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Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim warming up with participants of the run for peace in Taman Klang Jaya last Sunday. Story on page 16.
hulu selangor: Kuala Kubu Bharu will become the first town in Selangor with its own designated bike lanes by December, with Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam likely to follow suit soon. Executive councillor Elizabeth Wong told Selangor Times the Hulu Selangor District Council, in its July full board meeting, had approved a proposal to construct bike lanes around Kuala Kubu Bharu. Kuala Kubu Bharu will serve as a pilot project. If it is successful, the Petaling Jaya mayor is also keen to build bike lanes around the city [to reduce traffic congestion and the citys carbon footprint], said Wong in a phone interview. Wong said Shah Alam is another city that has the potential to transform itself into a biking city as its development over the years has been more controlled and organised.
endanger cyclists by parking their vehicles on bicycle routes, said Wong. She added that public education and campaigns are needed to educate road users to be considerate to cyclists on the road.
Hulu Selangor district councillor Chua Yee Ling told Selangor Times the state government, district council and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research are very supportive of Kuala Kubu Bharus bike lane project. Chua said an estimated RM800,000 will be needed to implement the project, which will be sponsored by the state. Currently many local residents choose to drive, even for short journeys, to schools or town because it can be dangerous to cycle with inconsiderate car drivers on the road. With designated bike lanes [separated from the main road], itll be safer for children to cycle to schools and residents to cycle to town, said Chua when met at Kuala Kubu Bharu. She said parking spaces will be provided in public places such as schools, bus stations, post offices and markets for cyclists to park Turn To page 2
news
OctOber 7 9, 2011
SHAH ALAM: Local authorities are refuting allegations in an English daily that councillors are pocketing allowances meant for staff and service centres. The Star reported on Sept 23 that some local councillors in Selangor are allegedly abusing the RM2,500 monthly allowance given to them by the state. The report also quoted Klang Consumer Association president Devadass Anjan, who said he was sceptical about giving allowances to the councillors as not all of them have service centres. But councillors and local councils public relations personnel told Selangor Times the local governments check the premises and audit the operating expenses of service centres.
Councillors from the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) also said the council does not provide the monthly allowance in cash. Councillor Robert Choo said MPKs corporate communication unit issues the cheques for his service centre rental to the property owner, and his office assistants salary to the employee directly. We have to present receipts for our service centres utility bills and stationer y purchases to make claims, he said. Similarly, Selayang Municipal Council public relations director Mohamad Zin Masoad said councillors have to present their service centre rental receipt and office assistant salary slip before they would be reimbursed. Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) president Datuk Hasan
Nawawi Abd Rahman said the council reimburses the councillors based on their service centres tenancy agreements, and that the maximum amount MPKj councillors can claim for their service centre rental is RM750 a month. District councils in Hulu Selangor and Kuala Langat provide significantly less funds for the councillors service centre operations compared with their urban counterparts. Public relations unit assistant information officer Shahrulnizam Khalil said the Kuala Langat District Council only provides a maximum of RM1,000 to operate a service centre. Some councillors choose to set up a service counter at the state assemblypersons office to save on rent and use the RM1,000 to pay the office assistant salary, utility bills and other expenses, said Sharulnizam.
He added that the councillors must submit their bills and receipts of the expenses to the district council every month. In addition, the councils Financial Department would audit the premises and receipts submitted. Hulu Selangor district councillor Chan Fook Heng said his colleagues only receive RM800 a month to run a service centre. Most of us use it to pay our assistants wage and utility bills, said Chan, adding that most councillors set up a service counter in state or council buildings to save on rent. Chan dismissed the allegation that councillors are pocketing the allowances, saying it is politically motivated and an attempt to discredit local councillors and the state government based on unfounded accusations. The allowance allocated to us is
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their bikes. The Public Works Department has yet to finalise the bicycle route, but it is expected to connect the town centre, SJK (T) Kuala Kubu Bharu, SJK (C) Khing Ming and SMK Kuala Kubu Bharu Bestari Perdana with residential areas like Taman Pesara, Taman Seruling, and Chinese new village Kampung Asam Kumbang. Chua expects the move to reduce the number of cars on the road and traffic congestion during peak hours in town. For short-distance travel, cycling is actually better than driving because it saves time, petrol, reduces your carbon footprint and is healthier, she said. Existing bike lanes surrounding vernacular school SJK (C) Khing Ming will be incorporated into the new bicycle route as well. However, Chua pointed out that Putrajaya, Jonker Street in Malacca and Georgetown in Penang have their
own bike lanes, but local residents do not make use of them due to a lack of promotion by the authorities. To avoid such failure in its bike lane project, Chua said the district council will launch a strong campaign to publicise its bike lanes and encourage residents and schoolchildren to cycle. Well educate the public on traffic and safety rules for cyclists, and join hands with bike shops to have promo- Chua pointing out existing bike lanes near tions or discounts for bicy- vernacular school SJK (C) Khing Ming, which cle purchases, said Chua. will be incorporated into the new project. Early last month, Petaling Jaya mayor ent for the public. Datuk Roslan Sakiman expressed interThe mayor urged residential associaest in building bike lanes around the city. tions or local organisations that are keen Roslan, who started cycling to work to have bike lanes in their area to submit last month, told the press that desig- proposals to the city council so that the nated bicycle routes are needed to council would have a better gauge of the make cycling safer and more conveni- publics interest in the initiative.
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World sight campaign
In conjunction with World Sight Day, Focus Point and Caring Hearts Foundation will launch their inaugural World Sight Day Campaign tomorrow (Oct 8) at LG concourse, Sunway Pyramid. There will also be exhibitions on eye health and talks by eye care professionals and opthalmologists from today (Oct 7) until Oct 9. Highlights are free eye profiling, corneal health checks and demonstrations of premium lenses. RM1 from every registered participant and water bottle sold will be donated to children in need of eye care in Klang Valley. Call 0378805520 ext 190 (Clara) for details.
SHAH ALAM: Pakatan Rakyats Shadow Budget for 2012 proposes to cap government expenditure and reduce wastage to channel more resources to lower-income groups. We have prepared the budget at RM220 billion, of which RM181 billion comes from taxes, licensing, Petronas and others, while RM39 billion will be deficit, said Mohd Rafizi Ramli. The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) strategy chief, who spoke on the Shadow Budget at a forum at Quality Hotel here on Wednesday night, said their smaller budget aimed to do more with less wastage. Among the cost-cutting measures will be a RM10 billion reduction of the Prime
Ministers Department budget to RM5 billion from the current RM15 billion. Auctions of Approve Permits at market price will also bring in extra income of RM1.2 billion, Rafizi added. He said among the benefits would be RM1,000 annual bonuses for senior citizens above 60 and homemakers who earn below RM1,500 monthly. Welfare Department aid will increase from RM300 to RM550 monthly, while a top-up allowance increase to RM550 monthly will be set in place to help the hardcore poor. The fundamental question is who the budget is for. We are targeting the bottom 60% with household earnings less than RM3,000 a month, said Liew Chin Tong.
The Bukit Bendera MP said in order to help needy families, the budget had to look at transportation, health, housing, and security, which accounted for most of their income. He said to achieve their target, they would have to oppose monopolies such as those in the local airline, telecommunication, and media industries. Internet costs are expensive as Telekom Malaysia (TM) almost monopolises the entire market, he said. Liew explained that if other consumer services were allowed to compete with TM, costs would be lowered and trickle down as savings to ordinary Malaysians. Among the speakers at the forum were Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Art exhibition
The MIA Art Centre will be opened to the public for one week from Oct 9-16, 11am-4pm for an exhibition showcasing works by students pursuing creative arts and hobbies courses at the centre. Themed R3 Explore, Express, Enjoy, the exhibition not only inspires and motivates students, but also provides them an opportunity to share their works with the public and loved ones. Selected artworks will also be on sale on Oct 9 from 12pm-2pm. Call 03-2163 2337 (Farah) or email mia.ems@gmail.com for details.
Government expenditure: RM220 billion Enhancing education: RM4.4 billion RM500/month for teachers Minimum wage: RM1,100/month Facilitation fund: RM2 billion Help SMEs adjust operations to create jobs Workforce technical and vocational training: RM1.6 billion Training teachers to address shortage: RM200 million Improving vernacular schools: RM200 million Annual seniors citizens (above 60) bonus: RM1,000 Estimated cost RM1.7 billion Annual homemakers bonus: RM1,000 Estimate cost RM2 billion Hardcore poor supplementary income: RM550/month Estimated cost RM200 million Direct welfare payments: RM550/month Childcare allowance: RM1,000/year Existing goods and services subsidies: RM22 billion Improving SME cleanliness facilities: RM100 million Public housing projects allocation increase: RM1 billion
Fundraising dinner
(From left): Rafizi, Nurul Izzah, Dzulkefly and Liew. Klang Member of Parliament Charles Santiago will organise a fundraising dinner on Oct 14 to raise funds for welfare programmes organised by his office and the upcoming general election. Among the speakers are Pakatan lawmakers Datuk Teng Chang Khim, Teresa Kok, Charles Santiago, Gobind Singh Deo, Dr P Ramasamy and Khalid Samad. Call 016-6267797 (Stephenie Lao) or 03-33232122 for details.
