Vote of no confidence against MPKj

The Star, Thursday August 29, 2013

KAJANG Municipal Council (MPKj) councillors have tabled a motion of no confidence against the MPKj administration and want the matter brought up to the Selangor state government.

 

The motion was tabled at the MPKj full board meeting yesterday, after the swearing-in ceremony for six new councillors.

The motion was unanimously agreed upon by all 23 councillors who were present at the meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the group, MPKj councillor Muhmad Hamidi Mohd Nazir said: “We are anxious and worried about MPKj’s performance, administration and management, which is flawed, weak, unfriendly to councillors and filled with unhealthy tendencies and dubious practices.

“We resorted to this move as we realised that MPKj’s failure to function properly and with integrity will affect its ability to implement policies set by the state government to benefit the people.”

The MPKj councillors had mutually agreed to highlight the matter to the Selangor government via a letter dated Aug 5, 2013, that was addressed to Local Government, Studies and Research committee chairman Datuk Teng Chang Khim for its consideration, investigation and action.

“During this critical period, it is our opinion that we will no longer be getting the necessary cooperation and respect from MPKj’s top management to enable us to carry out our responsibilities and duties as councillors effectively and efficiently,” said Muhmad Hamidi.

“As such, we are also submitting a motion to put on hold any role, task and participation by the councillors in MPKj’s administration, management and meetings effective Aug 28, 2013, until a solution is found to overcome this crisis, as recommended by the councillors in our letter to Teng.”

In response, MPKj president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman said the disagreements were partly due to dissatisfaction with MPKj’s top management.

However, neither Hasan nor any of the councillors are willing to reveal details on the disagreements.
On the council’s next move, Hasan said: “The matter will have to be referred to the Selangor Mentri Besar.

“According to Section 10 (7) of Act 171 or the Local Government Act 1976, if the mayor or president does not agree with the other councillors as to the exercise of any of his powers or of the powers of the local authority, he shall refer the matter to the Mentri Besar or Chief Minister of the state whose decision here on shall be final and binding on the local authority.”

On accusations that there had been abuse of power by MPKj officials, Hasan said evidence must be submitted to the state government to support such accusations.

“This motion will not affect MPKj’s day-to-day administration, as the council will continue functioning as usual. Only meetings that involve councillors will not be able to proceed,” he said.

“This is also not the first time we have functioned without councillors; after the general elections in 2008, there was a three-month gap during which the councillors were yet to be appointed.”

“Politicians come and go, but government servants remain and have to continue carrying out their work”.

Meanwhile, the six new councillors who were sworn in are Chan Koy Choon, 36, will writer (DAP), Dominic Yip Weng Weay, 36, tour manager (DAP), John Leong Chiew Sing, 47, insurance manager (DAP), Muhamad Sukor Atan, 52, retiree (PAS), Rajendra Kumar Munusamany, 32, businessman (PKR) and Thiagarajah Rajagopal, 49, businessman (NGO).

Cops bust armed robbery gang

The Star, Saturday August 24, 2013 

KUALA LUMPUR: Kajang police have busted a gang involved in armed robberies and carjacking with the arrest of eight suspects in separate raids.

 

Kajang police chief ACP Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said three suspects, believed to have been involved in an armed robbery in Taman Desa Serdang last month, were detained in Taman Jasmin here on Wednesday.

“The victim in Taman Desa Serdang said four masked men armed with parang escaped with jewellery, cash and handphones,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Ab Rashid said that in a follow-up operation, three other suspects, all aged between 22 and 28, were nabbed around Kajang and Bangi on the same day. Among the items seized from the suspects were a Naza Citra and Proton Putra, reported stolen in Sungai Way, parang, watches and jewellery, he said.

Meanwhile, two suspects were detained by the police while trying to break into a Hilux 4X4 vehicle near a used car complex in Batu 12, Cheras, at about 4.20am on Thursday. The suspects, aged 28 and 29, had criminal records. — Bernama

Bumpy roads a big concern for Taman Puncak Utama folk

The Star, Friday August 23, 2013

By FARAH FAZANNA ZULZAHA
farahfazanna@thestar.com.my

Heavy vehicles can be seen using the road leading to Jade Hills in Kajang where there are no streetlights.

TAMAN Puncak Utama residents in Kajang are upset that the roads in the area are poorly maintained.
One of the residents, who only wanted to be known as Lim, said Jalan Perindustrian Balakong had gotten worse because it was used by heavy vehicles going to and from the industrial area nearby.

“The road has been resurfaced many times but potholes will form after a few days,” he said.

