MOF: Hotline or Scam-line?

9/12/2011
Under the 2012 budget, the Federal Government had promised a one-off allocation of RM500 for households earning an income of under RM3000. This is intended to relieve the burden of inflation for these families.
On Thursday 8th December, the mainstream press published a hotline number for the public to call in order to see if they are eligible for the relief and how they can obtain it. However, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng had received several complaints from the members of the public who called the hotline but were unable to get through to the operator.
“They complained to me that when they tried calling, they were told that all the operators were busy. However, after waiting for long periods of time they still could not get through,” he said.
Lim has called the hotline personally and has instructed both of his assistants to call the hotline sixteen times at half hour intervals between 9am and 12pm today, but with no success.
Clearly frustrated, Lim was angry that the public would be so inconvenienced as a result of the non-responsive hotline. “If the Ministry of Finance was really genuine about helping the people, why did they set up a useless hotline?”
Lim called on the Federal government to stop misleading the people, and he hopes that this issue can be resolved quickly.

Shoddy repair job along Jalan Burung Hantu

Lousy job: The potholes are causing traffic congestion as cars tend to slow down.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/12/7/central/10036165&sec=central (By FAZLEENA AZIZ, 7/12/2011)
POTHOLES have reappeared in Jalan Burung Hantu, three days after Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had patched up the affected stretch. Residents from Bandar Manjalara, Sunway SPK Damansara and Desa Park City were irked by the shoddy work.
Many motorists said their vehicles had been damaged and the potholes were slowing down traffic, thus causing congestion. The residents have been complaining about the bad road condition for about three months.
Chua Chew Huat, 57, from Desa City Park said it was wrong for the authorities to carry out a shoddy job. “Car tyres can get punctured if motorists keep driving on such bad roads. They need to do a proper job,” he said.
Stoney Liow, 58, from Sunway SPK Damansara said he could have done a better job using cement if this was the kind of repair work DBKL carried out. “The potholes have even caused accidents,” he said.
Lai Keun Ban, 55, from Bandar Manjalara, who moved from Malacca a year ago, was disappointed to see such bad roads in the capital city. He said the potholes were getting bigger by the day and accidents were becoming frequent. “The contractor who dug up the road and did not patch up the road properly and DBKL, too, did not do a good repair job. “This is just shoddy workmanship and a complete waste of money,” he said.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said Jalan Burung Hantu did not even have a signboard to indicate its name. “Many complaints have been made about potholes and this is the most serious of all as it is causing traffic congestion. “We are not aware which contractor came to dig up the road and they just left without doing a good job.
“The Kuala Lumpur mayor said DBKL had allocated RM200mil to repair roads next year, which is a waste of taxpayers’ money. “This problem is not caused by the people, so DBKL should go after the irresponsible contractors,” he said.
Related news: Potholes still after shoddy work http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/potholes-still-after-shoddy-work-1.16046

Bukit Segambut Apartment's legal tussle with the developer

I was explaining to the owners of Bukit Segambut Apartment on the legal dispute with their developer involving strata titles, CF and liquidated agreed damages...

‘Peaceful Assembly’ protest turns poetry recital

A. Samad Said (left) recites a poem to those gathered in the city centre park, Kuala Lumpur December 3, 2011.

Lim Kit Siang (left), Samad (centre) and Wong sing the ‘Negaraku’ to end the demonstration on December 3, 2011.
Pictures by Melissa Chi
Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/peaceful-assembly-protest-turns-poetry-recital/ (By Melissa Chi, 3/12/2011)
The second KLCC protest against the new assembly law became a poetry recital session instead, with national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said reciting his latest poem, Merindu Ruang to a crowd donned in yellow clothing.
“Make yourself comfortable, it’s going to be a party,” Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Wong Chin Huat told a crowd of about 200 today at the park adjacent to the Petronas twin towers and prominent city building. “We will fight violence with the beauty of literature,” he added.
The crowd was joined by among others, DAP lawmakers Lim Kit Siang, Tony Pua, and Lim Lip Eng.
Today’s demonstration, last half an hour, was the second to be organised by the Freedom to Assemble Campaign, a coalition of over 30 NGOs. A week ago, almost 300 people gathered here to protest the Peaceful Assembly Bill. Both occasions ended with KLCC security personnel requesting the crowd to disperse.
Today, Wong was told that he needed the permission from KLCC’s management to gather in the park. But he told reporters later that they will continue to hold protests every Saturday at KLCC until the law is revoked.
The Peaceful Assembly Bill, which bans street demonstrations, was passed on November 29 on BN votes after the opposition Pakatan Rakyat bloc staged a walkout.
Related news: 200 brave water sprinklers to protest Assembly Bill http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/183114

Second protest held over Bill http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/4/nation/10031441&sec=nation