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OctOber 7 9, 2011
SHAH ALAM: Selangor attracted RM3.4 billion in foreign investment in the first six months of the year, based on statistics released by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida). Teresa Kok said the state is second only to Penang, which beat all other states by securing RM3.6 billion between January and July this year. The executive councillor for investment, industry and trade said the statistics show that Selangor is still one of the most popular investment destinations in Malaysia. Our states economy is growing steadily, she said at a press conference after the executive council weekly
meeting on Wednesday. The Kinrara assemblyperson added that Selangor has the highest number of approved manufacturing projects 158 of all the states. She said 102 are new projects, while 56 are extended projects. These are estimated to create 11,006 new jobs. The Petaling district will see 49 new projects, with 26 of them concentrated in Shah Alam, nine in Puchong, five in Subang, and four each in Serdang and Petaling Jaya. The Klang district also has 44 projects approved from January to July this year, followed by 18 projects in Hulu Langat, 17 in Gombak, 12 in Kuala Selangor, and eight in Kuala Langat.
SHAH ALAM: Kampung Sri Temenggung residents in Selayang have agreed to the states offer of new homes at discounted rates to end the dispute over their relocation. The squatters have accepted the states offer of medium-cost units of 850 sq ft in size at RM42,000, said state executive councillor Iskandar Samad here on Wednesday. Iskandar, whose portfolios include housing and squatter settlement, said the amicable agreement ends the deadlock between 29 families and the state, which has been pending since 2005. The 29 families had resisted eviction orders because they felt that the initial offer of low-cost units at RM42,000 was not good enough. A total of 137 families had taken
up the offer by the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration. The residents of Kampung Sri Temenggung had settled at the village 50 years ago, but had been forced to relocate under former Menteri Besar Dr Khir Toyos zerosquatter policy. Iskandar said the states new policy is to offer medium-cost units to lower-income groups, and the families were benefiting from the programme. Iskandar pointed out that the market value for the medium-cost homes is around RM150,000. The state will also allow the families to stay at their existing homes until the apartments are ready. Selangor is slated to build some 5,000 units of medium-cost homes in 2012, and 450 will be built in the Sri Temenggung area.
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Correction
In the photo caption of page 1 of our Sept 30-Oct 2 Issue 42, we erroneously captioned Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) president as Datuk Adnan Ikhsan (who was the former president). His name is actually Datuk Asmawi Kasbi. Any error and inconvenience caused is regretted.
News
OctOber 7 9, 2011
KAJANG: Local councillors who were g iven Discharg es not Amounting to Acquittals (DNAA) for wearing Bersih 2.0 t-shirts said the move was a face-saving measure by the government. We were arrested on June 29 for wearing a Bersih shirt which was only declared illegal on July 1,said councillor Zulfikar Ali Ariffinm following Wednesdays decision by the prosecution in the Kajang magistrates court in Putrajaya. He said the decision by the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) didnt make sense and was politically motivated. The government knows theyre wrong. Theyve no strong basis to charge us, and instead of admitting their mistake, they decided to discharge but not acquit us, said Zulfikar. Zulfikar was among the 10 charged for wearing the yellow tshirts in solidarity with the election reform watchdog at the Kajang Municipal Councils (MPKj) full board meeting on June 29. Retelling it sounds like a joke now. Eleven of us were supposed to be charged, but councillor Cheong Seow Foon could not make it to court and escaped the charges, said councillor Ng Tien Chee. Cheong was supposed to be
Temporary inconvenience
PUCHONG: An eight-month temporary road diversion will be in place at Putra Heights interchange on the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) starting Sunday, Oct 9. The diversion is to facilitate construction works on a new bridge which will connect Puchong to Shah Alam, Klang, and Hicom. Those from Puchong towards Shah Alam, Klang and Hicom should keep left after the Putra Heig hts Interchang e, sa id L ing karan Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak) head of communications Shah Rizal Mohamed Fawzi. He urged the public to follow the road signs which will guide them to their destination. Traffic from Puchong to Persiaran Kewajipan Subang Jaya will remain unchanged. For inquiries, contact the L D P Helpline at 0374947333.
Kajang Municipal Council (MPKJ) councillors in Putrajaya in July. (From left) Tan Booh Wah, Zulfikar Ali Ariffin, Ong Seng Peng, Lee Learn Eng, Steven Chan Jeong Hon, Lee Kee Hiong, T Chandra Mohan, Cheong Siow Foon, Ng Tien Chee, Mohd Mohyiddin Mohamed Mesbah, and Razaly Hassan.
charged at a later date, but the prosecution made no move to do so. Ng said the government should stop playing political games and just grant them a Discharge Amounting to Acquittals (DAA). This is in fact a straightforward case, and if the government is refusing to admit their mistakes, it just shows there is a big flaw with the prosecution system in Malaysia, said Ng. The councillors also expressed
their dismay at being denied their day in court when they werent given a chance to argue their case. It was just a waste of time as we went all the way to Putrajaya anticipating a three-day hearing which was cut short to half a day. We werent even allowed a chance to speak up for ourselves. How is that fair? said councillor Lee Kee Hiong. Their lawyer, Lim Lip Eng, also requested for DAA, but the prose-
cution said the DNAA was a decision made by the Attorney General. Its poor decision-making on the governments part by wanting to move on without allowing us to argue the case, said Lim. Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan also echoed the view that the decision by the prosecution was just face-saving measure. And it is really unfair to the persons concerned, said the Bersih 2.0 chief.
news
october 7 9, 2011
PUCHONG: The state has urged the Ministry of Education to approve the construction of three schools here to cater to a growing number of students in the state. In a letter to the Ministry, the state voiced their support for the applications of SJKC Yak Chee, SMJK Katholik, and the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) to set up schools here. The state decided to approve the land for the schools after the state executive committee meeting on Sept 23, said executive councillor Teresa Kok. At a press conference on Monday, Kok showed reporters the letter dated Sept 30, which contained the proposed lots and land sizes for the three schools. SJKC Yak Chee applied for 1.67 hectares, while SMJK Katholik applied for 2.58 hectares of Lots 65768 and 65766 respectively in Taman Tasik Prima. Both applications are for the construction of branches of existing schools: SJKC Yak Chee in Puchong and SMJK Katholik in Petaling Jaya. Another 1.01 hectares of Lot 65766 have been applied for by Nasom to build a school for autistic children, she said. Kok said the state has now done its part and is leaving the ultimate approval in the Ministrys hands.
The meeting was held in the showroom of property developers Bolton Bhd, which had allocated these land parcels in their development as school reserve land. Also present was Chinese Schools Development Committee deputy chairperson Lee Kim Chuan, who welcomed the states initiative. In Petaling, there are 45,000 students in 20 SJKC (Chinese vernacular) schools. These statistics are among the highest in the country, with some schools having up to 4,000 students, he said. Lee said they proposed to add another the eight schools to the Petaling district to re- Kok with the letter to andMinistry of Education. Looking on are Gobind (right), Teh (back left) Chan (back right). duce overcrowding in current schools and to minimise travel time for students. Nasom chairperson Teh Beng Choon said their school, He added that while the optimal student population of upon approval and construction, will be the societys first 1,500 per school is a long way from being achieved, he hopes permanent home in its 26-year history. the state and Ministry will take note of the issue. The autism identification rate in Malaysia is low. There SMJK Katholik board chairperson Datuk Lim Hock San may be undiagnosed autistic children attending regular schools said the school has over 3,000 students and 40 classes. who drop out due to inability to cope, he said. He said the number of students who apply to enter their Also at the meeting was Puchong MP Gobind Singh, Bolton school every year end 20,000 is a sign that they desper- executive director Chan Wing Kwong, and Subang Jaya Muately need a second school branch. nicipal Council (MPSJ) councillor Ng Sze Han.
