Make your way to Kajang to enjoy satay at carnival

The Star, Friday November 15, 2013

SATAY lovers, rejoice!

 

The Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) will co-organise 1001 Rasa Sate Kajang Carnival with Tourism Selangor next month.

The carnival will be held from Dec 19 to 22 at Cempaka Lake in Bangi.

More than 10 satay vendors in Kajang will come together and visitors will have the opportunity to taste the different types of satay available in the town famously known for its skewered and grilled meat.

“The encouraging number of 80,000 visitors who came to the carnival last year inspired us to hold the event again,” said MPKj president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman during a press conference recently.

There will be a lot of fun games and activities catered for both adults and children at the carnival such as colouring contest, cooking contest, futsal tournaments, walk hunt and fishing competition with RM15,000 cash prizes to give away.

“The carnival is held to honour the role of satay entrepreneurs in Kajang who have helped promote Kajang as a Satay City, as well as to promote Visit Malaysia 2014,” said Hasan.

He added that there were more than 100 satay vendors in Kajang and 10 were invited for the carnival.
“Visitors will be able to taste the famous Sate Kajang Haji Samuri and Sate UK, among others, all under one roof,” he said.

There will also be free satay for visitors.

“About 1,000 satay will be given away on Dec 20 and 21,” he said.

Hasan added that Lake Cempaka in Bangi was chosen as the venue this year as there was ample parking space for visitors.

“They do not have to worry about parking space. It is also the best place for the fishing competition,” he said.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim will be launching the carnival on Dec 19.

MPKj standoff: Selangor MB plays it safe

fz.com, Nov 14, 2013

by Azril Annuar

FZ.COM/Shahrin Yahya

Rather than taking punitive measures against the MPKj president, Abdul Khalid said he will only do so if it was proven that the latter committed fraud.

SHAH ALAM (Nov 13): Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to taking firm action over the fiasco in the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).

 

Rather than taking punitive measures against MPKj president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman who unlawfully approved a RM10 million development charges discount or investigating the allegations laid out against 10 possible rogue councillors, Abdul Khalid placated both parties.

 

Cornered during a press conference here today, Abdul Khalid said he will only take action against Hasan if it was proven that the latter committed fraud in approving the discount for certain contractors.

 

“Before Pakatan Rakyat took over, discounts were given under Barisan Nasional (BN) without taking into consideration the process of approval and all that. This indulgence is a continuous nasty culture of the BN legacy.

 

“What Pakatan is now doing, what Datuk Teng (Chang Kim), I and the administration are doing, is to make sure that every decision now is well processed. We do not want this to repeat itself by correcting the culture.

 

“However, measures will be taken (against Hasan) if it’s proven that there was fraud. We come from a reformed group where fairness and justice is important. We won’t take any action based on speculative basis,” said Abdul Khalid.

 

This is despite an audit by the Selangor Financial Officer which has disclosed that MPKj lost RM10 million in revenue after Hasan gave the discount to developers involved in eight projects in the township.

 

A second audit by the State Secretary confirmed the earlier audit, saying it was a breach of Section 33 of the Local Government Act and by right, should be cause for disciplinary action or even an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). 

 

Touching on the possibility of any investigation being taken against the councillors who allegedly benefited from council contracts, Abdul Khalid said he has instructed the councillors and Hasan to have a meeting and discuss the issue.

 

“Some of the information may not be totally true. So, allegations cannot be a public discussion. I’ve already asked the councillors and also the council president to have their own meeting and open up all the allegations.

 

“They are to find out whether the allegations are correct and the councillors have conducted themselves improperly. Only then can we come in to make the corrective action,” said Abdul Khalid.

 

According to fz.com report dated Nov 11 titled ‘Kajang Irish standoff lays bare council mess’, Hasan however has a trump card in a dossier that he claimed he has evidence alleging that 10 councillors has requested or benefited from council contracts.

 

This could lead to the gentle treatment by the state government.

 

To make matters worse, prior to Abdul Khalid’s instructions, Hasan and his councillors were at an impasse when all 23 councillors decided to boycott him, leading to a walkout and the councillors refusal to convene for council meetings.

Read more: http://www.fz.com/content/mpkj-standoff-selangor-mb-plays-it-safe#ixzz2kaIrai18

MPKj standoff: Selangor MB plays it safe

fz.com, Nov 13, 2013

by Terence Fernandez

FZ.COM/Shahrin Yahya

 

Abdul Khalid said the MPKj councillors should return to work.

SHAH ALAM (Nov 13): Get back to work! That is the order by Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to the 23 councillors of the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).

 

The council has been operating on autopilot since August following a show of no confidence against council president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman.

 

Councillors have walked out of the full board meeting saying they will not continue to serve until Hasan is removed.

 

They moved a no-confidence motion against the administration on Aug 24 and on Oct 9, proposed a motion to remove Hasan who has been president since 2007.

