Supermarket's ATMs robbed of RM280,000

The New Straits Times, Sunday, 5 October 2013

KAJANG: A security guard reporting for duty yesterday at a supermarket here in Sungai Chua found out that two auto-teller machines (ATMs) inside the premises was broken into, believed to be done by robbers who broke into the premise on Thursday night. 

In the incident involving RM280,000 loss, the guard discovered that both ATMs, belonging to RHB and CIMB, were cut open. 

Police believe the robbers used the 'oxyacetylene' gas-based cutter to open the ATMs. 

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Ab Rashid Ab Wahab said it was the first incident involving ATMs inside a premise. 

"It is believed that the robbery was done after the supermarket's closing time, which is 10pm every night. 

“Apart from being positive of the usage of 'Oxy gas' to cut open the ATMs, we also suspect that the robbery has had an 'inside help', as the alarm and closed- circuit camera television (CCTV) were turned off," said Rashid, adding that the robbers entered the premise through the air-conditioning compressor's wall compartment. 

“The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for break-in,” Rashid said.

Energy Commission tests 170 digital meters in Klang Valley

The Star, Friday October 4, 2013

by jade chan
photos by rohaizat md darus

Checking its accuracy: Othman showing how the Portable Test Set for Electricity Meter is used to test the accuracy of consumers’ electrical meters during a site inspection of electricity meters at a commercial premises in Taman Kajang Sentral, Kajang.

THE Energy Commission (ST) has stepped up inspections following complaints of excessive electricity charges after Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) switched to digital meters.

“The commission has been carrying out random inspections and testing of the new meters,” said ST Enforcement and Regional Coordinator Department director Othman Omar.

“Priority is given to those who have lodged complaints,’’ he added.

During site inspections, Othman said the Portable Test Set for Electricity Meter was used.

“The allowable accuracy range is ± 3%. At least three readings will be recorded for each meter; the final result will be derived by averaging the readings. The electricity supply must also be in regular use to get an accurate reading.”

Commercial vs residential: A three-phase electricity meter is commonly used for commercial premises.

 

Othman said single-phase meters were typically used in residences, while a three-phase meter was usually used for commercial premises.

“To improve the transparency and effectiveness of the meter accuracy monitoring programme, the Energy Commission had appointed Sirim to undertake testing of the digital meters,” said ST chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Fauzi Hasan.

“Some 170 samples from digital meters at various consumers’ premises throughout the Klang Valley were checked for their accuracy by Sirim QAS International and ST.

“The results revealed that all the meters were within the allowable accuracy range of ± 3%,’’ he added.

According to the Commission, a total of 7.8mil TNB meters have been installed, of which 4mil are digital meters.

TNB commenced the installation of digital meters in 2003, and initiated the replacement exercise in 2011.

“Following disputes by consumers on the accuracy of meter readings, the Commission took several measures to strengthen the testing and verification process of electricity meters since early last year,” said Fauzi.

The Guideline for Electricity Meter: Testing and Initial Verification Requirements was drawn up to improve the regulatory mechanism for electricity meter accuracy.

The guideline requires each electricity meter model and manufacturer’s laboratory to get the necessary accreditation and certification from organisations such as the National Metrology Laboratory, Standards Malaysia, ST and Sirim QAS International.

“Meters that have fulfilled all the required testing and verification processes will be given approval by ST to have the ST-Sirim label on each unit,’’ he said.

Fauzi added the Guideline for Electricity Meter: Testing and Initial Verification Requirements was enforced in Jan 1 this year while all approved new electricity meters had to have the ST-Sirim label from June onwards.

“ST will ensure that existing digital meters that are found to have its accuracy outside the allowable range are immediately replaced.

“The Guideline on Periodic Testing and Verification of Old Meters is in the process of being drafted and is expected to be completed by end of this year,’’ he added.

Baby dies after choking on milk

The Star Online, Thursday October 3, 2013

KAJANG: A six-month-old infant died on Tuesday a few hours after having his lunch.

According to Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahab, Lai Kim Hui’s mother had bottle-fed him milk at about 1pm and left him in a crib while she did her chores.

“She then noticed him choking,” said ACP Abdul Rashid.

The baby was taken to the Sg Long Hospital where a doctor pronounced him dead.

ACP Abdul Rashid said the case had been classified as sudden death.

Up close with Kajang assemblyman

The Star, Wednesday October 2, 2013 

by jade chan

Legal background: Lee regularly commutes between his legal firm in Petaling Jaya, constituency in Kajang and home in Shah Alam.

FAMILY remains a priority for Lee Chin Cheh, even after he was elected as the Kajang assemblyman in the 13th General Election.

“I have breakfast with my family, and try to have dinner with them at least thrice a week,” said the father of two, who subscribes to the adage ‘charity begins at home’.

