Bill amended
to protect
forests
p 4
community
Mourners carrying the remains of Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed into Surau Ar-Rahman at the Kelana Jaya Customs quarters yesterday afternoon. Stories on Page 2. – Pictures by
Victor Chong
Anti-human trafficking units
By Gan Pei Ling
SHAH ALAM: Enforcement of-
ficers from local governments will
be trained to spot victims of hu-
man trafficking and alert relevant
authorities as part of Selangor’s
initiative to stop the trade.
“We have instructed all local
councils to set up special units for
the task,” said Ronnie Liu.
The state executive councillor
said while local enforcement offic-
ers did not have powers of arrest,
they  could still raid places sus-
pected of trafficking and alert the
police and immigration depart-
ment immediately.
Liu, whose portfolio includes
local government, pointed out that
enforcement officers were already
raiding entertainments outlets
Free tuition Chaos
for needy at land
SPM students briefing
p 12 & 13 p 9
April 8 — 10, 2011/ issue 19
under their jurisdiction. Rozaini expressed hope that sole witnesses,” said Lo, adding
The units, to be set up in all 12 they would appoint a councillor to that the victims would be afraid to
local authorities, will be specially champion the initiative at each speak up if they were intimidated
trained to identify victims.  local council. or abused by officers.
The move was announced at a When contacted by Selangor Lo noted that both legal and illegal
press conference on Monday by Times, Petaling Jaya councillor Cyn- migrants could be potential victims of
Liu and executive councillor  Rod- thia Gabriel said the move would human trafficking, with women being
ziah Ismail, who chairs the Selan- help to increase awareness among the predominant victims.
gor Anti-Human Trafficking enforcement officers. Meanwhile, Selangor has de-
Council (Mapmas).  “It’s part of their job to raid il- manded access to victims as only the
Rodziah said that Selangor was legal settlements (they usually treat Women, Family and Community
collaborating with Tenaganita, ised for local councils, said Map- all illegal migrants the same way), Development Ministry is allowed to
which champions the rights of mi- mas task force vice-president Ro- but there could be potential hu- interact with them.
grant workers. zaini Mohd Rosli. man-trafficking victims among “We must determine the [human
The non-government organisa- The Klang Municipal Council them,” said Gabriel. traffickers’] operational process in
tion will handle the case manage- and its councillors were the first to Daniel Lo, a member of the Selangor, who are the agents, [and]
ment of victims for Mapmas.  be briefed at its monthly board Mapmas task force, said it was im- how it is happening in order to be
Meanwhile, local councils will meeting last week. portant for enforcement officers to able to intervene effectively.
also revoke business licences of The Shah Alam City Council distinguish between the victims and “That’s why access to victims is
companies found to be harbouring and Subang Jaya Municipal Coun- treat them well. important,” said Tenaganita director
victims.  cil are expected to be briefed at the “Victims are at the heart of Irene Fernandez, who also attended
Briefings are also being organ- end of the month. prosecution. They are usually the Monday’s press conference.
2
news
April 8 — 10, 2011

Morning
Selangor WEATHER
Friday Saturday Sunday
Grief and disbelief
By Alvin Yap

PETALING JAYA: Overwhelmed

Afternoon with grief, the mother of Ahmad
Sarbani Mohamed collapsed while
viewing his body on Thursday.
Aishah Abdullah Rauf, 75, was seen
Night being carried out of the Ar-Rahman
Surau in the Customs quarters in
Kelana Jaya.
Source: Malaysian meteorological department She had earlier been among loved
ones and colleagues who had waited

