Taken from Malaysiakini
Jul 24
Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd has instructed its lawyers to write to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng asking him to refrain from making press statements on the police helping the toll operator.
This was in response to Lim's revelation Tuesday that Grand Saga had admitted that the police assisted the company in re-erecting the barricade blocking the toll-free access road to the Cheras-Kajang Highway from Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
The admission, according to the DAP politician, was made by Grand Saga executive director Zainal Abidin Ali - who is a former top cop - in a sworn affidavit dated May 20.
"On May 7 and May 8, the company attempted twice to re-erect the barricade with the help of the police," read the affidavit submitted to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
Commenting on this, Zainal said the company views with concern certain statements made to the media by Lim misinterpreting the statements contained in affidavits filed in a court proceeding.
"Grand Saga wishes it to be made known that the court proceedings are still pending and the affidavits referred to in recent media articles have not yet been properly read by the court for determination," he added in a brief media statement today.
Clarifying the issue, Zainal said at all material times, the presence of the police was to safeguard law and order, particularly in light of the tense situation and the large number of people gathered at the location.
The High Court is hearing the case to determine whether residents have the right to access the highway from Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
Nearly 40,000 residents have persistently asked the highway concessionaire to remove the initial barricade which were erected in 2005.
The barricade forces residents to take a longer tolled route to gain access to the highway.
Things boiled over when various altercations occurred in May involving residents, hired help for the company and the police, including Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel.
It resulted with the federal government ordering the road to remain open until the legal dispute is resolved in court.
Residents have accused the police of siding with Grand Saga, but this was denied by Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar.
On July 1, Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed also denied in Parliament that the government instructed any enforcement agency to assist Grand Saga.
The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) is currently holding a public inquiry on allegations that the police used 'excessive force' against the residents.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
BMC: Affidavit shows police hands
Taken from Malaysiakini
Lee Way Loon | Jul 22
Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd has admitted that the police assisted in the re-erecting of the barricade blocking the toll-free access road to the Cheras-Kajang Highway from Bandar Mahkota Cheras BMC.
DAP Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng today revealed that Grand Saga executive director Zainal Abidin Ali made this admission in a sworn affidavit dated May 20.
"On May 7 and May 8, the company attempted twice to re-erect the barricade with the help of the police," read the affidavit submitted to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
The High Court is hearing the case to determine whether residents have the right to access the highway from Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
Nearly 40,000 residents have persistently asked the highway concessionaire to remove the initial barricade which were erected in 2005. The barricade forces residents to take a longer tolled route to gain access to the highway.
Things boiled over when various altercations occurred in May involving residents, hired help for the company and the police, including Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel.
It resulted with the federal government ordering the road to remain open until the legal dispute is resolved in court.
Residents have accused the police of siding with Grand Saga, which was denied by Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar.
On July 1, Works minister Mohd Zin Mohamed denied in Parliament that the government instructed any enforcement agency to assist Grand Saga.
Who's lying?
In the affidavit, Zainal Abidin related to the court the events pertaining to the dispute:
a) The barricade, which was built by his company on May 2005, was wrongly and/or illegally removed and/or vandalised by BMC residents on 21 April 2008;
b) On May 7 and May 8, his company twice attempted to re-erect the barricade with the help of the police;
c) However, these attempts faced objections from residents and it was removed and/or vandalised subsequently.
At a press conference held at his service centre, Lim said since the affidavit has legal effect, it is highly unlikely for Zainal Abidin to be lying.
He added that Zainal Abidin may face seven years jail and be slapped with a fine under section 191 of the Penal Code, if he was found to have made a false statement.
"Selangor police chief Khalid claimed that the police were never involved, however it is highly unlikely for Zainal Abidin to make a false statement. So who is lying?" he asked.
Lim also revealed that he emailed Suhakam on July 10 asking them to allow him to submit relevant documents at their public inquiry.
The public inquiry is slated for tomorrow and Thursday to investigate the alleged excessive force used during the BMC incident on May 27.
"However, my application was rejected by Suhakam," he said.
Lee Way Loon | Jul 22
Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd has admitted that the police assisted in the re-erecting of the barricade blocking the toll-free access road to the Cheras-Kajang Highway from Bandar Mahkota Cheras BMC.
DAP Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng today revealed that Grand Saga executive director Zainal Abidin Ali made this admission in a sworn affidavit dated May 20.
"On May 7 and May 8, the company attempted twice to re-erect the barricade with the help of the police," read the affidavit submitted to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
The High Court is hearing the case to determine whether residents have the right to access the highway from Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
Nearly 40,000 residents have persistently asked the highway concessionaire to remove the initial barricade which were erected in 2005. The barricade forces residents to take a longer tolled route to gain access to the highway.
