KUALA LUMPUR, Tues: Sept 9, 2008
Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) will extend the 20 cubic metres free water facility for consumers in Selangor until Dec 31.
Its executive chairman Tan Sri Rozali Ismail, in a statement today, said the facility actually was to end on Sept 30.
“The extension was made possible following Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB) agreeing to bear the cost of the facility for the months of October, November and December,” said Rozali.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Sept 16 plan still on track: Selangor MB - Star
KLANG: Sept 6, 2008 By CHRISTINA TAN
The PKR’s plans to get Barisan Nasional MPs to cross over are still on track, said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
“Plans to form a new government on Sept 16, led by PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, are still very active,” he said.
When asked if the Sept 16 claim would become a reality, Khalid, who is also state PKR chairman, said the party did not want to say anything yet.
“We don’t speculate. We are going to be evaluated by the results not speculations,” he told reporters Saturday after presenting donations to some 1,000 storm and flood victims in the Klang district at the Teluk Pulai community hall here.
Anwar has claimed the Opposition would topple the Barisan government by Sept 16.
He also claimed that some 30 Barisan MPs, particularly from Sabah and Sarawak, were ready to cross over.
On aids for the disaster victims, Khalid said more than 1,000 people would benefit from the various emergency aid provided by the state government.
Some 900 homes in Klang and Kapar were damaged by strong winds and flood waters during a freak storm early last week.
Khalid said the aid came a bit late because the authorities needed some time to go down to the ground and get in touch with the victims to ensure the aid reached the people effectively.
The PKR’s plans to get Barisan Nasional MPs to cross over are still on track, said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
“Plans to form a new government on Sept 16, led by PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, are still very active,” he said.
When asked if the Sept 16 claim would become a reality, Khalid, who is also state PKR chairman, said the party did not want to say anything yet.
“We don’t speculate. We are going to be evaluated by the results not speculations,” he told reporters Saturday after presenting donations to some 1,000 storm and flood victims in the Klang district at the Teluk Pulai community hall here.
Anwar has claimed the Opposition would topple the Barisan government by Sept 16.
He also claimed that some 30 Barisan MPs, particularly from Sabah and Sarawak, were ready to cross over.
On aids for the disaster victims, Khalid said more than 1,000 people would benefit from the various emergency aid provided by the state government.
Some 900 homes in Klang and Kapar were damaged by strong winds and flood waters during a freak storm early last week.
Khalid said the aid came a bit late because the authorities needed some time to go down to the ground and get in touch with the victims to ensure the aid reached the people effectively.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
MB: Takeover won't affect water quality - NST
SHAH ALAM: Sept 4, 2008
The takeover of Selangor's water supply by Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad from Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) will not affect the service and quality of water in the state, said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
Abdul Khalid was responding to a memorandum by the Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Consumers Association to the prime minister, protesting the restructuring of the water industry in the state.
On Monday, the association presented a memorandum which included a petition signed by some 53,000 people in the three states asking the Federal Government to intervene in the state government's plan.
Abdul Khalid also maintained that the service and water quality would remain the same as Syabas would supply water to Selangor.
"The state government's restructuring of the water industry involves Syabas. Syabas will remain in the water industry and though the shareholders may be different, the duties of the company remain the same," he said after the weekly exco meeting here yesterday.
He said to ensure that water quality and services would not be affected, regular assessments of the industry would be done by the state government and relevant bodies under the Energy, Water and Communication Ministry.
"I'm sure the ministry is experienced in comparing the performances of water providers of all states. If they are efficient, it will be reflected in the revenue and operations cost."
The takeover of Selangor's water supply by Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad from Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) will not affect the service and quality of water in the state, said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
Abdul Khalid was responding to a memorandum by the Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Consumers Association to the prime minister, protesting the restructuring of the water industry in the state.
On Monday, the association presented a memorandum which included a petition signed by some 53,000 people in the three states asking the Federal Government to intervene in the state government's plan.
Abdul Khalid also maintained that the service and water quality would remain the same as Syabas would supply water to Selangor.
"The state government's restructuring of the water industry involves Syabas. Syabas will remain in the water industry and though the shareholders may be different, the duties of the company remain the same," he said after the weekly exco meeting here yesterday.
He said to ensure that water quality and services would not be affected, regular assessments of the industry would be done by the state government and relevant bodies under the Energy, Water and Communication Ministry.
"I'm sure the ministry is experienced in comparing the performances of water providers of all states. If they are efficient, it will be reflected in the revenue and operations cost."
