Thursday, July 24, 2014

Woman bashed up after honking error

The Star, Wednesday July 23, 2014 

KAJANG: A 35-year-old woman suffered injuries to her face after a motorcyclist struck her with a helmet when he thought she had honked at him.

District OCPD Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said the road rage incident happened at about 10.30am on Tuesday while the woman was in Sungai Jelok to have her breakfast.

“She was driving in her Proton Iswara when she spotted someone resembling her uncle across the road. She honked her car to alert him.

“However, a 54-year-old motorcyclist who was at that time near her vehicle thought she was honking at him,” he said Wednesday.

ACP Ab Rashid said the man scolded the female driver and started hitting her car with his helmet.

“The woman alighted from the vehicle to clarify the situation but the motorcyclist struck her face with the helmet, causing injuries to her left chin,” he explained.

Police identified the culprit following a report lodged by the woman and arrested him at a house in Sungai Jelok the same night.

ACP Ab Rashid said the man, who has one previous criminal record, would be in police custody for three days.

He confirmed that the case is being probed under Section 324 of Penal Code for intentionally causing hurt with a dangerous weapon.

ACP Ab Rashid explained that crimes fuelled by road rage are not unheard of, but have gained more attention after a 30-year-old woman was filmed hammering an elderly man’s car with a steering lock at the parking lot of UTC, Jalan Sekilau in Kuantan on July 14.

“We advise the public to alert us of any incident of road rage so that swift action can be taken against the perpetrators,” he said.

Escalating land cost in KL and PJ driving developers south of Klang Valley

The Star, Wednesday July 23, 2014

PETALING JAYA: More developers are choosing to relocate their developments towards the south of the Klang Valley due to escalating land prices in and around Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. 
 
“Escalating land prices within Greater KL have reduced the supply of affordable landed properties, which remain in demand,” said AllianceDBS Research in a report yesterday.

“The mass rapid transit (MRT) connectivity at Kajang (ready by 2017) and the ready infrastructure with several highways have made Kajang/Semenyih the natural choice for developers to expand township developments.”

The research house said this was supported by the availability of large tracts of land and these districts recording among the strongest population growth in Selangor.

“The close proximity to KLCC and the Putrajaya federal administrative centre will ensure KL South continues to thrive.”

AllianceDBS Research noted, however, that Greater KL and the Klang Valley remain the core of the Government’s Economic Transformation Programme.

“The Government wants to grow the Greater KL population to 10 million by 2020 from an estimated seven million currently. This means the Greater KL population has to grow by 5.2% per annum on average, much higher than the national average of 1.4%.

“If the goal materialises, then this would translate into stronger demand for housing of 80,000 units per annum in Greater KL alone vis-à-vis 78,000 units completed for the whole country in 2013.”

AllianceDBS Research said the housing demand in Greater KL is likely to remain healthy going forward, adding, however, that buyers would be picky because of the steep pricing, no thanks to a slew of cost-push factors, including inflationary pressure, subsidy rationalisation and the implementation of minimum wages.

“Faced with the risk of margin compression, property developers will naturally look to landbank in areas where land cost is relatively low and there is ready infrastructure and a growing population.”

Residents irked by blocked drains in SL13

The Star, Wednesday July 23, 2014

SL 13 residents said the dried leaves are strewn all over the road is an eyesore.
SL 13 residents said the dried leaves are strewn all over the road is an eyesore.
RESIDENTS in SL13, Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang are worried about the blocked sewage drain near Jalan SL 13/5.

A resident, who only wanted to be known as Low, said the drain was supposed to channel water into a retention pond about 100m away.

“The water is now stagnant in the drain and the flow is most probably blocked by overgrown bushes,” he said.

He said the blocked sewage drain had become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“The situation has gotten worse in recent months as dirty water has stagnated in the drain.

“The SL13 Residents Association has filed a complaint with Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) to clean up the drain and the surrounding area.

“We have written to them a couple of times but they have yet to take any action,” he said.

