For those who can help.......

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Wednesday January 25, 2012

Gutsy girl struck by cancer once more

AFTER two years of battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 27-year-old Lau Li Chee from Kajang was ready to work again to support her aged parents and to pursue her dreams.

She felt guilty about having burdened her family and spending more than RM70,000 from insurance claims to fight the cancer.

However, last November, her doctor confirmed that there was a relapse and she needed another RM60,000 for stem cell transplant.

In need of aid: Yap (left) hopes the public can donate to Lau for her treatment.

 

The news sent the once strong-willed girl into depression. She had undergone 16 sessions of chemotherapy in the last treatment. The cancer cells have now spread from her neck to her stomach.

The second of four siblings was pursuing a business and finance degree part-time at a local university before she was diagnosed with the illness. Her older sister became the sole breadwinner while her two younger brothers did not have stable income.

“I hope I can undergo the stem cell transplant as soon as possible with the public’s help,” she said, adding that a Facebook fund-raising campaign initiated by several acquaintances had collected RM20,000 so far.

Persatuan Rumah Caring Kajang Selangor founder Wendy Yap noticed Lau on several occasions wearing a surgical mask. Upon learning about Lau’s situation, she decided to raise funds for her.

“At such a young age, the sky is the limit for a diligent girl like Lau but the illness has shut off all opportunities. I hope kind-hearted people can help her overcome this challenge,” she said.

“While most of us are celebrating, let’s not forget the unfortunate ones who need love and care to face challenges in life,” she said.

Those who want to donate can call Yap at 012-238 0043 for details or send a cheque written out to Lau Li Chee to Persatuan Rumah Caring Kajang Selangor, 9&11, Jalan Muhibah 7, Taman Muhibah, 43000 Kajang, Selangor.

This means that "ada udang di sebalik batu" but including MPKj? Also, why so subtle? Name lah, the party who is responsible. In the end, this is all a delicate dance routine rather than will power to resolve the issue.

Please come clean to rid of the garbage that has been piling up for so many years...pun intended.

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Monday January 16, 2012

MPKj president says waste collection sabotage in Kajang is politically-motivated

THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) has lodged a police report against those responsible for the acts of sabotage on waste collection recently.

Council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman held a press conference recently to address the issue.

Hassan said as a form of sabotage against the council, some unhappy contractors have threatened not to pay their subcontractors if they continue to collect rubbish.

They also resorted to throwing rocks at those who still carried out waste collection.

No cooperation: The number of complaints on uncollected rubbish has increased in Kajang.

 

He added that in one incident, nails were placed along the road in Kampung Sungai Lalang, that leads to the Refuse Derived Fuel technology plant in Semenyih.

The nails punctured the tyres of several lorries transporting waste.

He confirmed that the acts of sabotage were done with a political motive.

“There are 110 contractors for waste collection in the municipality, 40% are found to be involved in acts of sabotage. Nineteen contractors have since had their contracts terminated.

“Among the areas affected are Semenyih Sentral, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Cheras Perdana, Bukit Mewah and parts of Bandar Baru Bangi.

“The number of complaints we receive from the public about rubbish woes rise from an average of 50 to 60 per week to an overwhelming 600 per week since the sabotage,” he said.

Hassan said the council had appointed seven new contractors to manage waste collection in the affected areas.

“The council will also provide back-up teams.

“Previously, some of the main contractors got contracts have political ties or background. If they have good reputation, they can apply to have their contracts extended. However, some of them have horrible reputations and several Notice to Correct (NTC) were issued,” he added.

The acts of sabotage were believed to be caused by the termination of waste collection contracts since Alam Flora’s services were taken over by the councils since August last year.

In Kajang, existing contractors were asked to continue until new ones were hired.

Existing contractors can also tender for extensions.

By March 1, new contractors for waste collection will begin their duties.

MPKj Town and Health Services Department director Arshad Haji Salleh said some existing contractors were not pleased with the tender system as it was not a guaranteed way to obtain contracts.

