Toyers

Sob Story

2010-07-02T01:45:00.000-07:00

THE new Toy Story movie is making grown men sob.

Dads taking their kids to see the third instalment of the adventures of cowboy Woody and space ranger Buzz Lightyear have been moved to tears by this 3D tale of forgotten toys - and even critics have been blubbing too.

Toy Story 3, from animation giants Pixar, has been top of the US box office for two weeks, taking £150million.

One Entertainment Weekly critic who welled up said: "I'm not talking about a tear or two - but that soppy, awkward thing where you make sounds."

And the New York Post's Lou Lumenick admitted: "It had me in tears."

And Dixon Gaines of movieline.com reckoned: "I was weeping buckets."

Here find out what happened when The Sun's GRANT ROLLINGS saw the movie, which is out here on July 12.

US reviewers are supposed to be trained professionals, able to keep a calm, critical eye on events unfolding on screen.

But if a film is doing its job properly, you should get caught up in the emotions of the characters.

And I admit there are some cinematic events that make me cry, such as children with terminal illnesses, dogs dying or the news Megan Fox wouldn't be returning for Transformers 3.

Toy Story 3, though, is on a different emotional level. It doesn't resort to the death of a loved one to wrench tears from the audience. Instead, it picks on long-forgotten losses - the passing of childhood and once beloved toys.

I can't remember being attached to any childhood toys, only the disappointment that I never got that Star Wars Millennium Falcon.

But still, I have to confess that I had to lift my 3D specs to dab my misty eyes during Toy Story 3.

In this adventure Woody's and Buzz's owner, Andy, is off to college.

Andy must decide whether to donate his toys, put them in the attic or dump them in the bin. He intends to take Woody with him and put the rest in the loft. But by a twist of fate all of the toys end up at Sunnyside day nursery.

What at first seems like a heaven-sent opportunity for the toys to get played with becomes a nightmare when they are bashed about by overactive tots.

And the initially welcoming toys, Lots-o'-Huggin'-Bear and Barbie's Ken, are not as friendly as they seem.

Yet the most heart-tugging scenes come near the end.

To say too much would ruin the film, but I can tell you the film will inevitably have you reminiscing lovingly about your own childhood.

I was also moved by a scene early on where Andy's mum stops and takes a moment to look at her son's empty room. It reminded me that my own children will have to leave home one sad day.

There is a very touching scene where the root of Lots-o'-Huggin'-Bear's anger is revealed. Also look out for a deep, tense moment when the toys link hands in the face of what seems to be imminent death.

But the truth is that Pixar have a long history of making me sob. I cried just as much over their brilliant films Up and WALL.E.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3038204/Toy-Story-or-Sob-Story.html#ixzz0sVrv4Wkw

Job hopping for motherly care

2010-04-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

Friday April 30, 2010

WHY NOT?
By RASLAN SHARIF

If you believe parenting cannot be left to the maid, then a two-income family is out of the question.

THERE is this saying, and I’m sure you’ve heard it before: You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

Oftentimes, we take for granted certain things because we’ve always had it. We only sense a loss, and sometimes express belated gratitude, when we no longer have those things.

I might sound like an old man right now, but bear with me.

There is a state that is to my mind even worse than that which I have just described. It is when you are at a loss from the outset because you have not even had that particular thing in the first place.

It’s not just that you don’t know what you’re missing; it’s also being deprived, without you really knowing it, especially if you’re still a child.

I remember my school days clearly, or rather, being home after a day at school.

My mother, a full-time housewife who was once a teacher, would always be at home when my younger brother and I got back from school.

She would have cooked lunch for us and, throughout the rest of the day, would ensure that we kept to our schedule of homework, study and play, though not necessarily in that order.

In short, she mothered us.

Throughout our schooling years, my mother would always be at our side, a constant presence who would do the things that any mother would, circumstances permitting.

My father, who was a civil servant, would often be home for lunch and be back from work by around 5pm, well before the sun went down.

And probably like any other child, I only “see” this fortunate environment that I grew up in when the circumstances that I find myself in as an adult, a father and husband evoke such memories.

It would be safe to say that raising a family today is quite different in some ways to what my parents went through.

My parents raised four children. Today, many parents would find it difficult to raise a family of that size without both having to work to generate the income necessary for the task.

In fact, it can be difficult enough if you had just one child, especially during the first few years of your working life.

I, of course, speak from experience. When my wife and I were expecting our son nearly 11 years ago, I had to find a new job that paid better, and I got one just about a couple of months before he was born.

This is not say that all was fine with regard to money after that. My wife still had to go back to work, and if it weren’t for the big help in various forms from family and friends in those early years, it would still not have been enough to see us through.

My parents and parents-in-law practically raised my son, with other family members chipping in their time and effort now and then. We would only see him later in the evenings, when we took him home, and during weekends.

When my daughter was born four years later, we had to get a maid, which was the more financially viable option to the alternative of my wife quitting her a job.

So in the mornings, my wife and I would send my son to school before heading for work. My parents would pick him up and send him home later in the afternoon. Meanwhile, my in-laws and the maid looked after our daughter.

As usual, we would only get to see our children at night when we got back from work.

This went on until about two years ago when I told myself that this could not go on, and all those memories about my mother always being at my side when I was growing up came flooding back.

Here were my children, in their early years, when they need their parents the most, and we weren’t there. There would be only a few years before they hit their teens and, as we all know, teenagers don’t really want to be even within 10km of their parents.

My wife and I agreed that we needed to strengthen family bonds and that at least one of us had to watch over our children and see them grow before his or her very eyes.

So I looked for another job and got one that enabled my wife to quit work and devote as much time as was necessary to the children.

I consider myself lucky as I know many parents out there do not have this option. I am not saying that children who grow up without at least their mother being that constantly soothing presence that my mother was will turn out for the worse.

But I think having one parent around would not hurt, if not be advantageous to, the growth and development of the children.

> Raslan Sharif will make sure he and his children remain ever grateful to everyone who helped when help was needed.

Bukit Gelugor man hits RM18m jackpot

2009-11-16T19:17:00.000-08:00

Tuesday November 17, 2009

By DERRICK VINESH

BUTTERWORTH: A man who bought a lottery ticket at a fund-raising dinner ended up winning RM18mil in the Big Sweep lottery draw.

The winner from Bukit Gelugor won the first prize of RM3mil and RM15mil in the jackpot draw with the ticket number 5516233.

The draw was held at the Selangor Turf Club on Sunday.

The man apparently bought his winning ticket during a temple charity dinner in Raja Uda here early this month.

State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, who was at the dinner, said the Pertubuhan Dewa Tong Hai Keng temple organised the event to raise funds for a new temple building.

He said the 36-year-old temple was facing demolition and about RM1.5mil was needed to buy land for its new building.

Phee, who is also the temple adviser, said the committee held the dinner and bought 2,000 lottery tickets at RM3 each and sold them for RM10.

However, only 400 were sold and the temple decided to keep 500 tickets.

“A philanthropist later bought the remaining 1,100 tickets for RM6,333 and distributed some to the guests,” he said.

“Those who attended the dinner came with a noble intention,” said Phee.

“I believe when we do a good deed, it will return to us someday.”

A brush with the dark side

2009-11-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

Friday November 13, 2009

COMMENT By P. GUNASEGARAM

THE last time I met with a serious accident was more than 20 years ago. Things have not changed much since then.
I don’t consider myself fortunate that I accepted an offer from a tout, although it immediately made things easy.

A taxi driver (arranged by the tout for free) took me home and waited while I had dinner before taking me to the police station to make a report.
The tout’s workshop arranged to have the car towed, repaired and for the paperwork to be done.

Nice, everything was taken care of. But the problem started later. The insurance adjustor’s report stated that some parts were to be replaced but the workshop did not do that.

Then started a series of procedures before the workshop rectified the problem, with bodywork already beginning to rust before the rectification. I never knew whether the workshop did all the other things right, but I knew I was never going to use a tout again.

Earlier this week, I received a call – someone close had an accident. He, a college student, was OK but shaken.

The car had skidded as he braked to avoid an obstacle. His car went over the divider and landed disabled, with front tyres flat, chassis damaged and engine oil leaking, facing oncoming traffic.

In half an hour I had reached the town outside Kuala Lumpur on the North-South Expressway where the accident took place. His teacher, who was passing by, stood beside him by the side of the road, reassuring him.

There were no policemen in sight. But tow truck touts had reached the scene minutes after the accident.

They had repeatedly hassled the driver. One of the touts had asked him to sign a blank form so that – he said - the car can be moved to the side of the road. But nothing had been done.

He now waved the form and said that it meant that we had accepted his services. I pointed out to him repeatedly that we had not, and asked him repeatedly to say what it would cost to tow the car to a workshop of my choice in Kuala Lumpur.

He refused to answer. He was adamant that we sent the car to his workshop.

He said the towing charges would be free if we did so and that he had the capacity to repair the car. Seeing that I was not prepared to accede to that and that I was determined we go to a workshop of our choice, he became threatening.

The big deal for him was of course the insurance claim. Workshops often inflate insurance claims, cut corners in terms of doing the job, and pocket thousands of ringgit routinely from each accident case. They pay the touts well.

Thousands of motor accidents take place in Malaysia every year, and the amount of claims yearly are in the billions of ringgit – insurance statistics indicate that it could be as high as RM4bil for 2008.

Back to our tout. He was becoming positively obnoxious, and freely threatening not just bodily harm but murder. He could kill, he said.

He was working himself into a frenzy, he was pacing up and down, he was shouting. There were some people behind him who seemed to be his allies.

By this time the teacher who had stopped to help feared for our safety. She suggested we should leave. She called the college for help.

In the meantime, one of the group told her that if we paid the tout RM100 he would go away. She said she was sorry she was asking me to do this, but she was beginning to fear for the safety of all of us given the way he was behaving.

That tout may have been acting, he may have been intimidating deliberately and appearing to lose his temper so that he could get some money. But given the circumstances, we preferred not to take chances.

I handed over RM100 – the light was fast fading, but it was daylight robbery and extortion, pure and simple, done in full view of a small crowd.

Shortly after – more than two hours after the accident occurred on a busy road, with the car facing oncoming traffic and the two-lane road on that side reduced to one – three policemen arrived.

I told them about what happened. They listened and then just stuck to directing traffic.

The tow truck operator I had called through the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) arrived. Efficiently, he loaded the car “single-handedly” onto the truck with a winch. And we were on our way to our workshop.

The charge was RM87 for a distance of 87kms, starting from where he had set off to come to the accident scene. I gave him a generous tip.

My question is, why are these tow truck/workshop touts being allowed to threaten us so blatantly and use false pretences to force their services upon us? How come they seem to enjoy such a cosy relationship with the authorities so much so that no one takes any action against them?

Some of my friends recounted horror stories where groups threatened them and forced them to use their services. Shaken up by accidents, and sometimes injured by them, unsuspecting accident victims are further bled by these unscrupulous, cruel people often right under the noses of policemen.

Those involved in accidents have to take precautions in the absence of action from the authorities. First call the police, then the tow truck operator of your choice who will take the vehicle to the workshop of your choice.

Becoming an AAM member helps considerably because they have a panel of tow truck operators with standardised charges and they have their own, more reliable workshops.

Tough as it is, refuse any help from tow truck touts politely but firmly.
Enlist the help of the police as soon as the accident happens, especially if the vehicle cannot be moved. Have emergency numbers for AAM, police stations etc ready.

But try as we might, we often have no choice but to succumb to the increasingly threatening stance, forceful tactics and downright illegal moves that these touts take. They are no longer mere nuisances – they have become a major menace to law and order.

It is high time the authorities crushed them once for all. All it takes is for the police to come to a scene of an accident quickly and simply take charge – which includes protection from touts.

Managing editor P Gunasegaram is grateful that no physical harm came to anyone that day from this sinister brush with the dark side – but he still smarts from the affront and the injustice of it all.

Trader hits RM10mil jackpot

2009-10-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 29, 2009

PETALING JAYA: Combining numbers from his car registration, his child’s birth certificate and two of his own lucky numbers made a businessman almost RM10mil richer.

The 40-year-old from Kuala Lumpur was also the first person to win the Magnum 4D Jackpot 1st Prize which paid RM9,702,223.

Asked how he felt upon learning he had won, he said: “I was in a state of disbelief at first but I’m overjoyed.

“I’ve been a loyal Magnum customer for over 20 years and this is truly a life-changing experience as I can improve the quality of my life now,” he said.

He added that it was not impossible for one to win big when buying Magnum 4D Jackpot.

The Magnum 4D Jackpot game was launched on Sept 23 and the jackpot prize amounts has increased rapidly due to overwhelming interest from players.

A Magnum 4D representative said it was the company’s way of rewarding loyal players and followers.

“Till today, the jackpot 2 prize has already been won three times. So it is proven that the Magnum 4D Jackpot is easy to win.

Those thinking that a person has to spend a massive amount of money to win big need look no further than our Jackpot 1st prize winner, who only placed a bet of RM12 to win,” the representative said.

The 4D Jackpot costs RM2 per bet line (one pair of 4D numbers) to play.

The Jackpot First Prize pays out a minimum of RM2mil upfront plus 55% of the Prize Pool.

The Jackpot Second Prize pays out a minimum of RM100,000 upfront plus 10% of the Prize Pool.

Traders urged to register with new association

2009-09-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 24, 2009

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

LICENSED hawkers and traders operating at the day or night markets in Bandar Sungai Long have been urged to register with the newly-formed Petty Traders Association of Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang, to address pertinent issues.

The appeal was made by association chairman Kok Soon Kiat at a press conference on Monday. Also present was Kajang municipal councillor Tan Han Kuo, a member of the council’s licensing committee.

“The association with the cooperation of the Kajang Municipal Council will look into matters like unlicensed hawkers, hygiene, illegal foreign traders and security for customers especially with pickpockets on the prowl,” he said.

The new association, registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on July 27, replaces the previous and now defunct association, the Bandar Sungai Long Hawkers Association formed in 2000.

“The old association was dissolved by the ROS last year for failing to submit annual and financial reports after continuous reminders since 2004. The RM30,000 kept in the association’s coffers were transferred to the Insolvency Department,” said Tan.

He also said two police reports were lodged in 2005 by association members who suspected the committee members of malpractice.

He said MPKj could keep track of licensed hawkers and traders via the association. Unlicensed hawkers and traders are estimated at 50.

The current membership is 212 and the association has embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive. Members pay RM10 to register and RM2 monthly. Those interested may contact Tan at 012-223 9529.

Beware of pick-pockets, public warned

2009-09-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 24, 2009

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

RESIDENTS have been urged to be cautious of pick-pockets who are now operating in a team of three members in Bandar Sungai Long, Selangor.

Kajang municipal councillor Tan Han Kuo said the group’s modus operandi was brought to his attention by several victims who had shopped at the daily morning market near the commercial centre.

“I was told the group would single out women and old ladies as their targets. One of the team members would bump into the victim on purpose, causing her to drop her purchases, while another would quickly swoop in and pretend to help retrieve her belongings.

“Once the victim gets distracted, the third team member will swiftly snatch her purse.

“The victim would only realise the theft when they are out of sight,” he said.

As a deterrent, signs warning residents of pick-pockets and snatch thieves have been put up.

The newly-formed Petty Traders Association of Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang, Selangor, is also working with the authorities to curb the crime.

Meanwhile, Tan urged the public to be careful when visiting the area and not to carry large amounts of cash or purses and wallets that would attract undue attention.

LLM taken to task over misleading signboard

2009-08-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

Thursday August 27, 2009

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

THE Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) has come under fire from Kajang Municipal councillors for refusing to remove a signboard leading roadusers on a longer route to Sungai Long via the Silk Highway and for forcing them to stop at three toll booths.

Councillor Tan Han Kuo, who sits in the council’s Infrastructure Committee, said LLM has been aware of the issue since December 2008 yet no action was taken.

“LLM can instruct the Silk Highway concessionaire to remove the signboard to Sungai Long en route to Kajang from Seremban, Putrajaya and the KL International Airport (KLIA) because motorists will have to travel 16.6km and pay RM3 in toll.

“The turning to Kajang at Exit 1807 also leads to Sungai Long but the sign is not prominently displayed. Why is this so when the route is only 8.8km and there is only one toll charging RM1?” asked Tan.

He proposed that the distance to Sungai Long be displayed on the signboards to prevent confusion to motorists and to give them the option to choose which route to take.

An incensed Tan said the committee had deliberated on the issue seven times but LLM representatives had only turned up for five of the meetings.

“There were no decision-makers present. What riled us most was the answer from the LLM that the Silk Highway is under-utilised and that the concessionaire will suffer more losses if roadusers do not travel the distance.

“Whose side is the LLM on? They are placing the interests of a private company over that of the public. How do we justify this to the taxpayers,” he asked.

An anonymous taxi driver who used the longer route to send his passengers to Sungai Long complained to Tan that the drive ate into his profit margin and forced roadusers to waste fuel and money.

He also said the sign to Sungai Long was meant to mislead motorists and that it was easy to miss the other sign which was partially hidden.

Efforts to get comments from LLM were futile.

MPKj demolishes illegal extensions in Bandar Sg Long

2009-08-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Friday August 21, 2009

Story by GEETHA KRISHNAN

FIFTEEN parking lots were recovered after a demolition exercise on illegal extensions were carried out by the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) in Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras, yesterday.

Pavements were built over the parking lots by two restaurant owners who operated from corner lot premises near Jalan Sungai Long and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar).

About 30 enforcement personnel and two tractors were deployed for the exercise. Staff from the council’s Building Division and Engineering Section were also present.

MPKj enforcement officer Khaironi Idris said 18 notices and 17 compounds of RM1,000 each were issued to the restaurateurs by the council’s Building Division since 2008.

“Their failure to comply time and time again with our continuous notices and compounds has led us to take this proactive action. The most recent notice was issued on Aug 13.

“One restaurant owner heeded our warning by demolishing his side of the pavement last week but then he resurfaced the area with cement, depriving motorists of parking lots once again,” she said.

During the exercise, the owner was told to remove the signboard and cooking utensils placed in an illegal extension serving as a separate cooking area built over a drain.

The enforcement unit also moved in on an illegal car wash operating opposite the restaurants. Concrete slabs built over the main drain were drilled through and smashed to reveal a network of wires and cables below.

“This proves our theory that water and electricity were being supplied to the car wash operator from one of the restaurants. He denied doing so but we have ample evidence,” Khaironi said.

She added that when several enforcement officers came by some months ago to check on the illegal car wash operations there, they were accused of behaving aggresively.

She said her staff were threatened instead and the operator kicked one of the enforcement vehicles.

Finance, accounting talent still in demand despite hiring cuts

2009-06-26T01:22:00.000-07:00

Copyright 2009 Singapore Press Holdings LimitedAll Rights Reserved

The Straits Times (Singapore)

June 25, 2009 Thursday

Joanna Seow

THE rate of hiring may have slowed but financial institutions here are still taking on staff, and often at the same pay levels enjoyed during the boom years.

Recruitment expert Robert Half, which has recently completed its annual survey of the industry, said a general air of optimism pervades the sector in Singapore.

'The good news for the accounting and finance sector is there's still a demand,' said Mr Tim Hird, Robert Half Singapore's managing director.

'Statistics show there seems to be this perennial need for finance and accounting talent irrespective of economic conditions, and competition still remains strong for this talent.'

Mr Hird was speaking at yesterday's launch of the firm's annual salary guides for the next 12 months. The guides - which draw on research from surveys of human resources and finance heads across 21 countries, including Singapore, Australia, France, Ireland and the United States - give bosses and employees an idea of the trends and prospects in the sector.

One striking finding was that almost 75 per cent of the companies surveyed in Singapore cited difficulty in filling finance and accounting positions.

One reason for the high demand could be increasing calls for stronger corporate governance.

Dr Ernest Kan, president of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore, said in a statement: 'With calls for greater accountability and transparency in financial reporting from the authorities and stakeholders alike, companies are requiring more competent candidates to effectively manage their finances and business risks, as well as optimise costs and processes.'

Contract workers such as tax accountants, senior auditors and people with business process improvement expertise are also in demand, as they allow firms to hire staff for a limited period to complete work on lower budgets.

