Wee Ka Siong criticises MPKj for increasing business licensing fees

The New Straits Times, 27 February 2014 

By ADRIAN LAI | adrianlai@nst.com.my

KAJANG: The Kajang Municipal Council’s (MPKj) move to increase the business licensing fees has contributed to the rising cost of living in the area, MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said today.

He said the hike, which was enforced in January this year, reflected badly on the opposition coalition’s promise not to increase the people’s financial burden in the PKR-led Selangor government.

 

“We received 35 complaints from business owners operating in Kajang. They all said that the exorbitant fees will only burden the consumers as they are now forced to increase the price of goods and services,” he told reporters at MCA’s election operation centre here.

 

 Wee said the increase in the business licensing fees this year, which is between 46 and 282 per cent higher compared to last year, was proof that the Selangor agovernment was not serious about tackling the notably high cost of living.

 

Wee said among the trades badly affected by the licensing fee hike include the used car and motorcycle businesses, car repair centres, noodle processing plants, frozen foods factories, pharmacies and steel factories.

Read more: Wee Ka Siong criticises MPKj for increasing business licensing fees - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/wee-ka-siong-criticises-mpkj-for-increasing-business-licensing-fees-1.494354#ixzz2uXAtp2Ui

Cabbies highlight long-standing issue

The Star, Thursday February 27, 2014 

by foong pek yee AND christina tan

Caught in the middle: A taxi driver explaining the situation to Liow (right) in Kajang town.

KAJANG: Many taxi drivers here risk getting summoned by the authorities daily for stopping by the roadside.

They have no choice but to make such illegal stops because there are no taxi stands available for them.

A taxi driver who highlighted his plight to MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai here last Saturday said the taxi drivers had been asking the local authority here for taxi stands since the 1990s, but their request had fallen on deaf ears.

He said chronic traffic jams in town these days had compounded the problem.

“There is no place for us to stop at all,” he told Liow, who was visiting the town.

Another taxi driver, Muliono Ramli, 55, lamented that the rising fuel prices had made life increasingly difficult.

“We have to use more petrol unnecessarily when we drive around aimlessly.

“We just need a place to stop, and the location must be convenient for passengers,” he added.

Taxi driver Fadil Mohamad said he had been asking for taxi stands for years, and was puzzled as to why the local authority kept dragging its feet.

“Many taxi drivers got summoned for stopping by the roadside.

“Each summons is RM150 and it can go up to RM300 if we settle it late,” he said, adding that the taxi stand issue was a long-standing one.

Taxi driver Ahmad Shah Latif hoped the authorities could find a solution to the taxi stand problem.

Taxi driver Abdul Halim Mohd Zin said the local council had once stationed drivers on the first floor of the bus terminal in Jalan Reko.

“The place was not convenient for passengers and so we did not have business,” he added.

Another taxi driver who requested anonymity said a driver had to pay RM53 per day or about RM1,600 a month as overhead costs.

“We must have hundreds of passengers a month to survive. Who will care for taxi drivers?” he sighed.

Mohd Shafie Advises Kajang Voters To Choose Homegrown Representative

Bernama News, 24 February 2014

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has advised voters in Kajang to choose a homegrown representative to serve them.

"We are confident that Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun could serve the constituent effectively as she is from Selangor and would therefore be there for the people," he said.

He said voters could not hope for the opposition candidate, touted to be opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to have time for the people should he be elected in the Kajang by-election.

"He is holding numerous positions. Also, he cannot be running here and there to Permatang Pauh and Kajang. Where does that leave the people who he should be serving?" he told reporters after a Rural exco meeting here Monday.

He decribed Chew, an MCA vice president, as a credible representative, for her approachable personality and experience as a former Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament.

On the Kajang by-election, he said coordination and unity were crucial among component parties in the BN to drive the election machinery towards victory for the coalition.

The Kajang state seat fell vacant after its assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) resigned on Jan 27, reportedly to give way to Anwar.

The election Commission set March 11 for nomination and March 23 as the polling date.

On the MCA's move to reverse its earlier decision to disallow leaders from accepting cabinet posts, Mohd Shafie concurred that it was necessary for the party as a major component in the coalition, to have a representation at policy-making level.

Meanwhile, the Rural and Regional Development minister said the ministry had set aside RM4.11 billion for 471 projects.

-- BERNAMA

Amok dad: Jobless man charged with murder of daughter, causing hurt to two others

The Star, Tuesday February 25, 2014 

by maizatul nazlina

KAJANG: A jobless man who was accused of killing his seven-year-old daughter and slashing his two other daughters with a parang was brought before the Magistrate's Court here.

Norazman Mohammad, 43, was charged with murdering Zulaikha, seven, with a parang, three days after she celebrated her birthday.

He was accused under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries a mandatory death sentence, if convicted.

No plea was recorded.

