Senior citizen murdered by son’s Indonesian employee over RM100

The Star, Friday November 21, 2014

by natasha joibi

KAJANG: An Indonesian has gone missing with his wife after allegedly beating up a 74-year-old man in Kampung Baru Semenyih over RM100.

Kow Sin died from his wounds.

Kow was alone at home when the suspect came to the house about 1.30pm on Wednesday, apparently to collect RM100 from his son Tein Fook.

It is believed that the Indonesian, who is in his 30s, was Tein’s employee and had been working for him for less than a week.

Tein, 34, reportedly paid the Indonesian his wages two days ago, but was short of RM100.

The man had gone to the house to collect the balance, but Tein was not in.

Tein told local dailies that he returned home to find his father unconscious in the living room with wounds on his head.

Kow, who had been living in the house with his wife and son, was rushed to the Hospital Kajang for treatment, but was pronounced dead upon arrival at about 7.30pm.

Police arrested the suspect’s Indonesian housemate on the same night to assist in the investigations. It is learnt that the housemate, who was also working for Tein, had recommended the suspect for employment.

The housemate is now being investigated under the Immigration Act for failing to produce identification documents and would be placed under remand for 14 days.

Police retrieved a bloodstained chair from Tein’s house.

The case is being investigated for murder.

Ponds to ease flood woes

The Star, Wednesday November 19, 2014

by choo woon lim

Aid for the council: Rajoo (standing, fifth from left) handing over safety equipment and tools to Hassan (fourth from left) at Menara MPKj. With them are Eco World Development Sdn Bhd group liaison head Datin Natrah Abdullah (standing, fourth from right), MPKj department heads and the Pantas team. — Photo by S.S. KANESAN

THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) is planning to build several retention ponds to help ease flooding in the town, says council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman.

Hassan said they were scouting for locations to build an underground retention pond as well as a dual-system retention pond that could be converted into a field for sports.

“We are discussing with a developer to allocate three acres of land for this.

“In Bangi, Tasik Cempaka doubles as a retention pond and recreational spot for local residents,” he said.

A thorough study on suitable locations as well as costing will be done within the next six months.

“We estimate the project to cost around RM1mil,” said Hassan.

Commenting on last week’s flash flood, Hassan said the clearing of forests around Kajang for older development projects had contributed to the problem.

“Kajang is in a low-lying area and is shaped like a basin. When it rains heavily, the water flows from Sungai Jelok to Sungai Langat.

“However, there are no more trees to slow it down, resulting in a backflow and floods.

“Currently all new developments in the area are required to set aside at least 5% for a retention pond to help mitigate the fast water flow,” he said.

The council is working with various agencies, including the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS), Public Works Department (JKR) and local developers on comprehensive flood mitigation methods, he said.

“JPS is currently doing upgrading works on Sungai Jelok such as deepening the river, while JKR has plans to upgrade the bridge along Jalan Bukit in town, which needs to be raised to a higher level,” said Hassan.

Meanwhile, Eco World Development Sdn Bhd has pitched in to help MPKj deal with disasters and emergencies by donating RM23,000 worth of safety equipment and tools.

These included safety shoes, hats and goggles, shovels, walkie talkies, raincoats, bolt cutters, light reflecting vests, water pump and high-powered water jet.

The items will help the council’s Quick Response Team (Pantas), to provide quick response to emergencies such as flash floods, clearing up of fallen trees as well as helping other agencies in cases of fires or landslips.

Hassan said the equipment would help the 30-member team work more efficiently, especially in situations like the recent flash flood.

“The high-powered water jet will come in handy, especially in cleaning mud and silt from drains and roads, while the safety goggles can be used by our staff to protect themselves while clearing fallen trees,” said Hassan.

Eco World Development Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Datuk S. Rajoo said the contribution was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility effort to help the community.

“We are happy to work with MPKj to create a better township,” said Rajoo.

Teen pays ultimate price for sneaking out on motorcycle

The Star, Wednesday November 19, 2014

by nadirah h. rodzi

PETALING JAYA: A teenager sneaked out in his father’s motorcycle only to die in a fatal accident on Monday afternoon in Jalan Datuk Dagang, Sungai Ramal Luar, Kajang.

Muhammad Nazaruddin Abd Ra­­zak, 13, rode without a helmet when another motorcyclist, a man in his 40s, grazed his silver Modenas Kris.

The teenager lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a signboard.

Muhammad Nazaruddin, who was heading to Bangi, died at the scene of the accident due to severe head injuries while the older man suffered a broken leg and hand after falling off his machine.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahad said police were alerted at about 12.25pm.

“Investigations revealed that the boy was speeding,” he said.

“We believe that it was one of the reasons why he couldn’t avoid being hit.”
 
ACP Ab Rashid said checks revealed that the teenager had gone out without his parents’ knowledge.

“The father only knew that his son was missing when he came home for lunch,” ACP Ab Rashid said.

“He said his son had not asked for his permission to use the motorcycle.”

Muhammad Nazaruddin’s body was sent to the Serdang Hospital for post-mortem while the older man received treatment at Hospital Kajang.

The case is being investigated for reckless driving under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

In a separate incident, a 39-year-old Information Technology company manager was robbed of his Toyota Camry at Batu 9, Kajang, on Monday morning.

The man was on his way to his Bandar Tun Hussein Onn office when another vehicle, also a Toyota Camry, knocked into his.

“He pulled over to check,” said ACP Ab Rashid. “That was when two men, believed to be in their 30s, alighted from their vehicle and started hitting the victim before fleeing with his car.

“We suspect that there were three men involved,” he said, adding that their vehicle’s registration number was fake.

Also gone were an iPad, two handphones, a GPS and a laptop that were in the victim’s car.

On illegal gambling in Kajang, ACP Ab Rashid said 3,287 raids were conducted from January to October.

“A total of 434 investigation papers were opened during this period,” he said.

Of the figure, 298 were pending investigations while 130 individuals were charged in court.

“We arrested 642 premise owners and operators, aged between 20 and 65,” ACP Ab Rashid said.

“A total of 7,896 gambling machines were also seized, including RM31,844 cash.

“We have cut the water supply to 20 premises while 31 have had their electricity disconnected.”

The big clean-up in Kajang – again

Friday November 14, 2014 

The aftermath: The floods have been causing losses and inconvenience to the Kajang folk. Seen here are some damaged structures along the river in the town area.

KAJANG: Barely two months after a flash flood hit parts of the town centre, shop owners and traders around Pasar Besar Kajang are once again counting their losses.

Another round of floods struck Jalan Haroun on Wednesday.

“Water rose slowly but did not enter the shop,” said salesman Nordin Ahmad, 32, who works in a textile shop.

“We are used to this. It happens frequently.

“In fact, we continued selling carpets and resumed our business two hours after the waters subsided.

“The authorities cleared mud from the road within an hour, except at the Kajang wet market,” he said, adding that a river nearby overflowed onto the road in September.

Business owner Lee Kim Tuan, 67, said he spent about RM2,000 constructing a foot-high wall in front and at the back of his record shop that has been operating for more than 20 years.

“I built the barrier last year. I was afraid that the water would enter my shop,” he said.

“There are still many businesses that have not built such barriers, but I had no choice but to take the necessary precaution,” said Lee, adding that flood waters only reached the doorstep of his shop now.

Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) public relations head Kamarul Izlan Sulaiman said the flash flood occurred because the river overflowed its banks.

“A clean-up crew was on-site to clear up the rubbish, silt and mud,” he said, adding that everything was in order by midnight.

Kamarul said the council was working with the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Depart­ment for a long-term solution, including upgrading works at Sungai Jelok.

“We expect the project to help ease the heavy flow, and hope­fully reduce flash floods in the area.”

Kamarul said that for the time being, MPKj would step up on the cleaning of drainage to ensure no blockages occurred.

“We appeal to the people not to throw rubbish irresponsibly.

“It is a contributing factor to the flash floods,” he said.

Blocked drains lead to flash flood at Kajang

The New Straits Times, 12 November 2014 

By HANI SHAMIRA SHAHRUDIN -  

KUALA LUMPUR: Blocked drains has led to flash floods in the area around Taman Jasmin, Kajang, earlier today.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department operations deputy director Mohd Sani Harul said the blocked drainage system had caused the one-metre deep flash flood.

“It is a relief that no vehicles were damaged or people were trapped in the incident,” he said when contacted.

Sani said the department received the distress call at about 3.30pm and 14 firemen from Bangi and Kajang stations were deployed to assist the situation.

SJKT Kajang Creates History, Forms First Interact Club In Primary School

Bernama, 11 November 2014

KAJANG, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Kajang has created a history of sorts to become the first primary school in the country to form an Interact club to encourage and foster advancement of student leadership skills.

A total of 40 students will make up the pioneer batch of the club to be groomed as potential leaders to be enterprising, innovative and global-minded.

School headmaster, John Posko said the Interact club was under the patronage of Rotary International, a worldwide service organisation, noting that Interact clubs were usually established in secondary schools in Malaysia.

"Through this Interact club, we also want young Malaysians to demonstrate the ability to think critically, enhance teamworking skills, develop confidence and serve their community," he told reporters after the Chartering of Interact Club ceremony here Tuesday.

Since the establishment of the Interact club, Posko said the school had carried out essay writing and tree planting projects successfully.

Meanwhile, Rotary Club Kajang president Supramaniam Sinna Pillay said it was the idea of an SJKT Kajang Parent-Teacher Association member to start an Interact club at the school.

He said that in June last year, Dr Kulanthayan K. C. Mani approached the Rotary Club Kajang with his proposal papers on forming the club.

Interact clubs are organised to provide an opportunity for children aged between 12 and 18, to work together in a world of fellowship dedicated to service and international understanding.

-- BERNAMA

Century-old Kajang temple wins land and cash from developer

 

The Malaysian Insider, 10 November 2014
BY V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

A decade-long battle for a Hindu temple in Kajang to obtain a piece of land has ended on a happy note through an out-of-court settlement. 

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Kajang, whose management today managed to obtain a piece of land from a developer as part of a relocation deal. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 10, 2014.

The Sri Maha Mariamman Ladang Baemar (Saujana Impian) temple was given 0.44ha of land, about 300m from its current location by land owner Bandar Subang Sdn Bhd. 

 

Besides the land, the company also contributed RM600,000 to the temple for the relocation exercise as part of the settlement. 

It also agreed to provide the infrastructure like water and electricity to the new site. 

 

The terms and condition of the settlement also stated that the company would provide another alternative site if the authorities were unable to gazette the current proposed plot as a place of worship for Hindus.

Temple committee legal adviser Alagendra Ramani said there was now certainty for 500 devotees who worshipped at the temple. 

 

"We are glad that the matter has come to an amicable solution without having to fight it in court," he told The Malaysian Insider. 

The committee and the company have spent nearly 10 years negotiating on an alternative site to locate the temple, which is believed to have been established 100 years ago. 

In April this year, the company ordered the temple management committee to surrender the land. 

Met with their refusal, the company went to court. 

Alagendra said both parties finalised the terms and conditions after four court mediation meetings. 

Today, the consent judgment was recorded before judicial commissioner Choo Kah Sing in the Shah Alam High Court. 

Lawyer Vignesh Perumal appeared for the temple committee while the company was represented by K. Santhrasegaran. 

 

The temple was part of the Hindu community in the former Braemar rubber estate which was owned by Harrison & Crossfield (M) Bhd. 

Sometime in the 1980s, the estate owner sold the property, spanning about 400ha to several developers. 

However, the Kajang local authorities did not approve Bandar Subang's plan to build double-storey homes until the temple was relocated. – November 10, 2014.

A decade-long battle for a Hindu temple in Kajang to obtain a piece of land has ended on a happy note through an out-of-court settlement.
The Sri Maha Mariamman Ladang Baemar (Saujana Impian) temple was given 0.44ha of land, about 300m from its current location by land owner Bandar Subang Sdn Bhd.
Besides the land, the company also contributed RM600,000 to the temple for the relocation exercise as part of the settlement.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/century-old-kajang-temple-wins-land-and-cash-from-developer#sthash.Gx7MzdTt.dpuf

Five-year-old girl survives four-storey fall

The Star, Saturday November 8, 2014

by natasha joib

Safe and sound: Firefighters helping the girl after she fell at the condominium block in Sungai Long.

KAJANG: A five-year-old girl, who was apparently home alone, survived a four-storey fall after she climbed over the balcony railing at a condominium in Sungai Long.

She fractured both her legs in the fall at about 4pm on Wednesday, deputy OCPD Supt Abdul Ghani Mohamad Ji said.