Robert Half said that 79 per cent of Singapore employers expect the number of project- or contract-based professionals to increase or remain the same, due to the downturn.

The global recession has, in fact, spurred some companies to intensify efforts to gain a competitive advantage. Smaller, niche financial services firms are now getting access to talent that previously went to larger investment banks offering more competitive salaries. Those large institutions are typically still constrained by hiring freezes.

'We are heartened that employers recognise the necessity to retain their best talents, who will be instrumental in taking businesses to the next phase when the market turns,' said Mr Hird in a statement.

Robert Half also found during its survey that 60 per cent of Singapore employers have lowered or cut bonuses as a result of the economic situation, while 30 per cent have lowered starting salaries. But the firm expects salary levels to hold steady this year and into 2010.

Mr Hird said: 'As organisations continue to grapple with the challenges of the downturn, the increasing need for highly skilled finance and accounting professionals has lent stability to salary levels for these roles.'

Time to sacrifice and bring up our own children

2009-06-26T01:20:00.000-07:00

Thursday June 25, 2009

Most of us are all too dependent on foreign maids to do house chores and taking care of children. There are benefits and also problems.

As for me, I have given up on hiring foreign maids. Our previous three Indonesian maids had their share of problems. We were tricked by the maid agency a few times.

Two out of the three maids didn’t pass the Fomema health screening and in the end, my wife had to resign from her job due to all these problems.

For starters, there is a significant loss of income but the benefits are very significant. No more headaches on foreign maids and we saved money on maid agencies and annual levy to be paid to the Immigration. It was a lot - if you need to pay RM5,000 yearly to get a new maid and if the current one keep giving problems.

Since resigning from her job, my wife is with the children all the time. She kept close monitoring of their school performance. She is the one who fetch them from school and send them to extra classes. You cannot be too dependent on school bus nowadays. She cooks healthy food for them.

With all these, I noticed they excel in their school examinations.

As a husband, you still need to do your part of the job. You need to give support and do household chores after work or at night.

As for the loss of income, it was not a big matter. I got a promotion after my third daughter was born and when my fourth daughter is two-years-old, I was given another promotion. All these have evened up the loss of income.

Apart from that, knowing that my wife are always there with the children, I can do part-time jobs during weekends for extra income.

I don’t even have to care about the controversy of giving the maids a day-off. Without hiring any foreign maid, our family is more settled now. No more headaches of all the problems of foreign maids. And I know that at all times, my children are in good hands.

NO MORE FOREIGN MAIDS,
Kuantan.

Moments spent with your children are priceless

2009-06-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

Monday June 22, 2009

Monday Starters - By Soo Ewe Jin

WE celebrated Father’s Day yesterday. So it is a good time to talk about fathers.

More so after I read an interesting comment by Luke Johnson in the Financial Times recently entitled “Poor children of the rich and succesful”.

It was the last few paragraphs that caught my attention.

“Sacrifices generally have to be made for unusual success – whichever career path you follow,” Johnson wrote.

“And for those inventors and corporate pioneers whose life is their business, then it is all too clear where their ultimate priorities lie.

“Yet almost every entrepreneur I have known regrets not spending enough time with their children when they were growing up.”

My eldest son has just started work at the college he graduated from.

Compared with what I earned on my first job as a cadet reporter in the now defunct National Echo, he can certainly give me a treat when he gets his first pay cheque at the end of the month.

I am glad that he does not think that making lots of money is the most important thing in life.

Of all the things I have given, or not given to my two boys, one thing they cannot complain about is my time with them.

When the eldest one was in Standard One, I did a crazy thing. I exited the workforce and became a full-time father. My wife and I decided to have at least one parent in the home full time, and it began with me.

We have clocked up 16 years of being full-time homemakers. Our well-meaning friends, especially financial planners and unit trust consultants, like to talk about our foregone income.

They tell us that the reason we cannot send our children for an overseas education is that we did not build up our financial nest when we were most able to.

A common lament: “Why did you not earn when you were in the prime of your working life?”

That was good advice, but we chose to walk a different path. It is certainly not the definitive way for all parents to take, but we found it was the road that gave us huge dividends.

Somehow, one income, and a bit here and there with our freelance efforts, was more than enough to see us through.

But how does one put a price on time? How do you measure those moments of bonding with your children in their growing-up years?

Whether you are a CEO or a manual worker, we all have the same 24 hours in a day. I reckon if we were to divide our monthly salary by the number of hours in a month, we roughly know how much our time is worth per hour.

I got an email the other day about a boy who wanted to borrow US$25 from his ever-busy father who earns US$50 an hour.

“Daddy, I have US$50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you,” he said.

Well, some may dismiss this as just one of those feel-good email that make their rounds to make one feel guilty about spending too much time away from home.

The song Cat in The Cradle comes to mind. Made famous in 1974 by Harry Chapin, the song is told in first-person by a father who is too busy to spend time with his son.

And, eventually, the boy grew up just like him – a busy man who also does not have time for his father.

Time. It’s priceless.

● Deputy executive editor Soo Ewe Jin feels the balance sheet of life goes way beyond profit and loss and workers should not be treated as mere economic units.

IPP levy revised

2008-12-06T10:17:00.001-08:00

Nov / Dec 2008

Malaysia has reversed its decision to impose a windfall profit levy on independent power producers (IPPs), which would have eroded their ability to service debt and raise new financing. Instead, IPPs will make a one-time one-off payment equivalent to a year's windfall tax payment. In June, Malaysia had announced that a levy of 30% on return on assets would be charged effective 1 July for IPPs with ROAs in excess of 9% for each financial year.

The negotiations of power purchase agreements have also been suspended, lessening the pressure on IPPs to accept less favourable terms. IPPs had been told that they would be exempted from the levy if they renegotiated their PPAs with national electricity utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

IFRS convergence by 2012

2008-12-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

Nov / Dec 2008

Malaysia has set 1 January 2012 as the deadline for full convergence with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which will be applicable to all entities other than private entities. Approximately one thousand public-listed companies and 20,000 subsidiary and associate companies will be affected by full IFRS compliance.

All of the current Financial Reporting Standards (FRSs) issued by the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) are already compliant with IFRS. Malaysia has had a comparatively easy journey towards convergence since it has been incorporating the provisions of international accounting standards into local accounting standards since 1978, said MASB chairman Dato' Zainal Abidin Putih.

In the interim, the MASB will adopt another two standards in the phased changeover to full convergence: IAS 39 or FRS 139, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and IAS 41, Agriculture. Although FRS 139 has been issued since 2006, the effective date of the standard is 1 January 2010, which will hopefully provide sufficient time for companies to prepare for the transition to fair value accounting. IAS 41 is also anticipated to have a tremendous impact on Malaysian companies, particularly plantation companies, given that Malaysia is still the world's largest palm oil producer and the third-largest rubber producer.

The phased changeover is designed to support companies in the transition to IFRS. 'Staged implementation would ease the burden of a big bang in the year 2012. Since FRS 139 is an important standard in the FRS series with linkages to many other standards and interpretations, deferring FRS 139 to 2012 would mean delaying a host of other standards related to FRS 139,' said Dato' Zainal, explaining the significance of the chosen dates.

Under Malaysia's two-tier reporting system, private entities can either opt to adopt the FRSs or continue to apply Private Entity Reporting Standards (PERs), the version of IASs issued up until 2003. PERs have proven to be a practical reporting alternative for non-public enterprises, catering to the specific needs of stakeholders who are typically owner-managers.

Caring budget increases deficit

2008-12-06T10:05:00.000-08:00

Nov / Dec 2008

In August, Malaysia unveiled a 'people-friendly' budget from a caring government that aims to soften the burden of inflation mostly stemming from sharp hikes in the prices of fuel and food, but will also sharply increase the budget deficit. The 2008 budget deficit is projected to reach 4.8% of GDP, beyond the 3.1% forecast earlier, and should be reduced to 3.6% by 2009. GDP growth is expected to remain stable at about 5.7% for 2008.

Highlights include reducing Income tax by a percentage point for middle and high-income earners, making certain prerequisites and benefits-in-kind tax-deductible for employees, and increasing tax rebates to eliminate about 100,000 taxpayers from the tax net. The government also expanded the scope of the social safety net, increasing the number of households eligible for welfare from 54,000 to 110,000 and the number of eligible senior citizens from 14,000 to 40,000, and allocating half a billion ringgit for this purpose.

To remedy the budget deficit, many tax experts polled in media said that Malaysia needs to broaden its tax base to cut its traditional dependence on petroleum revenues and taxes. Currently, about 40-50% of the government's revenue is derived from petroleum, which might not be sustainable once the country becomes a net oil importer, unless new sources are discovered. Perhaps it would be timely to relook at the goods and services tax (GST) which was scheduled to take effect in January 2007 but was shelved in 2006 due to political and inflationary factors.

Pothole causes meat seller serious injuries

2008-11-14T15:02:00.000-08:00

Thursday November 13, 2008

A pothole in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Kajang, has caused serious injuries to a meat seller.

Ng Chee Heng, 40, who lives in the township and makes his living there, fell from his motorcycle when he hit the pothole in Jalan Mahkota. The incident occurred at 3.30pm on Nov 6.

A dazed Ng was later carried to the side of the road by passers-by.

He sustained a gash on his forehead that required two stitches and had bruises on other parts of his body.

When asked if he was contemplating legal action, Ng said the party responsible for pipe works in the area could not be identified.

“The work has been going on for a month but we don’t know by who. I only knew the pothole was there after I reached the safety cone placed in front of it but there was no time to stop,” he said.

Bandar Sungai Long Residents Association secretary Jeff Tung said residents of the neighbouring townships were not against development but wanted the parties responsible in digging up the roads to have regard for public safety.

“We are clueless as to who these contractors work for.

“Pipes and cables are being laid in the area without prior notification to residents and the potholes are only covered after residents have complained numerous times.”

Bandar Mahkota Cheras Section 4 Residents Association pro tem committee chairman Fok Ah Chai said there was no point in placing safety cones next to the potholes.

“Road users need to be warned earlier. Then there is the shoddy re-surfacing where the road slowly sinks and becomes uneven.”

Motorcyclists are prone to skidding on Persiaran Mahkota, as they approach the traffic lights junction heading out of Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

Large amounts of gravel on both sides of the road were seen during the media visit.

Tung said local authorities should instruct contractors to display signs for road, pipe and cable works because safety cones alone were insufficient and cannot provide the relevant information.

EPF to adjust members' contributions to 8% from January

2008-11-07T16:06:00.001-08:00

Friday November 7, 2008

PETALING JAYA: Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members will be able to benefit from the three percentage point reduction of their monthly contribution rate from January.

In a statement yesterday, EPF said the reduction of the employees’ contribution from 11% to 8% would be made automatically for the ease of members and to facilitate implementation measures.

“This arrangement will be implemented until the December 2010 wage,” said EPF public relations senior manager Nik Affendi Jaafar in a statement yesterday.

However, members who wish to maintain their 11% contribution rate can still do so by filling up Form KWSP 17A (AHL) and handing it to their employers for submission to EPF.

Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced recently that members could reduce their monthly contributions from 11% to 8% to give them more disposable income. The announcement was part of a stimulus package to help boost economic growth.

“The decision to reduce members’ statutory contribution rate was taken twice before in 2001 and in 2003 as part of economic stimulus packages,” said Nik Affendi.

EPF would be issuing a new monthly contributions schedule accordingly, he said.

“Members and employers may obtain the new schedule and Form KWSP 17A (AHL) from all EPF branches or download them from our website at www.kwsp.gov.my from Dec 1 onwards,” he added.

‘Bonnie and Clyde ’ team and Indonesian pair shot dead in separate incidents

2008-11-07T16:04:00.000-08:00

Thursday November 6, 2008

PETALING JAYA: A “Bonnie and Clyde ” team were among four people killed in shootouts with police in separate incidents.

The couple were shot dead following a two-hour standoff yesterday, after shooting and wounding a police officer who had gone to investigate them at Green Acre Park in Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang,

Chief Insp Ang Weai Leong, 29, had led a six-man team to the condominium at 2am and was shot in his right and left calf when he entered their unit on the first floor.

Criminal Investigations Depart- ment (CID) director Commissioner Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said they were being investigated for armed robbery of about 32 luxury cars valued at RM3mil.

He said the team was shot at when it entered the premises and reinforcements were sent in.

“We tried negotiating with the armed robbers who refused our demand to surrender peacefully,” he said.

They stormed the unit and shot dead the couple in the ensuing shootout.

Comm Mohd Bakri said the two had identity cards of a man named Goh Kiam Chye, 40, and a woman, Wong Sau Lai, 20.

Wong was believed to have rammed a police patrol car in May. She was arrested but jumped bail.

In Puchong, police shot dead two Indonesians in Kampung Tengah, believed to be hired killers and wanted in the killing of a couple in Klang on Aug 21.

Selangor Chief Police Officer Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said police officers saw them on a motorcycle at 12.20pm and ordered them to stop but one of them shot at them and police had no choice but to return fire.

Police found a bloodstained T-shirt, slippers, torchlight and a spent shell by a river nearby, leading them to believe that the duo had just shot dead or injured someone.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said police would not hesitate to use force to combat daring and dangerous criminals when the safety of police personnel came under threat while on duty.

EPF down from 11% to 8%

2008-11-07T16:03:00.000-08:00

Wednesday November 5, 2008

PETALING JAYA: Employees can choose to reduce their EPF contributions to increase their disposable income next year.

The Government has allowed employees to reduce their contributions by three percentage points from 2009 to 2011.

Presently, the employer’s EPF contribution is 12% while employees contribute 11%.

“With the reduction, the total contribution is still at a reasonable rate of 20%, which is 12% from the employer and 8% from employee,” said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said if all contributors chose to reduce their contributions, it would come up to RM4.8bil annually.

“Assuming that only 50% of contributors take up the option, private spending is expected to go up by RM2.4bil,” he said.

“A person earning RM2,000 could gain an extra disposable income of RM60 monthly, while one earning RM6,000 will have an extra RM180 to spend.”

On the RM5bil fund injection into government investing agency Valuecap to stimulate capital market activity, Najib said similar moves had been implemented in other countries such as the Tracker Fund in Hong Kong in 1998, and recently by Qatar Investment Authority and the largest pension fund in Korea .

“The extra fund is acquired from EPF loans which is guaranteed by the Government. Therefore, the loan does not only guarantee higher returns compared with deposit rates from banking institutions but is also a minimum risk investment to EPF,” he said.

But, some workers’ unions felt that savings will be reduced and it will affect the people’s retirement funds.

National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) secretary general J. Solomon said he hoped that the voluntary offer was only for the time being during the economic crisis.

MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said that reduced savings would not benefit contributors.

“When savings go down it will be followed by a decrease in dividends.

Kajang councillors want action on MPKj officer

2008-11-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

Saturday November 1, 2008

Story by GEETHA KRISHNAN

THREE Kajang municipal councillors want the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate an alleged irregularity involving a council officer.

The case in Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang, concerns a hardware store that has encroached into the river and road reserve lands with the alleged sanction of a Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) officer.

Councillors Lee Kee Hiong, Tan Han Kuo and Carmen Leong told a press conference yesterday that the MPKj only acted when they highlighted the case recently.

They claimed the alleged officer was reluctant to take action although many complaints had been lodged with the MPKj.

The the store has been extended into the main road, narrowing it into one lane. The encroachment into the river reserve, meanwhile, has caused the erosion of certain parts of the Sungai Long riverbank.

A major landslide occurred there two years ago, swallowing part of the road opposite the Evergreen Condominium. Repair works were only recently completed after repeated delays.

According to Evergreen Condominium Residents Association president Leow Yung Kit, the store owner’s inconsiderate action was threatening the safety of residents and road users.

Leow said that the local authorities should take immediate action before a disaster occured.

Lee said that when the case was first highlighted, a RM25,000 compund was issued to the store owner under Section 70A of the Road, Drainage and Building Act 1974.

“Because the owner has refused to comply with our directive, the MPKj is now issuing a stop work order to protect the riverbank from further erosion,” she said.

“As you can see, a stairway built by the authorities is partially buried under sand. Such nonsense cannot continue,” Lee said.

According to MPKj engineering department technical assistant Subeha Mohd Saleh, the store owner has been told to temporarily cover the area with plastic sheets and, at the same time, to engage a consultant to design a proper bund for the store without encroaching into the river reserve.

Lee said the store owner was given temporary permits for two storage cabins till Dec 31 but it had built the illegal extensions.

“We are giving the owner 30 days from Oct 31 to tear down the extensions. If he fails to comply, under Section 72 of the Streets, Building and Drainage Act, we will demolish them,” she said.

Hulu Langat Drainage and Irrigation Department technician Azhar Ramli said the owner was instructed to submit a report to the department for further action by the Land Office but it had yet to comply.

“We cannot take any action before receiving the report,” he said, causing an uproar and protest among residents present at the press conference.

Lee said the council would take the necessary action to ensure that the safety of residents and road users was maintained.

Singapore detects melamine in five more products

2008-09-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 24, 2008

SINGAPORE: Singapores food authorities have detected melamine in five more products imported from China.

Two are flavoured milk and three are confectioneries containing milk powder as an ingredient, according to AgriFood & Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore.

They are Dutch Lady’s Banana Flavoured Milk and Honeydew Flavoured Milk, Silang House of Steamed Potato Potato Cracker, and Puffed Rice Rolls with Butter Corn Flavour and Cheese Flavour.

This brings to eight, the total number of affected products found in Singapore.

The other products which were earlier found to have been contaminated with melamine are Yi Li Choice Dairy Fruit Bar Yogurt Flavoured Ice Confection, Dutch Lady Strawberry Flavoured Milk and White Rabbit Creamy Candy.

In its latest advisory here, AVA said there was no need for the public to be unduly concerned as it had suspended the import and sale of all milk and milk products from China since last Friday.

It also said the levels of melamine detected in the products here were low and hence, unlikely to result in adverse health effects.

The public need to consume large quantities of the contaminated products over a prolonged period of time to have any potential illeffects on health, AVA said. - Bernama

Students in most states to go back to school on Jan 5

2008-09-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 25, 2008

PETALING JAYA: Students will go back to school on Jan 5 in all states next year except for those in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, where classes start a day earlier (see chart).

There will be an extra school day next year making it 208 days, compared with the previous year, which had 207 school days.

Students will have 77 days of holiday next year, seven days fewer than this year.

An education ministry official explained that there was no mistake to the start of the final term on Aug 31 (in the second term).

She said the ministry counted it as the start of the school week although it happened to fall on National Day.

“Students will actually start the term on Sept 1, but we look at the start of the week which happens to fall on Aug 31,” she said when contacted.

Schools can apply for cuti peristiwa (occasional holiday), which need not be replaced, or for cuti ganti (replacement holiday) for an extended break during festive seasons.

RE Boosting FDIs

2008-08-08T18:30:00.001-07:00

July / August 2008

Global energy scarcity is spurring foreign investor interest in Malaysian renewable energy projects. According to the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), increased FDIs have been channeled to renewable energy projects, particularly biomass and solar, in addition to oil and gas and aerospace projects. Concluded investment deals in the solar energy sector in May 2008 stood at approximately RM7 (USD2.15) billion. Despite challenging global economic conditions, MIDA reported no reduction in FDIs. For the first four months this year, MIDA had approved RM23.9 (USD7.35) bil of investments, of which nearly 60% or RM16.6 (USD5.11) bil consisted of FDIs.

Sime Sacks Finance Officers

2008-08-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

July / August 2008

In a move lauded for corporate accountability and transparency, the world's largest plantation group Sime Darby Bhd terminated the services of its group chief financial officer Razidan Ghazalli and vice-president Muhammad Mohan Kittu Abdullah in June over RM120 (USD36.9) million in trading losses. Sime's Board of Directors moved to terminate the duo following an in-depth inquiry into the losses at Golden Jomalina Food Industries, a subsidiary of Golden Hope Plantations. The losses were discovered in August 2007, several months before Golden Hope, Guthrie Plantations and Sime Darby were merged into a single entity.