Norazman also faces two additional charges of causing hurt while trying to murder his two other daughters, Maryam, 10, and Liyana, 12.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

This charge under Section 307 of the same act provides a maximum of 20 years' jail upon conviction.
Norazman allegedly committed the offences in a home in Section 4, Bandar Baru Bangi at 4pm on Jan 30.

Earlier, counsel Norain Abu Bakar, who acted for Norazman, applied to the court for her client be sent to Hospital Bahagia in Ulu Kinta, Perak for psychiatric evaluation to determine her client's mental state when the incident happened.

Deputy Public Prosecutor S. Abirami, however, informed the Court that the case would be transferred to the High Court upon obtaining chemist and forensic reports, the prosecution would make an application on the psychiatric examination.

Magistrate A. Jalil Salam Muhammad fixed March 26 for mention pending chemist and forensic reports.

Norazman was charged at the mens' ward in Kajang Hospital on Feb 7 when he was receiving treatment due to a head injury.

An experience not to forget

The New Straits Times, 25 February 2014 

By FADHLI ISHAK

KAJANG: The nation's best taekwondo exponents took a break from their gruelling training schedules to give back to the less fortunate by spending time with 60 orphans from Rumah Nur Hikmah last week.

Organised by Taekwondo Malaysia (TM), a total of 18 exponents from the national elite and back-up squads as well as coaches and TM officials took part in gotong-royong activities at the orphanage's compound.

The event also saw the orphans receiving cash, toys and clothing worth over RM5,000 from TM. A total of five young and talented exponents from the home were also given grants to cover their taekwondo training fees for a year.

Two-time Sea Games gold medallist Elaine Teo, who is now coaching the back-up squad, said it was an eye opening experience for the athletes.

"The event is being held in conjunction with TM's fourth anniversary and is a great way for us to give back to society," said the 33-year-old.

"It is also good experience for our exponents as they can see for themselves the hardships that others go through. It will help build their character.

"Hopefully, some of the kids here will become more interested in taekwondo after our visit and one day become champions."

TM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar said the children from the orphanage represent the future of Malaysian sports.

"I just came here after the Winter Olympic (in Sochi, Russia) which represents the pinnacle of sports. These children here represent the grassroots and the future.

"If they are given the right support and have the determination, they too can represent Malaysia at the Olympics one day."
 

Taekwondo Malaysia president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar spends some time with orphan Muhammad Ikhwan Arifat at the Rumah Nur Hikmah in Taman Mesra Kajang last week. Pic by Osman Adnan

Read more: An experience not to forget - Central - New Straits Timeshttp://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/an-experience-not-to-forget-1.492074?cache=03%2F7.198169%3Fpage%3D0%2F7.215998%3Fpage%3D0#ixzz2uR18Y9eF

Kajang by-election and its effect on small businesses

Astro Awani, February 25, 2014

Linawati Adnan

KUALA LUMPUR: By-elections are often perceived as the period where game changing plans are put into action. These plans are expected to bring in diversity and improvisation.

For small business operators, what do by-elections and the change of political scenario means to them?

Kajang is a district strategically located and offers abundance of business opportunities for its locals. We spoke to a satay stall operator, a nasi lemak seller and a biscuit shop operator.

They all have more than one thing in common: that they never expect anything from anyone, that they paved their way to success independently and the ups and downs of political condition in this capital district of Ulu Langat did not affect the will and the facade for their small business.


Nyok Lan Satay, Restoran Malaysia

Restoran Malaysia, which stood sturdily for over four decades, has evolved in terms of its business strategies to suit the growing challenge of urbanisation in Kajang.

For Chai Wai Kuen, who has been running this family business along with other family members said, the success of Restoran Malaysia is really due to the hard work of her ancestors who initially were seamstresses.

Wai Kuen and her family share their gratitude with Haji Samuri and his relative for their guidance in putting Nyok Lan Satay to where they are now.

Wai Kuen also said that after all these years staying in Kajang, the ups and downs of the political condition of this district have yet to affect her family business. Having said that, she would not mind having someone in power to help ease the congestion in this town.

Warung Nasi Lemak Misran, Kampung Sungai Sekamat

Misran Ibrahim has been working diligently to make ends meet for him and his family. His mother taught him the secret to good nasi lemak when he was a teenager. And today, he has been operating his nasi lemak stall for 18 years.

Misran said he is very independent when it comes to making ends meet with his business. He has always been very independent, standing on his own two feet, without relying to any one or any association to assist him and his business to flourish. This include venturing and clearing what once seem to be a forest like village to a now urban housing area.

Kwong Sang Woh, Jalan Tukang

Siew Pak Chong grew up in his family’s biscuit shop that has been in existence for more than a hundred years. Ah Chong, 82 years old has been selling over a hundred types of biscuits since he was 9 years old. Today, he is glad that he has witnessed a vast development of his hometown that contributes to the success of his business.