Civil societies
since 10.30am for his body to arrive.
Over 200 mourners were seen wak-
ing along with the hearse when it ar-

call for RCI

rived from Hospital Universiti Ke-
bangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) at about
5pm before it was taken into the surau,
where it was prepared for burial
SHAH ALAM: Seventy-three groups have called for the Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who ar-
establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to rived shortly after, was seen expressing
investigate the death of a Customs officer in the custody of the his condolences to family members.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). “I am sad for the family, we have to
The non-governmental organisations said there must be an find the truth. It is a great tragedy, but
“independent and thorough” probe into the officer’s death, we must ensure there are investigation
including MACC personnel involved and its power structure. into MACC’s methods of interroga-
They added that half of the members should be nominated tion and conduct,” said the Selangor
by civil societies to ensure its credibility. Menteri Besar.
Human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia coordinator E Ahmad Sarbani’s body was taken to
Nalini spoke on five demands on behalf of the groups at a press the Kota Damansara Muslim cemetery
conference on Thursday. soon after.
The NGOs include Amnesty International Malaysia, All Meanwhile, there was widespread
Women’s Action Society, Malaysians for Beng Hock and disbelief over suggestions that he had
Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia. committed suicide.   (MACC) headquarters on Jalan Coh-
Besides the establishment of the RCI, they also want the “How could someone who is loved
police to buck up and conduct a professional and independent by everyone, someone who is helpful
probe into the MACC to restore public confidence. and smiling , commit suicide ?”
The groups took the police to task for not investigating or asked Aznijar Ahmad.
acting on the 59 complaints lodged against MACC in the past The University Malaya aeronauti-
five years, resulting in the death of former political aide Teoh cal engineering lecturer, who knew the
Beng Hock in 2009 and now Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed. deceased when they stayed in Klang,
They said MACC investigation director Datuk Mustafa Ali said Ahmad Sarbani had been a reli-
and other officers involved should be suspended until the RCI gious man.
completed its investigation to prevent cover-ups or interference. “Our family is extremely sad. He
They also urged the government to enact the Coroner’s Act was a surau committee member,” said
and set up a coroner’s court to investigate all deaths in custody. the lecturer, whose wife is also a Cus-
The NGOs lastly reminded the government to set up the toms officer.
long-delayed independent police complaints and misconduct He said Ahmad Sarbani  had also
commission to investigate abuse of power among enforcement been the treasurer for the surau com-
bodies. mittee and had discharged his duties
Eric Paulsen, from Lawyers for Liberty, said there have been conscientiously.
147 deaths in custody since 2000, but nobody has been held “Are they going to write that
accountable for the deaths. he  committed suicide?” said a uni-
Selangor Customs assistant director Ahmad Sarbani, 56, formed customs officer to his col-
was found sprawled on the first floor of the MACC building league.
on Jalan Cochrane in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday morning. “We do not know what happened.
His death came in the midst of a RCI into the death of We are sad and we are angry. His
Teoh, who was found dead at Selangor MACC’s former death should not have happened,”
headquarters in Shah Alam in 2009. said another officer, who did not wish
His death is being investigated openly for the second time
Friends and relatives carry 75-year-old Aishah Abdullah after she fainted
upon seeing Ahmad Sarbani’s remains being taken to the surau at the
Kelana Jaya Customs quarters late yesterday afternoon.
to be identified.
Ahmad Sarbani was found dead on
Wednesday and is believed to have
fallen from the third floor of the Ma-
laysian Anti-Corruption Commission
crane, Cheras.
The Selangor Customs assistant
director had been among 62 Customs
officers reportedly picked up for al-
leged graft. But the 56-year-old father
of five was released on bail on Monday.
A relative who spoke to the press
pointed out that Ahmad Sarbani’s
death was now a matter of speculation
in the media.
“There are many reports, and all
conflict with each other. Are the re-
ports verified? Is it true?” said the man,
who refused to be identified.
Others who knew the deceased
described him as  a  person who had
always been smiling and helpful.
Among other VIPs who came to
visit the grieving family were state ex-
ecutive councillor Dr Halimah Ali and
Shah Alam Member of Parliament
Khalid Samad.
Dr Halimah was seen hugging
members of the family and consoling
them over their loss.
Khalid Samad said nothing short of
a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI)
would suffice to find out the actual
circumstances behind the death.
“This is a high-profile case, involv-
ing millions of ringgit in graft, and the
death of a senior civil servant needs
nothing less than a RCI,” he said.
The MACC has suspended two of-
ficers for the purposes of investigation
into the death of Ahmad Sarbani on
Wednesday.
According to a MACC statement
issued from its headquarters in Putra-
jaya, the officers were suspended be-
cause they had breached regulations
pertaining to witnesses and visitors to
MACC offices.
“Two officers have been suspended
for the breach of regulations on wit-
nesses or visitors to MACC premises,
whereupon the officers had failed to be
with the witness or visitor during the
whole time that they were at the
MACC office,” the statement read.
“The internal investigations will be
forwarded to the MACC Complaints
Committee, which is headed by former
Court of Appeals judge Datuk Mohd
Nor Abdullah and has three other
members,” it added.

