The Star, Tuesday October 30, 2012

‘Ancient Chinese scholars’ come alive at gallery

Intellectual pastime: Actors (from left) Lee Jin Khiong, Teh, Teong Chooi Tim and Chin Wei Haw playing their roles as ancient Chinese characters during the launching of the Chinese Calligraphy Stone Gallery at Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih.

 

SEMENYIH: Drinking “wine” and reciting poetry by a stream, four men dressed as ancient Chinese scholars drew the attention of onlookers as they re-enacted a slice of life from the centuries-old Dong Jin dynasty.

Their little sketch put a smile on the face of visitors at the newly launched Chinese Calligraphy Stone Gallery while others took the opportunity to snap pictures with them.

MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who launched the gallery on Sunday, seemed amused as well as he paused to watch them.

The actors were portraying four of the 42 scholars from the Chinese dynasty, dating as early as 317 A.D. in the gallery at the Nirvana Memorial Garden here.

“History has it that these scholars liked to gather at the Zhe Jiang stream during festivals. They would play this game whereby a cup filled with wine is placed on the stream. A scholar has to recite a poem if the cup floats towards him,” said NV Multi Asia Group public affairs and special project chief operating officer Datuk Freddy Chan.

He said if the scholar failed to recite a poem, he would have to drink the wine in the cup as a form of penalty.

Chan said the actors put up the play in order to educate visitors who thronged the gallery.

One of the actors, Derrick Teh, 38, said he was proud to be presenting a part of Chinese history and culture to the public.

“I hope people will learn from our portrayal that the Chinese scholars were not just drinking for fun. They used it as an exercise to improve their skills in poetry and literature,” he said, adding that the actors drank mineral water instead of wine to re-enact the scene.

The gallery is open to public every day from 8am to 5pm. Admission is free.

The Star, Saturday October 27, 2012

MKH has strong foothold in Kajang, Semenyih

MKH’s Sentosa Heights project in Kajang.

MKH Bhd, formerly Metro Kajang Holdings Bhd, has 500 to 600 acres, most of which are in the Kajang-Semenyih area. The mid-sized developer has outlined some of its future developments which include:

MKH Boulevard: This will include high-rise development on four acres of leasehold land within Kajang town centre comprising 308 units of serviced apartments and 30 units of three and six-storey shop offices with a total gross development value (GDV) of RM172mil.

The target launch is next year.

● Kajang East Township in Semenyih: A 135-acre township that is yet to be developed.

It will offer 770 units of residential comprising terrace housing, semi-detached and shop offices with a total GDV 600mi. The target launch is between 2015 and 2016.

● Reko Avenue: A high-rise residential development located on six acres of freehold land close to the proposed MRT station and near Kajang 2 township.

It will comprise 576 units of serviced apartments and 41 units of two, three and five-storey shop offices with a GDV of RM180mil. The target launch is between 2017 and 2018.

MKH's ongoing developments include:

● Kajang 2: MKH's flagship town which will comprise 5,000 units of mixed commercial and guarded development, as well as strata developments with an estimated GDV of RM2.6bil to be developed over seven years.

So far, two-storey terraced housing and semi-detached units with a GDV of RM116.6mil have been launched. As of June this year, it has sold 95% of its units.

There are plans to have 32 units of three-storey bungalows, 242 units of 2-storey superlink housing, and six blocks of serviced apartments and 20 units of three-storey low-rise villas.

The KTM and MRT station next to it is expected to further boost assessibility. Currently, only 50 acres of its 273 acres have been developed.

● Hill Park Homes, Semenyih: About half of its 200 acres have been developed. As of June this year, close to 100% of its properties comprising 1,400 semi-detached, two-storey terraced housing have been launched.

There are plans to launch double-storey housing, semi-detached units and 10 units of shop offices in three years.

MKH has other projects in Melawati, Bangsar and Semenyih.

The Star, Saturday October 27, 2012

Buyers turn to Kajang as KL home prices rise

THE past couple of years, in tandem with the rise in property prices in major towns and cities in the country, Kajang's property market has generated quite a bit of interest among both developers and house buyers.

Located about 20km from the city of Kuala Lumpur, Kajang is benefiting from its second-tier location status as Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya prices move beyond the affordability of ordinary salaried workers.

Two property negotiators based in the area say much of the interest of late is due to improved accessibility with the various highways that have been completed, and not so much because of the soon-to-materialise MyRapid Transit system (MRT).