KLANG: The building of Southpoint, a third port beside Westport and Northport, should be halted until the Port Klang Authority (PKA) is transparent and willing to disclose their master plan. I want PKA to reveal their master plan and inform the public why a third port is necessary, said Klang Member of Parliament Charles Santiago. Where are the statistics or studies to show that Southpoint will increase Port Klangs net gain? Where is the proof that Southpoint will bring new business to all ports? Santiago expressed concern that the building of Southpoint would result in more competition between the existing ports. However, PKA chairperson Datuk Teh Kim Poo feels that competition can help improve services. I believe [Southpoint] will attract new clients and generate more business in the next five years, he said. Teh added that the privately owned
Southpoint would bring in new clients with the affordable prices they are going to offer. He said Southpoint, which will be built next year, will help address the overflow of imports and exports related to the marine trade and industry shipping in the near future. According to PKA, both Northport and Westport will reach their maximum capacities by 2016. However, Santiago argues that there is no evidence to justify that both ports will face maximum capacity. We need substantial proof before embarking on a project that might ultimately bring in losses instead of gains, said Santiago. He pointed out that the country is facing an unstable economy, and business might drop in the near future. He urged PKA to do a more thorough research to ensure Southpoint will be a viable project. Im not objecting to it; in fact, I will support the building of Southpoint if it can increase Port Klangs net gain, he said.
PETALING JAYA: Both this city andGuangzhou are set to sign a Friendly City status agreement by the end of the year to mutually benefit from each others social, technical and economic experiences. Both cities have a lot in common, said Petaling Jaya City Councillor (MBPJ) Richard Yeoh, who said PJ and Guangzhou are implementing almost similar sets of policies. Yeoh explained that a tie-up would benefit PJ as both cities are pursuing environmental and sustainable policies such as Low Carbon City and Liveable City standards. MBPJ is finalising details towards inking an agreement with Guangzhous local government following a technical visit to the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province. Yeoh said MBPJ could exchange engineering and technical knowledge on city planning with the provincial city government. The MBPJ entourage included Deputy Mayor Puasa Md Taib, One Stop Centre (OSC) head Lee Lih Shyan, and councillor Chan Chee Kong. The know-how that Yeoh thinks MBPJ could
learn from Guangzhou includes the implementation of public transport services such rail and bus networks inside its 7,000 sq km area. The city of 12 million also faces the same issues that plague urban centres: garbage disposal. The MBPJ entourage received a thorough briefing by the Guangzhou local government on the citys comprehensive recycling programme as part of its solid-waste management. Yeoh also pointed out that both cities have ethnic ties as PJ has a sizeable Cantonese-speaking Chinese community due to immigration from Guangzhou and nearby areas. It is also hoped that a Friendly City status will increase economic cooperation between the cities. Both Guangzhou and PJ are strategic economic locations in eachs own country, are investment and manufacturing centres, and are top destinations for foreign investment. PJ and Guangzhou market themselves as the one-stop investment locations, Yeoh said, adding that economic opportunities from a tie-up have yet to be tapped. The MBPJ team was part of a Tourism Selangor roadshow representing PJ at the Guangzhou Fair 2011.
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KLANG: A dinner themed An Evening In Support For Change is being organised by Klang MP Charles Santiago on Oct 14. Santiago said the fundraising dinner for the upcoming general election will be held at Taman Rasnah Restaurant. We want to be prepared and make sure our party is equipped with enough funds to run campaigns, he said. He added that some of the funds raised will be used for welfare programmes by his service centre. There are too many programmes to run, with too little allocation for my office, he said. Santiago (centre) with supporters and Klang Among events planned for the year are an educa- Municipal Council (MPK) councillors. tional entrepreneur programme for youths and welfare programmes for single mothers. Singh Deo. Speakers for the dinner are Shah Alam MP Khalid For more information, donations and ticket sales, Samad, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Selangor Speaker contact 016-6267797 (Stephenie Lao) or call the MPs Datuk Teng Chang Khim, and Puchong MP Gobind office at 03-33232122.
news 10
october 7 9, 2011
SUBANG JAYA: Residents here have been assured that congestion and pollution from test piling work for the construction of the Kelana Jaya light rail transit (LRT) extension will be minimised. We are looking into solutions to prevent these problems which will cause distress to residents, said Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) infrastructure engineer Mohd Ariffuddin Kamari. He told residents during a dialogue session on Monday that MPSJ will send enforcement officers to ensure there is no traffic congestion as a result of double parking during test piling, which is expected to take 62 days. Twelve temporary roadsigns will be erected on the affected section of Jalan SS18/6 to notify the public of piling work, which starts on Oct 10. MPSJ will also be providing huge containers for contractors to throw rubbish and soil
into to ensure the area is free of excess mud and dirt. He also said contractors will only be allowed to work on Mondays to Saturdays from 8am to 5pm. For two months, residents will have to use alternative routes around the housing area to access the main road Jalan Jengka. Residents are really worried about double parking of heavy vehicles and machinery and the noise pollution, said residents committee member AB Naicker. The 57-year-old said residents wanted clarification from MPSJ and contractors on the impact of the project on the neighbourhood. He said noise pollution will affect those studying for exams, while congestion will hold up those going to work during rush hour. We will do our best to minimise the effects on the neighbourhood, especially the noise, Mohd Ariffuddin said. Present during the dialogue was Trans
Yeoh (in purple) with other representatives and residents at the edge of the test piling site.
Resources Corporation senior project managerZambri Ahmad Syah, who said residents could expect noise and vibration only during the first week. The 12-by-12-metre test pile area will not cause inconvenience to the residents as it is only a small space, he said. The soil test is to determine ifthe ground is strong enough for the building of station there.
Zambri added that the testing is absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of residents and future LRT users. If the soil test shows the land is not strong enough, LRT developers will have to go back to the drawing board to come up with a new structure that suits the strength of the land. Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh urged the council to follow through on the measures promised.
From left, Ainol, Loi and Yeoh discussing traffic woes with residents.
Sleepless in Saujana
SUBANG JAYA: Rebuilding and restoration work of shops damaged during the explosion at EmpireShopping Gallery is keeping nearby residents awake at night. I hope the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) will make it clear that contractors cannot work past 6pm as it is disturbing the residents living close by, said Hannah Yeoh. The Subang Jaya assemblyperson pointed out that work to repair damage caused by the suspected gas-leak blast on Wednesday (Sept 28) should commence at 8am on Mondays to Saturdays only. Yeoh had received complaints from residents at Saujana Residency thatloud drilling and hammering noises could be heard from the mall at as late as 11pm. Yeoh saidcontractors should not rush to complete their work at the expense of neighbouring residents. She also urged MPSJ to do a thorough inspection of nearby buildings, including Saujana Residency and Wisma Consplant, to make sure both are safe for occupancy. We wouldnt want something to happen to other buildings, and hopefully the council will do an inspection and make sure everything is safe and in good working condition, she said. As of Tuesday, police have declared the Empire Gallery building safe, and handed it over to the council and Empire management to proceed with cleaning and rebuilding.
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october 7 9, 2011
YouthologY
Lee Lian Kong
Getaran jiwa Melanda hatiku Tersusun nada Irama dan lagu Walau hanya sederhana Tetapi tak mengapa Moga dapat membangkitkan Sedarlah kamu wahai insan Getaran Jiwa, P Ramlee
his song will continue to resonate timelessly. P Ramlee was not a one-hit wonder. His songs spanned decades, from the infectious Bunyi Gitar to the aching Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti. His is a genius sorely missed in todays creatively barren music industry. Subsequently, this dearth is derived and feeds from us, the masses, who, some will say, are easily satisfied. Id rather call it not well equipped. Both descriptions are fair. We get overexcited at mediocre copycat songs like Malaysian Boy, and are not attuned to exposing ourselves to a whole plethora of music beyond the Top 20s. My parents sent my sister and me for classical piano lessons from a young age. I had a little more patience for the strict discipline and persevered to Grade 8, the last grade. My sister stopped halfway, partly because my parents couldnt afford the ever increasing fees, but also because she thought they were lame. Which I agreed with. The focus was on passing exams, thus classes were tailored to master three classical pieces, scales (ugh), and some technical singing and sightreading, year after year. Music classes in school werent any better. We learnt some basic note reading and played the recorder until Standard Six. In secondary school, music was no longer compulsory but an elective, known insultingly as a subject for the less smart students.