State condemns latest MACC death

following dissatisfaction with an open verdict by a coroner’s
inquiry.

SHAH ALAM: Selangor has condemned the death of “The lack of serious action against those responsible for
Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Teoh’s death has led certain parties to think they are immune
Commission building on Jalan Cochrane in Kuala Lumpur. from the law,” said Khalid.
“The state regrets that another MACC witness has died A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) is being conducted
phone (603) 5510 4566
fax (603) 5523 1188
under suspicious circumstances,” said Menteri Besar Tan Sri into the death of Teoh, the former political secretary to
email editor@selangortimes.com Khalid Ibrahim. executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah.
The 56-year-old assistant director from the Selangor Teoh was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor
EDITORIAL Customs Department, who was under investigation for graft, of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, where the Selangor MACC
CHIEF EDITOR KL Chan is believed to have fallen from the third floor of the building. office was then located.
COMMUNITY EDITOR Neville Spykerman Khalid said it was shocking that another tragedy could Khalid said the incident has strengthened the state’s
WRITERS Tang Hui Koon, Chong Loo Wah, Gan Pei Ling, happen. resolve to protect its civil servants.
Basil Foo, Alvin Yap, Gho Chee Yuan “It looks like the MACC has not learnt anything from The legality of Selangor’s circular preventing its civil
COPY EDITORS Nick Choo, James Ang [Teoh Beng Hock’s] case and is still not responsible for the servants from being questioned by the MACC after office
DESIGNERS Jimmy C. S. Lim, Chin Man Yen safety of witnesses or those detained by them,” he said. hours and only while accompanied by a lawyer is being
PHOTOGRAPHER Victor Chong Khalid also extended his condolences to the victim’s challenged in court.
ADVERTISING Timothy Loh, Ivan Looi family. “We will appeal right to the Federal Court, the decision
ADVISORS Faekah Husin, Arfa’eza Abdul Aziz
He said this illustrated to all Malaysians that without [of the High Court] to nullify the circular,” he said.
justice for cases such as Teoh’s, similar tragedies would He said the instruction was appropriate in the wake of
continue to occur. the two deaths.
SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ April 8 – 10, 2011 ⁄ 3
4
news
april 8 — 10, 2011
Events
Yoga for Japan
Manasa Yoga, in collaboration with
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, will hold
an outdoor yoga charity  event for Japan’s
earthquake and tsunami survivors on April
17. The programme, which starts at 7am,
will be conducted by Manasa Yoga guru
and founder Manoj Kaimal and his wife,
Sandhya. Proceeds will be donated to Red
Cross Japan. For details, contact Susan at
012-3375955 or via email: susan@manasa-
yoga.com.
Kinabalu climb
Shelter Home for Children will organise its
annual Climb of Hope to Mount Kinabalu to
raise RM100,000 to help the abused and
refugee children’s education, healthcare
and protection from July 13-16. Those
interested are required to submit their
registration details before May 29. For more
information, call Edwin at 03-79550663,
email shelter@po.jaring.my or visit www.
shelterhome.org.
Old boys’ dinner  Forest Reserve was de-gazetted to make
The Malacca High School Old Pupils
Association will hold its annual general
meeting and dinner at Dewan President,
Kelab Golf Negara Subang, on May 7. For
details, contact Robert Lim (012-2029116),
Leo Ann Mean (012-6068265) or Lim Koh
Chin (012-2136148). You can also visit www.
mahsopa.net or emaildmin@mahsopa.net.  Wong said the state has yet to finalise
Soka Gakkai exhibition
Soka Gakkai Malaysia will hold an
exhibition titled “Seeds of Hope – Visions
of Sustainability, Steps toward Change”
tomorrow until May 1 at Wisma Kebudayaan
SGM, 243 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala
Lumpur. The exhibition will be in Bahasa
Malaysia, English and Chinese. Opening
hours for public viewing are from 11am to
6pm. Admission is free.
World Parkinson’s Day
Lloyd Tan Parkinson’s Trust Fund, together
with Negri Sembilan Parkinson’s Society,
Lions Club of KL Central and Pantai
Hospital Cheras, will hold a meeting at
Crystal Crown Hotel PJ in conjunction with
World Parkinson’s Day tomorrow from 2pm
to 4pm. Parkinson’s patients, caregivers
and the public are invited to the event that
pays tribute to two Parkinson’s community
leaders. For details, call Patricia at 02-
40240060 or 012-2110065.
Marriage course
The Buddhist Gem Fellowship Counselling
Unit will hold its 12th Marriage Education
Programme on May 28 and May 29 at its
centre at 60A, Jalan 19/3 Petaling Jaya. The
programme includes the importance of the
family unit and effective communications.
The programme is open to non-Muslims.
Couples will have to pay RM50 for the
SmartStart programme manual. For details
contact Hooi Eng at 016-2930684 or Iris
Goh at 016-3025792.