Mont Kiara residents against proposed development

Photo by Leow Mei Chern

Photo by Fazleena Aziz

Fighting for a common cause: Residents voicing out their concerns during a meeeting recently.
Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/12/3/central/10018000&sec=central (By FAZLEENA AZIZ, 3/12/2011)
Residents from the La Grande, Kiaraville and Tiffani Kiara condominiums are protesting against a proposed commercial development nearby in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. About 50 residents carrying placards stood in front of the proposed site near Changkat Mont Kiara expressing their disappointment with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for approving the project. Residents said the project, consisting of a 26-storey office block and nine floors of car park on a 0.45ha site near the Soho KL @ Solaris Mont Kiara would aggravate the traffic congestion in the area.
The site is now being used as a car park.
On Nov 16, the residents had attended an objection hearing and voiced their concerns. The residents are objecting against Mont Kiara slowly losing its residential status and becoming a commercial centre. Some residents are planning to get an injunction against the development. Tiffani Kiara chairman Carol Lee said the land status was marked as institutional but had been converted to commercial in 2009. She said DBKL had informed that only Kiaraville had the right to object at the hearing. “However, Tiffani and Le Grande should be included because we are directly affected as well,” she added, Lee said the residents were not allowed to ask technical questions during the hearing.
Le Grande chairman Terry Openshaw said the plot of land was a landfill and piling work in the area would affect nearby condominiums.
Frankie Chow from Kiaraville said with commercial centres like Soho KL, Plaza Mont Kiara and 1Mont Kiara in the area, there was no need for another development. It is a small plot of land and this development will just aggravate the traffic congestion in the already high-density area.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, who was present at the meeting, said the residents should be united in their stand to get a positive outcome.

EC ready to use indelible ink

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/182994 (By Hazlan Zakaria, 2/12/2011)
The Election Commission (EC) is ready to adopt indelible ink usage during elections, pending the final approval from the National Fatwa Council.
"EC secretary Kamaruddin Ahmad Baria told us they are ready and can use indelible ink. "They are waiting final approval from the National Fatwa Council to ensure that the materials used in the ink comply with syariah (Islamic law)," Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng told reporters after a meeting between DAP parliamentarians and Kamaruddin in Putrajaya today.
Among the issues include halal content of the ink and whether it interferes with the process of ablution. However, fellow MP Teresa Kok, who joined Lim, said Kamaruddin told them at the meeting, lasting over an hour, that voting abroad is still under careful study by the commission and implementation will not be anytime soon. Both overseas voting and indelible ink usage are part of 10 interim recommendations that the bipartisan parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform had tabled and were endorsed by the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, on the final day of its sitting for this year. Agencies such as the EC, which were named as implementers, have two weeks from today to give the timetable for the execution of the recommendation or list out to the PSC the hurdles to be overcome.
Electoral roll irregularities also raised
During the meeting, the DAP also raised several complaints with the commission on electoral roll irregularities and difficulties faced by voters who want to amend their voting records at post offices. Kok said the EC secretary pledged to accept the hundreds of voter registration forms, which had been stranded after the EC, without notice, implemented a new regulation requiring all new voter registrations to be accompanied with photocopies of the MyKad. “It is a huge relief for us, as we have hundreds of forms that were stranded,” said the MP.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai told reporters at the same press conference that he brought up the case of a 24-year-old voter who tried to change the address in his voter registration at two post offices, to no avail as the staff on duty were unable to find his records, and in he ended up registering as a new voter. Tan said that the EC admitted at the meeting that it was their mistake, since some of the more than 600 post offices nationwide authorised to handle EC business were not given access to the up-to-date electoral roll.
Lim said the EC also admitted that the current crop of postal workers are not adequately trained on EC procedures, relating instances where postal workers themselves were unable to tell voters how to fill in the forms.
'Last training session was five years ago'
“Kamaruddin admitted to us that the last training session for postal workers was five years ago and since then, there has been a staff turnover, seeing many new postal workers. But he promised to hold more training sessions for post office staff.”
Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Loon, who was also at the meeting, had complained about two men aged 83 and 52 who found that they were listed as “deceased” in voting records. “They blamed the National Registration Department for this. The EC had recorded that the duo were ‘orang dah mati’ (already deceased),” Fong said.
Concern whether the use of indelible ink would contravene Muslim restrictions from permanently marking their skin and body was raised by Independent Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, when debating the PSC report. Ibrahim worried that the ink could render Muslims unable to perform their ablutions, as water may be prevented from reaching the skin by the layer of ink, thus making them unable to perform prayers during the 24-hour period that the ink is applied.

