Besi halang gelandangan tidur di bangku awam

Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/269646 (Photos taken from Facebook, 23/7/2014)

Pihak berkuasa Kuala Lumpur didakwa memasang besi di bangku orang ramai sekitar ibu kota, bagi menghalang gelandangan tidur di atasnya.
Ahli Parlimen Segambut Lim Lip Eng berkata, beliau melihat sendiri gambar warga miskin kota terpaksa memaksa diri masuk ke celah-celah besi itu untuk bermalam.
“Saya tidak pernah menyangka senario yang begitu menyayat hati ini akan terjadi di Kuala Lumpur,” kata wakil rakyat DAP itu.
“Perbuatan memasang besi-besi ini langsung tidak berhati perut, malah menampakkan betapa zalimnya pihak berkuasa di Kuala Lumpur yang tidak menyantuni golongan yang tidak bernasib baik dan hidup di jalanan.”
Dalam kenyataannya hari ini, Lim menyifatkan tindakan itu berhati batu dan tidak berperikemanusiaan, tambahan lagi pada bulan Ramadan.
“Saya menggesa pihak DBKL menanggalkan besi-besi tersebut serta merta, dan berhenti menzalimi warga miskin kota.
“Sewajarnya mereka mencontohi bagaimana Kanada melayani warga gelandangannya, tanpa melayan mereka seperti sampah,” katanya.

Kiki dijatuhkan hukuman, Pemuda Umno ugut bakar ibu pejabat DAP dibiarkan

Source: http://www.roketkini.com/2014/07/22/kiki-dijatuhkan-hukuman-pemuda-umno-ugut-bakar-ibu-pejabat-dap-dibiarkan/ (22 Julai 2014)

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 JULAI: Sikap berat sebelah polis dipertikaikan kerana mengambil tindakan berbeza terhadap kelakuan jenayah yang dilakukan oleh orang awam dan yang dilakukan oleh anggota parti pemerintah.

Ahli Parlimen Segambut Lim Lip Eng menyifatkan tindakan polis yang pantas membawa Siti Fairrah Asyikin Kamaruddin atau Kiki ke muka pengadilan adalah wajar, namun beliau menyatakan kehairanan kerana belum ada sebarang tindakan diambil terhadap kumpulan Pemuda Umno Wilayah Persekutuan yang merusuh di Ibu Pejabat DAP, dua bulan lalu.

“Dalam masa lebih kurang satu minggu, Kiki yang bertindak ganas setelah kereta barunya digesel dan video perilakunya tersebar ke seluruh negara, terus disiasat, didakwa dan diadili.

“Beberapa persoalan timbul, kenapa begitu pantas pihak polis bertindak dalam keadaan bukti terhad. Tetapi masih belum bertindak terhadap perusuh-perusuh Ibu Pejabat DAP meskipun banyak laporan berita dan dokumentasi dilakukan,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

Kiki, wanita pemilik kereta Peugeot 208 yang mengamuk dan merosakkan kereta seorang lelaki warga emas menggunakan pengunci stereng di tempat meletak kenderaan Pusat Tranformasi Bandar (UTC) Kuantan ditahan polis untuk membantu siasatan.

Beliau setelah itu didenda RM5,000 dan diperintah melakukan khidmat masyarakat 240 jam oleh Mahkamah Sesyen Kuantan selepas didakwa di bawah Seksyen 427 Kanun Keseksaan kerana melakukan khianat yang boleh membawa penjara maksimum dua tahun, dengan denda atau kedua-duanya.

Sebaliknya, kata Lip Eng, Ketua Pemuda Umno Wilayah Persekutuan Razlan Rafii yang mengugut mahu membakar Ibu Pejabat DAP bukan saja masih bebas, malah mengeluarkan kenyataan tidak bertanggungjawab “balik Tongsan” terhadap isteri Ahli Parlimen Tanjung Ng Wei Aik.

“Rusuhan pemuda-pemuda Umno itu dirakam pelbagai pihak, malah dirakam dan disaksikan pihak polis sendiri.