29/09/11 5:04 PM
12 OctOber 7 9, 2011
InsIght
rime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razaks announcement on Sept 15 to repeal archaic security laws and emergency declarations as well as amend a few other oppressive laws has caught many by surprise. So far, attention has mostly been focused on the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the two new laws that are supposed to replace it. However, legal experts reveal that Najibs promise to end the Emergency Proclamations is way more significant than the abolition of the ISA. People dont see it, they think the promise to repeal the ISA was the most important announcement, but it is the lifting of Emergency Proclamations that would have the largest impact on the country, constitutional law expert Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi told Selangor Times. He said emergency laws, numbering in the hundreds, would expire within six months once the Emergency Proclamations are revoked, based on Article 150 (7) of the Federal Constitution. He estimated that around 92 emergency ordinances, five to six parliamentary acts, and hundreds of subsidiary legislations would cease to have effect. These include emergency ordinances that allow for detention without trial and eviction of squatters as well as regulations that created Rela and Rukun Tetangga. The government can re-enact the laws that they feel are still needed, but these new laws will be subject to constitutional limits and human rights protected under the constitution, said the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) legal adviser. He explained that emergency laws are subject to very few limits compared to ordinary laws. The Malaysian Bar Councils Constitutional Law Committee chairperson, Syahredzan Johan, highlighted that emergency laws are considered valid even if they are inconsistent with provisions in the constitution, except for a limited scope of matters, during Emergency. These exceptions are only applicable to matters related to religion, citizenship, language, Malay customs, and native law or customs in Sabah and Sarawak, as specified in Article 150 (6A) of the constitution. Fundamental liberties such as freedom of movement, freedom of speech, assembly and association guaranteed under our constitution Isnt it time for laws enacted during this period to be repealed? can be suspended during Emergency. For example, the Emergency (Public ances between the three branches, without a police permit. Order and Prevention of Crime) Or- said Syahredzan. He said the prime minister can dinance 1969 allows for detention revoke the three emergency declaRestoring Malaysia back without trial indefinitely. rations immediately by advising the In addition, the federal govern- to normal King to do so. Currently, Malaysia is still under ment can make laws that are under Alternatively, the Parliament can a states jurisdiction such as on land a nationwide Emergency declared annul the Emergency Proclamations matters during Emergency, as pro- in 1969 in response to the May 13 by tabling motions in both houses, vided under Article 150 (4) of the riots and two state Emergencies: which is the method Najibs adminone declared in Sarawak in 1966 and istration is adopting. constitution. Wide powers are vested in the another in Kelantan in 1977 due to Shad Saleem speculated that executive when our country is in a political crises in the states. Najib may have picked the second Shad Saleem pointed out that method so that his administration state of emergency. Its end can only Malaysia is still under a nationwide would have more time to prepare be a good thing. It would restore powers taken Emergency only for legal purposes: for the re-enactment of certain away from the judiciary and legisla- This is a land where you and I can emergency laws. ture, and bring back checks and bal- still travel almost anywhere we like These emergency laws, some
While civil society rejoice in the upcoming end of emergency, a constitutional law expert warns that the government must substantially reform the provision related to emergency powers in the Federal Constitution. Over the years, a number of safeguards to prevent an abuse of the emergency powers has been eroded, law professor lee hoong Phun from Monash University told Selangor Times in an email interview. lee pointed out that prior to 1960, Article 150 of the constitution stipulated that an emergency Proclamation should end two months from the date
rule at will [by the removal of judicial review], said lee. The Constitutional (Amendment Act) 1981 provided that no court shall have jurisdiction to entertain or determine any application, question or proceeding, in whatever form, on any ground regarding the validity of a proclamation of emergency, or an ordinance, or their continued operation thereof. Consequently, Malaysia has been legally under a state of emergency since 1969, which lee said has caused an adverse impact on the state of constitutionalism in Malaysia. Repealing the proclamations of
Prof. Lee: Preventing abuse of the emergency powers has been eroded. emergency is not sufficient. Article 150 should be restored to its original position as set out in the 1957 Merdeka constitution, lee concluded.
Syahredzan: It would restore powers taken away from the judiciary and legislature.
made as far as back as 40 years ago, touched on many aspects of life. All of them will expire with the end of Emergency, but some of them may still be needed such as the ones on territorial waters. The challenge ahead for the Attorney Generals Chambers would be to re-enact them within constitutional limits, said Shad Saleem. Barely half a year ago, de facto law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had told Parliament that the federal government did not intend to lift the 1969 Emergency Proclamation. Nazri had said it would be difficult for the government to control crime and maintain public order if the emergency laws cease to have effect. The Speaker also rejected a private members bill proposed by Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR) to end all emergency declarations early this year. Indeed, the federal government has yet to announce when it will table the motions to end the three emergency declarations in Parliament. However, Syahredzan thinks the
emergency declarations should be revoked as soon as possible. There is no excuse. The emergency laws will only expire in six months, the ministries have more than enough time to prepare new laws [needed to replace the old ones], said the lawyer. End of EO and Rela? One of the things the public can look forward to with the end of Emergency is the end of the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969 that allows for detention without trial like the ISA and Dangerous Drugs Act. The Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969, commonly known as the EO, gained notoriety when it was used for the first time on political detainees prior to the Bersih 2.0 rally in July 2011. Six Parti Sosialis Malaysia members, including Member of Parliament for Sungai Siput Dr Michael Jeyakumar, were detained for 28 days without trial, and were only released on July 29 due to public pressure. EO detainees are commonly held in detention centres in Simpang Renggam, Johor or Machang, Kelantan. Over 3,000 people have been detained under the EO from 2,000 to 2009. Although the EO may be lesser known than the ISA, Syahredzan
People dont see it, they think the promise to repeal of the ISA was the most important announcement, but it is the lifting of Emergency Proclamations that would have the largest impact on the country.
said it has been more widely used to detain or banish people the police do not have sufficient evidence to charge in court. They include youths suspected of petty theft or being involved in gangsterism or secret societies. Selangor Times previously highlighted the case of three youths aged 19 to 22 who were first detained for 60 days and subsequently banished to Johor, Kedah and Pahang separately for two years, simply for alleged motorcycle theft. Syahredzan said EO detainees may still be required to serve the remaining term of their detention order even if the EO expires. But Shad Saleem thinks the federal government should release all detainees and those banished under EO in good faith once the law expires. I think it would be good to put a close to this chapter of emergency laws and detention so that the government, the detainees and their families can begin anew, said the law professor. Najibs adminsitration may attempt to resurrect the EO under ordinary laws, but both Shad Saleem
Prof Datuk Dr Shad: New laws will be subject to constitutional limits and human rights protected under the constitution.
and Syahredzan think that existing laws such as the Police Act and Sedition Act are more than sufficient to maintain public order. I think our police will be able to cope [using existing laws], said Shad Saleem. Apart from the EO, another significant impact of the end of Emergency may be the dissolution of Rela. The voluntar y reser ve was formed under the Essential (Ikatan Relawan Rakyat) Regulations 1966 under the 1964 Emergency Proclamation, said Syahredzan. The 1964 Emergency Proclamation was automatically revoked when the 1969 Emergency was declared, but Parliament passed an Act in 1979 so that emergency regulations made under the 1964 Emergency could continue to operate, he explained. In 2005, the law was again amended to grant Rela volunteers the right to carry and use firearms, stop, search and demand documents as well as arrest or enter premises without a warrant. The wide powers given to Rela have led to allegations of abuse against refugees and migrants and criticism from human rights groups.
Parliament can enact a new law to keep Rela, but its powers would be limited and subject to limitations within the constitution, Syahredzan said. Moving forward Shad Saleem foresees the end of Emergency to be one of the watershed moments in Malaysian legal history. Were living through very significant times, legally speaking. Of course well have to wait and see, right now weve only heard the announcement, but if the prime minister can pull through these changes, it would be a great feather to his cap, said the constitutional law expert. He noted that none of the previous prime ministers have had the desire or courage to end the emergency declarations. It would give a tremendous boost to the rule of law, increase judicial review of the judiciary, and ultimately give hope to activists that the struggle for the cause of liberty and human rights will bear fruit. Those in the cabinet or Parliament who support the prime ministers initiative would be on the right side of history, said Shad Saleem.
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an you please explain the mechanism for repealing the ISA in Parliament as well as the replacement of it by the two new laws? What kind of majority is required to carry the motion, and what are its implications in view of the current composition of Parliament? Keep up the good work! I never miss your column in Selangor Times each week! Loyarbochor, via email THE mechanism is relatively simple. However, the process, and the outcome, is anyones guess. Firstly, the Prime Minister and cabinet must actually have meant what they said. They must then inform the officers in the Attorney Generals Chambers, and particularly the Parliamentary Draftsman (or, more accurately Draftswoman, as its current occupant is the lovely Datuk Engku Nor Faizah Engku Atek). The Bills must be drafted, and presented in Parliament. A simple majority of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara must approve the Bills, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong must give the Royal Assent. The Bill must then be published in the Government Gazette. However, the lawyers in the Attorney Generals Chambers will follow the lead of their political masters. They will have to consult with the civil servants in the Home Affairs Ministry, as well as the police. It would hardly come as a surprise if these parties request that they enact the laws in such a way that is most efficacious for detaining whoever the police or Home Affairs Ministry people want detained. Such things as judicial oversight, the importance of fundamental liberties, and human rights may naturally take a back seat, notwithstanding the bold words of the Prime Minister. Whatever agenda or campaign the Prime Minister may be embarking on at the moment (some say it is reform, some say it is pure PR smoke and mirrors), it does not take a wondertypewriting monkey from cyberspace to tell you that there will be some dissent within the ranks. Not many individuals and institutions would readily surrender precious and muchwielded weapons such as these. Since a simple majority is all that is required, the Bills will have no problems passing through Parliament. The interesting question is what the opposition will do, and whether civil society will accept the Bills that will replace the ISA. As has been pointed out, Suhakam has already provided all the key elements that must be put in place to replace the ISA in
Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column by LoyarBurok (www. loyarburok.com) where all your profound, abstruse, erudite, hermetic, recondite, sagacious, and other thesaurus-described queries are answered!
