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Archive for February, 2010

Longhouse Kg Muniandy housing problem

February 12th, 2010

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Housing issue never seems to end. Case after case continues to happen. This one is long house occupants problem. Incomplete information doesn’t boost the confidence or the trust of the people. When negative news occurs often, how can one expect the public to trust the authorities or developers?

Long-house residents in PJS 1, formerly known as Kampung Muniandy, have no idea where they are going when their homes are demolished after Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 14, to make way for a school.

“Where are we supposed to relocate to?” asked the residents association’s assistant secretary, M Sukumaran.

He claimed that he received a SMS from Selangor’s housing, building management and squatter exco, Iskandar Samad’s personal aide, known as Kamaruzaman, confirming the demolition.

The residents have been given an option of accepting RM300 on a monthly basis for a period of 36 months or RM500 for a period of 24 months.

Sukumaran said that he had been invited to meet Iskandar Samad tomorrow. “We will not be attending the meeting as there is no invitation in black and white.”

Iskandar had announced that the developer would be building the low cost homes and the residents would be given an off-payment to assist in rental payments. However the residents now need to know where their new homes will be.

Sukumaran had recently led a group of residents in sending amemorandum to Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim pleading for his help in resolving their housing woes but there has been no response as yet.

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Posted in Indian

Tags: Poverty Selangor

Department for Indian Development?

February 12th, 2010

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This article interests me for three reasons:

1. Proposal by MIC to set up a government agency for Indians. Now, this may be possible since there’s such department for Orang Asli community. However, there’s severe lack of funds for government, so I doubt this proposal will be a reality. Then the other communities like Chinese, Siamese, Indian Muslims, Peranakan Melaka etc. will be requesting their own departments. Maybe a middle path would be some sort of project monitoring office set up for the duration of the 10th Malaysia Plan. The question of its membership would also be a problem. One can imagine it to be crowded with MIC-affiliated people, which will reduce the credibility. If such a department does materialise, it should have non-partisan members, preferably multi-racial. However, I still think its wishful thinking.

2. The second thing is the statement by Samy Vellu that “progress had been made as many of the party’s recommendations were implemented by the Government in the Ninth Malaysia Plan”. I wonder how to prove this statement. Was the intended outcome achieved? “Many” of the recommendations may be implemented, but how well and how effective?

3. I still don’t agree to a measly 3% equity. We should put a higher target of at least 8%. That will create a sense of urgency on the seriousness of the problem.

The MIC has proposed the setting up of a Malaysian Indian Development Agency (Minda) to monitor and implement government initiatives for the Indian community, especially in the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

The proposed government agency is expected to complement the Special Cabinet Committee for the Development of Indians chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the party had proposed that Minda be made a government agency.

He told reporters after chairing a special MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting here yesterday that Minda would ensure that the party’s recommendations for Indians under the 10MP would be implemented.

Samy Vellu also said that the party would be submitting its recommendations later this month. The recommendations include setting up a cooperative for Indians to be run by the Government with an initial capital of RM100mil, identifying the actual number of poor Indians, developing a Youth Visionary Programme with a government grant of RM100mil for school dropouts and the unemployed and having yearly allocations for Tamil schools.

Samy Vellu said the party’s recommendations would also be discussed at the next meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee for Indians.

“Within the next five years, the equity participation of Indians must be increased so that we can reach the target of 3% by 2020,” he said.

To a question, Samy Vellu said progress had been made as many of the party’s recommendations were implemented by the Government in the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

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Posted in Indian

Tags: Economy Funds MIC Politicians

Doctor alleges crime in Orang Asli hospital

February 12th, 2010

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This is one very brave doctor, considering that she’s issuing public statement without referring to her bosses. May end up losing the job. If what she said is true, then obviously heads must roll (not hers). Imagine if all the complaints went unheeded and in fact, some efforts taken to cover up the problem. In ideal situation, maybe this kind of persons will be given medal or promotion or some sort of recognition, but being Bolehland, people try to pin some sort of case against complainant, but not follow up with the case at hand.

A doctor from the Orang Asli Affairs Department (JHEOA) Hospital, Gombak has made startling claims of rampant malpractice, misappropriation of resources and other wrongdoings by its staff.

Dr KP Selvaa Vathany (left), who has been attached to the hospital since March last year, made the claims today in order to pressure the authorities into conducting a proper investigation.

“The hospital has deviated from its original objective, which is to provide healthcare provisions and medical services to the Orang Asli people,” she said, during the press conference at the Bar Council headquarters, yesterday.

She was accompanied by former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan and Bar Council’s Orang Asli Affairs Committee head Augustine Anthony.

Citing an example, Selvaa Vathany said the hospital’s essential supplies scheme has been abused and the goods are not reaching the target group.

“For instance, a tin of infant milk is divided into six small packets with 15 to 20 packets distributed to a village of between 250 to 500 people.

“It is disheartening to see mothers clamouring for milk powder,” she said.

Salvaa Vathany also alleged that JHEOA Hospital’s funds for ‘food baskets’ to curb malnourishment among Orang Asli children had been misappropriated.

Complaints unheeded

She notes that the programme was in view that Orang Asli children were 15 times more likely to die from malnourishment compared to other children.

“Essentials given out are limited to one to two bottles of cooking oil, six to eight tins of canned food, two packets of 400gram Milo, 15 to 20 small packets of milk powder, 10 to 20 diapers, two bottles of detergent and 10 to 20 pairs of slippers, per visit.

“These are distributed at random and stored in a black bin bag. If the villagers are lucky, distribution could be as frequent as once in every two to three months,” she said.

She said hospital administrators incapable of following Health Ministry protocols and standards were made hospital administrators and were from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry without medical training.