Apart from the potholes, residents also face floods every time there is a downpour because of the blocked drains.

A visit by StarMetro to the area saw that trees had been felled and left by the roadside with some branches and leaves to fall in the drains, blocking the flow of water.

Lim pointed out that Jalan Perindustrian Balakong was the only road leading into Taman Puncak Utama.

“When there is flood, residents cannot leave or enter,” he said, adding the road was also an alternative route to Jade Hills in Kajang. The streetlights are faulty and not working,” noted Lim.

He said he had written to the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) but no action had been taken. He added that the faulty streetlights left the area in darkness and this had resulted in numerous accidents in the area.

“It gets worse when it rains at night as drivers cannot see the road ahead too well. And they do not see the potholes until it is too late,” he said.

Another resident, Nicholas Chong, urged the authorities to do something about the poor road condition and faulty streetlights.

“I have called MPKj numerous times and each time they pass my call around, one department will push the responsibility to another,” he said.

Condo residents unhappy with rejected insurance claims

The Star, Friday August 23, 2013

The broken retaining wall caused by a landslip has been covered with tarpaulin and sandbags to pevent further soil erosion.

RESIDENTS of Mount Karunmas Condominium, Balakong are disappointed that insurance claims to repair a perimeter wall that was damaged during a landslip last year has been rejected.

They fear that they have to come up with the RM230,000 estimated to repair the wall.

The landslip, which occurred in September after continuous heavy rain, caused part of the retaining brick wall at the rear of the premises to collapse. No damage to the condominium building or other property was recorded.

The joint management body (JMB) has since covered the affected stretch with tarpaulin and sandbags to prevent further soil erosion.

In a letter to the JMB, the insurance company rejected the claims on grounds that the insurance excluded damage to walls or fences unless buildings were also damaged by the landslip.

“We have been paying for the insurance for four years, amounting to RM20,000 per year,” said Mount Karunmas Condominium JMB chairman Danny Chan.

“It is quite unfair that we have to pay for the repairs ourselves,” he said.

Chan said the insurance clause was confusing, as one section stated that walls and fences were also included under ‘buildings’.

There are 200 families living in the condominium.

Balakong assemblyman Eddie Ng said that he would discuss the matter with the insurance company to find a solution.

He also said the Kajang Municipal Council would conduct investigations and issue a showcause letter to the developer on why the broken wall, which measures 40-feet long and seven-feet high, was made of brick instead of reinforced concrete.

Ng said the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry and other relevant authorities must look into providing complete guidelines, especially to strata title owners, on the best insurance policies for their properties.

“With guidelines to refer to, people living in condominiums or apartments will have better protection and peace of mind,” he said.

Creating leaders for tomorrow

The Star, Sunday August 18, 2013 

A SEAMLESS transition from pre-school to high school — this is what Eaton International School hopes to achieve.

It hopes to create a similar environment at Eaton as found at its Brighton School House where children enjoy schooling and complain to their parents when they don’t get to attend classes during the holidays.

Eaton International School chief executive officer Felician Teo says students are engaged at the school.

“We talk to them even though they are very young. Small children can express their own ideas and opinions if we take the time to engage with them,” he says.

This, he adds, is how one can nurture creativity and lateral thinking from young.

“Our success model is based on our school ethos or culture, and this is founded on the principle that the children are at the centre of everything we do. This ethos will be replicated at Eaton International School.”

Teo says the school will be adopting the Cambridge curriculum from pre-school level to the IGCSE level at Year 11.

All students will have access to an iPad which will be a tool for effective learning as part of their literacy, numeracy or science lessons.

The school hopes to create a new generation of young individuals who will be forward thinkers, innovators and leaders in their chosen fields.

“The school will bring in qualified and experienced expatriate teachers. We want teachers who are trained in delivering the British curriculum. They must have a minimal of five years teaching experience in a school in the United Kingdom or an international school overseas,” he says.

This is an important benchmark for the school because without staff members who are themselves schooled and trained in the Cambridge curriculum, the school’s standards and ethos will be compromised.

The school leadership is different as its management team comprises the owners, principal and senior management who are pre-tertiary educators first and foremost.

Eaton is located in the Gamuda township of Jade Hills within the Kajang corridor in greater Kuala Lumpur.

According to Teo, the school has received a lot of interest since its soft launch on April 27.

“We are opening only one class per level at pre-school and primary levels for our first intake starting September. Only a handful of places are available for Years One, Two and Six,” he says.

