For the love of classic cars (in Semenyih recently)

For vintage car lovers, they met in Semenyih recently.

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Wednesday December 28, 2011

For the love of classic cars

THREE well-known car clubs in Malaysia participated in what was described as a mega automobile gathering near the Nottingham University in Jalan Broga, Semenyih, recently.

More than 60 modified cars were on display at the event which was attended by over 200 guests.

The three car clubs were Antera Motosports (Antera), Malaysia and Singapore Vintage Car Register (MSVCR) and Classic Volvo Club (KVK) of Malaysia.

The event was organised by a month-old cafe called the Nocturnal Cafe & Club which serves local and western cuisine.

Sleek rides: Cars owned by the Nocturnal Cafe & Club’s founders parked outside the premises.

 

Guests were provided a free breakfast treat of nasi lemak and mamak-style fried noodles and teh tarik. They were also treated to a rambutan feast.

Antera, one of the leading car clubs in the Klang Valley, was established in 1999 with only nine members. The club now has over 30 active members.

Among some of the cars which have been registered under Antera Motorsports are the Honda Civic, Nissan Fair Lady 350, Nissan Skyline GTR R35, BMW M5 Lumma and Mazda RX8.

The MSVCR, formerly known as Malayan Vintage Car Register (MVCR), was established in Malacca back in 1955 and has been running strong for the past 50 years. The organisation is aimed at registering vintage car owners to encourage the use, restoration and preservation of vintage cars and motorcycles.

One of a kind: Retiree Francis Woo with his Mini Moke which has been modified and customised with elements of 1Malaysia.

 

As for the KVK which caters specifically to owners of the 121, 122, 123GT and P1800 models, was established in 1997. The 14-year-old club now has 200 members.

KVK organises convoys to holiday destinations every year, with Krabi in Thailand being the most recent destination.

MSVCR president Michael Sundram said: “What we want from the new generation is for them to bring out their father’s or grandfather’s car and join the classic clubs, no point in keeping the vintage cars in the garage.”

Among MSVCR’s classic cars are the Honda Civic, Peugeot 404, Mini Cooper, Singer, Mercedes-Benz and the Volkswagen.

For details, call 019-632 2525.

Again, we will check but will they actually do it? I think the best is to keep getting and showing proof to the local council. I suppose after 3 times, surely they cannot keep denying taking action. This is a matter of health as well as the well being of the people in the area. I hope they will take "fast action". Anyway, I hope there will be more information on the outcome of this issue soon.

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Tuesday November 22, 2011

Stench in Semenyih

RESIDENTS of Taman Desa Mewah in Semenyih have been putting up with the stench emitted from a solid waste resource recovery centre 3km away for about a year now.

Jude Benjamin said the stench was unbearable from 5pm and 3am every other day.

A Kampung Sungai Lalang resident said the situation was worse in the morning and during rainy days.

Pollution: The chimney of the solid waste resource recovery centre emitting smoke.

 

She said garbage trucks used the village road to go to the factory managed by Recycle Energy Sdn Bhd even though they were prohibited from doing so.

Jude said he had called the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) and even visited the local authority’s office to complain about the matter.

According to the website of the waste recovery centre, the plant receives between 500 and 700 tonnes of solid waste a day.

It also produces renewable energy and features a recycling centre.

Recycle Energy corporate communication executive Siti Fatimah Che Mamat said the company was aware of the complaints from residents in Kampung Sungai Lalang and Kampung Pasir Baru, but not from Taman Desa Mewah.

Waste-disposal service: A garbage truck entering the solid waste resource recovery centre in Semenyih.

 

She said the stench could have originated from various sources, such as the other industrial factories and agricultural areas.

“We believe we have taken proper counter-measures to overcome the problem in our facility,” she said.

Siti Fatimah said garbage trucks were supposed to use a dedicated road to get to the factory.

She said residents were advised to complain to MPKj directly if garbage trucks used the village road.

MPKj president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said the council would check on the complaint.

“We monitor the condition of the centre from time to time and have monthly meetings with its management,” he said.

I wonder what does this say about the crime index? I can really sympathise with the owner. One of my friend used to stay in the same neigborhood and he used to face the same threats too. Our country needs to really look into this and punish those involved severely to scare others from committing the same. Are we too lenient with criminals that they don't have respect for our laws?

Until the next time, cheers.

Sunday Star, 20 November 2011

Robbed eight times in 12 years

KAJANG: Thieves broke into a house in Bandar Tasik Kesuma for the eighth time and set fire to it after they fled with their loot.

The house had an alarm system and CCTVs but that did not deter the intruders.

Esah Ahmad, 57, said her family might move out because of the latest incident.

Nothing left to salvage: As if being robbed wasn’t enough, Esah’s family was landed with further misery as their home was set ablaze as well.

 

“I have lived here for 12 years and this is the eighth time we have been robbed since we moved here in 1999.