TTDI Market has no heritage value

MAKING WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT: Ahmad Fuad said City Hall wants to maximise the use of the land which is valued at RM60mil
Photo & story from: http://www.mmail.com.my/content/86900-ttdi-market-has-no-heritage-value (By MEENA LAKSHANA, 2/12/2011)
The 25-year-old wet market in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) that is slated for demolition does not have an heritage value. Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said this following objections from residents and traders on the proposal to have the market make way for new development.
This sparked an uproar among traders and residents who wanted the market spared and upgraded instead. The traders, who were relocated there from the former Central Market in Jalan Hang Kasturi, argued the market should be maintained for its sentimental value and history.
Stressing City Hall had not decided on the development at the market site, Ahmad Fuad said it would provide better facilities for both traders and customers. “The market has no heritage element. We want to maximise the use of the land, which is valued at RM60 million. The revenue we receive from the proposed development, when completed, would trickle down so we can provide proper facilities to traders and their customers. “Under the proposed development, there would be an extra 200 parking spots available for the public.” The mayor said City Hall was losing out on land capitalisation, as the market’s 300 to 400 traders were only paying RM10 in monthly rent for the past 30 years. Ahmad Fuad said the proposed development involved service apartments that would be linked to the proposed Sungai Buloh-Kajang Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station nearby. He said City Hall had, however, imposed conditions on the developer for it to monetarily compensate traders or provide them an alternative business site. “We have already identified a 0.5-acre plot of land nearby but the developer has to get back to us with their decision.”
When contacted, TTDI Market Traders Association president Jenny Loo said City Hall should explain details of the plan to them. She said the market was being patronised by residents from Sungai Buloh, Hartamas and Kota Damansara. TTDI RA chairman Mohd Hatim Abdullah said they opposed the proposed development, pending its details. He said City Hall had yet to meet residents on the proposed development.

RM200m for better roads, funds for resurfacing of tracks in KL next year will also be increased

AHMAD FUAD: Not all roads fall under City Hall’s jurisdiction

GAPING HOLE: Lim (2nd from left) indicates to the dangerous pothole at a parking lot behind Hong Leong bank at Jalan Segambut Utara
Photos & story from: http://www.mmail.com.my/content/86824-rm200m-better-roads (By MEENA LAKSHANA, 1/12/2011)
Kuala Lumpur City Hall will allocate RM200 million for road maintenance and resurfacing works next year. Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said the council was taking seriously the rapid deterioration of roads around Kuala Lumpur in deciding to increase the allocation. “This year we assigned a total of RM117 million for road maintenance, out of which RM56 million was for road resurfacing,” he said during a press conference at City Hall headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut yesterday. “Next year, we are allocating an additional RM83 million for the exercise. Half of the (RM200 million) allocation will be specifically for road patching,” he said. Although City Hall were criticised by residents for the poor quality of roads in the city, Ahmad Fuad said not all roads fell under their jurisdiction. He said about 60 per cent of roads in the city which are in dire conditions were caused by utility companies conducting upgrading works at midnight without City Hall’s knowledge. Ahmad Fuad said the council had already informed the utility companies involved to use a new method called horizontal directional digging in their upgrading works.
“This technology uses a machine that digs underground sparing the entire stretch of road from damage,” he said. “Most utility companies complained it is three to five times more expensive than the conventional method. So far, only Gas Malaysia Berhad utilises the technology with Maxis about to start.”
Ahmad Fuad said City Hall also proposed to utility companies to set up a fund for road resurfacing works. “For the time being, only Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) had such a fund,” he said.
Ahmad Fuad said other contributing factors to bad road conditions included the rainy season, spillage of diesel and concrete on roads, as well as illegal digging of roads. He said out of 49 roads identified for resurfacing this year, a total of 37 roads were completed. This included Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Sentul, Jalan Damansara, Jalan Kepong, Jalan Pantai Baru, Taman Sri Petaling and Jalan Damansara. He said 10 other roads were in the midst of completion and City Hall was in the process of appointing contractors for the two remaining roads namely Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz and Jalan Genting Klang.
MP claims City Hall using old ways to resurface roads
Kuala Lumpur City Hall should do away with outdated technology in repairing potholes around the city. Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng claimed City Hall’s present contractors used outdated technology to resurface damaged roads. “They should embrace new technology. Nowadays, City Hall were using steam rollers to patch up roads, which required a longer time,” he said after a press conference to highlight three large potholes at a parking lot behind Hong Leong Bank at Jalan Segambut Utara earlier this week. Lim said he received an average of three complaints on potholes daily at various locations in his constituency. “This shows the quality of roads in KL is inferior and resurfacing work is of substandard quality,” he said.
Lim pointed out the biggest of the three potholes in Jalan Segambut Utara measured five feet in diameter (152cm) and six inches (15cm) deep. “The potholes were here for three months and getting wider by the day and Jalan Segambut Utara is not even a busy street,” he said. Lim said complaints were lodged with City Hall but no action was taken to patch the holes. “The contractors just covered it with sand,” he said.
When met, Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said the potholes at the parking lot are not under City Hall’s jurisdiction. Refuting claims it was using dated technology to resurface roads in the city, Ahmad Fuad said materials used for resurfacing roads took precedence over the type of technology used.
Related news: Utility firms may have to pay deposit http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/utility-firms-may-have-to-pay-deposit-1.13816

Potholes a menace to motorists

Pic from Sin Chew Daily

The huge pothole in Jalan Segambut Utara poses a danger to motorists. Pics by Salhani Ibrahim