Ah Chong, like most of the small business operators in Kajang, paved his way to success in business independently.  Currently, his wish for Kajang is for it to be properly developed.

Story first published on: February 25, 2014 09:21 (MYT)

Read more at: http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/kajang-by-election-and-its-effect-on-small-businesses-30547?cp

Kajang Hospital to get RM10mil, says Dr Subra

The Star, Sunday February 23, 2014 

by p. aruna

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam

KAJANG: The Kajang Hospital will receive a federal Government allocation of RM10mil as a “short term measure” to upgrade its facilities.

In announcing the allocation here on Sunday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the Government was also looking at constructing a completely new facility, at a cost of over RM800mil, in a nearby location to replace the current hospital building.

“One of the requests raised was for the hospital to be transferred and to have a new building constructed, but this will cost between RM800mil and RM1bil.

“However, I will raise this matter with the Finance Ministry and to the Economic Planning Unit. If approved, the earliest we can build the hospital will be in about four to five years,” he told a press conference after a meeting with hospital staff and specialists.

Dr Subramaniam, however, stressed that the announcement had nothing to do with the March 23 by-election in Kajang.

The allocation, he said, was for the hospital to reduce congestion in its emergency ward, buy better equipment and improve it’s wiring system.

On another matter, Dr Subramaniam said the Selangor Goverment was not committed to fighting the outbreak of dengue in the state.

“The problem is, we (the Federal Government) have to do the work not done by the Selangor Government.

“Whenever we have meetings, they only send lower-ranking officers instead of those who have the authority to implement measures.

“The local authorities and all the resources are under their purview, and if they used this optimally, they could do a lot more,” he said adding that 60% of the dengue cases in the country were in Selangor.

Kajang church denies supporting Anwar

The Malaysian Insider, February 21, 2014

Anwar addressing the congregation at the Holy Family Church recently. - The Malaysian Insider pic, February 21, 2014.

The Holy Family Church in Kajang today denied that they invited Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last Sunday as a show of support for him in the Kajang by-election.

"It was not to help Anwar to canvass for votes. He was invited to deliver an inter-faith speech," said parish priest Reverend Father George Harrison.

Speaking to news portal Malaysiakini, Harrison said the function was in tandem with the church’s objective to improve relations between religions in Malaysia, and that the talk was organised by a church member who is also from the Centre for Reform, Democracy and Social Initiatives.

"I have been talking to people about building bridges with our Muslim brothers and sisters and so the event was allowed because a parishioner proposed it," the parish priest said.

"This is my message all along - I have said nothing to side anybody and to Anwar, I have only said: ‘This is my brother, welcome,’" said Harrison.

Anwar had delivered a speech at a multi-purpose hall after mass on Sunday and spoke on brotherhood between races and religion by quoting verses from the Quran and the Bible.

The priest said that his stand has always been to listen to all sides and make his own judgement.

"I have told my people that we must listen well to all and then make our own discernment and decision (on the by-election) - even Barisan Nasional's view and all,” he said.

The 40-year-old priest said that as a citizen, he too had a right to host a famous personality, and noted that it was the first time he and Anwar had met.

However, the priest stopped short of agreeing to extending invitations to Umno or Malay right-wing groups such as Perkasa or Isma to speak in the church.

"If this happens now, it will be very political,” he told Malaysiakini.

The church came under attack from various quarters for allowing its premises to be used by the opposition leader.

In his latest blog posting, former Perkasa deputy president Zulkifli Noordin lambasted the church for allowing Anwar to address its congregation, questioning why was the church getting involved in politics.

Zulkifli had posted that it was also rude of Anwar to raise the "Allah" issue in the church.

He said it would be a good idea for Umno to ask the church administration for an opportunity to address their congregation.

"Then we will see whether they are political hypocrites or are truly in support of democracy and freedom of speech," Zulkifli added. – February 21, 2014.

Price hikes power abuse trump BR1M for Kajang voters survey shows

MalaysianDigest.com, Friday, 21 February 2014 

PIC: The Malay MailKUALA LUMPUR: Soaring living costs and abuse of power are likely to swing more votes towards the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) than the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition’s annual cash handouts in the Kajang by-election, a survey of the state seat showed today.

In the Universiti Malaya Centre for Elections and Democracy (Umcedel) survey released today, 69 per cent of 576 Kajang voters said price hikes would influence more people to support PR, with 21 per cent disagreeing while 10 per cent said they were uncertain.

The figures of those who agreed were consistently high for the Chinese and Indian respondents at 76 per cent and 74 per cent and the Malay respondents at 62 per cent.

Unexpectedly, the living cost concerns were shared among all income groups, with 82 per cent of respondents drawing monthly paycheques between RM5,001 and RM10,000, saying they would cast their support for PR if prices rose further.