“Tapi sehingga hari ini tidak ada seorang pun pelakunya diberkas, ditahan apatah lagi didakwa,” kata Lip Eng. – Roketkini.com

Aduan Pemasangan Lampu Isyarat Baru Di Kawasan Segambut Mendatangkan Kesesakan Trafik Yang Teruk

PAS, NGOs hand over Gaza protest memo to US

 
Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/269202 (18/7/2014)
A group of about  1,000 protesters from PAS and 23 Muslim NGOs today rallied against the violence in Gaza in front of the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
The group, which included many university students, marched from the nearby Tabung Haji Mosque to the embassy on Jalan Tun Razak after Friday prayers and urged the US to stop supporting Israel in its shelling of Palestinian-occupied Gaza, which has lasted more than 11 days.
"We will hold you totally responsible, for America is the No 1 supporter and financier of Israel.
“You shame yourself by aligning to this rogue state of terrorists and we know you are going down with it," the group stated in a memorandum. A team from them was later allowed into the embassy to personally hand it over to an officer.
The two-page memorandum is addressed to the US Ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y Yun.
Among the backers of the protest were  Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram), Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Malaysia (Gamis) and Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim).
They stood united in wanting the US to know that Malaysians were against Israel and the cruelty being done to Palestinians, they said.
Khalid Samad: So many people are killed daily
Two opposition MPs were also present. The MP for Shah Alam, Khalid Abdul Samad,  expressed his disappointment with the handling of the Gaza attacks by the US.
“This is not just an issue between Israel and Palestine. It is a global issue, with so many people being killed daily,” the PAS parliamentarian told reporters.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, who made a brief appearance at the gathering, said DAP, including many non-Muslims, also objected to Israel's actions.
“We from DAP believe that any sort of cruelty and terrorism towards any human being is not acceptable. This does not matter if they are Muslims or not. We are against the war wholeheartedly,” Lim said when addressing the crowd outside the embassy.
This round of fighting between Israel and Palestine began on July 8, with Israel bombarding the Gaza strip while Hamas militants retaliated by launching rockets at Israel.
Israel's attack was triggered by the killing of three Jewish students last month, according to a Reuters report. After 10 days of shelling Gaza, with more than 1,300 rockets fired, at least 221 Palestinians, including many civilians, were killed.

Broken wall neglected

Fed up: Chin showing the rubble behind his house which has yet to be repaired by authorities despite numerous complaints.

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/07/16/Broken-wall-neglected-Resident-files-more-than-20-complaints-in-three-years-but-to-no-avail/ (BY STEVEN DANIEL 16/7/2014)

Three years after a drunk driver smashed into a sound barrier behind a house along the MRR2 highway in Kepong, authorities have yet to repair the wall and the affected houseowner has been living in fear of his property being broken into.

Chin Cheng Giap, 27, who lives with his family in Taman Bukit Maluri, Kepong, has made almost 20 complaints in the past three years to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to repair the wall but no action has been taken.

“Initially, DBKL said the area was under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (JKR) but JKR informed me that it was DBKL’s jurisdiction.

“They have been pushing the issue back and forth to one another for three years while my family and I continue to suffer,” he said.

Chin said his family had to endure the increased noise and air pollution from vehicles passing just metres behind his home, while uncleared rubble was blocking his drain and causing water to stagnate and become a mosquito-breeding ground.

“I am living in a gated-and-guarded community, but now thieves and drug addicts have easy access to my house and my neighbour’s homes because of the huge hole in the wall.

“There was an attempted break-in once and we have been fearful since,” he said during a press conference yesterday attended by Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng.

Lim said he tweeted to several agencies, including the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), JKR and DBKL, on April 24 about the matter and the victim’s long wait.

After several more tweets, Lim said JKR finally confirmed that the area was within their jurisdiction and acknowledged the mix-up as well as promised to rectify the damage soon.

“Two months on, there is still no action, which is completely unacceptable.

“The minister should take disciplinary action on all relevant officers within JKR for their inefficiency and delay in confirming the area being in JKR’s jurisdiction because they kept pushing the buck to other agencies for years,” said Lim.

He also pointed out that the previous confusion between both parties over jurisdiction, had resulted in the cleanliness of 800m of the highway between Desa Complex and the turning into Taman Bukit Maluri being neglected.

The MP said if JKR did not repair the sound barrier soon, he would raise the issue in Parliament.

“This would be a trivial matter to raise in Parliament but if nothing is done, I would have no other choice but to question the Works Minister in the next sitting,” he said.

Dirty water and food waste flow from illegally covered drains into potholes

The Bandar Manjalara commercial area has been constantly riddled with potholes for the last five years.

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/07/15/More-than-just-bumpy-Dirty-water-and-food-waste-flow-from-illegally-covered-drains-into-potholes/ (BY VIJENTHI NAIR 15/7/2014)

THE problem of potholes in the Bandar Manjalara commercial area has been blamed on illegal renovations carried out by business owners.