Youth baking classes
The House of Bread offers baking courses
for youths who seek skills training. The
training also includes Moral and English
classes. For details, call 016-3178778 or
016-3435478.
Bill amended
to protect forests
SHAH ALAM: Selangor became the
first state to make public inquiry com-
pulsory before a forest reserve can be
de-gazetted.
The state assembly passed an amend-
ment to the National Forestry Act 1985
Enactment on March 31 in an effort to
further safeguard its forest reserves.
“We want to provide an opportunity
for the public to give their opinion, sug-
gestion and constructive criticism before
a forest reserve can be de-gazetted,” said
executive councillor on environment
Elizabeth Wong at last week’s state as-
sembly.
Wong said the people could provide
feedback during public inquiry and help
protect forest reserves that are constantly
under pressure from development.
“A few years ago, the Kota Damansara
way for a luxurious residential area.
“The transfer of land was only cancelled
after Pakatan Rakyat took over the state’s
administration,” said Wong.
She added in her press statement that
thousands of hectares of forest reserves
were cleared without public knowledge
from 2000 to 2007.
the mechanism for the public inquiry.
However, she gave assurance that the
public inquiry would be advertised on
billboards and newspapers early so that
residents and non-governmental organisa-
tions would be well informed of it. public inquiry would be a key factor in Forestry expert Lim Teck Wyn also
Meanwhile, environmentalists have deciding whether a forest reserve would welcomed the state’s amendment to its
applauded Selangor’s move. Environmen- be de-gazetted. forestry enactment.
tal organisation TrEES congratulated the They also noted that public inquiry “As a professional forester and some-
state for its commitment towards protect- should be held for land-use conversion one who is born, bred and resident in
ing Selangor’s forest reserves. that does not require a change in land Selangor, I am very proud that the law has
Its directors, Leela Panikkar and Chris- status, such as the building of roads been changed to protect our forests,” said
ta Hashim, hoped input collected from the through forest reserves. Lim in an email interview.
TI Malaysia wants State to launch
micro credit
independent study
financing
petaling jaya: Transparency and closed-circuit television cameras in SHAH ALAM: The Selangor govern-
International Malaysia (TI-M) is calling the interrogation and waiting rooms.  ment is ready to launch the third phase
for an  independent, transparent and “This is to prevent allegations of rough of the People’s Economic Agenda, ac-
speedy inquiry into the death of Ah- tactics used in  interrogation and any cording to Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim
mad Sarbani Mohamed. untowardly incidents,” Low said. yesterday.
TI-M president Datuk Paul Low said While expressing condolences to the During the “Developing Selangor’s
in a statement the  inquiry should also family  of the deceased who died tragi- Economy” Maqasih Syariah seminar at
cover the Malaysian Anti Corruption cally at the MACC building on  Jalan the state government office yesterday, the
Commission’s (MACC) current standard Cochrane, Low said it should not in any Selangor Menteri Besar said that the state
procedures, processes and guidelines for way undermine ongoing  investigations has already incorporated the establish-
the investigation of cases of corruption.  involving Customs officers. ment of a RM70 million micro credit
“Any person in MACC’s care, be they TI-M strongly urged MACC to inves- financing scheme in the Budget 2011 last
a witness, suspect or visitor, must be ac- tigate without fear or favour and act on year.
corded fundamental protection at all all parties,  including any “big fish” in- A RM20 million fund has been set
times,” Low said. volved in corrupt practices.  aside for urban areas while RM50 million
He also called for the immediate im- “The ongoing joint operation investi- has been allocated for rural areas in the
plementation of recommendations and gating Customs and the Freight Forward- micro credit financing scheme.
proposals by the MACC  complaints ing industry must continue without The seminar was attended by the state
committee, chaired by former Court of outside influence or interference.” civil service and held at the Dewan Jubli
Appeal judge Mohd Noor Abdullah, Perak.
It has been reported that MACC’s
made on March 31.  preliminary investigations found bil- Besides Khalid, Datuk Dr Siddiq
It includes for MACC interrogation lions of ringgit were lost annually from Fadhil and Selangor economic adviser
rooms to be placed in the lobby or base- underdeclaration of imported goods and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also delivered
ment area to prevent untoward incidents, money-laundering activity. their lectures.
SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ April 8 – 10, 2011 ⁄ 5
6
NEWS
APRIL 8 — 10, 2011

