabled and senior citizens.
Councillor Tang Fuie Koh wanted the matter discussed again but councillor Latheefa Koya insisted that all the views had been considered during the committee meeting.
Councillor Anthony Thanasayan said dogs were important to the disabled and supported the motion for the issue to be brought back to the committee.
“This will involve the re-drafting of our bylaws. The RM10 is an administrative cost and it doesn’t make sense that someone can afford to keep a dog but not afford the RM10 a year,” Latheefa said.
In his wrap-up speech, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San asked the council to be prepared for the PJ redevelopment plans under the stimulus package announced by the Selangor government.
“Most of the planning approvals issued in PJ are for commercial and mixed development. Until and unless we have an efficient transport system, the city can’t cope with the additional traffic. The council is responsible for solving the traffic issues in PJ,” Lau said.
It was announced at the MBPJ full board meeting yesterday that effective today, cars or other vehicles parked illegally in designated towing zones in Petaling Jaya would be towed away.
According to MBPJ enforcement department head Mohd Fauzi Maarop, Zon Tunda (towing zones) signboards have been put up at various locations in the city for the past one month.
The locations are Section 8, Section 52, Jalan Chantek in Section 5, SS6 in Kelana Jaya, Section 14, SS2, and Damansara Uptown in SS21.
A motorist will have to settle the RM300 compound before he can get back his car from the storage area in SS8/2. He will also be charged a storage fee of RM10 for the first day, followed by RM5 for each subsequent day the car remains there.
“We will put a chalk marking on the road after the cars are towed away and the police will also be informed when an operation takes place,” Fauzi said.
Councillor Chan Chee Kong said the RM150 charged by the towing company for each car towed was high compared with market rates.
According to mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman, the company was hired through an open tender process and only three companies submitted proposals.
Fauzi said if the councillors felt that the charge was too high, they would not award the contract for the time being and the enforcement team would make do with the council’s one tow truck.
Councillor Derek Fernandez, meanwhile, raised the issue of the confidentiality of the MBPJ sub-committee meeting minutes, saying that some of the documents were sent to several PJ assemblymen.
According to an officer from the MBPJ legal department, the minutes are confidential and classified under the Official Secrets Act.
Fernandez said he would lodge a police report regarding the circulated documents.
Another hot topic debated at the meeting concerns the decision against the waiver of the RM10 dog licence fee for the disabled and senior citizens.
Councillor Tang Fuie Koh wanted the matter discussed again but councillor Latheefa Koya insisted that all the views had been considered during the committee meeting.
Councillor Anthony Thanasayan said dogs were important to the disabled and supported the motion for the issue to be brought back to the committee.
“This will involve the re-drafting of our bylaws. The RM10 is an administrative cost and it doesn’t make sense that someone can afford to keep a dog but not afford the RM10 a year,” Latheefa said.
In his wrap-up speech, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San asked the council to be prepared for the PJ redevelopment plans under the stimulus package announced by the Selangor government.
“Most of the planning approvals issued in PJ are for commercial and mixed development. Until and unless we have an efficient transport system, the city can’t cope with the additional traffic. The council is responsible for solving the traffic issues in PJ,” Lau said.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Dispute over roads to condominium
RESIDENTS of several areas in Petaling Jaya are involved in a hot dispute over the placement of access roads to a condominium near their homes.
The residents from SS1 and Section 22 had in February registered their protest against the proposed entrance/exit at Jalan SS1/25.
And now, residents from SS1/26 are unhappy that the entrance has been moved to their side of the neighbourhood.
According to resident Tu Ah Kim, they were not consulted when the entrance was moved to Jalan SS1/26.
“It’s not fair to us because our road is already very busy, especially during the peak hours,” he said.
Tu and about 30 other residents had a meeting with Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San to discuss the matter.
Retired police officer Emily Koshy, 75, said that her house was right next to the proposed access road leading onto SS1/26 and it would be a nightmare for her to get in and out of her house.
“Even now, there are many cars coming in and out of the Taman Paramount LRT station and people also use it as a short-cut to go to and from SS1. I can’t even get out of my house whenever there is a queue of cars,” she said.
Another concern that residents have is that the access road connecting to SS1/26 has to be built on Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) reserve land which has some high-tension cables.
According to several TNB officers present to inspect the site, no approval has been given for the access road to be built on the reserve land.