Resident Tomy Yong pointed out a specific spot near the end of Jalan 8/62A and Jalan 1/62A junction, where the road was always riddled with potholes.

“We initially thought it was because of the shoddy work by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) contractors.

“But, we found a trail of dirty water mixed with food waste, streaming down to the potholes from the drains at the back of a restaurant nearby.

“The restaurant has permanently covered the drains and made it impossible to clean. Many other businesses in this area have also made illegal extensions and renovations to cover the drain.

“There are many steamboat restaurants here,” he noted.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said residents have complained many times to DBKL and the contractor keeps resurfacing the road, only for the hole to reappear after a couple of months.

The drains at the back of this restaurant has been permanently covered, making it impossible to clean.

“Regardless of the weather, the potholes are always filled with water from the overflowing drains. It dirties and damages the road and causes a foul smell,” he said.

Plaza Manjalara Joint Management Body building executive Visvanathan K. Balakrishnan said the area was infested with rats.

“The rubbish collection service is not timely and the clogged drains are not helping,” he said.

DBKL Civil Engineering and Drainage Department engineer M. Faizal Zulkarnaini said he would check with the Town Planning Department on the legality of the covered drains.

“Clearly the drains are not functioning well, causing them to overflow,” he said.

KL MPs meet new city deputy police chief

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/07/12/KL-MPs-meet-new-city-deputy-police-chief/ (12/7/2014)

Three Kuala Lumpur MPs met with newly appointed deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Law Hong Soon over the crime situation in the Federal Territory.

The group comprising Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Loon and Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng highlighted issues that were rampant in the city as well as their respective constituency during the meeting at IPK Kuala Lumpur.

Tan said he hoped all relevant parties could work out solutions to reduce crime in the city.

“Crime cases are the highest in the Federal Territory and the public’s perception about safety in the city has not improved.

“The responsibility of keeping the city safe is entrusted to the police but they need cooperation from various parties to reduce crime in the city,” he told the press after the meeting.

Fong brought up the issue of drug addicts in the Bukit Bintang constituency.

“I raised the matter of an increase in the number of drug addicts in the area.

“I requested more police presence, including more mobile police force to patrol the area,” he said

Other issues brought up include illegal foreign traders, bogus Internet cafes, illegal stickers for loan-shark services and scratch-and-win contest. They also discussed the lack of participation from the Chinese community in the police force.

Also present were Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s representative and Selayang Municipal councillor Ng Wei Keong.

Lim, meanwhile, praised Law’s commitment in reducing crime.

“Law shared with us some useful contacts that we can approach during emergencies.

“We also urge the police to have more dialogues with the public and foster a relationship with them,” he added.

DAP and MCA trade poison arrows over ‘future richest man’ issue

Source: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/07/07/dap-mca-trade-poison-arrows-future-richest-man-issue/#ixzz378MZA7Nb (7/7/2014)

MCA Youth vice-chairman Tan Kok Eng has released a statement today claiming Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng (picture) is confused over the correct ministry in charge of multi-level marketing after Lim said he will write to the Deputy Finance Minister to investigate CDTUP International and its multi-level marketing scheme.

Segambut DAP Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng has shot a salvo back at MCA over a company run by a Chinese national claiming to be “the future richest man in the world”.

MCA Youth vice-chairman and MCA Youth Federal Territories chairman Tan Kok Eng had claimed that Lim did not know the difference between the Finance Ministry and the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry.

This came about when Lim called on the authorities to investigate a company, CDTUP International Sdn Bhd, and its founder Zhang Jian, a young Chinese millionaire.

“Over and over again, I am repeating myself.

“I made the complaint to three authorities — the Royal Malaysian Police, Bank Negara and the Domestic Trade Ministry.

“I asked the three authorities to investigate this group and see whether it has broken any laws.

“So far, there is only a black-and-white letter from the police.

“Police said this is not police business, but that it contains criminal elements under the purview of Bank Negara Malaysia.

“This is in writing. In the same letter, police asked us to forward the complaint to Bank Negara,” said Lim.

On its website, Bank Negara states that it “reports to the Finance Minister and keeps the minister informed of matters pertaining to monetary and financial sector policies”.

Lim said the only verbal response he had received from that sector was when newly-appointed Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong told the press that the matter did not come under Bank Negara, but rested with the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

“There is a deafening silence coming from the Domestic Trade Ministry. I wrote to the minister and hand-delivered it,

“If this is a get rich quick scheme, it is under the Domestic Trade Ministry, but can Bank Negara initiate investigations under the Financial Services Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act to ascertain the source of their funds?