Councillors want stiff penalties

for polluters
By Alvin Yap MBPJ  will also monitor nearby restau-
rants to ensure solid food waste is not thrown
PETALING JAYA: Stiff penalties for into drains which ultimately end up in lakes. 
polluters and biological filters are being “It will now strictly enforce the [three-
proposed by Petaling Jaya Municipal council- strike] rule, where eateries found to be flout-
lors to save the city’s dying lakes.   ing cleanliness and environmental by-laws
“MBPJ has to stop polluters from spoiling three times a year will be shut down by
our lakes, We also have to look into using MBPJ,” said Chan. 
wetland plants to filter and remove [remain- More checks on grease traps in these res-
ing ] pollutants reaching the lakes,” said taurants will be carried out to ensure the
councillor Chan Chee Keong.  system is working to filter oil from waste
Last week, Selangor Times reported that water.
six lakes were in danger of becoming stagnant MBPJ is also looking into building “mini”
pools because no contingencies were in place wetlands to trap and filter waste water flow-
to tackle widespread pollution. ing into the lakes.  Gabriel and Chan pointing to a layer of oil at Taman Jaya lake.

The lakes, which are dying due to decades
of pollution, are Taman Jaya, Taman Aman
and Kelana Jaya, which has four.
It was reported that RM1.8 million was
spent to clean the lake annually, but state ex-
ecutive councillor Elizabeth Wong has clari-
fied that the cost is actually RM3 million.  shut down by the city council,” said Ga-
Wong pointed out that MBPJ should en-
force a “no dumping and no grease” ruling as
a condition for licence renewal for restaurants.
“I don’t think restaurants will dare to dump
food into the drains or leave their grease traps
uncleaned if we enforce the [three-strike]
rule,” she said.
She also said MBPJ should conduct more
checks on sewage tanks with Indah Water
Konsortium.
MBPJ and other agencies show the environmental condition of Taman Jaya. “IWK must inform the Department of
Class III means very significant pollution. Environment of any treatment facilities that
are leaking raw, untreated sewage,” she said.
Councillor Cynthia Gabriel agreed that
drastic measure have to be taken to ensure the
lakes are no longer polluted. 
“Restaurants found throwing food or
rubbish repeatedly into the drains will be
briel.
Under the “three-strike” rule, local au-
thorities can close eateries for offences com-
mitted for 14 days.
She said MBPJ was finalising a pilot project
that involves regular inspections of grease
traps at restaurants in the surrounding Taman
Jaya lake area.
Gabriel said the city council was also car-
rying out studies on converting the monsoon
drain that flows into Taman Jaya lake into
mini wetlands.

Syabas: Water disruption Selangor to reform PKNS

the board of direc-

caused by demand spike tors and new man-

SHAH ALAM: The water disruption that af-
fected around 9,000 consumers in Klang Valley
last Saturday was due to a sudden spike in demand.
“Increased water demand on March 31 and
April 1 has resulted in decreasing water levels [in
the reservoirs], causing unscheduled disruptions
in some areas, including Subang Jaya,” Syarikat
Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) said in a statement
on Tuesday.
“This incident shows that densely populated
regions in urban areas have started to experience
water shortages due to high consumption. The
main plants have reached their maximum capacity.
“Syabas would like to take this opportunity to
urge consumers to use water economically,” said
Syabas corporate affairs executive director Abdul
Halem Mat Som.
He said the disruption initially affected a small
area in Subang Jaya on March 31, but later spread
to more areas on April 1.
Areas affected in Subang Jaya on April 2 in-
cluded SS12 to SS19, Wangsa Baiduri, U1, PJS1
to PJS12, USJ 1 and USJ 2.
