Focusing on affordable housing

The Star, Friday April 25, 2014

by choo woon lim

Part of the crowd that turned up at the MKH sales gallery in Kajang 2, Kajang, for the official launching of MKH Treasures You property carnival.

Property developer MKH Bhd (MKH) expects to launch eight projects around the Klang Valley this year, with a focus on affordable and mid-range landed residential housing.

This follows the government’s market cooling measures and tightening of bank lending guidelines, according to MKH managing director Tan Sri Datuk Eddy Chen.

“Affordable housing has always been a hot issue and now the government is working to deliver one million such homes within five years.

This is our focus for the coming year, as affordable homes has always been and will remain MKH’s bread-and-butter business,” said Chen.

He added that demand for residential properties in this segment remains overwhelming.

“Affordable houses are likely to do well as property prices in prime areas are getting increasingly beyond the reach of the masses. Within Klang Valley, property demand has continued to outspace supply, which means sales remains robust,” said Chen.

“Our property sales have accelerated this year to RM280mil as of February, putting us on the right track to meet our target of RM800mil in sales for this financial year. This is an increase of 38% from last year’s RM580mil,” he added.

Chen was speaking at the official launching of the MKH Treasures You property carnival recently. The carnival runs until Aug 30.

Hundreds turned up for the event last week to find out more about the company’s upcoming projects at Kajang 2, Kajang.

The public stopped by the sales gallery, and were also entertained by dancers and performances by popular local singer, Jess Lee.

“The carnival is aimed at rewarding our customers for their support, as well as showcase our array of projects to the public and facilitate potential house buyers in their wish to own a home,” said Chen.

Every customer who purchase property in MKH projects during this period will instantly get a collectible gold coin, an iPad and a chance to be in the running for the lucky draw.

Up to RM10mil worth of rewards will be up for grabs, including the grand prize of a MKH signature home in MKH Boulevard, a Honda CRV or a Toyota Vios.

Winners will be announced at the carnival’s finale on Aug 30.

The participating projects are Saville@ The Park, Bangsar; Saville@Cheras; Hillpark Shah Alam; Kajang East; MKH Boulevard; Saville@Kajang; Pelangi Heights; Kajang 2; Hillpark Home 3; and MKH Avenue II.

Houses in the projects are priced from RM300,000 onwards.

Chen also noted that the take-up rate for all their projects have been good — with 60 to 100% units sold within a few weeks of their launch.

Touts collecting fees illegally at parking lot in Kajang

The Star, Saturday April 26, 2014

by farah fazanna zulzaha

The illegal parking operators usually work on random days to avoid being nabbed by the authorities.

VISITORS to Stadium Kajang are upset that touts are illegally collecting parking fees in the evening and on weekends.

The stadium’s parking lot is adjacent to Kajang Medan Satay and many patrons park there especially on weekends.

The stadium has 20 public parking bays that are equipped with parking machines, and visitors have to pay 50sen per hour if they park before 6pm.

Parking after 6pm should be free. However, visitors complain they have to pay RM5 even after 6pm.

IT consultant Faridah Yahya said some men would sometimes show up to collect parking fees.

“Sometimes they are here, sometimes they are not. I think that is why it is hard for the authorities to nab them,” she said.

Faridah added that she frequently visited the satay restaurant for dinner.

“If the satay restaurant’s parking space is full, we have no choice but to park at the stadium. Usually if I see parking fees being collected, I will go somewhere else,” she said.

Faridah said a fee of RM5 is collected per entry.

Another visitor, Halim Zulkiflee, also complained about having to pay.

“The stadium parking lot should be free after 6pm. Outsiders may not know that some individuals are taking the opportunity to make a quick buck,” he said.

He added that the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) should take stern action against these individuals.

Student Victoria Lee said she goes to Stadium Kajang to jog almost every evening.

“These people can be seen on weekends, when the parking in the Medan Satay is full. So they take advantage of those who park in the stadium,” she said.

Lee added that parking fees had been collected illegally after hours for a few years.

“MPKj should do something about it because this is giving them a bad name,” she said.

MPKj public relations head Kamarul Izlan Sulaiman said enforcement officers conducted operations to nab the culprits.

“However, it is difficult to catch them in the act,” he said.

Operator ordered to stop work until business licence approved

The Star, Wednesday April 23, 2014

by farah fazanna zulzaha
 

Yet to be approved: MPKj has taken down the illegal banner at the uptown night market in Putra Kajang.

TAMAN Kajang Impian residents in Bandar Baru Bangi are deeply concerned over the uptown night market currently under construction in Putra Kajang.