for their own agendas, His Supreme Eminenceness urges all Malaysians to continue to read up, stand up, and speak up for what is right, and keep all parties accountable. ear Lord Bobo, if you were the PM, what goodies would you put in the Budget to win over Malaysians? Gold Digga, via email
LORDBobo sighs. And when His Banananess sighs, entire galaxies shudder. But such is the sad state of Malaysian politics, economics, soci well, just the state of Malaysia in general, that Lord Bobo cannot help but sigh. Everything seems geared towards winning votes or wooing the public. This is not what politicians should be doing. Politicians should be representing the rakyat in bread and butter matters, instead of trying to do what looks best. Similarly, the government should not be in a 24-7 PR spin, image-management mode. When thinking up the Budget, the government should be formulating what is best for the country moving forward, not what goodies will make the rakyat happy. It is sad, but it is true. And it is true, because that is what the people have allowed it to become. Because, the truth is, the majority of Malaysians do value these goodies. Theres nothing wrong with that. But we must also remind ourselves to continue to strive for other deliverables, other core issues. We must make our politicians realise that our votes will not be won just because petrol prices are lowered, or the income tax rate is reduced. If our votes are so easily swayed, then we only have ourselves to blame if the government only takes care of us in the run-up to a general elections.
13
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May 20
22, 2011
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25
By Will
iam Tan
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Pasar Seri Setia SS9A/1 Pasar Kg Chempaka Taman Tun Dr Ismail Hospital Forrest Medical Centre Colleges Help Institute College Bandar Utama (KBU) Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia
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NEWS 15
OCTOBER 7 9, 2011
PUCHONG: First their mother dies of a heart attack, then they find the body of their missing father in the same mortuary. This the cruel fate that has fallen upon 16-year-oldRuphan Raj and his 23-year-old sister Vasugi. I thought she was sleeping, said Ruphan, recalling how he found his mother lying on the sofa after returning to their home at theSri Seroja flats here last Friday. A post-mortem determined that G Satiavani, 47, had died of a heart attack. Her body was sent to the Serdang Hospital mortuary, where they discovered their 48-year-old father A Rajendran. Hehad gone missing a few days earlier after going to seek medical attention at a nearby hospital for abdominal pains. He was feeling ill, and he told us not to worry and that hed find his own way to the hospital, said Ruphan. Unbeknownst to them, he had died of liver failure at same hospital. Mortuary staff alerted the siblings of their fathers body when they listed his name as their mothers next-of-kin. Vasugi said she had been preparing to tell their father the news that their mother had passed away. Holding back tears, she explained that their mother had died from anguish and a broken heart that their father had
gone missing. After taking care of their parents for almost three years now, the siblings now only have their grandmother and an uncle to call family. Both their parents had been of ill health and had been unable to work in the last two years of their lives, leaving Ruphan to foot the rental and other payments. The teenage family breadwinner stopped schooling at Form One to work in a sports shop. Hes not academically strong, but hes a skilled worker and picks up on tasks very quickly. Im very proud of him, said Devan Subramaniam, Ruphans supervisor at work. According to Devan, Ruphan wants to become a hairstylist but could not afford to attend hairstyling school as his parents did not have financial savings. Concerned neighbours look on as Gobind and Kok hand over a cheque Vasugi, who just started working as a cashier to Ruphan, Vasugi and their grandmother. in a nearby hypermarket, said they would take care of each other. expressed her condolences to the family. I will continue with my job. I will take care of my brother. Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said he would write to We only have each other now, she concluded. the state to ask for financial aid and other assistance for RuKinrara assemblyperson Teresa Kok handed over RM4,000 phans vocational education through Selangors microcredit to the siblings towards their parents funeral expenses and scheme.
SHAH ALAM: Fashion showcum-luncheon Raya Fashion Week Preview was held at the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) last Thursday. We want to be the most prestigious meeting and convention centre in the city and build good Zulkifli rapport with our clients through events like this, said Datuk Zulkifli Mohammad. The SACC chief executive officer said in his speech that the convention centre offers the best solutions to customers who want a quality experience at a reasonable price. In the buildup to Raya Fashion Week Malaysia 2012, which will be held at the convention centre, SACC plans to position itself as a premier platform for the local fashion fraternity.
Breaking the ice to launch the French Kiss Connection boutique at SACC.
He said among the fashion events the convention centre will cater for will be fashion competitions, workshops, conventions, showcases, auctions, and dinner shows. Among the packages offered is the SACC Vogue Fashion Package, a one-day event costing RM20,000 for weekdays and RM28,000 for weekends. The Grand Couturier Package will be for a three-event-per-year package costing RM16,000 per e vent for we ekdays and RM28,000 for weekends. Zulkifli said both packages come inclusive of one-day usage of the Plenary Hall for setup and rehearsal, and one-day usage of the hall on the event day, including tear-down. Also included is a T-shape walkway with sound and light facilities, inkjet stage backdrop, and standing cocktail for a maximum of 300 guests. Guests to the preview were treated to a fashion showcase of wearable Raya designs, feted with a luncheon by SACC, and serenaded by local singers. Another highlight of the event was a launching ceremony of boutique French Kiss Connection, which will sell branded luxury goods within the convention centre itself.
(From left) Liu, Yaakob and Dr Xavier look on while Othman (blue shirt) explains the plans to Khalid.
SHAH ALAM: Owners of residential and commercial properties in Section 7 here are expected to benefit from a new RM58mil flyover which connects the area to the Federal Highway. It will lower the traffic jams in the area, as well as boost property value due to the connection to the Federal Highway, said Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim during the project launch on Tuesday. The Menteri Besar said theflyover will also lead to I-City and ease weekend and evening traffic snarls in the area. The flyover starts at the Sungai Rasau toll and connects traffic from Kuala Lumpur towards Persiaran Bestari near I-City. Khalid said motorists will have to pay a toll to use the flyover, but did not disclose the charges or the concessionaire that will manage collections. The project will also benefit developers as they can plan for higher density commercial and residential projects in the future. Developers will contribute al-
most two-thirds of the cost by footing RM40mil of the total RM58mil bill. The state will bear the remaining RM18mil and has appointed Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) as project managers and consultants. PKNS General Manager Othman Omar said his company has carried out traffic studies in the area and found that up to 3,000 vehicles use the roads near the UiTM (Universiti Teknologi Mara) entrance here at Section 7. Traffic studies show that several intersections have reached their maximum capacity. The construction of the interchange will reduce the traffic jams here, Othman said. He said piling works will start as early as possible, followed by construction to meet the December 2013 deadline. Also at the launch were state executive councillors Ronnie Liu, Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Yaakob Sapari.
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october 7 9, 2011
SHAH ALAM: University graduatesstand a better chance at securing their dream jobs by being part of Selangors threemonth graduate career programme. The programme, aimed at inspiring confidence and teaching graduates to be street-smart, was launched by Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim at the state secretariat last Friday. It is designed to provide training for participants, followed by job placement at certain companies. Its crucial that fresh grads are exposed to the harsh realities of working life and put what they have learnt into good use, Khalid said. The Menteri Besar said most university graduates are unsure of how to work as a team, tend to mess up interviews, and lack leadership qualities. These qualities cannot be learnt or taught, but can be inculcated through motivational or team-building programmes and life experiences, he said. He urged all graduates to apply. The programme, which is open to all Selangor citizens regardless of race and age, is part of Perangsang Selangor Bhds corporate social responsibility (CSR) project. It also welcomes graduates who are interested in training
in an alternative field of studies. For example, an engineering graduate can choose journalism as their training course to write engineering-themed articles. Do take advantage of this generous offer and apply for the free course, which will ensure better job prospects and give you a brighter future, said Khalid. Khalid said the youths of tomorrow are the countrys best assets, and by investing in their education and motivational courses, it will only prove beneficial in the long run. We are expecting to get at least 1,500 participants this year, and we are glad to help them secure jobs and (From left) Raja Idris, Khalid and Dr Halimah Ali at the launch. prepare them for the future, said also be given guidance after the programme. Kumpulan Perangsang Bhd chairperson Raja Idris Raja All you need to apply is a degree or diploma certificate in Kamarudin. any of the related fields chosen, Raja Idris said. He said participants who perform well will also be recomFor applications, contact the CSR team at 03-55103999 mended to reputable companies for work. ext. 244 (Ahmad Sabki Yusof ), ext. 260 (Mohd Ismail Zam Participants who want to start their own businesses will Zam) or ext. 282 (Shahrul Izad Yahya).