Eighty per cent of those earning between RM3,001 and RM5,000 as well as those earning between RM2,001 and RM3,000, also said they would back PR.

When unveiling the survey’s results today, Umcedel director Prof Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman highlighted university students and civil servants as the groups with the highest concern for inflation at 82 per cent and 79 per cent.

For socioeconomic issues, the rise in house prices weighed heavily on the minds of those polled at 83 per cent, while 79 per cent and 77 per cent were concerned about the rising crime rate and illegal immigrants, followed by unemployment and social problems at 69 per cent.

While money was a key factor that could aid PR in drawing voters, the federal government’s annual cash handout to low-income households — Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) — is not likely to win the BN federal coalition more support, the survey showed.

Those who said BR1M and other forms of financial assistance from BN would boost their support for the coalition stood at only 33 per cent.

In comparison, those who said “no” was 59 per cent.

An overwhelming 71 per cent of the Chinese polled said they would not be swayed, while 53 per cent and 34 per cent of the Malays and Indians polled gave a similar answer.

This contrasted against 53 per cent of the Indian community and 38 per cent and 22 per cent of the Malay and Chinese voters agreeing that they will support BN more after getting financial aid.

For individuals who earned less than RM3,000 monthly—potential recipients of BR1M, 56 per cent of Indians with such wages said their support towards BN would rise, while 42 per cent and 24 per cent of the Malays and Chinese polled said the same.

On the other hand, 68 per cent of Chinese respondents below the RM3,000 mark said their support for BN would not increase despite BR1M, followed by 48 per cent and 28 per cent from the Malay and Indian community.

Another key issue that could bring in more votes for PR is abuse of power, with 65 per cent saying that it would lead to support for the pact, while 17 per cent disagreed.

Mohammad also pointed out that 70 per cent of civil servants would support PR because of the power abuse observed, while 21 per cent disagreed and nine per cent said they were uncertain.

The most important service and infrastructure issues for the Kajang voters polled was traffic jams and parking at 68 per cent, followed closely by maintenance of drains and waste collection at 67 per cent.

The Umcedel survey was carried out from February 14 to 15.

The proportion of the survey’s respondents were matched against the actual demographics ratio — including race, education level, housing area, occupation and income level of the Kajang electorate in all 16 voting districts, Umcedel said.

PKR’s Lee Chin Cheh resigned as Kajang assemblyman in January, without giving any reason, triggering a by-election which will be held on March 23, with nominations scheduled for March 11.

The Kajang constituency is 48 per cent Malay, 41 per cent Chinese and 10 per cent Indian.

Chew set to take BN’s fight to Kajang

The New Straits Times, 22 February 2014 

By ZARINA ZAKARIAH AND ELVINA FERNANDEZ

KUALA LUMPUR: Weeks of speculation over who will be Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Kajang by-election ended yesterday when deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun would bear the coalition’s torch.

 

BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the coalition would throw its full support behind Chew to wrest the seat from PKR.

“We will go in as the underdogs this time, but we will try our level best to ensure the best possible outcome,” said Najib.

He said this in a press conference after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at the party's headquarters in Putra World Trade Centre  here yesterday.

Shortly before the meeting, Muhyiddin announced that Chew had been picked to contest the seat, which fell vacant after PKR assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh resigned on Jan 27.

The announcement also put to rest speculations that BN would not be contesting the seat.

Muhyiddin said the decision by BN to field a candidate was done to uphold the spirit of democracy and after consulting with various parties.

"Kajang voters have a right to make a choice.

"We cannot allow the opposition to win uncontested.

"This is the best platform for BN to explain certain issues close to the people's hearts.

"If we give way and let the opposition win uncontested, the people will only know one side of the story, which is not fair."

Muhyiddin said Chew was the best candidate to contest against opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who announced his candidacy on Jan 28.

Among those present at the press conference were BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.

The Kajang by-election will be held on March 23, with nomination set for March 11.

After her candidacy was announced, Chew expressed confidence that she could do a good job if elected.

She was the Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament from 1999 to 2008 and said based on her experience, she could serve the constituency well.

In George Town, Penang MCA announced that it would send a strong team to assist Chew. Additional reporting by Audrey Dermawan and Carisma Kapoor

Read more: Chew set to take BN’s fight to Kajang - Top News - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/chew-set-to-take-bn-s-fight-to-kajang-1.490209#ixzz2u8HdJMRK

Kajang’s shelter for refugees raises eyebrows

The Malaysian Insider, Sat, 22 Feb 2014

---

 

Amid the activity building up in Kajang as next month’s by-election approaches, one house appears to be attracting considerable attention especially as scores of foreigners have been seen flocking to it, raising concerns that migrants are being brought in for the polls.

 

Even the police have visited the house.

With the hustle and bustle surrounding it, one might be forgiven for thinking the place was the election operations centre for either the Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat but it is actually a halfway house for asylum seekers and refugees.