Such a night market is usually open until late at night and sells various items such as clothes, shoes and even food.

Resident Chang Tze Yong said the project was being built on a 1.6ha plot of land.

“They have cleared the land and according to the banners, they will be setting up permanent tents soon,” he said.

He added that one of the concerns he and the residents had was the inadequate parking for visitors to the night market.

“I can imagine the traffic congestion that will happen once it is complete because there is no place to park,” he said.

He said many motorists preferred to use Jalan Kajang Impian 1/11 to get to Bandar Baru Bangi.

“Cars will also be parked by the roadside as parents wait for their children attending classes at the tuition centre across the road. The night market will add to the traffic congestion when it starts operating,” he said.

He added that he tried to call the contact number advertised on the banner and was told that the project had received the necessary licences from the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).

“The man on the phone also told me that the night market operators are trying to get permits from MPKj for the traders,” he said.

Taman Kajang Impian Residents’ Association chairman Benjamin Tan said the committee was planning to send a letter to Bangi assemblyman Mohd Shafie Ngah.

“We are also trying to get MPKj to take immediate action to prevent any possible problem,” he said.

MPKj public relations head Kamarul Izlan Sulaiman said the council had received the licensing application from the night market operator.

“However, MPKj has yet to approve the licence.

“The council has also taken down the illegal banners at the site on April 20,” he said.

He added that the council’s enforcement officers had informed the operator to stop the construction work until the business licence was approved.

“Our enforcement officers will take stern action if they start to construct the tents without approval from the council,” Kamarul said.

Residents urge authorities to repair road near U-turn

The Star, Wednesday April 23, 2014  

In need of repair: A motorcyclist travelling towards the U-turn which is part of the Kajang-SILK highway, near Taman Taming Jaya in Balakong. The roads are uneven and have been damaged since December.

BALAKONG residents want something to be done about the damaged road at a U-turn near Taman Taming Jaya, as it is endangering their safety and causing traffic jam.

Balakong New Village chief Aw Fooi Kun said the roads had been damaged in December last year.

“It is dangerous, especially for motorcyclists travelling at night,” said Aw.

A check by StarMetro revealed that the road at the U-turn had sunk and was uneven in places.

Abdul Manaf Mahmod, who lives in Taman Impian Indah, said he used the road daily to commute to work.

“As a road user, I feel disappointed that nothing has been done despite highlighting the matter up wih the authorities,” said Abdul Manaf, 59.

Speaking at a press conference on the issue, Balakong assemblyman Eddie Ng said that repairs for the road fell under the responsibility of the Kajang-Silk Highway (SILK) concessionaire and Ng said that he had written complaints to SILK.

He said he had been told in January that a tender would be called to start the repairs in February.

“In February, however, they said there was a technical problem and repairs would be delayed until further notice,” he said, adding that there had been no word since then.

Ng said the uneven road contributed to traffic jam, as vehicles had to slow down at the U-turn.

“There is a primary school nearby and the traffic during lunch hour is bad,” he said.

He added that he had written a letter to the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLN) to look into the issue.

“I urge them to look into this as soon as possible and for SILK to make the necessary repairs before accidents happen,” said Ng.

Cabbie finds foetus inside plastic bag

The Star, Tuesday April 22, 2014

by natasha joibi

KAJANG: A 32-year-old taxi driver found a six-month-old dead foetus inside a plastic bag at Sekolah Agama Rakyat Taman Delima near here on Tuesday.

 

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said the cabbie had just dropped off passengers at a mosque located in the school compound when he noticed the bag.

“He looked inside the bag and saw the dead foetus and contacted the police immediately,” he said.

ACP Ab Rashid added that the baby is believed to have been birthed at least four days ago.

“We are investigating the case under Section 318 of the Penal Code for concealment of birth,” he said.

The remains was sent to Hospital Serdang for an autopsy. 

In an unrelated case, a 4-month-old baby boy died on arrival at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia after being in the care of a babysitter.

Cheras deputy OCDP Supt Abdul Rahim Hamzah said that the child was in his nanny's house in Cheras before he was sent to the hospital around 7.30am Monday.

“So far we have detected no signs of foul play in his death but we are still waiting for the post-mortem results to determine the next course of action,” he said.

Supt Abdul Rahim added that police would record the nanny's statement as soon as they received the pathology report.

“The case has been classified as Sudden Death (SDR) and the nanny will be investigated under Section 33 of the Child Act for leaving the child without supervision,” he said.

Cops nab 'Nasi Kandar' robbers

The Star, Tuesday April 22, 2014 

by natasha joibi

KAJANG: A group of robbers who targeted 'Nasi Kandar' restaurants have been arrested.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said the suspects, consisting of five men and a woman aged between 22 and 26, had robbed two separate restaurants in Kajang on Monday.

