Pudu prison wall story

/* June 21st, 2010 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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Just days ago, the reason given for demolishment of the Pudu prison wall was “road widening and underpass construction” :

The 300m stretch of the Pudu Prison wall along Jalan Pudu will be demolished on June 20-23 to make way for road widening and the construction of an underpass.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail said the construction of the underpass gave priority to road users although it involved a national treasure.

“Every day we face problems because of this wall, getting to the office late, so this is just a matter of which one is the priority to us and the government,” he said Thursday.

The underpass will be an alternative route linking Jalan Pudu to Cheras will reduce congestion at Jalan Hang Tuah.

Construction will be carried out in stages and the project is expected to be completed in December 2012. Bernama

Today, we are hit with this news:

The Pudu jail, which 394m wall will be demolished tonight, will be re-developed in stages ove a period of 10 years beginning next year.

Deputy Finance Minister Senator Datuk Awang Adek Hussein.

He said UDA (Urban Development AUthority) will carry out the re-development, comprising 40% residential area and 60% commercial units, including hotels.

Do you smell something?

If the wall has heritage value, why not just dismantle it and move it elsewhere. Or even retain a small section for old times sake? Surely there are experts in excavation and conservation who can help out, albeit for certain consultation fees. We Malaysian just love consultants 🙂

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Hulu Selangor visit

/* June 21st, 2010 by poobalan | View blog reactions 2 comments »
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Hulu Selangor came under the limelight recently due to the by-election. If I’m not mistaken its the biggest district in Selangor, yet its among the most laid back in terms of living style, and with among the lowest population among the districts. Its also my father’s hometown.

The trip was initiated by fellow blogger and photographer Amutha. Newly minted MP, YB P.Kamalanathan invited the photographers and bloggers down to Hulu Selangor for a walkabout. 6 people turned up, including yours truly. The others were Amutha, Then, Puvanan, Parimala and Selian. We left Puchong at 9.15am and reached Kuala Kubu Bahru around 11.15am (Yeah, it took that long due to GPS that asked to take a different exit along PLUS highway). You can exit at Rawang, or use the old road via Batu Caves.

We met up with Kamalanathan who was in a sports attire. He had some senamrobik event in the morning. Had a chat on issues in Hulu Selangor, his election campaign, MIC and other stuff. Had a good breakfast as well.

From Trip to Hulu Selangor
From Trip to Hulu Selangor

After about one hour, we left for our first destination, the Sg Selangor Dam, along the way to Fraser Hill. We reached the dam (its about 4km from KKB town) at 12.35pm. There’s a visitor center for public to learn more about the dam. Took some pictures of the dam (but the fences blocked a clear view). The office closes at lunch time, so we took more pictures on the grounds. Some a steady stream of visitors but rarely more than 20 people at a time. Most come to take picture or have a snack there (you have to bring your meal, no shops here!).

From Trip to Hulu Selangor

We spent about two hours there, until 2.30pm. Puvanan and Selian had to leave due to another appointment, so we decided to move on. On the way out from the dam, the rest of decided to visit the Orang Asli settlement nearby, called Kg Gerachi Jaya. The road was a bit steep and narrow. Took us about 10 minutes to reach the village. To our surprise, the houses were newly built and looked very comfortable.

From Trip to Hulu Selangor

Along the way down from the village, we took some photos of the dam (opposite side from earlier location).

From Trip to Hulu Selangor

We went back for a quick lunch at Indian Village restaurant (they close by 4pm, that shows you how laid back the place is!) and also had cendol and ABC at a nearby stall.

From Trip to Hulu Selangor

We ended up taking the federal road back to KL, and along the way, passed by my father’s hometown, Ulu Yam Bahru. Took some pictures at the picnic site there.

By the time we reached Batu dam, it was already 6pm. There were few families there. We stopped to take some photos and continued on our way back to Puchong.

From Trip to Hulu Selangor

We spent a lot of time on the road since the district is big. There are lot of scenic places in Hulu Selangor, and eco-tourism can be developed to provide employment and revenue for the folks. However, as with other similar projects, the concern is that over-development will cause the tranquility and beauty of the place to be disturbed.

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Lucky Folks in Kg Baru

/* June 20th, 2010 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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Just a week ago, FT Minister Nong Chik said the land owners in Kg Baru have agreed in general to his proposal. But this was disputed by a group called MAS (Kampung Baru Malay Agricultural Settlement Administrative Board) who said no such agreement have been made. Now, Selangor’s MB Khalid is trying to put a leg in, by offering to meet the land owners with an alternative plan for development of Kg Baru.