Things boiled over when various altercations occurred in May involving residents, hired help for the company and the police, including Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel.
It resulted with the federal government ordering the road to remain open until the legal dispute is resolved in court.
Residents have accused the police of siding with Grand Saga, which was denied by Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar.
On July 1, Works minister Mohd Zin Mohamed denied in Parliament that the government instructed any enforcement agency to assist Grand Saga.
Who's lying?
In the affidavit, Zainal Abidin related to the court the events pertaining to the dispute:
a) The barricade, which was built by his company on May 2005, was wrongly and/or illegally removed and/or vandalised by BMC residents on 21 April 2008;
b) On May 7 and May 8, his company twice attempted to re-erect the barricade with the help of the police;
c) However, these attempts faced objections from residents and it was removed and/or vandalised subsequently.
At a press conference held at his service centre, Lim said since the affidavit has legal effect, it is highly unlikely for Zainal Abidin to be lying.
He added that Zainal Abidin may face seven years jail and be slapped with a fine under section 191 of the Penal Code, if he was found to have made a false statement.
"Selangor police chief Khalid claimed that the police were never involved, however it is highly unlikely for Zainal Abidin to make a false statement. So who is lying?" he asked.
Lim also revealed that he emailed Suhakam on July 10 asking them to allow him to submit relevant documents at their public inquiry.
The public inquiry is slated for tomorrow and Thursday to investigate the alleged excessive force used during the BMC incident on May 27.
"However, my application was rejected by Suhakam," he said.
Friday, July 18, 2008
DBKL, the richest city
(Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne & I in front of DBKL headquarter last night)
In April, the Finance Ministry has sent out circulars to all government agencies to "advise" them to cut cost and prevent wastage. The minister estimated RM2 billion will be saved from the cost-cutting measure and the money would go towards food subsidies and long-term development projects. This measure "is a moral thing" according to Second Finance Minister.
Some BN state governments echo it by reducing as much as 30 per cent of the chief ministers, exco members and state assemblymen's allowances.
The move, however, is not heeded well by Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
Night motorists passing by KL City Hall headquarter in the recent months hitherto would not miss the light show on the already all lit up headquarter building.
As the richest city hall in the country, KL City Hall should be the fore-runner of all government agencies to prevent wastage of energy.
Why switch off the air-con and lights during lunch break while light up the entire building at night plus the gigantic light show? How is the nightly light show benefiting the people in trying times? Is this city mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan's leadership by example? Why does he need to go overseas more than 10 times on official visit after his appointment as city mayor less than 2 years ago?
If Borhan could not answer the questions, I think it is high time for him to step down immediately for the sake of all KL taxpayers.
Lim Lip Eng
DAP MP for Segambut
18/7/2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Highway operators get RM2.9bil payout
Taken from Malaysiakini
Rahmah Ghazali | Jul 2, 08 6:00pm
The government has paid RM2.9 billion in compensation to several highway concessionaires for holding back their scheduled increase of toll rates.
Those compensated are the operators of the North-South Expressway (Plus Expressway Bhd or Plus), Damansara-Puchong Highway (Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings Bhd or Litrak), Klang-Shah Alam Highway (Kesas Sdn Bhd) and KL-Karak Highway (MTD Capital Bhd).
Plus received RM2 billion, Litrak RM630 million, Kesas RM150 million and MTD RM98 million.
Replying Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), Deputy Works Minister Yok Khoon Seng said the government has not needed to compensate the concessionaires for the Cheras-Kajang Highway, New Pantai Expressway, Silk highway and the KL-Purajaya highway, as there as been no postponement of increase in toll rates.
Rahmah Ghazali | Jul 2, 08 6:00pm
The government has paid RM2.9 billion in compensation to several highway concessionaires for holding back their scheduled increase of toll rates.
Those compensated are the operators of the North-South Expressway (Plus Expressway Bhd or Plus), Damansara-Puchong Highway (Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings Bhd or Litrak), Klang-Shah Alam Highway (Kesas Sdn Bhd) and KL-Karak Highway (MTD Capital Bhd).
Plus received RM2 billion, Litrak RM630 million, Kesas RM150 million and MTD RM98 million.
Replying Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), Deputy Works Minister Yok Khoon Seng said the government has not needed to compensate the concessionaires for the Cheras-Kajang Highway, New Pantai Expressway, Silk highway and the KL-Purajaya highway, as there as been no postponement of increase in toll rates.
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