“They first robbed a restaurant in Taming Permai around 1.40am.

“They robbed a second restaurant in Taman Bukit Angsana at 2.45am. One of them brandished a parang at his victims.

“The stolen loot comprised RM4,000 and a few packets of cigarettes,” he said on Tuesday.

ACP Ab Rashid added that police managed to capture the parang-wielding suspect at Bandar Mahkota Cheras a few hours after the second robbery.

“We captured rest of the group at a house in Sungai Segamat today around 2.30am,” he said.

All the suspects tested positive for drugs.

Shots fired, suspected robbers arrested in Kajang

The New Straits Times, Tuesday, 22 April 2014

KUALA LUMPUR: Police had to fire two shots towards a car carrying four suspected robbers in Kajang, near here, before arresting them earlier today.

From initial information received, the robbers had almost run over a public member before ramming into police car in their bid to escape.

It was learnt that in the 1.15pm incident, the suspects tried to break into a house in Taman Sri Bahagia, Cheras before a team of policemen in their squad car gave chase of the suspects.

A high speed chase ensued, before police were forced to fire the shots when the robbers rammed their car at a traffic light intersection in Taman Bukit Anggerik.

Selangor police deputy chief Datuk Abd Rahim Jaafar is expected to hold a press conference on the case at Kajang police headquarters tomorrow morning.

Read more: Shots fired, suspected robbers arrested in Kajang - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/shots-fired-suspected-robbers-arrested-in-kajang-1.574853#ixzz2zbmqZDet

Christians congregate to mark occasion with readings and hymns

The Star, Sunday April 20, 2014

by tashny sukumaran

Holy day: People praying at the Holy Family Church in Kajang for Easter.

KAJANG: The Holy Family Church here ushered in Easter with a packed Easter Vigil mass that saw hundreds of Catholics congregating to mark the occasion yesterday evening.

The occasion began with nine different readings in four languages – English, Tamil, Mandarin and Malay – as well as the singing of hymns.

Parish priest Father George Harrison delivered the Easter message, accompanied by priest-in-residence, Father Peter Bretaudeau and visiting priest Father Justin.

Father George spoke about the resurrection of Christ, and prayed for divine light to protect the nation and its people.

The church hall, which can fit up to 3,500 people, was packed even before the service began at 7.30pm.

Hospitality Ministers David Gregory and Thomas Selvaraj said the mass got bigger and better every year.

“We continue to surpass each past mass when celebrating the resurrection of Christ,” said Thomas, 63.

Gregory, 55, said the ambience during the readings was carefully planned.

“It’s about Christ rising after his death.

“When we read from the Old Testament, we kept the church darkened. When we read from the New Testament, we switched on the lights,” he said.

There were also baptisms for over 45 people.

Corrina Anthony, who is in her 40s, came from Seremban to spend Easter mass with her sister’s family. She said she was impressed by the readings.

“Nicely done, very inspirational,” she said, adding that the multilingual aspect also appealed to her.

Easter is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period characterised by fasting (with some abstaining from meat), prayers and meditations.

MPKj aims to expedite issuance of business licences

The Star, Wednesday April 16, 2014

by oh ing yeen

Kajang town: MPKj plans to be more business- friendly by expediting the process of issuing business licences. — filepic

THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) plans to be more business-friendly by expediting the process of issuing business licences, council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said.

“We hope to be able to speed up the process and issue licences within 30 minutes to an hour, compared to the current three days.

Licences that used to take one week to be issued will now be ready within 24 hours.

“We want to be business-friendly while ensuring business operators adhere to the law, so that Kajang residents will not be inconvenienced,” he said.

He added that the council would take harsher action against those who did not pay their summonses.

The council is expecting to collect only RM9,686,570 from summons compared to last year’s RM16,309,368.

“Based on past experience, we usually only manage to collect lower than we expect because not everyone pays.

“However, this year, our panel lawyer will issue letters to urge defaulters to pay up,” he said.

It was a balanced budget for the Kajang Municipal Council in 2013 at RM189,043,286.

This year’s budget is also expected to be a balanced budget at RM180,270,950.

“We have been having a balanced budget for six years now,” Hassan Nawawi said.

The council expects to generate more revenue from business licences this year at RM17,099,790, compared to last year’s RM12,824,490 due to the business licence hike that was implemented this year.

The Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) allocation has also increased from RM8,000 in 2012 to RM10,000 last year and has doubled to RM20,000 for 2014.

“Even then it is not enough, and we will fix the roads based on priority,” he said.