Sunday, August 31, 2008
New directive on open spaces - Star
Aug 31,2008 - JADE CHAN at the MBPJ full board meeting
THE Selangor government has issued several new directives to the local authorities recently, including those related to gazetting open spaces and the constructing of billboards.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman announced this at Wednesday’s full board meeting of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
“So far, most local councils have gazetted about 30% of their open spaces, but the MBPJ has gazetted about 50%, covering about 200 areas,” Roslan said.
“The state government has urged all the local councils to expedite the gazetting before the end of this year,” he said.
According to Roslan, the state government has imposed a new policy on the construction of new billboards in all local council areas.
Under the policy, the land office can only approve TOL (temporary occupational licences) applications for the construction of billboards for the local councils and not to private individuals or companies.
“The local councils can then lease out the approved pieces of land to billboard operators at a rate of 30% of gross income revenue from the billboards,” Roslan said.
“For the existing billboards built on government reserve land without the TOLs but are allowed to remain, a local council must apply for the TOLs and then lease them to existing billboard operators or other operators,” he said.
“The land office has been told to help the local councils in expediting the TOL applications for the billboard sites,” he said.
Roslan estimated that the council could earn a conservative figure of RM5mil annually from the lease of billboards.
He said the local councils had been instructed by the state government to remove all Mesra Rakyat and old Merdeka campaign billboards featuring photos of leaders from the previous state government.
The directive also reminded all local councils to practise a transparent concept in their administration and that a test of trust is a test of character.
Councillor Kamarudin Suhaimi suggested that the MBPJ look into the issue of Muslim cemeteries in anticipation of future problems.
Among his suggestions were standardising the size of the graves and the “reusing” of graves by collecting bones and relocating them to other sites.
Roslan said the issue would be brought up with the state fatwa committee to seek their views.
On complaints to the MBPJ, Roslan said the council had several working committees like the Road and Traffic Gang under the Engineering Department and the Waste Buster to attend to public complaints.
“The Road and Traffic Gang handles issues like patching potholes and repairing damaged signages,” he said.
“The Waste Busters are contractors appointed by Alam Flora to collect rubbish according to various zones in Petaling Jaya.
Each lorry is paid about RM250 for a full load of rubbish taken to the landfills,” Roslan said.
THE Selangor government has issued several new directives to the local authorities recently, including those related to gazetting open spaces and the constructing of billboards.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman announced this at Wednesday’s full board meeting of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
“So far, most local councils have gazetted about 30% of their open spaces, but the MBPJ has gazetted about 50%, covering about 200 areas,” Roslan said.
“The state government has urged all the local councils to expedite the gazetting before the end of this year,” he said.
According to Roslan, the state government has imposed a new policy on the construction of new billboards in all local council areas.
Under the policy, the land office can only approve TOL (temporary occupational licences) applications for the construction of billboards for the local councils and not to private individuals or companies.
“The local councils can then lease out the approved pieces of land to billboard operators at a rate of 30% of gross income revenue from the billboards,” Roslan said.
“For the existing billboards built on government reserve land without the TOLs but are allowed to remain, a local council must apply for the TOLs and then lease them to existing billboard operators or other operators,” he said.
“The land office has been told to help the local councils in expediting the TOL applications for the billboard sites,” he said.
Roslan estimated that the council could earn a conservative figure of RM5mil annually from the lease of billboards.
He said the local councils had been instructed by the state government to remove all Mesra Rakyat and old Merdeka campaign billboards featuring photos of leaders from the previous state government.
The directive also reminded all local councils to practise a transparent concept in their administration and that a test of trust is a test of character.
Councillor Kamarudin Suhaimi suggested that the MBPJ look into the issue of Muslim cemeteries in anticipation of future problems.
Among his suggestions were standardising the size of the graves and the “reusing” of graves by collecting bones and relocating them to other sites.
Roslan said the issue would be brought up with the state fatwa committee to seek their views.
On complaints to the MBPJ, Roslan said the council had several working committees like the Road and Traffic Gang under the Engineering Department and the Waste Buster to attend to public complaints.
“The Road and Traffic Gang handles issues like patching potholes and repairing damaged signages,” he said.
“The Waste Busters are contractors appointed by Alam Flora to collect rubbish according to various zones in Petaling Jaya.
Each lorry is paid about RM250 for a full load of rubbish taken to the landfills,” Roslan said.
Councillor asked to explain action - Star
Aug 31, 2008 By ELAN PERUMAL and LIM CHIA YING
COUNCILLOR Keshminder Singh, who had questioned the presence of Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council’s (MPSJ) full board on Thursday will have to submit a written explanation.
State Local Government Committee chairman Ronnie Liu, who described the incident as uncalled for, said this was necessary to prevent such incidents repeating in the future.