Uncle kills teen and tries to take his own life

The Star, Friday August 16, 2013 

KAJANG: A 16-year-old girl was killed by her uncle who later tried to take his own life.

K. Yogiswary was washing dishes with her uncle’s wife at his house in Taman Sri Reko before the horrifying incident happened at 11.30am.

According to initial reports from the police, her uncle A. Arndy, 59, stormed in and held a knife to Yogis­wary’s neck. He then dragged the girl out by her hair and led her to a Hindu temple located opposite the house before slitting her throat there. He then entered one of the rooms in the temple and slit his own throat. 

His 30-year-old son, A. Gunasegaran, who witnessed the entire scene, immediately called the police and ambulance.

Arndy was rushed to the Serdang Hospital and is reported to be in a critical condition.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents mark temple's anniversary

The Star, Tuesday August 6, 2013

By CHOO WOON LIM
woonlim@thestar.com.my Photos by SAMUEL ONG

Taoist monks in a trance had their body parts pierced to honour the deity Kuan Tei at the temple.

Hundreds of devotees turned up for the Kuan Tei temple procession at Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Kuala Lumpur recently.

The crowd of about 500 people took part in the 3km procession that started at 7pm and lasted two hours.

The procession snaked through major routes in the area such as Jalan Permaisuri and Jalan Temenggung and was held to commemorate the temple’s 22nd anniversary and to celebrate the birthday of its patron deity, Kuan Tei.

Also known as Kuan Kung (Lord Guan) or Guan Yu, the deity is worshipped as a prominent figure in Buddhism and Taoism; representing righteousness, justice and loyalty,

The procession was also held to celebrate the completion of the temple’s arch.

“An arch is as important as a temple in Chinese culture, as it represents the entryway into a holy place,” said Pertubuhan Penganut Dewa Kuan Kung Kuala Lumpur secretary-general Pang Kon Loong.

He said the arch was completed on July 25 this year.

 

Temple committee members cutting a ribbon to mark the official completion of the Kuan Tei temple's arch.

 

“We have a procession once every three years to honour Kuan Tei. The previous one was in 2012 but we are having it again this year as the completion of the arch makes it a special occasion,” he added.

The procession included colourful lion dances, Taoist monks chanting prayers and devotees dressed as deities and giving out candy and blessings to the crowd.

An eye-catching part of the procession was the dragon dance, carried by 88 members of a local performing troupe. The 688ft-long dragon was imported from China and took two months to complete.

Another interesting display was a giant lion head mounted on a lorry, which measured 35 feet by six feet.

Covered palanquins, housing statues of deities, were carried around by devotees throughout the procession, as they chanted prayers at each crossroad to ward off evil and bless the area.

Devotees also had parts of their body pierced and took on the mannerisms of various deities while in a trance.

The procession ended with a fireworks display to usher in good luck.

The crowd then burned joss sticks and offered prayers to the deities in the temple.

For devotee How Haw Kee, it was his first time taking part in the procession.

“I pray that Kuan Tei will bless my family and me with a peaceful life and prosperity,” said the 50-year-old small business owner, who frequently prays at the temple.

Schoolchildren exposed to snakes and falling trees

The Star, Monday August 5, 2013

By BEH YUEN HUI
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

PUPILS of SK (2) Jalan Bukit in Kajang, which is located next to a hillslope dense with vegetation, are exposed to the danger of snake bites and falling trees thus causing their parents to worry about their safety.

Just last month, a big tree fell onto a school block and damaged the roof of a classroom.

Thankfully, no one was using the room at that time, said the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) vice-chairman Dr Murtedza Mohamed.

He said this was the third incident to occur at the 32-year-old primary school.

He added that snakes were also found in the hillslope nearby.

Aidy Ajmer (right) and Dr Murtedza looking at the damaged roof
after a tree fell onto the block at SK (2) Jalan Bukit in Kajang.

 

“The pupils and teachers have seen snakes in the toilets, in the drains and near the activity areas regularly,” said Dr Murtedza.

During a visit to the school following complaints from a parent, it was found that the single-storey block comprising five classrooms, was in a shabby condition.

Some of the nails have come out and the fuse boxes are broken with electricity wires exposed and hanging out.

The rooms are used for co-curricular activities, living skills and Islamic studies.

There are other classrooms located in a separate three-storey building.

“We hope that the big trees on the hillslope would be cleared to prevent any untoward incidents,” said PTA chairman Aidy Ajmer Abdul Mutalib, adding that the school had 125 pupils.

It is learnt that the school authorities had highlighted the matter to the district Education Department but nothing has been done yet.