“My wife, an accountant by profession, is the pillar of the family and the person who keeps me in check.”

The 42-year-old is a practising lawyer specialising in corporate law and conveyancing.

“I took the less conventional route of getting my degree via distance learning while working as a clerk in Kuala Lumpur,” said Lee, who earned his Bachelor of Law degree from University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

“I was lucky to have a good boss who offered me a loan to help with my tuition fees. I enjoyed the entire journey as it was very fulfilling.

“Working in a legal firm then helped me gain practical experience and understanding from an academic to legal point of view.”

Lee said he was inspired by a conversation he had with Wan Ismail Wan Mahmood, the father of Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, to join PKR in 2008 after being a Gerakan member for 10 years.

Although he resides in Shah Alam and works at a legal practice in Petaling Jaya that he set up with several partners, Lee said he did not mind the commute.

“I get to experience the differences between councils, services and infrastructure,” said the former Petaling Jaya City councillor.

“Kajang has a diverse identity as it is a meeting point for the old and new. Its demographic is roughly 50% Malay, 40% Chinese and 10% Indian.”

Lee said some of the key issues were traffic congestion and town planning, lack of basic infrastructure in traditional Malay villages, and beautification and uplifting the image of Kajang.

“With four stations located within the constituency, we are hopeful that the MRT line will partially address the congestion in Kajang,” he said.

“However, we would also like to see how the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) can come up with a plan to alleviate congestion in the town centre.

“I understand that MPKj is under financial constraints because it has a huge area to cover, but the council has to look at ways to balance its revenue and projected expenses.”

Lee said his one-year tenure as councillor helped him understand where issues or problems were formed, and that he had pushed for the MBPJ to have a master plan for its drainage system.

“My other visions during my term as assemblyman are to push for the Selangor Legislative Assembly Service Commission Enactment (Selesa) bill, which was mooted by former state speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim,” he said.

“The bill aims to give more autonomy to the state legislative, and make it a more independent and impartial body that is separate from the state executive.

“I hope the Standing Committee on Local Council will look into improvements in the delivery service of local councils, and that a master framework is formed to promote transit-oriented development to encourage people to live and work near places with train services.”

Lee’s service centre is located at No 17 (1st Floor), Jalan Metro Avenue 1, Metro Avenue, Kajang, Selangor.

For details, call 03-8736 2363, fax 03-8741 2363 or email to dunkajang@gmail.com

Protasco allocates RM50mil to buy land

The Sun Daily, Tuesday, 1 October 2013 

Rupinder Singh
sunbiz@thesundaily.com

Chong

PETALING JAYA (Oct 1, 2013): Protasco Bhd, which is looking to grow its property division, has set aside up to RM50 million this year to buy land outside the Klang Valley, with plans to emulate its flagship mixed development De Centreum City in Kajang, Selangor.

"We are aggressively looking for good valuable land outside Kuala Lumpur, namely in Johor and the northern region," Protasco executive chairman and group managing director Chong Ket Pen (pix) told SunBiz in an interview.

The group is looking for sizable land measuring between 4ha and 8ha.

"For land acquisition alone, we have allocated between RM40 million and RM50 million for this year," said Chong.

The group plans to use internal funds and bank borrowings to buy large tracks of land for its future development.

"Our gearing is very low at 0.2 times. Therefore, we have the margin to move up our gearing," he said, adding that the group is comfortable with a gearing level of up to 0.25 times.

Protasco is in a net cash position of RM105 million. Cash and its equivalents stood at RM161.9 as at March 31, 2013, while total borrowings amounted to RM42.3 million.

A month ago, Chong said Protasco was close to securing a 8ha land worth RM50 million in Johor.

"It's a highly valuable piece of land and we hope to conclude the deal by this year. It is in Johor Baru, but not in Iskandar Malaysia which I find is quite saturated," he said.

Early this month, Protasco teamed up with Asdion Bhd, a software development and information communications technology company, to undertake property development on several pockets of land in Johor Baru.

Under the deal, Asdion will sell a 64% equity stake in its subsidiary Sun Rock Development Sdn Bhd to Protasco's unit Protasco Development Sdn Bhd for RM64, while Asdion will retain the remaining 36% stake.

Sun Rock Development is finalising the purchase of five parcels of leasehold land totalling 5.8ha in Plentong, Johor Baru from Johor Corp for RM29.6 million.

"We plan to tie back our future property developments to the same kind of products that we are developing at De Centreum. We want the De Centreum City branding ," he said.

Protasco's De Centrum City project is a 40.5ha tract in Kajang, with a gross development value (GDV) of RM6 billion. The group is positioning the development as an up-market product despite its location on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

"We have a 15-year master plan to develop the whole area into a city," he said. The site also houses the Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL), which is owned and managed by Protasco.

