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Brickfields development plan

September 30th, 2009
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Brickfields to have new look, costing about RM30 million, says Deputy FT Minister Saravanan, pending PM Najib’s approval (news just in time for certain by-elections, some cynics may claim). its expected to be complete in 6 months.

Among the changes mentioned by Saravanan:

– widening of the inner roads in Brickfields,

–  beautification of Jalan Berhala.

– tiled pavements and public walkways and new street lighting that can be seen in various locations in the township

– to convert the main roads into one-way streets

– an entrance archway located at the tailend of Jalan Brickfields near the Naga restaurant and the Brickfields police station

– a fountain at the junction of Jalan Travers and Brickfields.

– information pavilion and food bazaars in Jalan Chan Ah Tong

– fruit kiosks in Jalan Thamby Abdullah

– flower kiosks behind the KFC.

– Hawkers and petty traders will be relocated to a food court

– multi-storey car parks will be built.

Saravanan said most of the temples in Brickfields would not be affected by the development plans, but added that alternative sites would be provided if they were.

Saravanan cited the Sivan temple in Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad as an example which needed to make way to facilitate the widening of Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, but added that an alternative site had already been identified nearby.

There’s also a new traffic management plan being put in place, costing RM110 million. The plan, undertaken by the Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd, started in June and is expected to be completed in 2011. It involves a major traffic dispersal scheme for the KL Sentral and Brickfields areas.The project includes:

– an overpass at the Jalan Travers-Jalan Bangsar interchange,

– a ramp connecting KL Sentral to the Mahameru Highway.

– road-widening and upgrading work along Jalan Tun Sambanthan and the other connecting roads in the area.

– One of the key changes is a one-way traffic flow along Jalan Tun Sambanthan leading to Jalan Tun Sambanthan 3 (next to the Mobil station) and Jalan Padang Belia and Jalan Tun Sambanthan 4 before connecting to Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad and Jalan Berhala.

The plan received good comments from the public and business community:

KL Starail Stesen Monorail representative Gobal Rajee said the move to recognise Brickfields was timely and hoped the project would be speeded up.

Indian Petty Traders Association Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya president Jothy Appalasamy said it would be a moral boost for the people in the area.

“It will also be good for business,” he said.

Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman S.K.K Naidu, who lives in Palm Court condominium, said the idea itself was a good one and would certainly enhance the image of the neighbourhood.

“But, a proposal like this must be executed well. Unlike Chinatown in Jalan Petaling and Masjid India in Jalan Melayu, which are not part of a main road.

“Jalan Tun Sambanthan is a main road which is constantly busy with traffic. So any plans to upgrade it, must be thought out well,” he said.

Jassal Tandoori Restaurant owner Amar Singh said he was looking forward to the project taking off.

“We’re banking on it. It will definitely be good for business,” he said.

Most of the time, the development plans and execution end up not fulfilling the requirements and create more problems like worse traffic congestion. So, we have to keep our fingers crossed for this plan as well.

And would certain parts of Brickfields maintain its Little India look, or change into something more Middle Eastern, for example? Hopefully can retain its look and feel.

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Makkal Sakthi

September 26th, 2009
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Malaysian Makkal Sakthi Party has thrown its support behind PM Najib and BN for the upcoming Bagan Pinang by-election. Not surprising since the PM will be launching the party just a day before the by-election.

MMSP president RS Thanenthiran said the Indian voters of Bagan Pinang have much more to gain should BN’s yet-to-be named candidate win, as the coalition is the ruling state government.

“But if the seat falls to the opposition, it will be a waste for the Indian community there, because they cannot do much in terms of social, educational and economic development,” said Thanenthiran when contacted today.

“This (Bagan Pinang) is a test ground. The prime minister has made various promises to the Indian community. We should give him and his 1Malaysia concept a chance,” he added.

Thanenthiran said a MMSP delegation has met Najib twice – in March and in July – where the prime minister listened to their grouses and pledged to resolve the woes of the Indian community.

“We appreciate that he made time for us and he realises that something must be done – education, gangsterism, alcoholism and work opportunities – these problems were highlighted and he even took down notes,” he said.