Fuel Woes

2008-08-08T18:27:00.000-07:00

July / August 2008

Malaysians got a shock to the system when the government slashed the fuel subsidy in early June, raising the price of petrol by about 41% from RM1.92 (USD0.59) per litre to RM2.70 (USD0.83) per litre. Despite the price increase, the price of gasoline in Malaysia is still the lowest in the region apart from Brunei.

Without the cut, the fuel subsidy would have ballooned to RM33 billion (USD) from last year's RM8.8 (USD) billion. To cushion the impact of this politically unpopular move and dampen public disquiet over the fuel price hike, the government announced a one-off cash rebate of RM625 (USD192.5) for owners of vehicles with an engine capacity of up to 2000cc and a rebate of RM150 (USD46.2) for owners of motorcycles up to 250cc, among other palliatives.

However, the rebate has been widely criticised since it ignores the financial distress of the rural and urban poor who don't own private transport but need extra cash to pay for food and other basic necessities that have gone up in price.

Although there have been calls to ditch the car and take public transport, the state of Malaysian public transport means that many Malaysians will be sticking to their cars despite the new pressure on their budgets. The public transport network is not well-integrated and buses, subways and trains are known for congestion and lack of reliability. To remedy this, the government has said it will make improving the public transportation system nationwide one of the major focuses in the 2009 Budget in order to persuade more people to use public transport. Currently, about 16-20% of people use public transport in Malaysia compared to between 50-70% in developed countries.

Apart from affecting the overall quality of life, higher fuel prices will be a drag on the economy.
In particular, higher fuel and food prices will reduce disposable income and crimp consumer spending among lower and middle-income groups. Since domestic demand is a key growth driver, economic growth is projected to slow to about 5% for 2008.

Superbank in the Making?

2008-08-08T18:25:00.000-07:00

July / August 2008

Malaysia's largest lender, Malayan Banking Bhd or Maybank, was singled out as a potential superbank by London-based Retail Banker International.

A string of back-to-back acquisitions recently has enabled the bank to expand its regional presence, in line with its goal of further diversifying its earnings outside Malaysia. Its acquisitions of a 15% stake in Pakistan's MCB Bank Ltd, 15% in Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) and up to 100% in Vietnam's An Binh Bank will cost about RM11.5 (USD35.4) billion, to be funded by a mix of internal and external funds. Maybank projected that the three acquisitions will boost overseas revenue contributions from 19% to 31% eventually.

However, many investors and analysts' perception of the bank soured given the 'pricey' acquisitions in weak economic conditions, which could in turn affect the bank's return on equity and dividend payout, even though the bank has said that it will maintain its dividend payout rate of 60-65% over the long term. Maybank is paying an 11.4% premium to the market price for the MCB stake, which will cost RM2.17 (USD0.67) billions, with an option to purchase an additional 5% for RM785.5 (USD241.9) millions. It won the bid to buy up to a 100% stake in Bank Internasional Indonesia for RM8.6 (USD2.65) bil or 4.65 times book value, setting a new benchmark for Indonesian banking M&As since the average price-to-book valuation previously was about 2.5 times.

Although its plate is currently full, Maybank has indicated that it will not stop blazing the regional acquisition trail in future; the bank reportedly has Thailand and South Asia, particularly India, in its sights.

Folks want access to road

2008-08-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

Friday August 8, 2008

Story by GEETHA KRISHNAN

THE scene near Taman Bukit Permai in Bandar Sungai Long on Wednesday was reminiscent of the Bandar Mahkota Cheras incident.

The Bandar Mahkota Cheras incident was the fight for a toll-free access road while residents who had converged near Taman Bukit Permai to state their case simply want access to a road that would shorten their journey.

The closure of Jalan Syahbandar 24/6 a few months ago has been inconveniencing road users, especially those from Taman Bukit Permai, Desa Permai and Taman Makmur.

The road was closed after owners of bungalow lots in the area appealed to the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj). Their reasons were that the traffic on the road was heavy and their security threatened.

Kong Kim Pah of Taman Makmur said the gantry was installed in May while the council put up a signboard informing road users that the road would only be open from 6am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm daily.

“This road is a short cut from Bandar Sungai Long to Bandar Mahkota Cheras and leads to the Cheras-Kajang Highway. We save 5km by using Jalan Syahbandar,” he said.

A Desa Permai resident, who only identified herself as Sylvia, said it was unfair of the bungalow owners to place their needs above that of the community.

“What if there is an emergency and an ambulance or fire engine has to rush through? Can the owners be held responsible for the loss of lives?” she asked.

Dusun Tua assemblyman Ismail Sani said many residential roads in the constituency now functioned as main thoroughfares and cited the example of Taman Cuepacs Cheras.

“We hope the road users and bungalow owners can reach an amicable understanding in which both parties are satisfied.

“If certain groups are allowed to block roads, it would be setting a precedent for others to take matters into their own hands. There has to be give-and-take in this situation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bandar Sungai Long Residents Association secretary Jeff Tung said the short- cut should remain open to ease the congestion in Jalan Sungai Long.

MPKj councillor Tan Boon Wah said road users unhappy with the council’s decision to only open the road for a few hours each day could seek a meeting to state their case.

“The doors are always open for discussion. We have held two meetings so far with representatives from both parties,” he said.

About 70 people gathered for the peaceful protest.

Kuantan folks flock there for recreation and exercise

2008-08-04T17:47:00.000-07:00

Monday August 4, 2008

Story by SIMON KHOO

KUANTAN residents have a lot of choice when it comes to going for a jog or a stroll.

The Taman Gelora park, located in the affluent Jalan Teluk Sisek area, is a favourite place for those who want to exercise or relax.

On every afternoon except rainy days, the park is packed with people wanting a workout.

Elderly couples and pensioners have found that a leisurely walk in the park keeps their minds and bodies in shape.

Among the main attractions is a lotus pond with blossoming flowers.

It is a sight to behold as the public take walks along the jogging track around the pond.

Security is not a concern as the territorial army camp and Ikip College are located opposite the park.

Keen runners make use of a separate jogging track which offers a view of the sea.

Children are not left out as there is a big playground with a lot of facilities.

Alternatively, they can stroll on a wooden bridge which oversees a man-made lake.

They can even pester their parents to take them on a boat ride or enjoy a family picnic at rest huts or gazebo.

Food is not a problem as there are many eateries and hawker stalls offering dishes ranging from goreng pisang to fried rice and noodles.

Other facilities include a foot reflexology path, a hibiscus park and outdoor exercise equipment.

In the vicinity are futsal and football fields, tennis and volleyball courts, a bicycle track and an aerobic stage.

There are also camping sites for those who want to spend a night at the park.

Teruntum assemblyman Chang Hong Seong said he had highlighted the damaged facilities at the park during a local council meeting in May.

He said, as a result, the state approved an allocation of RM80,000 to replace the damaged items.

“I hope the public will cooperate by using the facilities with care once they are replaced.

“Let’s treat public amenities like our own to minimise replacement costs,” he said.

CPI for June surges to 7.7%

2008-07-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday July 24, 2008

By V.P. SUJATA

PUTRAJAYA: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for June spiked to a 27-year high of 7.7%.

This figure is slightly more than double the May CPI of 3.8%. The 7.7% is also the highest since April 1981 when the CPI was recorded at 10.8%.

The substantial rise in the price of petrol and diesel announced by the Government beginning June 5 is the main reason for the surge, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.

He said the inflation would probably remain at 7.7% for July because it would see the impact of increase in the electricity tariff.

Reading a report by the Statistics Department, he said the CPI for January to June this year had also increased by 3.7% compared with the same period last year, which was from 105.1 to 109.

Index for food and non-alcoholic beverages for June compared to the same month last year showed high percentage change of 10.0% while the index for non-food increased by 6.7%.

From January to June, index for food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 6.1% and non-food 2.6%, while among the groups with high weights were transport (+4%), and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (+ 1.4%).

The 6.1% increase in the index for food and non-alcoholic beverages was the result of increases in the index for items such as milk, cheese, eggs, rice, bread, cereals, meat, vegetables, seafood, fruits, sugar, jam, honey, chocolate, confectionary and fats.

Among the food items that recorded notable increase in the June index were tomatoes, chicken eggs, rice, glutinous rice, imported beef, beehoon, dried noodles, watermelon, carrots, chicken and wheat flour.

Speaking to reporters at his office here yesterday, Shahrir said his proposal to have a dedicated agency to help efficiently distribute subsidised goods to rural folks would be submitted to the Cabinet in two to three weeks.

“There is not much we can do for the price pressures but more fine-tuning of a distribution system to ensure subsidised goods reach the target group is vital,” he said.

He said he was looking to increasing the number of food items on the price-control list to help the lower income group.

Food items on the list now were only general-purpose flour, cooking oil, white bread and rice.

The basket of goods for calculating the CPI is done twice in five years with the last one in 2005, he said, adding that it has to be expedited to be more reflective of the market conditions.

Shahrir said an average of 10 billion litres of diesel was being used annually with about 50% being subsidised by the Government.

Residents say Taman Ikhlas being neglected

2008-07-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

Friday July 18, 2008

Story by GEETHA KRISHNAN

ILLEGAL dumping and open burning are being carried out near Taman Ikhlas in Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang.

According to Taman Ikhlas residents, the illegal activities were discovered a few weeks ago when a stench started emanating from a lane close to the housing area located deep inside Bandar Sungai Long.

Taman Ikhlas Residents Association pro tem committee chairman Azizul Shahrin Mohd Azizan told a press conference early this week that the smell worsened whenever strong winds blew in the direction of the housing area.

“Some of us decided to locate the source and found garbage bags containing restaurant waste dumped along the lane. Acrid smoke also rose from a burning pile of discarded plastic material,” he said.

Other residents said they saw one-tonne lorries turning into the lane every night and suspected these vehicles of transporting the restaurant waste and toxic materials.

The lane leads to a factory manufacturing rat poison.

Besides these problems, the existence of a foreign workers settlement on a hillock near the housing area was another cause for concern.

Overall, as resident Lee Sayer pointed out, Taman Ikhlas is suffering from neglect.

Lee wants the Kajang Municipal Council to act fast to resolve all these problems.

“The grass in the playground and perimeter area has not been cut for ages and the abandoned bungalow has been a sore sight for the past five years. The swimming pool is filthy,” he said.

Bandar Sungei Long Public Services Centre head Tony Mak, who represented Dusun Tua state assembly Ismail Sani, said the Department of Environment (DOE) would be informed of the open burning.

“The indiscriminate dumping of restaurant waste would also be brought to the attention of the council for immediate action.

“We will also ask the authorities to look into the foreign workers' illegal colony problem,” Mak said.

When contacted, council president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman promised to look into the matter.

Plan that’s of interest to credit cardholders

2008-07-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

Wednesday July 9, 2008

By M. KRISHNAMOORTHY

KUALA LUMPUR: Credit cardholders will have reason to smile, as the stiff 18% per annum interest rate has been reduced effective July 1.

Bank Negara has introduced a tiered interest rate to reward cardholders who pay their monthly statements before the due date.

For those who pay their credit card bills promptly for 12 consecutive months, the interest rate is reduced to 15% per annum. The cardholder will get to enjoy the lower interest rate from the 13th month.

For those who pay promptly for at least 10 out of 12 months, the interest rate is be lowered by 1% to 17%. The ceiling rate of 18% per annum will still be applicable for other cardholders.

The comforting news is that cardholders do not have to settle the outstanding amount in full – they need to pay only the minimum amount involved.

Credit cardholders have been informed of the new-tiered interest rate structure by their respective banks.

An Association of Banks Malaysia official said Bank Negara had introduced the tiered finance charges to promote more prudent financial management among credit cardholders.

On average, one-third of 2.7 million credit cardholders use their credit cards as a payment instrument, settling their credit card outstanding amount in full every month.

Over half the cardholders pay at least the minimum amount due promptly and roll over the remaining balance.

It was reported earlier that from July 1, credit cardholders who make minimum or partial repayment of their monthly outstanding amounts would no longer enjoy the 20-day interest-free period for new retail transactions.

However, those who settle their credit card outstanding amounts in full every month will continue to enjoy the interest-free period.

Price War Dogs Airlines

2008-07-02T17:49:00.001-07:00

June 2008

Already battered by record fuel prices, Malaysia's low-cost carrier, Air Asia, now has to contend with headwinds in the shape of national full-service carrier Malaysia Airlines which has launched its own low fares campaign.

However, Malaysia Airlines has denied that its new low and zero fare products are competing directly with Air Asia's business model, instead explaining that it is meant to create new demand and to generate revenue from hitherto unsold seats. According to Malaysia Airlines, the campaign was intended to help offload between three and four million unsold seats for its domestic and Asean routes annually. Passengers who book free and low-cost seats on Malaysia Airlines still have to pay for fuel surcharges, administration fees and airport taxes, similar to the Air Asia model.

In retaliation, Air Asia has launched its own sub-zero campaign, which it insists is cheaper than its competitor's fees. The LCC has also reiterated that the playing field should be leveled, and that it should be allowed to compete without restrictions against the national carrier. Notably, restrictions on the lucrative Kuala Lumpur to Singapore route are a sore point for Air Asia.

On the bright side, the ongoing skirmish between Malaysian aviation's David and Goliath has benefited consumers looking for bargains to cushion the pain of rising prices. According to media reports, the zero and low fare products enabled Malaysia Airlines to sell an additional 150,000 seats, including those at normal fares, during the week of the campaign's launch while increasing its online penetration by 900%.

On the downside, if price undercutting is sustained, foreign airlines may be discouraged from flying into the Kuala Lumpur International Airport if they are unable to compete, which would defeat the KLIA's objective of attracting and retaining more carriers and becoming a major regional airline hub.

Playing Cyber Catch-up

2008-07-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

June 2008

In a bid to increase broadband penetration and bridge the urban-rural digital divide, Malaysia has announced a high speed broadband project (HSBB).

Under a controversial arrangement, the country's dominant telecommunications incumbent Telekom Malaysia Bhd will invest RM8.9bn (US$2.74bn) while the government will invest another RM2.4bn (US$0.74bn) over a period of three years to implement the first phase of the HSBB. The HSBB infrastructure will offer speeds of between 10 Mbps and 1 Gbps and will be developed at an estimated cost of RM15.2bn (US$4.68bn) in three phases over 10 years with the government putting in an initial investment of RM4.8bn (US$1.48bn).

The government rationalised that Telekom Malaysia was the best choice to upgrade the existing network for the HSBB roll-out as it already owned 95% of the existing fixed line infrastructure, which will minimize duplication.

Although the government has made assurances that the regulatory framework will be developed on an open network concept to ensure equal opportunity access and a level playing field, uneasy industry players have indicated that they would prefer an independent HSBB network. For transparency and their protection, telcos want the government to disclose pricing, access terms and even last mile connectivity details before signing the HSBB deal with Telekom Malaysia, to ensure fair competition since the incumbent would have a monopoly on the HSBB network, reported The Star.

It is estimated that Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) would grow by another 1% or an estimated RM6.68 (USD2.06) billion and create 135,000 new jobs if the targeted 50% broadband penetration rate could be achieved by 2010. Currently, Malaysia's broadband penetration rate remains very low at 18% compared with Singapore (78%), Hong Kong (80%) and South Korea (93%), reported The Edge Daily.

Bullet Train Shot Down

2008-07-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

June 2008

YTL Corp Bhd's proposed RM8bn (USD2.47bn) bullet train project linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur is one of the latest big-ticket projects to be derailed by the ongoing push for austerity and accountable public spending in Malaysia's transformed political landscape following March 2008's landmark general elections. Although it was tightlipped on the details, the Government confirmed that it had shelved the project because the financial model submitted required the government to bear significant costs.

Malaysia Rerated

2008-07-02T17:45:00.000-07:00

June 2008

Standard & Poor's Equity Research recently raised its weighting on Malaysia to 'marketweight' from 'underweight', citing fair market values, improved domestic liquidity and more benign external market conditions. According to the agency, market consolidation over the past few months had improved the domestic picture and whetted potential appetite for the Malaysian market. In response, S&P has raised its year-end target for the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index to 1400 points from 1300 points. S&P's Equity Research had on March 11 this year downgraded Malaysia to 'underweight' on market uncertainty following the March 2008 general elections.

No more interest-free period for credit card users who make partial payment

2008-07-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

Wednesday July 2, 2008

By IZATUN SHARI

PETALING JAYA: From Tuesday, credit card holders who make the minimum or partial repayment on their outstanding amount monthly would no longer enjoy the 20-day interest-free period for new retail transactions.

Those who settle their credit card outstanding amount in full every month will continue to be granted the interest-free period.

Bank Negara confirmed that the ruling took effect Tuesday as part of its effort to promote the use of credit cards as a payment instrument, and to encourage prudent spending and good financial discipline.

A year ago, Bank Negara took the initial step, announcing a new interest rate scheme for credit card users. Credit card issuers then began tracking the repayment behaviour of their cardholders from July 1 last year.

In a statement Tuesday Bank Negara said: “More than half the cardholders pay at least the minimum amount due and roll over the remaining balance.”

For credit card users with a good record of settling their credit card balances due each month promptly for 12 consecutive months, the finance charge will be reduced from the maximum of 18% a year to not more than 15%, it added.

As at the end of last year, one third of the 2.7 million credit card holders in the country settled their outstanding amount in full every month.

Bank Negara said banks and credit card issuers had already begun notifying their customers on the matter.

A spokesman for Public Bank Bhd said the bank had notified its credit card holders on the scheme in June and July last year and again in April, this year.

“We gave them ample notice because we needed to track their 12-month repayment behaviour history,” she said, adding that the bank had 900,000 credit card holders.

CPO Receives Energy Boost

2008-06-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

May 2008

Crude palm oil (CPO) prices are moving in sync with escalating oil prices, demonstrating an increasing correlation in commodity price behaviour. When crude oil rose to its then all-time high of US$112.21 (RM359) per barrel in early April, palm oil futures for June delivery likewise increased to RM3,455 (US$1,095) per tonne on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange. CPO price volatility is also being fuelled by a drop in palm oil stockpiles and excessive hedging in futures, apart from increasing demand for biodiesel due to the uptrend in crude oil.

Larger Balance of Payments in 2007

2008-06-30T22:13:00.000-07:00

May 2008

Malaysia's external position strengthened in 2007, as reflected by the larger overall balance of payments, due to a larger current account surplus, while net outflows in the financial account moderated, according to the central bank's annual report 2007. The sustained large trade surplus, underpinned by strong growth in commodity exports and an improvement in the services and income accounts, contributed to the larger current account surplus of RM99.3bn (US$31.47bn) or 15.8% of gross national income, compared to RM93.4bn (US$29.6bn) or 16.8% of gross national income in 2006. In particular, the services account recorded its first surplus, due mainly to higher tourism and transportation receipts.

CSR Still Wanting

2008-06-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

May 2008

Malaysian Plcs generally lag behind international best practices and disclosures in corporate social responsibility (CSR), revealed a pioneering 2007 survey commissioned by stock exchange Bursa Malaysia.

The findings of the CSR 2007 Status Report showed that, on average, the Plcs surveyed demonstrated lack of knowledge and awareness of key CSR concepts. The study also pinpointed the absence of top management commitment towards CSR, which could explain the lack of integration between sustainability measures and business strategies. Interestingly, many companies still equate CSR reporting solely to community investment and philanthropy, demonstrating the lack of understanding among companies.

The survey, which sampled 200 listed corporations, measured their impacts across four dimensions, namely, the marketplace, workplace, environment and community. Results showed that only 32.5% of companies ranked in the above average, good or leading categories of CSR practices, while two-thirds of Plcs ranked either average (27.5%), below average (28.5%) or poor (11.5%). Listed multinational corporations achieved the highest score.

Among the best performers were gaming, tobacco and alcohol-related firms, possibly due to the businesses' social and environmental impacts, whereas construction firms emerged as the least CSR-savvy.

The survey highlighted weak corporate commitment to the environment and diversity. There was a lack of environmental preservation efforts by local firms, along with inadequate female representation at top management level, and less than satisfactory Malay and Indian representation in the senior company hierarchy. Malays make up the majority of the multiracial population that also comprises Chinese, Indian and indigenous peoples.

The exchange urged companies to manifest CSR in their business practices and not to treat CSR initiatives as an add-on list of activities in order to promote business sustainability and add value to the capital markets, as well as to enhance the international reputation of Malaysian companies.

