Playground is home to a colony of rats and strewn with rubbish

Taman Sri Bintang (Photo by Lim)

Taman Cuepac (Photo by Lim)

Taman Bamboo (Photo by Lim)

Segambut Garden (Photo by Lim)

Absolutely filthy: Lim (third from left) in front of an overflowing rubbish bin a the Taman Sri Kuching playground together with the residents. (Photo by The Star)

Source: thestar.com.my/metro (By PRIYA MENON, 30/11/2009)

DESPITE the name Taman Sri Kuching, the playground in the area is ironically home to a colony of rats. Rubbish strewn in the playground has been luring the rodents. Resident, Lau Tak Wah, 53, said the grass was cut five months ago and yet to be trimmed ever since. He claimed the rubbish were thrown by foreigners who used the playground as a meeting point at night. “There are plenty of mosquitoes too. My friend’s children were admitted for dengue recently,” Lau said. A caretaker of a Chinese temple nearby, Yap Yee Sam, 63, has taken it upon himself to keep the playground clean and throws away tins with stagnant water. He added that children used to come to the playground but due to the filthy condition, the number has reduced drastically. According to Lau, a female cleaner at the park had said their contract had ended in October and they were expected to continue in February 2010.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng recently held a press conference to highlight the park’s issue as well as three other parks in Segambut, namely Taman Sri Bintang, Taman Bamboo and Segambut Garden. “It has come to my understanding that the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) contractors have not been cleaning the parks because City Hall can’t afford to pay them,” Lim said. He added that KL mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail had said recently that City Hall was thinking of ways to save cost including asking residents associations to manage parks in their own neighbourhoods for a lower fee. Lim added that if City Hall could not pay the residents could not blame the contractors. He hoped Fuad would elaborate more on this.

Residents: Why wasn't drain repaired?

Source: streets.nst.com.my (Noel Achariam, 30/11/2009)

Kuala Lumpur: Residents of Seri Duta 1 Condominium want the local authority to take immediate action on a collapsed drain in front of their building in Jalan Gallagher, Bukit Tunku. They claimed that they had lodged a complaint with City Hall 10 months ago but nothing had been done. It was reported last week that a collapsed drain in Jalan Gallagher had been repaired by City Hall. But the residents said they were referring to another drain. There are two roads called Jalan Gallagher in Bukit Tunku. Chairperson Annie George Livesey, 54, who represents the residents claimed that a landslip, that had occurred on an abandoned plot in front of their condominium, had caused the drain to collapse. "During a downpour in January, a landslip occurred on the private land and had spilt onto the drain and pavement. The drain is now completely clogged with earth, tree branches and rubbish. The collapsed drain also poses the danger of causing further damage to the remaining surface of the road," she said. Residents also said that during downpours water would gush down the hill. They have no idea where all the water is headed. They are worried that there could be another landslip as there is no proper drainage. The residents are also concerned that the abandoned plot might pose a health risk. "The abandoned private land is unkept and there is lalang growing all over the area. The owner of the land should take full responsibility and maintain the area," said Livesey. Residents also claimed that there had been two dengue cases since early January. "We can't afford to wait for the local authority, so we hired a private contractor to fog our condominium twice a month. We have no idea if the local authority has come and fogged the other areas around our neighbourhood," said Livesey. The residents were also perplexed as to why City Hall had again cleared a part of the land next to their condominium two weeks ago. "The same thing happened two years ago. They came and chopped down the trees and when we complained they came and planted seedlings. Now when the trees are growing beautifully they chopped them down again. We hope the local authority can explain what is going on," said Livesey.

Seri Duta 1 Condominium Management Corporation manager Siew Hoi Yow said he had written to City Hall since February about the collapsed drain but no action was taken. "We have written to them on four occasions, the last being on Oct 10, but sadly until this moment nobody from City Hall has even showed up to survey the site."

Segambut member of parliament Lim Lip Eng, who visited the residents, said he would meet the mayor, Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail, on Friday.
Copyright © Tech&U . New Straits Times Press Sdn.Bhd . All rights reserved.

Residents live in constant fear

Dangerous: The bad state of the ceiling at Vijayakumaran’s house. Not safe: The crack outside Baskaran’s wall.