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/potholes-a-menace-to-motorists-1.12631 (By VEENA BABULAL, 30/11/2011)
Three large potholes in a free parking lot behind the RHB bank in Jalan Segambut Utara is a menace to motorists of the business district. The largest of the holes was found to measure about 1.5m in diameter and 15cm deep. Streets found that the holes were so large that motorists entering the car park would try to avoid one hole but would inevitably end up in another. Some unsuspecting motorists ended up in all three holes as the cars parked there had blocked the view of the holes. The parking lot as well as the surrounding roads of Jalan Segambut Tengah and Jalan Segambut Pusat were also riddled with potholes.
Cheryl Chia, a visitor, said the problem was compounded by insufficient parking space in the business area. "Car owners using the parking lot which has ample parking space risk getting a flat and their undercarriage damaged. Motorcyclists can also fall and hurt themselves badly as the road is slippery and full of puddles now," said the 52-year-old housewife.
Segambut member of parliament Lim Lip Eng said based on the complaints received, the holes appeared at least three months ago. Since then complaints about the three gaping holes have accounted for most of the complaints he has received on potholes. "I have informed City Hall numerous times. However, besides temporarily covering the holes with sand, no follow-up action by City Hall has been taken," he said.
"I find it strange that the holes would appear at the parking lot and back alley of shops since heavy vehicles do not ply there. Most potholes appear on busy roads and in residential areas," he said, adding that the building material used for the construction of roads in the city was generally of inferior quality. The patch-up jobs were shoddy, Lim claimed.
"Potholes seem to be re-appearing so often that I wonder whether the contractors are doing the patching job according to proper specifications," he said, adding that he received at least three complaints on potholes daily.
Lim claimed that he could not reach the call centre on weekends and public holidays, contrary to media reports on its working hours.
When City Hall call centre was launched last year, reports stated that members of the public can contact it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Lim said the service provided by the call centre lags behind that of other countries, citing United Kingdom as an example. Complainants there have only to log on to the council's website and register their problems and it would be followed up immediately. He urged mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail to consider his suggestion of setting up a 10-member squad team to respond to complaints on potholes as well as survey the roads in search of potholes to patch.

Related news: Motorists irked by huge potholes http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/12/7/central/9990531&sec=central

Lawyers stage protest march

Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee spoke to the crowd of lawyers & NGOs at the Lake Garden before the Walk For Freedom march (Photos by Lim Lip Eng & Ooi Leng Hang)
Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/30/nation/10003037&sec=nation (By REGINA LEE, 30/11/2011)
The idyllic Lake Gardens here saw a different scene when hundreds of lawyers gathered to protest against the Peaceful Assembly Bill. Led by Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee, they marched about half a kilometre to Parliament House to hand over a memorandum and their own proposed amendments at noon yesterday.
Joining them in the Walk to Freedom were civil society activists, including Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.
Lim said the Attorney-General had consulted the council several weeks ago over the drafting of the Bill. “But the version that was tabled was very different,” he said.
The PKR representatives in the march included MPs Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang), Loh Gwo Burne (Kelana Jaya) as well as Seri Andalas assemblymen Dr Xavier Jeyakumar and officials N. Surendran and Latheefa Koya.
The DAP representatives included MPs Lim Lip Eng (Segambut) and Wong Ho Leng (Sibu) while PAS was represented by Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa and central committee member Hanipa Maidin.
Constitutional law committee chairman Syahredzan Johan said the provisions were “ridiculous”.
As they marched towards the Parliament building, another group, calling itself Pertubuhan Putra Malaysia, appeared at the opposite side of the road to protest against “free sex” and homosexuality. Numbering about 100, they wore yellow T-shirts and carried banners condemning sexuality rights festival organiser Seksualiti Merdeka. They attempted to drown out the lawyers’ chants of “freedom of the people” and “freedom of assembly” with their own cries of “anti-sodomy” and “no free sex”. Seksualiti Merdeka founder Pang Khee Teik was spotted among the lawyers and made no fuss over the other group’s protest.
The crowd began to disperse at 1.30pm, about 20 minutes before a downpour. Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said no untoward incident occurred during the protests, adding that the crowd of about 500 were cooperative. “They complied with police instructions,” he said, adding that they only led to traffic complications in the area.
Related news: More than 1,000 march against Assembly Bill http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/182663

