p 9 – 16 - Selangor Times

Transcription

OR TIMES
SELANG
Petaling
Jaya 5th
anniversary
p
9 – 16
⁄ June 17
– 19, 2011
⁄9
g
PJ growin
from
th
g
n
stre
th
to streng
13.
manin Section
operationsmajor internationalBosch
Other
Panasonic,
Yap
rs such as had their factola also
old ufacture
to other
five years (PJ) and Motorobefore moving
Jaya
hough only
ries in PJ
Alam.
Petaling
as a city, a long way since areas like Shah electro nics boom
has come plantations and
The 1980sthe likes of Western
in
of rubber
inspired their operations
the days
tion also
to place
jungles.
e the populatown Digital
development. governouring
To overcom
the growing factories and of the
in neighb
one
decided
on
has
Besides
PJ
British
es
explosi
ents,
r, the
ment departm rations of institut
Kuala Lumpu
land to settlers. governconcent
to open up the Selangor of the highest learning.
colleges
In 1952, d 1,200 acres
of higher are more than 23 g the
for settleThere
in PJ, includin iment allocate
rubber estate PJ.
universities university, Univers
Effingham giving birth to
and and
Islamic
oldest
country’s ; the International
;
ments, thus catering to traders
campus
Selanr,
lation
Besides Kuala Lumpu
ty Malaya
govern- University matricu
University;
workers from important
Rahman ity; Kolej
moved to PJ.
Univers
Tunku Abdul
gor also
ents
the Pet- Tun Abdul Razak Kolej Bandar
ment departm ts of this –
al
sara Utama;
The remnan Court, Nation
nursand Daman and many more.
High
Utama,
’s first private Asaling Jaya
Depart ment,
– are still
The country is located atin PJ
ment
Registr ation
Depart
college, which also set up
Chemistry Sultan.
y was ing Hospital, was
Jalan
sunta
there on the Federal Highwa
in rapconnec t in the 1960s.
When
resulte d 1997’s
1965 to
has
in
(then
this
All
constru cted and Port Klang PJ
ed
for PJ. From
ham),
growth number has balloon
Kuala Lumpur
after id
Port Swetten
, the
known asblossom. A few years PJ 355,530 ten years later. ne on
to 600,000 another milesto
d
began to this “housing estate”,
outside
PJ reached when it was conferre
opening a industrial hub
city
20, 2006 first non-capital
grew into
re’s June
the
. It is now
Lumpur.
of Kuala late 1950s, SingapoCol- city status, the honour heights.
and
In the
to be given
to greater
Neave (F&N)sia) began
to climb
Fraser and
(Malay cturing poised
gate-Pa lmolive
their manufa
setting up
By Alvin
T
ions to
r
on thei
atulat
Congr
Majlis
ing
n Petal
Perbandara J)
(MPP
Jaya
Interview:
Noraini
Roslan
p
5
Towering
CCTVs keeping
streets clean
p
17
From
June 17 — 19, 2011/ issue 29
community
State executive councillors Iskandar
Samad and Dr Xavier Jeyakumar telling
PJS 1 longhouse residents in Taman
Petaling Utama that they will soon be
provided with low-cost housing.
• Story on page 2
By Alvin Yap
Tender exercise
hits a snag
SHAH ALAM: Local councils seeking to reduce their
expenditure on cleaning services by tendering contracts to
other operators have hit a legal snag.
Waste management concessionaire Alam Flora Sdn Bhd
has obtained a stay pending a court decision on its application to stop local governments from selecting their own
contractors for street cleaning jobs
The company, which handles solid waste management in
the central and eastern regions of West Malaysia, wants the
Shah Alam High Court to review the state government’s
plan to return the power of choosing contractors for cleaning services
to councils and municipalities.
The review also seeks to challenge the power of local governments to carry out the state’s directive.
The leave for the judicial review
for a hearing was filed on June 10,
while the stay notices were served
on the 11 local governments in SeLegal Adviser on Tuesday to decide
langor last Monday.
Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) and Shah on the state's response.
Alam Flora’s move to seek a court
Alam (MBSA) as well as the municipal councils of Subang Jaya review comes after Khalid’s an(MPSJ), Klang (MPK), Kajang nouncement that the state will hand
(MPKj) and Selayang (MPS) were over cleaning services from Alam
among the local governments that Flora to local councils.
In April, Khalid had said the
received the notices.
Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Tan move was to return to the original
Sri Khalid Ibrahim met the State practice of local governments being
responsible for the cleanliness of
their respective councils.
Prior to 1998, local councils
handled their own cleanliness and
maintenance tasks before they were
given to Alam Flora under a privatisation exercise.
The move is expected to save up
to RM20 million annually on commission fees. MPK made history
this year when it announced a
RM10 million surplus in its 2010
budget after taking over garbage
management last year.
According to MPK's Environment Department director Wan
Mohd Sufian, they have saved RM5
million since they began running
their own garbage management
operations.
The move, however, does not affect Alam Flora's garbage collection
and disposal operations.
Meanwhile, MBSA councillor
Ang Leng Kiat said the council had
already chosen 10 contractors to
clean the streets of Section 4, 7, 14,
15 and 25 as well as U6, U8 and U9
here.
“The contractors have been
briefed on the latest turn of events.
We will continue with the exercise
of running our own cleaning services,” Ang said.
However, MPS has decided to
wait for a state directive, said councillor Eric Tan. He explained that as
MPS had not begun its open tender
exercise, it could wait for feedback
from Shah Alam.
MPK councillor Lim Lip Suan
confirmed that the municipality’s
environment committee had also
received the stay notice.
“Essentially, the stay tells us to
stop selecting our own contractors,”
Lim said.
He pointed out that MPK had
yet to vet their long list of contractors, but did not disclose what further action the council would take
in response to Alam Flora’s latest
move.
According to a MBPJ councillor
who declined to be identified, the
city council will continue to shortlist its contractors to handle streetcleaning services. It will continue to
do so unless it receives an order from
the state telling MBPJ otherwise.
2
news
June 17 — 19, 2011
Selangor
wants full
disclosure
by AELB on
radiation leak
SHAH ALAM: Selangor is calling on the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) to disclose details of the
radiation leak at a radiopharmaceutical company which
contaminated four workers on June 2.
Elizabeth Wong said news about the incident has caused
concern among the public, and various parties had contacted her office to express their concern while seeking
more information.
“Unfortunately, efforts by my office to obtain detailed
information about the incident from AELB were unsuccessful. They could only assure us that the situation was
under control and back to normal,” said the state executive
councillor.
On Wednesday, Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister Maximus Ongkili was quoted in AFP as saying
that AELB ordered the pharmaceutical company in Subang
to stop operations.
Wong, whose portfolio includes environment and consumer affairs, said in the interest of safeguarding the
public, the state should have been notified without delay.
She said pertinent information about the location of
the factory, the type of radioactive material, and updates
on the latest situation should have also been disclosed to
the public.
She urged both the AELB and Putrajaya to be forthcoming with the public as well as the state in order for all
concerned to have a clear picture of the incident.
“A culture of transparency should be practised by all
levels of government, especially in a situation that could
potentially involve public safety,” said Wong.
She added that resorting to secrecy only increases
panic among the public, which is exactly what should not
be done when faced with such a situation.
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EDITORIAL
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WRITERS
DESIGNERS
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PJS1 tent dwellers to
get affordable housing
Residents listening to executive councilors Iskandar and Dr Xavier during the briefing.
Selangor WEATHER
By Alvin Yap
petaling jaya: Three families in
PJS1, who are living in tents where their
village once stood, have been assured by
the state of proper housing at nearby
low-cost flats.
Iskandar Samad met the residents,
formerly of Kampung Muniandi,
whose homes were demolished in 2000
to make way for development.
The state executive councillor said
they would be able to move in within
seven days.
Wheelchair-bound V Mahalingam,
60, and his nearly blind wife T Selvi, 53,
were among three families who opted for
tents when their temporary longhouse
was also demolished last week.
“You just need to wait for the electrical wiring to be completed, then you
can move in,” Iskandar told them yesterday.
Iskandar, whose portfolio includes
housing and squatters, also met with
representatives of 130 former villagers
who have been living in transit homes
in Lembah Subang for the past eight
years.
The villagers have been left in the
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Morning
Afternoon
Night
lurch because low-cost homes that were
promised to them have yet to be completed.
As part of the deal to acquire the Indian-majority village, developer Peter’s
Brickworks Sdn Bhd had promised to
build a low-cost flat for them to move
into by 2003.
They were settled in wooden longhouses pending the construction of their
low-cost flats, but they remain in the
temporary housing due to a court injunction obtained by nearby bungalow residents, who objected to having a low-cost
high-rise in their backyard.
Iskandar is proposing for the block of
affordable – as opposed to low-cost –
flats to be built at an alternate location
near a vernacular school to accommodate the villagers.
“You’ll get to stay in an affordable
housing scheme that is more comfortable
as it has a larger built-up area,” said Iskandar.
He added that residents will only pay
RM35,000 and not RM70,000 for the
homes, which should be ready within
two years.
Elimination
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SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ June 17 – 19, 2010 ⁄ 3
News
Councils need police
backup to be effective
By Alvin Yap
SUBANG JAYA: Local councils in Selangor have refuted allegations that they turn a
blind eye to illegal massage centres in the
state, pointing out that joint raids are conducted regularly with police.
While the councils go about issuing summonses to illegal massage operators, they are
unable to prosecute the offenders in court.
More often than not, the offenders return
to their activities in different areas after receiving fines.
“We conduct Ops Bersepadu operations
with police, the Selangor Islamic Affairs
Department ( Jais), Immigration, and the
National Anti-Drug Agency regularly,” said
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) press
officer Zainun Zakaria yesterday.
“But these operations do not seem to be
enough to stop the illegal massage centres,”
she added.
Selangor police chief Datuk Tun Hamzah
was reported on Thursday as saying that local
councils had themselves to blame for their
“own failure to crack down on illegal massage, spa and reflexology centres”.
But Zainun said since May 31 this year,
MBPJ’s Enforcement Department had already carried out 138 joint operations with
the authorities, including police, on such
centres.
She said 211 premises were fined for various offences, and 20 have had their premises
sealed for repeat offences.
Zainun said offenders were also fined for
operating without licences.
Neighbouring council Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) backed MBPJ.
MPSJ president Datuk Asmawi Kasbi said
joint raids are often conducted with police
and other agencies, but the newly minted
council president said more police presence
during raids is needed so that suspects will
be prosecuted.
Without police presence, MPSJ is unable
to do more other than issue fines as councils
do not have power to conduct arrests, he said.
As of May, MPSJ issued 30 compound
fines and closed eight premises for flouting
licensing guidelines.
“They were offering full body massages in
closed rooms. The rooms have to be opened,”
Asmawi explained.
The municipality utilises a similar by-law
that MBPJ uses to regulate business operations offering health and beauty services.
Meanwhile, Klang Municipal Council
(MPK) acting president Mohd Ehsan Mukri
said illegal massage centres are not rampant
in Klang.
He said there were currently 45 legal massage centres in Klang, and a freeze on new licenses has been in force for the past five years.
“Of course, we monitor legal outlets to
ensure they follow regulations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Selangor state executive councilor Ronnie Liu said yesterday there are only
292 legal massage centres in Selangor, and all
were approved before 2006.
Liu said councils have not issued any new
licences since then.
MB congratulates
Selangor’s Sukma squad
SHAH ALAM: Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim congratulated the state contingent on their
impressive performance in the recent Sukma Games.
Selangor won 26 gold, 20 silver and 28 bronze medals to finish second in the annual
competition from June 2-12.
“I congratulate those who managed to achieve success. For those who have not, don’t
give up because even sports records that have been set can always be broken,” said the
Menteri Besar.
Khalid, in a press release on Monday ( June 13), praised Selangor’s contingent of 412
athletes and officials for showing unwavering commitment.
A dinner to honour the contingent will be held at Khalid’s residence in Shah Alam
tonight ( June 17).
Woman town
planner to
helm MDKS
SHAH ALAM: On July 1,
Noraini Roslan will assume the
helm at the Kuala Langat District Council (MDKS) as president, marking the first time a
woman has been selected to
lead a council in Selangor (see
interview on page 5).
“Noraini accepted the position last week, and I’m confident she will carry out her responsibilities with efficiency,
transparency and with competence,” said Tan Sri Khalid
Ibrahim.
The Menteri Besar said the
selection of the 46-year-old
civil servant proves that the
state is committed to gender
equality and empowerment of
women, along with meritocracy.
“Our policy is that women
should be be given equal opportunity as men based on
their ability and qualification,”
he said.
Her selection was based on
her experience as planning director with the Klang Municipal and Petaling Jaya city councils for the past 21 years, as well
as academic qualifications.
Khalid pointed out that local government presidents
need to know the ins and outs
of town planning, and the state
believes Noraini possesses these
abilities.
He added that the state
welcomes professional officers
like Noraini who could improve policies and agendas.
4
NEWS
JUNE 17 — 19, 2011
EVENTS
Cyberjaya Green Ride
Cyberview Sdn Bhd is calling everyone to
swap cars for bicycles at their first Cyberjaya
Green Ride, which will take place tomorrow
(June 18). Ten categories will be open to all
cycling enthusiasts of all ages, with categories
ranging from a 200m tricycle dash for children
to an adventurous 84km ride. There will also
be a bicycle exhibition and a cycling clinic by
technical experts, plus RM14,000 up for grabs.
For more details and registration, contact 0173346469 (Ellie) or 012-6794565 (Nuraihana).