However, Thanenthiran stressed that MMSP will remain an “independent” party, despite cozy ties with Najib, adding that the latter was invited to launch the party as the prime minister, and not as the BN chair.

“We are greatly honoured because our PM has an open mind…. We are the Makkal Sakti (people’s power) party and it is clear that this PM is a people’s PM.

“We are attracted to his 1Malaysia concept. This is what we are asking for. We hope by inviting the PM, we can get a clear picture of the 1Malaysia concept,” he said.

I think deep down, people will be happy if MMSP manage to get things down. However, outwardly, it seems like Thanenthiran is riding on Makkal Sakthi and Hindraf name for his party benefit. However, they must be careful to not end up puppets for either coalition. With a claim of 50,000 members, MMSP can try to do something beneficial, but so far, I haven’t heard them speaking on any of the latest issues – Kg Buah Pala or Seksyen 23 cow head protest, for example.

MMSP has an ally in ex-PM Mahathir :

“There seems to be a lot of support for the formation of this party. I think it is a good thing because we don’t want to lose the support of the Indians,” he said to newsmen at his Hari Raya open house in Seri Kembangan on Saturday.

When asked if the formation of another Indian party would dilute MIC’s influence further, he replied: “Well, I think the influence of MIC has already been diluted.”

Ouch!

Meanwhile, HINDRAF’s Waytha is not happy that the movement is being linked with MMSP:

Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Front) chief P Waythamoorthy is livid over news reports that attempts are being made to connect the strictly apolitical human rights and equal rights movement with the newly-registered Malaysian Makkal Sakthi Party (MMSP).

“There seems to be a convoluted agenda to draw similarities between Hindraf and MMSP and this is being encouraged by the powers-that-be,” said Waythamoorthy in a statement toMalaysiakini.

“It is strange that the prime minister agreed to launch a party which is not a member of the ruling Barisan Nasional. The speed with which MMSP was registered speaks for itself.” 

Waythamoorthy (left) pointed out that MIC, a founder member of the BN, has also warned several times that it would veto any application by the MMSP to join the BN. Admission to BN must be unanimous, while expulsion is by a simple majority. 

“The pair behind the MMSP were ordinary members, if the term can be used, of Hindraf,” said Waythamoorthy.

MMSP is headed by RS Thanenthiran (below), who is party president, and Kannan Ramasamy, the party secretary-general. [I thought they both were some sort of coordinators in HINDRAF]

Both men were active with Hindraf after the government crackdown where a number of the movements lawyers and a volunteer were arrested, noted Waythamoorthy.

‘Makkal sakthi’ expropriated

Explaining the differences between Hindraf and MMSP, Waythamoorthy stressed that the latter is trying to capitalise on the term “makkal sakthi”, Tamil for people power, which was made popular by the rights movement in late 2007.

… “Hindraf will continue to be an umbrella NGO for 30 Indian-based groups which agreed and contributed towards its formation,” said Waythamoorthy. “We are neither pro-Pakatan or anti-BN despite our support for the opposition in the last general election.” 

The thrust of Hindraf, according to Waythamoorthy, is to support whoever is pledged towards dismantling the apartheid-like structure of race and religion which has descended on Malaysia.

At the same time, he pledged, the movement will oppose anyone who wants to divide the people of Malaysia along racial and religious lines in politics. 

“In short, we are for the truth, regardless of how some people may feel about it,” said Waythamoorthy. “The truth cannot be politicised or sacrificed for reasons of political expediency.” 

Drawing a distinction between BN and Umno, the Hindraf chief vowed that his movement will have nothing to do with the Malay-based party, which he blames for all the woes of Malaysians of Indian origin and other Malaysians too.

He does not see Umno redeeming itself ever in the eyes of the Indian community “because it is too set in its ways and politics, and will continue on its death-wish path and implode sooner rather than later”. 

Elder brother has right to form own party

The MMSP, claimed Waythamoorthy, is like many other Indian-based political parties who want to emulate the MIC and bring in the Indian votes for the BN to shore up Umno in power “in return for some crumbs from the spoils of office”. 