Khalid (middle in jacket) signals the start of the run. On the left is Dr Jayakumar and right is Soka Gakkai Malaysia Selangor branch chairperson Johnny Ng.
Teng helping to load a trolley with groceries at the Jom Shopping programme last Thursday.
By Basil Foo
SHAH ALAM: A hundred old folks from Taman Eng Ann in Klang , Meru, and Kapar were the latest beneficiaries of the Jom Shopping programme last Thursday. A participant of the programme, 83-year-old Lee Boon Hee from Taman Eng Ann, was happy and appreciative of the RM100 given to each senior citizen to shop. She picked out household items together with her 44-year-old daughter Angel Chong, who had came to help her out. Husband and wife A Suppiah and K Chelamah, aged 78 and 70 respectively, were also glad with the programme and were happy to be shopping. This has been the second round of shopping from my constituency,
and we could see the old folks were excited, said Sungai Pinang assemblyperson Datuk Teng Chang Khim. He said most of the seniors were delighted at being selected to shop at the Setia Alam branch of Tesco hypermarket. He hopes allocations for the programme will increase as there are over 4,000 seniors registered in his constituency, and they can only manage a hundred in each outing. As the allocations come from profits of the states sand-mining activities, I hope their profits will also increase, he said. Teng added that the first round of shopping was focused on Muslim seniors as it was done during the fasting month. The third round of shopping will focus on Hindus for Deepavali, he said.
Heavy Traffic
Fiction by Hafidz Baharom
fiction/bookS 17
ocotber 7 9, 2011
Why are we still stuck on the road?! Frustrations. We all have them when we start or end a day in heavy traffic. The hustle and bustle, mixed with the little clouds coming out of exhaust pipes that surround us in our comfortable air-conditioner-, air freshener-induced bubble is not exactly the most calming thing in this situation. One wonders if the scent of lavender coming from the supposed aromatherapy freshener really does have a calming effect, or just gives me false hopes in avoiding a fight. Not that the continuous yelling and deep, frustrated sighs from the passenger side are helping at all. Why didnt we take another route?! he demands. Minutes, seconds, hours have all turned immaterial as the line upon line of multicoloured cars with shimmering red brake lights light up the morning while the sun is rising across the horizon. I personally see it as a beautiful sight. But then,
of course, my passenger just considers it an irritant. Well, this is the road I know best. Besides, the slow traffic is temporary, I explain calmly. At this time, I begin to wonder about how one should wonder about the road not taken. However, I do believe Robert Frost would forgive me in this moment where I have to decide which route to drive towards eight hours of being in a cubicle. Furthermore, I doubt any route less taken would make a difference during rush hour on a Monday morning such as this. Heavy traffic heading into town in the morning is not uncommon on a working day. Plus, I love the heavy traffic. It helps me to analyse people around me. The five worn-out lanes of tar, merging into one another to form three, gives me some semblance to the character of a person. You can tell a lot from how people treat one another in traffic. The urgency in needing to clog up the emergency lane shows just how far people are willing to go to be first in their corporate rat races. Somehow, getting ahead in this traffic has turned into a competition where people wouldnt mind cutting off others, or taking the opportunity to tail a police escort clearing the path for a VIP, or even squeezing their tiny, compact cars in between two lanes, arrogantly forcing their way in. Meanwhile, there are others who are polite enough to see that the actions of the arrogant are merely making things worse, thus giving way. Cooperating. Giving way to one another. Staying in between the lines dividing supposedly the fast from the slow, without even hoping for a raised hand out the drivers side window indicating a well-deserved thank you from the guy who cut in in front of you. Why dont you cut into the emergency lane? he asks pointedly, the anger quite clear in his voice.
I cant help but smile. This irritates him more. Is being caught in heavy traffic that will make you late for work really an emergency? I reply. Its not that I am baiting him for a fight. I rationalise everything. I dont mind being late for work, since Ill just text someone saying I will be late. Not that I would recommend texting while driving if the traffic is clear, God forbid. Its just the way things are. The frustrated sighs are now followed up by tsks and tchs to indicate further irritation with my decision to stay the course. It is a slow journey. But it is one that has become a necessity in this overbearing world which we live in. We all face heavy traffic in one way or another, resistance that tells us to slow down and be patient. It is our reactions to this necessity that determine our character. Are we resilient, patient, lawful people who can contain their tempers and frustrations? Or are we merely as combustible as the petrol that fuels this endless plethora of cars, combustible and toxic? And this is where patience is tested for the first time, every day, first thing in the morning and till we reach the end of our working hours at dusk if not longer. I could walk faster than this traffic is moving, he says sarcastically. Thats it. I pull the car over. Get out. He walks out of the car, angry and venting incoherently. I lock down the car and continue in the slow moving traffic, inching closer and closer to the ramp off the highway, the car once again at peace. No frustrations, no regrets, no ranting but just endless, blissful silence with me, my thoughts and the endless stream of cars that begin to clear. Heavy traffic is a test of patience. But every man has his limits.
SHAH ALAM: State lawmaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad launched his second book Coming of Age: A Decade of Essays 2001-2011 at the Shah Alam Convention Centre on Sunday. The book documents how my views have developed or changed over the years, said the 29-year-old Seri Setia assemblyperson at the launch. His new book is made up of 40 essays on sociopolitical issues that were previously published in various media including Malaysiakini, The Malaysian Insider and The Edge. The PKR communications director was first elected into office in the 2008 general election when he was 26. He has served as Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims private secretary and Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahims political secretary. The law graduate from Kings College, University of London published his first book Moving Forward: Malays for the 21st Century in 2009. Both books are published by Marshall Cavendish and are available at major bookstores including Popular, MPH, Times, Borders and Kinokuniya.
Coming of Age retails at RM39.90, while Moving Forward is priced at RM24.90. Readers can look forward to a series of forums on issues raised in Nik Nazmis latest book. Details will shortly be available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/adecadeofessays.
DO you wish your child were better at expressing with his or her words? Do you often need to encourage him or her to write? Does your childs writing seem limited by his or her vocabulary? English Champs Hello Writing! programme is a 30-hour course for children, which aims to encourage them to write from their hearts and allow them to better express their thoughts and emotions rather than just convey information. The programme consists of interesting and interactive lessons incorporating techniques such as speech, drama and music. Various activities will be incorporated along the way to ignite their senses, which is crucial for students to apply in their writing. Other fun-filled mini-projects such as roleplay and photography will also be introduced, and the children will be presented with various simulated scenarios, from puzzles and IQ tests to baking. Participants will be taught organisational skills, various ways to introduce their stories, and how to write seat-gripping plots and memorable conclusions. Hello Writing! is conducted by a team of
experienced teachers led by Aileen Hoe, programme founder and director of English Champ. Hoe has been in the education industry for more than 10 years, and has taught both children and adults, using speech, drama, music and movement in her lessons. English Champ is also offering five free seats to underprivileged children who are enthusiastic about writing and would like to develop their skills. Those who register for Hello Writing! by Oct 8 will be entitled to an early bird discount. Group discount is also applicable for registration of at least three students by this date. For further details, contact Aileen or Christine at 03-78802460 or 016-2091989. You can also email info@englishchamp. com.my, or visit www.englishchamp.com. my or www.lwenglish.blogspot.com.
DETAILS For ages eight to 14 years Twice a week for six weeks, 12 lessons x 2.5 hours Lessons commence in October 2011 Students must be fluent in reading and writing in English
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The other first prize winner was Lee Choi Kon, a housewife and mother of four. The Clubcard Bonus Day contest also gave three second-prize winners the opportunity to take home RM2,500 worth of items each, and five third-prize winners got to walk away with RM1,000 worth of items each. As soon as they were flagged off, the winners raced through the outlet picking out whatever they desired. They needed to accomplish this in eight minutes, and were able to take home the items as long as the total amount did not exceed their prize amount.
SUBANG JAYA: Leveraging on the natural beauty and low-density of Templer Park, T-Parkland aims to provide its residents with a serene and clean environment. As T-Parkland is surrounded by a heavy forest reserve, we emphasise an almost zero pollution rate for our residents, said Soo Kai Chee. The B&G Concept Engineering Sdn Bhd financial, commercial, and marketing executive director said the closeness to nature grants a picturesque view of the surroundings. There are 240 condominium units, some facing a natu- A model of T-Parkland at the property preview last Saturday. rally formed lake and others facing nearby hills among them being the iconic Bukit Takun. There is no second phase for this project or other high-rise developments as the surroundings already have residential houses so the views wont be blocked, Soo said. At the property preview last Saturday, he said buildup of the units is a minimum of 1,200 square feet, with three rooms and three bathrooms each. The units come fully furnished with air-conditioning, kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, plaster ceiling, fans, and water heaters. He said they wanted purchasers to experience a hassle-free move, where they would only need to carry in loose furniture. Even with the furnishings, our pricing still remains Soo (second right) and his team. reasonable at less than RM300 per square foot, which is quite a competitive rate in the market, he said. their strategy is to set a low price to induce a high takeSoo said it has always been their strategy for their up rate for their properties, he added. products to be priced reasonably in order to pass on the Facilities at the condo include tri-level parking lots, profits to the end consumer who may be buying to invest. infinity swimming pool, and an over two-acre lakeside Compared with other higher-priced developments, park with landscaped garden and jogging track.