Lau, meanwhile, said that the proposed access via SS1/39 would not be a permanent solution but the congestion could be eased by opening up the various proposed access roads.
He said the residents from the affected areas should meet and come up with a viable proposal acceptable by all of them.
A spokesman from Sri Aman Development Sdn Bhd told StarMetro that the company had started to build the missing link between SS1/39 and Jalan 21/1, near the Taman Paramount LRT station, but the MBPJ ordered it to stop work after the residents objected to it.
“The company had spent RM150,000 on the project,” he said.
He said the MBPJ had since given the approval to start constructing the access road on the TNB reserve land.
“We will build both access roads from Jalan SS1/26 and SS1/25 and leave it up to the local authority to decide on the traffic flow as it is beyond our scope as a developer.” the company said.
The residents from SS1 and Section 22 had in February registered their protest against the proposed entrance/exit at Jalan SS1/25.
And now, residents from SS1/26 are unhappy that the entrance has been moved to their side of the neighbourhood.
According to resident Tu Ah Kim, they were not consulted when the entrance was moved to Jalan SS1/26.
“It’s not fair to us because our road is already very busy, especially during the peak hours,” he said.
Tu and about 30 other residents had a meeting with Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San to discuss the matter.
Retired police officer Emily Koshy, 75, said that her house was right next to the proposed access road leading onto SS1/26 and it would be a nightmare for her to get in and out of her house.
“Even now, there are many cars coming in and out of the Taman Paramount LRT station and people also use it as a short-cut to go to and from SS1. I can’t even get out of my house whenever there is a queue of cars,” she said.
Another concern that residents have is that the access road connecting to SS1/26 has to be built on Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) reserve land which has some high-tension cables.
According to several TNB officers present to inspect the site, no approval has been given for the access road to be built on the reserve land.
Lau, meanwhile, said that the proposed access via SS1/39 would not be a permanent solution but the congestion could be eased by opening up the various proposed access roads.
He said the residents from the affected areas should meet and come up with a viable proposal acceptable by all of them.
A spokesman from Sri Aman Development Sdn Bhd told StarMetro that the company had started to build the missing link between SS1/39 and Jalan 21/1, near the Taman Paramount LRT station, but the MBPJ ordered it to stop work after the residents objected to it.
“The company had spent RM150,000 on the project,” he said.
He said the MBPJ had since given the approval to start constructing the access road on the TNB reserve land.
“We will build both access roads from Jalan SS1/26 and SS1/25 and leave it up to the local authority to decide on the traffic flow as it is beyond our scope as a developer.” the company said.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
SS1 and Sec 22 folk protest over access road
RESIDENTS of SS1 and Section 22, Petaling Jaya, want assurances that their residential roads would not be used as an access to a 233-unit condominium block that is near completion.
About 200 residents turned up at a demonstration to protest the building of a permanent entrance and exit along Jalan SS1/25.
Section 22 and Kampung Tunku residents association pro tem deputy chairman Abdullah Sani said the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had said the developers were not supposed to use the road as an entrance to the Paramount View Condominium.
“It is a narrow residential road and we would also have problems when the condo is occupied as cars would be parked along the road,” he said.
Residents also expressed concerned when a metal rod fell from the construction site onto the carpark of the Sri Aman Flats.
SS1 resident David Chong said there were cracks in at least four houses fronting the project since construction began.
Sri Aman Flats Residents Association vice- president Ruslan Basri said there were cracks in at least 80 flats.
MBPJ councillor Ramakrishnan Suppiah said the developer had submitted the assessment of damages and would have to repair the houses before completing the condominium.
“Residents also asked for a letter of guarantee to say that their houses are still safe to live in but the developer has not given that,” he said.
Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony PUa said the local authority should not have approved the project in the first place because it was too near the TNB high-tension cables.
“Many projects like the FAS field in Kelana Jaya have been approved and we’re concerned about these developments. The former Matsushita factory in the Free Trade Zone has also been converted for commercial use.
“For projects that have been approved but have yet to start work, we have to make sure the developments won’t affect the quality of life for surrounding residents,” Pua said.
While residents were talking to the media, a fight almost broke out between several residents and the owner of a nursery located on the Tenaga Nasional Berhad reserve land near the condominium.
The nursery owner said he would have to relocate if residents insisted on using Jalan SS1/26 as the entrance to the condominium but declined to comment when asked if he had the licences to operate.