“This chap claims to be from China. Why are Bank Negara and Chua too lazy to initiate investigations?

“When police push it to them, they pushed it to Domestic Trade.

“There is no harm in initiating investigations. What is so harmful for multiple investigations to be carried out at the same time?” asked Lim.

On why he had posed his questions at a deputy minister who had only just been appointed, Lim claimed there were photographs of the owner of the company standing with MCA leaders.

“The owner took photos with almost all MCA leaders — from previous leaders like Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting to current president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. They shared the same stage at a public appearance.

“So, I think it is correct for me to ask an MCA leader, who is also the Deputy Finance Minister, whether this is linked to their leaders.

“But if it is not, say it is not,” said Lim, adding that as it was in the public service, MCA should answer questions for the public.

Tan released a statement today claiming Lim was confused over the correct ministry in charge of multi-level marketing because he had said he will write to the Deputy Finance Minister to investigate CDTUP International when such business schemes fall under the jurisdiction of the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry.

“Obviously, Lim is trying to confuse the situation by creating nonsensical allusions to Chua, which indicates DAP’s despicable political ploy.

“Chua has been very clear that no businesses may begin operations without the permission of the respective government departments or agencies.

“Lip Eng should better understand that direct marketing falls under the purview of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism.

“Unfortunately, he is ignoring his own complaint as he only cares about whether his political goals will be reached, that is using a separate issue and magnifying the topic to attack MCA,” claimed Tan.

Tan also accused Lim of confirming he and DAP were only capable of attacking BN-based Chinese elected representatives to win support from the Malaysian Chinese, but dared not challenge any Umno minister.

“If this is the case, then clearly he is a political wimp,” said Tan.

He added that Lim had seized this opportunity without bothering to find out the proper channel for such types of complaints.

He could not wait to use this issue to create a media circus, cause confusion and divert blame to MCA.

“It is important to raise this issue to create awareness on the impact of such questionable schemes on people.

“If Lim was sincere in addressing the issue of questionable direct marketing schemes, he would have lodged reports or complaints with the relevant government departments rather than politicising the subject and creating confusion, thereby causing the whole focus of the issue to be blurred, resulting in the issue eventually backfiring,” wrote Tan earlier.

Lawatan bukan satu penyelesaian

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/07/10/lawatan-bukan-satu-penyelesaian/ (10/7/2014)

Meskipun Perdana Menteri sendiri turun padang bagi melawat gelandangan dan golongan miskin tegar di ibu kota, jalan penyelesaian bagi mengatasi masalah mereka masih samar

PETALING JAYA: Ahli Parlimen Segambut, Lim Lip Eng berkata kehadiran Perdana Menteri melawat gelandangan Kuala Lumpur tidak membawa faedah kepada gelandangan, malah membuktikan bahawa Perdana Menteri langsung tidak tahu apa yang patut dilakukan.

“Pertamanya saya ucap tahniah kepada Dato’ Sri Najib Razak yang telah menunjukkan keprihatinan beliau dengan melawat para gelandangan Kuala Lumpur malam semalam,” katanya.

Lawatan yang disertai Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan, Tengku Adnan Mansor pastinya sangat dihargai oleh warga miskin kota yang telah sekian lama mendiami kaki lima kotaraya dan mengharap ehsan daripada orang ramai.

“Lima tahun lalu, saya dan beberapa orang rakan telah mengedarkan sejumlah makanan kering kepada warga miskin kota dan gelandangan Kuala Lumpur bagi menyangkal dakwaan Najib bahawa kononnya ibu kota sudah tidak punya warga miskin tegar.

“Sejak dari itu pun Perdana Menteri dan Barisan Nasional tidak banyak membantu untuk meringankan beban yang ditanggung mereka yang tidak bernasib baik, selain membuat pengumuman dan berjanji itu dan ini,” tambahnya.

Soal beliau, adakah selepas lawatan ini Najib Razak akan merangka suatu penyelesaian yang baik bagi menangani masalah gelandangan dan warga miskin kota.

“Adakah cadangan ‘mengangkut’ para peminta sedekah serta mengenakan saman terhadap mereka yang memberi sedekah adalah rancangan terbaik yang mampu beliau fikirkan?.

“Saya hairan apabila melihat Perdana Menteri sekadar datang melawat para gelandangan di kaki lima dan kemudian membiarkan sahaja mereka di situ tanpa membuat apa-apa.