Ramos. This is not the first time that AirAsia has come to the aid of people and nations in the region during times of tragedy. AirAsia was at the forefront of relief efforts in the wake of the tsunami that struck the region in 2004, Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (2008), and the earthquake which struck Sichuan in China (2008). AirAsia has also supported the recovery of Bali, Indonesia, after the terrorist bombings in 2005, by giving away 12,000 free seats on its flights. It mounted rescue flights from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur in November 2008 to help people stranded by the closing of the airport in Bangkok.
By Alvin Yap
SHAH ALAM: Sunway Resort Hotel and Spas prestigious Chinese restaurant, West Lake Garden, will be represented in the 11th Malaysia International Gourmet Festival (MIGF) by master chef Chan Choo Kean (pic), whose culinary creativity has won him many accolades in his more than 20 years in the industry. A connoisseur of Cantonese fare, Chan will present two exquisitely crafted menus, Opulent Jade and Luxe Pearl. The Opulent Jade menu is priced at RM188++ per person, and will start off with a platter of Sze Chuan beef with foie gras stuffed in Chinese steamed bun, as well as a succulent barbecued chicken roulade and white fungus with pickled lotus. The six-course menu continues with a serving of hot and clear organic chicken consomm and baby abalone with chrysanthemum and cordyceps. The savoury chicken broth is followed by an invigorating claypot braised salmon with garlic, shallot, ginger and spring onion a surefire hit for
those with a penchant for tangy dishes. The crowning glory of the menu will be the fried Boston lobster dusted with salt and pepper cooked fresh to a crispy perfection. An aromatic plate of Cantonese braised noodle with shredded scallop, sweet preserved vegetable and eggplant follows suit to cap the appetite, before diners are served with a lipsmacking dessert, Essence of Emperor Date and Aloe Vera with fragrant young coconut. West Lake Gardens Luxe Pearl menu, priced at RM138++ per person, starts off with a serving of luscious venison ribs dripping with Xi Chiang glaze, with garlic cucumber pickles and steamed prawn with abalone dumpling. During the month-long MIGF celebration, West Lake Garden Chinese restaurant is offering a 10% discount on selected house pouring by glass, and on any beverage with the purchase of the Festival Menus. For dining reservations and enquiries, call 03-74928000 ext. 3181.
ts a real treat to be able to savour cuisine from other parts of a country as far flung and diverse as Indonesias archipelagos. Balinese food is similar to our own cooking, as it uses the same ingredients. But the difference in taste and flavour is what surprised me when I sampled my first morsels at Uma, located at the Strand. Tucked between other shops along a road with considerable lack of parking space here in Kota Damansara, Uma is hardly two years old and serves authentic Balinese food. Statues and sculptures line the in banana leaves or in rattan bas- subtler and more piquant. It is a dish entrance outside and inside, giving kets on top of a large rattan-weave best taken with the rice that accomthe place an Im-at-Bali feel. Low tray. The smells from the food will panies the main courses. tables and thick cushions line the kickstart your appetite, thanks to For the side dishes, I found the wall. But what catches your eye is a the liberal amount of spices in- taste and cooking methods quite mural painting of paddy fields on a fused into the dishes. similar to our Malay cuisine. long wall its uncannily similar to Duck is suitable for roasting or The plecing kangkung is blanched what youd see in the countryside. stewing, as other cooking methods not fried before tossed simply If youre stumped for choice, or can reduce it to a dry chewy mess. with a sambal paste. It gives the wonder what sate lilit, jukut urab, However, this was not so with the humble green a fresh taste, which we or iga base galas are, fret not. Ask friedbebek mengoreng, which was could not stop eating. Each bite your server and ye shall be told. crispy on the outside, underscored the freshness of the Sitting on the raised platform, The crackling skin crunched vegetable. My partner and I found we looked at the menu and de- and exploded with flavour in our it a perfect way to prepare kangkung. cided to try Umas favourite selec- mouths, while the inside was still The kentang goring is simply tion: the group set. It consists of tender not juicy, but still tender. potatoes sliced into strips, coated four main dishes that you can The spices and herbs lingered on with spices and deep fried. It might choose from the menu. our taste buds, no doubt because be a bit oily for most palates. We Bali is majority Hindu, and so the duck was marinated overnight. didnt finish that dish. the food is non-halal. We The spices and herbs and settled on three dishes to sambals, while not hot or When our order came to make up the main course: our table, I was taken by how spicy, can be overwhelming. bebek mengoreng (crispy To refresh the palate, we had much Uma goes to present an Es Campur Bali. Similar to fried duck), iga base kalas authentic dining experience. our ais kacang, the shaved (pork ribs curry), and pesan be pasih (grilled toman fish ice concoction can be taken All the dishes came either in banana leaf ). wrapped in banana leaves or between meals or as dessert. To accompany these main jackfruit, cenin rattan baskets on top of a Loaded withand pieces of meals, we ordered our side dol, cincau large rattan-weave tray dishes of jukut urab (mixed coconut meat, it is lighter vegetable salad consisting of and less sweet compared long bean, kangkung and bean The iga base kalas is a dry curry with our local version. sprouts with shredded coconut), consisting of four pork ribs mariThe meal at Uma was very pleaskentang goreng (spiced potato nated heavily with spices. The fla- ant as the service and atmosphere fries), and sambal mbe (sambal vour was intense and every bite was was up to our expectations. Uma is with fried shallots and chilies). mouth-watering. a quiet place, perfect for friends and Pictures dont do justice to the The fish pesan be pasih was family to gather and share a meal in food presentation. When our or- delightfully sweet and sour, wrapped a relaxed setting. der came to our table, I was taken in banana leaves before being grilled, The Uma Balinese Restaurant is by how much Uma goes to present which gives the dish a distinctly located at The Strand, Kota Daan authentic dining experience. vanilla-sweet hint. It is similar to our mansara, 7-G & 7-1 Jalan PJU5/21, All the dishes came either wrapped local grilled fish, but the taste is 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
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he memories have come and gone but the building remains. It has been more than 100 years, but the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, or Stesen Keretapi Kuala Lumpur, on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin is still in majestic form. The old railway station, as some call it, hardly sees the kind of human traffic that it was accustomed to for about 90 years. KL residents who have very long memories will remember that the road in front of the KL railway station was previously known as Victoria Avenue. In 2001, the intercity railway ser vices were shifted to Kuala Lumpur Sentral, less than a kilometre down the road. Today, the old KL railway station is used mainly for commuter and goods services. The old KL railway station was completed in 1910. It was the railway headquarters for the Federated Malay States Railways and the Malayan Railway (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) for much of the 20th century. Some will remember the stately KL railway station for its unique architecture, which is a blend of Eastern and Western influences. Or perhaps youd even remember seeing it in scenes from some of P Ramlees movies. The man responsible for the design of the KL Railway station was Arthur Benison Hubback, a British architect attached to the Public Works Department at that time. Before the main KL railway station came into being, there were two other railway stations. The first opened its gates for business in 1886 and was unofficially called the Resident Station, connecting KL to Klang. The second station, called the Sultan Street Station, appeared in 1892. It established a link between the Ampang mines and the city of Kuala Lumpur. Resident Station was pulled down when the main KL railway The Heritage Hotel at the railway building. station went into operation. The Sultan Street Station made way for a smaller station when the tracks on Foch Avenue ( Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) were removed to accommodate the new transport infrastructure of the city. According to official records, the KL Railway Station was completed at a princely sum of $23,000 (Straits dollar 1904-1939). After receiving official certification of its worthiness on Aug 1, 1910, the choo-choo trains began their busy schedules for the next 80 years. If your grandparents are still with you, they may be able to educate and inform you of the time when the main railway station was the symbol of the city of Kuala Lumpur. Scaled-down versions of the train coaches and other artefacts. Most people who stayed in other The railway museum is located in the main hall of the station. parts of the peninsula usually came to KL by train, and the first thing they saw on arrival was this visitors who have a keen interest in railways will find the tle to cross without such halter is liable to a fine of $20 (Straits railway station with all its architectural splendour. various artefacts and relics from the old FMSR (Federal dollar) or to imprisonment for three months. As part of its services, the railway building incorporated Malay States Railways) very interesting. Any person who opens the gates of this crossing or atthe Station Hotel in its premises. Today, the hotel carries If you are visiting the railway museum, keep your eyes tempts to pass or to drive any cattle or other animal or any another name Heritage Station Hotel. peeled and you may just notice a sign that says Occupa- carriage across the railway at any time when a train is in sight KTM Komuter Services were introduced 16 years ago tional Level Crossing Notice dated September 1910. is liable to a fine of $50. (1995) at this station. After the KL Railway Station gave way It states: It is forbidden to open the gates of this crossing Any person who at any time omits to shut and fasten the to KL Sentral, plans were made to turn it into a culture cen- within 15 minutes before the time at which a train is ex- gates of this crossing as soon as he or any animal or any cattle tre and railway museum. pected to pass or at any time when a train is in sight. or any carriage in his charge has passed through is liable to a This took place on Aug 31, 2007. The railway museum is Cattle passing over this crossing must not be driven but fine of $50. located in the main hall of the building. Locals and foreign led by a properly secured halter. Any person causing the catThe law was quite clear in the early years of the last cen-
Kuala Lumpur has many interesting chapters in its history. One of the highlights of the capital city is the old KL Railway Station. LIN ZHENYUAN travels on the slow track to catch glimpses of its rich heritage
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Take 5 minutes to fill this form up and drop it off at the nearest police station to have regular checks at your house while you are away. Ibu pejabat polIs Daerah subang jaya
.............................................................................................. BuTiran penduduk: nama: .................................................................................. alamat: ................................................................................. .............................................................................................. .............................................................................................. nombor telefon bimbit/kediaman: ........................................ nombor telefon yang boleh dihubungi: ................................ .............................................................................................. tarikh meninggalkan rumah: ................................................ tarikh dijangka balik ke rumah: ........................................... Kenderaan yang ditinggalkan (jenis model & nombor daftar kenderaan). 1. .......................................................................................... 2. .......................................................................................... 3. .......................................................................................... lain-lain maklumat: ..............................................................................................