“This is the final straw,” she added.

Esah said she was at a relative's house in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur, when she received a cellphone alert informing her that her house alarm had gone off at 2.28am yesterday.

“I rushed back home and saw smoke billowing from my house.”

Esah said she ran into a room to collect the CCTV recorder, but was overwhelmed by the flames which spread to the kitchen and other rooms.

“I couldn't see what the robbers had stolen from the house.

“All the nine cameras were destroyed by the fire,” she said, adding that she lodged a report at the Kajang police station.

It is believed that the robbers entered through the roof.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Rashid Wahab urged those with information to call 03-8736 2222 or the nearest police station.

‘Come and count the unlicensed centres in Semenyih yourself, Ronnie Liu"

Judging from these issue that have been periodically been highlighted in the media, the problem is yet to be resolved. Ronnie Liu must be very naive to keep talking about such low numbers. Actually, he is not naive but a very screwd politician. In fact, he can probably hold his own with the most colorful ones in the country.

Pakatan Rakyat (especially Ronnie Liu) must walk the talk. In comparison, Penang is getting lots of kudos from all sides (except BN of course) but sadly Selangor while doing better is lagging very far behind. One big factor is the weak Menteri Besar and too many "warlords" in the state.

Can they improve and will the rakyat still vote them in for the next GE? Well, your guess is as good as mine.

Until the next time, cheers.

The New Straits Times, Monday, 14 November 2011

‘Come and count the unlicensed centres yourself’

Selangor state executive councillor in charge of local councils Ronnie Liu Tan Khiew has been challenged to visit Semenyih to count the number of unlicensed snooker and entertainment centres there.

Semenyih assemblyman Datuk Johan Abdul Aziz said there were in fact 18 amusement centres there, especially in areas close to Malay villages. Liu had stated there were four amusement centres in the constituency.


Johan, who was speaking after the state assembly sitting, here, yesterday, said he was not sure if Liu arrived at that figure because the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) was closing one eye to such activities, or because of the council’s administrative shortcomings and weaknesses, such as inaccurate reports sent to executive councillors in charge.


 "I asked how much data the state government had on entertainment and snooker centre licences. He said there were only four only."

Johan said 18 entertainment and snooker centres were located in  Bandar Teknologi, Taman Jasmin, Pekan Semenyih, Bandar Tasik Kesuma and Pekan Beranang.

He said the existence of the centres in proximity to the villages posed many problems, including complaints from the villagers of noise until the wee hours.

During the question-and-answer session, Johan had questioned the council’s inspection and monitoring of entertainment and snooker centres.


Liu, in response to a question, had denied that there had been an increase in the number of entertainment centre in Semenyih. He said there were four entertainment centres — a family entertainment centre, a family karaoke and two pubs.

Liu said MPKj Enforcement Department officers made regular inspections and took action in accordance with applicable provisions.

Ostrich farm in Sungai Lallang, Semenyih

We were invited to visit an Ostrich farm located in Sungai Lallang near Semenyih. It is in the vicinity of the Nirwana Memorial Park. This farm has been around for sometime already but it is our first visit there.

With such a name, there would surely be ostriches around and there were quite a few. The owner also breeds these huge birds. However, due to the weather, a lot of them had shed their feathers. They looked really funny without feathers, very much like huge frozen turkeys.

The ostriches are very curious animals. They will come up close and observe you and even follow you around.  It was rather funny to have a few of these birds tagging along and watching what you are doing.

Quite a number of ostriches at the farm

They are a curious lot and follow you too

Apart from ostriches, the farm has a few other types of birds and animals. So, it was a treat for the kids. Amongst the birds, there were peacocks, jungle fowls, Guines fowls, pheasants and geese. Other animals included a monkey, a goat, a reindeer and fishes.

There were peacocks

Guinea fowls and wild chickens

A mixed Guinea fowl up close

Majestic peacock

A number of geese

Jungle fowls

The farm is also breeding Guinea fowls, so there are quite a number of baby chicks. There were also incubators and eggs. The owner gave us a tour and explained the process which was very educational. One can see his passion for this and he was also very experienced learning from past practises and mistakes.

Baby Guines fowls

Baby chicks just hatched

Getting out of its shell

Day old chicks

Very cute

The farm also had a number of fruit trees and vegetables. There were also berries.

There were berries also

A view of the farm

Another view

We bought a frozen Guinea fowl to taste how these birds taste. Apparently they are very similar to pheasants and the Europeans and Africans love this meat. It is not cheap as you need to learn a lot to rear them.

A frozen Guinea fowl ready for dinner

The farm also breeds different birds for the pet shop market. No wonder, we can see all these birds at the pet shops.

It was an educational and entertaining evening for the kids. By the way, the park is open to public but there is a charge to get in. If you and your family have some time, it may be worth your while to check this place.

Until the next time, cheers.