SS1 to SS3, Section 14 and Section 22 in Pet-
aling Jaya, Taman Lian Hoe, Kuchai Lama and
Taman Gembira also experienced disruptions due
to low water levels in reservoirs.
Abdul Halem said Syabas had deployed tankers
to supply water to residents after sourcing alterna-
tive supply from neighbouring reservoirs.
He added that reduced demand on April 2-3
had indirectly restored water levels in the three
reservoirs – Effingham, Bukit Gasing and Subang
Airport – to normal.
He said the current supply was exceeding de-
mand in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
The water distribution company urged the
government to develop alternative sources to meet
growing demand.
On Monday, the state demanded an explanation
from Syabas over the disruption.
 “Syabas must clarify this matter with the state
at the MTES (Selangor Economic Action Coun-
cil) meeting,” executive councillor Elizabeth
Wong said at a press conference.
Wong said water levels in the four dams in
Selangor were 94% to 100% full as of March 28.
“We will instruct Luas (Selangor Water Man-
agement Board) to investigate why water levels
in a few reservoirs have gone down,” said Wong.
Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh also
criticised Syabas for failing to alert consumers.
“Why wasn’t there an alert when water levels in
these three reservoirs dropped? Why didn’t consum-
ers receive any notice before and during disruption?
“What happened to (Syabas customer service
centre) Puspel, and what is its call-handling capac-
ity, especially during a crisis?” asked Yeoh.
She said her office had been “flooded” with calls
from residents who were unable to reach Puspel
last week.
Abdul Halem said Syabas would usually issue a
notice seven days ahead of any scheduled water
disruption, but they were unable to alert consum-
ers last week as they did not anticipate it.
They issued a notice on April 2, which was
published in the media the next day.
Abdul Halem said Puspel had 60 lines to handle
calls from public, and some of the callers might
not have been able to get through.
agement.
Previously, board
members only met
four to five times a
year.
With the ne w
email system, Khalid
said board members
can be informed of
decisions made by
the management im-
mediately, regardless
Executive council members Ronnie Liu and Dr of the amount of fi-
Xavier Jeyakumar with Khalid during a press nancial transaction
conference on Monday. involved.
“[So] that it be-
By Gan Pei Ling comes a collective
decision-making … the board members
SHAH ALAM: The state plans to can comment or give suggestions,” said
restructure the Selangor Development Khalid.
Corporation (PKNS), which has been Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar re-
in the spotlight in recent months due to mained tight-lipped on the fate of
alleged mismanagement and wastage. PKNS general manager Othman
Part of the state’s reformation plan Omar, whose two-year contract has
is to introduce a new audit committee expired and was supposed to have been
made up of “experienced and well-re- renewed in February.
spected” practitioners to scrutinise the Othman’s contract is being renewed
state-linked company’s operations. on a monthly basis until the comple-
“We want to change the culture of tion of the corporation’s ongoing audit
PKNS from a closed organisation to an ordered by Khalid.
open and well-informed one,” said “ We’ll announce accordingly,”
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim Khalid told the press.
after chairing the executive council PKNS’s misconducts were first
meeting on Monday. brought to light at the state assembly
He said PKNS will also adopt a in November 2010 by Hulu Kelang
more transparent decision-making assemblyperson Saari Sungib.
structure by setting up an email system Khalid subsequently ordered an
to ensure free flow of information to audit on PKNS.