Streamlining the Capital Market

2008-06-30T22:08:00.000-07:00

May 2008

Malaysia's stock exchange Bursa Malaysia has proposed to merge its Main and Second Boards as part of a move to provide better access to the capital market, facilitate capital raising exercises, and inject further confidence into a lacklustre stock market.

According to the Securities Commission (SC), the Main and Second Boards will be merged into a unified board for companies with an established profit track record, where the qualifying criteria for listing will be based on the current Second Board criteria. The SC hopes that this move will negate the differentiation of companies based on size and facilitate the assessment of companies on the basis of quality of earnings.

The MESDAQ Market, which was initially set up to house tech and high-growth companies without a profit track record, will be transformed into a sponsor-driven market and expanded to include the listing of both technology and non-technology emerging companies.

The SC also plans to introduce a new regulatory approach for listings and fund-raising on the unified board and MESDAQ, whereby principal advisers and sponsors will be bringing companies to list on Bursa Malaysia and will be responsible for ensuring the quality and suitability of companies for listing. In addition, sponsors will be expected to ensure ongoing supervision of companies post listing for the MESDAQ market.

The new approach will enable the SC to shift its focus from assessing the suitability of proposals to ensuring the adequacy and quality of disclosures in prospectuses in order to safeguard corporate governance and public interest.

The streamlined board structure, together with the new regulatory and listing approach, will be implemented by the end of 2008.

Start saving for your future

2008-06-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 28, 2008

By EDWARD RAJENDRA

SET aside some money for yourself first when you get your pay cheque, that is the advice given by a chartered financial consultant so that you can retire as a millionaire.

K.H. Tan said the idea of “paying yourself first” was good and should start early in one's working life.

“Paying yourself first means before you settle the bills or spoil yourself on designer coffees, you set money aside for yourself. Now this isn't cash to splurge but cash to save for the future,” he said.

Tan, 38, added that many young executives who had attended his financial seminars felt it difficult to set money aside for themselves.

“Salary adjustments, increments and bonuses are earned. No matter how much you earn, you must force yourself to set aside an amount for retirement. If you don't do it, nobody else will,” he said at his recent I Can Be a Millionaire seminar.

However, Tan said: “Human nature makes it difficult as people think they don't have enough to pay themselves first because there's always something to spend the annual salary increase on.

“We advice many to start on a small sum instead of a ambitious sum.

“As income grows, increase the savings and to make the pay your self first effective, the process has to be automatic. Apply for an automatic bank transfer to take effect each time your income is credited to your account,” he added.

Tan's business partner P. Utama Raj strongly believes in the pay yourself idea and suggest that young executives request their employers transfer a fixed percentage of their income from their monthly pay to an investment portfolio.

“By doing so, the process becomes automatic and it makes it easier to hit that million ringgit mark due to the consistent monthly deposits and power of compounding interest,” he said.

Raj, 35, added that young executives must avoid incurring credit- card debts and spend wisely.

“One good approach to spend wisely is to use cash whenever possible.

“Being discipline does not mean a lack of a social life or depriving oneself of every shopping urge.

“We must keep our spending habits within reason thus exercising delayed gratification,” he said.

Big money in oil sector

2008-06-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

Wednesday June 25, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: The oil and gas sector and the information technology industry saw the sharpest increases in salary, a survey has shown.

According to outsourcing and consulting group Kelly Services, which conducted the 2007/08 survey, base salary in both sectors increased by 30% followed by the engineering sector at 28%.

“Commodity-based companies like oil and gas and oil palm are able to absorb the salary increase as there is continued demand for their products and by-products,” said consulting director Anthony Devadoss at the launch of the Malaysia Salary Handbook 2008/09: A Practitioner’s Insight To Salaries Across Industries, here, yesterday.

“Both sectors also recorded an increase in hiring opportunities,” he said, adding that generally, “Malaysia experiences the most stable salary increment compared to India, Singapore and China.

“There is a 6% to10% increase annually, which is steady.”

He said that the survey, conducted during the first quarter of this year across salary trends among companies in the country, also found a robust situation in employment opportunities.

“There is an increase in the manufacturing, IT, engineering, marketing services and banking sectors with new job titles to cater to changing demands,’’ he said.

High value-added investments, which create jobs that command high incomes, and investment in human capital could form some of the core elements of sustaining growth.

Although most industries would see an increase in increment, there were sectors which would be hit, especially, with the economic uncertainties.

“With the price hike in food and fuel, businesses such as retail, FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) companies, tourism, travel and automotive are much likely to be affected due to reduced and cautious consumer spending.

“Thus, an increase in salaries will be a tight squeeze for them,” he said. “These sectors will definitely take a cautious stand in raising salaries,” he added.

Kota Damansara-Cheras rail line right on track

2008-06-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 15, 2008

By LEONG SHEN-LI

PETALING JAYA: More than one million Klang Valley residents will benefit from the much awaited new Kota Damansara-Cheras rail transit line.

The Government had earlier said the new line and extensions should be ready by 2012. Sources said with the average construction period taking three to four years, work would have to start by the end of this year.

The 40km route covers some of the most densely populated areas in the Klang Valley such as Damansara and Cheras as well as the fast growing area of Kota Damansara.

It will also serve the heart of the Golden Triangle, the business and financial hub of Kuala Lumpur.

Currently, the area is only served by KL Monorail, which is already suffering from overcrowding.
The new line, which sources said would cost between RM4bil and RM5bil and will be mostly elevated, will provide the much needed expansion to the current 56km, 48-station light rail transit network, especially in view of the rising fuel prices and the new emphasis on public transport.

The line was announced in October 2006 by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak but little has been heard about it since then.

The alignment, made available to The Star, showed the new line running from Kota Damansara along Persiaran Surian to the Damansara-Puchong Expressway and then heading towards the city centre along the Sprint Expressway, through Bangsar Baru and Jalan Bangsar.

It will then run parallel to the existing Kelana Jaya LRT line (formerly Putra-LRT) to KL Sentral, Pasar Seni and Masjid Jamek before heading to the Golden Triangle along Jalan Raja Chulan.

The route will then pass Pasar Rakyat in Bukit Bintang and then Jalan Tun Razak where it will join Jalan Cheras.

It will continue along the road and the Cheras-Kajang Expressway to the Balakong interchange near Cheras Batu 11.

Passengers will be able to switch with the existing Kelana Jaya LRT line at Bangsar, KL Sentral, Pasar Seni and Masjid Jamek; and the Ampang LRT line (formerly Star-LRT) at Masjid Jamek and Maluri.

There will be around 30 stations along the line, including the interchange stations.

Sources said the route was a “desktop alignment” which would form the basis for the eventual line. The number of stations has also not been finalised.

The final alignment and number of stations is unlikely to vary in any major way from the “desktop” plan.

As with the other lines, the new line will be owned by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd and operated by RapidKL.

While the Government has yet to announce when work will begin on the new line, sources pointed to the “positive statements” by Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop after a briefing session with Backbenchers last Thursday.

Nor had announced that public transport would be getting more incentives, allocations and assistance in Budget 2009 and future budgets.

Sources said the Government was also currently conducting the mid-term review of the 9th Malaysia Plan and there were concerted efforts to get the new line in.

Besides the new line, the Government is also trying to get extensions to the Kelana Jaya and Ampang Lines started.

The extensions will cover Subang Jaya, USJ, Kinrara and Puchong and meet at Putra Heights.

RM16mil blissful insomnia

2008-06-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 14, 2008

PETALING JAYA: A man who won a whopping RM16.4mil in the Mega Toto 6/52 jackpot only claimed his prize money 10 days later as he had to “compose and re-orientate himself” first.

He said he had had sleepless nights after his win but called it his “blissful insomnia,” he said in a press statement released by Sports Toto Malaysia Sdn Bhd on Thursday.

He explained that he had derived his numbers from the address of Sports Toto’s head office as well as the addresses of his family members, and six of the nine numbers he had chosen for the System Play were drawn as the first prize winning on Wednesday.

He also won an additional RM61,260 from 18 sets of the second prize, 45 sets of the third prize and 20 sets of the fourth prize.

Making it fast and easy for vehicle owners

2008-06-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

Friday June 13, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Three minutes. That's about how fast vehicle owners can claim the cash rebates.

This assurance came from Pos Malaysia Berhad (PMB) executive director Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid.

Vehicle owners can get their cash rebates of up to RM625 from 683 post offices nationwide beginning tomorrow.

He said those who renewed or bought their road tax from April 1 until May 31 this year were the ones eligible to start claiming the rebate beginning tomorrow until March 31 next year.

He said these groups were categorised under phase one of the implementation. The vehicle owner must be present with their original identity card and fill-up a simple form that would be given by the post office staff.

“After the form is filled, the details will be verified with Road Transport Department’s system database.

“Once that is confirmed, the thumbprint of the owner will be required on the form, before the cash is handed over. It is a simple process,” he told a press conference at PMB near here yesterday.

Abu Huraira said those who did not want to queue up could fill up the form and drop a section of it into a special box while keeping a customer's copy for themselves.

“Once the owner receives the money order, the person can either cash it at post offices or at banks,” he added.

He said vehicle owners who had renewed or plan to renew their road tax from June 1 until March 31 next year could start claiming their rebates starting from July 1.

On June 4, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had announced the new fuel price of RM2.70 a litre for petrol and RM2.58 a litre for diesel. In line with that, owners of private vehicles with engine capacity of 2,000cc and below would enjoy a RM625 rebate.

Owners of private pickup trucks and jeeps with engine capacity of 2,500cc and below will also receive the rebate. Owners of motorcycles of 250cc and below are eligible for a RM150 rebate.

Customers can contact PMB’s customer service centre at 1-300-300-300 or visit the website at www.pos.com.my should they have any enquiries.

Rebate in three minutes

2008-06-12T19:53:00.001-07:00

Friday June 13, 2008

By MANJIT KAUR

KUALA LUMPUR: The process of getting fuel subsidy rebates will be simple and will only take three minutes, Pos Malaysia Bhd said.

At a press conference yesterday, Pos Malaysia executive director Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid said car owners only needed to do the following to get the cash rebate:

> Go in person to any of the country's 683 post offices,
> Bring your identity card,
> Provide your car registration number, and
> Fill a money order form.

Rebates can be claimed from tomorrow until March 31 next year for those who bought new or renewed their road tax between April 1 and May 31 this year. For those after June 1, claims can be made from July 1.

More natural gas stations needed, say motorists

2008-06-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Fiday June 13, 2008

WITH the number of NGV users expected to rise soon, motorists and operators of NGV conversion centres are urging the government to provide more natural gas refilling stations.

They feel that it would not be practical for NGV users to travel freely without the easy availability of natural gas stations throughout the country.

It is learnt that there are only about 150 stations in the country, mostly in the Klang Valley, but the number is expected to increase to 200 by the end of this year.

According to motorist Ishak Junid from Kampung Pendamar in Port Klang, there should be more NGV stations so that motorists will be encouraged to switch to natural gas.

Ishak, who drives a Nazaria, said that before a new Petronas NGV station was opened near his house in Bayu Mas, he used to travel more than 20km to fill up gas from the station at Teluk Panglima Garang.

Ishak, like most NGV users, feels that the current monopoly of natural gas sale by Petronas is restrictive to the NGV motorists.

He said that other fuel companies should be allowed to open up NGV stations so that more people benefited by using NGV.

“I have been able to save a substantial amount of money since switching to NGV a year ago,” he said.

Hairul Idris of the Tunas Sanubari NGV centre from Meru said that the existing stations were insufficient for the increasing number of the natural gas fuel users.

“My business volume has increased tremendously over the past week and the waiting list has extended to July. I can only foresee demand increasing in the near future,” he said.

“It will be difficult for users to refill gas unless the stations are available everywhere,” Hairul said.

S. Poovalagu, from Subang, said that he had installed his Proton Wira with the NGV converter and hoped that he would not be facing problems finding the gas stations.

Poovalagu said motorists should be educated on the benefits of using natural gas so that people would not be ignorant and confused.

Norafizah Haidzir, 34, of Sungai Buloh was very excited after installing the NGV system into her car.

Norafizah said that she had no choice but to do so as the revised petrol price had hit her hard financially.

“I’m looking forward to drive without worrying so much about the cost of fuel and hope there are sufficient gas stations,” she said.

Rush to fit natural gas gadget

2008-06-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

Friday June 13, 2008

Stories by Elan Perumal

THERE have been times when Steven Ng of Sugio NGV Technology had thought about giving up his involvement in the natural gas vehicle (NGV) business that he ventured into six years ago.

For the first four years, business was very bad. But Ng persevered with strong will power and determination, staying on in the business despite the odds.

Today, the plucky Ng can now stand and walk tall.

While everyone is complaining about the steep hike in petrol and diesel prices, Ng has reason to smile. Why?

People are suddenly realising that converting their vehicles to run on NGV would help ease their financial burdens.

“I had tough times during the first four years as the business was not good and I only saw some signs of progress after 2006,” Ng recalled.

“From the very first day, I knew this was the business of the future but things did not go as I expected until just a week ago when the government raised the petrol price to RM2.70 sen per litre,” Ng said.

“It is only due to the drastic increase in the petrol price that people are thinking of converting their vehicles to run on NGV,” Ng told StarMetro during an interview.

Ng said his business had grown sixfold over the last one week and he was having a tough time coping with the increasing demand from motorists who wanted their vehicles converted into the NGV mode immediately.

Ng said that in recent months, he used to have about five walk-in customers per day but the situation changed drastically now as his centre had been converting some 20 vehicles per day.

“There have been an average of 30 people lining up with their vehicles at my centre daily but it can only serve 20 vehicles per day,” he said.

Ng said that his centre was now operating at maximum capacity, with his workers putting in extra hours each day.

He said the demand for supply from dealers and other NGV conversion centres had also been overwhelming with orders amounting to hundreds per day.

“You would be surprised by the number of calls I have been receiving each day. I am forced to turn down orders from some the dealers due to lack of stock,” he said.

According to Ng, the parts for the conversion, including gas cylinders and reducers, are imported from Europe, Argentina and India.

Ng said that due to the current high demand, he had ran out of cylinders for smaller vehicles such as Perodua Kancil and Proton Iswara Aeroback, which required cylinders between 45 and 60kgs.

“However, we have a new stock of 75kg cylinders for the other vehicles that are made from fibre and metal. These are lighter than the metal cylinders,” he said.

Ng said almost all kinds of vehicles, including the small Kancil cars, could be converted into the NGV mode.

According to Ng, the price ranged from RM3,000 and above based on the engine capacity and size of the vehicles.

Vehicles operating with carburettor engines will cost less compared with those operating on fuel injection vehicles.

“Our technicians are very experienced and they will fix the cylinders in such away that only one-third of your boot will be taken up by the cylinders,” Ng said.

“The conversion can be done within half a day and customers will be provided with certificates from the Road Transport Department and a warranty as well,” he said.

Ng said the NGV conversion was an additional feature and the vehicle could still run on petrol if necessary.

He said that by converting a vehicle to run on NGV, a motorist could save 60% to 70% in fuel costs.

“You can travel at as low as 5 sen per km depending on the engine capacity of your vehicle,” he said.

Ng said NGV was environment-friendly and vehicles running on natural gas produced zero pollution.

“Our roads will be free from smoke pollution if all the vehicles turn to natural gas for fuel,” he said.

Ng said the NGV conversion could be done on all types of vehicles, including petrol and diesel cars, vans, four-wheel drive and multipurpose vehicles (MPV).

He said the power of the vehicles operated via natural gas would be slightly less than those operated with petrol.

“However, we can add components that will able to compensate the power and at the same time reduce the fuel cost if customers are willing to spend a bit of extra money,” he said.

Ng is obviously making regular trips to the bank, powered by, what else, NGV!

It’s on, free water from June

2008-06-11T20:14:00.001-07:00

Thursday June 12, 2008

By EDWARD RAJENDRA

SHAH ALAM: Selangor residents will get to enjoy the first 20 cubic metres of water free after all from June now that the state government has agreed to conditions set by water concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd.

State investment arm Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) and Syabas sealed the deal in just 50 minutes yesterday to resolve months of disagreement over the matter.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the issue was settled along a plan where KDEB would compensate Syabas RM1.8mil a month for the 1.1 million consumers to get that free water.

KDEB had earlier wanted to compensate Syabas after the water industry restructuring in September.

KDEB owns 30% of Syabas which has a 30-year concession to distribute water to consumers in Selangor and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Yesterday, KDEB president Datuk Abdul Karim Munisar, Syabas chief executive officer Datuk Ruslan Hassan and Khalid held a discussion where the terms and conditions were resolved.

On Monday, Ruslan had said in a statement that the company and the state investment arm KDEB could not agree on “terms and conditions” over how the free water was going to be compensated.

He added that Syabas could not accept KDEB’s offer to compensate the company for the free water in September after the proposed restructuring of water services in the state and wanted payment to be done in 14 days.

Further to that, he said the proposal would have adversely affected the water concessionaire’s cash flow and daily operations, so Syabas continued to charge for the first 20 cubic metres of water until it received favourable terms from KDEB.

Khalid said the cost of the free water would be borne by KDEB, the state’s business arm.

“You must understand that it is the first time such an endeavour is being done to give free water.

“So, there were certain terms that had to be clarified.

“We had to resolve the issue of how the billing would be carried out, the compensation issue and settlement of payment with Syabas,” said Khalid.

He added that there were three phases to the understanding with KDEB and Syabas.

“First phase is the billing exercise, the second is the restructuring of water industry in Selangor and the third is to restudy the allocation of funds and the water pricing as it had to take into account the change of economics,” he added.

Ruslan when met after the press conference said Syabas was in agreement with the understanding achieved in the 50-minute discussion.

“We will go ahead with the billing and consumers will receive their bills with the rebate,” he said.

Sime Darby sacks CFO

2008-06-10T22:38:00.001-07:00

Wednesday June 11, 2008

By HANIM ADNAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Bhd on Monday sacked its chief financial officer (CFO) and another senior executive following an in-depth inquiry into RM120mil losses from crude palm oil (CPO) futures trading.

The services of group CFO Razidan Ghazalli and group vice-president (1) of downstream and biofuel Muhamad Mohan Kittu Abdullah were terminated with immediate effect.

In a statement yesterday, Sime Darby said the trading losses at Golden Jomalina Food Industries Bhd, a subsidiary of Golden Hope Plantations Bhd (GHope), were discovered in August 2007, several months before the merger of GHope, Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd and Sime Darby.

Shortly after the losses were discovered, KPMG Forensic was engaged to conduct an investigative review of the futures trading operations at Golden Jomalina.

The forensic accountants completed their report and handed it to Sime Darby this year. The issue was deliberated by the group’s board of directors at a meeting on May 28.

After having reviewed the forensic accountant's report and findings by a panel of independent directors set up by the audit committee, Sime Darby’s board determined that the persons concerned had failed to discharge their functions to the standard of care that were reasonably expected of them.

Razidan was GHope’s finance director while Muhammad Mohan was Jomalina’s general manager when the losses were racked up through futures trading between October 2006 and August 2007.

According to a Sime Darby spokesman, appropriate provisions had been made and the group would not have its future profitability affected by the past losses.

He added that measures had been taken to strengthen processes and trading parameters.

“The decision to terminate the services of the two staff members was taken after an extensive process of investigation and deliberation. While it is never a pleasant task to dismiss any personnel, the board felt that the move was necessary in the interest of accountability and to protect stakeholders of Sime Darby,” said the spokesman.

Meanwhile, industry analysts contacted by StarBiz said the RM120mil trading losses would not have an impact on their earnings forecasts on Sime Darby as the group confirmed that it already made ample provisions to account for the losses.

A plantation analyst with a bank-backed brokerage said while the revelation (of the losses) might raise concerns among investors, Sime Darby had made the right decision to make its top staff accountable for the glaring irregularities within the group’s highly diversified operations.

“The group is advocating transparency and issuing a stern warning that irrespective of the rank, none of its staff will be spared from the consequences of irregularities which can keep on cropping up in any big organisation,” the analyst said.

Another analyst concurred that it was a positive move by Sime Darby to reveal the losses rather than to cover up.