“MMSP is not even a splinter group of Hindraf,” stressed Waythamoorthy. “Neither is the Human Rights Party which is headed by my brother P Uthayakumar and still awaiting registration, unlike the MMSP. 

“Uthaya has never been a Hindraf activist. He was only the legal advisor.” [This is very confusing statement!]

Uthayakumar thinks that the objectives of Hindraf need to be given a political platform, according to Waythamoorthy.

While he has no quarrel with his brother, he begs to differ since “Hindraf is not his call”.

However, Waythamoorthy concedes that his brother has a right to form his own political party to at least drive home to the electorate the lessons that he has learned during his years in detention under the ISA.

He declined to dwell further on the Human Rights Party,which he was given to understand has no links either with the MMSP. 

Waythamoorthy is in self-imposed exile in London where Hindraf has an office, in addition to India, Australia and New York.

The movement’s main work is to liaise with the United Nations, the US State Department and the UK Parliament. Hindraf is also awaiting recognition from the European Parliament.

It also releases the Malaysian Indian Minority and Human Rights Violations Annual Report at the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin and Pravasi Bharathiya Divas international conference every year.

The latter is a gathering of the Indian diaspora where Hindraf and MIC, among others from Malaysia, are represented.

I won’t be surprised if its all some sort of drama. MMSP may end up merging with MIC after Samy leaves, or it may bring in Dato Subra as a heavy weight.  Or it could end up like KIMMA and IPF, forever waiting outside of the coalition.

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Kg Pandan Indian Settlement temple and school to remain

September 26th, 2009
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Finally, there’s some news on the fate of the Tamil school and temple in that area. According to Star report:

The Kampung Pandan Indian settlement re-developmnet project involves the building of 480 low-cost units. Each unit will measure 700 sq ft – which is 50 sq ft bigger than other public housing units in the city and it is going to be more stylish.

It will have two 15-storey blocks and is estimated to cost RM47mil. The Hindu temple and the Tamil school in the area will remain.

Anyway, one have to keep the fingers crossed because things can demolished overnight. Just hire some contractors and thugs to “settle” the problem. Projects also can “evolve” overnight, and we have seen many cases where people were cheated of promises. I guess nothing much can be done, other than wait for election times to extract more promises.

Just have to put a bit of trust on the authorities:

“The relocation of squatters in the Kampung Pandan Indian settlement is only a temporary measure. Once their houses are built, they can come back and rent the units and eventually buy them.

“But for now, they must move out to enable the development to start. They have to trust us. This will be the first Indian settlement that is being redeveloped for Indians. We have come this far — just wait for another two years,” Saravanan said.

I hope there will be good news two years down the lane (and none of the stories similar to those mentioned by Samy that government didn’t do much).

Deputy FT Minister Saravanan meanwhile revealed this interesting information:

He added that the redevelopment of the settlement was the best thing that could happen to the residents and that two years was a small price to pay for the future benefits and the quality of life they would eventually enjoy living in a comfortable and clean environment.

“This redevelopment plan was never part of the local plan of Kuala Lumpur, which is why it is not listed in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

“When I was appointed deputy minister in 2008, the first notice to relocate had already been given out by the DBKL,” Saravanan said.

“I spoke to the then FT minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique and told him of the need for a permanent home for the residents and the government then agreed to provide a more conducive living environment for the residents,” he said.

So, was this place supposed to be left as it is as the rest of KL moved ahead into 21st century? Or was it a development plan minus the existing residents who are expected to vanish into thin air? Interesting indeed.

One of the grouses of the residents (oh yeah, the new term is squatters), is the distance of the temporary housing which is Kg Muhibbah in Puchong. Let’s see the situation and comments of the residents:

Saraswathy Gabriel’s house is falling apart and the makeshift zinc roof constantly leaks after a downpour while the wooden floorboards creak with every step.

The 36-year-old shares a room with her husband and three children, aged 10, eight and six, while the other room in the house is taken up by her husband’s brother and his family.