Bersih 2.0 launch
Bersih 2.0 will be having a launch event to
gather support from all political parties and nongovernmental organisations. Come show your
support for a fair and clean election on Sunday
(June 19) at the main hall of Kuala Lumpur
and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, 1 Jalan
Maharajalela Kampung Attap, Kuala Lumpur.
The event will be from 8.30pm-10.30pm. For
information, call 016-4898224.
Organic Day
The Centre for Environment, Technology
and Development Malaysia (Cetdem) will be
hosting its seventh Hari Organik on June 25
at Tesco, Kepong Village Mall, Kuala Lumpur.
This event will focus on the importance of
raising awareness on environmental issues and
promote the organic lifestyle. Highlights include
demonstrations and talks on organic gardening
and “green” activities to educate the young.
Admission is free. Guests are encouraged to
bring own food and drink containers, cutlery
and shopping bags. For information, 0162195826 or visit www.cetdem.org.my.
Cycle for Health
The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ)
is promoting healthy lifestyle through cycling.
This 10-15km ride is a monthly event, and falls
on the last Sunday of every month begining
April. The route begins at MPSJ field and
travels through Persiaran Kewajipan, Persiaran
Kemajuan, Persatuan Tujuan and ends at MPSJ.
Everyone aged 12 and above is encouraged
to participate. The next cycling slot will be on
June 26. For information, call MPSJ’s Public
Relations department at 03-80264469.
Open day & fashion show
The Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) will be
having their open day on Saturday (July 2), at
MIA multipurpose hall, 294-299, Jalan Bandar
11, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, from
9.30am-4pm.
Extended counseling will commence from July
30-Aug 28, Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm and
weekends from 9.30am-4pm.
In addition, the Textile and Fashion Design
Diploma Show 2011 featuring selected artworks by students will be held from until July
7 at the MIA Art Gallery at the same address.
The gallery is open from Mondays to Fridays
from 11am-5pm and on Saturdays from 11am1pm. Admission is free. For information, call
03-41088100 or visit www.mia.edu.my.
Durian for charity
Jom Durian is back for their fourth We Ate
for Charity fest at Subang Parade. For RM20
per person, durian lovers will get to feast on
as much durian as they can for an hour. The
highlight of this year’s event will be the six
tonnes of durian brought in from the foothills
of Mantin, Negeri Sembilan. The event will take
place on July 3 with a maximum of 300 pax per
hourly session. For more details, call Subang
Parade at 03-50329778.
Congestion fears
over condo project
By Basil Foo
AMPANG: A 37-storey condominium project here has come under
fire by residents fearing traffic congestion caused by indiscriminate parking.
“The main entrance to the twoblock condominium leads to Jalan
Melur Utama, which is not a very
wide road to begin with,” said K
Selvakumar.
The Zone 23 residents committee
deputy chairperson said the two-lane
road connects more than 2,000
houses from Taman Melur Phase 1 to
3 and Taman Saga with the main road.
He said residents fear a repeat of
traffic problems encountered with
previous projects when condominium
residents chose to park outside their
building.
“There was a project in Cheras The condominium project on the left, beside the narrow Jalan Melur Utama. Taman
Baru where residents would rather Melur Phase 3 is in the background.
park outside and cause traffic congestion than pay to park inside the condo,” he said.
“I do not agree
He said residents of landed properties around the condo- with the entrance
minium would suffer the most as they have to deal with daily being there as I
traffic jams.
understand the
Selvakumar, who visited the project site on Monday ( June [residents’] wor13), said residents had objected to the development four years ries about traffic
ago.
cong estion,” he
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) councillor Mo- said.
hamad Samat also visited the site.
He suggested
“I will be rechecking the approval for this project with MPAJ’s relocating the enengineering department,” he said.
trance to Jalan
Mohamad added that he would bring up the residents’ com- Putra Utama , a
plaints in their full-board meeting next week.
larger main road,
He said should the project proceed without objection, he which would enwould request for the condominium’s main entrance to be s ur e s m o o t h e r
Selvakumar (right) and Mohamad.
relocated.
traffic flow.
Selpex racks up RM150m
in property sales
By William Tan
SHAH ALAM: Selangor’s Property and Lifestyle Expo
2011 (Selpex 2011) has racked up property sales worth about
RM150 million.
The three-day expo at the Shah Alam Convention Centre
(SACC) from June 10-12 showcased RM3 billion worth of
real estate.
“This is the second year we are hosting this event, and we
are pleased with the response, especially as we had an increase
of exhibitors from 30 to 40,” said SACC chief executive officer Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad.
The exhibitors included Sime Darby Property, Naza
TTDI, and Selangor State Development Corporation
(PKNS), which was the platinum sponsor for Selpex.
The expo also hosted a number of exhibitors in related
industries, including interior design, landscaping and furniture.
Visitors also received financial advice from banks like
HSBC, Maybank and CIMB.
There were also exhibitors promoting lifestyle products
such as Jakel Trading, which deals in clothing, and Leisure
Holidays, which offers holiday packages.
The event was graced by renowned international environmental activist Matthias Gelber.
“These expos give consumers a sense of competitiveness
among developers, and the option to pick and choose the
best products,” said Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
Othman Haji Omar, chairperson of the Selangor State
Development Corporation, and Menteri Besar Tan Sri
Khalid Ibrahim receiving a gift at the expo on June 11.
The Menteri Besar, who launched the event last Saturday,
added that the participation of PKNS was in line with its
efforts to stay competitive in the face of competition from
the private sector.
Interview
Noraini Roslan:
Madam President
By Basil Foo
K
uala Selangor District Council’s (MDKS) newly minted
president, Noraini Roslan
talks to Selangor Times about being the first woman to helm a local
government.
The former Petaling Jaya City
Council (MBPJ) town planning
director relates her feelings about
the “surprise” appointment, her
experiences with local government
so far, and what she plans to bring
to the table at her new job.
Can you tell us about your appointment as MDKS president
and how you felt about it?
I was personally offered the
MDKS president job by Tan Sri
Khalid Ibrahim. The offer definitely surprised me because I don’t
come from an administration background. I don’t have a degree in
public administration.
What was your career in local
government like?
I was in MBPJ since Sept 1, last
year. I started my career in 1989
in the Klang Municipal Council
(MPK) as a Graduate Services Officer. You probably haven’t heard of
it before. At the time of the economic
crisis, they didn’t have new positions,
so for purposes of training and getting experience, government departments opened new posts. They only
paid RM500 a month!
I took the post for a year, then
was contracted as a town planning
officer before being absorbed as a
permanent staff. I then became the
town planning director in 1992.
I also held the same position in
MBPJ. My experience has mostly
been in town planning. But if my
past 21 years of experience in public
office is taken into account, all the
issues, problems, advantages and
disadvantages of local government
– I’ve been through it all.
Do you think your gender was a
factor in your appointment?
You might have to ask the Menteri Besar why he chose a woman to
be the president (grins). I think he
wanted someone who has technical
qualifications, in the hopes that they
could do better at the job by knowing its technical aspects.
In my opinion, God made
men and women with their own
strengths. We can’t say men think
more rationally and women think
more emotionally. I find that after
working for more than 20 years, the
balance of rational and emotional
has been harmonised.
For me, a leader should have
intelligence, integrity, and emotional maturity. The benefits of appointing a woman, however, could
be in the aspect of sensitivity and
thoroughness of work. But mostly it
depends on the individual.
June 17 — 19, 2011
5
Name: Noraaini Roslan
Date of birth: Nov 20, 1964
Place of birth: Klang, Selangor
Education:
1981 – Sekolah Seri Puteri, KL
985 – Bachelor of Science (Magna cum
1
Laude) Urban and Regional Planning, East Carolina
University, USA
988 – Master of Regional Planning, University of
1
North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
What is your vision for Kuala drains and parks, which they can do
Selangor, or the direction you in-house if they have the [human
plan to steer it in?
resources], or appoint contractors
Every region in Selangor has its if it is more economical.
own role to play, and different reSo apart from taxes, we should
gions can’t overlap each other’s roles. look into development. If more
Kuala Selangor can play a comple- industrial areas are planned, we have
mentary role in Selangor’s develop- to see what kind of incentives we can
ment. We have to look at its unique give for factories to move in.
strengths such as tourism, farming,
We could also look at Kuala
fishing, wetlands, historical areas, Selangor as a pro-environment
and new housing developments. I and tourism district and generate
foresee it would be a balancing act revenue from that. There are many
between environmental conserva- different ways to generate income.
tion and new developments.
We could focus on the develop- What will be your first order of
ment of tourism, farming, and fish- business? What do you aim to
ing; basically the economic aspects. achieve in your first six months
In the area of township develop- on the job?
ments, I can see some areas with
When anybody comes into a new
potential to be new growth areas, place, first is housecleaning. I want
for example Puncak Alam and the to see if the existing objectives and
southern areas; more so if the West KPI have been achieved, or how far
Coast Expressway, which is now still away we are from the target.
in the tender stage, is completed.
Secondly is financial manage- cies that have interest in coastal
I believe most developments ment, if the money we have is used in management to work together.
will be focused along coastal cor- priority areas, even if we don’t have People have to work together and
ridors and another corridor which enough. The important thing is to see to the interest of all stakeholders
connects east and west: from Bukit do what people expect local councils in the coastal areas.
Jelutong to Ijok and Batu Arang, to do. People don’t care about frills.
In coastal areas, there are ports,
bordering Sabak Berfisher[folk], ships, and
nam. The Kuala Seltourism activities. As
angor local plan has
In my opinion, God made
a large part of Kuala
also been amended
Selangor are coastal
men and women with their own
to include more areas
areas fronting the sea,
strengths.
We
can’t
say
men
think
for development comthere would be the
more rationally and women think
pared to the previous
same issues.
more emotionally. I find that after
plan, which was more
Right now, who’s
working for more than 20 years, the taking care of the
limited.
mangroves, the small
balance of rational and emotional
What are some of
fisher[folk]? What
has been harmonised”
the challenges you
will happen to areas
foresee as MDKS president?
Then we have to look for other open for development, and how
I was given early notice that the sources of income like development. much area will be conserved? If
financial resources might not be Since it is my expertise, my aim will we are looking into economical
enough to sustain expenditure. I was be focused development, too.
benefit, how would we balance that
made to understand we have a shortwith environmental sustainability?
age in resources for domestic waste What projects were you involved Those are the lessons I learned from
management. So maybe my chal- in previously that could be useful Klang that I can bring to Kuala
lenge will be to balance expenditure. in preparing you for your job as Selangor.
If expenditure for management MDKS president?
Other than that, as a town planalready covers a large part of the
When I was in Klang, I was in a ner, looking at the long-term strabudget, not enough will go to de- project committee that dealt with tegic plan for the district, I would
velopment. So I would have to look integrated coastal management, earmark areas for development,
for new sources of income to sustain which is a programme the state and reserve areas for environmental
management expenses and increase established together with an arm of conservation. This was part of my
development.
the United Nations – Partnerships in previous job which I can easily adopt
Even at state level, we have bro- Environmental Management for the to my new job. I would say those two
ken the waste-management duties Seas of East Asia, whose headquarters are my strengths.
into two. Alam Flora will focus on is in Manila.
domestic waste, while each local
What this programme tries to Can you tell us a little about your
council will take over cleaning con- achieve is firstly, on the legislation background?
tracts like cutting grass, and cleaning side, to coordinate among the agenI was born and raised in Klang.
My parents and grandparents
were also from the same area.
My higher education was in the
United States.
It’s different from the usual
town planner training. Since we
can be said to be a Commonwealth
country, town planners usually
receive their training in Britain and
Australia. But I was among the first
batches to be sent to America. That
has changed my perspective in a lot
of things.
The conventional town planner
training is usually focused more
on design. But in the US, we were
trained to be all-rounded, with an
emphasis on the environment. The
design component is left to the
architect to do. What we learnt
was to integrate environment and
economic planning.
I majored in housing for my
Bachelor’s degree, and in economic
and community development for
my Master’s.
Do you have any parting words?
I’ve been given two weeks for
my transition to go to MDKS. I’ll
probably spend a few days communicating with the officers there
before moving in to my new offices.
I loved being in PJ. I came across
many challenges, learnt a lot of
things, and hopefully imparted
useful things here. I’ll handle the
transition on my own time. Till my
last day, I’ll still be working in PJ.
6
NEWS
June 17 — 19, 2011
SS2 bridal shops to be licensed
in two years
By Alvin Yap
PETALING JAYA: Unlicensed bridal
shops in SS2 here will receive commercial status
for them to operate in the residential enclave.
The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ)
plans to legalise the bridal galleries with a set
of guidelines that will change the land status
to “limited commercial” usage.
“MBPJ will look into converting the
bridal galleries with a Special Area Plan so that
they can operate inside a residential zone,”
Datuk Roslan Sakiman told Selangor Times
recently.
The mayor said the proposed conversion
will utilise guidelines under the PJ Local Plan
and will ensure that only “retail-type” industries can operate next to residential lots.
He pointed out that the business operations
must be small scale, use limited parking space,
and, most importantly, be non-polluting.
This essentially means that the bridal shops
can continue to operate on the busy main
roads of Jalan SS2/55, Jalan SS2/71 and Jalan
SS2/75.
The move comes in the wake of proposals
from local councillors who want to see the
boutiques equalling that of their rivals on Jalan
Ipoh in Kuala Lumpur.
Last month, councillor Tony Cheong said
he supported the initiative to legalise the galleries and studios in SS2.
He said the landlords must convert the
property to commercial status before the
business operators can apply and secure a
business licence.
According to Cheong, the houses on the
main roads in question are no longer fit for
habitation as they are affected by dust and
noise pollution.
Converting them for commercial operations would also fetch higher assessment rates
as well as rental for the landlords.
Currently, property owners face a
RM10,000 to RM15,000 fine for renting out
residential units for commercial use.