TTDI market relocation sparks protest

The TTDI market attracts shoppers from all over the Klang Valley. It is also notable for being among the cleanest wet markets in the city. Pic by Nurul Shafina Jemenon
Source: http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/ttdi-market-relocation-sparks-protest-1.12118 (By NOEL ACHARIAM, 29/11/2011)
The Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) Residents' Association (RA) and TTDI Market Traders Association are saying no to the demolition or relocation of the market. Instead, they want the 25-year-old complex upgraded. The associations also want a pedestrian bridge and a multi-storey car park built for the convenience of the shoppers and commuters, in line with the development of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT station, near the Caltex petrol station.
TTDI Market Traders Association deputy chairman Mohd Zaini Zainal Abidin said they had heard two years ago that the market would be demolished to make way for development. It was only last month that it was confirmed that a development proposal had been submitted to City Hall. "We want this market to be retained. Not a single one of us will agree to any new development here. We had stated so when there was a proposal for an MRT station here. Together with the TTDI RA, we will submit a proposal to City Hall for the construction of a pedestrian bridge to connect the market, and a multi-storey car park on the parking lot adjacent to the market. This way, it is a win-win situation for both market goers and those wanting to board the MRT "Building these could be a form of corporate social responsibility, and the connectivity could boost MRT ridership," he said.
Currently, the market has 150 parking bays catering for an average of 1,000 visitors daily from all over the Klang Valley.
The market, he added, was in dire need of upgrading. The areas needing attention are the public toilets and leaking pipes. The last enhancement work to take place was about five years ago, when the walls on the first floor were given a fresh coat of paint. The market's traders were relocated here from the former Central Market in Jalan Hang Kasturi. TTDI Market Traders Association advisor Ramli Ismail said the market must be maintained for its sentimental value and history. "We must think about how difficult it was for the traders to shift here back then, and how they have worked hard to make their business grow. "It is not fair to them. We will be sad if this market ceases to exist here. Where would the shoppers, who have been coming here for so long, go?" he said.
Also present were TTDI RA chairman Mohd Hatim Abdullah, TTDI Market Traders Association president Jenny Loo and Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng. Lim said he was informed of the proposal by a private developer to redevelop the land on which the market sits by Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail. "However, he told me it has neither been approved nor rejected. He said the opinions of the traders would be taken into consideration before a decision was made. The views of residents should also be taken into account. I will support the majority's view," he said.
Jenny Hong, who has sold soya bean milk and tau fu far at the market for as long as the market has stood, was unhappy about the proposal to demolish the market, which she said was a second home to her. "I have formed a special bond with the residents and visitors. We have become friends after so long," she said.
Fishmonger Ng Kean Leong, whose grandfather started the business in Central Market back in 1987, said there was no need of re-development in the already high-density TTDI. "More importantly, I cannot imagine not doing business here. My family was in Central Market and here for a very long time," said the 27-year-old.
Lawyer M.Idris, who has lived in TTDI and shopped at the market since 1986, said: "This market needs to be upgraded, not moved. It is a meeting place for TTDI folk, and where families go to shop. "It is nice and clean, and it caters for not only TTDI folk, but also Damansara Heights, Seri Hartamas and Kota Damansara folk."
Related news: TTDI traders hope for integration with MRT line http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/11/29/central/9990877&sec=central

Pile of waste by the road an eyesore

Long trail of rubbish: One side of Jalan 1/42 that has become a garbage dump.
Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/11/28/central/9985070&sec=central (By CHOONG MEK ZHIN, 28/11/2011)
For years residents of Kampung Segambut Luar and Kampung Segambut Permai have been living near a rubbish dump. The dump in Jalan 1/42 can also be seen from Jalan Kuching that runs parallel to the road.
Pensioner Khairuddin Karim, 56, said the rubbish collection truck came on schedule once every three days but within that short span of time, a big pile of garbage would have accumulated at the spot.
One of the main worries of the villagers is that the pile attracts stray animals and rodents. “At night, a large group of stray dogs scavenge for food at the pile of rubbish and in the process garbage gets scattered everywhere. Rodents are also attracted to the pile,” he said. Khairuddin said they feared the pests could cause diseases. He also highlighted the problem of clogged drains which could caused flash floods.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said about three years ago, there used to be large metal rubbish bins where the dump was located. “However, some residents claimed that these bins were taken by scrap metal collectors,” he said, adding that about 100 households used the spot to dump garbage.
Lim hoped DBKL would provide some new communal bins to keep the area clean. “The pile of rubbish is an eyesore and creates a bad impression of the city as well,” he said.

Group protests against Assembly Bill

Peaceful demo: The group protesting at KLCC park yesterday.
Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/27/nation/9986218&sec=nation (27/11/2011)
KUALA LUMPUR: A group gathered at KLCC park to protest the proposed Peaceful Assem­bly Bill 2011. Dressed in yellow and carrying yellow balloons, the group assembled at the park at about 2pm yesterday and chanted slogans against the proposed Bill. They were told to disperse by the police and KLCC security personnel at about 2.45pm.
Also present were Klang DAP MP Charles Santiago and Segambut DAP MP Lim Lip Eng.
Campaign organiser Wong Chin Huat deemed the Bill unconstitutional. “We are here to illustrate that we as Malaysians can gather peacefully without disrupting public order,” he said.
On whether the amendments to reduce the advance notice period from 30 days to 10 days was acceptable, Wong said it was not. “There are countries where organisers only need to give notice to the police a day before a gathering. An acceptable period should be one or two days,” he added.
Meanwhile, a group of people gathered at Dataran Merdeka for a candlelight vigil at about 8pm. They marched to the Bar Council about 200m away and dispersed 30 minutes later.
Related news: 400 protest at KLCC against 'unconstitutional' bill http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/182520
NGOs protest Peaceful Assembly Bill in KLCC park http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ngos-protest-peaceful-assembly-bill-in-klcc-park/