“I believe that some plantation analysts since last year have already sensed the irregularities, particularly the losses in the group’s downstream operations, attributing it to the unfeasible biodiesel operation.

“This losses were somewhat overlooked, given the good performance in the upstream plantation operation due to the higher CPO prices,” he added.

Taliworks eyes highway concession business

2008-06-10T22:37:00.001-07:00

Wednesday June 11, 2008

By FINTAN NG

PETALING JAYA: Water resources concessionaire Taliworks Corp Bhd is eyeing a more meaningful role in the highway concession business following its acquisition of a stake in Sunway Infrastructure Bhd (SunInfra), the operator and owner of the 37km Kajang SILK Highway.

A source with knowledge of the deal said Cerah Sama Sdn Bhd acquired a 14% stake in SunInfra, equivalent to 25.48 million shares, at 21 sen a share or RM5.34mil. Cerah Sama is 55%-owned by Taliworks and 35%-owned by Singapore-based South East Asian Strategic Assets Fund (Seasaf). Filings with Bursa Malaysia showed the stake was acquired on June 2.

According to its website, Seasaf was launched in March 2006 with a mandate to invest in energy, infrastructure and natural resources sectors in South-East Asia.

Its Malaysian investments include US$8.1mil in International Medical University and US$29.1mil in Malakoff Corp Bhd. It has also committed to invest a further US$14.5mil in Metal Reclamation Bhd while it has invested US$20.4mil in Cerah Sama.

Taliworks currently manages six water treatment plants with a combined design capacity of 1.04 million litres of water per day that serves more than two million people in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi. Through Cerah Sama subsidiary Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, it is also the owner and operator of the 11.5km Cheras-Kajang Highway.

The source said through the stake acquisition, Taliworks hoped to have a more meaningful role in the management of tolled highways in Malaysia and the surrounding region in the years to come.

“Taliworks intends to use Cerah Sama to build a portfolio of tolled highways in Malaysia and the Asean region and the shareholders have the intention to list Cerah Sama in seven years,” he said.

The acquisition of the SunInfra stake comes on the heels of a failed takeover bid by Infra Bumitek Sdn Bhd, which already owned 65.09 million shares, or 36.16%, of the company that it acquired on Feb 27 for 17 sen per share.

Infra Bumitek had, via a mandatory takeover offer on April 8, offered to acquire the remaining 114.91 million shares, or 63.84%, of SunInfra for 17 sen per share and warrants at 0.01 sen each but shareholders were advised by brokerage PM Securities Sdn Bhd to reject the offer because SunInfra shares had been trading above 17 sen since last October.

Kuantan set to be AirAsia’s eastern hub

2008-06-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

Wednesday June 11, 2008

KUANTAN: Low-cost carrier AirAsia plans to have direct flights from here to international destinations like Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok.

This follows the airline's introduction of flights from the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at KLIA to the state capital from June 1.

Present at the official launch here yesterday were Tengku Puan Pahang Tengku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes.

Speaking to reporters later, Fernandes said there was potential for Kuantan to become the airline’s east coast hub.

“We have been looking for an east coast hub as we think the east coast has enormous potential. If there is good infrastructure, there is no reason we cannot sell the whole of east coast from Kuantan,” he added.

There was a huge demand from Singaporeans for direct flights from Kuantan, he noted.

Fernandes said the airline had already submitted its application to the Transport Ministry and was awaiting a reply.

On the fuel price rise and the company’s efforts to remain cost- effective while introducing new routes and more flights, Fernandes said the way to deal with the increase was for the airline to market its way out of the problem.

“We have developed many ways of keeping our fares low despite the rising oil price,” he added.

“We also sell more things now, including hot food instead of boxed food. We have to find ways to deal with it. We have a brand new fleet, and fuel burn is much lower. “

Tengku Abdullah, in his speech earlier, said he hoped AirAsia would continue to operate in Kuantan despite the oil price rise.

Syabas: No water rebate

2008-06-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

Friday June 6, 2008

PUTRAJAYA: Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) will continue to issue utility bills to consumers without any subsidy or reduction at the end of this month.

This is because the company has yet to receive any written order or undertaking from the state or Federal government to pay for the 20 cubic metres of free water promised to consumers.

Its chief executive officer Datuk Ruslan Hassan said Syabas had only limited discussions with the Selangor Government on free water.

“Discussions with the Selangor Government have not produced any result relating to legal matters, costs and approval from the Federal Government,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

“Until Syabas receives a written order from Selangor and the Federal Government or an undertaking from Selangor or any state agency to pay us for the 20 cubic metres, we will continue to issue water bills to consumers as usual, without any reduction or subsidy.”

Ruslan was responding to a statement from Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim that the water rebate was on from June 1 and that it would be reflected in this month’s bill.

Ruslan said Syabas’ policy on the matter was clear in that the water it supplied was governed by the privatisation agreement.

“According to this agreement, Syabas is only allowed to supply water to consumers based on water rates that have been gazetted.

“So, any action taken by Syabas will not only need approval from the Selangor Government but the Water Services Commission and the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry on the Federal Government’s behalf,” he said.

He said those who had enquiries could contact the company’s 24-hour customer service centre at 1-800-88-5252.

In Shah Alam yesterday, Khalid said the issue would be resolved by today.

“We will go through Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) to issue the letter. The state government will not issue it directly by itself,” he told reporters after attending the handing-over of the official jersey for the Sultan of Selangor Cup 2008 to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah here.

It is understood that the state holds a stake in Syabas through its investment arm KDEB and only issue its directive through KDEB.

Electricity rates go up

2008-06-04T18:52:00.000-07:00

Thursday June 5, 2008

PUTRAJAYA: Less than half of the Malaysian households will be affected by the new electricity tariffs that were announced together with the increase in fuel prices yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said 59% of Malaysian households would pay the same rates as before the tariff hike, so long as they maintain their usage rates.

“The new tariff will not affect those who only use 200 kilowatts/hour (kWh) and below every month. Their estimated monthly bill should be less than RM43.60 a month,” he said in a statement released to reporters when he announced the increase in petrol prices here.

He said a new tariff structure would be announced soon for Sabah and Sarawak.

As for commercial and industrial consumers, Abdullah said their rates would see a 26% increase.

“However, for the commercial and industrial categories, consideration is made for shop owners and small restaurant operators, and rural industry users who use less than 200kWh a month will only see an 18% increase,” he said.

He said with the restructuring of the fuel subsidies and the increase in coal prices, the Government had approved the new electricity tariff structure to allow Tenaga Nasional to absorb the cost for both commodities.

Petrol price up by 78 sen - and will be reviewed monthly

2008-06-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Thursday June 5, 2008

PUTRAJAYA: The Government announced yesterday an increase in petrol and diesel prices, stating that it can no longer continue to subsidise fuel.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the new prices were still at a 30-sen per litre discount from market prices.

In other words, if the market price is RM3 per litre, Malaysians will be charged RM2.70 at the pump. He said the price would be adjusted monthly based on the global oil price.

“Malaysians still pay lower than the market prices as far as petrol is concerned,” he told a packed press conference when announcing the restructuring of the subsidy package.

Abdullah said that although the restructuring would result in consumers having to pay more, prices were still lower compared with Singapore and Thailand.

He said the Government would save RM13.7bil through the restructuring.

From the savings, he said RM4bil would go to the National Food Supply Guarantee Policy, RM1.5bil for subsidising cooking oil and RM400mil to subsidise rice imports to make the price uniform in peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

The Government would also spend RM200mil on flour subsidy, RM100mil on bread subsidy and RM7.5bil was meant for contributions to the subsidies for petrol, diesel and gas.

On top of that, Abdullah said, the Government would have to fork out RM5bil to pay to owners of cars and motorcycles eligible for rebates introduced under the restructuring of subsidy package.

“Our effort is certainly not an attempt to be popular but we try our best to help the people. We cannot satisfy everyone,” he said.

Abdullah said demand for public transport would go up with the rise in fuel prices and the Government was currently addressing the need to improve services.

He reiterated that the public should make changes to their lifestyle, saying they must ensure there was no wastage in resources such as water, energy and food.

He said if certain adjustments were made, the public would not be “too badly affected by price increases”.

He said the hike in fuel prices would cause a projected increase in inflation of around 4% to 5%. It would also have an impact on the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth but was confident that it could be maintained at 5% this year.

Abdullah said the Cabinet committee on anti-inflation had to come up with a system to ease the public’s burden from higher fuel prices.

“What is important is that we want to ensure the restructuring will encompass a mechanism that will protect and benefit those in the lower and middle income group.

“We are truly committed in ensuring these groups will not be burdened by the increase in petrol and food prices,” he said.

Asked if the subsidy restructuring would result in Malaysians going to the streets to demonstrate their unhappiness, Abdullah was confident the people would not resort to that.

The Changes
Price increase
Petrol – RM0.78/litre
Diesel – RM1/litre
Electricity:Commercial and industrial – 26%
Retailers and small restaurant operators – 18% (for first 200kWh per month)
Residential – new pricing structure for users above 200kWh per month

Prices effective today (per litre)
Petrol – RM2.70 (previously RM1.92)
Diesel – RM2.58 (previously RM1.58)

Rebates
> RM625 per yearFor private vehicle with engine capacity of 2000cc and below, including private pickup trucks and jeeps with engine capacity of 2500cc and below.
> RM150 per yearFor each private motorcycle with engine capacity of 250cc and below
> RM200 reduction on road taxFor private petrol and diesel vehicles with engine capacity above 2000cc
> RM50 reduction on road taxFor private motorcycles with engine capacity above 250cc

Streamlined diesel subsidy(for approved transportation companies, vessel owners and fishermen)
> Diesel – RM1.43 per litre (previously RM1 per litre for fishermen and RM1.20 per litre for vessel owners)
> RM200 per month for every owner and employee of Malaysian-owned vessels registered with the Fisheries Department
> 10sen per kilo incentive for every kilogram of fish caught by registered vessels
> 10sen per litre for every litre of diesel used by river transportation operators according to approved quota

Gas subsidies restructure(for Peninsular Malaysia)
> For power producers – from RM6.40 per mmBtu to RM14.31 per mmBtu
> For industrial users (consuming less than 2mmscfd) – from RM9.40 per mmBtu to RM24.54 per mmBtu
> For industrial users (consuming above 2mmscfd) – from RM11.32 per mmBtu to RM32.56 per mmBtu

Electricity tariff restructure
> Households using 200kWh and below every month will not be affected. This covers 59% of households in Peninsular Malaysia with a monthly bill under RM43.60.
> Commercial and industrial users face 26% increase. Small retail and business outlets consuming under 200kWh per month face 18% increase.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) andNatural Gas for Vehicle (NGV)
> No change. Prices remain at RM1.75 per kg (LPG) and RM0.635 per litre (NGV)
Oil palm windfall tax
> For Peninsular Malaysia 15% for every tonne of CPO exceeding RM2,000
> Sabah and Sarawak 7.5% for every tonne of CPO exceeding RM2,000
> Abolition of cess tax

Service tax threshold for restaurants and eateries
> Service tax now for restaurants with annual sales of RM3mil (previously RM500,000)

Bandar Mahkota intersection to remain open, upgraded

2008-06-04T18:41:00.001-07:00

Thursday June 5, 2008

KAJANG: The controversial Bandar Mahkota Cheras intersection, which led to a Cabinet intervention on May 30, will be upgraded and will remain open to the people.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, said the Malaysian Highway Authority and Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd had been instructed to begin upgrading works on the road that would by-pass the 11th Mile Cheras toll plaza.

Mohd Zin, who visited the site yesterday, said six more traffic lights would be installed at the intersection below the highway to make things better for road users from the Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Bandar Sungai Long, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn and Cheras Perdana townships. The road will also be resurfaced.

The intersection made headlines in recent days when the public demolished the barricades built by Grand Saga four times this year. Grand Saga had claimed losses due to their by-passing the toll. This led to a series of incidents filled with injuries and arrests.

The Government stepped in, ordering the removal of the last barricade and promised that the road would remain open until the legal dispute between Grand Saga and Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd is resolved in court.

Suhakam to open inquiry on alleged police violence

2008-05-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 31, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) will open an inquiry on the alleged violence by the police against four people who were protesting against the building of the barrier at Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

Commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said he wanted to know how the Federal Reserve Unit handled the situation on Tuesday night.

“Based on the victims’ accounts and video footage, we do not think that the four people posed any threat to the police,” he said in a press conference at their office here yesterday.

He said Suhakam would be meeting soon with the police to get their side of the story.

At about 11pm on Tuesday, four people in a car were arrested when driving home to Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

The four claimed that the police stopped their car and surrounded it.

They also claimed that the FRU then smashed the car windows. causing them to be injured.

Commissioner Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, who was also at the press conference, said he wanted real answers from the police for their actions.

“I feel very sad such an incident took place and on the exercise by the officers in uniform.

“We are finding such harsh behaviour a reflection on the police force.

“Therefore, the Home Affairs Ministry and the police must come out and explain,” he said.

Temporary victory good enough

2008-05-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 31, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: The residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras are happy and relieved that the issue concerning the toll-free access road is settled for now.

However, they wished that it could have been solved much earlier and without the need for the situation to turn tense.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah said the Government should not have let the issue drag on for more than two years.

“However, I am glad that it has come to a happy ending and the rakyat is grateful for the Works Minister’s announcement,” he said in reaction to Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed's announcement that the Cabinet had decided that the road into Bandar Cheras Mahkota should not be barricaded.

Lee Ah Seng, 48, who sustained injuries on his forehead during the scuffle between the residents and alleged thugs said the long wait has been worthwhile.

“If only the Government had listened to us in the first place, all these disputes would not have taken place,” said Lee, a hardware store owner in nearby Bandar Sungei Long.

His friend Pang Nam Onn, 44, said ever since he bought a property in Bandar Mahkota Cheras five-years ago, his main problem had been the morning traffic jams which resulted from the area having more than 20 housing estates.

“Now with the decision to open the access road we will have a choice of two exit points.”

Cabinet orders access road to stay open

2008-05-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 31, 2008

By MANJIT KAUR and CHARLES FERNANDEZ

KUALA LUMPUR: It was victory for the residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras after the Government ordered the Cheras-Kajang Highway operator to tear down the barrier along the access road to their housing area.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, who made the announcement at the barrier site yesterday, said the Cabinet had decided that the road should remain open at least until a court case between the operator Grand Saga and Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd was settled.

The joyful faces of hundred of residents who had gathered to witness Mohd Zin's visit were a stark contrast to those who were at the same spot several times over the past few weeks to tear down barriers which Grand Saga rebuilt four times.

The last episode was on Tuesday night when several residents were attacked by unidentified people.

“Grand Saga has agreed not to re-erect the barricade and not to engage a third party to take action against the Federal Government for the losses that they had suffered for vehicles using the toll-free access road,” Mohd Zin said yesterday.

He promised that there would be a permanent solution.

“I hope all parties, including the residents, will obey the law as the Government is sensitive to the peoples' needs. We need to work together to solve the matter amicably.”

Mohd Zin said the Government would relook its decision once a court decision was made.

Grand Saga is claiming compensation from Narajaya for loss of income since its toll plaza will be by-passed with the construction of the road.

After Mohd Zin's announcement, Grand Saga workers removed the concrete boulders from the middle of the road under the bypass between the Mahkota Cheras and Bandar Tun Hussein Onn access roads.

When met by reporters later, Taliworks Corporation Bhd chief executive officer Abdul Rahman Siraj said the Cabinet’s decision was fair to the residents, Grand Saga and the other parties concerned.

Taliworks has a 55% stake in Cerah Sama Sdn Bhd which owns and operates the highway via wholly-owned Grand Saga.

“The decision has temporarily solved the matter, and I would like to thank the minister for personally breaking the news,” he said.

Abdul Rahman said he hoped to have talks with Narajaya and hoped the ministry would be able to mediate so that both parties would be able to find an amicable solution before the court decision.

He said for the past few weeks, “unpleasant things” had occurred and he assured the public that Grand Saga was not involved in any of the criminal acts.

“Why should we engage thugs, and aggravate the matter?”

In Shah Alam, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the state would no longer call for an extraordinary general meeting in Grand Saga now that the Works Ministry had resolved the issue.

“I would like to thank the Federal Government and the Works Minister for making the right decision.”

Federal Government should step in to help

2008-05-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 31, 2008

I HAVE read with disgust the ongoing situation at the Bandar Mahkota Cheras junction.

In the end, the residents are the ones who suffered.

The deafening silence of the Federal Government's top leadership has added to the frustrations of the people. The court case needs to be speeded up to clear the air of uncertainty.

Now, with the involvement of unknown bullies coupled with angry residents, the situation could turn ugly. It is time the Federal Government stepped in to resolve this issue.

It is not enough to just let the police and FRU handle this as the residents could not get answers from these apolitical institutions and it only adds to their anger and fuels more distrust.

The safety issue being spoken about by Grand Saga is not valid enough as they did not put forth any action plan to settle this.

Ordinary Malaysians like me do not want to see this prolonged anymore.

For the sake of peace and harmony, people who have the power to change should do something fair and fast.

RON
Kuala Lumpur

Zin: Government can act only after Narajaya suit is resolved

2008-05-30T01:05:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 13, 2008

THE Federal Government has to wait for a court decision on a lawsuit filed by developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd against Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga and the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) in 2007 before negotiations could resume on the use of the access road.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said no action could be taken by the federal government for fear of subjudice.

“The Government has held a series of meetings between Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents and the concessionaire to resolve the matter over the access road.

“Under the terms of the agreement signed between the federal government and the concessionaire in 1995, any financial loss due to the leakage of traffic volume from the toll highway will have to be borne by us,” he told Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai during a question and answer session in Parliament yesterday.

Zin said the Government was sympathetic to the plight of around 37,000 residents in Bandar Mahkota, who had dismantled the barricades installed by Grand Saga barring them use of a road allowing them a shorter and toll-free route into their housing areas.

“We understand why the residents have resorted to such drastic action. The main toll road is also highly congested due to the high traffic volume of lorries and cars,” he said.

The standoff had turned ugly on Thursday night when police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a crowd comprising residents who were trying to dismantle the latest barricade put up by Grand Saga.

To a supplementary question by Tan, Zin said although the Survey and Mapping Department report showed that the land the barricade was on belonged to the Selangor state government, there was still the question of who would bear the financial loss incurred by Grand Saga.

Motion on Cheras issue rejected

2008-05-30T01:04:00.001-07:00

Friday May 30, 2008

THE protest over the Bandar Mahkota Cheras road closure, which left several people injured on Tuesday, reached the Dewan via a motion tabled by an Opposition MP who wanted the matter debated. The Chair rejected it.

The drama began when Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar rejected the motion by Teo Nie Ching (DAP – Serdang) to debate the road closure issue.

Wan Junaidi said the motion could not be accepted as the concessionaire was involved in a court case with the housing developer over the same issue.

“Discussing the matter here (in Parliament) will tantamount to sub judice,” he said.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Bandar Mahkota Cheras road opening committee handed a memorandum to Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, demanding that the Government explain whether the toll concessionaire was allowed to barricade the access road.

End to Cheras saga today?

2008-05-29T19:08:00.001-07:00

Friday May 30, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: A solution is in sight to the Bandar Mahkota Cheras access road issue.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed is expected to visit the site today and make an announcement, according to highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd.

In a statement yesterday, Grand Saga executive director (business development and corporate affairs) Zainal Abidin Ali said they met Mohd Zin yesterday to discuss the issue.

“After the meeting, we believe that a solution is in sight. The Minister will issue an official statement tomorrow,” said Zainal Abidin.

Grand Saga has in the past few weeks tried to re-erect a barricade to prevent residents from by-passing the toll booth, claiming that the access road was illegal.

However, a statement from Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd reiterated that it had been granted approval for the access road.

“We wish to place on record that when we launched the BMC housing project, we were granted approval by the relevant authorities to build an access road connecting to the then Cheras-Kajang Highway.

“That approval was obtained before the Government granted Grand Saga the concession over the highway.

“Therefore, in building the access road to connect to the highway, we were merely fulfilling our obligation as required by the authorities,” the statement said.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who visited the site yesterday, has asked the parties involved to reach an amicable solution in two weeks.