Statewide futsal
By Basil Foo
SHAH ALAM: A state-wide District Youth
Futsal competition starts on Saturday with
competition
RM70,000 in prizes up for grabs.
The third annual Selangor Gen-S Futsal
Championship Tour will see contestants from
each district compete for the local title before
battling it out in the finals for the state title.
from Saturday
“The first- and second-placed teams from
each local council will join the finals at a state-
level competition,” said Amirudin Shari during
the competition launch on April 7.
The Youth and Sports exco assistant said
• Business suites from RM257,000 per suite*
• Low monthly loan repayment
from RM1,100
• Pay only 2% down payment to own
a business suite*
• Legal fee on Sales and Purchase Agreement
absorbed by developer*
• Limited units available
Land & General Marketing Sdn Bhd (136748-k)
Level 2, Block D, Sri Damansara Business Park,
Persiaran Industri, Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur.
Email: sales@land-general.com
news
April 8 — 10, 2011 7
futsal is a popular sport among youth
nowadays, and they are expecting a turnout
of 5,000, including futsal team members and
spectators.
Amirudin, who is also the Batu Caves
assemblyperson, added that a female category
was added for the competition this year, which
will be held only during the finals.
“ We will see the turnout of female
contestants this year. If it is good, next year we
will have a separate female category,” he said.
Prizes for the district level-teams include
RM1,000 for first place, RM500 for the
runners-up, RM250 for third place and
trophies.
Prizes for the state-level finals will be
RM3,000 for first place, RM1,500 for the
runners-up, and RM1,000 for third place and
trophies.
The first stop of the competition will be at
Ferro Futsal in Subang Jaya on April 9, which
will be organised by the Subang Jaya Municipal
Council (MPSJ).
The last stop of the tour will be at the state-
level finals at Real Sports Arena in Teluk Pulai.
Those interested in registering must be
between 13 and 35 years old and must live in
the district they register in.
Payment is RM120 for a team of five players
and three substitutes, which must be given to
their respective local council officers before the
respective deadlines.
For more details on the competition and
registration deadlines for the respective local
councils, contact 012-6879936 or visit www.
gen-s.com.my.
Amirudin (far right), Selangor
State Sports Council director
Nor Zamri Ishak (second right)
and local council representatives
at the launch.
8
NEWS
april 8 — 10, 2011
Former landfill a problem
seven years on
By Alvin Yap
PETALING JAYA: A former landfill in
Taman Manja here should not be developed
if the land is found to be toxic and emitting
harmful gases, said state deputy speaker
Haniza Mohd Talha.
“We engaged an environmental consult-
ant who said there should not be any devel-
opment in the area for 15 years, maybe even
30 years,” she said.
The former landfill is private property and
a developer has started building a supermarket
on the edge of the area, she said.
The Taman Medan assemblyperson claimed
the mining pool-turned-landfill is still toxic
and unsafe even after seven years of treatment.
The toxic level reached dangerous levels in
2004, and the Petaling Jaya municipality spent
some RM4.8 million to treat the waste from
2004 to 2006.
Haniza also refuted the Petaling Jaya City
Council’s (MBPJ) claims that the area is free
of toxins.
“They can say that there’s no more toxic-