UUCA amendment just ‘window-dressing’, says Pakatan

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/uuca-amendment-just-window-dressing-says-pakatan/ (By Clara Chooi, 24/11/2011)
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers poured cold water today over Putrajaya’s plans to lift the ban on students in politics, saying it was a window-dressing move aimed to woo young voters. Several MPs pointed out that the unexpected announcement made by Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Parliament this morning had come with several disclaimers — that students must be aged above 21 to become political party members; that politics would remain prohibited from campuses; and that the government would still appeal a recent court ruling declaring the ban unconstitutional.
“The bottom line is — nothing has changed,” said DAP’s Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng. “On the one hand, you said you will amend the law, on the other, you say you will appeal the decision. On the one hand, you say they can become political party members, on the other, you say politics are not allowed in campus. “Only one word to describe this — oxymoron,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
PAS’s Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad agreed, and accused Najib of attempting to woo young voters with the “window-dressing” move. “Only one thing is for certain...they are doing this for the sole reason of winning over young voters. To me, there is no two-ways about it — they should just completely abolish the law,” he said. When tabling a motion to lift three Emergency declarations this morning, Najib said the government would soon amend Section 15 of the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA) to allow students aged above 21 to become members of political parties. He stressed however that the government would still appeal the recent court ruling declaring the section unconstitutional and that politics in campuses would still be strictly prohibited.
In a majority 2-1 judgement earlier this month, a three-man panel of judges ruled that Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) had breached Article 10 of the country’s highest law when it disciplined four students involved in a political campaign last year under Section 15(5)(5)(a) of the UUCA.
“This is what I call a great confusion. With elections looming so close, Najib and his team are trying out this window-dressing move, pulling wool over the people’s eye to hoodwink them into thinking the government is their saviour,” said Dzulkefly. He added that universities presently have their own respective by-laws and constitutions, which he said was enough to govern its operations, including student movement.
PAS’s Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar said the government’s decision to appeal the decision would contradict its plan to amend Section 15 of the law. He said Putrajaya should not proceed with the appeal to prove its sincerity in amending the law, adding that Najib, in his speech this morning, had not detailed if the proposed amendments would grant students total freedom to participate in politics, including holding positions in political parties. “What is important to me is that students and academicians be given full opportunities to discuss openly ideas and matters of national importance both inside and outside the campus... it is not just about allowing them to join political parties,” he said. Dr Dzulkefly said the government needed to allow greater freedom to students and academicians in order to breed more intellectuals in society. “We want alert-minded intellectuals, enterprising graduates, morally upright, intellectually superior... you cannot have that in an environment that breeds bigotry. Bigots are not intellectuals,” he said.
PKR’s Subang MP R. Sivarasa concurred and pointed out to the declining state of Malaysian universities, saying local institutions do not provide an “atmosphere of open, critical thinkers”. He also accused the government of practising double standards, saying that while politics was banned in local campuses, Umno has student clubs formed in foreign institutions.

Rottweilers’ owner fined

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/18/courts/9926137&sec=courts (By MAIZATUL NAZLINA, 18.11.2011)
KUALA LUMPUR: A senior citizen was fined RM1,500 in default two months’ jail after his three Rottweilers attacked a tractor driver at a fish pond.
Pond caretaker Cheah Soo @ Ah Peng (pic), 67, was sentenced by magistrate Zulkpli Abdullah after he admitted to a charge of being negligent by not preventing an animal in his possession from being a danger to humans. The offence, under Section 289 of the Penal Code which carries a jail sentence of up to six months, fine of RM2,000, or both, took place at the pond in Orkid Desa Phase 2, Sungai Besi, Cheras, here at about 3.20pm on Sept 18.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Haderah Siri urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence in view of public interest. She said the victim, Ting Soon Teck, could have died from the attack. “Ting had to have multiple stitches on his hands and legs and was advised by his doctor to rest for eight months,” Haderah said. She added that he lost his income during the period.
Pleading for leniency, counsel Lim Lip Eng said Cheah suffered from various ailments and his wife had had a stroke. Lim said Cheah, who stayed in a squatter area, had already paid the RM300 fine to City Hall.
City Hall had since taken away the dogs and Ting had also forgiven his client, Lim added.
The tractor driver was attacked by the dogs when he was making a payment at the counter after fishing there.

Taxi driver sues cop and Govt

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/11/10/courts/9869668&sec=courts (10.11.2011)
A taxi driver has filed a negligence suit against the Government and a policeman for wrongfully firing a gunshot and injuring both his legs while he was taking a nap in his cab.
Yeow Leong Kang, 42, is claiming RM214,000 in damages, interests, costs and any other relief deemed fit by the court over the shooting incident. He has named Detective Lance Corporal Norhesham Mohd Nor from the Cheras district police station’s narcotics criminal investigations division and the Government as the defendants.
Yeow filed the lawsuit at the Sessions Court registry through his lawyer Lim Lip Eng yesterday.
In a statement of claim, Yeow said that Detective L/Kpl Norhesham had negligently fired a shot without any warning. At the time he had parked his taxi beside a bus stop near the Jalan Pudu post-office at 4.30pm on Sept 23 last year. He is contending that Detective L/Kpl Norhesham had failed to ensure the safety of the public. He said he was taken to Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for treatment and discharged after three days. He claimed that he suffered humiliation as he was shot by the police in a public place and this also caused him to suffer tremendous psychological and mental stress, pain and loss of dignity.
In the lawsuit, he claimed that Detective L/Kpl Norhesham had visited him at the hospital and apologised to him repeatedly and admitted that he had wrongfully shot him. Yeow made a police report at the Pudu police station over the incident on Dec 10 last year.