The first phase, with a GDV of RM250 million, was launched last January, and had already secured sales up to 80% and anticipated it to be sold out before year end.

Phase 1 features a 20-storey, low-density serviced apartment tower, a three-storey retail mall and shops, an eight-storey above ground carpark and a 12-floor small office, home office tower.

Chong said second phase of the project will double the GDV to RM500 million and will be launched in the middle of 2014. 

Phase 2 features two blocks of offices, two blocks of apartments, a four-star hotel and a convention centre that can accommodate 1,500 people.

He revealed that the company has secured a "ready owner" for the hotel.

Property development is still a small part of Prostaco's business, but the group wants this segment to contribute about a quarter of its operating profit by the next three years, said Chong.

For now, the road construction and maintenance business remains the largest contributor, contributing RM99.5 million or 96% to Protasco's operating profit last year.

Chong said the construction segment has managed to bring in RM110 million of new jobs so far this year.

Protasco's target is to increase profit and revenue by 15% per year, boosted by its construction and maintenance segments, as well the property business.

Teacher hit me with shoe, claims student

FMT News, Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Vignesh Kumar 

Traumatised by the incident, 11-year-old Pavitran was further agonised by the police during interrogation.

PETALING JAYA: A teacher allegedly took off her shoe and hit K Pavitran, 11, just because he left his note book at home in Kajang last week. He has not been attending school since then.

Pavitran’s mother E Yogeswari lodged a police report following the incident.

The headmaster summoned Yogeswari to the school and urged her to retract the police report made, but she refused to do so. He even threatened to sue her for tarnishing the school’s image.

On the same day the police called in Yogeswari for investigation together with her son but she was not allowed into the room for questioning. Pavintran was interrogated alone.

According to Pavitran, the police had allegedly threatened to put him in the lock up when he was alone with them.

“They told me I was naughty and use to steal other student’s food; that I use to fight in school. They said they will put me in lock up. I was so scared,” he narrated.

“I don’t want to go to school anymore,” said the traumatised boy.

Pavitran’s father, S Kesavan, is furious as his son is only 11, saying that such a behaviour from the police and the teacher was totally unacceptable.

“It is alright to use a cane to discipline a kid.

“A teacher is supposed to be educated but this is total brutality. Is it because my son is an Indian? I have approached the Education Ministry and would like to transfer him to another school.

“He is too frightened to go to school,” said Kesavan.

Kesavan also said that the teacher has warned other students not to say anything if they were asked by the police about the incident.

“One of the boys who is very close with my son told me about what the teacher said. I hope by revealing this incident to the media my son will get some justice.” said Kesavan.

Gov't springs into action following hospital ceiling collapse

Astro Awani, September 30, 2013

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has sprung into action following the collapse a portion of the ceiling at Serdang Hospital this morning.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. S Subramaniam expressed that his ministry also views the incident ‘very seriously’.
“Of course, this is related to the quality of work of contractors... I’ve asked Hospital Serdang and Public Works Department(PWD) to give me a report of the incident and check on the status,” said Subramaniam.
He said that his ministry would ask PWD to ensure that contractors are up to standard.
“I mean this is on the design, structure, on the building standards on the contractors given the job. Because we (the government) are the authority, we must enforce these things,” said Subramaniam.
Asked if there should be a review of all hospitals, Subramaniam said that the monitoring is a continuous process.
“That is something that goes on, in terms of maintenance, if there is evidence of structural issues then we take remedial actions,” he said.
Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof told reporters at the Parliament lobby that he was still waiting for a detailed report.
However, he stressed that the government would not hesitate to take action, if the contractor of the building was found to be at fault.
Meanwhile, Pas Kuala Kedah MP Dr Azman Ismail weighed in on the issue, saying that the government should set up a special committee to review all government buildings to avoid further mishaps.
Earlier this morning, a portion of the ceiling near the maternity ward at Serdang Hospital caved-in.
No one has been reportedly injured from the 2.55am incident.
This was the third time that such a collapse happened, but sources aid that there were "at least 10 more incidents" that were not made public.
In Aug 13, 2012, three nurses and a female medical officer at the Serdang Hospitals' Emergency Department were injured when 15 ceiling pieces measuring 2 ft x 2 ft each collapsed at 2.45am.
The first reported incident in Jan 2011 involved the main lobby where no one was reportedly injured in a collapse minutes after midnight.
The hospital has been operating since December 2005 and was built to serve the roughly 570,000 population of Serdang, Putrajaya, Kajang and Bangi.
The hospital cost RM690mil to construct and is one of the e-hospital networks envisioned by the Government.

Read more at: http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/govt-springs-into-action-following-hospital-ceiling-collapse-23033?cp