tury. Life in the growing metropolis of Kuala Lumpur was much simpler then. These days, if you want to see any cattle, you have to travel to the outskirts of Selangor. On display are also some of the instruments that are no longer used as far as railways are concerned. Railway enthusiasts will learn that in the days of yore, a key tablet was the signaling instrument that was deemed essential from 1890 to the 1930s. The key tablet was in the possession of the Station Master, who inserted the key into a red machine at the train station so that a train could be able to continue on its journey. There is an information graphic timeline of the old Malayan Railway from 1885 to 2000. The history of KTM is also explained during the war years of Japanese Occupation and Communist Emergency from 1941 to 1958. The first railway tracks linked Taiping to Port Weld
in 1885. The 12km track was used to transport tin ore from Taiping to the port on the other side of present day Simpang. In 1909, the main KTM line extended to Gemas and Johor Baru. In 1913, the Singapore Government Railway was acquired, and the railway line then extended from Padang Besar in Perlis to Singapore. The KL railway station underwent several phases through the 1960s to the 1990s. Today, it is enjoying a well-earned rest. Like a pioneer who had paved the way for modern development of the city, this station is much like a stately manor that has retired and is now resting on its laurels. To fully appreciate the history of the old Kuala Lumpur railway building, which has an ambience of the Raj era, one must walk and study the place at leisure. It wont do to execute a speedy walkabout because the walls still retain the lingering and enduring essence of a bygone age.
............................................... tandatangan
....................................... tarikh
03-5634 9444
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Kampar MP S Manikavasagam (in blue) giving out prizes to winners of a oneday fun-and-games event organised by the residents association of Taman Juta at their neighbourhood park last Saturday.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim at the official launch of Seri Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmads book Coming of Age: A Decade of Essays 2001-2011 at the Shah Alam Convention Centre on Sunday. Soka Gakkai Malaysia Gymnastics group entertaining participants prior to the Run For Peace in Taman Klang Jaya last Sunday.
Vehicles being towed away from the vicinity of Saujana Residency in Subang Jaya. The residence has seen an increase in illegally parked vehicles following the suspected gas leak blast at Empire Gallery on Sept 28.
Sungai Pinang assemblyperson Datuk Teng Chang Khim speaking to a senior citizen during the Jom Shopping programme in Tesco Setia Alam.
Some 200 residents took part in the event at Taman Juta last Saturday, which featured games such as a balloon-blowing match and tug-of-war.
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Editors Pick
Theatre; 4-22 Oct; PJ Live Arts @ Jaya One; 017-2289849, www.tix.my; www. A funny forest adventure about a snappy crocodile and a brave little mouse. This bestselling childrens story by Faustin Charles and Michael Terry comes to life in this delightful stage adaptation by UKs Blunderbus Theatre Company. The 50-minute show tells the story of a crocodile who terrorises the frightened forest animals who attempt to get near the river, and how one kind and courageous mouse changes everything! The Selfish Crocodile teaches positive messages like honesty, compassion and the importance of friendship, while reminding kids that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness are the ones that often have the greatest impact. This story is written especially for children aged four to seven, but adults will find the show thoroughly entertaining, too. Presented by Gardner and Wife Theatre.
cALeNDAr
The Secret Life Of Nora
In Perfect Harmony
Theatre/Music; 6-23 Oct; Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; www. klpac.org, 03-40479000, www.damaorchestra.com; RM93-RM303
Set against the backdrop of a radio broadcasting station, this musical concert production pays homage to the multitude of popular music that tugged at our heart strings in the last four decades. Its a showcase of fabulous songs and dances. Exquisite vocals. Great music. Superb fun and entertainment all the way. Featuring Chang Fang Chyi, Tria Aziz and Tan Soo Suan, with special guest appearances by Zainal Abidin (6-9 Oct), Sean Ghazi (12-16 Oct), David Arumugam (19-23 Oct) and The Seasons 4 (12, 16, 19, 23 Oct). Presented by Dama Orchestra.
reVIeW
By Basil Foo
SITTING through two-hour songand-dance performances is never easy, even for fans of musicals. The music has to be original, the plot engaging, and the vocals music to the ears. So when the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) introduced Short & Sweet Musical last year, it was practically heaven-sent for non-musical mortals like me. Instead of one two-hour musical, audiences are treated to 10 10-minute performances, allowing even the least initiated fan to enjoy a variety without getting bored to tears. And due to its popularity, KLPac had decided to increase the number of melodic skits from last years four to 10. For 100odd minutes, the audiences got a mixture of musical tales about love, angst-filled teenagers, wedding stories to cannibalism. KLPacs decision to raise the number of performances was also rewarded as the four-day Short & Sweet Musical played to full houses every night from Sept 28 to Oct 1. While increasing the number of acts ensured better attendance, one wonders if some quality was sacrificed to fulfill the quantity quota of 10. Nevertheless, most of the musicals were well-conceived, and whatever shortcomings the handful of acts had were well compensated by the better ones. The sweet ones were 10 minutes short, while the sour ones were thankfully just 10 minutes long. The silver lining to having 10 musicals is that more budding singers, writers, musicians, music
Best Supporting Actress Aminda Faradilla Omar flanked by KLPac artistic director Joe Hasham (left) and festival director Datuk Faridah Merican.
The boy band of Float NSync: The Rise NFall of the Bad Streak Boys.
Of Loves Aminda Faradilla Omar, who played the mother, also won the Best Supporting Actress award while Aaron Lo picked up the Best Composition and Best Libretto awards. Coming in a close second with three awards was Oriental Takeout, which showcased the dilemmas of a geek and a sex worker. Looking for his first feminine contact, the geek evoked sniggers as he attempted to put on protection for the first time before giving up and deciding that love cannot be bought. The Broadwayish performance highlighted good acting by both the leads, and as anticipated, Nick Dorian and Karynn Tan bagged the Best Actor and Best Actress awards respectively. Oriental Takeout also earned the Best Overall Production award. Another crowd favorite, Float NSync: The Rise NFall Of The Bad Streak Boys, was an easy choice for the Best Musical Director (for composer/lyricist Nick Choo) and Best Glitz & Glamour awards. Using boy bands as a background for its plot, Float NSync delighted the gallery with the hilarious story of a band that must come to terms with a crossdressing member. With lines lifted straight out of boy band hits like Bye, Bye, Bye, Seasons in the Sun and Quit Playing Games With My Heart, the musical wrapped up the nights performance with gusto. Other winners of the Short & Sweet Musical 2011 included My Prince Will Comes Kevin Chong (Best Supporting Actor), Meanwhile...s Tung Jit Yang and Banun Atina (Best Director), and Tweet About Its Sachie Amira (Festival Director).
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.