“I would appreciate if they can put an end to this long-standing fracas,” he said, to applause from residents.

“This has been going on for too long and there must be an amicable solution.

“There is a road, so why close it?” he asked.

Khalid said the problem had to be solved soon or else the state government, as a stakeholder in Grand Saga, could ask for an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the matter.

Every attempt by Grand Saga to block the access road has been thwarted by angry residents, who tore down each new barricade.

One resident, who sustained injuries during a fracas between residents and an unidentified group of people on Tuesday, said he was happy that the issue would soon be resolved.

“However, we are disappointed that it took so long, especially after so many residents were injured (on Tuesday), and two are still recuperating in hospital,” said the man who requested anonymity.

As at 6pm yesterday, the situation at the access road appeared normal although there was a massive traffic jam caused by boulders that had fallen onto the middle of the road under the bypass between the Bandar Mahkota Cheras and Bandar Tun Hussein Onn access roads.

Bandar Mahkota residents take their case to Parliament

2008-05-29T19:07:00.001-07:00

Friday May 30, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 30 residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras brought their case to Parliament, wielding banners urging the Works Minister to reopen the access road to the housing area.

They gathered outside the Parliament building with banners which read: “Menteri Kerja Raya, Tolong Rakyat Buka Jalan” (Works Minister, please help the people open the road).

A resident, who only wanted to be known as Mas, said the barricade, built by highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, had created serious traffic congestion for the residents in the area.

“I have to leave my house every day at 5.30am to send my children to school. If I leave at 6am, I would not be able to make it,” said the mother of three, who has been living there for five years.

On Tuesday, Mas was at the site to show support to the residents who opposed the rebuilding of the controversial barricade at about 7.30pm.

She said, all hell broke loose when the crowd started smashing cars and throwing stones. She cracked a bone in her arm in the fracas.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who met the residents outside the Parliament building, asked for an inquiry into the incident in which thugs were allegedly used against residents during the protest.

“There should be a full inquiry into this incident. The residents have a right to object to the building of the barricade, and there should not be any physical violence,” he said.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung, replying to queries by MPs while winding-up the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill for his ministry, said nine police reports were lodged by the public following Tuesday's incident.

In the confusion, four people in a Proton Wira were detained for allegedly trying to run down police officers.

“There were allegations that the police had used force against the public, but none of the police reports we received were connected to this. I urge those who say they were assaulted by the police to lodge reports so that we can get to the bottom of the matter,” he said.

Chor said the police would not take sides in any situation and assured the House that they were always professional when carrying out their duties.

Syed Hamid refutes allegation on cops

2008-05-29T19:06:00.001-07:00

Friday May 30, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no way the police would have watched civilians being beaten up by others without taking action, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He said he needed to know more about what happened during the scuffle between Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents and alleged thugs on Tuesday over the closing of a toll-free road in the housing estate.

“If there is conflict, they (the police) will step in,” he said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He was commenting on allegations by residents that the police stood by and watched as alleged thugs began attacking them when they tried to tear down a barricade erected on a toll-free road by the Cheras-Kajang Expressway operator.

“If there are reports that the police did nothing to protect civilians, then of course investigations will be done,” he said.

He said the police statement on the incident was also not given the same weight by the media.

It’s EGM for Grand Saga if talks fail

2008-05-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

Friday May 30, 2008

By CHARLES FERNANDEZ

THE Selangor state government wants Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd and highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd to work out a win-win solution for the benefit of the residents.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim believes that if the two companies are willing to meet to seek an amendable solution, the Bandar Mahkota Cheras problem can be over even as early as within two weeks.

If the talks failed, the state government, which holds a substantial stake in Grand Saga, plans to call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the company to discuss the problem.

Khalid visited the scene of the dispute at 1.15pm yesterday, stood on a stone barricade and addressed the crowd.

He told the residents who had gathered there in the hundreds that the two-and-half-year-old saga could be solved within two weeks if the contending firms agreed on an acceptable mutual solution.

“As a stakeholder in Grand Saga, the state government wants to exercise its right to call an EGM if the meeting does not take place between the highway concessionaire and Narajaya to discuss the issue,” he said.

“I hope this would not be necessary if both Narajaya and Grand Saga can settle the problem between them,” Khalid said to applause from the crowd.

He said Grand Saga should not deprive the people from using the road until a solution had been worked out.

“The state government is not pointing fingers at Grand Saga for putting up the barricades. All it is asking for is for the company to cooperate with it in this matter, which otherwise is not helping both parties,” he said.

Khalid said it was not good for Grand Saga and the residents to be involved in constant confrontation over the closing of the access road.

Khalid said that when he met with Narajaya officials, he was told that the access road to the highway was part of the township’s development plan.

Grand Saga has, however, objected to the access road, saying that should the road be allowed, its revenue would be reduced as motorists would be able to bypass the toll.

“This is a business argument but for the sake of the residents, this matter should be resolved immediately. We do not want more people getting hurt if the matter is prolonged,” Khalid said.

State Local Government and Research Committee chairman Ronnie Liu, meanwhile, pointed out that Grand Saga did not have the right to block the access road as the underpass was an old road and was there even before the highway was built.

“The residents are only using a road that was already there. Grand Saga only has jurisdiction over the roads they build,” Liu said.

“If Grand Saga did not have the approval of the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) to put up the barricades, blocking the access road is illegal,” he said.

On Wednesday, the residents tore down a barricade built by Grand Saga that prevented access into the housing area of some 40,000 residents.

Some of the large boulders removed were left in the middle of the road leading to Bandar Mahkota Cheras and this has created a massive traffic jam at the underpass of the Cheras-Kajang highway between the Bandar Mahkota Cheras access road and Bandar Tun Hussein Onn access road.

On Tuesday, tensions ran high when hundreds of residents gathered to remove the barricade, which was rebuilt a day earlier to prevent access into the area.

Grand Saga had reconstructed the barricade after the residents took it down a few weeks ago.

Cheers as residents pull down controversial barricade

2008-05-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 29, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras have torn down a barricade rebuilt by Grand Saga Sdn Bhd that prevented access into the housing area of some 38,000 residents.

Using mallets, car jacks and steel bars, the residents broke down the foundations of the barricade made of large boulders and forced the stones to the ground.

The boulders were then chained to lorries and dragged away to the side of the underpass of the Cheras-Kajang Highway, which leads into the neighbourhood.

By 7.15pm, the first vehicle had managed to inch its way through the two-lane access road, amidst the cheers and loud blaring of vehicle horns from onlookers and residents alike.

Police and Light Strike Force personnel monitored the crowds, which swelled to a few hundred.

More roars of support ensued later when Selangor CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, who visited the spot, told the residents that he had advised Grand Saga to stop any construction of barricades in the area.

He said the public would be inconvenienced each time Grand Saga built the barricade. DCP Khalid also urged the Malaysian Highway Authority and the Public Works Department to settle the matter and come up with an amicable solution.

He also urged the elected representative not to incite the residents.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mood, who was also present, was hoisted up by several residents who lauded his support for their cause.

He also persuaded residents to remove several toppled boulders that were blocking cars going into the Bandar Tun Hussein Onn access road.

Several residents then pooled together RM900 to get the job done, saying that a third of the sum would be for the lorry’s petrol while the rest would be used to buy food.

Earlier, two photographers from Sin Chew Daily and China Press were attacked by two unidentified men, who had threatened to beat them if they did not stop taking pictures.

By 10pm, all boulders had been cleared.

Police action on those creating chaos

2008-05-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 29, 2008

KAJANG: Police action will be taken against those involved in creating chaos in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Ismail Omar warned.

He advised those involved to settle matters amicably. “We will not get involved in this matter but will observe and move in once we find anyone or any party creating unrest,’’ he said yesterday.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mood said police would use photographs published in newspapers and identification by victims to pin-point the group of men who attacked residents with sticks and helmets.

MB: We’ll have an EGM soon

2008-05-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 29, 2008

By DHARMENDER SINGH

SHAH ALAM: The state government will exercise its right as a stakeholder in Grand Saga Sdn Bhd to call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) soon to discuss the Bandar Mahkota Cheras access road issue.

It has a stake in the highway concessionaire through its subsidiary Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd, which owns 20% of Taliworks Corp Bhd. The latter holds a 55% stake in Cerah Sama Sdn Bhd that wholly owns Grand Saga.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said since the state government held a substantial share in Grand Saga, it wanted to inform shareholders of Grand Saga's actions and to ask them to decide if such actions, which have caused problems for residents, were ethical.

He said the closing of the access road and stand-offs with residents in the area had led to them getting hurt, and the state government wanted to put an end to it.

“We will also ask for an audit of the company’s finances to see if it hired thugs to stop residents from removing the barricades, as claimed by residents.

“If this is true, action will be taken against the company officials involved and its director,” he said after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting here yesterday.

He said he had met, and would write to, Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed for an official decision as to whether the company should be allowed to put up the barricades as highways came under the ministry’s purview.

Khalid said the state government also met senior officials from Taliworks Corp, the Public Works Department and the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKJ) yesterday and had decided to seek Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM)’s clarification as to whether it had given its approval for the barricades, as claimed by Grand Saga.

And, if LLM did not, then the state government would immediately order the removal of the barricades, he added.

“The tussle is between the developer (Narajaya Sdn Bhd) and Grand Saga because the concessionaire wants the developer to pay it for loss of income since its toll will be bypassed,” he said, adding that the matter was already in court.

“There is no need to deprive the people of the use of the road because it will be opened, no matter which way the court decides and the issue is only whether the developer will have to compensate the highway concessionaire.”

Khalid urged residents to be patient while the state government worked out a solution.

Developers must also have social responsibility

2008-05-28T18:46:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 29, 2008

I HAVE been following the media reports on the Cheras-Kajang Highway issue involving concessionaire Grand Saga and Bandar Mahkota residents.

According to The Star on May 8, Grand Saga business development and corporate affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali said that while he sympathised with the residents for being forced to use a longer route, Grand Saga had to close the access road due to safety concerns.

We urge Grand Saga not to manipulate the word safety as a ticket out of this situation. The developers, as part of their social obligation to road users, must have humanised their design rather than focusing on maximum profit generation.

If safety is of concern, the developers should work together with the residents and other independent parties to study the extent of unsafe factors of the blocked access road and rectify it together with the local government and the Works Ministry.

Some 15 of the 22 highways in the Klang Valley are said to be making profits, as indicated by the Works Minister and this includes Grand Saga. Increasing volume of vehicles, urban migration and land development in areas around the Grand Saga highway will surely ensure profits for the concessionaire for a long time.

The standoff in Bandar Mahkota Cheras is not the first in Malaysia concerning highway construction. If safety was a concern for concessionaires and those offering the concessions, then we would not have highways like the KL-Putrajaya Highway running behind residents’ backyards in Sri Petaling and just few metres away from shop houses in Port Klang.

The residents of Sri Petaling also demonstrated against the highway but failed to do anything and the their house values depreciated.

Cheras is known to be notorious for traffic jams, despite the highways. Most of the highways in Klang Valley have not realised the objectives they were meant for i.e to reduce traffic congestion.

Instead, the unchecked increase in conventional vehicles has resulted in negative social and environmental impacts.

The increased use of conventional fuel-intensive vehicles is perhaps one of the major contributors to green house gasses in Malaysia. During traffic jams, we witness a many-fold increase in travelling time, fuel consumption and emissions.

In the context of the UN guidelines for Consumer Protection and the Rio Declaration, consumers have the right to choose and if consumers choose to practice sustainable consumption, it is the state’s obligation and responsibility to protect and support them.

In the case of Bandar Mahkota Cheras, residents have chosen shorter routes, perhaps saving fuel, time and money. Consumers also have the right to seek redress, a right to a healthy and sustainable environment and the right to be heard.

Inconsiderate and irresponsible land developments indicate a sheer absence of awareness on the seriousness of global warming among policy makers and private companies like the highway concessionaires. It also indicates sheer ignorance towards the environmental and societal needs of the people.

Most construction work of highways, roads and land development along the highways does not effectively engage stakeholders who are directly affected by the development.

Klang, for instance and as reported by the media, has been subjected to unplanned land development resulting in traffic congestion, isolated flooding and, of course, pollution.

We have come across demographic statistics showing the population of Klang reaching 1mil and shopping complexes, housing estates and business centre projects were being approved and former agricultural land being developed for the projects. This kind of irresponsible development does not engage the stakeholders.

Worse still is the plight of residents at Taman Garing, Rawang. Improper maintenance and measures taken to manage flooding and runoffs have caused insurmountable losses to the residents due to mud and flash floods.

We urge that all those involved in the planning of corridors and other forms of land development, from the federal government downwards, have a strong sense of social responsibility in approaching development.

RATNA DEVI NADARAJAN
Director
Malaysian Association of Standards Users

Contempt of court

2008-05-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 29, 2008

By DHARMENDER SINGH

THE Selangor government may take legal action against the concessionaire for the Cheras-Kajang Highway for violating an undertaking not to obstruct the access road in Bandar Mahkota Cheras without state approval.

State local government, research and study committee chairman Ronnie Liu said the concessionaire, Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, gave the undertaking in court after Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah sought an injunction to stop the company from closing the access road.

“The injunction by Tan was struck out but the concessionaire gave an undertaking in court that it would not erect a barricade along the stretch of the access road build on state land.

“We (the state government) are upset that the company has now gone against the undertaking by re-erecting the barricade and we are looking into the possibility of filing for contempt of court proceedings,” he said, when contacted yesterday.

He said the state government’s next course of action would be discussed at the state executive council meeting.

Liu however has appealed to Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents to remain calm and not do anything hasty such as attempting to remove the barricade on their own.

“I urge the residents not to take matters into their own hands and let the state and federal governments to resolve the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim when met at Parliament yesterday told reporters that he had raised the Bandar Mahkota Cheras barricade issue with Works Minister Datuk Ir. Mohd Zin Mohamed and sought the latter’s assistance to resolve the matter soon.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents urge Federal Govt to intervene

2008-05-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 29, 2008

By YIP YOKE TENG and FAZLEENA AZIZ

RESIDENTS of Bandar Mahkota Cheras are calling on the Federal Government to intervene to end the access road crisis that has been brewing in their housing estate over the last three months.

“This case has gone national and we have brought it up in parliament three times. Blood has already been shed, what if someone dies because of this?,” questioned resident Eric Lee.

The township hit the news once again on Tuesday when residents clashed with workers hired to re-build a concrete barrier across the access road.

Federal Reserve Unit personnel called in to quell the fracas left the scene at 2am yesterday.

About 200 residents returned to the site to remove the barricade’s concrete blocks. They deliberately placed two blocks in the middle of the road to obstruct traffic from Bandar Tun Hussein Onn heading to Kajang, in order to “let everywhere be congested”. Starting at 8am yesterday, residents took turns to guard the area.

At about 1.30pm, they tried in small groups to remove the barricade and even collected money to hire trucks to do the job. Some RM800 were collected instantly but no truck was seen arriving at the scene.

At 3.30pm, the group tried to remove the blocks again with carjacks. Police helicopters were seen patrolling the area for about five minutes.

At 4pm, they successfully brought down three blocks and continued on.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah said as of 11.30pm on Tuesday, 12 injured residents sought treatment at the Kajang Hospital while five others lodged police reports.

He said he was informed that a woman was beaten by a group of eight men, adding that she was in intensive care unit and could not be contacted.

He believed 45% of the people who turned up at the fracas were not Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents, who had been told to leave the matter to the state government, but were nearby residents who championed the same cause.

He urged victims of the fracas to lodge police reports.

“Disappointed, disappointed, very disappointed, that’s all we can say about the whole situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Grand Saga Sdn Bhd’s business development and corporate affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali issued a statement disassociating the company from the altercation between the parties involved.

“Grand Saga wishes to inform that it has also received a report from its contractor that several of its workmen were injured while carrying out their duties. A police report has been lodged.

“Grand Saga was given to understand that the incident was instigated by certain parties. It will be filing a police report and hopes that the police will carry out an investigation immediately,” it read, while extending sympathy to persons who sustained injuries.

In Parliament yesterday, Loong Meng Yee reported Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng denying he had ‘abandoned’ Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

“I was at Parliament on Tuesday and also needed to attend some other pre-arranged functions.

The matter should be left to the court as there are three legal actions pending,” said Lim at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He also stayed away because he had been informed on Tuesday afternoon that there would be “thugs” present that evening.

“I did not want to face thugs although I am willing to face the authorities,” said Lim.

He added that he had warned DAP members in the area and the residents not to take matters into their own hand over Grand Saga’s action to rebuild the barricade.

“The committee also gave their word they would not remove the barricade after it was erected,” said Lim.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras unwanted toll: Who is behind Grand Saga?

2008-05-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

If the road blocked, The residents have to travel 4 to 6.7km (one way) everyday and pay a RM0.90 toll to go to KL.

Grand Saga was awarded the toll concessionaire in 1995.The major shareholder is member of Lims. Who are they to get this contract of the decade?

In 2007, a restructuring had been done where Cerah Sama controls 100% of Grand Saga. Whereas Cerah Sama is now jointly controlled by Taliworks (55%) and Bunga Abadi Sdn Bhd (45%) (where Bunga Abadi is 100% owned by LGB holdings Sdn Bhd).

Family members of the late Datuk Lim Ah Bak @ Lim Geok Bak (former Vice Chairman of Taliworks Bhd) are major shareholders in LGB Holdings Sdn Bhd, where LGB Holdings Sdn Bhd is the largest shareholders in Taliworks Bhd.

Selangor government-listed infrastructure arm Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd had a 42% stake in Grand Saga in earlier years. KPSB is believed to have sold its interest in Grand Saga in 1999/2000, before it was listed in 2003.

But still Selangor is directly related to Grand Saga. KPSB hold 20% of Taliworks. The Chairman of Kumpulan Perangsang Bhd, Dato' Haji Abd Karim Bin Munisar, is also the Chairman of Taliworks Bhd. The Managing Director of Kumpulan Perangsang Bhd, Datin Paduka Juma'ah Binti Moktar, is a Director of Taliworks Bhd. On the other hand, LGB Holdings Sdn Bhd also one of the top 10 shareholders in KPSB.

By:- Kenneth L

http://mylivingwall.com/v3/index.php/Wall-of-News/Voices/Bandar-Mahkota-Cheras-unwanted-toll-Who-is-behind-Grand-Saga

Standoff over Cheras barrier

2008-05-27T18:28:00.002-07:00

Wednesday May 28, 2008

By RASHITHA A. HAMID, FAZLEENA AZIZ and ELIZABETH LOOI

KUALA LUMPUR: Tensions ran high at Bandar Mahkota, Cheras, when hundreds of residents gathered to remove a barricade which was rebuilt early yesterday to prevent access into the area.

Four people were arrested in the incident.

Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire of the Cheras-Kajang Highway, had reconstructed the barricade after it was taken down by the residents a few weeks ago.

A fracas ensued at about 7.15pm when a group of unidentified men armed with sticks and helmets attacked the residents. Several residents were taken to hospital.

Also injured was a photographer from Utusan Malaysia, Roy Azis Abdul Aziz, who was beaten up when he tried to snap some photographs.

Several cars parked at the roadside were also smashed by the group.

The group of men sat on the blocks, not allowing the residents to remove them and threatened to attack those who tried to go near the barricade. However, the group disappeared when the police arrived later.

On May 8, about 1,000 residents from the nearby areas demonstrated at Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mood said Grand Saga Business Development and Corporate Affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali had written to him on Monday informing that they would rebuild the barricade, and requested for security.

However, ACP Shakaruddin rejected the request as there was no court order on the matter.

Grand saga contractors started to rebuild the barricade at 12.30am and finished at about 6pm.

Zainal Abidin said the barricade was built on an “indisputable area” within Grand Saga’s boundaries.

Until last night, five of the injured had lodged reports at the Kajang police headquarters.

One of the victims, who only wanted to be known as Ina, said she and her husband with their four-year-old son were watching the drama when a group of men suddenly attacked them.

A resident, who only wanted to be known as Ken, said he was hit by a helmet and a pipe on his neck and back.

“I was only watching them pairing down the concrete sledge when suddenly a bunch of people arrived and started beating everyone up. I ran after I was beaten several times but some others were injured quite badly,” said the 28-year-old.