Commercial operators face fines for illegal
trading and advertisement, and for obstructing five-foot ways.
As of April this year, 65 compound fines,
each costing RM250, were issued to the
bridal shops.
Row of bridal houses in SS2.
“The Sustainable Development committee will sit to approve the project,” Roslan
further said.
MBPJ will then hold a series of public
hearings to listen to parties who support or
oppose the land conversion.
Roslan said the proposal must have
unanimous support from the public for it to
be pushed through to the state government
for a final decision.
“The whole process will take two years to
Elderly to enjoy more privileges By Brenda Ch’ng
SHAH ALAM: Senior citizens registered with Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE) will
soon get cash vouchers to help
cope with inflation. The new scheme is to enhance the state welfare programme to help people in their
golden years.
Rodziah Ismail said the
state in i ti a l l y a l l o cate d
RM2,500 to help families of
the elderly bear their funeral
expenses. Now RM1,000 will
be allocated for programmes,
including food vouchers, for
those registered under the
scheme.
“They can can enjoy part
of [the allocation] now while
they are still alive,” said Rodziah.
The state executive councillor for welfare said the aim is
to engage seniors and entertain
them with events, instead of
just giving them RM1,000 to
spend on their own.
She wants to reach out to all
seniors, especially those in the
outskirts of town who do not
know about SMUE, and bring
them out for beneficial social
outings.
There are only 170,000
registered applicants in Selangor, but Rodziah hopes this
figure will reach 250,000 after
the change to the programme.
Most unregistered seniors
are either living in the outskirts
or are clueless about this programme.
“The events will be conducted in phases over the course
of maybe one, two years. We are
now still deciding which events
will be most enjoyable for seniors,” Rodziah said.
Rodziah Ismail
To help enhance the decision of events, a door-to-door
survey will be conducted with
registered SMUE participants.
Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd
will be conducting the interviews with a series of questions
focusing on what events the
seniors want.
The results of these surveys
will be revealed in August, and
Rodziah hopes to get the ball
rolling and launch the events
by the end of the year.
“We are targeting to engage
the seniors in educational activities like health activities,
gardening, or even cooking
classes,” she said.
Currently, the only approved event is Jom ke Supermarket, which will be launched
next month.
The state will be working
with hypermarkets Tesco, Giant and Econsafe to come up
with a list of nutritional foods
and get them subsidised for the
seniors to purchase.
Transportation will be provided, but participants are also
encouraged to bring their relatives along and turn it into a
family event.
The participants will be
sorted in batches in accordance
with celebrations and festivals.
For example, the first batch
will be the Malays, in conjunction with Hari Raya in August.
“Everyone will get a chance
to be part of this shopping
event. Even seniors who sign
up next year will just have to
wait to be slotted into a batch.
We will try not to exclude anyone,” said Rodziah.
Participants will be able to
purchase the items with a cash
voucher worth RM100 after
listening to a talk on healthy
living.
“We want the seniors of
Selangor to lead a healthier
lifestyle. That is the aim of the
event, to educate the seniors on
eating healthy,” said Rodziah.
As RM100 will be used for
this event, the remaining
RM900 will be used for future
events.
However, Rodziah pointed
out the RM100 will be added
on to the RM1,500 for funeral
expenses if the seniors are not
interested in joining Jom ke
Supermarket.
“It will be their choice. We
will not take away their money.
We will return it to them if they
choose not to join us for the
social events,” Rodziah said.
Likewise for future events,
seniors can decide to opt out,
but their money will remain
and not be deducted, she said.
complete. It will consist of drawing up draft
plans, holding hearings and gathering public
feedback,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, there is “amnesty” for the
existing bridal shops to continue operating.
However, new bridal shops are not allowed
to open in SS2 as this would be illegal.
Roslan said MBPJ will continue to monitor the existing bridal shops, and will investigate complaints and take necessary action
against them.
State orders review of Felda
settlements
SHAH ALAM: A review of the law establishing the Federal Land Development
Authority (Felda) is being conducted in the
interest of the 10,000 settlers in Selangor.
The state on Tuesday set up the Selangor Felda Taskforce to scrutinise the
outdated Group Settlement Arrears Act
1960 (GSA).
“The purpose of our Felda taskforce is
to study what steps the state government
can take to ensure that our Selangor Felda
community gets the most out of their efforts,” said Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
The Menteri Besar, who was speaking
after a panel discussion on improving the
fate of Felda settlers on Tuesday, said the
review was long overdue.
“The Act came into force in 1960, and
since then much has changed. That is why
we need to revisit it. Are the settlers
truly benefiting from these schemes?”
asked Khalid.
Lawyer Sivarasa Rasiah said preliminary studies on the GSA showed that a
section of the law stipulated that the state
has the power to appoint alternative development agencies other than Felda.
“The Act allows the state, in consultation with the minister, to stipulate the
terms where Felda status can cease. We will
study and discuss further the GSA, especially with the settlers,” said the Subang MP.
Felda was enacted on July 1, 1956 under the Land Development Ordinance
1956 to modernise agricultural activities.
The scheme’s goal was to eradicate rural
poverty among farmers by allocating large
tracts of land for them to farm and develop.
Felda setlements were also created to
remove the farmers from Communist
influence and control at the height of the
Emergency.
However, over the years, numerous
criticisms have been levelled against
Felda by the settlers, who claim that the
agency deals with them unfairly.
Sivarasa Rasiah
In August
last year, the
Te m e r l o h
Hig h Court
found Felda
guilty of cheating some 353
settlers of Felda Kemahang
3 over the
grade of their
oil palm fruit,
and ordered
the agency to
pay RM11 million.
Land activist Suhaimi Said pointed out
that the state must also be consulted on
policy, management and creation of bylaws for Felda operations.
Suhaimi is a Parti Keadilan Rakyat
(PKR) Felda Community and Orang
Asal bureau chairperson,n whose team
has conducted studies with land lawyers
and activists.
“There are some 380,180 hectares of
land surrendered by the states for Felda
plantations. However, the operations are
against GSA and do not follow the law,”
he claimed during the debate.
He said if Felda operations were violating GSA law, the state could regain administrative control of the parcels of land.
Suhaimi said some of the Felda policies
were unfair.
He pointed to contractual agreements
that compelled settlers to sell their oil
palm harvest to Felda factories, and not
to an open market where they could fetch
higher prices.
He also claimed that Felda was charging settlers high rental to occupy and till
the land.
Suhaimi said the GSA should be
amended to deal with issues of ownership,
inheritance, land administration and
management.
NEWS
JUNE 17 — 19, 2011
Frustration over flash floods
in Puchong
By Basil Foo
PUCHONG: Heavy rains have not been
enough to cool off residents left fuming over
longstanding problems with flash floods in
Taman Puchong.
“We have been experiencing flooding for
the past 20 to 30 years, every time there is only
an hour of rain. The most recent was on June
8,” said Patrick Gan, 50.
He said water levels could reach chest
level, and blamed the floods on the absence of
a proper drainage in the area.
About 30 residents came out for a meeting
with the press last Saturday to vent their frustration.
“I fell and hit the back of my head after a
flood five years ago made the floor in my house
slippery,” said Chin Kok Peng.
The 72-year-old retiree said furniture
worth RM5,000 had been destroyed, and
claimed residents in the area were even refused insurance coverage due to the frequency of floods.
He conceded that the current situation had
improved after the drainage system in the area
was upgraded, but they nevertheless remained
unsatisfied with the issue.
“We were told our land is very low and that
nothing can be done to solve this problem,”
said Chin.
Long-time resident Philomena David, 76,
who moved here four decades ago, said she
was involuntarily house-bound due to fears of
flash foods. “I can’t go for holidays as I stay alone. If I
get a call that my house is flooded, I would
have to rush back,” she said.
Resident Simon Sin blamed the Subang
Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) for dragging
their feet.
“MPSJ is not solving the problem completely. They keep upgrading the drains, but Residents calling for longstanding flooding issues to be solved.
there are still floods,” said the 58-year-old
insurance agent.
chairperson Wong Hock Aun, who urged
Another factor that could have contribHe revealed that about 20 homes were af- MPSJ to hire a consultant to identify and solve uted to the recent flood was collapsed drains,
fected in the most recent downpour.
the cause of the flooding problem.
also closer to the highway.
During the public gathering, the residents
When contacted, MPSJ councillor Pooi
“I will wait for the Engineering Departwere advised to form a committee and hold a Weng Keong said initial investigations a day ment before coordinating with Kesas on how
meeting with MPSJ to resolve the matter.
after the flooding occurred revealed rubbish to solve the problem,” he said.
“The source of flooding, cost of remedial clogging the drains.
Pooi also said he would check with the
works, and timeframe for solving the problem
“The drains from this residential area are Town Planning Department if new developshould be looked into by MPSJ,” said Kuan connected to the main drains for the nearby ments in the area could have overloaded the
Chee Heng.
Kesas highway. The clogs were found closer to housing area’s drain capacity.
The Puchong Public Complaints Bureau the latter,” he said.
He defended the council by saying the
head called on the local council not to wait
He advised residents not to contribute to drains in Taman Puchong were upgraded last
until there is a loss of life before taking action. the problem and to refrain from throwing year, and he had not received any complaints
Also at the meeting was Puchong MCA rubbish into the drains.
about floods until the June 8 incident.
Lower water rates
for Angsana residents
Residents at the launch of the free water programme.
By Brenda Ch’ng
SUBANG JAYA: Residents of the
Angsana low-cost flats in USJ 1 will
enjoy lower rates for water, thanks to
cash coupons from the state to help them
subsidise their bills.
Residents will each enjoy a subsidy of
RM11.40 a month which will be deducted from their bills.
“I’m so thankful for this. With all the
prices going up, including electricity, my
family is being burdened with bills,” said
Noraini Mohammad.
The 29-year-old housewife said her
husband’s income is no longer sufficient
to feed her family of five children and
pay bills.
With her monthly water bill averaging RM25-RM30, she will be paying less
from next month. The cash voucher was presented to
eight representatives of each block by
Iskandar Abdul Samad.
“I hope this huge sum will help residents who are in debt to settle their bills,”
7
said the state executive councillor for
housing. The representatives will hand over the
vouchers to the flat developers who manage the bulk water meters for all 1,920
units.
With each unit receiving a subsidy of
RM11.40, there will be a deduction
RM21,888 from the bulk meter every
month. Iskandar pointed out that residents should also enjoy the 20 cubic
metres of free water which are given to
all houses in Selangor.
“But they have not been benefiting
because they do not have individual
meters. So we have to give them free
water by presenting cash vouchers to all
flats separately,” he said. Joining him at the launch of the free
water programme on Monday was Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ)
councillor Roslan Shahir.
Roslan is working with MPSJ to
identif y other residents who need
subsidies.
Action on contractors
over cracked walls
PETALING JAYA: A stop-work
order will be sought for a construction
site in SS5D as cracks in nearby homes
have gone unrepaired despite promises
made by the contractor.
The contractor was supposed to repair cracks in the floors and walls of
nearby homes caused by piling works.
“As the developers still haven’t fulfilled the requirements after saying they
would, I will contact the Petaling Jaya
mayor to get them to stop operations,”
said Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Seri Setia assemblyperson said
the requirements were set after a meet- Mohd Zuki (left) showing a crack on the outside wall
ing he attended with the residents, de- of his house. Looking on are Shanker (second left), Nik
veloper, and the Petaling Jaya City Nazmi (second right) and other residents.
Council (MBPJ) early this year.
He said this during a site visit with residents blocked the residential road which caused serious
to the homes affected by the construction works. traffic congestion outside our houses,” he said.
Single mother-of-five Zalibah Ali complained
Palasingam, who has been living on Jalan
that cracks started appearing in her home about SS5D/6 for 30 years, said the jam during peak
three months ago, and have become increas- hours was so serious that residents could not even
ingly wider.
reverse out of their homes.
“The developers came to check only the outThe construction site has also been faulted by
side of my house. They haven’t started repairing residents for being a health hazard and breeding
the cracks yet,” said the 54-year-old, who has been ground for Aedes mosquitoes.
living here for 23 years.
“Lorries that load soil at the site are not covResident Mohd Zuki Che Dollah, whose ered, which causes a lot of dust to be contaminate
home is closest in the housing row to the con- the air,” said Mohamad Daud, 60.
struction site, said he has found four major cracks
SS5D RT Objection Committee secretary
so far.
Shanker Menon also claimed that a member of
“So far I know of four houses which have the RT caught dengue five months ago despite
cracks. There could be more, but the residents weekly fogging at the construction site.
have not come out to complain,” said the 44-yearIt is learned that the construction is for a twoold taxi driver.
and-a-half-storey Small Office Home Office
SS5D Rukun Tetangga (RT) chairperson S (Soho) development.
Palasingam said residents here were fed up that
The project was initiated in the mid-1990s and
their other complaints have also gone unheeded. has stopped intermittently over the years due to
“Because of the construction project, they have the changing of developers.
8
NEWS
JUNE 17 — 19, 2011
Illegal factories in Kg Cempaka
a clear and present danger
By Alvin Yap
grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.
“A second-hand car sales company owner
has been cited a few times by MBPJ for letting Aedes mosquitoes breed in his junkyard,” Gabriel said.
She said MBPJ had issued orders for the
owner to remove abandoned cars from his
compound.
“He has ignored orders and even called
MBPJ repeatedly to ask us to conduct fogging exercises to rid his area of mosquitoes,”
she said.
Cynthia said building contractors have
been misleading some of their clients by telling
them there was no need to submit extension
plans to MBPJ for approval.
She also questioned the Petaling District
and Land Office for allowing some of the
structures to be built under high-tension
power lines.
