Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Traffic change, lane closures announced (MRT)

The New Straits Times, Monday, 16 Sept 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) has announced that traffic in Jalan Kelab (in front of Kajang Stadium) will be realigned for a stretch of 200 metres from tomorrow until June 17, 2016. (Refer to Map 1)

Traffic entering Jalan Kelab will be diverted to a newly paved lane. Some of the parking bays in front of the stadium have been taken up and a new parking area has been constructed in front of Muzium Sate.

The realignment is to facilitate preparation works for the construction of MRT piers and Bandar Kajang MRT Station.

MRT Corp also announced that the temporary partial night lane closure in Jalan Cheras (in both directions near Cheras Sentral/Plaza Phoenix), from 10pm to 5am daily, has been extended to Sept 30.

This is to facilitate the demolition of the pedestrian bridge in front of Cheras Sentral in preparation for the construction of MRT piers and Plaza Phoenix MRT station.

The traffic will be stopped for 10 minutes, in both directions, during the lifting of the bridge to ensure the safety of road users.

MRT Corp said there would be a temporary night road closure in Jalan Kamuning and Jalan Delima, off Jalan Tun Razak, from tomorrow until Oct 17, from 10pm to 6am daily.

This is to facilitate the delivery and off-loading of tunnel boring machine components to the MRT construction site in Jalan Kamuning.

Motorists are reminded to drive carefully near MRT worksites and follow directional signs.

Safety barriers, hoardings and traffic cones will be installed at the work sites to ensure that road users and pedestrians are informed of ongoing works. A 24-hour MRT Ronda will be patrolling the routes to attend to emergencies.

For details, visit www.mymrt.com.my or www.mymrt-underground.com.my, twitter @MRTMalaysia or twitter @MyMRT Underground or call the MRT Hotline at 1-800 82 6868.

Snatch theft suspect who fled in car identified

The New Straits Times, Tuesday, 17 September 2013

KAJANG: Police believe they have identified the suspect who drove off in a snatch theft victim's car after his accomplice was killed in Taman Cheras Perdana here on Sunday.

Kajang police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahab said it was a matter of time before the suspect was picked up.

"He is badly injured and needs medical attention. I hope doctors who come across a man with injuries on his arm will alert the police."

He added that police had strong leads on the suspect, who is believed to be linked with several snatch theft and robbery cases in the area.

It was reported that a 32-year-old cashier lost her handbag to two motorcyclists after she parked her car in Taman Cheras Perdana about 6.30am.

She chased the suspects in her car until they lost control of the motorcycle, resulting in the death of the rider, identified as Chen Siong He, 30. He died due to head, neck and chest injuries.

However, his accomplice, who was riding pillion, managed to speed off in the victim's car in the confusion following the crash.

Chen's brother claimed the body from the Kajang Hospital mortuary yesterday after family members had initially refused to do so.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Teenager in motorcycle convoy killed in accident

The New Straits Times, Monday, 16 Sept 2013

By SUKHBIR CHEEMA | sukhbir@nst.com.my

SEREMBAN: A 19-year-old toll attendant, who was in a motorcycle convoy in conjunction with Malaysia Day, died after loosing control of his bike at KM261 Plus highway, south-bound this morning.

In the 10.30am incident, Muhamad Hafizie Azizi who was on his way in a convoy led by 50 of his friends from Semenyih, Selangor, to Port Dickson, died on the spot after succumbing to severe head injuries.

He had lost control of his bike before crashing into the highway divider.

A police spokesperson said that the victim, who was on his month old Kawasaki RR150, had sped ahead of the group and was alone when he crashed.

"The crash led him to be thrown a few metres into the emergency lane, while his bike was dragged about 70 metres away from his body."

The police spokesperson added that the victim, who worked as a toll attendant at the Lebuh Raya Kajang Seremban (Lekas) highway, was on a holiday trip to Port Dickson with his friends.

Meanwhile, Seremban police chief Assistant Commissioner Zainal Abu confirmed the incident and said that investigations were being carried out to determine the cause of the accident.

He added that the body of the victim was sent to the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital in Seremban for post mortem before being given to the family for the burial.

The motorcycle that was riden by the toll attendant and was involved in an accident at KM261 of PLUS Highway.

Brave victim chases thieves only to have her car stolen in the end

The Star, Monday September 16, 2013

By NICHOLAS CHENG

KAJANG: A gutsy woman raced after two snatch thieves in her car at a housing estate here and they crashed their motorcycle into a road divider in trying to escape, resulting in one of the culprits being trapped under her vehicle.

She refused to help the injured man who later died of head injuries.