Source: thestar.com.my/metro/story (Story and photos by PRIYA MENON, 28/11/2009)
6 families living in Jalan Udang Gantung 2 Taman Sri Cuepacs, Segambut, are ready to pack up and move out after nearly 30 years and it all boils down to fear. For the past one week, their double-storey terrace homes had suffered from various forms of damage, that one would wonder where to begin. With cracks on the walls and ceiling, sink holes and floors are some of the problems plaguing their houses, the families are living in fear of the houses collapsing. A house owner, A Rethinanah, 56, had placed several mattresses in her hall, where the cracks are just beginning to show while bags had been packed away for emergency evacuation. Another resident P.Baskaran, 46, is looking for a new house, as he is worried about his wife who recently had a fall and injured her spine. “My wife can’t walk and should anything happen to the house while I am away, how is she suppose to save herself?” he asked. Another resident, R, Vijayakumaran, 47, whose house showed the worst cracks said he had removed all the furniture in the house ever since the cracks got worse. “My kitchen area is horrible, there is a sink hole near the back door and none of us can close our doors anymore,” he added.
The residents believe, the source of the problem was at the back of their homes where a collapsed drain lies. Five years ago, a similar problem occurred and Baskaran’s father lodged a complaint with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). “They (DBKL) came and did a surface job only,” he added. The water from the drain flows underneath the collapsed section causing it to wash away the soil. Baskaran and his neighbours have put a four-inch pipe to ensure the water flows through it instead. Baskaran also said when he stomped on the floor near his dining room, it sounded hollow. He said despite numerous complaints to the City Hall, the officers merely took pictures and left. “We want a solution to this problem. Everyone comes and goes without giving us any answers, how can we leave for work in peace with all these problems,” he said.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said the residents should hire engineers to find the source of the problems. “According to them the drainage system behind their homes was not done properly. “So a professional evaluation is needed to ascertain the real problem,” he said.

Home minister: Labuan prison cost RM32.9mil

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/118158 (By S Pathmawathy, 23/11/2009)

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today told the Dewan Rakyat that the construction cost of a new prison complex in Labuan is RM32.9 million. In a written reply, he said the cost was not RM79 million as mentioned by Federal Territories Minister Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin previously. Hishammuddin added that the prison will be able to accommodate 230 inmates.

He was responding to Segambut DAP MP Lim Lip Eng, who asked the home minister if it was appropriate to spend RM79 million of a facility that can only house 200 prisoners. The opposition parliamentarian also wanted to know why Labuan was chosen for the project.

"The construction of a prison is far different from the construction of an ordinary building because it requires high level safety and security," said the minister. "Therefore, the cost also includes getting building materials with security in mind such as iron bars, lock systems, security fences with 'anti-scaling' features," he added.

Five reasons why Labuan needs a prison

Furthermore, he said Labuan like any state needs its own prison for several reasons such as:

1. Prisoners from Labuan can undergo punishment in the state itself and not in Kota Kinabalu.

2. To make it easier for families to visit prisoners which is part of the rehabilitation process and in tandem with the concept of '1Malaysia'.

3. To smoothen the administration of justice by the Labuan court.

4. To lessen the cost to visit and accompany prisoners to distant locations.

5. To reduce the risk of escorting prisoners through sea travel.

The construction of the prison faced objection from the locals who feared that Labuan will be made to look like a 'penal island'. The Labuan prison is one of the four prison projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The rest are based in Seberang Perai in Penang, Perlis and Sungai Udang in Melaka. According to Bernama, Prisons Department director Jamil Salleh said the project will be carried out in two phases. Phase one will cost RM35 million and comprises staff quarters, recreation park, mosque, community hall and other facilities.

See related news http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=438371 & http://thestaronline.com/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/6/nation/4662546&sec=nation
Lim Lip Eng: It was announced earlier by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik that the proposed RM79 million Labuan prison complex with a capacity to hold 200 inmates will continue as planned despite strong protest from the locals. However, the Home Minister Hishammuddin is now giving contradicting figures. Which minister is telling the truth? Short-changed or price being jacked-up?

City Hall: There was no double billing

Lim Lip Eng has submitted the documents to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission

Anwar Mohd Zain says the repair work was awarded to three contractors

Source: http://streets.nst.com.my/Current_News/Streets/Monday/Stories/20091123085325/Article/ By Noel Achariam

Kuala Lumpur: City Hall did not double bill a contract job to repair a collapsed drain in Jalan Gallagher, Bukit Tunku, as alleged by Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng. Lim had on Friday submitted two documents on an alleged double billing by City Hall amounting to RM186,000 to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)'s Federal Territory branch office. Lim had said on Friday that he suspected there might have been foul play and misappropriation of funds by City Hall. "The invoices are both identical except for one minor detail. One of the invoices states that rectification work was done at phase one and the other invoice states that work was done at phase three. "We are not sure if City Hall had made payment to two different contractors for only one job. We hope that this is not the case," he said.