He added that the retention pond was filled with overgrown bushes and he urged the council to trim the trees and bushes around it.

Raj showing the sewage drain near Jalan SL 13/5 had been blocked by which was believed to be overgrown bushes in the drain.
Raj showing the sewage drain near Jalan SL 13/5 which is blocked by overgrown bushes.
  Housewife Rose Chye said she had to spray mosquito repellent day and night.

“There are mosquitoes in my house even though I kept the doors and windows closed,” she said.

She added that although there was no dengue case reported in the neighbourhood as yet, MPKj should not wait until that happened before cleaning up the area.

Apart from the blocked drain, residents are also fed up with MPKj contractors that did not pick up the garbage bags after clearing dried leaves from the road.

“The bags would be left for a few weeks before they returned to pick them up,” said Chye.

Another resident, Raj Thangavelu, complained about cracks that have been appearing around his house for the last few years.

“I can see that there is some earth movement and there are new cracks every week,” he said.
He urged MPKj to visit SL13 to take the necessary action.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Tin-mining brings prosperity to Sungai Chua

My SinChew.com, 19 July 2014


Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE

Sungai Chua was well-known for its tin-mining industry. It has come into existence as early as 1807, while the first Chinese tin miners arrived here only around 1870. In end of 19th century, the rise of rubber industry had further promoted the prosperity of Sungai Chua, with most villagers engaged in rubber tapping and tin-mining activities.

Sungai Chua was having only about 50 households in early days but it has now more than 1,000 households, thanks to the development of train services. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily 

Tasik Sungai Chua is the only remaining mine lake in Sungai Chua. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

A religious tourist destination in Sungai Chua attracting many tourists particularly during weekends. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

Sungai Chua was well-known for its tin-mining industry. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

Rice purchase records during the Malayan Emergency, when the British colonial government imposed restrictions on rice purchase. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily
A registration certificate during the British colonial period. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

The famous Kindersley brothers opened the Inch Kenneth Coffee Estate in 1894 and planted five acres of rubber trees in 1896, making them among the first to plant rubber in the country on a commercial scale. The brothers then founded the Inch Kenneth Kajang Rubber Plc in 1910. 

Land was allocated to residents in Kajang and Sungai Chua at that time, making them small rubber estate owners.

Resident Hung, 78, lived in an estate in Jalan Reko but was gathered and moved into Sungai Chua New Village during the Malayan Emergency in 1948. He was about 12 years old at that time.

"Although each household received a piece of land at that time, but life was very hard and the British colonial government gave villagers only RM200 of allowance to build their own houses, which was not enough to cover the construction cost of at least RM500," he recalled.

He said that most villagers were tin miners or rubber tappers in early days. Tin mining activities were very popular, but the pay was not good. It was only enough to support their families. 

"The place was sought-after when tin prices were high but after the prices plummeted, tin became worthless and we believe that there are still tin here," he added.

Hung admitted that the security in Sungai Chua was very good in the past and it would not be a problem even if they left their gates unlocked. However, they have to be careful nowadays although the order is still considered good.

Another resident Zhang Yin, 70, is also a native of Sungai Chua. His grandparents settled in Kajang since they first came to Malaya from southern China a century ago.

For Zhang Yin, although he was just a young kid when the Emergency was imposed by the British colonial government, he can still remember that everyone was particularly cautious during that "troubled times".

Due to financial difficulties, he only joined a tuition class and started to tap rubber at young age.

He said that although some houses in Sungai Chua are still in their original appearances, most have been reconstructed. 

Village head Xie Wei Xian, 30, said that Sungai Chua is 600 acres in size and the number of residents are growing. With the flourishing industry and developing housing sector, Sungai Chua has at least 10,000 of residents nowadays.

"Residents are mainly Chinese, with some Indians and Malays. However, many owners now also lease their houses to foreign workers, causing a surge in the number of foreigners in the village," he said.