The Malaysian Insider visited the premises, aptly called Patronage of Refugees, yesterday and met R. Ravindran, who began operating the halfway house in November last year.

He told The Malaysian Insider that the house offered medical assistance only to those from war-torn countries.

"We help refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar and Sri Lanka. There have been Indonesians and Bangladeshis who have sought assistance but we turned them away."

Ravindran, who works for a home appliance company, said the halfway house did not offer documents or work permits to foreign migrants.

"What we do is to offer medical insurance to these immigrants so that they can get treatment at government hospitals."

However, there is a process which the foreign migrants have to undergo before they can be issued with medical insurance cards.

"When these migrants come to the house, they have to produce some form of identification, preferably an identity card issued by their home country or passport.

"We then give them an appointment slip and tell them to come back at a later date. During this time, we verify the identity of the migrants with their embassies."

If the migrant's documents were being held by an agent who refuses to return them, volunteers will take the migrant to the Kajang police station to lodge a report.

The Malaysian Insider discovered that there were 12 Myanmar men and 21 women being sheltered at the halfway house.

The 12 men were suffering from malnutrition and one of them had recently undergone surgery.

It was learnt that most of the women had been referred to the halfway house by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

However, Ravindran declined to elaborate on the background of the 21 women being sheltered at the house.

Several Rela officers were seen on duty at the house yesterday, and their presence was explained by Ravindran: "We asked Rela to provide assistance as there have been scores of Myanmar migrants coming to seek help."

He added that the house was registered with the Registrar of Societies and the Home Ministry.

Several police Special Branch personnel also visited the halfway house yesterday and asked Ravindran to present himself at Bukit Aman for an interview.

It is understood that police had also heard rumours circulating about foreigners leaving the house holding pieces of paper and wanted to know what was going on.

Youth non-governmental organisation Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) had recently voiced concerns over the influx of Myanmar migrants into Kajang.

There was speculation that the Myanmar nationals were flocking into Kajang to help swing the by-election in Barisan Nasional's favour.

During the 13th general election in May last year, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had alleged that 40,000 Bangladeshi nationals had been brought into the country to vote for BN.

Kamalanathan finds PBS hard, too

The Star, Friday February 21, 2014 

by priya kulasagaran

Deputy Edu­cation Minister P. Kamalanathan

KAJANG: The complaints by teachers about the difficulty in accessing the school-based assessments system or PBS are valid. Deputy Edu­cation Minister P. Kamalanathan has learnt that first-hand.

“I have tried logging on to the (online) system myself.

“It took me two minutes just to key in one student’s data.

“If a teacher has three classes of 30 students, this means it will take at least three hours to key in the data.

“This is why the ministry has set up a war room and a hotline for teachers to report the problems they are facing,” he said at SK Jalan Simpangan 1 and 2 yesterday.

Kamalanathan was on a visit to several schools in the Kajang area, including SJK(T) Kajang and SMK Tinggi Kajang.

He said a special team would collect feedback on the teachers’ problems with the system and work on rectifying them.

A main complaint by teachers was the inaccessibility of the online database used to key in data on students’ achievement.

He added that the PBS was a “good system that has been proven to work in many countries around the world”.

“We just have to take another look at the implementation, the mechanism used (for the PBS),” he said.

The PBS system was introduced in primary schools, starting with Year One pupils in 2011 and in secondary schools with Form One students in 2012.

Following grouses by teachers over the inaccessibility of the online database, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said earlier this month that the PBS would be reviewed.

At the same time, teacher group Suara Guru-Masyarakat Malaysia confirmed that it would go ahead with its planned protest over the matter tomorrow at the Bandar Baru Bangi mosque.

Meanwhile, Parent Action Group for Edu­cation Malaysia (PAGE) called for the PBS to be put on hold until “all kinks are ironed out” as parents were still sceptical of the system.

“PBS requires that teachers evaluate each student individually. This can cause inconsistent marking.
“Not only are teachers not used to such a marking scheme, but teacher evaluation is subjective and varies among different teachers and schools.

“In addition, a real sore point with teachers is that PBS evaluation comes with a huge baggage of administrative and clerical chores in the method of reporting students’ progress,” said the group in a statement on Thursday.

According to the ministry’s website, the “war room” for the PBS opens from 8am to 10pm, and its helpdesk can be reached at 03-8889 3640/ 3520/ 3601/ 3551/ 3022.

UPHILL BATTLE: MCA to target Chinese, rely on Umno for Malay votes in Kajang

Malaysian Chronicles, Friday, 21 February 2014

 

KAJANG - It appears that MCA may be in for an uphill battle in winning the hearts and votes of Kajang folk if it contests the March 23 Kajang by-election.