 

They claimed abuse of power, non-co-operative civil servants and dubious management procedures as among the reasons they do not have faith in the administration.

 

It has been confirmed that Hasan had unlawfully given a RM10 million discount to developers, causing ratepayers to lose revenue.

 

It is learnt that Hasan, in retaliation, is threatening to “expose” 10 councillors who had sought or benefitted from council contracts.

 

At a meeting in his office here on Monday, Abdul Khalid told the councillors to return to work and convene the monthly full board meeting at the end of the month.

 

According to sources, he promised to monitor Hasan for three months, following which if his performance is not up to par, he will be transferred out.

 

Hasan’s contract expires on his 59th birthday on Dec 9, but is expected to fulfil the full term allowed, when he turns 60.

 

“There is little action that the MB can take against Hasan,” said a source.

 

“How can you remove a council president just based on a two-page complaint that does not go into specifics?” he added.

 

Yesterday, fz.com revealed that a major reshuffle of senior council staff, including presidents may be in the cards as a solution to the impasse.

 

However, it is believed that Hasan will not budge as there was no ill-will or corrupt intentions on his part when he gave the discount. Hence, he may get off with a mere slap on the wrist.

 

Whether this will appease the councillors remains to be seen.

 

However, they are in dereliction of duties for refusing to perform their tasks as the approving authority. Hence, it is learnt that some of them will not be renewed when their term expires on Dec 31.

 

Meanwhile, the question for Abdul Khalid is, why not invoke the proper procedures under the Local Government Act and the Standing Orders to convene an investigation to penalise Hasan?

 

What has been established is that he did breach the law by issuing the discount.

And as far as the contract-seeking councillors are concerned, there is no law to prevent them from benefitting from council tenders.

 

The only issue is if they had declared their interests and left the room when the project concerned was discussed.

 

Abdul Khalid will not have it easy at the post-exco meeting press conference this afternoon.

Read more: http://www.fz.com/content/mb-councillors-get-back-work#ixzz2kaHHPleH

MPKj anjur karnival sate empat hari

MyMetro, 9 Nov 2013

Kajang: Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj) akan menganjurkan Satu Karnival 1001 Rasa Sate Kajang yang akan berlangsung selama empat hari bermula 19 Disember hingga 22 Disember di Taman Tasik Cempaka, Bandar Baru Bangi, di sini.

Yang Dipertua MPKj, Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman berkata, karnival itu bertujuan menghargai peranan pengusaha sate di Kajang selain mempromosikan sate sebagai makanan warisan Negeri Selangor.

Katanya, pihaknya bercadang menjemput 10 peniaga sate di bandar ini sempena karnival yang bakal berlangsung bagi memberi peluang kepada peniaga menjalankan aktiviti perniagaan dan memperkenalkan kepelbagaian sate yang dijual.

Hasan Nawawi berkata, di Kajang saja terdapat lebih 100 peniaga sate dan kewujudan peniaga sate seperti Willy Sate dan UK Sate yang mendapat sambutan menggalakkan mengukuhkan lagi kedudukan bandar ini sebagai Bandar Sate. “Dulu bila sebut saja Kajang, orang ramai akan terus bercakap tentang keenakan Sate Haji Samuri, tetapi sekarang keadaan sudah berubah,” katanya ketika sidang media semalam.

“Peniaga sate semakin bertambah, rasa pun sudah berbeza. Melalui karnival ini, secara tidak langsung orang luar sedar kepelbagaian rasa sate yang terdapat di Kajang,” katanya ketika sidang media semalam.

Hasan Nawawi berkata, selain sate, pengunjung yang hadir boleh menyertai pelbagai aktiviti menarik yang disediakan pihaknya sepanjang program berlangsung.

“Kami juga menyediakan aktiviti yang sesuai untuk pengunjung di semua peringkat umur antaranya seperti pertandingan paintball, futsal, memancing, menghias kek dan banyak lagi selain akan dihiburkan dengan persembahan artis dan kehadiran Upin & Ipin serta Boboiboy,” katanya.

Artikel ini disiarkan pada : 2013/11/09

Hidden gem of a township

The New Straits Times, 11 November 2013
 
By Suresh Ram

IT was supposed to be away from the hustle and bustle of the federal capital, and in a way, it still is.

However, Bandar Mahkota Cheras can be easily be missed despite its large size.

If you are travelling by way of the Cheras-Kajang Highway or even the Silk Highway looking for Bandar Mahkota Cheras, chances are, you will either miss it, of have difficulty locating this sprawling residential area.

Yet, the easiest way to get there is to out for the sign board showing the way to Sg Long or Taman Rakan.

Located off Batu 9, Jalan Kajang-Cheras, the township is built on undulating landscape and is just half an hour's drive to Kuala Lumpur and a mere 15 minutes to Kajang and The Mines.

Situated near the Lekas Highway, it is a 45-minute drive to Putrajaya, Seremban, and several smaller towns nearby has seen many snap-up homes or apartments in the residential area.