Says one of them who declined to be named: “The spike in prices in Cheras properties has resulted in people from Cheras buying into Kajang as housing is cheaper over there. Unless it is very old and run-down, it is not possible to buy into Cheras with RM500,000 and below,” she says.

The other factor is schooling. Yu Hua Kajang, which offers both Chinese primary and secondary schooling, will only consider applications from a Kajang address, she says.

“Saujana Impian and Prima Saujana, by virtue of their proximity to Cheras, enjoy good demand, with Saujana Impian having more tenants than owner occupiers.”

She adds that projects in that vicinity by the Naza TTDI group have received good response from buyers and investors. As for Kajang-based developers MKH and private developer TLS Group, she says the Kajang and Cheras population are familiar with both.

She says the issue is not so much a lack of housing, but the scarcity of bread-and-butter double-storey housing.

“Developers, in their search of higher profits, are building three-storeys housing, semi-detached and bungalows in Kajang. What people really want are double-storey terraced housing,” she says.

Because of the challenges in getting land in and around Kuala Lumpur, developers are also scouring other towns and Kajang seems to be within their radar.

Three developers who have bought land in or close to Kajang includeMah Sing Group Bhd, SP Setia Bhd and the Dijaya Corp Bhd. The Sunway group has moved into that location several years earlier. These newcomers will be competing with developers who have built a strong following over the years.

Says MKH group managing director Datuk Eddy Chen Lok Loi: “We have no trouble competing with anybody. We are doing everything that other developers are doing.”

Chen says that at the marketing level, the mid-sized developer, formerly known as Metro Kajang Holdings Bhd, has a strong reputation there, having built 30,000 units ranging from residential to commercial properties over the years.

Financially, having accumulated land at between RM8 and RM9 per sq ft would put it at a great advantage compared to newcomers who have paid considerably more. In areas like Semenyih, some of its land bank was acquired at less than RM5 per sq ft.

“I believe MKH is about to make a huge leap forward. Our strategic land bank, which we bought at a very good price when compared with newer players, and the emergence of MRT will give us a strong advantage over our competitors.”

The third factor is the RM135mil turnkey project comprising about 550 acres in Puncak Alam, Selangor, with Puncak Alam Resources Sdn Bhd, he adds.

Over the next seven years, MKH plans to build projects with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of more than RM5bil.

As a result of the Sg Buloh-Kajang MyRapid Transit line, MKH is tweaking its plans for some of its commercial projects. The 51km Sg Buloh-Kajang line will have two stations in Kajang. One of them will be sited at the town centre, about 500 metres from the police station, which is next to MKH City.

The second MRT station will be located along Jalan Reko at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jalan Bukit.

MRT will provide additional public rail transport to the current Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) line. There is also a proposal to have a KTM station next to Kajang 2, another MKH project.

Improved rail transport, says Chen, will benefit the company's new developments like MKH City, MKH Boulevard and Kajang 2. It will also give a boost to its older projects Plaza Metro Kajang and Metro Point.

Chen says the value of Plaza Metro Kajang will be enhanced considerably as the station will be about 400 metres from it. The company is also considering building a walkway to connect to it.

“We had wanted to built a small complex on one of the new sites with a gross area of about one million sq ft. With the MRT line entering Kajang town, we are now considering doubling that to two million sq ft because the MRT line will take care of parking issues,” says Chen.

The line will pass close to MKH's new and existing properties MKH City, MKH Boulevard and Kajang 2.

Chen says the company has between 500 and 600 acres of land, with the bulk of them in Kajang and Semenyih, excluding its 550-acre turnkey development in Puncak Alam, Selangor. Semenyih is about 10km from Kajang.

Besides its base in Kajang, MKH also has projects in Petaling Jaya, Old Klang Road and Kuala Lumpur.

On affordable housing, the current buzzword in the property industry, Chen says its projects in Semenyih are priced at between RM300,000 and RM400,000, which is today categorised as affordable. Kajang double-storey housing, by comparison, are now priced about RM500,000.

MKH's nine-month earnings for financial year 2012 has risen 124% year-on-year to RM47mil, driven mainly by successful key projects in Kajang, Semenyih and Bangsar. A HwangDBS Research report says the three locations collectively achieved a commendable 77% take-up rate.

The Star, Thursday October 25, 2012

Sixth suspect in double murder charged

KAJANG: A sixth suspect in the murder of businessman Leong Kian Sheong and his female companion last month has been charged at the magistrate's court here.

Businessman K. Kalaivanan, 48, allegedly committed the offence with Leong's wife Yau Chooi Thin, 29, and five others. Four have been charged while another is still at large.