MCA Hulu Langat Youth chief Pung Wai Hung said the party would need to prove its mettle in solving local issues affecting residents such as crime, floods, and traffic jams and garbage management.

He said the party will focus on the Chinese community while relying on Umno for the Malay votes.

“We will be targeting all 16 districts and be humble in our approach to them.

“We realise that it will be an uphill battle,’ he told theSun at its operation centre in Jalan Berjaya 2 here today.

Echoing his sentiment was Umno’s Hulu Langat division secretary Ahmad Fuad Abdul Rahman, who sees the polls as a straight fight between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) despite the entry of independent candidates.

“This situation (presence of independent candidates) would not make any difference as the Kajang people are generally 50-50 (in their choice), meaning either for BN or PR,” Ahmad Fuad said, adding that the challenge would be to convince the locals here that they need an MCA candidate.

This is because of the large Chinese community in Kajang of 15,931, with 19,194 Malays, Indians (4,073) and others (295), bringing the total to 39,493.

He said while the voters wait for the official announcement of the candidate to contest against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, they are more concerned with daily issues affecting their livelihood.

Another survey conducted with Umno’s members showed that key areas such Sungai Chua 1 and Sungai Chua 2 showed an inclination towards PR, while those in Sungai Sekamat, Kantan and Sungai Kantan were more inclined towards supporting a BN candidate.

“Either way, this by-election will be an interesting one to see who the people pick as their candidate this time around,” said Ahmad Fuad. - The Sundaily

Full article: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=230062:uphill-battle-mca-to-target-chinese-rely-on-umno-for-malay-votes-in-kajang&Itemid=2#ixzz2u8F4oaJq

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Only 18 local councillors for Kajang, against 24 previously

FZ.com, 20 February 2014

KAJANG (Feb 20): The number of Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) members appointed for this session has dropped by at least six, where only 18 letters of acceptance were sent out.

MPKj had 24 councillors in the last session.

An officer in MPKj said many of the soon-to-be-councillors have not returned the letter of acceptance yet and that council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi has not given the date for the swearing in ceremony.

“Well, with the (March 23) Kajang by-election at our doorstep we will conduct the swearing in ceremony a little bit later than the other councils in Selangor. However, we will not conduct it after the by-election, it will definitely be before the by-election.

“We have not received the date from our council president yet and there are some appointed council members who have not returned the acceptance form. I don’t know how many will accept and how many will reject,” the officer  told fz.com.

When asked how many new council members were appointed and whether or not only six council members from the old team were dropped, the officer only pointed out that since the swearing-in ceremony has not taken place, there is no way anyone can confirm on the new line up.

“I can’t answer that. I think there are more than six that have been dropped from the old line-up but for a confirmation, we need to wait till the swearing-in ceremony,” said the officer, who requested anonymity.

The move where many old council members were dropped and only 18 letters of acceptance were sent out is not a surprise due to the standoff between Hassan and his entire council during the last session as reported by fz.com.

The standoff took place when the councillors walked out of a full board meeting in disagreement with Hassan on Aug 24 and moved a motion of no confidence against their president and claimed “abuse of power, non-co-operative civil servants and dubious management procedures” as the reasons for their loss of faith.

It has been confirmed that Hasan had unlawfully given a RM10 million discount to developers, causing ratepayers to lose revenue.

However, Hassan held a trump card in his hand with a dossier holding evidence that at least 10 councillors had sought or benefitted from council contracts.

Kajang was left without a full board meeting up till Dec 13 last year, after Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim told everyone to get back to work.

However, the meeting convened only to confirm that the Menteri Besar’s office was still needed to solve the impasse.

Whether or not 18 councillors for Kajang is enough to serve the population remains to be seen, especially since one of the issues plaguing the satellite town was MPKj’s service.

PKR candidate and de facto Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has identified that one of the issues that Kajang folks are unhappy about is MPKj’s services.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Anwar highlighted that Kajang still faces a lot of local issues where MPKj’s services or lack of it is one of the seven major issues problem he wants to tackle.

The seven major concerns lies with crime and safety (42%) and traffic congestions (38%). This is followed by cleanliness and garbage collection (30%), social ills (20%), welfare for the poor (16%), petty traders and hawkers (12%) and Kajang Municipal Council services (11%).

Read more: http://www.fz.com/content/only-18-local-councillors-kajang-against-24-previously#ixzz2twMiOrEE

Kajang by-election: NewGen Party shortlists three candidates

The Star, Wednesday February 19, 2014 

by rahmah ghazali

PETALING JAYA: The NewGen Party has shortlisted three candidates to stand in the Kajang by-election in what is already a crowded race.

In a statement, NewGen Party secretary-general S Gobi Krishnan said the candidates included a former supporter of PKR supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Yuktes Vijay.

The other two are 31-year-old Elizabeth Lee Su Fen who holds a Masters in Economics and Mohd Azim Nordin, 28, who holds a Bachelor in Political Science.