When asked to comment, City Hall corporate communication director Anwar Mohd Zain said it had hired three different contractors to repair the drain, a rectification project that cost RM278,010. As City Hall can only give each contractor a contract not exceeding RM100,000, the work was awarded to three contractors, said Anwar. "The RM278,010 project cost was divided into three payments of RM92,670. That was the reason the project had to be done in phases," he said. The collapsed drain had caused a landslip in January. The residents in Jalan Gallagher had complained to City Hall about the landslip and collapsed drain in their area, said Anwar. "City Hall responded to the complaint and hired the contractors to rectify the problem. Work started on Jan 15 and ended on March 5," he said.
Copyright © Tech&U . New Straits Times Press Sdn.Bhd . All rights reserved.

Related news: Lim reports City Hall’s double-paid job to MACC

Segambut MP cries foul over alleged ‘double-paid’ DBKL job

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/44059-segambut-mp-cries-foul-over-alleged-double-paid-dbkl-job (By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal)

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng lodged a complaint with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) about an alleged double-paid job worth about RM200,000 by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) contractors.

He told reporters that he was sent two documents pertaining to the case anonymously last Thursday. "An anonymous person passed these two documents to my office while I was in Parliament on Thursday. After carefully looking through the documents, I suspected there was some hanky-panky going on in this DBKL project." It is understood that the project involved construction work to repair a collapsed drain at Jalan Gallagher in Bukit Tunku. The same project was given to two different contractors at the same time. One was given a contract for Phase 1 while the other was given a contract for Phase 3 of the same project. "Everything, from the time frame of the job (Jan 15 to March 5, 2009), how many units, the material needed to complete the job, the amended claims... are all exactly the same except the name of the contractor and the phase," said Lim (picture). He said it appears that one job is being carried out by two different contractors, and payment is being made two times, with each contractor earning RM92, 670.96. The documents, which certified payments to both contractors, were signed by the deputy director of the Public Works Department (JKA) of DBKL. When asked whether he had called up DBKL to comment, Lim said he did not do so because he could not rule out foul play by DBKL. "I don't want to enquire with DBKL; this might alert them to do 'housekeeping' and they might tamper with documents." Lim also claimed that he had personally inspected the entire stretch of Jalan Gallagher, and could not locate the supposed "newly fixed longkang (drain)". "I did not see a new longkang, but what I did see was a collapsed longkang. I don't know whether this is the same (drain)," said Lim. A complaint has now been lodged with the MACC and an Encik Saiful, the officer-in-charge, has promised to investigate the matter. "I will give MACC two months. If there is no reply on their part by then, I will take further action," said Lim.
Later, when contacted by The Malaysian Insider, Saiful declined to comment on the case as he claimed to have no "authority" over the matter. "I have no comment on the case. Even my superior officer cannot comment because this case is still new, he has no knowledge of it," said the MACC officer.

Computer sets installed for all 222 MPs cost RM11,916 each

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/20/parliament/5147756&sec=parliament

(20/11/2009)

The new computer sets installed for MPs in the Dewan Rakyat cost RM11,916 each. In a written reply to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said the touch screen computers cost RM11,233 each, including installation. An additional RM320 was paid for the keyboard, mouse and tilting bracket while an 80GB hard disk cost RM363. The computers were installed on Oct 19 for all 222 MPs, which brought the total bill to more than RM2.6mil.

At the Parliament lobby, Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) said the cost of the computers was exorbitant and handed out price lists from computer shops to prove his point. “The 80GB hard disk was phased out early this year. You can get a 160GB hard disk for RM150. “The keyboard and mouse are not branded and made in China. A Microsoft keyboard and mouse combo pack costs only RM55,” he said. Lim said Parliament could have instead invested in a simple laptop for MPs, which would cost only RM2,000 per unit.
Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) said it boiled down to whether a proper tender was called for the purchase or if the procurement was done through direct negotiations without proper comparison of prices.

Shoot to kill order?

From right: Dato' Siva Subramaniam, YB M. Kulasegaran, Lim Lip Eng and at far left seated is YB V Sivakumar

On Nov 9, 5 youths, aged between 17 and 24, were killed in a police shootout in Klang.

Yesterday, DAP leaders submitted a memorandum to Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) urging the organisation to investigate if there is a 'shoot to kill' order when it comes to dealing with suspects.
Commissioner Dato' Siva Subramaniam accepted our memorandum and he promised to discuss the issue with the board of commissioners.

Kedatangan Orang Asing

Dewan Rakyat on 11/11/2009

PM: Only MMIP interested in underwriting risks

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/17/parliament/5122340&sec=parliament

AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT (Reports by LEE YUK PENG, ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN, LOH FOON FONG AND TEH ENG HOCK. 17/11/2009)

Owners of vehicles that are aged more than 10 years could only get motor insurance through the Malaysian Motor Insurance Pool (MMIP) because other insurers were not interested in underwriting the risks, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. “In general, insurance companies were more cautious about offering insurance protection especially on third party coverage to certain vehicles such as those more than 10- years-old because the losses were great,” he said in a written reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut).