When contacted, a spokesman from the Sri Aman Development Sdn Bhd said the entrance at SS1/25 was just a temporary entrance pending approval to use the TNB reserve land as part of the entrance at SS1/26, as requested by residents.
“The project was approved in 2006 and the initial plans were to have the entrance at SS1/25. We’ve already agreed to move our entrance to SS1/26 but we still have to use SS1/25 as a temporary entrance with a proper structure so that we can handover the units to our buyers.
“Once we’ve obtained approval to use SS1/26, we will modify the structure at our own cost (referring to the concrete wall requested by residents).
“We have all the approvals for our projects and we also have a deadline to meet so the residents can’t make us stop everything just because the government has changed,” he said.
He said they had already agreed to repair the cracks in the affected houses and had submitted the plans to Chong.
“He wanted to get a second opinion from his engineers so we’re waiting for his reply before we start work on the houses,” the spokesman said.
“We apologise for the fallen metal pole. The contractor has taken action against his workers. We’ll rectify any damages,” he said.
About 200 residents turned up at a demonstration to protest the building of a permanent entrance and exit along Jalan SS1/25.
Section 22 and Kampung Tunku residents association pro tem deputy chairman Abdullah Sani said the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had said the developers were not supposed to use the road as an entrance to the Paramount View Condominium.
“It is a narrow residential road and we would also have problems when the condo is occupied as cars would be parked along the road,” he said.
Residents also expressed concerned when a metal rod fell from the construction site onto the carpark of the Sri Aman Flats.
SS1 resident David Chong said there were cracks in at least four houses fronting the project since construction began.
Sri Aman Flats Residents Association vice- president Ruslan Basri said there were cracks in at least 80 flats.
MBPJ councillor Ramakrishnan Suppiah said the developer had submitted the assessment of damages and would have to repair the houses before completing the condominium.
“Residents also asked for a letter of guarantee to say that their houses are still safe to live in but the developer has not given that,” he said.
Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony PUa said the local authority should not have approved the project in the first place because it was too near the TNB high-tension cables.
“Many projects like the FAS field in Kelana Jaya have been approved and we’re concerned about these developments. The former Matsushita factory in the Free Trade Zone has also been converted for commercial use.
“For projects that have been approved but have yet to start work, we have to make sure the developments won’t affect the quality of life for surrounding residents,” Pua said.
While residents were talking to the media, a fight almost broke out between several residents and the owner of a nursery located on the Tenaga Nasional Berhad reserve land near the condominium.
The nursery owner said he would have to relocate if residents insisted on using Jalan SS1/26 as the entrance to the condominium but declined to comment when asked if he had the licences to operate.
When contacted, a spokesman from the Sri Aman Development Sdn Bhd said the entrance at SS1/25 was just a temporary entrance pending approval to use the TNB reserve land as part of the entrance at SS1/26, as requested by residents.
“The project was approved in 2006 and the initial plans were to have the entrance at SS1/25. We’ve already agreed to move our entrance to SS1/26 but we still have to use SS1/25 as a temporary entrance with a proper structure so that we can handover the units to our buyers.
“Once we’ve obtained approval to use SS1/26, we will modify the structure at our own cost (referring to the concrete wall requested by residents).
“We have all the approvals for our projects and we also have a deadline to meet so the residents can’t make us stop everything just because the government has changed,” he said.
He said they had already agreed to repair the cracks in the affected houses and had submitted the plans to Chong.
“He wanted to get a second opinion from his engineers so we’re waiting for his reply before we start work on the houses,” the spokesman said.
“We apologise for the fallen metal pole. The contractor has taken action against his workers. We’ll rectify any damages,” he said.
Punched for doing civic duty
A 23-YEAR-OLD man was assaulted recently when he approached two men and told them not to put up posters advertising money-lending services in SS2, Petaling Jaya.
The incident happened shortly after the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) launched a blitz to remove illegal banners, bunting, posters and wall bills in the city.
“I was doing some grocery shopping when I saw two fair-skinned guys in their 20s putting up the posters on lamp posts, bus stops, and other public amenities around SEA Park and SS2,” said the man who only wanted to be known as Kuah. He was with Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin’s special assistant Richard Yap at the time.
“I tried to reason with them and told them that what they were doing was illegal and improper. One of them got agitated and punched me in the head.