“The fact that there are houses under the
high-tension cables is a serious violation of the
National Land Code and also the Street,
Drainage and Building Act,” she said.
PETALING JAYA: What was once peaceful Kampung Cempaka is today an illegal
industrial site, raising concerns of residents
here.
While the illegal factories, which have
been operating for decades, are oblivious to
the risks, residents of the New Village are
increasingly fearful of danger to their safety
and health.
“Residents are
staying in the middle
of an industria l
zone,” said Petaling
Jaya City (MBPJ)
councillor Cynthia
Gabriel during a site
visit to the Chinese
New Village last
Cynthia Gabriel
month.
To make matter
worse, more illegal factories are setting up
shop in the residential area to avoid industrial assessment rate.
Gabriel pointed out that the infrastructure Higher standards
A recycling centre in Kampung Cempaka.
Cynthia said MBPJ was running an uphill
in the New Village can only support small
However, she blamed the city council of
vehicles, yet lorries use the roads that were race when it came to enforcing the law on illegal land and building use in Kampung practising double standards by turning a blind
designed for cars and trucks.
eye in dealing with one of its contractors that
“The roads are narrow and lorries can’t Cempaka.
She said the city council recognised that it provides public signage.
negotiate their way through,” Cynthia pointCynthia pointed out that MBPJ was puted out to Selangor Times during the site visit. could not close down businesses overnight, as
She expressed worry that a “nightmare” it would be disastrous to the economy and ting “financial” concerns ahead of enforcing
scenario could happen, where ambulances or also cost the state administration “political the law.
“MBPJ must set an example and hold itself
fire trucks would not be able to reach sections points”.
to a higher standard,” she said.
of the village during emergencies.
Gabriel said MBPJ is going all-out to perThe village also has buildings with illegal
suade residents and business owners to balance
extensions that have completely sealed off
economic growth with health and safety
some roads.
concerns.
MBPJ has ordered an illegal factory to
“We have to convince them to look at their
demolish its ground floor, which has comown business habits and how it compounds
pletely blocked off a street.
their health and safety problems,” she said.
The owner of the furniture factory had
She added that MBPJ would work
protested the city council’s order and threatclosely with the state government, especially
ened to set himself on fire during Building
state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian
Control operations in March.
Wah, under whose jurisdiction the illegal
Gabriel also said buildings are in danger of
factories lie.
collapse because their extensions are not apWhen contacted, MBPJ deputy press relaproved by MBPJ engineers.
tions officer Zainun Zakaria said the city
The illegal businesses are also breeding Illegal factory with “keep out” sign.
council had issued compound fines to the
owners of the illegal factories.
She declined to say how many fines were
issued and how many repeat offences there
were.
“We have also asked them to relocate their
businesses, but they said they have not found
a place to move to,” Zainun added.
She said MBPJ has also issued fines to the
contractor that supplies the council with
signage.
“We enforce the by-law equally. Even
though this contractor has business ties with
us, it does not mean they can break the law
and not be summoned,” she said.
Meanwhile, MBPJ mayor Datuk Roslan
Sakiman declined to comment on the issue
of illegal factories as it is under Ean Yong’s
jurisdiction.
He said the enforcement department has
been tasked to monitor the illegal factories to
make sure they do not discharge harmful effluents or pollute the air.
Giving nature a helping hand
By William Tan
KLANG: Some 200 tree saplings were planted in support of
the environment as part of Posco’s annual corporate social
responsibility last Saturday. Employees of the Korean steel
company and staff from the Klang
Municipal Council (MPK) worked
together during the event.
“All Posco branches around the
world are conducting similar community projects as part of a programme known as the Posco Family
Global Volunteer Week,” said the
managing director of Posco-MalayKim
sia, Kim Ji-Yong.
He said by working with MPK, the company is able to
directly contribute to the welfare of the Klang community.
Last year, 100 volunteers from the company helped MPK
clean Port Klang Esplanade.
Last Saturday, they company contributed both labour and
RM20,000 for the trees.
MPK, in turn, helped to contact contact the
suppliers, and provide logistics and basic amenities
such as canopies and sound systems.
“The purpose of this project is to beautify the
local area, and once these trees are planted, MPK
will take over its maintenance and care,” said MPK
corporate director Dawari Daud.
Dawari said MPK is always looking for companies to take part in similar community-based
projects, and among those who have responded
are National Panasonic and Northport.
Posco intends to conduct its own community
activities after proper research is conducted, and
increase the frequency of such events.
The smaller branches of the company are
already leading the way, says Si Young Choi.
“We visit orphanages or give out groceries to
the poor, once a quarter. However, we intend to Some 250 volunteers gathered to plant trees on June 11.
increase to once a month, like we do in Korea,
though perhaps not with the same activities,” said the manag- contribute to the economy and help communities.
ing director of the Kuala Lumpur branch of Posco-South Asia.
Si added that this trend has been growing in South Korea,
He said as a global company, he believes Posco needs to and that companies benefit from the boosting of their image.
PJ growing
from
strength
to strength
By Alvin Yap
T
Congratulations to
hough only five years old
as a city, Petaling Jaya (PJ)
has come a long way since
the days of rubber plantations and
jungles.
To overcome the population
explosion in neighbouring town
Kuala Lumpur, the British decided
to open up land to settlers.
In 1952, the Selangor government allocated 1,200 acres of the
Effingham rubber estate for settlements, thus giving birth to PJ.
Besides catering to traders and
workers from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor also moved important government departments to PJ.
The remnants of this – the Petaling Jaya High Court, National
Registration Department, and
Chemistry Department – are still
there on Jalan Sultan.
When the Federal Highway was
constructed in 1965 to connect
Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang (then
known as Port Swettenham), PJ
began to blossom. A few years after
opening this “housing estate”, PJ
grew into a industrial hub outside
of Kuala Lumpur.
In the late 1950s, Singapore’s
Fraser and Neave (F&N) and Colgate-Palmolive (Malaysia) began
setting up their manufacturing
on their
operations in Section 13.
Other major international manufacturers such as Panasonic, Bosch
and Motorola also had their factories in PJ before moving to other
areas like Shah Alam.
The 1980s electronics boom
also inspired the likes of Western
Digital to place their operations in
the growing development.
Besides factories and government departments, PJ has one of the
highest concentrations of institutes
of higher learning.
There are more than 23 colleges
and universities in PJ, including the
country’s oldest university, University Malaya; the International Islamic
University matriculation campus;
Tunku Abdul Rahman University;
Tun Abdul Razak University; Kolej
Damansara Utama; Kolej Bandar
Utama, and many more.
The country’s first private nursing college, which is located at Assunta Hospital, was also set up in PJ
in the 1960s.
All this has resulted in rapid growth for PJ. From 1997’s
355,530, the number has ballooned
to 600,000 ten years later.
PJ reached another milestone on
June 20, 2006 when it was conferred
city status, the first non-capital city
to be given the honour. It is now
poised to climb to greater heights.
Majlis Perbandaran Petaling Jaya
(MPPJ)
From
10 ⁄ June 17 – 19, 2011 ⁄ SELANGOR TIMES
I
nto his fifth year at Petaling Jaya
City Council now, mayor Datuk
Roslan Sakiman talks about the
his journey running sophisticated
Petaling Jaya.
Q
You took office after Petaling
Jaya (PJ) was conferred city
status. What was the first few
months like?
I didn’t want to be placed here.
I knew that PJ had outstanding
issues to be resolved. One of it was
the football issue and the billboard
and advertisement issue. I was
advised to go to the ground and
listen to the grouses from ratepayers.
High-ranking elected officials from
the state executive council also asked
that I go down to the ground more
often and listen to residents and their
Residents Associations (RA).
After I had reported for duty,
Tuanku (Sultan of Selangor) advised
me to listen to the people. The Sultan
also advised me to disband the
MBPJ football club. As a local
government, we receive money from
property assessments and it was not
right for us to fund the football club
with ratepayers’ money.
So I disbanded it, and the issue
died off.
We could then return to the core
“issues” at hand which was to act as
an urban service provider. We looked
at the infrastructure and especially
Petaling Jaya City Coucil’s (MBPJ)
assets like halls, sports complexes,
among other things. We also met the
RA, especially All Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Residents Association
Coalition (Apac) with Bukit Gasing
assemblyperson Edward Lee.
A
QA
What was on your mind?
I felt I was not capable to
administer PJ, due to the
issues. Obviously, I was not in the
consultative team that planned out
PJ’s “journey” to becoming a city.
I was the second mayor at that
stage. So, when I came onboard, I
had so many things to solve. Critics
said we were not ready to become a
city. My challenge was to get it up
and running. For example, people
had criticized us for maintaining the
old MPPJ logo. It was tackling things
in priority. We listened to residents
and brought the rental of our halls
and sports complexes.
Q
A
So, what is your management
style like?
I like to go down to the ground.
I like to be hands-on, to keep in
touch. For example, a few months
after I took office, I began to read the
weekly reports. I read that a ratepayer
had been making numerous com
plaints over a week’s period.
I went down to the housing
scheme at 10pm and met the
complainant. He was surprised that
the mayor would come down at
night. I asked him to show me the
problems at the field in his housing
area. The complaints were about
streetlights that weren’t working. I
told my engineers to solve the
problem by the next morning.
The resident wrote an email to
The Star and said the new mayor was
someone who worked “overtime”.
Walking
the grounds
with Roslan
Sakiman
Next day, I received a
letter from a reader in
Butterworth asking if
it was normal for a
mayor to meet
ratepayers at night.
Q
A
Yo u s e t a
precedent?
Yes. And the
“unintended”
consequence is that
residents want to see
me personally to
make complains. But
it’s not “practical” as
I am unable to attend
to every complaint.
We have the proper
departments to process complains.
But I still take my “inbox” home
with me. After dinner, I still read a
compilation of the weekly com
plaints lists.
Q
A
Then how do your rest and
relax?
I try to compartmentalise my
work and personal life. I also try
to jog once in a while
Q
A
What are the challenges in
administering PJ?
Very challenging, as a lot of the
residents are elite, high income
professionals. We have a lot of
lawyers, engineers and accountants,
among others. A lot of journalists
also cover PJ as a beat, and every
mistake we make is reported in detail.
Furthermore, a lot of the RAs are
vocal and I always advise the
councillors to work closely with
them. I think we should not find
fault, but try to compromise and
work together.
The main challenge is that residents all want bigger parks and more
amenities in their neighbourhood,
for example. On paper, the proposal
“looks nice”. But when it’s time to
implement, it might not work. We
have to sit down and compromise.
Q
Let’s talk about that, then.
What are the top three issues
that MBPJ and the RAs can see
eye to eye, to resolve? What are
the issues that residents are facing
that you want to resolve?
Ratepayers want more green
lungs in their neighbourhood
and they want us to plant more trees.
A
We have programmes
to plant more trees,
and we have our own
nursery with sap
lings. We also have
more variety of flora
now, with a new
inventory of plants,
shrubs, trees and
flowers.
In the midst of all
this, we have also
rebranded our own
landscaping depart
ment, and have new
by-laws. And people
have been converted
to taking care of our
flora.
Now, the y are
demanding that we avoid cutting
down a tree, or that we replant it
when developing an area, or when
making a new road, for example. This is one reason why the road
widening work on Jalan Tanjung is
taking time: residents there want
the trees to remain or replanted. So
our landscape department has to
identify which tree can be felled,
and which ones we want to save.
Another is cleanliness. MBPJ is
responding by going after litterbugs
with our anti-littering campaign,
where we give those who are caught
littering hefty fines. Gotong-royong
alone doesn’t work, as it the area
becomes dirty again after a commu
nity cleanup.
Another is that ratepayers want us
to repair potholes. We are responding
with our Quick Response Teams
(QRT), which will try to attend to
complaints within 24 hours.
The main
challenge is
that residents
all want bigger
parks and more
amenities in
their neighbourhood,
for example.
On paper, the
proposal ‘looks
nice’. But when
it’s time to
implement, it
might not work.”
Q
A
How does MBPJ balance
growth and sustainability?
We are aiming to be sustainable.
We have to follow the guidelines on sustainable development,
balancing it with the environment
that we live in. We have our five-year
strategic planning and we are constantly monitored by Ministry of
Local Government and Housing.
Our “sustainability” index is 80%.
That can only achieved by implementing recycling programmes and
developing green lung areas in the
city – which we have done.
Q
What has been happening in
PJ since getting its city sta
tus? And what are the initiatives
that have been implemented?
A new initiative is the OneStop Centre (OSC). All pro
posed development, whether largeor small-scale, has to be approved by
the OSC committee.
The OSC committee is made up
of councillors and MBPJ’s technical
departments. They meet to deli
berate whether a project will be
allowed or not. One important
criteria is that projects take place in
the appropriate residential, com
mercial or recreational zones.
Another criteria is that the
existing infrastructure can support
the development, especially if it is a
mega project.
Simply put, it is to balance
“business” needs and sustainability. The other initiative is the Quick
Response Team (QRT) programme.
It is set up to facilitate resolving
public complaints within a 24-hour
period.
We have two QRT catego
ries: one is our own in-house QRT.
But when there are too many
complaints to attend to, we channel
the jobs to private contractors.
Presently, we divide the city to PJ
North and South respectively. The
two zones are handled by two separate contractors who oversee the
repair and maintenance of potholes,
traffic lights and even the trimming
of trees and shrubs in the city.
A
Q
You said the Ministry of
Local Housing and Govern
ment monitors MBPJ perform
ance on Key Performance Index
(KPI). What is the mechanism?
We use an European certifi
cation for our Quality Manage
ment System.
A
Q
A
What are some of MBPJ
corporate social responsibil
ity (CSR) programmes?