Lim had asked about steps taken to resolve issues relating to vehicle owners who could not buy insurance for their vehicles, which were older than 10 years, except through the MMIP at the post-office and at a higher premium.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said Pos Malaysia like other motor insurance, could only offer motor insurance coverage based on the underwriting strategy of the insurers. The high underwriters’ losses were also due to motor insurance premiums that were hinged on the motor tariff that had not been examined since it was introduced in 1978, he added. He said although the underwriters were given the flexibility to impose additional premiums or loading based on the limit defined by Bank Negara since 1996, it was still not adequate in bearing current business cost since the amount of claims were getting higher.

Najib also said that MMIP was set up as a last-resort insurer to ensure vehicle owners get insured and this was the reason why they were allowed to impose higher premium to balance out the risk.
He also said the Government was considering a suggestion on a basic protection framework for motor insurance that would consider the consumers and the industry’s interests to ensure that the insurance services would continue to be available.

Related news: http://www.nst.com.my/articles/12pry/Article/index_html

MACC should follow the stink

Related news: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=40167

FT minister fails to satisfy PR members

Source: http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=40117 (By Husna Yusop, 11/11/2009)

Federal Territory and Urban Well-Being Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin was grilled in the Dewan Rakyat by several opposition MPs today when he delivered his winding-up speech for the ministry. Replying to points raised during the debates on Budget 2010, Raja Nong Chik spoke for more than two hours as the unsatisfied MPs took turns to stand up and asked for his explanation on certain issues.

Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), Dr Lo’ Lo’ Mohd Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa) and Wee Choo Keong (PKR-Wangsa Maju) asked him about the problems of illegals working as traders in their areas. They also queried him for declining to hold a meeting with all the opposition MPs in the Federal Territory, like what the previous minister had done. "The previous minister had a meeting with all of us within a month of us being elected. This was then followed by a retreat. But, in your case, we are upset because you only agreed to meet Bandar Tun Razak (PKR MP Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim)," Lo'Lo' said.

"Why is that? Are we second class MPs?"

Raja Nong Chik said what matters to him is he could solve the people’s problem and the ministry does its work accordingly, not whether he meets the MPs or not. "I have met several MPs from the other side when I went to the ground, like Titiwangsa, Lembah Pantai (PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar), Kepong (DAP’s Dr Tan Seng Giaw) and Bandar Tun Razak. "I have asked to meet Seputeh (DAP’s Teresa Kok) to solve the squatters problem there. My meeting was to solve the people’s problems. There is no need to have a meeting with all the MPs if in the end we could not solve the people’s problems," he said. On the illegals, Raja Nong Chik said they are under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Department but the ministry has acted against some of them with regards to the issue of trading licences. "However, we also received requests from local traders to allow foreigners to help them with their business in the markets. So, we have to find the middle way and enforce the law with wisdom," he said.

Beware of credit card scam

Tang thanking Lim (Photo taken from Sin Chew Daily)

Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/11/9/central/5068543&sec=central

(By PRIYA MENON, 9/11/2009)

Next time you apply for credit cards at shopping complexes or any other outlets beware as you may become a victim of credit card fraud. When, Tang Yong Seng from Segambut, KL, applied for a credit card at a mall, he did not realise the photostat copy of the application with his signature and personal details could be used to make new cards. Three years ago, Tang’s identity was used in two different modus operandi by a fraud syndicate without his knowledge. The syndicate used his name to apply for new credits cards and even reported his existing credit card missing in order for a new card to be delivered to them. He has been running to and fro to the relevant agencies like the Bank Negara, the five local and international banks involved in the problem as well as the police.

Tang also sought the assistance of Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng who has been acting as his lawyer as well. He has been billed for extravagant purchases like air tickets worth RM2,000, water filter system and jewellery worth RM5,400. After conducting an investigation, two of the banks admitted the claims were fraud and Tang was not required to settle the bills. However, one bank insisted Tang settled the payments and even took the case to court despite three police reports as well as a letter by Lim explaining the situation.
After two years in court, a full trial was fixed on Nov 5 but during the hearing, the lawyers for the bank concerned withdrew the charges without any explanation. Lim said many people were unaware of the seriousness of the issue and ignore the summonses from the court. Lim added that the government’s move to charge RM50 for each credit card per year was not feasible and did not solve the problem.

No CF for all buildings in PKFZ except one

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/116728 (S Pathmawathy, 5/11/2009)

… Segambut DAP MP Lim Lip Eng said that the PAC report also revealed that all buildings and construction in PKFZ, except one, did not have any certification of fitness (CF).

"What will happen if these buildings suddenly collapse or if there was a fire, who will bear the responsibility?" he asked.
He urged the government to freeze Chan and Phang's local and overseas assets just as it was done to assets of PKFZ's turnkey developer, Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB).