Bonding over good food and entertainment

The Star, Friday, 27 May 2016

TROPICANA Corporation Bhd celebrated the success of Tropicana Heights, its thriving 80.53ha development in Kajang, last weekend with a fun event attended by more than 2,000 people.

Themed “Eat, Play & Bond”, it was held at the new 0.81ha property gallery at Tropicana Heights on Saturday and Sunday and featured a synthetic ice skating rink, a food fest in a market-style environment, 18-hole mini golf games, plaster painting and electronic bike tours around Tropicana’s Central Park.

“We want our guests to experience the splendour of living in this all-inclusive development,” said Tropicana Marketing and Sales senior general manager Ung Lay Ting.

“We have just launched the capacious Recreational Hub and the stunning West Lake, which is in the western section of the 6.47ha Central Park.

“This event allows us to engage with our customers, while at the same time promote the five wonders of Tropicana Heights,” she added.

Ung explained that the five outstanding features of the development were its quality homes, market square, green park, recreational attraction and its suitability for sporty outdoor activities.

Close to Kajang town, Tropicana Heights, which was launched in 2014, is set amid lush greenery. Some 6.47ha of its 80.53ha has been dedicated to the creation of a park that features a 750m linear lake. Pedestrian pathways, jogging tracks, and bicycle tracks make every corner of the park accessible.

Fairfield Residences, the first phase of development here, was launched in February 2014 and has recorded a 100% take-up rate. Spanning 10.12ha, it comprises 198 units of two-storey terrace homes and 91 units of three-storey homes.

Tropicana says construction is on track for handover this year.

Parkfield Residences, the second phase, was launched in March 2015, offering 327 units of two-storey terrace homes and 144 units of three-storey homes.

It occupies the highest terrain of the township and features its very own 1.94ha private community park.

Parkfield Residences, which recorded a 90% take-up rate, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

“This project has recorded good take-up so far and we are excited to unveil the highly anticipated Ridgefield Residences, the Phase 3 of development at Tropicana Heights soon.

“Interested purchasers who would like to be invited to a future Tropicana Heights special preview are encouraged to register at www.tropicanaheights.com,” Ung said.

Four linked to 50 robberies killed

The Star, Friday, 27 May 2016

BY AUSTIN CAMOENS

KAJANG: Police shot dead four robbers who attempted to attack the with parang after they were cornered in a jungle near Sungai Sekamat here. Another suspect, believed to have been wounded, managed to escape.

The four were members of a gang believed to be responsible for over 50 robberies and police, acting on a report of an attempted break-in, managed to track them down early yesterday.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Abdul Samah Mat said they were alerted by an engineer who had called the police after finding someone trying to break in through a window at the Taman Saujana Impian premises at around 3.15am.

He said a special task force from the Selangor Serious Crimes Unit (D9) was sent to the scene and managed to catch up with the suspects trekking through the jungle along Sungai Sekamat at around 6.15am, a few kilometres from the scene of the attempted break in.

“The policemen identified themselves and the suspects came at them with parang.

“Our men opened fire in self defence,” he said, adding that four of the suspects died at the scene while another escaped into the jungle.

He said the suspects were believed to be in their 20s and 30s and several weapons, including parang, were recovered from the scene.

“We believe the suspect at large will attempt to get medical aid.

“If anyone working in a clinic or hospital comes across a man with a suspected gunshot wound, call the police immediately,” he said.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Othman Nanyan said the suspects were believed to have been active in robberies here since 2015.

“They would target houses with easy access, tie up all the occupants and leave with all the cash, jewellery and electronic items.

“Based on this modus operandi, we believe the suspects are responsible for 37 robberies last year, 19 robberies this year and five attempted break-ins,” he said.

ACP Othman said the suspects were believed to be active in areas around Kajang including Bandar Sungai Long, Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Taman Saujana Impian, Taman Puncak Saujana, Taman Sekamat Jaya, Taman Hulu Langat and Country Heights.

He added that one of the dead was believed to be a foreigner as he had identification documents from a neighbouring country.

ACP Othman said the hunt for the suspect at large was in progress and involved 107 personnel from various units including the K-9 Unit and General Operations Force.

“We have set up a 2km perimeter around the scene of the shooting,” he said, urging those with information to contact the police hotline, 03-2052 9999, or visit the nearest police station.

Kajang School Wins International Award

 

KAJANG -- The first-ever entry submitted by Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Kajang to the Interact Video Awards (IVA) 2015 has won international recognition with its win of the Fan Favourite Award for its video clip.

The school beat 87 other entries in the category involving 25 countries.

"The concept of '1 Interactor 1 Plant' was a project by the SJKT Kajang Interact Club members, aimed at providing the students with environmental conservation awareness.

"The project was recorded in a video clip for the IVA 2015 and the school won 42,106 votes, beating the entry from Brazil (39,000 votes) and India (37,000 votes)," the school's headmaster John Posko Anthony told reporters after the Interact Award presentation ceremony held at the school Tuesday.

The award comprised a plaque and certificate of appreciation which were presented by the Governor of Rotary International District 3300 Malaysia, Siti Subaidah Adil, at the ceremony.

Siti Subaidah said the success was the result of collaboration between Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Kajang Rotary Club, Interact Club of SJKT Kajang and the school teachers.

SJKT Kajang was the first national-type primary school in the country to set up an Interact Club.

"It is important for schools to be involved in international projects as it gives them exposure to global challenges," said Siti Subaidah.

IVA is an annual programme organised by the International Rotary Club, aimed at developing the leadership qualities and personality of students throughout the world.

At the same ceremony today, 50 poor students of the school were given MyKasih Cards for 10 schooling months, courtesy of Yayasan MyKasih, Kajang Rotary Club and the SJKT Kajang Parent-Teacher Association.

The card has a value of RM60 a month and can be used to buy food at the school canteen, and stationery from the school bookshop.

-- BERNAMA

Inmate escapes from Kajang hospital

BY NST - 20 MAY 2016

KAJANG: A prison inmate here escaped from custody while being treated at the Kajang Hospital last night. 

The man, aged 44, was serving a sentence for a drug-related offence and was taken to hospital for treatment for an undisclosed illness. 

He had begun his sentence on Tuesday and was due to be released in December. 

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Othman Nanyan said Kajang Hospital authorities had informed police of the escape about 9.15pm. 

“Police immediately responded by activating all possible elements to search for the escapee. He was, at the time, wearing prison clothing — red pants and white T-shirt — and had his left arm, which was broken, in a cast,” he said. 

Police also activated “Ops Tutup” with several roadblocks conducted to track the inmate. 

Police are now looking for Chow Kim Liong, whose last known address was 8-3-9 Block 8, Jalan 1/1B, Taman Intan Baiduri in Kuala Lumpur. 579 reads Roadblocks were conducted as police searched for the escapee. 

More treated water for Selangor

The Star, Friday, 20 May 2016

BY QISHIN TARIQ

The Jalan Bukit bridge in Kajang will be elevated to ease water flow along Sungai Jelok while reinforcement work will be done to repair the sidewalks that had recently collapsed because of erosion. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

SELANGOR’S water supply is set to be secured as two new treatment plants are due to be completed by 2018.

State Infrastructure and Public Facilities Committee chairman Zaidy Abdul Talib said once completed, the two plants – Semenyih 2 and Labohan Dagang – would respectively produce 100 million and 400 million litres of water a day, enough for 50,000 users.

“There needs to be an increase in the production of filtered water in the next two years to meet demand,” Zaidy said at a press conference in a restaurant in Kajang after making a site visit to check on flood mitigation measures needed in Kajang town.

The study showed that the seven million residents of Selangor use about 4,800 million litres of water a day, which is expected to increase by 3.5% a year.

Zaidy said the RM200mil project for the Semenyih 2 plant had just been awarded to Tenaga Tiub Sdn Bhd.

Tenaga Tiub would begin work on the plant in Jenderam Hilir, Dengkil by the end of the month.

It is expected to be completed by December, 2017.

The second plant, in Labohan Dagang, Banting is still in the tender process and the project is expected to be completed by June, 2018.

Zaidy said the state government had set aside RM400mil for four packages, covering deepening and reinforcing the existing pond, installing pipes as well as building the reservoir and treatment plant.

He also announced a Public Works Department (JKR) project to mitigate the recent flooding at the Balai Kajang and Pasar Kajang area.

He said the Jalan Bukit bridge in Kajang would be elevated to ease water flow along Sungai Jelok while reinforcement work would be done to repair the sidewalks that had recently collapsed because of erosion.

Traffic would be redirected to Jalan Mewah as the bridge would be closed while work is ongoing.

“We have to take urgent steps to address the flooding issue here,” he said.

On May 7, 8 and 11, massive floods hit Kajang following record amounts of rain, at 120mm, 88m and 111mm respectively.

Zaidy said even though Metro Kajang Holding Bhd was responsible for widening the river further, federal funds would be used to cover the project’s cost which is estimated to be around RM1mil for initial works.

“We hope to complete the project in six months,” he said.

Search ongoing for escaped convict

The Sun Daily, 20 May 2016 

Ashwin Kumar
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Print

— Sun file pix

SHAH ALAM: Police have expanded the search area for a 44-year-old prisoner who escaped while receiving treatment at the Kajang Hospital yesterday.

Selangor police chief Commissioner Datuk Abdul Samah Mat (pix) said the manhunt for the convict who was serving his jail term for a drug related offence is ongoing with help from various district search teams within Selangor.

"We are considering every possibility here. The prisoner might have escaped from Kajang to another district," Abdul Samah told reporters after attending the pinning of rank ceremony for police volunteer cops at the Selangor police headquarters here today.

"The prisoner might get an extension of his jail term for what he has done now," he said.

Abdul Samah also added that the prison department was in charge when the incident happened.

It was reported that the man who was wearing a red prison pants and a white t-shirt with his left hand in a plaster cast fled the hospital on a RapidKL bus at about 8.10pm yesterday.

On a separate case, police have also confirmed that the two random murders of victims in their cars are connected.

However, Abdul Samah said that he is unable to comment further on the motive as investigations are ongoing.

"Yes both cases are connected but I can't comment on the motive behind the murders.

"'My investigators are in the closing stage of their investigations," Abdul Samah told reporters.

Saravanan Gopal, 29, who was an administrative assistant with a local business newspaper was found murdered in a boot of a BMW in a mining pool in Puchong on May 8 while on May 5, a man was found torched in his car in Kajang.

Meanwhile, police have also arrested 10 individuals believe to be involved with the gang robberies in Jalang Gasing recently.

Abdul Samah said three out of the suspects arrested are directly linked with the parang-wielding robbery and rape of a 26-year old woman at her house here on May 6.

"All of them were arrested in separate raids conducted by police in Damansara, Bukit Jelutong, and Perak.

"The suspects are aged between 24 and 41 and the manhunt for the remaining suspects will continue," he said.

MPKj president calls on developers to consider safety

The Star,Wednesday, 11 May 2016

BY QISHIN TARIQ

SMALL housing developers have to step up in implementing safer environmental design and consider its benefits to the city’s safety standards, says Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) president Mohd Sayuthi Bakar.

Speaking at a seminar on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), he said such design was essential to make Kajang safer and more comfortable for residents.

The guidelines drafted in April 2011 and put into practice in 2012 called for improved town design such as having more sidewalks and streetlights, CCTVs in strata properties, and building gated and guarded communities.

Mohd Sayuthi told reporters that small developers had been reluctant to adopt CPTED due to additional costs incurred.

However, he urged developers not to just consider the cost factor, but its latent benefits like improving quality of life and housing value plus lowering crime rates.

Asked if the council was mulling providing incentives for compliant developers, he replied this was not “a subsidy nation” and that it would affect the commercial value of the developer’s own projects.

“The projects that adopted a ‘safe city’ approach sell easily,” Mohd Sayuthi said.

He listed EcoWorld Majestic, Setia Eco Hill and Tropicana Heights – all developments in Semenyih – as examples of developers that went above and beyond MPKj’s CPTED standards.

He added that developments would only be approved if they fulfilled CPTED’s minimum requirements, though pro-active developers were free to improve standards.

The Town and Country Planning Department head Dr Noor Yazan Zainol said developers, especially larger companies, had been positive of the design principles and satisfied with the benefits reaped.

He revealed the crime index in Kajang has gone down by 6.2% (2015 compared to 2014), with the sharpest reductions in the number of motorcycle thefts and cases of break-ins and tresspassing.

He said while new developments were required to meet CPTED requirements, the onus fell on the Government to retroactively improve older developments, adding that they had two pilot projects in Sungai Chua and in Balakong near Cheras South.

Noor Yazan, Shah Alam City Council officer Annie Syazrin Ismail and Prevent Crime Now crime safety specialist Shamir Rajadurai presented their talk to some 290 participants on the principles of CPTED and case studies from Kajang and Shah Alam.

The workshop aimed to spread awareness about CPTED to the public as well as receive feedback from stakeholders.

Firemen come to the rescue of 100kg patient

The Star, Tuesday, 10 May 2016

KUALA LUMPUR: The Fire and Rescue Department succeeded in carrying a sick man weighing more than 100kg from the first floor of his double-storey terrace house in Taman Seri Cheras here Monday.

The patient, Zaharin Shah Sharif, 31, had to be rushed to hospital after experiencing unstable blood pressure and breathing difficulties.

Officer-in-charge of Kajang Fire and Rescue Station Faizad Amirul Abdul Razak said the station received the distress call at about 11.42am from Kajang Hospital ambulance after they faced a problem of bringing the man down from the house.

"The fire and rescue squad used a stretcher to carry the victim before putting him into the ambulance to the hospital for treatment.

"Eight firemen and five others comprising family members and neighbours were involved in the operation," he said.

He said the operation was over in about 15 minutes. – Bernama

Crematorium and columbarium not a risk to public, says temple management

The Star, Tue, 10 May 2016

BY FARAH FAZANNA ZULZAHA

THE Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple management in Kajang is assuring residents that the proposed columbarium and crematorium project will not affect them.

The temple, which is managing the land located near Tiara Residence in Taman Damai Indah, had faced protests from nearby residents about the project.

Temple chairman Datuk K. Kirubakaran said they had no plans to privatise the land, as alleged by some residents.

“We are getting help from a private developer to modernise the crematorium and build a columbarium, which will benefit residents in the area,” he said.

He said the 4.09ha piece of land was given to the Kajang Hindu community to be used as a burial and cremation ground.

“In the 1980s, the management of the land was handed over to the temple,” he said, adding that the land use was converted to a non-Muslim graveyard and cremation site last year.

The Action Committee To Not Cremate Bodies Near Our Homes Campaign had protested against the project and sent a memorandum to the state government last month.

They alleged the project site was located on a steep slope which could pose a risk for landslides and that the project was unnecessary as there were similar facilities in Kajang.

Kirubakaran said the temple did not have the funds to construct modern facilities and thus had entered into a joint venture with Lotus Garden Memorial Park Sdn Bhd.

“The temple will still manage the crematorium and columbarium, not the developer,” he said.

He also said the money raised would go towards funding social programmes.

Underprivileged families would be subsidised if they use the crematorium, he added.

Kirubakaran also assured residents that the road leading to the proposed site would be a dual carriageway and funeral processions would not create traffic congestion.

He said the developer would ensure that steps were taken to prevent landslides and floods during and after construction and had hired a technical expert to look into the matter.

It was earlier reported that the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) had approved the temple’s planning submission to expand the graveyard.

The temple had also submitted its infrastructure and building plans but MPKj had yet to approve it as the matter would decided by the state government.

Boy fails to come home, found dead in drain Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/05/144458/boy-fails-come-home-found-dead-drain

The New Straits Times, 8 May 2016

BY FAISAL ASYRAF 

KUALA LUMPUR: A 12-year old boy was found dead in a drain at Section 1, Bandar Rinching in Kajang today. 

Kajang police chief Assistant Commissioner Othman Nanyan said the boy's father had lodged a police report when he failed to return home at dusk. 

"The boy had left his house at 9am to the car workshop. It has been his routine to volunteer helping mechanics at the workshop in his spare time. He would return home in the evening. 

"However, yesterday, he failed to show up. At 8.15pm, his dad went to the workshop but it was closed. He contacted the owner who informed him that his son had gone back at 7pm," said Othman, adding that it rained heavily that evening. 

After lodging a report, the man's neighbour informed him that he last saw the boy playing near a drain at the field of Section 1. 

That's where they found the boy in the drain with injuries on his head. 

Police have classified the case as sudden death.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/05/144458/boy-fails-come-home-found-dead-drain

Charred human remains found in burnt car in Hulu Langat

The New Straits Times, 6 MAY 2016 

BY HANI SHAMIRA SHAHRUDIN 

KAJANG: Police are seeking the family of 43-year-old R. Mathialagan to assist their investigation into the discovery of charred remains found in the boot of a burnt car yesterday. 

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Othman Nanyan said police were first alerted of the abandoned burnt car at Jalan Genting Peras near Hulu Langat by passers-by, who noticed a foul smell coming from the vehicle. 

“Policemen found burnt skeletal remains in the boot, believed to be human as there was a skull. 

“We also found a ring believed to be the victim’s,” he said, adding that the body has been dead for at least two days. 

Checks on the chassis number, Othman said, showed the vehicle as registered to R. Mathialagan, whose last known address was 82, Jalan Saga 23, Taman Saga, Ampang. 

Police attempted to trace the family members at the address but failed to locate the house as the house number did not exist. 

“We will find out the identity of the victim through our investigation but as of now, the lead is the registered owner of the car,” said Othman. 

He said the remains had would be sent to the pathology department to establish the cause of death. 

The case has been classified as murder.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/05/143902/charred-human-remains-found-burnt-car-hulu-langat

Changing Kajang school's status will obliterate nearly 100 years of history

The New Straits Times, 29 April 2016

AS an alumnus of SMK Tinggi Kajang, formerly Kajang High School, I was taken aback when informed that the school is no longer taking in Form One students this year. 

In fact, within five years, it will be turned into a school for Form Six students. 

The move to turn the school into a junior college for Form Six may be a wise decision but by doing so, the alumni of the school will not only lose one of their fondest memories and heritage, but it will also mark the end of almost 100 years of the school’s history and students’ years spent at the school. 

The past generations who had walked through the school’s corridors will find this hard to accept. 

It will mean that in the years to come, they will find no connection or link to the school, which has played an important role in shaping their lives. 

At a recent reunion dinner held at the school compound, more than 300 former students and teachers reminisced about the good old days. 

We recalled with deep affection and attachment to the school with its motto in Latin, Labor Omnia Vincit (work conquers all), as the cornerstone of our endeavour to excel in education and sports. 

What is sad is that the decision will bring an end to an illustrious school come 2019. 

Very likely, the change will mean a new name for the school, probably Kajang Junior College or its Bahasa Malaysia equivalent. 

In 2019, SMK Tinggi Kajang will be celebrating its 100th anniversary, a very significant event that the old boys are anxiously looking forward to. 

It will be a grand reunion for fellow former students who remember this school as a preferred school when it was founded in 1919. 

The school has produced some of the finest ministers, politicians and businessmen, and to decide on such a move has caused displeasure among the old boys, who have not forgotten their alma mater despite many working or living outside Kajang. 

Together with the thousands of the school’s alumni, we urge the Education Ministry to reconsider its decision. 

Junior colleges can be built for Form Six students across the land, but converting secondary schools with a rich past, like SMK Tinggi Kajang, will be erasing a past that has played a major role in the lives of many. 

To change your decision will mean the preservation of SMK Tinggi Kajang’s past, and future generations will learn to appreciate the history that comes with the school. 

Please allow this school to carry on its noble mission by maintaining its status quo of having students from Form 1 to Form 5 or Form 6, a move that will bring pride and gratitude to the alumni and students. 

The Kajang community has always been supportive of the school’s endeavours. 

The alumni, too, have never forgotten their roots and the education they received there. 

We owe a debt of gratitude to SMK Tinggi Kajang and hope to see the school progress to another level of excellence and a school of choice for the community and others. 

Thank you. 

Dr Tan Eng Bee,  

Kajang, Selangor

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/142340/changing-kajang-schools-status-will-obliterate-nearly-100-years-history