We have three community
buses serving PJ North and
South. We refurbished two older
vehicles and bought a new one. The
service is free and we have been able
to sustain operations.
Another initiative is the Disabled
Transit vans. Wheelchair-bound
residents can call a telephone num
ber and we will come and pick the
person at their doorstep and drop
them off. We will then return and
transport them back to their house.
The van is equipped with a hydraulic
lift to facilitate movement of the
person and the wheelchair in and out
of the van.
Our local councillors also give
out grants and donations to
orphanages, halfway houses and
non-governmental organisations in
their respective zones.
Q
A
What has been the most
memorable event since you
took office?
I still remember ratepayers who
have come up to me and tell me
that MBPJ has resolved some
outstanding issues.
SIME003•Willow 37x26cm SGOR Times.pdf
1
6/16/11
3:00 PM
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Jalan Othman bus station, 1965.
Petaling Jaya Police Headquarters on Jalan Penchala, 1965.
From settlement to city
By Alvin Yap
P
etaling Jaya, or more fondly
known as PJ, was envisioned
as a satellite settlement to
help overcome overpopulation in
Kuala Lumpur in the early 1950s.
Town planners chose the word
Jaya as it is the Malay word for
success. Little did they expect that
the settlement of two square km of
wooden houses would one day turn
into a bustling conurbation.
Petaling Jaya was created out of
just 1,200 acres of rubber plantation and virgin jungle when the
Selangor government offered
1,300 lots at a nominal price to
attract settlers.
Sir Gerald Templer, then High
Commissioner of Malaya and
chairperson of the Petaling District Council, also saw the settlement as a way to separate residents
from communist insurgents during
the height of the Emergency.
As a result, the first housing areas were all fenced up and
concentrated around what is now
known as Old Town.
In 1953, the residential areas of
Sections 1, 2 and 3 were opened up.
Rubber and oil palm estates
slowly made way for sections of
residential and commercial areas
in a planned and systematic infrastructure development.
Only two main roads, Road 1
and Road 2, connected these areas
with Old Town. They have since
been renamed Jalan Templer and
Jalan Othman respectively.
Administered as the “outskirts”
of the capital, Petaling Jaya was
under the Kuala Lumpur District
Officer and the Petaling Jaya Board
until the end of 1954.
A new legislative body was
then formed, which assumed the
administration of the fledgling
Petaling Jaya township. The Petaling Jaya Authority
acquired more land from outlying
rubber and oil palm estates to cater
for the steady growth in housing,
industrial and infrastructure development.
At the end of 1957, there were
over 3,200 homes in Petaling Jaya.
Petaling Jaya reached another
milestone in 1964 when its local
authority status was upgraded to
Petaling Jaya Municipal Board
with financial autonomy to administer the fast-growing area.
By now, it was fast gaining
reputation as a strategically located
town, particularly in the eyes of
industrialists and the affluent
searching for prime residential
land in the suburbs.
Petaling Jaya had expanded to
19.9 sq km, with a population of
35,100, and some 200 factories
operated within its borders.
That same year, the first phase
of the iconic Federal Highway
was opened, and the initial dual
carriageway linked Kuala Lumpur
to Port Klang and cut right across
Petaling Jaya, dividing it into
South and North PJ.
It was a huge boost in attracting
more settlers from Kuala Lumpur
to live and work in Petaling Jaya.
To accommodate the ever growing high volumes of daily traffic,
the highway has been upgraded
several times in its 47-year history
to the present six lanes.
Development continued south
of Old Town, with urban centres
and housing estates opening up in
the north as well.
It was yet another milestone
when it was conferred municipality status and named Petaling
Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ)
in 1977.
Development was widespread,
and New Town in Section 52 was
opened up along with Sungai WaySubang (SS) as well as the new
township of Subang Jaya.
Further expansion to the north
later saw the rise of the vast Damansara area, which includes Bandar
Utama, Kota Damansara, Damansara Perdana, Bandar Sri Damansara
and Damansara Impian.
A boundary realignment exercise in 1997 saw parts of Petaling
Jaya, including Subang Jaya, Sunway and Puchong, placed under
the newly formed Subang Jaya
Municipal Council (MPSJ).
Federal Highway.
Petaling Jaya continued to
grow, and was home to some
355,530 residents within an area
of 97.2 sq km by 1997.
A decade later, that number
ballooned to 600,000.
It reached another milestone
on June 20, 2006 when it was
conferred city status, the first noncapital city to be given the honour.
The Petaling Jaya Municipal
Council (MPPJ) became Petaling
Jaya City Council (MBPJ), and its
president became the mayor.
Jalan Sultan
in the early
1970s.
F
irstly, I would like to congratulate the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) on their
fifth anniversary as a city council on June 20.
We hope MBPJ will continue to be steadfast in fulfilling the increasing demands of
PJ residents.
At the same time, I would like to commend MBPJ for obtaining a four-star rating
from the Ministry of Housing and Local
Government (MHLG) based on their performances in serving the people.
Assunta Hospital, 1965.
It is quite an achievement indeed. MBPJ
has improved its efficiency in answering all
public queries and complaints.
MBPJ is also the first local government to
have a rapid response team, or flying squad,
to tackle drain, cleanliness, flood and pothole
issues.
MBPJ has also doubled its income to
RM190 from RM80 million in 2008.
Infrastructure aside, MBPJ has shown
that it cares with the launch of the Transit
Well done, MBPJ
Message from Ronnie Liu,
State Executive Councillor for Local Government,
Research and Development
Orang Kelainan Upaya (Oku) to improve
public transportation for the disabled, and
the installation of tactile devices on roads
and pavements for the blind.
Free medical cards have also been given
out to the less-fortunate for medical treatment.
It should be noted that MBPJ provides
free community buses when all other costs
are spiralling. This helps lessen the burden
of the poor.
Now, MBPJ is working on a project to
repaint low-cost flats which are more then
10 years old.
This is a noble project because there are
a lot of flats in Petaling Jaya which need
makeovers to make them more conducive
for residents to live in.
I hope MBPJ will look into producing a
report card which will list all their achievements and present it to all councils as an
inspiration.
Last but not least, I urge MBPJ to further
improve their services and facilities.
Congratulations once again to all departments for making the council’s fifth
anniversary celebration possible.
MAJLIS DIALOG BAJET
NEGERI SELANGOR 2012
‘ HASIL NEGERI UNTUK RAKYAT ’
27 - 28 Jun 2011
Holiday Villa Hotel
& Suites Subang,
DIRASMIKAN OLEH
Subang
Jaya
Y.A.B. TAN SRI DATO’ SERI ABDUL KHALID BIN IBRAHIM
DATO’
MENTERI BESARoleh
SELANGOR
Dirasmikan
Y.A.B. Tan
Sri
Dato’
Seri
URUS
SETIA
:
PERBENDAHARAAN
NEGERI
SELANGOR
Abdul
Khalid bin
Ibrahim,
http://pwn.selangor.gov.my
Dato’ Menteri
Besar Selangor
Open For Sale
Dahlia Residence
No. Lesen Pemaju :9062-68/05-2014/678. Tempoh Sah : 31/05/2011 hingga 30/05/2014. No Permit Pengiklanan:9062-68/1150/2012(05) . Tempoh Sah : 31/05/2011 hingga 30/05/2012. Pihak Berkuasa
Yang Meluluskan Pelan Bangunan : Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor. No. Kelulusan Pelan Bangunan : (10) dlm MHDS.431/13/H/09/001-B Bertarikh : 1/4/2009. Status Hak milik : Pajakan 99 Tahun. Tarikh
Tamat : 10 Februari 2103. Bebanan tanah : Tiada . Tarikh Dijangka Siap : Disember 2011. Jumlah unit : 64 Unit. Harga Jualan: RM 307,066.00 (minimum) RM378,000.00 (maksimum). Sekatan Kepentingan:
Tanah yang diberi milik ini tidak boleh di pindah milik di pajak atau di gadai melainkan dengan kebenaran Pihak Berkuasa Negeri
SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ JUNE 17 – 19, 2011 ⁄ 15
MBPJ Councilors 2011
Y.BHG. DATO’ HAJI MOHAMAD ROSLAN BIN SAKIMAN
DPMS, PJM, AMS
(DATUK BANDAR)
TINGKAT 2, IBU PEJABAT MBPJ, JLN. YONG SHOOK LIN,
46675 PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR.
TEL: 03-7956 3544 SAMB. 325
FAKS: 03-7958 1494
Majlis Perbandaran Selayang
(MPS)
HAJI SYED ABD MALIK BIN SYED
A HAMID AL JAFREE, PPN
ZON 1
KAWASAN PERKHIDMATAN:
PJU 8 (DAMANSARA PERDANA)
PJU 9 (BANDAR SRI DAMANSARA)
PJU 10 (DAMANSARA DAMAI)
ALAMAT PUSAT KHIDMAT AHLI MAJLIS:
TINGKAT 1, DEWAN BU 3/1, BANDAR UTAMA, PJU6,
47800 PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN.
Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam
TEL: 03-7726 5764
(MBSA)
HP: 017-265 0678
E-MEL: [email protected], [email protected]
CHAN CHEE KONG
ZON 2
DAMANSARA DAMAI
PJU 10
1
KOTA DAMANSARA
PJU 6 (BANDAR UTAMA)
PJU 7 (MUTIARA DAMANSARA)
KG. SUNGAI KAYU ARA
TINGKAT 1, DEWAN BU 3/1, BANDAR UTAMA, PJU6,
TEL: 03-7726 5172
HP: 012-289 6063
E-MEL: [email protected]
ZON 4
MUTIARA
DAMANSARA
PJU 7
SUNWAY
DAMANSARA
3
FRIM
PJU 4
PJU 2
PJU 1A
ZON 5
TIEW WAY SENG
ZON 6
SS 23, SS24 & SS26
GELANGGANG SQUASH TAMAN MEGAH,
SS24/1, 47301 PETALING JAYA,
SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN.
TEL: 03-7875 7930
HP: 016-338 1563
PJU 1
7
SS 26
ZON 7
SS 6
SS 7
ZON 8
ZON 9
ZON 10
Khairul Anuar b. Ahmad Zainudin
5
Terence Tan Teck Seng
6
Tiew Way Keng
7
Cynthia Gabriel
8
Tony Cheong Siew Thong
9
Mak Khuin Weng
TANG FUIE KOH
ZON 15
10
Hj. Ghazali b. Shaari
11
Richard Yeoh Yong Woi
12
Derek John Fernandez
SS 24
SS 2
8
Sek 17
ZON 16
Sek 19
19
21
SS 3
Sek 22
SS 1
20
SS 8
Sek 51
Sek 9
Sek 7
Sek 4
Sek 6
Sek 2
18
PJS 4
13
Anthony Siva Balan
a/l Thanasayan
14
Selvarajan a/l Rathinam
15
Tang Fuie Koh
20
16
Latheefa Koya
21
17
Megat Iskandar b.