Under the new contract, those who receive three NTCs in a month will have their contracts terminated.

The Star, Friday January 6, 2012

Lorries damaging residential roads

HEAVY vehicles going through Taman Sri Langat, Kajang, are damaging the residential roads which are now riddled with potholes.

Taman Sri Langat Residents’ Association (RA) chairman Kusni Ahad said the lorries were from a factory site near the residential area.

Damaged roads: Heavy vehicles have caused the roads to be riddled with potholes.

 

“Previously the vehicles exited to the main road via a private road. However, about five years ago, that road was closed, hence the drivers started using residential roads instead.

“We have complained to the council but to no avail,” he said.

RA vice-chairman J.S. Tan said the lorries would pass by their houses daily.

“Our cars have been scratched by the heavy vehicles while using the narrow roads in the residential area.

“The lorry drivers would even ask us to remove our cars to make way for them,” he said.

Residents, Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching, Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) officers and councillor Adram Musa, as well as officers from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) went to the factory site yesterday where the lorries were transporting cables.

There were a few lorries parked at the site. It was observed that the site was also a hostel for workers.

A worker at the site said it was not a factory but merely a storage area for lorries and goods.

Teo said DID officers would check the status of the land to determine if the owner had encroached the land reserve.

“Their application will not be approved as it is situated near a residential area. Furthermore, while some of the land used is private, it is only for agriculture use, not industrial,” she said.

Will politics come in play to stop good deeds? Will common sense be overtaken by self interests?

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Wednesday January 11, 2012

Firm willing to install new solar-powered lights

A PRIVATE company has come to the rescue of the Kajang Municipal Council by offering to help solve the problem related to 80 faulty solar-powered lights at bus stops.

Aspect Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd made the offer after reading in the StarMetro that lights at bus stops in Kajang, Cheras and Semenyih had malfunctioned three months after being installed.

Long-lasting: A file picture of Murali inspecting the solar panel that was installed on the roof of a bus stop in Brickfields six months ago.

 

Aspect managing director S. Murali said the problem could be rectified by his company which had the technology in solar-power lights.

Murali said if the council was willing to meet the company’s condition they were prepared to install a new set of solar system at all the bus stops at no cost.

He added that their solar-powered system was meant to last for 20 years.

Murali said they had installed solar-powered lights at public places in Malaysia and Singapore.

He said his company was also the first in creating the green bus stop concept using third generation solar panels and LED lights in Malaysia.

“Last year, we built the first such bus stop in Brickfields and they are functioning well.

“The solar panels using American technology are flexible and durable,” he said, adding that the panels could be washed and cleaned without much hassle.

Murali said the system was ideal for both outdoor and indoor use.

He said he was looking forward to meeting the council on the proposal.

Kajang municipal councillor Eddie Ng said only eight out of the 96 lights were functioning and the rest were not in working condition.

Ng said the lights were installed at the end of 2010 and in less than three months many had malfunctioned.

This is what happens when politics and stupidity mix together ahead of the rakyat's needs. They are so good at blaming and pointing fingers but not take action to resolve the matter. Very frustrating. When election time comes, so many promises!!!!

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Wednesday January 11, 2012

Transport Ministry did not give any directive to tear down Kajang bus stops

The Transport Ministry has denied allegations by Kajang city councillor Ng Tien Chee that it has given specific orders to tear down 11 bus stops in Kajang which have been earlier upgraded.

 

Its minister, Datuk Seri Kong Chong Ha, said ministry officials had pointed out unsatisfactory upgrading work at three bus stops during its meeting with the Selangor State Development Office so that it could be improved.

“Any demolition of the bus stops was the initiative of the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) and the instruction did not come from the ministry.

“MPKj earlier did inform us before taking action to tear them down,” he said in a statement recently.

It was reported that Ng had claimed that the ministry had allegedly wasted public funds to rebuild 11 new bus stops in Kajang.

Waiting in the dark: Passengers have no choice but to wait in the dark as the lights have either malfunctioned or were stolen.