“Ternyata nasib warga miskin kota tidak pun berubah walaupun beliau sendiri melawat mereka. Bagaimana mungkin warga miskin boleh terus dibiar tidur di kaki lima selepas lawatan itu?,” soal beliau lagi.

Menurut Lim, ia jelas menunjukkan bahawa Najib Razak tidak pernah berbuat apa-apa sejak lima tahun lalu, dan beliau sendiri tidak tahu apa yang patut beliau lakukan sekarang.

“Lawatan Perdana Menteri semalam tidak memberi sebarang faedah selain satu usaha publisiti bagi menyelamatkan imej parti (BN) yang dirosakkan para menterinya. Lawatan tersebut sama tarafnya dengan gol tunggal Brazil setelah dimalukan dengan tujuh gol dalam perlawanan separuh akhir Piala Dunia menentang Jerman,” akhiri beliau.

Related news: Wayang peduli gelandangan, lawatan Najib seperti satu gol Brazil http://www.roketkini.com/2014/07/10/wayang-peduli-gelandangan-lawatan-najib-seperti-satu-gol-brazil/

PM tinjau gelandangan untuk publisiti, kata DAP

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/268387
DAP: Najib came, saw, and left the homeless http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/268397

DAP promises legal aid for homeless, others as crackdown looms

Teresa Kok from DAP (centre) and Nurul Izzah from PKR (left) distributing food to people living on the streets of Kuala Lumpur together with a soup kitchen, May 4, 2014. ― Picture by Choo Choy May.

Source: http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/dap-promises-legal-aid-for-homeless-others-as-crackdown-looms (By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal 5/7/2014)
KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 ― Opposition party DAP has pledged to give legal assistance to the homeless and others who may be caught up in the government’s crackdown on homelessness in the capital startingon Monday.

“DAP lawyers are prepared to give legal servicesthis Monday for those who might be arrested and those who would be issued fines,” Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng told reporters after distributing food to people living on the streets of Kuala Lumpur together with a soup kitchen late on Friday

Also present were PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and DAP’s Teresa Kok.

“I don’t know what legal provision the authorities are going to use...the only one I know is the Destitute Person’s Act.

“I cannot think of any legal provision which can be used to take action against people who assist the homeless,” Lim added.

Government social welfare officers and local authorities have used the Destitute Persons Act 1977 to round up and detain homeless people for up to three years in government sponsored homes for the vulnerable. Occasionally, the detention period has been extended.

Persons detained are kept in facilities run by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

KR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar told reporters that Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had declined her invitation to assist in handing out food supplies.

“I am told the minister is in Labuan,” she said.

The minister has been vilified for banning soup kitchens from operating within a 2km radius of the city centre to support a government campaign to rid the city of its homeless people.

The minister warned charity groups to move their soup kitchens out by Monday or face fines.

Tengku Adnan, who is also Umno secretary-general, told reporters that soup kitchens were dirty, drawing rodents that spread diseases like Leptospirosis, and dengue.

He said the homeless could go to temples and mosques outside KL for food, adding that those who give to beggars in the capital would also be fined.

The ministry has since said sought to contain the public relations damage by saying it is merely setting up a “one-stop centre” to combat vagrancy in Kuala Lumpur.

In a statement on its official website, the ministry said it is working with the KL City Hall (DBKL) to identify a building at a suitable location to provide facilities for the city’s homeless, including free nutritious food and a place to rest and places to sleep.

There will also be a medical treatment centre to curb the “spread of infectious diseases” and an integrated registration centre with the help of the Welfare Department to record information from homeless people, it said

Neither the location of the building nor a start date for its services were given.

Related news: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/267784 Crowds at soup kitchen prove it's still badly needed

FT MPs oppose decision on soup kitchens

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/07/03/Suspend-Ops-Qaseh-urge-MP/ (3/7/2014)

PETALING JAYA: Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng has urged the Government to postpone next week's Ops Qaseh until they have conducted proper dialogues with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the city.

“We all want to achieve a common goal of having a better city.  I don’t think any reasonable person wants to be a beggar and depend on others to survive.

“There must be an underlying reason why they are in that situation,” he told the Star Online.

Ops Qaseh is a large-scale operation to get the homeless into shelters and crack down on begging syndicates. It is to be launched next week.

In relation to the operation, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor announced that soup kitchens would not be allowed within a two kilometre-radius of Lot 10 from Monday onwards.