Megat Ahmad Supian
22
Hj. Ahmad Yusof b. Ludin
18
Mahharul b. Ismail
23
Hj. Kamarudin b. Suhaimi
19
Jeyaseelen a/l T. Anthony
24
Halimey b. Abu Bakar
SEBAHAGIAN
17
PJS 2
PJS 5
PJS 7
12
ZON 18
Sek 5
Sek 1
Sek 1A
Sek 1B
PJS 1
PJS 3
Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya
(MPSJ)
ZON 19
ZON 20
ZON 12
ZON 21
SEK. 5 & SEK. 10
12B, TINGKAT 2 & 3,
JALAN YONG SHOOK LIN,
46200 PETALING JAYA,
TEL: 03-7954 0866
FAKS: 03-7954 0593
HP: 012-210 7540
[email protected]
SEK. 6, SEK. 7, SEK. 9 & SEK. 52
UNIT 15, SUNKEN PLAZA, MENARA MBPJ,
JALAN TENGAH, 46200 PETALING JAYA,
TEL: 03-7960 0253
HP: 012-220 3146
[email protected]
ZON 22
ZON 14
SS 7 & SS 11
DEWAN SS 21/9, DAMANSARA UTAMA,
TEL: 03-7726 8145
HP: 017-672 9894
[email protected]
HAJI KAMARUDIN BIN SUHAIMI
ZON 23
SS 8, SS 9 & SS 10
BALAI RAYA SERI SETIA SS 9/2,
TEL: 03-7875 5902
FAKS: 03-7875 2225
HALIMEY BIN ABU BAKAR
SELVARAJAN A/L RATHINAM
SEK. 8, SEK. 14 & SEK. 51A
TEL: 03-7960 0257
FAKS: 03-7960 0253
HP: 016- 322 9118
SS 5 & SS 6
BALAIRAYA SS 6/1,, 47301 PETALING JAYA,
TEL: 03-7806 4798
FAKS: 03-5635 8195
HP: 013-399 2867
[email protected]
HAJI AHMAD YUSOF BIN LUDIN
PJK
ANTHONY SIVA BALAN A/L THANASAYAN
ZON 13
SS 1, SS 3, SS 9A
DEWAN SERBAGUNA MBPJ SERI SETIA,
SS9A, JALAN SS9A/1, 46300 PETALING JAYA,
TEL: 03-7803 5143
FAKS: 03-7981 2044
HP: 016- 210 0058
[email protected]
HAJI MUZAMMIL BIN HAFIZ
SEK. 11, SEK. 12 & SEK. 13
TEL: 03-2274 4897
FAKS: 03-2273 0422
HP: 012-302 8801
DEREK JOHN FERNANDEZ,
SEK. 20, SEK 21, SEK. 22
TEL: 03-7960 0210
HP: 016-244 2581
[email protected]
IR. TIONG BOON KEONG
Ir. Tiong Boon Keong
RICHARD YEOH YONG WOI
ZON 11
PJS 3 & PJS 4
TINGKAT 1, DEWAN JALAN MEDAN 12,
JALAN PJS3/14, 46000 PETALING JAYA,
TEL: 03-7785 3103
HP: 019-285 9984
[email protected]
JEYASEELEN A/L T. ANTHONY
Sek 3
16
SS 9
23 SS 10
PJS 10 24 PJS 6
Sek 10
13
Sek 8
15
Sek 51A
Sek 11
Sek 52
14
SS 9A
Sek 12
Sek 52
Sek 14
PJS 1 & PJS 2
UNIT 2-07 DAN 2-08, TINGKAT 1,
KOMPLEKS PASAR TAMAN DATO’ HARUN,
TEL: 03-7785 6013
HP: 019-389 3838
[email protected]
MAHHARUL B. ISMAIL
Sek 16
11
SEK. 1, SEK. 1A, SEK. 3 SEK. 4 & SEK. 18
UNIT 23 STESEN BAS JALAN OTHMAN,
PJ OLD TOWN, 46000 PETALING JAYA,
TEL: 03-7785 2426
HP: 012-384 2972
[email protected]
MEGAT ISKANDAR BIN
MEGAT AHMAD SUPIAN
10
Sek 13
SEK. 2 & SEK. 51
UNIT 22 STESEN BAS JALAN OTHMAN,
PJ OLD TOWN, 46000 PETALING JAYA,
TEL: 03-7785 2427
FAKS: 03-7958 5423
HP: 012-206 3077
LATHEEFA KOYA
ZON 17
9
PJS 8
HAJI GHAZALI BIN SHAARI
SEK. 16 & SEK. 17
TEL: 03-7960 7554
FAKS: 03-7783 4306
HP: 017-386 3896
4
Sek 21 Sek 20
22
MAK KHUIN WENG
SEK. 17A, SEK. 19 & SS 20
TEL: 03-7960 7505
FAKS: 03-7957 9791
HP: 016-293 9603
SS 23
SS 5
SS 11
TONY CHEONG SIEW THONG
SS 2
77, JALAN SS20/9, TAMAN PARAMOUNT,
TEL: 03-7875 4724, 03-7726 0441
FAKS: 03-7873 8017, 03-7726 0443
HP: 012-525 6008
6
SS 4
Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam
(MBSA)
CYNTHIA GABRIEL
PJU 1, SS 25 & SS 4
TEL: 03-7960 2703
HP: 012-379 2189
Kandeah a/l Subramaniam
Sek 17A
SS 22A
SS 22
TERENCE TAN TECK SENG
SS 21, SS 22 & SS 22A
55M, JALAN SS21/1A, DAMANSARA UTAMA,
TEL: 03-7926 0441
HP: 016-634 1910
3
SS 20
5
SS 25
PJU 1A, PJU2 (TAMAN PERINDUSTRIAN JAYA) & PJU3
TINGKAT 1, DEWAN SERBAGUNA SS7/28
TEL: 03-7804 4135
HP: 019-205 7498
Chan Chee Kong
SS 21
KG KAYU ARA
TROPICANA
TMN. PERINDUSTRIAN JAYA
2
2
PJU 3
4
Hj. Syed Abd Malik
Syed A Hamid Al Jafree
Dewan Bandaraya
Kuala Lumpur
(DBKL)
BANDAR UTAMA
PJU 6
PJU 4 & PJU 5
DEWAN SERBAGUNA MBPJ,
SEKSYEN 7, JALAN NURI 7/1,
40810 KOTA DAMANSAR,
PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN.
HP: 012-367 1305
KHAIRUL ANUAR BIN AHMAD ZAINUDIN
DAMANSARA
PERDANA
PJU 8
PJU 5
KANDEAH A/L SUBRAMANIAM
ZON 3
BANDAR
SRI DAMANSARA
PJU 9
1
ZON 24
PJS 5, PJS 6, SEBAHAGIAN KECIL PJS 7,
PJS 8 & PJS 10
DEWAN TAMAN DATO’ HORMAT PJS 10/1,
TEL: 03-5635 8359
HP: 019-239 9809
[email protected]
news 17
June 17 — 19, 2011
Towering CCTVs keeping
streets clean and safe
By Brenda Ch’ng
KLANG: Eye-in-the-sky security cameras installed on
main streets here are proving their worth, with a reduction
in the number of snatch thefts and other cases in what used
to be crime hotspots.
“There has been a reduction in street crimes and illegal
trading along five-foot ways as compared with eight months
ago before the cameras were installed,” said Robert Choo.
The Klang councillor said the closed-circuit television
(CCTV) cameras mounted high above streetlights trigger a
psychological effect among the public, making them more
cautious, knowing that they are being watched.
However, some mistake them for speed-trap cameras, and
Bird’s-eye view from the control centre: Sofian (second
from right), Choo (third from right), Halim (second from
left, standing).
cars have been seen to slow down as they approach, only
to speed up again after.
With the cameras in place, Choo said even litterbugs
will think twice before throwing rubbisn in the streets.
The CCTV cameras can tilt and rotate 360 degrees,
zoom 250 metres, and come equipped with microphones.
The wireless cameras are capable of capturing vehicle
licence plate numbers and faces of snatch thieves.
Footage, usually involving accidents, street crime or
illegal rubbish dumping, is sent to the respective police
and MPK departments for further action.
“With the help of the camera footage, MPK has summoned a few foreigners who were caught littering and
handed them over to the police,” said Mohamad Sofian.
The MPK communications and public complaints
assistant head said they will be taking full advantage of
the cameras and summon anyone who is caught breaking
the law.
Currently, the cameras are being monitored by two full-time
staff who are stationed in MPK’s CCTV control centre.
Both staff are on duty from 8am to 5pm, and have a responsibility to report MPK-related issues directly to the council’s
respective enforcement departments.
“We see at least 15 cases a day, every day,” said S Rajendran.
The 33-year-old officer at the control centre runs through
the footage during his work hours and takes notes of crime.
“It is a pity that we only have two staff manning the
centre for eight hours. We are now looking to have a fulltime surveillance team to handle 24-hour surveillance,”
said Halim Osman.
The information technology officer is in charge of oversee-
Record crowd at family day
CCTV camera
(circled).
ing the technical aspects of the control centre, and is responsible for making sure all cameras are running properly.
These cameras, which are funded by the Housing and Local
Government Ministry as part of their Safe City Monitoring
Programme, are growing in number nationwide.
Currently, MPK has 16 cameras in place, and councillors
have been assigned to identify other hotspots where they can
be installed.
Submissions closed last week, but Choo has nevertheless
sent in a proposal for seven more CCTV cameras to be placed
in his area, Taman Gembira and Melawis.
He also wants more neighbourhood parks and main
streets to be equipped with the cameras.
Environmental
degradation
inviting disaster
By Alvin Yap
Children being led in a dance while their parents look on.
By Basil Foo
SUBANG JAYA: An overwhelming 5,000 people
attended this year’s USJ Family Day at the Subang Jaya
Municipal Council’s (MPSJ) stadium in USJ 5 last
Saturday evening ( June 11).
Organising chairperson R Rajiv said the event far
exceeded last year’s turnout of 3,000.
“This event was made possible with the hard work of
more than 100 volunteers from the Zone 3 residents
committee,” said the MPSJ councillor.
The family day was a carnival of sorts, with food and
beverages, youth sport events, family telematch contests,
musical performances, and hot-air balloon rides.
There were also booths for health screenings, recy- Kok (left), Loh (second right), and Rajiv (far right)
receiving goodie bags from a sponsor.
cling, and animal shelters, according to Rajiv.
He said there were over 50 items like laptops, mobile
phones and vouchers given away in lucky draws through- Parliament Loh Gwo-Burne.
out the night.
“I hope there will be more events like this so that
Also attending the event were state executive council- residents can mingle with one another and strengthen
lor Teresa Kok Suh Sim and Kelana Jaya Member of their relationships,” said Kok.
SHAH ALAM: Malaysians should be prepared for dire consequences if trees continue to be felled for the sake of development.
“We’re inviting natural disasters from deforestation,“ said Datin
Che Asmah Ibrahim.
The Selangor Department of Environment (DOE) director, who
was launching the World Environment Day carnival last Sunday,
said the uptick in global temperatures was a result of vast tracts of
forest being cleared for land.
The head of the environmental agency said trees absorb carbon
dioxide, an excess of which leads to global warming.
“Clearing land indiscriminately also leads to landslides at a later
stage,” she said during the launch of this year’s event called Forests:
Nature at your Service.
At the launch at Stadium Malawati, state executive councillor
Elizabeth Wong said forests are a treasure trove rich in biodiversity.
The first-term Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson said Selangor residents have a role to play in keeping environmental damage to a
minimum and also speaking out against deforestation.
Wong said there are more residents who want to play a part in
caring for the environment, and explained that Selangor’s Freedom
of Information enactment will give them the opportunity to do so.
“They will get to know the status of forest reserves or hillsides.
They can also participate in public hearings to determine if it is in
the public interest to degazette them,” she explained.
Wong pointed out that damage to the environment carried a
“hefty” price, and cited the landslide in Hulu Langat last month as
a result of damage to hillsides.
Later, Che Asmah and Wong launched the Friends of the Environment volunteer group, which comprises youths who act as ambassadors for environmental issues.
Che Asmah and Wong also handed out prizes to winners of the
Enviro-Challenge race held on June 11 at the Botanical Garden in
Kuala Lumpur.
NEWS
18
JUNE 17 — 19, 2011
Walk with hats for charity
By Basil Foo
SHAH ALAM: To raise awareness and
funds for leukaemia patients, a charity walk
was held at I-City last Saturday with a twist:
participants had to wear fancy hats.
“We chose to do something different by
requiring fancy hats to attract the public’s
attention,” said Jason Tan.
Th e Jun i or
Chamber Internationa l Peta l ing
Jaya ( JCIPJ) organising chairperson spoke during
the opening of the
Fancy Hats Charity Walk.
He s a i d t h e
event was also to
Tan
raise funds for the
JCIPJ Leukaemia Trust Fund, which helps
needy leukaemia patients in the country with
access to treatment.
“Patients need treatment like chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, which
can cost up to
RM150,000 per
treatment session,” said Tan.
Also speaking
during the event
launch was
JCIPJ president
Lim Hooi Hooi,
who said their
organisation was
a branch of a Lim
worldwide network wanting to create
positive change.
Lim added that apart from JCIPJ, there
are more than 50 other JCI chapters in Malaysia, which is one of more than 100 countries with JCI branches.
The walk kicked off at about 9pm, but the
carnival-like atmosphere began much earlier
with flea-market booths and hot-air balloon
rides amidst the lighted trees of I-City.
The walk was also an attempt by JCIPJ
to break the Malaysia Book of Records for
the largest number of people walking in
fancy hats.
Participants posing in party hats during the Fancy Hats Charity Walk last Saturday.
Stolen sidewalk
covers replaced
AMPANG: Three metal sidewalk covers on Jalan
Teratai 1/2c, which were stolen a month ago and
posed a threat to passersby, have been replaced with
concrete ones.
The new covers were examined during a site visit by
Ampang Jaya Municipal (MPAJ) Councillor Mohamad Samat on Monday.
“This issue lasted for about a month when the previous metal covers were stolen, which left gaping holes
in the sidewalks along shoplots here,” he said.
He received a complaint several days prior to the
replacement of the covers when an elderly person fell
into one of the holes. The victim came away with minor
injuries.
It is learnt that the accident occurred at night.
“This accident could have been avoided if the relevant contractor had taken the [initiative] to replace the
missing covers,” said Mohamad, who oversees Zone 23.
The new concrete sidewalk covers, which cost
RM400, were purchased using allocations from Teratai
assemblyperson Jenice Lee’s office.
The covers protect telecommunications cables laid
underneath the sidewalk.
“We have not been able to determine the employer
Know Your
Councillor:
Robert
Choo
By Brenda Ch’ng
Mohamad (left) showing the new concrete
sidewalk cover and a hole left from the theft of
the old cover.
for the contractor responsible,” said K Selvakumar.
The Zone 23 residents committee deputy chairperson accused the contractor of being fixated on profit
and not considering public safety.
Urgent plea for secondary school
SEPANG: The decade-long wait for the development of a secondary school in Kota Warisan
will come to an end, with help from the Menteri
Besar to expedite the project. Development, which was supposed to have
begun in 2003, was withheld due to disagreements
between the Ministry of Education and the developer.
“The ministry wanted to use a different contractor for the project.
Howe ver, the de velop er a lready sp ent
RM600,000 drafting the plans, so they disputed
it,” said Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. The developer has since been awaiting a response from the ministry before they carry out
their plans. “I will be urging the developer to surrender the
land over to the state government,” Khalid said. Once the land is surrendered, he said he would
write a letter to the Ministry of Education requesting the status of the project and to help facilitate plans. The state will then work with the ministry to
come up with a quick solution for development. To date, there is only one primary school in the
area, while the closest national secondary school
is in Salak Tinggi. The dire need for a secondary school was
reiterated by residents of Kota Warisan during a
dialogue session with Khalid in Sepang last Friday. Residents are worried that the sole secondary
school in Salak Tinggi will not be able to accommodate the growing number of students.
EDUCATING restaurant operators on proper hygiene in order to
safeguard public health is paramount for Robert Choo Teck
Keong.
“It is sad to see food handlers
selling unhygienic food to the
public. They’re clueless about the
fundamentals of personal hygiene,” said Choo.
The 65-year-old Klang Municipal (MPK) Councillor is using his experience to “open the
eyes” of restaurant operators
about bacteria, in the hope that
they learn of the importance of
cleanliness.