Worried about the safety of the pupils, headmistress Chek Norlia Hassan and the PTA tried to hire their own contractor to cut the trees but found it too expensive.

“The contractor is charging RM5,000 for one tree and we cannot afford it,” said Aidy Ajmer, adding that he hoped the relevant authorities would take action fast for the sake of the children’s safety.

Ex-convict gunned down inside his house

The Star, Sunday August 4, 2013

By JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZI and SHAUN HO

Intense situation: Relatives and neighbours of Balamurali (inset) carrying his body out of the house in Batu 9 Cheras.

KAJANG: A gunman walked into the living room of a house and opened fire, killing a 36-year-old man who was just released from prison last month.

It is learnt that Balamurali Balakrishnan was sleeping on a sofa when the gunman walked into the house in Batu 9 Cheras here at 1.30pm yesterday and fired four shots at his chest. The gunman later fled with an accomplice in a black car.

Balamurali’s aunt, K. Anjalai, 56, said she was in the bedroom when she heard the shots.

“I rushed out and Balamurali was already on the floor,” she said, adding that she saw the black car speeding off.

The victim’s wife, S. Puvaneswari, 28, said she had been living with her four-year-old son Kishalan in Seremban, adding that her husband visited them every fortnight.

“The last time we saw him was on Thursday night,” she said, adding that her husband had been in and out of prison several times.

It was learnt that Balamurali had been changing jobs regularly, his last being as a security guard. He lasted only two weeks in that job.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahab confirmed the case. It was the seventh shooting in seven days in the country.

Meanwhile, in Gombak, the body of a 44-year-old woman was found in her home. She was believed to have been stabbed to death.

Hotel housekeeper Badariah Hussin, who lived alone in a three-room shophouse in Sunway Batu Caves, was found in a pool of blood on the floor of her room by a colleague.

The colleague, who came looking for Badariah, had to ask a worker at a nearby shop to help break the lock on the door.

She had last seen Badariah on Friday.

Police officers at the scene said the body was found with both hands and feet bound.

Workshop on children's behaviour (PKIK)

The Star, Thursday August 1, 2013

Malaysian Care and Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Kajang Selangor (PKIK) are organising a workshop entitled “Understanding and Responding to Children’s Behaviour: A Workshop for Parents”.

It is targeted at parents or caregivers of children aged five to 12 years old with learning disabilities.

It will be conducted by Tan Cheng Yi, a chartered educational psychologist. The workshop will cover:

• What is behaviour?;
• Causes of challenging behaviour;
• What is needed to understand a child’s behaviour;
• Behaviour development in children with learning disabilities;
• How to reduce problem behaviour, and increase positive behaviour; and
• Positive action for children.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, Sept 21, from 9.30am-4.30pm, at Malaysian Care, No 15, Jalan Tasik Selatan 3, Metro Centre, Bandar Tasik Selatan, Kuala Lumpur.

The fee is RM50 per participant (inclusive of notes and two tea breaks).

The closing date of registration is Sept 12, 2013.

To register and for enquiries, call the Malaysian Care Toy Library and Parent Resource Centre (ask for Dharshini) at 03-9058 2102 or email toyrd@malaysiancare.org.

Traders at 10 MPKj stalls to be temporarily relocated

The Star, Thursday August 1, 2013

By CHOO WOON LIM

Making way: Traders at the row of stalls along Lorong Mendaling, Kajang will be relocated to a parking lot nearby due to works on the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line.

TRADERS renting 10 stalls belonging to the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) along Lorong Mendaling, Kajang, will have to relocate their businesses temporarily to a parking lot further down the road on Sept 1. 

Speaking at the council’s full board meeting yesterday, MPKj president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman said the relocation was to make way for works on the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang line. 

The row of stalls, he said, will be demolished this month, along with the Hulu Langat MCA building located nearby. 

Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (Prasarana), which is carrying out the MRT project, will commission contractors to build temporary premises for the traders at the parking lot about 200m away. 

“The traders will have to operate at the temporary premises for at least six months,” said Hasan. 

He added that they would be able to move back to the original site after the MRT works in the area were completed and that Prasarana would build new lots to replace the demolished ones. 

Hasan said there would be no compensation for the traders as they were only leasing the stalls from MPKj. 

“The traders have been leasing the premises since 1995. Their tender ends in 2015.” 

Hasan also said MPKj was planning to build the new council town hall in Saujana Impian following the demolition of the original town hall in Jalan Besar in February to make way for the MRT line. 

“We are looking into cost, building design and other aspects now and will announce details once finalised,” he said.