Gobi Krishnan said the candidates were chosen based on three requirements stipulated by the party, which was launched shortly after GE13.

"We have received 26 applications, which met our three requirements, that they must be residing in Kajang, below 40 years old and a graduate.

"The shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a further evaluation process which includes a psychological test and a final interview to be conducted next week.

"We will then be ready to announce the chosen candidate to represent this party in the Kajang by-election," he said.

Yuktes, is a former aide to Anwar Ibrahim's defence counsels in his sodomy trial but later turned against Anwar. He then briefly worked with Deputy Education Minister II, P Kamalanathan.

He had announced his intention to contest in the Kajang by-election through social media on Jan 28, but never revealed his association with NewGen Party.

Kajang, which is one of three state seats under the Hulu Langat constituency, is expected to see a crowded affair in its by-election.

PKR had announced that its leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would contest the seat, which fell vacant after the resignation of assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh, in an alleged attempt to resolve the internal feud in the state.

MCA from Barisan Nasional had also announced that it would contest the seat, but the candidate has yet to be revealed by the ruling coalition.

Meanwhile, former BN and PKR leader Datuk Zaid Ibrahim had also said he would throw his hat into the ring as an independent candidate.

Besides Zaid, independent candidates in the fray include 1980s dangdut singer Herman Tino and Malaysian Indian United Party president Datuk S Nallakaruppan, who is Anwar's former friend.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) had also initially announced that it was considering contest the seat, but decided not to do so as the reason behind the by-election was "unreasonable".

We’ll make Kajang a showcase of unity: Anwar

fz.com, February 16, 2014

by Chen Shaua Fui

            Let us lead the way in dialogue, said Anwar.

KAJANG (Feb 16): PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he will prove to the Kajang voters that they would make the right decision by supporting him, in response to a question on whether he would become the next Selangor Menteri Besar.

"Cikgu Robert Tan, Sir, support me in Kajang, and we will prove to you, this is the right decision," Anwar said in responding to a question from a retired teacher and committee member of the Holy Family Church of Kajang.

Tan had asked: "If you win the Kajang by-election, will you become the Menteri Besar? If you say yes, then I would say 'yes, I will vote for you.' If you say no, I will say no, I won't vote for you. If you say 'I am not sure', I am not sure who I will vote for."

Despite the general belief that the forcing of a by-election in Kajang, dubbed the ‘Kajang Move’, was orchestrated by PKR to let Anwar take over the state leadership, Anwar has however not clearly stated this, although he has been asked numerous times since he announced his candidacy on Jan 28.

Anwar had said "let us cross the bridge by winning the by-election first' in response to this question.

Speaking to a packed hall of mainly local residents, Anwar said that Kajang will be showcased as an examplary unified community that leads the way in dialogue.

"Some people have said that Kajang is just a tiny little town known only for its satay.

"We don’t think so. Yes, the satay is legendary. But Kajang is much more. In many ways Kajang is a mini-Selangor in the way that Selangor is a mini-Malaysia. We have a good mix of the various communities and it is in this diversity that we can showcase Kajang as an exemplary unified community. 

"So, let us lead the way in dialogue. Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and followers of other faiths, let us go beyond mere tolerance and achieve greater understanding and appreciation," Anwar said.

"Go back to the Constitution"

Anwar put on many hats today. At times, he was the moderate Islamic leader who preached about the "courage of hope" and the courage to speak against racial and religious intolerance.

At times, he was the Malay leader who promoted the idea of ending the race-based New Economy Policy to move on to a need-based affirmative action policy that would help all Malaysians in need.

Anwar did not gave a definite answer to the question on whether Malaysia is a secular or Islamist state, but asked the audience to consider the meaning and context of  being a secular state or an Islamic state.

He said, in France, it is a complete break between state and religion. However, in the United States, there is a strong Christian sentiment expressed in politics, among both the Republicans and Democrats.

"What is my position? I have avoided using either Islamic state or secular state. I have appealed to people  to go back to the Constitution....Constitution guarantees: we have freedom of faith, freedom of expression, rule of law, justice. We can all agree on this," Anwar said.

Focus on real issues

He also reiterated the position of Pakatan Rakyat on the use of the word "Allah", affirming that non-Muslims were free to use the word, although he acknowledged that there was a fear factor within the Muslim community that the people would be confused over it.

"If the Muslims are worried about this, we have laws (that forbid preaching to the Muslims by non-Muslims). Don't give the Bible to the Malay boy in the village.

Anwar again stressed the position of the Pakatan Rakyat to push for a "National Consensus", under which both BN and Pakatan Rakyat will put aside partisan and personal interest for the sake of the common good.

"So, our priorities must be focused on more pressing issues: such as proper governance, greater transparency and accountability for acts done in the name of power," Anwar said.