He is accused of murdering Leong, 37, and part-time model Vivien Wong, 20, at a house in Taman Segar Perdana, Cheras, between 6.10am and 6.45am on Sept 13.

No plea was recorded and no bail offered.

Kalaivanan was charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death penalty.

The accused was represented by Geethan Ram Vincent, while DPP was Siamalah Rangasamy.

Magistrate Aina Azahra Arifin set Dec 5 for next mention pending forensic reports.

Self-employed Ismail Ahmad, 58, taxi driver S. Dheepak, 27, Internet cafe worker S. Sandrasagran, 37, and security guard V. Rajendra Prakash, 33, were jointly charged on Oct 4 while Yau was charged on Oct 12.

Leong and Wong were found in a pool of blood in a room on the ground floor of the house on Sept 14.

They were believed to have been killed a day earlier, but their bodies were only discover- ed after a friend visited the house at about 10pm

The Star, Wednesday October 24, 2012

Firm denies overloading tipper lorry by 21,000kg of red soil

KAJANG: A transport company claimed trial in a magistrate's court here to overloading one of its lorries by nearly 21,000kg over the allowed limit.

Yap Theng dan Anak Sdn Bhd were charged with having a tipper lorry that was carrying 39,390kg of red soil, which exceeded the vehicle's loading limit of 18,390kg.

The lorry driven by Reone Liput was overloaded by 87.6%.

The alleged offence under Section 57(1)(b)(vi) of the Land Public Transport Act occurred at the Semenyih Road Transport Department enforcement station on Sep 11.

The offence is punishable by a fine of up to RM500,000.

Yap Theng was the only operator among five cases that sent a representative to the court yesterday.

Magistrate Aina Az-Zahra ordered arrest warrants to be issued to the companies that failed to make an appearance before the court.

She fixed Nov 27 for next mention of Yap Theng's case.

In the same court, a tour bus operator was fined RM4,000 for failing to have a passenger name list and a tour schedule.

Akar Teguh Travel Sdn Bhd pleaded guilty to failing to have the documents on board a tour bus driven by Jaafar Othman, 33, at the express bus platform in Kajang bus station on Nov 4 last year.

Both companies were unrepresented, while prosecuting officer from the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) Nor Shahkierra Abd Manan prosecuted.

The Star, Tuesday October 23, 2012

Kajang council forms task force to deal with flooding

THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) has set up a special task force in preparation for the inter-monsoon period.

Kajang is notorious for its flash floods such as the ones that occurred on Sept 4 this year and December last year.

Last month’s flood in Taman Sungai Segamat affected 41 houses and the heavy downpour and obstructed water flow in Sungai Segamat were cited as the causes.

MPKj engineering department head Md Noor Mahmud, the secretariat for the flood mitigation task force, said in Kajang, there have 20 to 30 rivers and streams such as Sungai Jelok, Sungai Ramal, Sungai Segamat and Sungai Semenyih.

“Half of the area is catchment for the Semenyih and Langat rivers.

“Due to fast development, we have to upgrade the existing retention ponds for flood mitigation,” he said.

Thirty-six flood-prone areas have been identified, such as Taman Indah Jaya, Batu 14; Kampung Batu 14, Hulu Langat; Kampung Batu 20 Sungai Lui, and Kampung Batu 16 Dusun Tua.

For immediate measures, the council has identified two flood-prone areas namely Sungai Segamat and Country Heights.

“Both areas involve developers. We have had discussions with the developer and residents’ associations.

“For Country Heights, there will be a diversion so that water from the drains will flow to Sungal Ramal Dalam, bypassing the railway line,” he said.

For long term remedies, the council will look into the drainage plans in Kajang.

“We have submitted data of drains in Kajang and we hope the Federal Government can approve the Malaysian Road Records Inventory System (Marris) grants.

“The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) will be deepening Sungai Langat,” he said.

He added, “We do not have a rescue team for now. In case of emergencies, we will mobilise our road gang and the Health Services Department will provide the manpower.

“We will also have help from the Public Service Department and Rela,” he said.

The Star, Wednesday October 17, 2012

MPKj gives assurances Jalan Minang will not be used as access road

By YIP YOKE TENG 

teng@thestar.com.my

RESIDENTS of Taman Sri Minang, Kajang are worried that an adjacent development will mar the beauty and tranquillity of their 27-year-old neighbourhood.

The residents claimed that they had no knowledge of the development until several weeks ago when a notification signboard was put up and the land was cleared.