Her father, who works in the private sector, was away at work while her housewife mother was out to buy groceries, he said.

“The door to the balcony was left open and she walked out. Several residents saw her at the balcony and even waved at her, not knowing that she was unsupervised,” he added.

Supt Abdul Ghani explained that the girl, an only child, climbed on a chair at the balcony and then climbed over the rails.

“She fell from a height of four storeys onto the roof of an outdoor parking lot.

“A security guard who witnessed the incident contacted the authorities,” he said.

A team from the Kajang Fire and Rescue department was deployed to the scene to help the girl.

The child was sent to Kajang Hospital. She is in stable condition.

Statements recorded from her 46-year-old father and her 40-year-old Thai mother revealed that she had been left alone at home on a few occasions in their 11-storey condominium block.

Police are investigating the case under Section 31(1) of the Child Act for ill-treatment, neglect, abandonment or exposure.

RM1.5mil set aside for clean-up in Kajang

The Star, Saturday November 8, 2014

THE Selangor state government has granted an initial allocation of RM1.5mil to the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) to manage waste clean-up work in the municipality. 

The grant is part of the state government’s plan to urge local councils to start managing their own waste instead of hiring contractors, and the focus would be on cleaning up public areas involving solid and bulk waste.

Local Government, Legalising of Factories and New Village Development Committee chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah said the rubbish problem was an issue that the state government wanted to solve.

“We want all local councils to carry out in-house clean-up work in the next two or three years,” he said at Menara MPKj.

Yong said MPKj had already started the clean-up work and it would continue for the next three months to see if it was effective.

“We received numerous complaints from residents about rubbish problems and we hope this campaign would help minimise the issue,” he added.

Meanwhile, MPKj president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said the council would be requesting additional funds for the clean-up works.

“The initial allocation has been received, but we will need additional funds,” he said, adding that the council would be applying for an additional allocation of RM3.2mil.

Yong and Hassan also visited a proposed landfill in Kampung Pasir and a proposed transfer station site in Bandar Baru Bangi.

Carnival offers a cultural experience

The Star, Wednesday November 5, 2014

by choo woon lim

Buskers entertaining the crowd with modern and classical songs.

DATARAN Kajang was transformed into a carnival-like atmosphere at the Kajang Arts Festival and Crafts Bazaar 2014, as visitors were treated to two days of fun activities, traditional games and cultural performances over the weekend.

The event, held for the first time, was organised by the Selangor state government in collaboration with the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).

During the day, more than 20 stalls were opened to the public, which featured everything from paintings and calligraphy to food and orang asli crafts.

At the main stage, visitors were entertained by poems and syair recitals, as well as buskers who belted out modern and classic songs.

There were also traditional games such as checkers and batu seremban as well as a street art wall showcasing works by local graffiti artists.

School teacher Nor Miahni Ahdary said she found out about the event from a local library in Semenyih.

“I also told my pupils to come and visit,” said Nor Miahni, who was visiting with her family.

“We get to learn about traditional items with cultural significance that the younger generation might not know about. That is something you don’t get from textbooks,” she added as she watched over her children Muhammad Aidil, 6, and Seri Fitri, 8, trying to use an old grinder.

The 50-year-old stone grinder was part of a display by the Hulu Langat Community Heritage Centre, led by former Kajang assemblyman “Cikgu” Lee Kim Sin.

“Back in the day, we didn’t have modern conveniences such as blenders. All the different races, whether Malay, Chinese or Indian, used these to grind rice flour for making kueh,” said Lee, who also did calligraphy for visitors.

Also at the booth were old photographs of Kajang and Hulu Langat, as well as a collection of sketches and cardboard pre-war shoplot models made by design students from New Era College, Kajang.

“This is part of our Kajang Cultural Mapping project whereby we are collecting oral history, sketches as well as stories on old Kajang and its development throughout the ages,” said student Tommers Chai, 22.

“I think this event is a good platform for us to remind the youth that Kajang town has a very interesting history and culture, and that we should preserve this heritage, like in Malacca or Penang,” he said.

The Komuniti Keris Warisan booths featured traditional Malay clothing (busana) and decorative weapons such as parang, daggers and spears.

They also had a small archery range where visitors got to try their hand at bows and arrows.