He said issue of the rising cost of living and crime rate are real issues that burden the people and this should be the priority of the national leadership.

The meeting was organised by the Holy Family of the Church of Kajang. Anwar was received by Father George Harrison, the Parish priest of the Church. Many Pakatan Rakyat leaders also attended the event.

Read more: http://www.fz.com/content/we%E2%80%99ll-make-kajang-showcase-unity-anwar#ixzz2tZOrptiH

'Kajang folk responding well'

The Star, Monday February 17, 2014

KAJANG: The MCA new leadership and its transformation to serve the people better has gained the confidence of Kajang folk, said party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. 

 

He said he had received overwhelming response from the community during his numerous visits here recently.

“Kajang is always close to my heart. I have stayed in Kajang before and have many old friends here,” said Liow, who graduated from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi nearby. 

Liow has been very active in student and community affairs since his days in the university.

At a press conference after opening the MCA operations room for the Kajang by-election here yesterday, he said the polls would be an opportunity for voters to choose a representative who has their interests at heart.

The by-election, following the resignation of Pakatan Rakyat assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh, will see PKR’s Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lock horns with a Barisan Nasional candidate from MCA on March 23. Nomination is on March 11.

Liow urged the voters to scrutinise Pakatan leaders, particularly Anwar, on how they behaved when they were in power in order to see their true colours.

Anwar, he said, could never be forgotten and forgiven for suppressing Chinese education when he was the Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

“Now, Anwar has orchestrated the by-election to pave the way for him to become the Selangor Mentri Besar,” he said. 

Voters should not allow Anwar to continue to manipulate them into supporting him because he only had his own interest at heart, added Liow. 

Pakatan leaders, he said, were good at making promises but poor on delivery.

Citing Lee as an example, he said the assemblyman, who hailed from Petaling Jaya, had not fulfilled his election campaign promise to shift to Kajang and serve the people after winning the seat. 

A Barisan Kajang assemblyman, said Liow, would help to provide check and balance on the Pakatan-dominated Selangor state assembly.

“This is important. As it is now, the people in Selangor and Kajang are facing many problems like hikes in assessment and fees for business licence as well as poor infrastructure.”

MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is heading the party’s by-election campaign, said Lee and his performance in the constituency in the past eight months was a good eye opener for the people.

“He (Lee) has promised to tinggal (live) in Kajang and serve the people well when campaigning during the May 5 general election last year. Eight months later, he meninggalkan (left) the seat,” he said.

Kajang folk want elected rep to solve local issues

The Star, Monday February 17, 2014

by foong pek yee AND christina tan

Sungai Jelok overflowing its banks during the flash flood that hit Kajang town in May 2012. - filepix

PEOPLE in Kajang are hoping their new representative will bring some changes to the community.

Henry Lim, 35, said the age, gender and political background of the candidate did not matter.

“Whoever is elected in the by-election must be capable of resolving issues faced by the locals here.

“We do not care about politics. We want solutions to our immediate problems such as improving the infrastructure.

“There is no point harping on national issues when we cannot make ends meet.

“Every day we travel on roads with potholes and pass by clogged and smelly drains.

“It is worse when relatives and friends come down with dengue.

“If the government wants to improve our lives, it should look at basic issues,” lamented the morning market trader who also doubles up as a security guard at night to make ends meet.

Traders and customers at the Sungai Chua market in Kajang.

 

Lim said there were many people who had to hold down two jobs or more to survive these days.

“Generally, wages are too low and not enough to meet our basic needs. Many young people, including university graduates, earn between RM1,000 and RM2,000 a month.

“A meal with meat costs a minimum of RM6, even at a hawker stall,” he said.

Lee Leng Lay, 50, said the government must give more attention to issues confronting the young.

The sundry goods trader said the price of goods as well as property even in small towns was getting too expensive nowadays.

“It is almost impossible for young people to buy a house without help from their parents.

“My son earns only about RM1,500 monthly. After paying for food, toll, rent and car loan, he has no money left to save.

“My daughter earns slightly more, but her salary is barely enough to cover her monthly expenses.

“How can they afford to buy a house when even a terrace house costs a few hundred thousand ringgit?” she said.

Because Jalan Bukit is just a one-lane road, the problem is compounded during peak hour traffic when schoolchildren are dropped off and picked up from their schools, and passengers are dropped off or picked up at the Kajang KTM Station.- filepic

 

Lee said families with young children were facing an even tougher time.

“Imagine having to pay for the bus fare, daycare or babysitter services, and tuition fees,” she added.

Another Kajang resident, who preferred anonymity, said whoever got elected must be active on the ground in order to understand the people’s needs and problems.

He claimed he had never met Lee Chin Cheh, the Kajang assemblyman who resigned last month to pave the way for the March 23 by-election.

“I only know his face on the poster. I do not know his background at all,” he said of Chin Cheh, who is from PKR.