The second-term councillor
also meets all new restaurant-licence applicants once a month for
a short briefing on cleanliness and
health.
His talk is part of the criteria
that have to be fulfilled by applicants before their restaurant licences are issued.
MPK officers will carry out
checks once a month, and restaurants that do not meet standards
will be closed down. With 32 years of experience,
the retired microbiology lecturer
is also well equipped to ensure
health standards during site visits
to restaurants. Choo, however, said his responsibilities are not limited to
issues involving health and hygiene. He is also MPK’s internal
audit committee chairperson.
He pointed out that all councillors are “jacks of all trades and
masters of bylaws, licensing, and
proper disposal of waste and
drainage”.
Choo believes it is important
for all councillors to have a good
working relationship with members of the various departments in
the local council.
He said these relationships
have grown since he began work
as a councillor, and MPK staff are
now more receptive to issues and
problems raised by him and his
colleagues.
This rapport has enabled Choo
to resolve a good many public
complaints.
In the meantime, Choo, along
with his fellow councillors, are
looking to improve the disposal
and collection of g arbag e in
Klang. Besides educating the public,
Choo wants MPK to provide
more bins so that the public has
no excuse to dump their rubbish
illegally.
Choo will also be urging residents in his area to act as leaders
of the community so that others
will follow in their footsteps and
keep the municipality clean.
MEDIA 19
JUNE 17 — 19, 2011
3-Generation homes in Shah Alam
SHAH ALAM: Premier property developer, Sunway City Bhd, launched its twoand-a-half-storey terrace homes in Shah
Alam recently.
The development, Sunway Alam Suria
Phase 1C, comprises 145 units of terrace
homes, with a standard lot size of 22’ x 65’
and gross built-up area of 2,371 sq. ft.
The Sunway Alam Suria Phase 1C is the
fifth phase of the whole development,
which has received strong response from
the target market since the launch of the
first phase.
Commenting on the success of the development, Sunway City managing director (property development) Ho Hon Sang
said the reason behind Alam Suria’s
achievement is its location, the increase in
value potential, and integration of the
Lohas (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) philosophy into the development.
“Shah Alam is a booming township,
with modern conveniences circling the residential developments. The real estate properties here have proved to be worthy investments for the family, as the appreciation has been
earmarked at about 30% in general since its first launch.
“We find that the attraction for our developments here,
similar to our other developments in other locations, is the
integration of the Lohas philosophy.
“Families do not only want to only stay in these developments; they want a home that facilitates positive growth and
nurtures from all aspects, and integrating the Lohas philosophy
enables that growth,” Ho said.
He further explained that with this particular phase of the
Alam Suria development, Sunway City had considered the
fact that Malaysians uphold strong family values and practise
filial piety across cultures.
The homes have been built to encapsulate this culture, integrating enough space for residents to host their extended
families, while designed to meet a discerning aesthetic sense.
In concordance with the Lohas philosophy, Alam Suria
incorporates elements that support health and fitness, sustainable living, environment, personal development and
social justice.
For the personal development and health and fitness
pillars, the development features walkways, cycling paths,
wide linear parks, playgrounds for children, and even a
football field which allow families to indulge in physical
Students do their bit
in anti-dengue contest
SHAH ALAM: Children
are more susceptible victims
of dengue due to their weaker immune systems compared
with adults.
In a bid to curb the dengue
menace, a group of eight
Form Four students from
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sinar Bintang,
Kepong recently visited Rumah Bakti Kota Damansara,
home to 20 abandoned children, 10 old folks and 10
single mothers.
Welfare Department director (child
services) Arfan Sulaiman was present
during the visit to witness the antiAedes initiative, which aims to spread
awareness on dengue breeding grounds
and encourage proactiveness in combating dengue.
Sara Lee Malaysia Sdn Bhd marketing manager Putri Shireen Syed Othman said: “It is heartening to see the
commitment shown by students in the
fight against dengue. Their dedication
in extending their efforts to spread the
awareness on dengue, not only in their
own neighbourhood but to a charity
home, is truly commendable.”
Accompanied by two teachers from
the school, the students were on a
“search and advise” mission. They
searched the building for potential
breeding spots for Aedes mosquitoes,
and advised the caretakers of Bakti
home on the importance of taking
preventive measures to eliminate the
spread of dengue.
A dengue awareness and prevention talk by an expert trained by the
Ministry of Health was also held during the event.
The “search and advise” initiative is
an extension of the school’s determination to win an ongoing anti-Aedes
competition, which is sponsored by
insecticide company Ridsect.
The six-month competition aims to
have 100,000 homes in hotspots in
Selangor, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and
Johor Bahru searched and advised
against dengue.
The competition currently has a
total of 100 schools participating.
Through the ongoing anti-Aedes
competition, selected students of each
participating school are required to
carry out “search and advise” missions
within their neighbourhood.
Accompanied by their teachers, the
students go on door-to-door visits to
homes surrounding their school to
ensure that their homes and neighbourhood are free from the risk of dengue.
and leisure activities together.
More than 10% of Alam Suria Phase 1C is also laced by
green landscape along with a dedicated landscaped wetland,
encouraging the residents to revel and recuperate in the
beauty of nature.
The homes are designed to feature wide, full glass-panel
doors and windows, enabling ample natural light and natural
ventilation. This promotes sustainable living as it minimizes
the usage of electricity for lights and air-conditioners.
In addition, the development has concealed drains, preinstalled security alarm systems, and auto gate point for the
residents’ security and convenience.
Located amidst the new growth corridor known as Guthrie
corridor, Sunway Alam Suria homes are sited within Puncak
Perdana in the fast-growing precinct of Shah Alam.
The homes are easily accessible by major highways such as
the Federal Highway, New Klang Valley Expressway, Guthrie
Corridor Expressway and the Elite Highway. It is also only
13km to Subang Jaya and 14km to Kota Damansara.
To find out more about Sunway Alam Suria Phase 1C,
contact 03-56398806 (headquarters) or 03-78455637
(sales office).
Run to raise funds for Red Crescent
Mock cheque presentation: Tan (third from right), Azizan (fourth from right) and Fatimah
(third from left) with other sponsors.
By Brenda Ch’ng
SUBANG JAYA: The Subang Jaya Municipal
Council (MPSJ) is urging the public to compete
in a charity run to raise funds for the Red Crescent
and a new ambulance.
The run will be held at the MPSJ stadium on
Saturday ( July 9) at 5pm.
“I feel thankful the funds collected will help
us provide better emergency services,” said Fatimah Sulaiman.
The Malaysian Red Crescent (Selangor) chairperson expressed hope that the run will help raise
awareness on the importance of staying fit and
healthy through exercise.
With the funds, Red Crescent will be able to
upgrade their emergency services and provide
transportation for the elderly and needy.
MPSJ aims to raise between RM25,000 and
RM30,000.
The main sponsor of the race is Herbalife
Malaysia, an international company that promotes healthy living and aims to tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the country.
“This is our first charity run with MPSJ, and I
see this as the first step towards getting the public
excited about exercising, and at the same time do
some charity,” said Datuk Dr Ronnie Tan.
The Herbalife Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia managing director hopes to make the run
an annual event.
Tan handed over a mock cheque to MPSJ
councillor Azizan Jamaluddin on Tuesday at the
MPSJ building.
This run is open to everyone and is divided
into nine categories: men and women’s open,
men and women’s veteran, men and women’s
senior veteran, men and women’s junior, and a
family run.
Most competitors will be expected to run a full
10 kilometres except for the family run, which is
only three kilometres.
Women and junior categories will only run
seven kilometres.
Prize money will be awarded to winners of each
category.
Apart from the run, there will also be game stalls,
musical performances, and a futsal competition.
For details, email [email protected] or call
03-79545605 (Sports Intelligence) or 0342579221 (Red Crescent).
Registration closes on June 27.
Feature
20
June 17 — 19, 2011
Ah Leng sizes up her client’s hair for that
perfect cut.
Steady as she goes, and off with
the sideburns.
A cut above
all the others
The building behind the flags is where the hall, dining area and kitchen are located.
O
nce in two months or thereabouts, depending
on his schedule and availability, driving instructor Lim Chin Leong visits the Cheshire
Home in Selayang.
Lim plays the role of a driver during these visits.
Recently, he brought along hairstylist Ah Leng, who
has her own shop in Sri Gombak called New Megany
Unisex.
Their mission, altruistic in nature, is to give free
haircuts to any of the 38 physically challenged people
and staff of the home.
Lim has been playing chauffeur to those people
who have provided their services at the Cheshire
Home for about three years. Ah Leng is a new hand
at this kind of social work, but she makes time for
people at the home.
Like everybody else who desire
to have their hair properly trimmed,
the Cheshire Home inmates are also
mindful of their own expectations.
According to Ah Leng, everybody wants his or her hair cut in a
certain way. Occasionally, when the
haircut doesn’t come out right,
disappointment is expressed in
tears, but that seldom happens because requests are met with a lot of
understanding.
“Deep inside, they are just like
The comb and scissors in her
the rest of us, people with normal hands sail through the air and
desires,” said Lim, who wears the weave effortlessly through her clilooks of a man on a mission.
ent’s hair and around the head.
“They too want to look present- Each resident feels utterly comfortable, not only to others but also to able in her presence. They know
themselves,” he said.
they are in good hands, and Ah
Ah Leng usually brings along Leng performs her craft without
her hairstyling equipment which any forethought. It is an artistry and
consist of two pairs of scissors, dexterity that has been acquired
comb, water spray container, hair through 12 years of diligence and
clips, talcum powder and an elec- learning in her chosen field.
tric trimmer.
Lim, an old friend of Ah Leng,
All the items are the bare essen- said their friendship began when she
tials for her assignment at the home first took driving lessons from him.
on the appointed day. If it is a “bad Now he acts as her “driver” when she
hair day” for some of the residents, willingly gives her time. It is only fair
it won’t be when Ah Leng comes that he puts in some manual labour.
around with her black bag which
Cheshire Home is not the only
carries the tools of her trade.
pit-stop in their bi-monthly itinerShe works fast, accurately and ary. Sometimes they get requests
precisely. Her adroitness with the from hospitals, with some patients
scissors and comb is due to her en- having to be carried and put in
counters with thousands of clients proper positions for their hair to
in the profession. She makes the be cut.
haircut session look so easy. Her
Lim said it didn’t matter what
movements are swift and fluid, es- state of health the individual is in.
pecially with the electric trimmer.
Everyone wants to look decent when
The tools
of the hairstyling
trade that make
the sessions
smooth and easy.
While most of us are
our own ‘headmasters’,
there are some individuals who find
it a monumental task to visit the
hairstylist or barber. LIN ZHENYUAN
meets two persons who bring glory
to other people’s crowns
The hall where
residents can
watch television
and meet guests.
opportunity permits. That’s where
he and Ah Leng come in.
At Cheshire Home, the time allotted is not fixed. It depends on the
number of people who need their
services. If there are many, then their
stay at the home will be longer.
Selangor Cheshire Home was set
up in 1963 to provide residential
care to those who are physically
disabled and are unable to support
themselves financially, or if their
families do not have the resources to
help them.
Some of the disabilities of the
home residents include poliomyelitis, rheumatoid arthiritis, muscular
dystrophy, cerebral palsy and osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone
disease).
In a world where disabilities are
common and physically-challenged
people are many, the good Samaritans among us work silently and
selflessly.
People like Lim and Ah Leng
accept their social work as part of
their responsibility to society. They
are the silent army of
humanitarians who lend
a helping hand whenever
they could and spread
good cheer to those who
very often desire just a
simple smile.
For those of us who
are in full control of our
limbs and faculties, going
to the barber is a simple
act, but for Cheshire
Home residents, that
“simple act” is tantam o unt to c l im b ing
Mount Kinabalu on a A resident who just had her hair cut gets
wheelchair.
the perfumed talcum dust-off.
Thus, sometimes those
individuals who are inspired by an heart has not been able to express
inner calling or heed the urgent well, but his deeds over the past few
needs of their brothers and sisters of years have been more eloquent than
all colours and creeds, come forward all the political speeches put toto do their bidding.
gether.
It is what makes this world that
In his footsteps, sometimes othmuch more beautiful and our kind, ers pick up the gauntlet that Lim has
the human race, that much more thrown down and follow his examworthy to be called Malaysians.
ple. One such person is Ah Leng,
Lim’s actions speak what his and there will be others in future.
Feature 21
JUNE 17 — 19, 2011
The Malaysian Chess
Festival is on!
T
he big news this week is that the Malaysian Chess
Festival is on, with the 8th IGB Dato’ Arthur Tan
Malaysian Open, Ambank Chess Challenge, and Tan
Sri Lee Loy Seng Seniors Championship from Aug 17-25.
This will be followed by the popular Merdeka Day Rapids
from Aug 26-28.
Everyone thought these events had come to an end with
long-time patron Datuk Tan Chin Nam having finally retired,
but the sponsors are still willing to sponsor the festival. This
is good news for Malaysian chess.
The only damper for the annual event, which takes
W
ith all the excitement going on about the World
Chess Championship qualifiers, many have ignored
a disturbing development that has emerged.
Both World Chess Championships matches due this year
– for men between defending champion Viswanathan Anand
of India and ex-Soviet Boris Gelfand of Israel, and for women,
between KL Open Champion 2010 Hou Yifan of China and
Koneru Humpry of India – do not have sponsors!
In the case of the Anand-Gelfand match, most consider it
a mismatch. I can see why if an Indian sponsor does not step
up. But in the case of Hou-Koneru, this is something that the
chess world has long been looking for.
Anand has, however, been going about his preparations like
the true professional he is. This week, I would like to feature
one of his Rapid games against the uncompromising Alexei
Shirov.