The lull before the storm: Yeoh seen here with her laptop seated at the councillors’ table.
Saying Yeoh had every right to be at the full board meeting, Liu said PKR’s Keshminder would be asked to explain his action.
He said he spoke to Keshminder on Thursday and felt that it was only fair that a written explanation was obtained from him.
“I have been hearing several versions of the story and that is why the written explanation is important before we decide on the next course of action,” he told StarMetro
As the people’s elected representative, Liu said, the Subang Jaya assemblyman was only doing her job, by being at the council meeting.
Furthermore, he said, findings also revealed that she had obtained the permission of the MPSJ president to be there.
Meanwhile, several DAP councillors of the MPSJ have submitted a petition declaring their dissatisfaction over Keshminder’s objection to the attendance of Yeoh.
Eight DAP councillors submitted their signatures to the MPSJ president Datuk Adnan Md Ikshan yesterday at the council to voice their displeasure over the remark Keshminder made.
Under the Local Government Act, there is a clause that states that state assemblymen and even MPs can attend full board meetings as observers.
Also present at the petition handing over in MPSJ were Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo-Burne, Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San and Yeoh.
Councillor Tan Jo Hann, who was quoted earlier as concurring to Keshminder’s remark, clarified his statement.
“I agree with Keshminder in principle that not anyone can sit at the council’s table, but in this case, the YDP and Hannah have given sufficient explanation about the technical part.
“So it’s definitely a non-issue,’’ said Tan.
Yeoh, in her blog, said she had not occupied any councillor’s seat and was only sitting at the end of the table on an extra chair.
“I did not speak at all (as an observer) and was only at the table to use the plug point, with no intention of pushing my way through as an assemblyman,
“This incident would not affect me and I will continue to be present in future full board meetings,” said Yeoh.
COUNCILLOR Keshminder Singh, who had questioned the presence of Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council’s (MPSJ) full board on Thursday will have to submit a written explanation.
State Local Government Committee chairman Ronnie Liu, who described the incident as uncalled for, said this was necessary to prevent such incidents repeating in the future.
The lull before the storm: Yeoh seen here with her laptop seated at the councillors’ table.Saying Yeoh had every right to be at the full board meeting, Liu said PKR’s Keshminder would be asked to explain his action.
He said he spoke to Keshminder on Thursday and felt that it was only fair that a written explanation was obtained from him.
“I have been hearing several versions of the story and that is why the written explanation is important before we decide on the next course of action,” he told StarMetro
As the people’s elected representative, Liu said, the Subang Jaya assemblyman was only doing her job, by being at the council meeting.
Furthermore, he said, findings also revealed that she had obtained the permission of the MPSJ president to be there.
Meanwhile, several DAP councillors of the MPSJ have submitted a petition declaring their dissatisfaction over Keshminder’s objection to the attendance of Yeoh.
Eight DAP councillors submitted their signatures to the MPSJ president Datuk Adnan Md Ikshan yesterday at the council to voice their displeasure over the remark Keshminder made.
Under the Local Government Act, there is a clause that states that state assemblymen and even MPs can attend full board meetings as observers.
Also present at the petition handing over in MPSJ were Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo-Burne, Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San and Yeoh.
Councillor Tan Jo Hann, who was quoted earlier as concurring to Keshminder’s remark, clarified his statement.
“I agree with Keshminder in principle that not anyone can sit at the council’s table, but in this case, the YDP and Hannah have given sufficient explanation about the technical part.
“So it’s definitely a non-issue,’’ said Tan.
Yeoh, in her blog, said she had not occupied any councillor’s seat and was only sitting at the end of the table on an extra chair.
“I did not speak at all (as an observer) and was only at the table to use the plug point, with no intention of pushing my way through as an assemblyman,
“This incident would not affect me and I will continue to be present in future full board meetings,” said Yeoh.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Village heads barred from using Selangor facilities - Star
SHAH ALAM: Aug 30, 2008 By EDWARD RAJENDRA
Selangor village heads appointed by the federal government three months ago have been barred from using state-owned public facilities that include multipurpose and community halls.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said that the state government has barred the 362 federal government village head appointees from using the public facilities to hold festive gatherings or to meet the people.
“Our reason is simple, we do not recognise the federal government appointees under the Village Safety and Development Committee - Federal (JKKKP) as we have our own appointees under the Village Safety and Development Committee (JKKK),” he said.
On Saturday, Khalid handed 366 appointment letters to village heads, mostly graduates chosen by the state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government to represent the Klang, Petaling, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat, Sepang, Gombak, Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Hulu Selangor districts.