“The guy stopped attacking me when a police patrol car happened to pass by and two police officers tried to diffuse the situation,” he said.
Kuah said the two men continued arguing, claiming that what they were doing was legal and that they had the licence to do it.
Both parties then lodged reports at the Seapark police station.
Kuah said he was accompanied by Yap and five MBPJ councillors.
“Our statements were taken down and the officers said they would investigate the case,” said Kuah, who stressed that the assault would not deter him from performing his civic duties and keep the area free of illegal posters.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San condemned the act and said it was unnecessary to resort to violence on civilians.
“I hope the council’s enforcement officers will buck up and clean up the city soon. If they’re unable to clean the city of such illegal posters, I’ll propose the clean-up campaign which I organised in my constituency to the MBPJ,” Lau said.
He had recently organised a two-month campaign to take down illegal commercial banners in the Kampung Tunku constituency and to empower the people to take care of their area.
Lau said those who wanted to put up posters and buntings around the city should do through the proper channels.
The incident happened shortly after the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) launched a blitz to remove illegal banners, bunting, posters and wall bills in the city.
“I was doing some grocery shopping when I saw two fair-skinned guys in their 20s putting up the posters on lamp posts, bus stops, and other public amenities around SEA Park and SS2,” said the man who only wanted to be known as Kuah. He was with Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin’s special assistant Richard Yap at the time.
“I tried to reason with them and told them that what they were doing was illegal and improper. One of them got agitated and punched me in the head.
“The guy stopped attacking me when a police patrol car happened to pass by and two police officers tried to diffuse the situation,” he said.
Kuah said the two men continued arguing, claiming that what they were doing was legal and that they had the licence to do it.
Both parties then lodged reports at the Seapark police station.
Kuah said he was accompanied by Yap and five MBPJ councillors.
“Our statements were taken down and the officers said they would investigate the case,” said Kuah, who stressed that the assault would not deter him from performing his civic duties and keep the area free of illegal posters.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San condemned the act and said it was unnecessary to resort to violence on civilians.
“I hope the council’s enforcement officers will buck up and clean up the city soon. If they’re unable to clean the city of such illegal posters, I’ll propose the clean-up campaign which I organised in my constituency to the MBPJ,” Lau said.
He had recently organised a two-month campaign to take down illegal commercial banners in the Kampung Tunku constituency and to empower the people to take care of their area.
Lau said those who wanted to put up posters and buntings around the city should do through the proper channels.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Quick Response Team
FROM now on, the Petaling Jaya City Council should be able to patch up a pothole within 48 hours from the moment you inform them of the location.
This is the promise of the council with the launch of the Quick Response Team on Thursday at the MBPJ headquarters. The team headed by the Engineering Department director is made up of three groups dedicated to acting on residents’ complaints. “The team is formed to tackle public complaints while cutting bureaucracy. Each of its members is committed to act on the calls in the shortest time, yet not compromising on the quality and productivity,” said mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman at the launch.
The role of the team is to check cleanliness, monitor the condition of public amenities and facilitate enforcement by looking out for those flouting regulations.
The uniformed team members are always equipped with a sky lift, saw, cleaver, hoe, torchlight, work signage and safety jackets to carry out their duties at once.
The complaints they take care of include flash flood, pothole, uprooted tree/ fallen branch and faulty traffic light.
“Each unit will also make their rounds during working hours to look out for these problems and fix them without waiting for anyone to make a complaint,” he added.
“The team is always ready to be called anytime, especially during weekdays,” he said, adding that the complaints would also be assessed so that they could be dealt with based on the urgency.
He highlighted that the council received 6,835 complaints last year and that 5,903 had been remedied while the rest were being seen to.
The public can forward their complaints by calling the MBPJ 24-hour hotline at 03-7954 2020 or send an SMS by typing mbpj aduan type of complaint to 33733. Complainants will receive acknowledgement of receipt and reference number on the same day.
This is the promise of the council with the launch of the Quick Response Team on Thursday at the MBPJ headquarters. The team headed by the Engineering Department director is made up of three groups dedicated to acting on residents’ complaints. “The team is formed to tackle public complaints while cutting bureaucracy. Each of its members is committed to act on the calls in the shortest time, yet not compromising on the quality and productivity,” said mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman at the launch.
The role of the team is to check cleanliness, monitor the condition of public amenities and facilitate enforcement by looking out for those flouting regulations.