Majlis korban di Segambut Luar

Pagi ini, saya bersama-sama penduduk-penduduk di majlis korban anjuran Haji Khairuddin dengan PAS Segambut.

Segambut MP's Deepavali open house

On 5th November 2011, with limited publicity, some 200 turnout at DAP Segambut MP's Deepavali open house in Kampung Kasipillay.

Too many massage centres worry Desa Sri Hartamas folk

Large signs: Some outlets offer special prices during lunch break

Many signs: The numerous signboards along the walkway.

In the backlanes too: There are about 30 massage and foot reflexology centres operating in Desa Sri Hartamas.

Promotions: All sorts of discounts.

Photos by CHAN TAK KONG
Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/11/4/central/9770201&sec=central (By STUART MICHAEL and JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZI, 4.11.2011)
The mushrooming of massage, foot reflexology and spa centres around Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, has not gone down well with the residents in the township. There are over 30 massage and foot reflexology centres in the area, however, a check with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) revealed that only 10 outlets, or one-third of the total had been issued licence to operate while the rest are deemed illegal.
DBKL deputy director-general of socio-economic development Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz confirmed that only 10 outlets were licensed to offer foot reflexology, massage and spas in the Desa Sri Hartamas. Amin said DBKL had stopped approving licences under the Health Establishment Licensing Bylaw WPKL 2003 for massage and relexology centres since 2009 to curb the sudden increase in the number of such centres in Kuala Lumpur. “We have not issued any licences since July 2009. We will not approve any applications as there are already too many in Kuala Lumpur. Even if people apply we will reject their applications,” he said. When asked about what action will be taken against these illegal centres, Amin said they would continue issuing compounds to those who operated without licences. “In the city, there are already too many of these massage centres. We cannot force them to stop their operations but we can only compound them for not having a licence as many of them operate without licences and if they still continue to operate we can bring them to court. “However, these operators are very stubborn as some of them still continue to operate. They are not afraid of us. “Many of them have been fined several times but they still continue to operate without licences. We will have to continue with our raids more regularly,” he said, adding that DBKL carried out raids twice a week to check on these premises around Kuala Lumpur. “We try to monitor these centres including those with licences. We have done raids with the police to try to stop these massage centres that offer sexual services. “We have to do this to ensure that they do not misuse their licences for vice activities. If the licensed centres are found offering sexual services, we can compound them or take their deposit and even revoke their licence,” he said.
However, Amin said based on investigations carried out from early this year up to September, no licensed premises had been found to be offering sexual services. “Consumers also have to be aware of a massage centre’s condition and surroundings. “Do not visit a suspicious-looking centre,” he said, adding that consumers should be able to differentiate illegal and licensed centres as licensed centres were required to display their premises licence to prove that they were operating legally.
Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the police would carry out spot checks on centres offering sexual services. “If the public has any complaints about centres they suspect were operating without licence, they can report to us and we will conduct checks and take action,” he said.
A Desa Sri Hartamas resident who only wanted to be known as Cheong, said he noticed a sudden increase in the number of massage, foot reflexology and spa centres operating in the township. “I love living here, it’s a peaceful community with a pleasant environment but now more and more massage centres have set up business here,” said Cheong, who has lived in the area for the past five years. “It is absurd to have so many massage centres concentrated in just a small area. There are more than 30 such centres here now,” he said. Cheong said he and many other residents were concerned about this phenomenon in their area because they had reason to believe that some of the massage centres also offered sexual services. “I was informed that some of these centres offer sexual services instead of just the normal hand, foot or body massage. This is very disturbing.
“I know this from friends who patronise these centres. I fear the negative impact such activities might bring to this township. These outlets are so close to our homes,” he said. Cheong said DBKL and the police should conduct a survey and check the legality of these centres or conduct raids to prevent vice activities. “Some parents also fear that the proximity of these centres to their homes would provide their children with easy access to vice activities as the centres are located amid family restaurants, convenience stores and other businesses,” said Cheong, who has contacted Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng to inform him about the issue. Lim confirmed that he was aware of the problem and would be bringing up the matter with the KL mayor.
A random check by StarMetro found about 30 massage centres, spas and foot reflexology centres operating in Desa Sri Hartamas. Many of the foot reflexology centres have banners placed outside their outlets stating the price of the various services offered. A foot massage costs between RM20 and RM40 while a body massage is from RM50 to RM70.
Most of the centres are located in Jalan 23/70a, 24/70a, 28/70a, 30/70a and 31/70a. The interior of some of the massage parlours we visited were dimly lit and the cubicles were partitioned with curtains or other impermanent structure to offer customers privacy. A cubicle normally contains nothing but a small mattress and dim lights. Then there are centres with scantily dressed female staff compared with those which provide their employees with uniforms.
To evade the authorities, all these centres are equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTVs) at the entrance to the lift area, corridors and to the main door. Some of these centres have even employed individuals who lurk outside these centres to warn the operators in case of raids by the authorities.