He added: “We expect our appointed village heads to outperform the JKKKP in providing efficient community service to all irrespective of political affiliation, race or religion thus the JKKKP will become irrelevant.
“The appointment of village heads by the federal government through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry is against the state’s administration regulations as the appointment of village heads comes under the purview of the state government.”
JKKKP was only implemented in the PR government run-states after the village heads gave up their positions so as not to serve under a non-Barisan Nasional coalition.
All of the village heads were then placed under the JKKKP in four states (Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor) to ensure effectiveness in the implementation of federal government projects at the village level. Khalid said that the state decided to appoint its own village heads for a six-month probation period before confirming them because it wanted representatives who would conduct themselves without bias.
“We can’t afford to have 362 village heads who are adamant to serve members from one party only due to their affiliations. One point that I would like to make clear is that the 362 federal appointees were given a choice to continue but they were adamant to quit,” he said. He added that the current appointed state village heads have a social obligation to serve the villagers irrespective of their political standing and their RM450 allowance is from the public’s purse. Khalid said Kampung Seri Jambu and Kampung Sungai Batu in Hulu Langat are the only two villages that still don’t have a village head as the state government is in the process of getting committed candidates.
Selangor village heads appointed by the federal government three months ago have been barred from using state-owned public facilities that include multipurpose and community halls.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said that the state government has barred the 362 federal government village head appointees from using the public facilities to hold festive gatherings or to meet the people.
“Our reason is simple, we do not recognise the federal government appointees under the Village Safety and Development Committee - Federal (JKKKP) as we have our own appointees under the Village Safety and Development Committee (JKKK),” he said.
On Saturday, Khalid handed 366 appointment letters to village heads, mostly graduates chosen by the state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government to represent the Klang, Petaling, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat, Sepang, Gombak, Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Hulu Selangor districts.
He added: “We expect our appointed village heads to outperform the JKKKP in providing efficient community service to all irrespective of political affiliation, race or religion thus the JKKKP will become irrelevant.
“The appointment of village heads by the federal government through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry is against the state’s administration regulations as the appointment of village heads comes under the purview of the state government.”
JKKKP was only implemented in the PR government run-states after the village heads gave up their positions so as not to serve under a non-Barisan Nasional coalition.
All of the village heads were then placed under the JKKKP in four states (Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor) to ensure effectiveness in the implementation of federal government projects at the village level. Khalid said that the state decided to appoint its own village heads for a six-month probation period before confirming them because it wanted representatives who would conduct themselves without bias.
“We can’t afford to have 362 village heads who are adamant to serve members from one party only due to their affiliations. One point that I would like to make clear is that the 362 federal appointees were given a choice to continue but they were adamant to quit,” he said. He added that the current appointed state village heads have a social obligation to serve the villagers irrespective of their political standing and their RM450 allowance is from the public’s purse. Khalid said Kampung Seri Jambu and Kampung Sungai Batu in Hulu Langat are the only two villages that still don’t have a village head as the state government is in the process of getting committed candidates.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Crackdown on open burning after environs laws are amended - Star
Aug 27, 2008 By LIM CHIA YING
THE Selangor government will start cracking down on the culprits responsible for open burning and illegal dumping as soon as the environmental laws are amended to provide for heavier penalties.
While the amendments are being drafted by the state authorities, lawyer Derek Fernandez, an expert on local government and environmental matters, has submitted some proposals to state environmental committee chairman Elizabeth Wong.
The amendments, once in force, should be able to effectively deal with the problems of open burning and illegal dumping of waste.
Fernandez said pending an amendment to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to put more substantial and specific provisions with effective penalties and enforcement power, he had proposed various methods for the state to effectively deal with the problem.
“First, I’ve proposed that the state evoke the National Land Code to forfeit the land, even if it’s a private land, because illegal dumping constitutes a breach of condition of land,” he said.
“For example, if an agriculture land is used as a dumping ground instead of farming, the state could evoke the procedure of forfeiture and serve notice on the landowner,” Fernandez said.
Secondly, he said, the local authorities could also execute powers in relation to public nuisance and protection of health under the Local Government Act 1976 Section 72.
“The local council’s power includes sealing the land, barring access to the land and imposing fines and other enforcement actions on the owner,” he said.
“The local authorities must also have full power to deal with health threat and to take necessary steps to preserve and promote public health and prevent or remedy any nuisance or condition likely to be dangerous to public health,” Fernandez said.
He said the proposed forfeiture was an effective method to seal off the scene of environmental violation and legally seize the land.