The uniformed team members are always equipped with a sky lift, saw, cleaver, hoe, torchlight, work signage and safety jackets to carry out their duties at once.
The complaints they take care of include flash flood, pothole, uprooted tree/ fallen branch and faulty traffic light.
“Each unit will also make their rounds during working hours to look out for these problems and fix them without waiting for anyone to make a complaint,” he added.
“The team is always ready to be called anytime, especially during weekdays,” he said, adding that the complaints would also be assessed so that they could be dealt with based on the urgency.
He highlighted that the council received 6,835 complaints last year and that 5,903 had been remedied while the rest were being seen to.
The public can forward their complaints by calling the MBPJ 24-hour hotline at 03-7954 2020 or send an SMS by typing mbpj
Monday, February 02, 2009
Cops and residents meet to solve problems
THE Petaling Jaya police force has found that its first Face-to-Face Programme is more effective in reaching out to the public after switching from its monthly Meet-the-People session.
The programme is aimed at providing the community with an opportunity to meet the PJ OCPD and his team to highlight their problems and provide feedback on the police force’s services.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San urged the Federal Government to boost the police force by setting up more police training centres and provide them with better salaries and incentives to encourage them to work with pride and honour.
“Alternatively, the Federal Government can create a separate scheme for the police that differs from civil servants, and attract more graduates to join the police.
“Community policing is something that should be seriously looked into but the problem is the difficulty in getting people to come together as a community.
“We can’t rely on the RAs alone and need to educate people that they can’t demand without contributing,” said Lau.
The programme is aimed at providing the community with an opportunity to meet the PJ OCPD and his team to highlight their problems and provide feedback on the police force’s services.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San urged the Federal Government to boost the police force by setting up more police training centres and provide them with better salaries and incentives to encourage them to work with pride and honour.
“Alternatively, the Federal Government can create a separate scheme for the police that differs from civil servants, and attract more graduates to join the police.
“Community policing is something that should be seriously looked into but the problem is the difficulty in getting people to come together as a community.
“We can’t rely on the RAs alone and need to educate people that they can’t demand without contributing,” said Lau.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Easing Seri Setia’s traffic problem
MORE parking space will be built in Seri Setia as part of efforts to ease traffic problem in the area.
Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San said projects were being carried out to reduce the traffic problems faced by the residents in the new village.
He said the projects included providing more basement parking lots and creating more parking bays in the area.
“We are levelling a field in the neighbourhood to be turned into a parking area. Once completed there will be ample parking place for motorists here,” Lau said.
He was speaking to the press after presenting New Year goodies worth about RM1,500 to the residents of Seri Setia Old Folks Home recently. Also present was PJU MP Tony Pua.
“Basically it goes back to the issue of public transportation. We need an efficient system,” he said.
Passing by the area might be a scary experience for some, especially those who are not familiar with the area or new to driving.
Narrow one-way road system between the houses, made it akin to driving through a labyrinth.
It does not help that residents park their vehicles along the road and the situation is much worse at the commercial area where the shops and the wet market are located.
Lau said nothing much could be done to improve the road system in the area, but there is still room for improvement in terms of parking.
Meanwhile, the Seri Setia Old Folks Home is a shelter for homeless senior citizens aged 65 years and above.
The home provides them with basic necessities including daily meals and accommodation.
Currently it is home to more than 60 residents.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Newbies who did well in 12th GE also win posts in S'gor DAP
PETALING JAYA: Six newcomers in politics – all first-time contestants in the March 8 general election – did well in the Selangor DAP committee election by securing the highest number of votes.
They were Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua (194 votes), Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San (174), Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh (168), Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah (160), Serdang assemblyman Teo Nie Ching (154) and Klang MP Charles Santiago (150).
Of the six, Lau had served as secretary while Yong had served as chairman of the committee prior to the election.
At yesterday’s election, Lau and Yong were returned to their positions with Pua winning the position of deputy chairman.
It is understood that Pua was voted above veteran and Sungai Pinang assemblyman, Teng Chang Khim, who had made a comeback into the committee.
Pua said the injection of new faces and fresh blood was good and hoped the new committee would work well together with unity in mind.
As for the other positions, Santiago and T. Kannan were voted as vice-chairmen, Hannah Yeoh as treasurer and Tee Boon Hock as organising secretary.