Selvaa Vathany alleged that complaints have been made to the Prime Minister’s Department, Rural and Regional Development Ministry, Health Ministry, chief secretary, Public Service Department and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to no avail.

However, a team sent investigate the allegations comprised of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, who tried to cover up the matter.

“They questioned the complaint and remarks made by the Orang Asli in an unprofessional manner. The complainants were also intimidated and threatened.

“Despite all efforts taken, investigations are delayed and medical staffs are persecuted severely and threatened for trying to do so,” she said.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags: Crime

No thanks for token action

February 10th, 2010

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In BM, I think “melepas batuk di tangga” is appropriate to describe the action by toll companies. Its just some half-hearted act, by which they expect the public to bend over their backs praising. Unfortunately, the consensus seems to be brickbats for the companies. Funny thing is, the Work Minister was announcing this during a Road Safety Campaign by his ministry (he said it was like ang pow). I wonder if he mentioned about the dangers of driving in odd hours. I think the Minister should have advised the toll companies to provide better offer, something that will really bring cheer to the public.

Motorists using 17 highways will receive incentives such as tollfree rides and discounts from concessionaires as “angpow” for the Chinese New Year.

The concessionaire of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway and East Coast Highway (Phase 1) has decided to allow free rides on 11.30pm on Feb 11 to 4.30am on Feb 12, and the same times from Feb 15-16.

Other concessionaires will be offering discounts of between 5% and 20% for those using their highways, Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said on Monday, adding this was the first such incentive for Chinese New Year.

“In other words, this is an ‘angpow’ from toll concessionaires for motorists using their highways,” he told reporters after launching the ministry’s Road Safety Campaign in Semenyih Monday.

Highways offering discounts on Feb 14 are Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), SPRINT Highway, New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya), Smart Expressway, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh), Shah Alam-Kuang Guthire Corridor Expressway, KL-Putrajaya Expressway, Duta-Hulu Klang Expressway (Duke), Cheras-Kajang Expressway (Grand Saga), Shah Alam Expressway and Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (SILK).

The North South Expressway (PLUS) offers discounts on Feb 10, 11, and 12 while the North-South Expressway Central Link (Elite) will be offering its discounts on Feb 17, 18 and 19.

Currently, there are 26 toll concessionaires operating in the country.

Shaziman said the initiative by concessionaires was voluntary one.

Want to read some advice from MIROS?:

Motorists should think of safety first and not toll-free offers or discounts when travelling at night.

Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) director-general Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said driving at night required a different set of skills from day driving.

“Motorists should not change their driving habits for the sake of getting a discount,” he told The Star yesterday.

However, he said if drivers still insisted on driving at those times, they should plan their journeys by resting adequately before setting off or have a back-up driver.

A bit of news from PLUS below. They spent RM20 million since January LAST year. Yeah, is that like a lot of money for them or more like loose change after breakfast?

In PETALING JAYA, PLUS Expressways Bhd managing director Noorizah Abdul Hamid said highway users will be given a discount of 20% when they used PLUS highways between midnight and 7am during the Chinese New Year holidays.

Cars, excluding taxis, will be given an additional 10% discount on top of the existing 10% rebate given everyday during the off-peak hours.

“The discount will be given on Feb 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 in conjunction with the celebrations,” she said in a statement yesterday.

The discount will be applicable at the North-South Expressway, Seremban-Port Dickson Highway, ELITE and Linkedua but excluded toll plazas near the borders such as Tanjung Kupang, Johor Baru Causeway and Bukit Kayu Hitam.

The additional festive season toll discounts are offered during Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas to reflect the 1Malaysia concept.

PLUS has spent almost RM20mil on toll discounts since PLUS Travel Incentive programme was introduced in January last year.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia

Yet another temple demolished in KL

February 9th, 2010

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Yet another temple demolished. That phrase is becoming common even though it was not supposed to be. This time, in KL, a place were the Deputy Minister Saravana pledged that no temples will be demolished without proper relocation plan or or solution. DBKL also has a committee consisting of MHS officials (well, not sure if the committee still exists or not). And yet still got temples being demolished. Interestingly, the DBKL officials say they have authority to demolish new structures built illegally. If that’s the case, then need to provide proof that the structure is new and the place was not a temple prior to this. But the followers say its a 60 year old temple. So, which is which? Maybe it is 6o years old, and the new structure was built to replace an older (and most likely smaller basic) one?

Anyway, this will make Deputy Minister Saravanan hot under the collar as its his head is on the block now.

A Hindu temple in Air Panas, Setapak was demolished by the Kuala Lumpur city council (DBKL) yesterday morning, leaving local villagers crying foul.

According to Om Sri Maha Kaliaman Alayam temple caretaker Ravi Shankar, about 20 DBKL enforcement officers came with bulldozers to demolish the more than 60-year-old temple without any notice.

DBKL officials however refuted the allegations, stressing that the building was in fact a new structure.

“We have the authority to demolish any new structures that have been built illegally, without notice,” said Sadiaah Hashim, administrative assistant of the DBKL squatter division.

Ravi has since made a report against DBKL at Sentul Police Station. He said that worshippers were praying at the temple at around 9am when a team of DBKL enforcement officers moved in to demolish the structure. “We did not try to stop them. We were taken by surprise and scared.”

MIC information chief, P Kamalanathan confirmed the incident and said that DBKL should have offered an alternative site before demolishing the temple.

“It should not havehappened. They should have consulted the local community leaders before demolishing the sacred place,” he said.

Lawyer P Uthayakumar who assisted the caretaker in making the report said: “According to the principles of Article 11, the temple should not have been demolished just as people do not demolish mosques.”

The Human Rights Party (HRP) have also submitted a letter to the prime minister, federal territories minister and Kuala Lumpur mayor to condemn the demolition and demanded that all Hindu temples be gazetted.