The versatile Anand also made an argument for chess to
move away from the classical format in showing some sparkling
play in easily romping home by winning three and drawing
three during this match-up.
advantage of the school holidays, is that it is held during the
Ramadhan month and will prove to be harder on Muslim
players.
Meanwhile, after three successful years, the other big local
event, the KL Open, has now been renamed the Raja Nazrin
Shah Individual Masters & International Open Chess
Championship 2011.
After accessing Malaysia’s position in the world rankings,
the KL Chess Association has decided to retain the format
of an international open, but in a form that is more relevant
for younger players.
Astonishing, really, and if ever there was an opening novelty
deserving of exclamation points, this is it.
It isn’t so much that Black is winning (he is not), but what
it does to the evaluation of the position from both White’s
and Black’s perspectives. Instead of the old quiet, behind-thelines fight expected from Black while White tried to open lines
and crack Black’s position, now Black’s pieces are about to take
a very serious life of their own, while White’s g4 pawn looks
like a very questionable weakness.
7.cxd5.
Though the engines don’t condemn Shirov’s choice, they
do have a slight preference for
7.Nf3 Still, the question would remain: what the heck is
that pawn doing on g4?
Get smart!
Play chess!
By Peter Long
[email protected]
Hopefully, this is will enable the younger talents to get
the experience and rating points they need.
Also held is the Invitational Masters, which will bring in
some of the professional players from around the world to
inspire the local scene.
Following the International Open event, the All Indonesia
Chess Federation will hold the Indonesian Open in Jakarta
from Sept 12-20, so that the international players can go
from one event to another in the region.
The KL Open will be held from Sept 4-10 at the Swiss
Garden Hotel & Residences Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysian Chess Festival 2011
Aug 17-25: 8th Dato’ Arthur Tan Malaysia
Open Chess Championship The Malaysia Chess
Challenge 2011; 2nd Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng
Seniors Open
Aug 21: Swensen’s Age Group Rapid
Aug 25: Malaysia Chess Festival Open Blitz
Aug 26: 2nd Merdeka Individual Rapid Open
Aug 27-28: 31st Astro Merdeka Team Chess
Championship
7...exd5 8.dxc5 Bxc5 (Diagram 2)
9.Bg2?!
Shirov,Alexei (2709) - Anand,Viswanathan (2817)
24th León Masters (3), 04.06.2011
Shirov starts to go astray, but one cannot blame him for not
wanting to take on d5 and potentially go down in flames.
Unfortunately for him, that is exactly what happens. 9.Qxd5
Qb6 10.Bc4 Be6 (10...Bxf2+ is also possible, but leads to
nothing decisive after 11.Ke2 Be6 12.Qb5+ Nc6 13.Bxe6 fxe6
14.Nf3) 11.Bb5+ Nc6 12.Bxc6+ bxc6 13.Qf3 protecting f2
and g4, though Black’s chances are to be preferred due to the
slightly better development and bishop pair.
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.g4.
This is by far the most aggressive approach to the CaroKann Advance, and has led to many a tactical slugfest. The
idea is obviously to gain space and time over the bishop, as
well as promote dangerous options if the pawns start rolling
forward on the kingside. Though of questionable reputation,
it is also a favorite of Shirov’s.
9...Ne7 10.h3 Qb6 11.Qe2 0-0 12.Nf3?
4...Bd7 5.c4 e6.
A mistake that allows 12...d4! However the position was
probably compromised as it was.
This line does not see much grandmaster play, and it is
hardly surprising considering the awkward bishop on d7 and
the unattractive development problems Black will need to
solve.
13.Ne4 Bb5 14.Qd2 Nbc6
Threatening Bb4.
6.Nc3 c5!!N (Diagram 1)
15.a3 Ng6 16.b4 Be7 17.Bb2 Rfd8 0-1.
Free newsletter for Serdang residents
By Basil Foo
SERI KEMBANGAN: Aiming to provide the
community with alternative news, the fourth issue of
quarterly newsletter i-Serdang was distributed last
week.
“As our news is what the mainstream media doesn’t
cover and is apolitical, the newsletter has been widely
accepted by local residents,” said Ean Yong Hian Wah.
The Seri Kembangan assemblyperson, whose office
funds the publication, said the free 12-page newsletter
is produced in Chinese to cater to residents.
He said i-Serdang, or “Love Serdang” in Chinese,
will introduce people to local cuisines, personalities
and history.
“For example, the front-page [of our fourth issue]
shows the Serdang tree that gave the township its
name,” he said.
The fourth issue also includes a review of the oldest
restaurant in Serdang and a public poll on the
relocation of the night market.
He added that due to cost constraints, only 15,000
copies can be produced every three months.
“We also plan to have house-to-house distribution,”
he said after handing out copies of i-Serdang to vendors
and market-goers at the Seri Kembangan morning
market.
Serdang Member of Parliament Teo Nie Ching and
Subang Jaya councillor Tai Cheng Heng also distributed
the newsletter.
Gallery
22
June 17 — 19, 2011
The main attraction at the USJ
Family Day in Subang Jaya last
Saturday (June 11) was the hotair balloon ride, which attracted
long queues.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri
Khalid Ibrahim throwing a
basketball to launch the
Serdang Cup basketball
competition on Tuesday
(June 7). Looking on are
(from left) Subang Jaya
councillor Ng Sze Han,
Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching,
state executive councillor
Ean Yong Hian Wah, Subang Jaya Municipal Council
president Datuk Asmawi
Kasbi, and state exco Ronnie Liu.
Participants of the
Subang Jaya Municipal
Council’s Cycle for a
Healthy Life campaign,
which kicked off on
April 24 and will be held
every last Sunday of
each month.
A participant
wrapping “bak
chang” during
a dumplingwrapping competition held
on Saturday
(June 4), held
in conjunction
with the Chinese dumpling
festival.
Children looking at a “human statue” street performer during the JCI Petaling Jaya
Fancy Hats Charity Walk in Shah Alam last Saturday.
Children playing a catapult game during the USJ Family Day event at the Subang
Jaya Municipal Council stadium last Saturday.
Culture 23
June 17 — 19, 2011
INTERVIEW
CALENDAR
By Terence Toh
Fused
Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan is
the resident choreographer at the
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts
Centre. Winner of the 2010 Bintang
Irama 1Malaysia 2010 award, Lex’s
choreography has been seen in
productions such as Chitra, Kaki
Blue and Adam: The Musical. He
also has experience in acting,
singing, dancing and directing.
His latest production, a dance
drama titled Nitya Sumangali – The
Eternal Wife, is the story of Kalyani,
a woman chosen to be a devadasi,
to serve in a temple as an eternal
wife of God. In this interview with
Selangor Times, Lex talks about his
inspirations and influences.
What attracted you to writing a
dance drama about the ancient
tradition of the devadasi?
The initial idea for this show
came to me from the book Nitya
Sumangali, which was about
the devadasi tradition in South
India. In the process of reading
it, I became emotional, feeling
for these girls who were sent to
the temples to become temple
servants and dancers.
I have always been working to
incorporate social issues into my
dance pieces, and immediately
upon reading this, I started to
visualise this tradition as a dance
form. That is how I embarked on
this dance piece, and now it’s all
set to be revealed.
What kind of research went
into the writing of this piece?
Was the story of Kalyani based
on a real character?
The devadasi tradition is a strong
component of the ancient Hindu
temple traditions, and I did not
want to give false impressions
of it. Therefore, I was sure to
conduct thorough research to
make extra sure that I got all the
facts right. I obtained research
books and papers from Chennai,
India, and also talked to many of
my other friends from India to find
out more about these traditions.
The hardest part for me
in writing this script was
the difficulty in achieving a
chronological story flow without
the aid of words or text.
The story of Nitya Sumangali
– The Eternal Wife is about a
young devadasi named Kalyani.
There were many different
approaches applied to the study
of this tradition, as well as many
factual inconsistencies inherent
in them, and in writing this
piece, I did not wish to further
complicate issues. Therefore, I
literally created the character of
Kalyani and the story of her cruel
fate. Who, or what, have been
the main influences on your
choreography? To what extent
can these influences be seen
in Nitya Sumangali – The
Eternal Wife?
Many of my choreographic
influences came from two of my
great gurus of dance, Master
Ramli Ibrahim and Dr Joseph
Gonzales. Both of them taught
me the basics and fundamentals
of dance, and their constant
support has pushed me to further
pursue dance studies.
Contemporary staging
is needed to highlight the
performing arts to local audiences
nowadays as media technology is
developing extremely quickly. So,
when working on a piece, I keep
the content of my influences, and
change their forms as required.
I enjoy deconstructing dance,
Compiled by Nick Choo & Terence Toh
Email: [email protected]
Various; June 14-19;
Actors Studio @ Lot 10,
Kuala Lumpur; www.
theactorsstudio.com.my, 032142 2009, RM10
A fusion of artists, ideas
and performances in this bimonthly experimental series.
The rest of this month’s
line-up: MyDance Alliance
presents Dancebox (June 17,
8.30pm); BACA: Rehearsed
Reading (June 18, 8:30pm);
and We Are Malaysian Made
presents Malaysian Made
Movies, curated by Michael
Chen (June 19, 3pm).
Unmasked.Ed
Art exhibition; June 7-19; Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; 0340479000, www.klpac.org; free admission
Editor’s
Pick
Nitya Sumangali
– The Eternal
Wife
Dance drama; June
22-26; Kuala Lumpur
Performing Arts
Centre; 03-40479000,
www.klpac.org; RM13
/ RM15 / RM25
A FEW centuries ago in some parts of India,
a practice developed in which certain women
were chosen to be devadesi, or wives of
God, in a marriage that usually occurred
before the girls reached puberty. These wives
of God lived in or around temples to perform
various duties. The devadasi were also a
community of artists, presenting dance and
music performances, becoming an integral
part of many large Hindu temples.
Due to circumstances, these dancing girls
became women of pleasure and were forced
into flesh trade, being subjected to untold
misery.
Set in an old temple of Shiva, Nitya
Sumangali tells the story of a devadasi
named Kalyani who falls victim to a cruel fate
as an eternal wife of God, following tradition
– even in death.
This period dance drama challenges
creativity on every front – from choreography,
costume and set design to sound and light –
and features the deconstruction of classical
and contemporary dance.
keeping the classical essence of
its gestures, props and sets, while
adapting it to a contemporary form
to appeal to modern audiences.
What are the strengths of using
dance as a medium in which to
tell a story? What can it achieve
that other forms of presentation
cannot?
For me, the appeal of dance
has always been its ability to
reach beyond words. Actions
have always spoken louder than
sounds. But what also interests
me far more is the idea of
“subjectivity” through dance. For
example, if you write or say
something, 10 different people
listening or reading it will get
the same idea. However, when
you dance, 10 different people
will get different ideas based on
their own interpretations. That
is simply the nature of human
movements.
I have also always enjoyed
incorporating complex themes in
my choreography. I believe that
dance can be used for far more
than to entertain; rather, it can be
used to explore local stigmas and
social issues. I strive to introduce
audiences to a different point of
view about dance.
Finally, what can audiences
expect from Nitya Sumangali –
The Eternal Wife?
Audiences can expect to enjoy an
art based on an ancient tradition,
and experience the exotic setting
of an ancient temple. Also, it is
a good opportunity to come and
witness the work of our very own
local performing artists shaping
Malaysian identity through the arts.
Presented by Malay
Singaporean artist Syahidah
Osman Cawley. “The works
cover about a 10-year
period in her life. Many of
the pieces are of the people
closest to her, particularly
her husband and eldest
son, Ainan. This reflects the
composition of the family
… she has striven to speak
of the inner quality of her
subjects in each piece.”
Simply The Original featuring The
Birdian Saxophone Quartet
Music; June 26; The
Actors Studio @ Lot
10; 603-21422009
/ 21432009, www.
theactorsstudio.com.
my; RM15 (entry by
minimum donation)
“Sit back and enjoy
this wonderful journey
that brings you arrangements of famous tunes with a mixture of light
duet, trio and quartet music that is sure to fascinate you!” Featuring the
Birdian Saxophone Quartet: Ian Chan Wing Hang, Low Chee Meng,
Richard Goh Hao Tian, Foo Yee Lee, Cheryl Mah Yiing Chiau.
Shakespeare Demystified: Julius Caesar
Theatre; June 29-July 3; Indicine @ KLPac;
03-40479000, www.klpac.org; RM20 (entry
by minimum donation)
This staging of Shakespeare’s classic
play features scenes in their original text,
interspersed with modern-day narration.
Featuring Marina Tan, Omar Ali, Alfred Loh,
Nabihan Yaacob, Lim Soon Heng, Kien Lee,
Qahar Aqilah and Sandee Chew.
The Sound of Music
Musical; June 21-26; Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre;
03-22872727, www.ticketspeople.com, email: [email protected];
RM190-RM590
In commemoration of its landmark 75th anniversary, Rodgers and
Hammerstein’s beloved musical The Sound of Music arrives in KL direct
from the West End for a limited performance run.
Dewan Filharmonik Petronas
Spotlight Series: Reza Salleh
Concert; June 27; Dewan Filharmonik Petronas; 03-20517007, www.
mpo.com.my, email:
dfp_boxoffice@petronas.
com.my; RM38/48
Singer-songwriter
Reza Salleh performs
his personal brand of
alternative acoustic folk
rock, singing songs
from his debut album
Realize. Also featuring Az
Samad, Liyana Fizi and
Providence Brown.
Published by Selangor State Government and printed by Dasar Cetak (M) Sdn Bhd No. 7, Persiaran Selangor, Seksyen 15, 40000, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

p 9 – 16 - Selangor Times

Transcription

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