Another resident Kenny Ki, 45, said a group of men came in two cars and five motorbikes.

The residents disperse at 7.45pm but gathered again later to remove the barricades.

At 10pm, the Federal Reserve Unit arrived in three trucks and two water canon trucks and gave three warnings to the residents to disperse.

At press time, only a handful of people were still gathering a distance away from the barricade and several policemen remained.

Saga continues as barricades rebuilt

2008-05-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

Wednesday May 28, 2008

By FAZLEENA AZIZ

AN unfamiliar group turned up as “observers” as workers from Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire of the Cheras-Kajang highway, reconstructed the barrier at the access road in Bandar Mahkota Cheras yesterday.

Residents who were monitoring the work done by the workers said they were surprised by the presence of this third group.

The group comprising about 20 male individuals left at about noon and appeared again an hour later when the cement was being laid.

Some of the residents who were at the scene claimed the third group were likely “thugs” hired to deal with residents who might stop the workers from doing their job.

The reconstruction of the barrier began as early as 2am with workers assembling concrete boulders to block the access road.

Raymond Yap, 54, a resident Bandar Mahkota said that reconstructing the barricade was not a wise move .

“We would still have to pay toll because many people here need to use the highway.

“There are at least 30,000 people living here and so you can imagine the volume of cars going in and out. We have to drive about 10km via Bandar Sg Long road, which is a waste of fuel.

“I do not understand how is it that they can block the road which is on state government’s land,” he said, urging the state government to help resolve this problem as soon as possible.

National MCA Youth committee member Loh Chew June hopes that a mutual agreement can be achieved for the sake of the long-suffering residents.

“The state and Federal governments should put their political differences aside and see the problem from the residents’ point of view,” said Loh, who also urged the residents to be calm in dealing with the situation and avoid confrontation.

According to a Grand Saga spokesperson, the company was not aware of any group that was monitoring the reconstruction of the barrier.

He added that the residents were free to make a police report if they felt threatened by the presence of any individuals.

Grand Saga to rebuild barricade

2008-05-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 27, 2008

GRAND Saga Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire of the Cheras- Kajang Highway, will reconstruct a barricade at the access road in Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

Its executive director, Zainal Abidin Ali, said in a press statement that the barricade was necessary to protect its interest as well as to ensure the safety of highway users.

According to Zainal Abidin, the original barricade was built to prevent unlawful access to the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

It was illegally demolished on April 21.

Since then, a series of events have occurred which led to further proceedings being instituted in the High Court by a resident of Bandar Mahkota Cheras, including an application to restrain the company from re-erecting a barricade.

This was refused by the High Court while noting an undertaking on the part of Grand Saga to re-erect the barricade within its indisputable concession area.

On May 13, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had given Grand Saga, developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Highway Authority seven days to reach an amicable solution.

The issue was not resolved after the grace period.

Grand Saga had advised the public to respect the court decision.

Not enough Chinese schools to meet growing enrolment

2008-05-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 27, 2008

THE pupil enrolment in Chinese primary schools has increased rapidly over the years but not the number of schools, Sin Chew Daily and China Press reported.

Sin Chew Daily, quoting a report by Jiao Zong (the United Chinese School Teachers Association) yesterday, said although there was an increase in the number of Chinese primary schools between 2000 and 2008, it was still unable to resolve the problem of overcrowding.

In 2000, it said, there were 1,284 Chinese primary schools and only six new schools were built eight years later to cater to the increasing number of pupils.

It added that of the total number of Chinese primary schools, 1,149 were built before 1956.

The report further noted that there were 18 Chinese primary schools, which had an enrolment of more than 3,000 pupils per school.

“This will definitely result in a learning environment that is not conducive for both teachers and pupils,” the daily said, adding that most of the schools were located in Selangor and Johor.

Khalid assures Mahkota Cheras folks that issue will be resolved

2008-05-23T18:11:00.001-07:00

Saturday May 24, 2008

By WANI MUTHIAH and EDWARD RAJENDRA

SELANGOR Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has assured the 38,000 residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras that the government is with them in their struggle to resolve their access route issue.

The residents are caught in the middle of a right-of-way tussle between Cheras-Kajang Expressway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd and Bandar Makhota Cheras (BMC) developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd.

Recently, the long-suffering residents dismantled the barricades erected by Grand Saga barring them use of a shorter and toll-free route into their housing area.

Khalid said the matter was between two business entities and it was up to them to iron out the issue.

“As a developer Narajaya believes it has the right to the land while Grand Saga differs in this view and that is why it resorted to closing the road,” he pointed out.

“Both firms can battle it out in court. If Grand Saga is not successful, the road will be open, and if Narajaya fails in court, the road will also be open, but it would have to pay compensation to Grand Saga.

“The tussle between the two firms will go on until the matter is settled, but in the end the residents will get to use the road,” he added.

Khalid, reiterating that the state understood the residents' plight and would be with them until the issue was resolved, said he had not received any information from Grand Saga, Narajaya or the Works Ministry on their efforts to resolve the issue.

Vincent Tan among richest in Malaysia

2008-05-22T22:17:00.000-07:00

Friday May 23, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Corp Bhd chairman and chief executive officer Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun has joined Malaysia’s billionaires’ club with a net worth of US$1.3bil, up nearly US$1bil from last year, according to the latest ranking by Forbes Asia.

Tan is ranked ninth this year compared with 14th last year.

“Berjaya Corp has bucked the trend, with its stock price up nearly three-fold over the past 12 months,” Forbes Asia said in a statement yesterday.

Tan reigns over a US$4bil combined sales network of enterprises spanning industries from gaming to media, telecommunications, consumer products and retail, to real estate.

Sugar king Tan Sri Robert Kuok topped Malaysia’s rich list again as his net worth increased by US$2.4bil over last year to US$10bil.

Kuok, 84, is involved in many businesses, including Hong Kong property and media, and Singapore's palm oil giant Wilmar.

Maxis Communcations Bhd chief Ananda Krishnan came second with a wealth of US$7.2bil, down by US$200mil.

IOI Corp Bhd group executive chairman Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng was in third place, with his wealth increasing US$1.6bil to US$5.5bil.

“A net worth of only US$100mil was needed to make the list this year, down from US$127mil, despite the fact that the ringgit has gained 7% against the US dollar,” Forbes Asia said.

The KL Composite Index was off 5% in the past year, but has fallen 15% since mid-January.

Forbes Asia said the collective wealth of the top 40 was US$46bil, up US$3bil from last year.

Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua, widow of gaming tycoon Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, was one of three women who made the top 40. She and her family are worth US$3.4bil, ranking fifth.

The other two women are Chong Chook Yew, who runs Selangor Properties Bhd, at number 24 with US$245mil, and Datuk Seri Eleena Raja Azlan Shah at 35th place with US$150mil.

Water meter helps man win RM4m in lottery

2008-05-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Friday May 23, 2008

PETALING JAYA: A businessman and his wife were checking out a bungalow for sale in Selangor when the water meter caught his attention, leading him to a whopping RM4.9mil win in a lottery!

“My wife has always dreamt of owning a bigger house,” he said on condition of anonymity.

“When we were about to leave the bungalow, the water meter outside the house caught my eyes and I went over and flipped it open.

“The running number stopped at 457098.

“I had a hunch they were my lucky numbers,” he said.

He promptly bought a lottery ticket with the numbers 457098 on a RM49 bet.

“I am very happy and now I have more than enough money to pay for the bungalow. The house has brought us luck even before owning it,” he said.

It is learnt that he had paid the down-payment for the bungalow before he went to Sports Toto Malaysia’s head office to claim his winnings.

“We felt good about the house,” he said.

A spokesman for Sports Toto Malaysia confirmed that a single winner had won the first prize of Toto 6D held on May 17 (Draw no 3006/08) with a total winning sum of RM4.9mil.

New landmark for Malacca

2008-05-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

Monday May 19, 2008

MALACCA: The 110m Taming Sari viewing tower is set to become the state’s latest tourist landmark and is expected to attract more than half a million visitors annually.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the RM23mil tower had so far attracted 37,000 visitors since its soft launch on April 18.

“Based on these figures, we expect to attract more than 500,000 visitors annually. With ticket charges at RM10 per person, this will translate into a revenue of RM5 mil,” he said on Saturday night in his speech at the opening of the viewing tower.

At present, he added that between 600 and 700 visitors visited the tower daily, with the numbers increasing to 2,800 during weekends and 3,500 per day during holidays.

The gyro-viewing tower, with rides lasting seven minutes, was constructed using Swiss technology and is billed as the highest from the estimated 35 viewing towers worldwide.

Plans were also under way to reconstruct part of the Portuguese A' Famosa Fort, Dutch Middleburg structures and remnants dating to the Malacca 15th Century Sultanate era, which were discovered during the construction of the tower at its initial site next to the Malacca River.

PSD: High-achievers have to compete for scholarships

2008-05-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 18, 2008

By HARIATI AZIZAN

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government cannot afford to offer all high-achievers a scholarship for overseas studies, said the Public Services Department (PSD).

“The most common misunderstanding is that academic excellence will guarantee them scholarship. However, the fact is that many excellent students have to compete for a limited number of scholarships and those awarded will be the 'cream of the crop',” said PSD Director-General Tan Sri Ismail Adam in an e-mail interview with Sunday Star.

This past week saw many disgruntled high achievers who had their application for PSD scholarships under its Foreign Degree Programme rejected.

Only 2,000 scholarships were available for studies abroad but a total of 15,217 applications were received, out of which 7,253 were called for interview.

PSD advised those who had failed there to apply for a scholarship under its local programme. A total of 10,000 scholarships for local programmes will be on offer online next month, but many students, especially the non-Malays, are worried about their chances.

On Friday, MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said all students who score 10A1s and above in the SPM examination should automatically be offered PSD scholarships after some 140 top students who failed to clinch a scholarship under the Foreign Degree Programme approached him for support.

Ismail, however, stressed that scholarships are a privilege provided by the government rather than a right, highlighting how the growing number of students obtaining straight As in their SPMover the years has made it tougher for the Government to select deserving recipients for PSD scholarships.

According to a PSD source, the trend of students doing more than 12 subjects for their SPM has also pushed the academic criteria up.

This year, for example, although the criteria set was lower, in the selection process, the committee had to push their academic criteria to a minimum of 13A1 in their selection process.

Subramaniam, who is also Human Resources Minister, said the lack of transparency in the awarding of scholarships was a problem, as some students alleged bias towards bumiputra students.

PSD denied the allegations saying 1,100 scholarships for overseas study went to bumiputras and 900 to non-bumiputras this year.

Ismail also said that students who obtained 9As in the 2007 SPM examination were eligible for an automatic local scholarship to pursue Form 6 right up to a degree at a local university or institution of higher learning.

PSD explains policy on grants

2008-05-15T01:23:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 15, 2008

WE REFER to the letters published in The Star from 14 -17 April 2008 in response to the letter “Grads prefer to stay on overseas” (The Star, April 13).

The PSD regulations require all sponsored students to return home upon graduation. Medical graduates are required to undergo their housemanship in Malaysia and will be appointed as medical officers by the Health Ministry.

However, there have been an increasing number of cases since 2003 where students have ignored this requirement and not returned home to serve their bond with the government.

Every year, the PSD issues letters to all sponsored students before graduation, requiring them to report back to the PSD after graduation and to register with the Public Service Commission so that they can be appointed into the public service.

Compensation claims by the Public Service Department (PSD) against errant scholars are based on the actual amount spent throughout the entire study period. They are no longer based on the stipulated amount in the contract.

This regulation was imposed on PSD overseas scholars refusing to return home upon completion of their studies without justification.

For those who refuse to return to fulfil their obligations to serve the government, the PSD issues a notice of demand to them or their guarantors (usually their parents), to repay, in one lump sum, the total amount spent on them throughout their studies.

Errant scholars who have disregarded the notice of demand have had their names forwarded to the Attorney-General for legal action against them or their guarantors.

Over the years, the PSD has taken various actions to track down these errant students and to compel them to fulfil their responsibilities, including participating in the Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) maintained by Bank Negara.

In addition, the PSD is gradually sending more students to countries with affordable cost of living and excellent academic standards, especially in medical fields such as India, Indonesia, the Czech Republic, Jordan and Egypt where the expenses are much lower than those in the UK and Ireland.

Another option being considered is publishing the names of those who have defaulted on their loans in the major newspapers.

The PSD is considering imposing a heavier penalty on all our overseas sponsored students who fail to return home upon successful completion of their studies.

It is also considering offering a convertible loan to all future PSD-sponsored students seeking to study overseas rather than a scholarship, as is the current practice.

These students will then have the option to either repay the loan or serve the government for a specified period upon completion of their studies.

The number of years to which a PSD-sponsored medical student will be bonded to serve the government will also be lengthened.

In addition, the PSD will also be working closely with the Public Service Commission to initiate new recruitment strategies for PSD scholars in their final semester of study.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT,
Public Service Department.

Involved parties given a week to resolve access route issue

2008-05-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

Wednesday May 14, 2008

SHAH ALAM: The Cheras-Kajang Expressway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Highway Authority have a week to resolve the ongoing tussle over the access route to the township.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has given the three parties a week to come up with a solution.

The ultimatum was issued after the state government, Grand Saga, Narajaya and the Highway Authority met for more than an hour at Khalid’s office here on Tuesday.

Khalid’s political secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Khalid had urged the three parties to be calm and not to resort to any drastic action until they came up with a solution.

“The three parties and Tan Sri Khalid will meet again after a week before a final decision is taken,” he said.

Nik Nazmi said Khalid would announce the state’s stand on the issue if no solution was found.

The issue became heated after the residents demolished a barricade erected by Grand Saga to bar residents from having free access to Bandar Mahkota.

As the barricade was built on state land, the Selangor Government fully backed the residents on the matter.

PSD to impose more penalties

2008-05-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 11, 2008

WE REFER to the letters published in The Star from 14 -17 April 2008 in response to the letter “Grads prefer to stay on overseas” (The Star, April 13).

Medical graduates are required to undergo their housemanship in Malaysia to be appointed as medical officers by the Health Ministry.

However, since 2003 an increasing number of PSD (Public Service Department) students have ignored this requirement to return home upon graduation.

Compensation claims by the PSD against errant scholars are also no longer based on the stipulated amount in the contract.

We are also considering imposing a heavier penalty on all our overseas sponsored students who fail to return home.

For those who refuse to fulfil their obligations, we issue a notice of demand to them or their guarantors (usually their parents), to repay, in one lump sum, the amount spent on them.

Errant scholars who have disregarded the notice of demand have had their names forwarded to the Attorney-General for legal action against them or their guarantors.

We are considered publishing the names of those who have defaulted on their loans in the major newspapers.

In addition, the PSD is gradually sending more students to countries with affordable cost of living and excellent academic standards, especially in medical fields such as India, Indonesia, the Czech Republic, Jordan and Egypt where the expenses are much lower than those in Britain and Ireland.

It is also considering offering a convertible loan to all future PSD-sponsored students seeking to study overseas rather than a scholarship as is the current practice.

The number of years to which a PSD-sponsored medical student will be bonded to serve the government will also be lengthened.

In addition, the PSD will also be working closely with the Public Service Commission to initiate new recruitment strategies for PSD scholars in their final semester of study.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT,
Public Service Department.

Rep: Grand Saga has no right to barricade access street

2008-05-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 11, 2008

By CHARLES FERNANDEZ and JADE CHAN

KAJANG: The Cheras-Kajang Expressway operator has no right to barricade the road into Bandar Mahkota Cheras because a survey has found that it is located on state land.

Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu said a Survey and Mapping Department report had shown that the land on which Grand Saga Sdn Bhd had earlier erected a barrier to stop residents from using a toll-free road was state land.

The report and a map have been forwarded to state legal officer Datuk Zauyah Lothy Khan.

“Even before the survey, the state government had ample proof that the road was on state land.

“And until today, the highway concessionaire has yet to show documents to stake its claims,” he said at a press conference at the site yesterday.

The residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras have been engaged in a battle with Grand Saga since 2005 over the use of a road which allows them a shorter and toll-free route into their housing area.

Grand Saga had earlier built barricades across the road but residents had dismantled the barriers.

The battle turned ugly on Thursday night when police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds of residents who were trying to dismantle the latest barricade.

Liu said Grand Saga should just let the matter rest if it could not dispute the state government’s claim over who controlled the land. It should also not stop the residents from using the toll-free access road.

Liu said he would discuss with the Public Works Department to see if another access road running parallel to the highway belonged to the state to avoid another land controversy.

Grand Saga has applied for an injunction against Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah, Liu and the Kajang Municipal Council to stop them from entering the expressway area.

Tan confirmed that he was served with an ex-parte injunction on Friday night.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, who claimed he was injured during Thursday night’s commotion, said he admitted himself into the emergency ward of Selayang Hospital on Friday afternoon as he was in pain.

Relating Thursday’s events, Lim said: “A plainclothes officer grabbed me from behind and some burning hot liquid was blasted into my face, which temporarily blinded me. I then felt punches and kicks all over,” he said.

He said his car was damaged – tyres punctured, wipers ripped off, surface scratched and a number plate broken.

Chronology of events pertaining to Bandar Mahkota Cheras toll-free access road issue

2008-05-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 10, 2008

September 15, 2005: The RM16mil Bandar Mahkota Cheras road is opened by developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd with the consent of the Kajang Municipal Council. A few days later, Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga closes the road.

October 2005: Grand Saga business development and corporate affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali informs council that the closure is due to compensation issues with Narajaya and says the road would only be opened with a directive from the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

February 2006: Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents begin signature campaign to protest road closure saying they are forced to use a longer route through Bandar Sungai Long. More than 10,000 signatures are collected. Peaceful protests are also staged over the months.

September 2006: Former Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu tells Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee members that road is illegal.

December 2006: Committee members led by Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai seek a meeting with LLM representatives but are told the matter would be referred again to Samy Vellu.

January 2007: Grand Saga workers are spotted doing earthworks near site with the intention of putting up toll booths.

May 2007: Samy Vellu insists in Parliament that toll has to be collected at the access road in order to put an end to the long-standing issue.

July 2007: An emergency motion on the matter brought up by Tan Kok Wai in Parliament is rejected. Residents led by committee chairman Tan Boon Wah visit the Prime Minister's office in Putrajaya to present a memorandum.

October 2007: Developer Narajaya files a suit against Grand Saga and the Malaysian Highway Authority at the civil division of the High Court.

April 2008: Selangor state government says road is on state land but appoints surveyors to determine who has right of way. Residents go ahead and demolish the first barricade on April 21.

May 2008: Grand Saga re-erects barricade and residents demolish it again. Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim says a meeting would be sought with the Federal Government to put an end to the issue.

May 21, 2008: Court hearing for lawsuit filed by Narajaya.

Folks have the right to use access road without paying toll, says Khalid

2008-05-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 10, 2008

By WANI MUTHIAH and GEETHA KRISHNAN

SELANGOR Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the state government will be holding a meeting with Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd and the Federal Government next week.

He said the meeting was to find a solution for the tussle between the concessionaire and Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents over the barricade erected by the former on the toll-free access road belonging to the Selangor government.

“We understand the problem as well as the plight of the people and will seek a quick solution,’’ said Khalid when met by Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents at the state secretariat building yesterday.

He said the residents had the right to use the access road without having to pay toll but added that the problem could only be settled when all relevant parties had discussed the matter.

The residents arrived at the secretariat building yesterday at about 11am in a chartered bus and five cars to hand over a memorandum to Khalid. It was received by the his special duties assistant Mohd Yahya Sahri.

The crowd was also met by state executive councillors Ronnie Liu and Ean Yong Hean Wah.

Liu, who met reporters after speaking to the residents, said the concessionaire did not have the right to barricade the access road as it belonged to the state government.

He lambasted the police for taking sides and said that the police should maintain law and order instead of manhandling the residents on behalf of the concessionaire.

“We have all the proof to show that the land belongs to the state government and we have informed the police about this but the police, which is under the control of the Federal Government, is not paying heed,’’ said Liu.

He added that he had spoken to the Selangor CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar over the phone but the latter had remained stubborn.