A few doors away, Letchumi Krishnan, 45, shares a house with her husband, mother and four children. The dark and dingy abode looks gloomy and depressing. The floor boards are broken and damp in many places and the window panes are missing. It was almost a similar scene over at the Nagalingam household, where S. Nagalingam lives with his wife and two children.

When StarMetro visited these families recently, it was discovered that most of these families are living below the poverty line and their biggest concern is being relocated to areas that will burden them financially.

The poverty line income based on the 9th Malaysia Plan considers a family to be poor if it earns below RM720. In the case of Letchumi, the sole bread winner in the family, she works in a garment factory earning RM700 a month.

Her husband is sickly and is unable to keep a job for long. The only reason she is able to survive is because she does not have to pay for rent or transportation. She walks to work while the children attend a school that is 10 minutes away. The situation is similar for Saraswathy and S. Nagalingam who both make about RM700 a month.

At least 80% of the families at the village are making less than RM1,000 a month. Most of them worry what will happen if they are uprooted to Kampung Muhibbah in Puchong, some 20km away. The rent and transport fees alone could cripple them financially. They also argue that the place in Puchong lacks basic facilities like public transport and a government hospital or clinic.

Saravanan said there’s still a chance for some of the really deserving cases (families who had school-going children and those who were sickly and required medical attention) to be allocated units in nearer housing areas, but there are only few units available.  The local MIC branch is helping to find places for these cases.

“They can still appeal as the MIC office in Kampung Pandan is still taking in appeals from those who have valid reasons as to why they cannot move to areas that are far away,” he said.

On requests whether they could be relocated to Seri Alam public housing sheme, which is only 4km away, Saravanan said Seri Alam is meant for the permanent relocation of squatters.

Meanwhile, Kampung Pandan MIC branch chairman P. Sritharan said he had received about 70 appeals from the residents so far, and out of that number, 15 families were recently given the keys and pledge letters (Surat Aku Janji) by the DBKL to move to nearby units.

“It was not easy selecting these families as priority for units located near Kampung Pandan were given to needy cases like single mothers and those with chronic diseases who require medical attention from nearby government hospitals and clinics,” he said.

Anyway, demolition is expected in October, hopefully after Deepavali. So, time is running out for the families.

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Kuhan mother waiting for 9 months

September 26th, 2009
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I wonder how many of us still remember the Kuhan case. Today the mother went to the palace to submit memorandum along with MP Kapar Manikavasagam and MP Puchong Gobind Singh.  She had been waiting for the criminals to be bought to court, but no news. I remember the AG office asking the police to do further investigation. Not sure what happened after that. Also, the recent case involving samples taken from Kuhan’s body being taken away from police also hit the papers. The court ruled that the police must not destroy or tamper with the samples, I think. Below is the news from MK:

Following massive public outcry accusing the police of foul play, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail reclassified the case as murder and a day later 11 officers from the Taipan police station were moved and put on desk duty.

Moreover, in April the police had seized Kugan’s blood and tissue samples, documents and even the second pathologist handwritten notes from the University Malaya Medical Centre’s Pathology Department. 

Currently, the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) is probing Dr. Karim Tajuddin’s professional conduct in relation to the cause of Kugan’s death in the first post-mortem report.

“Until now nobody has been arrested and nobody has been charged… on top of that the police have seized the samples,” lamented Surendran

Anyway, the attempt to pass the memorandum failed. Only 20 people or so turned up, mainly family members, politicians, HRP’s Uthaya and HINDRAF supporters. The police did not allow all of them to enter into palace compound to hand in the memo to a palace aide, but allowed only 3 people. The whole group wanted to go in, and so the police refused entry. More reports from MK:

Some 20 people, including the deceased family members and supporters led by members of parliament Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) and S Manikavasagam (PKR-Kapar) left the palace at 11.30am dejected.

“The family members alone consist of three people… what about their lawyer and the MPs accompanying the family? We too want to meet the palace officials when the petition is submitted,” said Gobind.

Also present were supporters of the banned Hindu Right Action Force (Hindraf) and newly-formed Human Right Party (HRP) members lead by its secretary-general P Uthayakumar.