A total of 234 delegates out of 291 turned up. Earlier in his speech, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng hit out at the Barisan Nasional government saying that the RM7bil economic stimulus package was insignificant.
“China has announced a package twice its international reserves of US$2tril whereas Malaysia’s fiscal stimulus spending is only 2% of its international reserves.”
Lim proposed that RM50bil be spent instead of RM7bil and that the money be channelled as oil bonuses of RM6,000 a year to households earning less than RM6,000 a month, a progressive reduction of corporate tax from 25% to 17% and a reduction in gas and electricity prices.
They were Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua (194 votes), Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San (174), Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh (168), Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah (160), Serdang assemblyman Teo Nie Ching (154) and Klang MP Charles Santiago (150).
Of the six, Lau had served as secretary while Yong had served as chairman of the committee prior to the election.
At yesterday’s election, Lau and Yong were returned to their positions with Pua winning the position of deputy chairman.
It is understood that Pua was voted above veteran and Sungai Pinang assemblyman, Teng Chang Khim, who had made a comeback into the committee.
Pua said the injection of new faces and fresh blood was good and hoped the new committee would work well together with unity in mind.
As for the other positions, Santiago and T. Kannan were voted as vice-chairmen, Hannah Yeoh as treasurer and Tee Boon Hock as organising secretary.
A total of 234 delegates out of 291 turned up. Earlier in his speech, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng hit out at the Barisan Nasional government saying that the RM7bil economic stimulus package was insignificant.
“China has announced a package twice its international reserves of US$2tril whereas Malaysia’s fiscal stimulus spending is only 2% of its international reserves.”
Lim proposed that RM50bil be spent instead of RM7bil and that the money be channelled as oil bonuses of RM6,000 a year to households earning less than RM6,000 a month, a progressive reduction of corporate tax from 25% to 17% and a reduction in gas and electricity prices.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Record 31 vie for 15 seats in Selangor DAP committee
KUALA LUMPUR: A record 31 candidates, including three MPs and 10 assemblymen, are contesting for seats in the Selangor DAP committee.
The MPs, Charles Anthony San–tiago (Klang), Teo Nie Ching (Ser–dang) and Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara) are contesting for the first time to be among the 15 chosen on Sunday.
The state assemblymen include Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama), Ean Yong Hian Wah (Seri Kembangan), Lau Weng San (Kg Tunku), Lee Ying Ha (Teratai) and M. Manoharan (Kota Alam Shah).
The others are Ng Suee Lim (Sekinchan), Philip Chan Choon Swee (Telok Datuk), Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew (Pandamaran), Teng Chang Khim (Sungai Pinang) and Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan (Subang Jaya).
Party officials said there was more interest in the positions following the party’s recent success in the general election.
Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Balakong state assemblyman Yap Lum Chin withdrew after filing their nominations.
The Selangor DAP convention will be opened by party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng at the Kelana Jaya Community Hall.
Besides Manoharan and Charles Anthony, another five Indians, M. Batumalai, T. Chandra Mohan, T. Kannan, M. Pulanthiran and S. Selvadurai, are also in the fray.
Kannan, who is fluent in Mandarin, is well known among the Chinese and Indian members in Selangor and is also a member of the state’s Pakatan Rakyat council.
The MPs, Charles Anthony San–tiago (Klang), Teo Nie Ching (Ser–dang) and Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara) are contesting for the first time to be among the 15 chosen on Sunday.
The state assemblymen include Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama), Ean Yong Hian Wah (Seri Kembangan), Lau Weng San (Kg Tunku), Lee Ying Ha (Teratai) and M. Manoharan (Kota Alam Shah).
The others are Ng Suee Lim (Sekinchan), Philip Chan Choon Swee (Telok Datuk), Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew (Pandamaran), Teng Chang Khim (Sungai Pinang) and Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan (Subang Jaya).
Party officials said there was more interest in the positions following the party’s recent success in the general election.
Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Balakong state assemblyman Yap Lum Chin withdrew after filing their nominations.
The Selangor DAP convention will be opened by party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng at the Kelana Jaya Community Hall.
Besides Manoharan and Charles Anthony, another five Indians, M. Batumalai, T. Chandra Mohan, T. Kannan, M. Pulanthiran and S. Selvadurai, are also in the fray.
Kannan, who is fluent in Mandarin, is well known among the Chinese and Indian members in Selangor and is also a member of the state’s Pakatan Rakyat council.
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