The 32-year-old mother-of-two, who wanted to be known only as Lee, retrieved her handbag containing RM4,000 from the snatch thieves, but while she was outside her vehicle, the other thief sneaked into her car and drove off.

Lee, a cashier, said she had earlier parked her Hyundai and was walking back to her flat in Taman Megah when the two men rode towards her on a black Yamaha SS motorcycle during the 6am incident yesterday.

“The pillion rider held a long knife to my neck, ordering me to ‘shut up and don’t scream’.

“He then asked me to hand over my handbag. I did as I was told. At the same time, I begged to have my car keys and he opened my bag and threw it on the road.

“As they sped off I wanted to scream for help. But then I realised they were only on a motorcycle and I have a car,” she told The Star.

She quickly got back into her car and went after the men as they sped through Taman Cheras Perdana.
“I was so angry because I hate these kind of people. I really wanted to hurt them,” she said.

Lee said the pillion rider tore off his helmet and threw it at her windscreen, causing the motorcycle to skid and crash onto the road divider at a traffic light junction.

She said the pillion rider’s arm was stuck under the car tyre and he begged her to let him go, while at the same time groaning to passers-by that she had knocked into him.

“I came out from my car and said: ‘No. These men robbed me’.

“I did not notice the other suspect sneaking into the car after I got out. He drove off fast,” said Lee, who described the thief as “fat, bespectacled and wore a dark blue jacket and black pants”.

Lee’s silver Hyundai bears the registration number BGQ 8831.

Meanwhile, Kajang OCPD ACP Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahab said the dead thief had three previous records. He was identified as Chen Siong He, 30, from Kampung 11, Cheras.

“We are on the lookout for his accomplice and Lee’s car,” he added.

Kajang MIC man insists he is not a gang leader

The Star, Monday September 16, 2013

By A. LETCHUMANAN

KAJANG: Kalai Arasu Muniandy was shot and injured three years ago but he insists that he has never been a gang leader.

The well-known figure among the Indian community here and surrounding areas said he was stunned when he was identified as a leader of Gang 36 in a list purportedly issued by the Home Ministry.

“I have never been involved in any gang activity or even gang fights. I have no criminal record. I am puzzled as to how my nickname ended up in the list,” he told The Star.

The 42-year-old father of one said he had a good working relationship with the police in Kajang and had also been active in political and community programmes as the MIC’s Hulu Langat division Youth chief for more than a decade.

“I have never been detained or investigated by the police or any other authorities. I am not angry with the police or the authorities. But I want justice and want to know the truth regarding how the list of names surfaced as both the Home Ministry and police have denied releasing it,” he said.

Kalai Arasu was born in May 1971 and grew up in the Wardieburn Camp in Setapak, where his father R. Muniandy worked for the Public Works Department.

The family moved to a paternal uncle’s house here after his father’s death in 1986.

His father’s death made him lose interest in education and he dropped out after Form Three.

“I went to Era College here but also dropped out after six months,” he said, adding that he shifted to Kuala Kumpur where he took up several jobs before returning here in 2000 to run a franchise company handling security and manpower and also worked as a runner for insurance claims.

“Slowly, I started my own business, supplying security guards, selling funeral caskets and running a real estate business,” he said.

Kalai Arasu became involved in politics in 2000, becoming an MIC branch Youth leader and later the Hulu Langat division Youth chief.

He is also a member of the MIC national youth council and the treasurer of Selangor MIC Youth.

“I am active in politics. I have campaigned for Barisan Nasional candidates for the three state assembly seats as well as the Hulu Langat parliamentary seat in several general elections.

“I have organised dinners to get the Indian support as well as hosted programmes and futsal competitions. The people in Kajang know me very well,” he said.

Kalai Arasu is also adviser to Persatuan Belia Bersatu Hulu Langat and Persatuan Penganut Sri Maha Manuiswarar Alayam here.

He said he had always used his full name, adding that although some people called him Kalai, he had never identified himself as Kajang Kalai.

“Sometimes people refer to me as MIC’s Kajang Kalai or Abang Kalai. This is also a nickname that people use,” he said.

He said the unveiling of the list of alleged Indian leaders involved in gangs which was published last Friday had turned his world upside down.

“I have been getting numerous telephone calls. I sense some people also see me differently. Some people have also tweeted, putting my photograph to the name,” he said.

Kalai Arasu was shot three times by two unknown assailants on a motorcycle while sitting in a coffeeshop in Kajang in 2010.

He was hospitalised for two weeks but until today, no one has been charged.