More than 100 policemen, including personnel from the Light Strike Force and the Federal Reserve Unit, were dispatched to the area on Thursday when the residents held a demonstration to protest against Grand Saga Sdn Bhd.

Police personnel fired water cannons several times to ward off the protestors who were riding motorcycles and speeding towards the police barricades.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng was allegedly assaulted when he pulled the plug of a generator before standing in front of a water cannon to prevent the police from aiming it at the crowd. He is presently recovering at the Selayang Hospital.

“The police must be neutral and not help Grand Saga Sdn Bhd put up the barricade. Since when did the police force go into construction?’’ asked Liu.

He said that he would be speaking to Khalid as well as state legal adviser Datin Paduka Zauyah Be T. Loth Khan to see what action could be taken against the concessionaire.

Liu said the residents also had the right to seek an injunction against the concessionaire as well as seek damages from it through legal recourse.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents had been maintaining a 24-hour vigil at the crossroads where the concrete barricade put up by Grand Saga was first dismantled on April 21.

But the tents and garden chairs which residents used while keeping an eye on the road were no longer there on Friday morning. Also missing were self-appointed traffic marshalls who helped to ensure the traffic situation was under control since the traffic lights were not synchronised.

Although small groups of residents were present at the site, the crowd was not as big as the 1,000-odd people who converged on Thursday night where four people including the Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah were arrested.

To-date, Grand Saga has re-built the barricade twice and on both occasions, residents had broken down the barrier.

“They can keep building the barricade but we will keep destroying it,” said Tan when contacted.

He was released from police custody after a few hours.

With the highway concessionaire and the Selangor state government claiming right of way, the issue is still far from being settled.

One resident, Suraya Haris Ong, said authorities should also view the socio-economic impact on the township with low rentals and vacant shoplots since the barricade was put up in 2005.

IGP sounds warning after protest over Cheras access road turns ugly

2008-05-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 10, 2008

PETALING JAYA: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said there should be no mob rule in this country.

He said police would act against those who organised or incited residents to break the law by gathering illegally and demonstrating.

He was commenting on the protest by about 1,000 demonstrators at Bandar Mahkota, Cheras, against a barricade at a traffic-light junction leading to the area on Thursday night. The residents have twice brought down the barricade.

The demonstration turned ugly at about 10.30pm and police had to fire water cannons and tear gas to control the crowd.

Unsafe driving: Drivers using the access road after the barricade was brought down a second time by irate residents.

“We are concerned as the toll-free access road has yet to be gazetted. If there is an accident, we will not be able to investigate and motorists will have to file a civil suit for compensation,” he said.

“To me, all parties concerned should sit down and find an amicable solution without resorting to mob rule. They should go to the courts and fight for their rights, instead of damaging property and inconveniencing other motorists and residents.”

Police arrested four people after the demonstration. During the commotion, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng was allegedly assaulted and later warded at the Selayang hospital.

Get injunction against Grand Saga, folks told

2008-05-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

Friday May 9, 2008

Story by GEETHA KRISHNAN

BANDAR Mahkota Cheras residents have been advised to apply for an injunction against Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd for erecting another barricade on the toll-free access road belonging to the Selangor Government.

The advice came from state executive councillor Ronnie Liu in light of the events that unfolded on Wednesday night when Grand Saga installed a new barricade on the road under the watchful eyes of Federal Reserve Unit personnel.

Once again, Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents dismantled the barricade denying them access to the highway. Three people were arrested during the fracas that ensued.

Liu maintained that Grand Saga had committed a serious offence by erecting the barricade. “No party has the right to erect the barricade without the state government's approval and we received no such application,” he said.

The earlier barricade installed in 2006 was demolished on April 21 by residents led by the Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee. The road has been a major subject of controversy since the right of way is yet to be clearly determined.

Liu said although the Survey and Mapping Department had yet to release its report, the state government had ample proof that the road was on state land.

“We have been informed that the department which is under the control of the Federal Government is not being cooperative because the report should be ready by now. I have asked Kajang Municipal council president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abdul Rahman to pursue the matter,” he added.

Liu also told residents to seek legal redress for the various grievances they have suffered during the closure of the road.

Four arrested in Cheras demo

2008-05-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

Friday May 9, 2008

By ANDREW SAGAYAM

KAJANG: Four people were picked up after they demonstrated at Bandar Mahkota, Cheras, due to road works being carried out at a traffic light junction leading to the area.

The demonstration which saw about 1,000 people, mostly residents from the nearby areas, gathering from 4pm to stop the work conducted by workers.

The protesting crowd played a cat-and-mouse game with the authorities until 10.30pm when the situation worsened.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng pulled the plug of a generator before standing in front of a water cannon to prevent the police from aiming it at the crowd.

During the ensuing commotion, Lim was said to have been assaulted .

It is learnt that Lim was rushed to the Kajang Hospital by Seri Kembangan state assemblyman Ean Yong Hean Wah and a friend.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mood said police resorted to firing the water cannons several times to ward off the protestors who were riding motorcycles and speeding towards the police barricades.

He said there were more than 100 policemen including personnel from the Light Strike Force and the Federal Reserve Unit at the scene.

The four arrested, aged between 20 and 30, were taken to the Kajang police station for questioning.

On Wednesday, a large group of residents from Bandar Mahkota and Sungai Long in Kajang gathered to protest against the closure of a road that leads to both housing areas.

The residents claimed that the action of the Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire, Grand Saga, to place concrete barriers at the road greatly inconvenienced them.

The closure of the road meant that residents had to pay toll and take a longer route to get to their homes.

Residents had demolished the barriers on April 21, two years after they were put up by Grand Saga, which has maintained that it had right of way over the road.

Residents and FRU in stand-off over barricade

2008-05-07T18:29:00.001-07:00

Thursday May 8, 2008

By GEETHA KRISHNAN and RASHITA A. HAMID

KAJANG: A large group of residents from Bandar Mahkota Cheras and Sungai Long in Kajang gathered to protest against the closure of a road that leads to both housing areas.

The residents said the action of the Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire, Grand Saga, to place concrete barriers at the road greatly inconvenienced them.

The closure of the road meant that residents had to pay toll and take a longer route to get to their homes.

Residents had demolished the barriers on April 21, two years after it was put up by Grand Saga, which has maintained that it had right of way over the road.

Yesterday evening, the concessionaire put the barriers back in place. The angry residents had gathered earlier yesterday to prevent the concessionaire from the placing the barriers.

Tensions ran high when the residents had a stand off with Federal Reserve Unit personnel, who were on standby.

The standoff also caused a traffic jam along the highway in the evening.

The Selangor Government is still waiting for a report from the State Survey and Mapping Department to determine the question of right of way.

Grand Saga business development and corporate affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali, who was at the site, said while he sympathised with the residents for being forced to use a longer route, a new barrier would be erected as the concessionaire was concerned about safety issues.

He said the road was now the subject matter of a lawsuit filed against Grand Saga by township developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd.

Residents: Act fast before another landslip occurs

2008-05-06T00:05:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 6, 2008

Story and photo by GEETHA KRISHNAN

A recent landslip in Section 7, Bandar Sungai Long in Kajang, has caused inconveniences for the residents in the area.

The access lane leading to Jalan SL 7/3 and 7/4 has been completely blocked by the mud and debris. According to residents, the landslip happened at 8am a fortnight ago when most of them were leaving for work.

Mud and trees came down the steep slope from a height of 20m to totally cover the lane, located two metres away from the nearest house.

Fencing put up for the privately- owned orchard above also came down.

Section 7 Neighbourhood Watch Committee vice-chairman Simon Rayan said residents had witnessed minor landslips in the area but the latest one was the worst.

“We complained to the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) on April 25 but the council staff who arrived at the scene later only took photos and went away. No effort has been taken to clear the mud and debris yet,” he said.

Committee treasurer Alan Yap said landslip incidents warrant serious action and the council should act before the worst happened.

“Furthermore, the slope is so steep and has not been reinforced.

“We have nothing to protect us from similar occurrences in the future,” he said.

Another resident who declined to be named said the slope had a 60% gradient and only a small portion had concrete reinforcement because one of the residents had hired a private contractor for the work.

Bandar Sg Long Public Services Centre (Dusun Tua state assembly) head Tony Mak said the blocked lane was a hazard to authorities like the Fire and Rescue Services Department and the police if they were required to attend to emergencies.

“More rain is expected during the next few weeks so we hope MPKj will carry out cleaning and clearing works as soon as possible.

“Remedial earthworks should also be carried out with immediate effect to stabilise the soil,” he added.

Residents also collectively complained that the council had failed to maintain the drains and playground in the housing area.

“As a result, residents pooled their own resources and organised their schedules to upkeep the area.

A resident known only as Teng claimed Tenaga Nasional Berhad workers who chopped down some tree branches lately just left the pile there.

“An elderly resident thought she could clear the mess by starting a fire but it spread quickly and burnt up a tree.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt but it shows the lack of responsibility on TNB’s part,” he said, adding that the housing area also needed more streetlights.

There was no response from the council till press time.

Removal of barricade causing traffic havoc

2008-05-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 1, 2008

KAJANG: The Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire, Grand Saga, is claiming that the removal of the concrete barricade by angry Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents 10 days ago has caused havoc to the traffic situation in the area.

In a statement faxed to the media yesterday, Grand Saga said the situation endangered road users coming from Bandar Mahkota Cheras and other road users converging into the interchange from the surrounding townships.

Grand Saga business development and corporate affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali said the junction that was “forcibly opened” did not conform to safety requirements such as traffic lights and safety signs.

The company is calling for the barricade to be put up again until a solution was found.

The barricade was demolished by the residents to allow them toll-free access to the highway.

“Grand Saga's contract is with the Federal Government hence it was awaiting the directive and guidance from the Government on the issue,” he said.

Zainal said the right of way issue is the subject matter of a legal suit between township developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd, the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) and Grand Saga, pending determination by the High Court.

In another development, Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu took the State Survey and Mapping Department to task yesterday for being unable to determine who had the right of way in the issue.

He said he was disappointed with the department for failing to provide the surveyors' report as promised because everything hinged on it. The state government had instructed two surveyors to conduct the study.

The department had promised to provide the report last Friday.

Residents sure surveyor report will favour them

2008-04-29T19:04:00.001-07:00

Wednesday April 30, 2008

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

KAJANG: The Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee is confident the outcome of today's meeting at the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) will be in its favour.

At a press conference yesterday, independent surveyor Khoo Leong Hok pointed out that the barricade demolished on April 21 was erected outside the Malaysian Highway Authority road reserve. Khoo had volunteered his services to the committee.

Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah produced a letter from the Hulu Langat Land Office that stated the land originally belonged to Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd because it was obtained through land acquisition as detailed in the Government Circular No 1007, dated May 27, 2003. The road was subsequently delivered to the council.

Last week, Selangor State Local Government, Study and Research Committee chairman Ronnie Liu gave the surveyor on the council's panel another week to present a report on who had the right of way, Bandar Mahkota Cheras or Cheras-Kajang highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd. Another surveyor was appointed by the panel to provide a fair perspective on the matter.

The toll-free access road has been the subject of controversy between both parties since Grand Saga closed the road in 2005.

Selangor has no need to pay concessionaire RM200m

2008-04-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday April 26, 2008

By ELAN PERUMAL

THE Selangor Government will not pay any compensation to highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd.

State Local Government committee chairman Ronnie Liu said the state government had no contract with Grand Saga, the concessionaire for the Cheras-Kajang Highway in Cheras.

Under the circumstance, he said the state government had the right to open the access road in Bandar Mahkota Cheras so that the residents would be provided with the option of a toll-free access to the area.

“It is absurd to pay compensation totalling RM200mil to the concessionaire when there is no contract.

“The contract is between Grand Saga and the Federal Government and therefore there is no reason why we cannot provide an access road on our land,'' he told StarMetro.

He stressed that the state was determined to open the access road, adding that the Selangor government was firm in its decision on the matter.

“We are the people's government and our stand will favour the people and there is no way things will change on our side,'' he said

Besides that, Liu said the highway builder, Narajaya Sbd Bhd, had not obtained approval for the construction of the highway from the Kajang Municipal Council.

He said they had in fact failed to get the nod from the Malaysian Highway Authority before the highway was constructed.

“To make matters worse, the developer did not submit an application to the council for the construction of the highway,'' he said

He added that after detailed research, he found former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo's claim that the concessionaire must be compensated RM200mil if the access is to be opened as baseless.

Dr Khir was quoted as saying that when the road was first opened in 2005, the concessionaire had asked for RM200mil in compensation for loss of toll collection based on the formula in the concession agreement.

“That is why we decided that the toll-free access road should be closed as it would be unfair to use taxpayers money to pay such a huge sum,” he said at a press conference this week.

He said the state had asked the developer, Narajaya Sdn Bhd, to pay the sum but the company also found the figure too high.

The present state government, he said, had promised to open the access road recently but added that it should not use public funds as it was unfair to the rest of the taxpayers in the state who would not benefit from it.

The saga continues

2008-04-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

Friday April 25, 2008

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

IN a new development to the Bandar Mahkota Cheras access road issue, Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd has issued a warning letter to the company that owns the heavy machinery used in dismantling the barricade.

Residents of the township brought down the barricade blocking their toll-free access to the highway on Monday after mounting frustration against Grand Saga for closing the road in 2005.

The highway concessionaire issued the letter to Wing Sing Tractor Work through a legal firm based in Kuala Lumpur.

Among the contents was this phrase, “Take notice that you are to cease and desist from further causing and/or assisting in the damage and/or demolishing of the said barricade lawfully constructed/erected by our client”.

At a press conference on Thursday, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng who is one of the legal advisers for the Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee said the letter would be ignored.

Another legal adviser Keppy Wong said no party could claim the legal right to erect the barricade and in doing so Grand Saga had overlooked the lawsuit filed by township developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd and scheduled for a court hearing on May 21.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai who chaired the press conference called on the intervention of the Federal Government because the Selangor state government had repeatedly stated its stand on the issue.

“We hope the government would review all highway concession agreements. The Cheras-Kajang Highway was built at a cost of RM286mil but toll collection to-date has exceeded RM300mil. The concession agreement is till 2027 so imagine the profits,” he said.

Residents have been maintaining a 24-hour vigil at the Bandar Mahkota Cheras-Bandar Tun Hussein Onn junction since Monday, fearing the road would be blocked again.

They also take turns to control the traffic flow.

In a special meeting held at Menara MPKj on Wednesday, the surveyor hired by the Kajang Munici-pal Council to determine who has right of way over the road and to clarify ownership of the land asked for more time to announce his findings.

“We are confident the land belongs to the state. But if the outcome proves that the land belongs to Federal government, we hope residents' civil rights would be considered and the matter put to rest with a positive outcome,” said Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu who chaired the meeting.

Another surveyor will also be appointed and the results of the report would be revealed on Apr 30.

Be prepared to pay

2008-04-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

Friday April 25, 2008

By DHARMENDER SINGH

THE Selangor government will have to ensure that highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd is paid RM200mil in compensation if it allows the access road in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Kajang to be opened.

Former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said when the road was first opened in 2005 the concessionaire had asked for RM200mil in compensation for loss of toll collection based on the formula in the concession agreement.

“That is why we decided that the toll-free access road should be closed as it would be unfair to use taxpayers money to pay such a huge sum,” he said at a press conference.

He said the state had asked the developer, Narajaya Sdn Bhd to pay the sum but the company too found the figure too high.

The current state government, he said, had however promised to open the access road recently but it should not use public funds as it was unfair to the rest of the taxpayers in the state who would not benefit from it.

Dr Khir, who is also the Opposition Leader, also called on the state government to ensure that it kept its promise to offer the first 20 cubic metre of water free to consumers by June 1.

He said the offer would cost water distribution concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) RM17mil a month.

“We do not want to see problems in the implementation as people are eagerly waiting for the free water that was listed as part of their (Pakatan Rakyat’s) election promises,” he said, adding that changes also needed to be made to the billing system.

He said the state government had initially said it would provide free water by April but then postponed it to June 1.

Dr Khir also asked the state government to deliver on its promise during the General Election to give the people a 20% discount on assessment charges on homes and 10% for commercial properties.

He said annual assessment collection in the state stood at RM889mil and providing the discounts would reduce the government’s revenue by RM170mil per year but the pledge to lessen the people’s burden with the discount should be kept by the current government.

“I have also had many come up to my service centre to enquire where and how to apply for the RM1,000 aid that they (Pakatan Rakyat) promised to give each Selangor born university student during the election campaign,” he said.

He said the new intake for students at local universities was in July and people wanted to know the procedures involved in getting the aid.

On the integrated high-tech pig-rearing farm in Ladang Tumbuk, Dr Khir said, the state government should hold a public hearing to get the opinions of nearby villagers and pig rearers before carrying out the project.

He said the Barisan Nasional assemblymen would lend its support too if the government got at least two-thirds of the people and farmers to agree.

“Although it was proposed during our time, it is being implemented under the Pakatan Rakyat government and they need to convince the people it is for in their own good before they go on,” he said.

He said Barisan assemblymen would conduct a public hearing on the matter if the state government failed.

Drama unfolds as cops step in to block road

2008-04-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

Thursday April 24, 2008

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

MORE drama unfolded at Bandar Mahkota Cheras yesterday when the Kajang police temporarily closed the controversial road offering toll-free access to the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

Several patrol cars were used to block the road under the flyover leading to the Cheras 11th Mile toll plaza from 8am to 9.50am. This led to a large group of angry residents gathering at the site to protest the move.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, who arrived at the scene at 9am, called Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakaruddin Che Mood to seek an explanation.

“I have spoken to the OCPD and he said it was done to protect road users’ safety as the traffic lights at the junction have not been synchronised.

“The police fear accidents may occur,” Tan said.

He appealed to ACP Shakaruddin to allow residents to use the road for another day, pending the outcome of the survey to determine who has the right of way over the road at a meeting at Menara MPKj in Kajang at 3pm.

Police personnel later removed their vehicles to allow motorists to pass through.

Temporary measure: (From left) Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, Tan, Serdang MP Teo Nie Chin, Hulu Langat MP Che Rosli Che Mat and PAS representative Mohd Sany Hamzan trying to calm the residents.

The access road built by Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd was opened in September 2005 and closed soon after by highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, who cited a loss of toll collection as the reason for the closure.

On Monday, residents defied an order from the Selangor government and opened the road.

The government had wanted a survey to be carried out with reports from the Hulu Langat Land Office, Kajang Municipal Council, Narajaya and Grand Saga.

At a press conference later, the surveyor said he needed a few more days to prepare the report and it would be ready soon.

Grand Saga official pelted with stones

2008-04-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

Wednesday April 23, 2008

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

A REPRESENTATIVE from Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire for the Cheras-Kajang Highway, was pelted with stones yesterday when he threatened to restore the dismantled barricade at the Bandar Mahkota Cheras toll-free access road.

Before the incident, Grand Saga representative Zainal Abidin was heard telling residents gathered at the Bandar Mahkota Cheras-Bandar Tun Hussein Onn junction that they had no right to open the road. He roused their anger further by threatening to block the road.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents forcefully dismantled the barricade on Monday. They acted on their own accord after learning that the Selangor Government wanted them to wait till today for the surveyor's report which would reveal if the land belonged to the state or the federal government.

The road was barricaded by Grand Saga in September 2005, soon after its opening.

Residents, however, have claimed that the road was included in the Kajang masterplan while the highway was built later and therefore the concessionaire had no right to deny them access.

Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching, who arrived at noon to ease the tense situation between the residents and Zainal, urged Grand Saga to wait for 24 hours more before putting up the barricade again.

“Please maintain your cool till the outcome is known tomorrow (to-day) after 3pm. We are also awaiting the surveyor's report to determine who has the right of way,” she said.

When the StarMetro visited the site in the morning, many motorists were seen using the road although it needed proper resurfacing work.

But traffic at the crossroads leading to the highway and the Cheras Perdana-Bandar Tun Hussein Onn junction was chaotic because the traffic lights were not synchronised.

Traffic police from Kajang later arrived to ensure the traffic flowed smoothly.

When asked what they would do if the road was barricaded again, the residents said the federal government should step in to resolve the matter.

They said the closure affected their rights as citizens and the government should defend their cause.