He claimed that the activity encouraged people to remain homeless and jobless, with an added result of litter and disease-carrying scavengers.

Lim said that if the government insisted on carrying on with the Ops Qaseh, they should inform either the NGOs or the Bar Council the location of those who were arrested.

“We can provide our legal services to those who have been arrested,” he said.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar meanwhile urged Adnan is to join the soup kitchens for at least three days to learn about the homeless and before making decisions to ban the kitchens from operating.

“I invite the minister to join me or a soup kitchen that is operating tomorrow night. We must have empathy, more especially if you are a leader,” she said in a statement.

She also questioned if such a decision was appropriate given its timing during Ramadhan.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai claimed that the authorities should have met with the soup kitchens before issuing an ultimatum.

“Adnan should see how best he could help these NGOs. On one side, they are not helping the poor and on the other side, they are stopping the kind-hearted people from helping them,” he said.

He also asked if Adnan had statistics to back up his claim that these soup kitchens were the cause of homelessness.

“The root of the problem is urban poverty and the minister shouldn’t evade their responsibilities as government leaders to solve it,” he said.

More plans in the pipeline

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/07/02/More-plans-in-the-pipeline-KL-mayor-wants-to-build-more-affordable-houses-and-improve-citys-ameni/ (BY VIJENTHI NAIR, 2/7/2014)

KUALA Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib wants to build more affordable houses to cater to middle income residents during his second term.

“We are looking at collaborating more with the private sector by introducing incentives such as increasing the density or plot ratio for housing projects, expediting their purchase of government land and reducing the development charge to encourage them to build more affordable houses for those who do not qualify for low-cost housing.

“I will also continue with the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley initiatives, specifically in overseeing the River of Life project, identifying the fifth heritage trail in Dataran Merdeka under the Iconic Places project, planting more trees under the Greener Kuala Lumpur initiative and ensuring the construction of the 47km pedestrian walkway,” he said in thanking the government for giving him a one-year extension until July 15.

Ahmad Phesal’s two-year term was due to expire on July 18. He will turn 60 on July 12.

“I am thankful to Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor for giving me more time to serve,” he said after being asked about his reappointment yesterday.

Ahmad Phesal hopes to strengthen the OSC 1Submission procedure, which he introduced to speed up applications for development.

“Development of the city is vital to ensure steady economic progress, so I will look into factors that can expedite the process even further,” he said.

Ahmad Phesal also has many plans to further improve Kuala Lumpur’s infrastructure.

“I hope to expedite the construction of the missing link between Jalan Segambut and Mont Kiara, connect Jalan Jelatek with the Middle Ring Road 2, as well as widen the Jalan Duta exit to Mahameru Highway that is always congested.

Ahmad Phesal says there are also plans to strengthen DBKL’s Enforcement Department.

“We also plan to build more parking lot complexes with sporting facilities in Taman Segar, Cheras and Jalan Davis.

“We have also decided to construct a multi-storey complex to permanently place the 600 traders at the Danau Kota night market.

“The revival of Keramat Mall is also under way with an Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) currently under construction there. The Keramat market will also be relocated to the mall, and apartments which will be rented out will be built at the market site,” he said.

He also plans to improve clealiness in the city by collaborating with Alam Flora and Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation, as well as strengthen Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) Enforcement Department.

Tengku Adnan confirmed Ahmad Phesal’s reappointment to StarMetro, saying the mayor needed more time to see through several projects.

Ahmad Phesal was appointed the 10th Kuala Lumpur mayor on July 18, 2012, and many felt he should be given more time.

Local government experts have called for a longer duration for the post of mayor as they believe that two years is not enough for the person at the helm to see his plans through.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng welcomed the extension, saying that a two-year term was too short for any mayor to initiate major policy changes.

“I hope the mayor will implement two policies during his extended term. Firstly, to complete the River of Life project as the spillover economic benefits would be enormous.

“Secondly, I hope he will leave a lasting legacy by introducing a policy on freedom of information, stressing on good governance, specifically transparency and accountability,” he said.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar hoped the mayor would fulfil a promise made to hold meetings with MPs at least four to five times a year.

“DBKL should also have open tenders and fully disclose all ventures and assets in Kuala Lumpur. I also hope all MPs will be allowed usage of DBKL facilities and given access to constituency development funds,’’ she said.

Titiwangsa MP Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani hopes for a cleaner city and better enforcement.

“DBKL needs to work with the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Comission, Tenaga Nasional and Telekom to shut down all illegal gambling outlets in the city,” he said.