 

Kong said the ministry was only involved in policy-making and was not directly involved in the implementation of the project to upgrade the bus stops.

“Some 634 bus stops were given the approval for upgrading work in 2010 while 468 were approved last year.

“After a series of delivery task force meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, many issues regarding unsatisfactory upgrades were brought up like dangerous roof structures.

“Three examples of bus stops along Jalan Sg Kantan, Kajang were repeatedly brought up as it was not properly upgraded,” he said, adding that it did not follow safety requirements set by the ministry.

He also urged ministry officers to monitor all the projects to ensure that it had met its objective.

I must agree that crime rate probably in snatch thieves will be lower. This is directly due to the patrolling. Surely the mouse dare not to play if the cat is around. So, when the police does their work well, the results will show.

However, I don't think the house break in crimes have reduced. In fact, I think they are increasing judging from the stories that I have heard. In fact, a friend of mine who was having Christmas eve dinner with us had his house broken into at 8 pm. Imagine their boldness.

Anyway, I also agree that residents should also pitch in and not rely just on the police. So keep up the good job.

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Thursday January 5, 2012

Crime rate down in Kajang, says district police chief

THE crime rate in Kajang has gone down 19.06% compared with the previous year, Kajang district police chief Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said.

He said this at a recent ceremony to distribute patrolling equipment to representatives of 17 residents’ associations at Menara MPKj.

Among the items were reflective vests, caps, batons and torch lights.

In 2010, there were 5,421 crime cases. In 2011, they numbered 4,388.

“We hope more residents can take part in community policing.

“It is important to know your neighbours. It is like the tale of the boy who cries wolf when the alarm constantly goes off, your neighbours will not think much of it unless they know you and call to check with you if things are alright,” he said.

Kajang Municipal Council deputy president and secretary Zulkifli Khalid said the safety tools were given to help the neighbourhood watch in their fight against crime, especially break-in cases.

“I urge residents to carry out patrolling duties in line with the standard operating procedure and abide by the rules set by each residential area,” he said.

Well, they will always make life difficult if we try to avoid paying the toll. When I pass this area during the weekends, I can see the long queue for those who try to get in and out of Bandar Mahkota Cheras without paying the toll. 

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Thursday January 5, 2012

Quick change of lights causing jams in Bandar Mahkota Cheras

IT WAS a Saturday during the school holidays and yet Persiaran Bandar Mahkota Cheras 1 was choked with traffic that stretched almost two kilometres.

Thus you can imagine the traffic condition during peak hours on weekdays.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) Residents’ Association chairman Bryan Tong said the traffic nightmare began in 2008 when the access road to the Cheras-Kajang Highway was re-opened.

Slow traffic: The access road to exit Bandar Mahkota Cheras to get to the Cheras-Kajang Highway is congested even on a weekend.

 

“At the traffic lights installed at the entrance to BMC, the green signal only flashes for 20 seconds for traffic exiting our township to the highway and this creates congestion.

“Strangely, whenever the traffic lights malfunctioned, the traffic flow is smoother,” he said.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras Business Association president Henry Chin said the difficulty of accessing the township is having a negative effect on businesses in the area.

He pointed out that there were no signboards to direct motorists from the highway into the township.

“Those unfamiliar with the area have difficulty locating BMC.

“Furthermore, the traffic congestion is a deterrent to outsiders and this has caused eateries, boutique owners and other business operators to lose business opportunities,” he said.

They hope the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) and the highway concessionaire Grand Saga can find a way to solve the traffic woes.

“As a short-term measure, we hope the police can control the traffic during peak hours,” Tong said.

MPKj councillor Lee Kee Hiong said the council had taken the initiative and came up with a plan to change the six-phase traffic system into four instead, to reduce the waiting time.

“The council was given the run-around instead.

“We submitted the plan to MHA but were told that we did not need their approval and had to get the concessionaire’s instead.

“When we approached the concessionaire, they said MHA was supposed to give the approval,” she said.