One of the grouses which my fellow neighbours and I, including those living in nearby Sg Long, has is being caught in the morning and evening jams during peak hours. It is something which we dread, even after all these years.

Consisting of mostly double-storey terrace houses, Bandar Mahkota Cheras has a population in excess of 50,000 in more than 10,000 households.

The neighbourhood continues to expand as more homes and business establishments take root in the former rubber estate.

The township itself is self-sufficient with an Aeon shopping mall, hundreds of shops as well as houses of worship spread out over a 365ha.

There is a primary school in nearby Taman Rakan, secondary school in Sg Long, and a proposed Tamil school in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, making it convenient for families with school-going children.

There is also reliable public transport service. Regular RapidKL services and the Serdang and Kajang railway stations have allowed the residents to be less reliant on their own cars.

The Sg Buloh-Kajang Mass Rapid Transport project along the Cheras-Kajang Highway is also expected to boost public transport as it passes the township near the Cheras Perdana junction.

With public amenities such as food stalls, a night market, and a fledgling wet market, most residents find it unnecessary to go elsewhere for their basic necessities.

Food-wise, there is everything -- from Mamak to Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western food including fast food outlets and cafes for people of all ages and walks of life.

Even if one had to go out of the township to run errands or even shopping, places like Kajang, Pekan Batu 11, Mines shopping malls and Aeon Cheras Selatan, are all about 10 to 15 minutes' drive away.
Bandar Mahkota Cheras's location near Kajang and in the Hulu Langat district also has its advantages when it comes to recreation.

The district itself is famous for its kampung durians and if you have a sudden urge for satay then just head towards Kajang which is famous for this local favourite.

Surrounded by natural greenery, picnic spots are also within easy reach at Sungai Gabai waterfalls, the Semenyih reservoir, and the Sungai Congkak forest recreational centre, among others. Despite its rapid development and expansion, Bandar Mahkota Cheras is still an ideal location to get away from it all.

Bandar Makhota Cheras is a sprawling townshipsurrounded by rapid development. Pix by Suresh Ram

Read more: Hidden gem of a township - Central - New Straits Timeshttp://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/hidden-gem-of-a-township-1.397282#ixzz2kQCihWKr

MKH's Alex Chen is Property Man 2013

The Sun Daily, 9 November 2013

Eva Yeong
sunbiz@thesundaily.com

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PETALING JAYA (Nov 9, 2013): MKH Bhd chairman Tan Sri Alex Chen was named the 'Property Man of the Year' at the FIABCI Malaysia Property Awards 2013.

Chen, who has 40 years of real estate experience, is the founder of MKH (formerly known as Metro Kajang Holdings Bhd).

The Malaysia Property Awards, the 21st installment this year, saw a total of nine awards in eight categories being presented.

Winners of the night include St. Jo's by Hunza Properties Bhd for the `Heritage (restoration/conservation)' category, Menara 3 Petronas by KLCC Property Holdings Bhd for the `Office' category and Taylor's University Lakeside Campus by Taylor's Education Group for the `Purpose-built/Specialised Project' category.

For the `Residential (high-rise)' category, there were two winners namely Seni Mont' Kiara by Aseana Properties Ltd and Sunway Palazzio by Sunway Bhd.

Meanwhile, Martinique Villas by-the-sea by Eastern & Oriental Bhd won the `Residential (low-rise)' category award and Setia City Mall by Greenhills Resources Sdn Bhd won the `Retail' category award.

For the `Sustainable Development' category, Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd won the award for its Platinum Sentral project.

The awards were presented by Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, accompanied by FIABCI Malaysia president Yeow Thit Sang and organising committee chairman Dr Yu Kee Su.

Wife beats up forgetful hubby

The Star, Saturday November 9, 2013

by loshana k. shagar, alison lai, AND a. raman

A SECURITY guard in Kajang paid a heavy price for his forgetfulness – 10 stitches to the head and multiple bruises – after his wife beat him up for forgetting to buy her breakfast.

Harian Metro reported that the 25-year-old wife had asked the man, 29, to buy her breakfast before he left for work on Tuesday morning.

The man, however, forgot his wife’s request and went straight to work at a residential area in Bandar Baru Bangi about a kilometre away from his home.

At about 8am, the guard’s wife arrived at the security office, and began punching her husband in the face.

A police source said the man did not retaliate, but instead asked the wife the reason for the attack and she scolded him for not buying her the breakfast.

“Although the victim tried to calm his wife down, she became even more aggressive, kicking and hitting him with a stick.

“The man managed to snatch the stick away, but his wife threw a stone, hitting him in the head and causing him to faint,” said the source.

He was rushed to the Kajang Hospital by a colleague, where he was warded overnight, before lodging a report at the Kajang police station.

In his report, the victim claimed frequent abuse by his wife for over a year, even for the smallest mistakes.