The development, comprising 54 semi-detached units, is sited on a former secondary jungle, they said.

Businessman Raja Abdul Rahman said the residents were concerned that the development might cause congestion in their neighbourhood.

Worse still, they heard from sources that Jalan Minang would be turned into an access road for the new housing scheme.

“Even with the peace we are enjoying now, there have been about 10 car break-ins reported this year alone. I wonder what would happen if the road is turned into a major thoroughfare,” he said.

Businessman Ahmah Shah, said residents from other housing schemes would likely use Jalan Minang as a shortcut if the road was used as an access for the new development.

“The road can be a shortcut for Taman Kajang Mulia, Taman Saga and Taman Angkasa Indah, among others;our neighbourhood will be congested. The developer should put the access road elsewhere,” he said.

Another resident, a doctor who wanted to be known only as Lawrence, said it would not be fair for Taman Sri Minang residents if an inner road was turned into an arterial passage.

“Our neighbourhood is among the oldest in Kajang. Over the years, many developments have cropped up and these have really affected the quality of life of the pioneer batch of residents. We hope the situation will not deteriorate further,” he added.

Kajang Municipal Council corporate communications head Shariman Mohd Nor explained that the new development would not use any of the roads in Taman Minang as its access.

He said upon understanding the real situation, residents had given their consent to the plan, which was to use a road next to the housing estate and a small patch near a retention pond area that belonged to the state.

“Residents have given their written consent while the developer will make adjustment to the initial plan to address the residents’ concern.

“We will monitor the situation to ensure that the developer abides by the requirements,” he said.

The Star, Tuesday October 2, 2012

Taman Sri Langat shopowner robbed for the fourth time

A SUNDRY shopowner in Taman Sri Langat, Kajang, was at his wit’s end after he became a robbery victim for the fourth time recently.

Wai Yoke Lin, 42, had been robbed twice while his shop had been broken into twice.

Worried: Wai with copies of the police reports he had lodged over the robberies.

 

“The robbers were quick. They got away with my cash register in minutes.

“There were no customers in the shop at that time. I suspect the robbers had planned the robbery,” he said.

Wai lodged a police report for each incident and hopes the police can increase patrol in the area.

“I have installed extra grilles but to no avail, the thieves still manage to cut through.

“Thieves have also stolen liquor, cigarettes, and prepaid telephone cards from my shop.

“I have been operating my shop for the past 12 years without incident until recent years,” he lamented.

Taman Sri Langat Residents’ Association committee member Richard Ho said a meeting would be held to discuss the rising crime rate in the neighbourhood.

“There have been break-ins and snatch thefts. Victims should report to the police so that they will be aware of the crime rate statistics,” he said.

Crime scene: Robbers cut the iron grille at Wai’s shop during both robberies.

 

Kajang state liaison officer Jeffrey Lee Ban Seng, who highlighted the issue to the press, said he would send a letter to the Kajang OCPD requesting for a police beatbase in the area.

He also advised Wai to install an alarm system.

The Star, Tuesday October 2, 2012

MPKj councillors agree to let media cover budget meeting after discussion

THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) budget meeting started with much drama when councillors left the meeting room to discuss whether to allow the press to sit in.

This was the first time such a question arose as the media attended last year’s budget meeting without any fuss.

After several minutes of deliberation, councillors agreed to allow the press to remain.

Council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said the budget meeting was open to the press.

“A resolution is needed if it is to be changed into a closed-door meeting,” he said.

During the meeting, the council reported that it had achieved a balanced budget of RM154mil this year and would have a balanced budget of RM189mil for 2013.

The council generated RM83mil from assessment collection this year and expects to generate RM80mil next year.

The reduced expectation is due to the 25% discount in assessment payment for low-cost housing.

However, the discount is only applicable for houseowners residing in the houses and not the units rented out.

Hassan said the council would receive RM16mil in compensation for the council town hall that was expected to be demolished in February.

“However, if the general election takes place in March, we may request for the hall to be demolished in April.

“A new town hall will be built on a piece of council land in Saujana Impian. Building costs are estimated at RM6mil. Although the new town hall is far away from the town centre, it is better as it will be less congested,” he said.

He added that the council had saved RM6mil after taking over waste collection and public cleaning duties from Alam Flora.

“However, we still need to look into the matter of bulk waste, garden waste and industrial waste. We are looking into charging for garden waste collection.

“To increase revenue, the council will collect licensing fee from eateries that place tables and chairs on the walkway,” said Hassan.