“I think arts and culture do not get a lot of exposure these days. We need more of such festivals as a platform to educate the public,” said Komuniti Keris Warisan member Faisal Mohd Khialdin.

Wong Ming Peng also brought her children to take part in a traditional weaving (anyaman tikar) contest.

Wong, a clerk who stays in Sungai Chua, said she wanted her children to learn about other cultures through their art.

“Since this is a traditional Malay art form, I think it’s good that they can learn something from it. It’s better than wasting their time playing computer games at home,” said Wong, 42.

At night, there were cultural performances by various ethnic groups and a visit by Youth Development, Sports, Culture and Entrepreneurial Development state executive councillor Amirudin Shari.

The crowd was entertained by a lion dance performance, followed by Indian and Malay cultural dances, kompang and a martial arts show featuring Seni Silat Sukmo Rugo.

Speaking at the event, Amirudin said the festival aimed to showcase art and culture from various Malaysian communities.

“It also acts as a platform for local artists to promote their work and products,” he said, adding that this was in line with the state government’s aim to promote art and culture as part of a holistic approach to Selangor’s development.

Amirudin added that they planned to have more art and cultural activities at the end of December to kickstart Visit Selangor Year 2015.

The night ended with a fireworks show and prize-giving ceremony for MPKj’s best neighbourhood contest.

Indian dancers in elaborate costumes performing a cultural dance

A musical performed by Autistic children.

The crowd at the Kajang Arts Festival and Crafts Bazaar being treated to cultural performances by various ethnic groups.

An autoshow featuring colourful modifications and car sound systems were on display.

Artwork by students of New Era College, Kajang.

Sibling Muhammad Aidil (right) and Seri Fitri trying an old grinder used to make rice flour.

• 

  Members of the Seni Silat Sukmo Rogo performing some martial art moves at the Kajang Arts Festival and Crafts Bazaar at Dataran Kajang.

Children orphaned after mum killed in vicious attack

The Star, Wednesday November 5, 2014

by natasha joibi

Snatched away: Cheong's (inset) youngest daughter Lai Yan Ping looking forlorn as she looks at her mother's motorcycle.

KAJANG: Three sisters have been orphaned after a ruthless attack took the life of their 46-year-old widowed mother.

Apparently, four men set upon Cheong Chooi Mee when she was riding her motorcycle at around 12.30am on Monday.

She lost her balance when one of the assailants kicked her bike, throwing her to the ground in Taman Semenyih Mewah here.

Cheong suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

Her daughters watched helplessly as their mother took her last breath. Cheong died at about 3.30pm yesterday.

Eldest daughter Lew Shueh Li, 18, said her mother had bruises all over her body.

They suspect that she was also beaten up by her attackers.

“Her eyes and shoulders were swollen.

“We were told none of her belongings were found on her,” she said.

The young housewife said her father died eight years ago.

Her two sisters will now be cared for by their 77-year-old grandmother.

“I hope the police will put the culprits behind bars as no one else should suffer the same fate as my mother,” Lew sobbed.

Kajang deputy OCPD Supt Abdul Ghani Mohamad Ji said police arrested three suspects in Semenyih to help in investigations.

They are tracking down the fourth suspect.

The case has been classified as murder.

Kajang Council to tackle the illegal dumping of construction waste

The New Straits Times, Monday, 4 November 2014
By Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi

KAJANG: Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) is serious in tackling the illegal dumping of construction waste in its municipality.

During the council’s monthly full board meeting recently, its president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman said there were 86 illegal dumping spots, with renovation debris the most difficult to handle.

“Every year, we spend about 30 per cent of the total allocation for waste collection and management of renovation debris.

“We are looking at appointing more panel contractors so that they can monitor the dumping of renovation debris. It can reduce our expenditure in cleaning up illegal dumping,” he said, adding that nine contractors had been appointed by the council.

He said the contractors appointed would properly dispose of the debris at the landfills in Dengkil or Semenyih.

Hasan said at present, upon submission of a house renovation application, one has to pay a deposit of RM500, which is refundable, subject to the inspection of the officer upon completion of the project. The applicant also needs to pay RM250 to RM300 for the roll-on-roll-off bin (RoRo) according to its size.

 Meanwhile, MPKj welcomed three councillors to its fold.

They are Zulfikar Ali Ariffin, Mazwan Johar and Loh Kian Voon.