He said that although Sungai Chua has been gradually urbanised, the interaction among residents remains tight and thus, many young people have chosen to stay in the village, reducing the worries of the outflow of young people.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Cabbie in cricket bat attack

The Star, Saturday July 12, 2014 

KAJANG: A 31-year-old woman, who drives a taxi for a living, finally reported her abusive husband for physically assaulting her and their 10-year-old son.

The man – also a taxi driver – was apparently under the influence of drugs when he used cricket bat in the latest round of assault that left a deep wound in the boy’s forehead.

District OCPD Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said the 38-year-old man was arrested on Friday morning following a police report lodged by his wife at 4pm on Thursday.

“He started hitting his wife after the couple had an argument around noon the same day. He kicked her and struck her with a cricket bat, in­­juring her head, spine and leg,” he said.

ACP Ab Rashid added that the man then started hitting the child with the bat.

“She told police that he had beaten them several times before,” he said.

The man confessed that he had taken methamphetamine, said ACP Ab Rashid, who added that the case is being probed under Section 324 of Penal Code for intentionally causing hurt with a dangerous weapon.

On an unrelated matter, a 17-year-old petrol pump attendant is being investigated for allegedly having sex with a minor.

ACP Ab Rashid said the police found the boy alone with a 14-year-old girl by the roadside in Semenyih on Thursday.

“When questioned, the girl said they had had sex seven times.

“She claimed her father ‘banished’ her to live with her grandmother in Banting after she was expelled from school in April for disciplinary problems,” he added.

Unhappy living with her grandmother, the girl had been living in a surau for the past two months.

“She stayed at her boyfriend’s house in Kampung Sungai Tangkas when his family was away.

ACP Ab Rashid said that police had contacted the girl’s Indonesian father who did not lodge a missing persons report even after the girl “disappeared” from her grandmother’s house.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Senior citizen found feeding on grass

The Star, Saturday July 5, 2014  

Compiled by JOASH EE DE SILVA, A.RAMAN AND ALLISON LAI

A SENIOR citizen who was believed to be abandoned by her family has been feeding on wild grass, leftovers and drain water besides sleeping on concrete stools at back lanes, reported China Press.

The woman, who was found near Taman Kajang Perdana in Sungai Chua, Kajang, had been loitering around the area for the past week.

She had no identification documents with her when she was found, and only said her surname was Tan.

Asked if she had a home, the crying woman claimed that she was from Batu Arang in Rawang and she had three sons who were all working in Kuala Lumpur.

She said her home was far away and that there were many cars. However, she had forgotten the address.

Residents nearby who sometimes gave her food said that they have seen the woman eating wild grass and flowers soaked in a bowl of water.

They said sometimes she also searched for leftovers from the rubbish bins and took water from the drain. 

They have also seen her sleep on a concrete stool at the back lane.

The woman, who was seen sometimes mumbling to herself, also said that her grandchildren were taken care of by maids back home.

After receiving the complaint, MCA Hulu Langat division deputy chairman Cheng Hock Yow and Hulu Langat Welfare Department officer Hong Tian Hoon approached the woman and successfully persuaded her to move to a home temporarily.

Angry residents beat up butt-groper

The Star, Thursday July 3, 2014

KAJANG: A jobless man was set upon by angry residents after he allegedly groped the buttocks of a woman in Sungai Jelok.

The 48-year-old touched the housewife after she alighted from her car and was walking to the market at 9.30pm Tuesday.

The 35-year-old woman screamed for help and her father, who was driving the car, came out and chased the culprit. This drew the attention of people nearby who caught the man.

District OCPD Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said police were told that the man sustained head injuries after falling into a drain while trying to escape.

But he said police would investigate if the man was beaten up by his captors.

“We believe that a struggle ensued between him and the captors, causing injuries to his head.

“He has been warded in Hospital Kajang for treatment,” he added.

According to ACP Rashid, the suspect was an alcoholic and had been arrested several times for operating illegal gaming machines.