Ex-ISA detainees now being probed for money laundering

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/180389 (3.11.2011)
Eight Immigration Department officers suspected of being involved in a human smuggling syndicate are now being investigated under the Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001.
However, the Home Ministry offered no explanation as to why the officers, freed after being detained for more than a year under the Internal Security Act (ISA), were not being probed under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 for the crime they were originally accused of.
Also, no reason was given as to why these officers were now being investigated under the terrorism financing law in the written reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) who asked for the rationale in freeing the officers and the legal action taken under the anti-trafficking law.
"The eight Immigration Department officers were released based on the evaluation and the reports from the police as well as the prison authorities that they are no longer a threat to national security," Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said.
"As of now, they are being probed under the Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 and once investigations are concluded, the investigation papers will be presented to the Attorney-General's Chambers for follow-up action," he said.
The eight officers were released in August and the reason, Hishammuddin said, was because they "had shown awareness and remorse over their mistake, and had promised never to repeat it".

Three MPs thrown out

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/10/31/three-mps-thrown-out/ (By Tarani Palani, 31.10.2011)
Three MPs were kicked out of parliament house for disobeying the Speaker’s order to sit down.
Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa was told to get out when he remained standing and continued to demand an answer to a question he posed to the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Mustapa Mohamed, who finished his winding up speech without responding to the former. Er wanted clarification on a piece of information alleging that Malaysia was interested in trading with Israel. Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia repeatedly asked him to sit down, but he was defiant. “Why didn’t the minister answer?” he said. “It’s just a yes or no. I just want to know if Malaysia has economic ties with Israel”
Pandikar Amin eventually ordered Er out after several failed attempts to get him to sit down.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng told Er not to leave. A clearly livid Pandikar then showed the door to him as well.
The Speaker said there was no room for questions after a minister had finished his speech. However, he allowed both the DAP reps back into the house 25 minutes later.
Er told reporters that he was not satisfied with the Speaker’s decision as he was merely trying to seek clarification. “I have got documents, including a customs document from an NGO, which shows that Malaysia wants to have economic relationship with Israel,” he said. “I just wanted to clarify if the information was accurate.”
Earlier, Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan (Independent) was shown the exit when he continued to shout at his DAP counterparts, alleging that they had not kept their promises on the Kampung Buah Pala issue. He was sent out a few minutes before lunch break and was allowed back into the hall after the break.

Developer says no more work being done as contruction completed

Easy to get lost: Poor signage at Solaris Dutamas has become a bane for both tenants and visitors.
Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/10/31/central/9796783&sec=central (By JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZI, 31.10.2011)
CLAIMS made by the tenants and owners of commercial units in Solaris Dutamas Kuala Lumpur about their problems with the joint management of the retail and office has been refuted by the developer and management of the development.
The developer and management of Solaris Dutamas, Sunrise Bhd community and customer development general manager Anne Tong denied that there was still construction works and flying debris as claimed by the stakeholders. “It is impossible that at this stage there is still construction works and debris as the development is already completed. “Whatever works done in the development at the moment are the renovation works within Publika, which is the shopping mall within the Solaris Dutamas development. “Some of the works are by the individual retail outlets done by the tenants or shop owners themselves,” she said during an interview which was also attended by Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, in respond to the claims made by the stakeholders.
However, Tong admitted that there were problems with the signage in the development which was also one of the problems cited by the stakeholders. “We understand that the signage here can be a bit difficult. However, we have engaged a consultant from Singapore to work on upgrading the ‘wayfinding’ signage for the development. As this is an ongoing exercise, changes will be gradual,” she said. Tong added with regards to the high parking rates and claims, that the revised rates would not encourage more customers and they would resort to other malls claimed by the stakeholders were incorrect. “The revised parking rate is fixed at RM1 for the first three hours and RM2 per hour for the subsequent hours not RM1 for the first hour. “We believe this price is reasonable as it is comparable to other shopping malls in the Klang Valley and it is relatively cheaper than several shopping complexes nearby,” she said adding that the parking rate is maintained at RM1 per entry during the weekends to attract and encourage more shoppers.
When asked about the claims by stakeholders that their units are not given proper publicity, Tong said they could not allow the business operators to hang their own buntings and banners along the corridors and the car park as it would affect the outlook of the development. “Just like any other shopping areas, we cannot let them place their buntings and banners as the outlook and appearance will be affected. “We have to maintain and control this,” she said adding that they have also given publicity for many of the outlets in Solaris Dutamas by featuring them in the Sunrise news bulletin without charging them.
Some 200 tenants and owners from Block C and D signed a petition recently to the management of the development and organised a press conference with Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng to highlight the issue. Most of them said there are several things that have hampered their business in the area with one of the most pertinent problem was the delay in the completion of Publika shopping mall and the commercial units claiming there was debris flying around that was affecting their business.
The tenants and owners claimed that the construction was still going on although the works at Solaris Dutamas should have been completed two years ago. They are also unhappy that their units are not given proper publicity and are treated as a separate entity from Publika that has received numerous advertisements and articles in the local media.
Deciding to take matters into their own hands, the business operators printed their own buntings and banners along the corridors and the car park. However, they were told they could not do that and the security guards had gone around collecting the banners and placing them in the carpark to be picked up by respective owners.

The Sun: Owners allege overcharging by TNB