He added that the new MPKj hall in Saujana Impian was expected to be completed at the end of next year.

The previous one in Jalan Besar was demolished in February to make way for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Sungai Buloh-Kajang line, with the council receiving RM12mil in compensation.

Hassan Nawawi said the cost for the new hall was RM14mil and MPKj would fork out the additional RM2mil.

Six months of property carnivals planned to showcase new projects to potential buyers

The Star, Saturday April 12, 2014

Cosy homes: An artist's impression of the two-storey terraces in Kajang East.

KAJANG property developer MKH Bhd will be launching more residential properties within Kajang and greater Kuala Lumpur this year following encouraging sales for its launch pipeline for the 2014 financial year.

The group has added two new high-rise residential projects which are near MRT stations to its six planned launches this year, bringing the total GDV to RM1.6bil.

The company has received encouraging response to its affordable and mid-range landed residential homes such as Hillpark Shah Alam, Kajang East and Pelangi Heights as well as the MKH Avenue I commercial development in the Kajang commercial business district in recent months.

Demand from genuine homebuyers and upgraders has been strong with 60% to 100% of units sold within a few weeks of launch.

“Following the successful launch and positive response to these projects, other new residential projects to be launched include the affordable landed properties Hillpark 3 in Semenyih and high-rise residential units adjacent to the MRT stations — Saville@Kajang and Saville@Cheras located in Kajang and Cheras, respectively.

“Enquiries for the three projects have been very good and we expect the project to be sold out at the official launch during our property carnival campaign,” said MKH managing director Tan Sri Eddy Chen.

MKH will be showcasing all its current and future projects in conjunction with the official launch of its property carnival themed ‘MKH Treasures You’ on April 20 in the Kajang 2 sales office gallery.

The nationwide property carnival will last for six months, until Aug 30.

“We believe the property carnival is a great way to reward our customers. RM10mil worth of prizes are up for grabs.

“Participants will receive unique prizes that can be passed on to future generations, plus an entry to win grand prizes including cars and MKH’s signature home,” Chen added.

Members of the public are invited to attend the carnivals and there will be a range of activities including performances by Jess Lee, lucky draws, virtual golf, water zorbing, inflatable zone, bungee trampoline, face painting and magic shows.

During the six-month property carnival, customers can choose their dream homes from any of MKH’s signature developments in Kajang and greater Kuala Lumpur.

All the projects are located within well-planned and mature townships, some are even within a few kilometres of the MRT stations.

Some signature projects that are worth exploring in the greater Klang Valley include Saville@The Park, Bangsar; Saville@Cheras, Saville@Kajang and Hillpark Shah Alam.

Other projects within Kajang-Semenyih include Kajang East, MKH Boulevard, Pelangi Heights, Kajang 2, Hillpark 3, and MKH Avenue II.

The residential property price ranges from RM300,000 to RM1.5mil.

The carnivals will be held in Kajang 2 on April 20, Hillpark Shah Alam on May 18 and in Metro Point Complex on Aug 30, which will also feature the grand lucky draw.

For more information, visit www.mkhberhad.com.

Toddler found dead with bruises by roadside

The New Straits Times, 5 April 2014

By Atiqa Hazellah | atiqahaz@nst.com.my

KAJANG: A three-year old toddler was found dead by the roadside with bruises on the forehead at Jalan Hulu Langat, Batu 14 in Hulu Langat, here this morning.

In the 7.40am incident, the fully-clothed body of the boy was discovered by a passer-by who immediately alerted to the police.

 

Kajang deputy police chief Superintendent Abdul Ghani Mohamad Ji said initial investigation showed that there were bruises on the boy’s face and a bump on the forehead.

 

“The victim was found dead with froth coming from his mouth. So far we have yet to identify the boy. 

 

“Initial checks showed that he had no BCG vaccination mark. So we believe he is not a local,” he said, referring to the tuberculosis vaccine made compulsory for all Malaysians.

 

Ghani said the boy who was wearing a diaper was purposely left at the area so that he would easily be seen by the public.

 

“We could not determine the exact cause of his death but we will investigate whether the victim was abused,” he said, adding that the boy did not sustained serious injuries.

 

He said the body was sent to Serdang Hospital and the case had been classified as sudden death pending the post-mortem report.

 

“An autopsy will be performed on Monday to determine the cause of death and also to determine whether he was abused,” he said.

 

Ghani urged those in the vicinity or anyone with information to contact the nearest police station.

Read more: Toddler found dead with bruises by roadside - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/toddler-found-dead-with-bruises-by-roadside-1.551331#ixzz2y6qWUSnF