Kugan’s mother N Indra, his sister S Garthiyaini and brothers Iswara and Shargunan were also present.

Distraught by the police’ refusal to let all of them to submit their petition, Indra broke in tears as her lawyer N Surendran and the parliamentarians tried to negotiate with the police.

She could hardly say much apart from demanding that justice be served and punishment meted out against her son’s murderers.

Gobind said he could not understand the “logic” of the police’s refusal to allow more people to meet the palace officials.

“Firstly, it was not our intention to go into the palace, it was our intention to hand over the petition to the palace officials outside,” said Gobind.

“We were there as a peaceful group, it was not our intention to create a ruckus… but the police did not seem to understand this,” he said.

He also demanded that attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail to come forward and explain why nothing has been done in the past eight months.

“He (Abdul Gani) is duty-bound to explain to the public… I also ask why isn’t the prime minister showing similar concern in this case as he did in the case of political aide Teoh Being Hock, who was found dead at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Shah Alam,” quizzed Gobind.

“The entire country cannot understand why the silence on the part of the AG, who had already classified it (Kugan’s case) as a murder,” asked Gobind.

Uthayakumar added that Kugan’s death was just the “tip of the iceberg” on deaths in police custody.

“The behaviour of the Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid is not exemplary to the prime minister’s call for One Malaysia,” said Uthayakumar.

“While the government is saying the country will be more liberal by reviewing the Internal Security Act and Police Act, the implementation at ground level is not consistence,” he said.

When approached by reporters Abdul Bari described the group as being unreasonable because they had initially agreed to a delegation comprising three people.

“However, despite the palace allowing up to five people to meet them, the whole group insisted on going in,” Abdul Bari said.

…  The number of police officers, including Light Strike Force personnel, exceeded the number of the supporters gathered at the palace gates this morning.

“This again reflects the draconian manner in which the police are prepared to act in cases where they are alleged to be the suspects,” blasted Gobind.

Gobind said further that the police should not have impeded their programme as their petition was against the lackadaisical attitude in the enforcement authorities.

“The police ought not to have interfered today because the complaint we are raising is squarely against them so it is difficult to understand how they can be independent in this circumstance,” he said.

“The home minister should explain why a group of Malaysians in small numbers cannot handover a memorandum to their king… everyday you see tourists and foreigners taking photographs at the gates of the palace but the rakyat have to face a barricade of police officers to give a letter to king,” he lamented.

“We make very clear we will not stop here and we will return soon… we sincerely hope that we will be allowed to hand over the petition next time without any interference,” said Gobind, adding that he would be raising the matter in Parliament when it resume sitting on Oct 19.

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Malaysian Makkal Sakthi Party launch by PM

September 25th, 2009
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I guess the guardian of Indian community won’t be squirming in his seat. After all, previous leaders have graced functions by PPP or IPF. But the move by PM Najib to launch a new party is interesting to the Indian community. Especially more so when the new party is very much linked to HINDRAF. I still remember ex-PM Badawi saying “who are they” (referring to HINDRAF) in 2007. Anyway, its an open secret that MMSP got its application super-fast-tracked by ROS  due to orders from the top.

The Prime Minister has accepted the invitation to launch the newly-formed Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party on Oct 10.

Party secretary-general Kannan Ramasamy said the Prime Minister accepted the invitation in late August to be the guest-of-honour at the party’s official launch scheduled to be held at 10am at the Malaysia Agricultural Exposition Park in Serdang.

“We are happy that he has accepted the invitation and we feel it is a good start for us with the Prime Minister launching our party,” said Kannan.

The party, which was officially registered early this year, is a splinter group of the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) which organised anti-government rallies in November 2007.

Although a large number of pioneering Hindraf members appeared to still be anti-establishment, Kannan and party president R. S. Thanenthiran ? both Hindraf coordinators ? have made peace with the Government.

So, will MMSP be in the mould of IPF, a BN supporter but remaining outside the coalition, with the lure of Senatorship for its leaders, special appoinments and cabinet positions a strong possibility after the next general elections?  Or will infighting, sabotage, and other malaise affect it, eventually condemning the party into oblivion?

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