Obviously, Minister Nong Chik is unhappy, but legally, can anyone stop someone from proposing plans? Ultimately the land owners have to decide themselves on how to proceed to develop the area.

I consider the alternative proposals, be it from Pakatan Rakyat’s Khalid or anyone else, a good thing. Having option will ensure competition to provide the best. Now, the FT Ministry mostly likely have to up the tempo and offer better plan. The land owners are kings now, and hopefully they will decide well.

This should be a lesson learnt for the voters and citizens. Know our rights, make sure we are valued by both sides, always look for alternatives, bargain hard, and decide wisely.

Federal Territories Minister Raja Datuk Nong Chik Zainal Abidin today told the Selangor mentri besar not to disrupt Putrajaya’s plan to redevelop Kampung Baru.

Raja Nong Chik alleged that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim previously did not show any interest in Kampung Baru when leading the government fund management firm, PNB.

“I was shocked when Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim said he wants to meet Kampung Baru residents,” said Raja Nong Chik at the launch of Lembah Pantai branch of the Malay rights group Perkasa here.

“I can only tell him one thing, mind you own business. There are a lot of problems in Selangor that he can look into,” he said.

He said Khalid’s sudden interest in Kampung Baru could be caused by PKR’s lack of popularity among the Malay community.

“Today because PKR does not enjoy the support of the Malays, he is pretending to be interested in Kampung Baru,” said Raja Nong Chik.

“There is no other reason but to cause disunity among the Malays in Kuala Lumpur,” he added.

Earlier today Khalid had said that he would meet with Kampung Baru residents in July to present the state government’s plans for the residents of the 110-year old Malay settlement.

He said the plan was drawn up 15 to 20 years ago upon the request of the federal government.

Although in Kuala Lumpur, Khalid had said that Selangor has administrative obligations to Kampung Baru.

He had pointed out that before Kuala Lumpur was made a Federal Territory, the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) was the entity responsible for developing Kampung Baru and the law stipulates that managerial rights still remain with the Selangor mentri besar.

Raja Nong Chik however dismissed Khalid’s claim on the power of the Selangor mentri besar over Kampung Baru.

“He was just speaking on historical aspect. If you want to talk about history, Selangor should still be under the control of Malacca,” he said.

On the claims by Kampung Baru Malay Agricultural Settlement Administrative Board (MAS) that the body must give an agreement before the development can proceed, Raja Nong Chik said the matter is up to the individual land owners.

“Legally they don’t have the right but we do not want to push anybody out of the negotiation,” he told reporters.

“Legally it is the right of the landowners. MAS cannot do anything, even the government cannot do anything,” said Raja Nong Chik.

He said he had met all the stakeholders involved in the redevelopment proposal including MAS adding that the final decision rest with the landowners and beneficiaries.

“We do not expect 100 per cent to agree one way or another. It can be a long process,” said Raja Nong Chik.

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Another call for regulation of places of worship

/* June 20th, 2010 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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Previously, many quarters have called for a department to be established by the government to handle non-Muslim affairs. But nothing really materialised, instead issues related to other religion were pushed to department handling national unity or passed to Minister like Koh Tsu Koon who is in charge of unity.

Recently, the Gurdwara Council provided their support as well, especially in relation to places of worship. This is because issues related to place of worship (registered ones) are handled by ROS. That too only covers administrative and management issues, not the religious aspects.

I think its been long overdue. There should be a department handling land issues, funding, religious official training, permits for foreign priest etc. This will ensure funds are not misused by being handed out via political parties for self-serving purposes. It will also ensure uniformity in helping places of worship to get registered, and managed well.

The Government should consider setting up a body to regulate places of worship for non-Muslims, the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council said.

Its vice-president Jagir Singh said there should be a body for non-Muslims like the Malaysian Islamic Development Department for the Muslims.

“This would be the best way forward. Having a regulatory body setting guidelines for non-Muslim places of worship would be good,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“This will provide an avenue for non-Muslims to go to if there was any dispute, instead of going to the Registrar of Societies (ROS),” he said.

When Sikhs have disputes in gurdwaras, the council would step in to look for an amicable solution, said Jagir.

“The complaints received by the council are mostly related to election procedures but not involving funds,” he said.

There are 118 gurdwaras in Malaysia with 82 affiliated to the council but all would heed its directives on religious matters, he said.

Jagir said the ROS was not a proper body with which places of worship should be registered.

“I am aware that many churches, Hindu temples and gurdwaras have registered with the ROS because of the difficulty in opening bank accounts,” he said.

Jagir, who is also the chairman of the legal panel of the council, said the Federal Constitution was clear that places of worship need not register.