The case is being investigated for outraging of modesty.

Cops seize 30,000 pirated DVDs in Cheras condominium

The Star, Wednesday July 2, 2014

The DVD seized in the condominium.
The DVD seized in the condominium.
KAJANG: A five-month old syndicate selling pirated DVDs was uncovered after police raided a Venice Hill condominium in Batu 9, Cheras, resulting in the seizure of more than 30,000 DVDs.

District OCPD Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said a special task force was dispatched to the condominium unit at about 6am Wednesday following public tip-off and continuous surveillance of the place.

“We knocked on the door of the unit but no one was home.

“We waited for the DVD peddlers to return before making the arrest,” he added.

ACP Ab Rashid said two men arrived at the unit at around 7.30am and were cornered as they were unlocking the door.

“The peddlers, aged 34 and 44, were arrested under suspicion of possessing copies of DVDs that did not have Certificate B from the Film Censorship Board,” he explained. 
 
The toilets in the house were covered in DVDs.

Certificate B is a document issued by the board that governs the display of duplicate copies of films.

Under Section 18 (4) (a) of the Film Censorship Act, it is an offence to sell DVDs without Certificate B.

ACP Ab Rashid said the entire unit was covered in DVD copies of television serials such as Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, The Simpsons and Mad Men.

There were also bootlegged copies of newer TV shows such as Orphan Black and Fargo.

“We believe that the peddlers used the condominium unit for the sole purpose of packaging and distributing the pirated DVDs.

“Even the toilets in the house were covered in DVDs,” he added.

One of the detainees originated from Bidur, Perak while the other was a local man from Kuala Lumpur.

The raid was part of a continuous effort by the police to stamp out film piracy in the country.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Barber claims trial for owning stolen motorcycle

The New Straits Times, 1 July 2014

By PUNITHA KUMAR 

KUALA LUMPUR: A barber claimed trial at a Magistrates Court here today for allegedly owning a stolen motorcycle last month.

Accused M. Uthaya Surian, 27, pleaded not guilty before magistrate Ashraf Rezal Abdul Manan for owning and keeping the stolen motorcycle, a red Honda EX5, worth RM2,000 belonging to one Mazli Mohamad, 49, on June 26.

The offence was committed at the SILK Highway near Kajang Utama, Kajang, around 4pm.

During mitigation for a lower bail, Uthaya's lawyer, P. Muniswer, said his client was a barber earning RM1,500 monthly and was the sole breadwinner of his family. 

Ashraf Rezal set bail at RM6,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station, two weeks once.

Mention was fixed on Aug 5.

Prosecuting officer ASP Nom Phot Prackdit appeared for the prosecution.

Masseur in Kajang shot in the buttocks

The Star, Monday June 30, 2014 

KAJANG: A 53-year-old masseur was shot in the buttocks while he was with a male client in his Taman Reko residence at around 8.24am Monday.

The masseur, identified as Pang Kon Sook, went outside to see two men on a motorcycle parked outside his house.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said as Pang made his way back into the house to continue massaging his client, one of the men trailed after him and fired as shot at the masseur.

“We believe only one shot was fired at Pang. The bullet blasted through his right buttock.

“A neighbour who heard the gunshot rushed him to the Kajang Hospital where he received treatment,” he added.

According to ACP Ab Rashid, the gunman was known only to the victim as ‘Ravi’.

“His accomplice, who was wearing a full face helmet, waited for him on the motorcycle.

“Both men fled the scene after the shooting,” he added.

Pang was said to be in stable condition after surgery.

Other than a masseur, Pang also sold caskets and was a landscape contractor.

ACP Ab Rashid said Pang, a divorcee with three children was alone at home with the client during the incident.

“We are still investigating possible motives behind the shooting.

“We retrieved a 9mm Thai Arms casing from the living room but were unable to find the bullet,” he added.

The case is being probed under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for discharging a firearm with intent to cause death or hurt.