“Residents who experience asthma attack can take legal action against the landowners by filing a suit for public or private nuisance in court for compensation,” Fernandez said.
Recently, the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) closed an illegal dumpsite in Bukit Lanchong near Putra Heights and will be sealing the road leading into the site.
For years, the Putra Heights residents had been putting up with hazardous smoke from the burning activities and foul stench at the site as a result of the garbage burning.
The MPSJ finally sealed the vacant land, and will be taking action soon against its three owners for illegal dumping activities. So far, the owners have been fined RM25,000 each.
Fernandez said the environmental laws pertaining to open burning had been in the books since 1965, but no stern action had been taken against such culprits, some of whom deliberately burn openly.
“There has been a lack of use of existing laws to combat serious threat against public health,” he said.
Fernandez said an effective solution would be for the Federal Government to arm the Department of Environment (DoE) with sufficient legislative powers by way of effective amendment of the environmental laws to deal with dumping and burning.
“One way is to make an offender of open burning and illegal dumping a strict liability offender, which means that the landowner has to be liable unless he or she can show they have taken reasonable steps to prevent their land from being misused,” he said.
“If the offence is strict liability, then the owner should be accorded a defence if he had no knowledge of the activities and has taken reasonable steps like cutting grass, fencing up the site, yet unable to prevent trespassing from happening,” Fernandez said.
“In cases where burning is done with intention, then mandatory jail terms must be imposed on top of fines together with compensation for affected residents,” he said.
Fernandez added that to avoid the issue of locating owners, service of documents of last known address or by way of advertisement in the newspapers should be made legally sufficient based on particulars of the land title.
THE Selangor government will start cracking down on the culprits responsible for open burning and illegal dumping as soon as the environmental laws are amended to provide for heavier penalties.
While the amendments are being drafted by the state authorities, lawyer Derek Fernandez, an expert on local government and environmental matters, has submitted some proposals to state environmental committee chairman Elizabeth Wong.
The amendments, once in force, should be able to effectively deal with the problems of open burning and illegal dumping of waste.
Fernandez said pending an amendment to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to put more substantial and specific provisions with effective penalties and enforcement power, he had proposed various methods for the state to effectively deal with the problem.
“First, I’ve proposed that the state evoke the National Land Code to forfeit the land, even if it’s a private land, because illegal dumping constitutes a breach of condition of land,” he said.
“For example, if an agriculture land is used as a dumping ground instead of farming, the state could evoke the procedure of forfeiture and serve notice on the landowner,” Fernandez said.
Secondly, he said, the local authorities could also execute powers in relation to public nuisance and protection of health under the Local Government Act 1976 Section 72.
“The local council’s power includes sealing the land, barring access to the land and imposing fines and other enforcement actions on the owner,” he said.
“The local authorities must also have full power to deal with health threat and to take necessary steps to preserve and promote public health and prevent or remedy any nuisance or condition likely to be dangerous to public health,” Fernandez said.
He said the proposed forfeiture was an effective method to seal off the scene of environmental violation and legally seize the land.
“Residents who experience asthma attack can take legal action against the landowners by filing a suit for public or private nuisance in court for compensation,” Fernandez said.
Recently, the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) closed an illegal dumpsite in Bukit Lanchong near Putra Heights and will be sealing the road leading into the site.
For years, the Putra Heights residents had been putting up with hazardous smoke from the burning activities and foul stench at the site as a result of the garbage burning.
The MPSJ finally sealed the vacant land, and will be taking action soon against its three owners for illegal dumping activities. So far, the owners have been fined RM25,000 each.
Fernandez said the environmental laws pertaining to open burning had been in the books since 1965, but no stern action had been taken against such culprits, some of whom deliberately burn openly.
“There has been a lack of use of existing laws to combat serious threat against public health,” he said.
Fernandez said an effective solution would be for the Federal Government to arm the Department of Environment (DoE) with sufficient legislative powers by way of effective amendment of the environmental laws to deal with dumping and burning.
“One way is to make an offender of open burning and illegal dumping a strict liability offender, which means that the landowner has to be liable unless he or she can show they have taken reasonable steps to prevent their land from being misused,” he said.
“If the offence is strict liability, then the owner should be accorded a defence if he had no knowledge of the activities and has taken reasonable steps like cutting grass, fencing up the site, yet unable to prevent trespassing from happening,” Fernandez said.
“In cases where burning is done with intention, then mandatory jail terms must be imposed on top of fines together with compensation for affected residents,” he said.
Fernandez added that to avoid the issue of locating owners, service of documents of last known address or by way of advertisement in the newspapers should be made legally sufficient based on particulars of the land title.
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