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Mother’s Urgent Appeal for university fees for student Karthik

/* June 18th, 2010 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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Please support wherever possible and spread the word around.

PERSATUAN KEBAJIKAN ANNAI ILLAM SELANGOR DAN KUALA LUMPUR

(ANNAI ILLAM WELFARE SOCIETY,SELANGOR AND KUALA LUMPUR)

No 45 B, Jalan L/P 2, Taman Lakshamana Permai ,68100,
Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur
(S. Chandrasekaran PJK ) 016 -2011 376 (hp) scm@sdc.com.my
(PERSATUAN KEBAJIKAN ANNAI ILLAM SELANGOR DAN KUALA LUMPUR is a non-profit, charitable organization and is registered with the Malaysia Registrar of Societies (ROS) . situated in Taman Lakshamana Permai , Batu Caves )

Mr. Poobalan,,
Most Respected well-wishers and supporters,
Greetings!

Dear Datuk.
15th June 2010

Re: Mother’s Urgent Appeal for Support of University fees for Annai Illam- student-Karthik

1. First and foremost my very sincere thanks to you for your kind concern for the needy children and their parents in our Home.
2. Annai Illam (MOTHER’S HOME ) is committed to providing shelter and supporting learning activities , financial & educational support for the underprivileged and needy children & Mothers .
3. Student Karthik is known to me and Annai Illam and has been an outstanding and deserving child.
4. He has shown his interest in pursuing his ambition to become a Doctor since his early days.
5. He and his mother have on many occasions reached out with funds, medical assistance ,food, school uniforms and physical help for the needy children in our home for the past 15 years.
6. However, due to circumstances beyond her control ,Karthik’s mother has appealed for support for her son’s University Entry fees. The dateline is due soon.
· We wish to appeal to all our friends to sponsor /provide a grant /pledge support for Karthik.
· We are reaching out to 300 friends of Annai Illam who can pledge an amount of Rm300.00 each before the 21st of June 2010.
· Fortunately , A number of friends have pledged their support.
· Please go ahead If you wish to make a bigger pledge .
· Kindly contact me at 016-2011376 or E- mail scm@sdc.com.my
· Details of our Home is as follows:-Persatuan Kebajikan Annai Illam, Selangor & Kuala Lumpur.(Reg No. 0744-07-SEL)45B Jalan L/P 2, Taman Laksamana Permai,Off Jalan Sg. Tua, 68100 Batu Caves.Banker: CIMB Bank, A/c No. 1248-000-8203-05-7

We humbly appeal to you , Sir, to kindly support Karthik .

Thank you very much and GOD BLESS YOU

With all the good wishes and in a union of prayers.

Best Regards,

S. Chandrasekaran PJK
President,
Persatuan Kebajikan Annai Illam, Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
016-2011376

‘’Hello Sir,
I am Santhi Vellasamy, Karthik’s mother. I am sure that Sir, you know my eldest son Karthik. He was with you since small in Annai Illam programmes. He is a well-behaved, disciplined, and an intelligent student. He just finished his Form 6 and also Foundation in Science which he did well. Due to his excellence, he is offered a place in University Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia to pursue his tertiary studies in medicine. To be a doctor, is Karthik’s passion since he was a small kid. He always wanted to wear the white coat and also carry the stethoscope around. Now, when he is offered a place, which not many students can qualify, we are facing some difficulties in arranging the money.
We need to come up with a total of RM 80, 000 for the first payment within a short period of time. With my husband’s unfixed income, it is a bit difficult. My husband was retrenched quite some time back. Now, he is just doing a small business together with his elder brothers. The income there is not so much and it must be shared among his brothers too. Finally his share is just a small amount. I am working as a kindergarten teacher and my salary is not much too. I only get around RM 500 monthly. This is just enough for the household expenses and for my other two boys.
We tried to apply for Bank loans, but there are a lot of criteria needed, that we couldn’t fulfill. Therefore, getting a loan is also hard for us now. I cannot also depend on my other family members for money as everyone is also having their own problems and financial difficulties. I don’t want history to repeat again. As he is the only one with the passion and the intelligence to become a doctor.
I don’t want to destroy my son’s dream and his only ambition, to become a doctor just because we cannot afford to come up with the money. He has stood up high all this while, saying to everyone that he is a future doctor and I don’t wish to disappoint him. I know Sir, that there are many kind hearts out there that can understand our situation and offer us some help. I am really hoping and praying that all the kind hearts out there will be helping my son to achieve his dreams. Thanking you all in advance for all your kind help and assistance in making my son to be a successful doctor soon.
Thank you very much.

SANTHI VELLASAMY
016-6170086”

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