“I had been getting threatening text messages and phone calls before the shooting incident. One caller threatened to shoot me. I thought he was not serious, so I told the person to go ahead,” he said.

Kalai Arasu, who has since hired a bodyguard, said he had also received threatening calls recently and had lodged police reports.

He said he believed that there were attempts by his political enemies to smear his name as the elections in the MIC divisions are scheduled for next month.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Boy in fatal collision showing signs of recovery

The Star, Saturday September 14, 2013

KAJANG: Young Muhammad Nabil Luffan Al Hadi is putting up a brave fight and slowly showing signs of recovery following a fatal accident which killed his mother and three siblings on Monday.

His father Muhammad Tauffid Khasim, 44, said the three-year-old had to be placed in a medically-induced coma until he recovers further.

“When he was first admitted, he had a fractured skull and internal bleeding, but the bleeding is gradually subsiding.

“The doctors initially wanted to operate to stop the bleeding but since his condition is improving, the operation has been called off.

“I just want him to make a full recovery and come home to me and his sister,” he said.

Muhammad Tauffid said his son was still being warded in the intensive care unit at the Kajang hospital.

“Doctors are waiting for him to recover more before they operate on his broken leg,” he added.

It was earlier wrongly reported that Muhammad Nabil had succumbed to injuries at the Kajang hospital on Monday evening following the horrific accident.

His mother Rohaya Md Rabi, 35, and three of her children, Nor Nabila Al Huda, nine, Nor Nabila Al Hana, seven, and Mohd Nabil Loffi Al Hadi, one, were killed instantly when her Perodua Kancil collided head-on with a lorry near KM8 of the Kajang-Banting Road.

A van travelling behind the lorry crashed into it following the first collision but its driver escaped unharmed.

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

Friday, September 13, 2013

For Semenyih rep, it’s about personal touch

The Star, Friday September 13, 2013

By JADE CHAN
Photos by LOW LAY PHON

Maintaining ties: Johan (right) joining villagers during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at Kampung Batu Lima, Bangi Lama.

HAVING grown up and lived in Semenyih, Selangor, local boy Datuk Johan Abd Aziz knows very well that people prefer the personal touch and as such, makes it a point to visit his constituency regularly.

“I enjoy meeting people and know most of the locals here.

“My regular visits allow me to maintain ties with them and listen to their concerns,” said the Semenyih assemblyman.

“Besides a Friday morning meet-the-people session, I also go on walkabouts with government officers to address cases that need immediate attention, such as water and electricity supply, cancer or illnesses, single mothers plight and other welfare issues.”

Johan, 47, said he makes it a point to go down to the ground at least twice a week.

He attributed the local advantage and his contributions over the past five years to his win in the recent general election.

Johan was elected to serve for a second term after winning with a majority of 4,145 votes in the 13th General Election.

The businessman grew up in Kampung Sentosa, Semenyih, where his parents planted padi and tapped rubber.

Since becoming a full-time politician, Johan’s electrical contractor and construction business is being run by his brother.

Johan is currently the Hulu Langat division Barisan Nasional coordinating chairman and Selangor Umno secretary.

The father of four, whose children are aged between 11 to 18 years, resides in Bandar Baru Bangi with his family.

His eldest child is pursuing a degree in Economics at the Nottingham University in Semenyih.

Johan said other well-known landmarks in the constituency are the Nirvana Memorial Park, Broga Hill and Sungai Tekala Waterfall.

“Semenyih used to have many oil palm and rubber estates.

“It is now experiencing rapid development due to the lack of land in neighbouring areas,” he said.

“A total of 40% to 50% of the area comprises traditional villages, 35% housing developments while the remainder is made up of orang asli villages.”

On key issues affecting Semenyih, Johan said: “Traffic jam is a problem as the existing road structure is insufficient to support increasing development and population.

“There are so many vehicles, yet they are using the same roads that have been around for decades.
“Unbalanced development and loss of land are other concerns.

“The zoning and planning could have been done better, as there are factories and villages located next to each other.”

Johan said his previous six-year experience as a Kajang Municipal councillor has helped in his present job, though it is not easy being an opposition assemblyman.

“There are certain issues that have yet to be resolved due to the clash between the federal and state administration, such as river management, garbage collection and Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) allocation,” he said.

To stay in shape, Johan goes jogging or cycling twice or thrice a week, and plans to resume a more regular game of golf to relax.

Johan’s service centre is located at No 35-1, Jalan Semenyih Sentral 1, Semenyih Sentral, Semenyih.

For details, call 03-8723 2477, fax 03-8724 2477 or e-mail yb.adunsemenyih@gmail.com