ity, but the [former] landfill is very huge,”
said Haniza.
She said the city council should take sam-
ples from “all areas” in the sprawling former
Know Your Councillor:
Tan Heng Kim
By Basil Foo
TIRELESSLY serving the public for his
second year now, Klang Municipal
Council (MPK) member Tan Heng
Kim sometimes equates himself to hav-
ing two jobs.
“As I am also the president of the
Chinese Society for the Handicapped
in Malaysia, I feel like I not only take
care of the public, but also take care of
the handicapped,” he said.
In a phone interview with Selangor
Times, the councillor for Jalan Meru
Batu 8 said Klang has more disabled-
friendly facilities now compared with
previously.
A member of the disabled commu-
nity himself, Tan said there has been an
increase in ramps, parking, and toilets
to specifically cater for the disabled.
“Even local government buildings
such as the halls in MPK have been
equipped with ramps up to the stage for
the easy access of people in wheelchairs,”
he said.
However, there has been widespread
misuse of the disabled parking lots, which
are frequently occupied by vehicles with-
out the “disabled driver” sticker.
“There is a need for increased en-
forcement at the parking lots because
sometimes when officers come to put
compounds, the cars just come back and
park again,” said Tan.
He explained that the council had
already approved the implementation of
car towing and held an open tender meet-
landfill which borders PJS 1, PJS 2 and PJS 3.
“It is impossible for them to say that it is
safe without extensive testing,” she added.
She also claimed that illegal dumping in
the area still takes place even with warnings
from MBPJ.
“There is still illegal dumping there, espe-
cially domestic waste,” she said.
Haniza said she was still receiving health-
and environmental-related complaints from
residents there, some three years after their
health woes were highlighted.
An environmental consulting company that
was engaged to treat the contamination in
2006 had said they had managed to bring the
situation under control.
But solid waste and environment experts
cautioned against starting new projects.
In November 2008, Malaysian Waste
Water Association secretary Ismail Abdul
Aziz said the area at the landfill and its sur-
roundings should not be developed further.
He said the soil could sink if it rained
continuously, and would pose structural
flaws to buildings.
Experts say landfills and garbage dumping
grounds should only be used as recreational
areas.
In view of the land being unsuitable for
ing in February to acquire tow trucks.
Already experiencing some delays in
the tender process, Tan said he hopes
the towing will be implemented as soon
as June this year, barring any further
delays.
“Usually major projects like these
take a longer time to settle, like a project
to resurface Jalan Pasar Malam in Bukit
Kapar last year, which took five months,”
he said.
Tan, who is married with four chil-
dren, said he is able to drive himself and
walk using crutches.
He only relies on a wheelchair if he
has to move a long distance.
“As all my children have grown up al-
ready, it leaves more time for me to be a
councillor. But the only thing is, my zone
is mostly rural areas, so it can be difficult
to move around at times,” he said.
Illegal dumping is still happening at the former Taman Manja landfill.
development, Haniza has suggested to the
state and MBPJ to convert parts of the de-
commissioned landfill into recreational use.
However, she said the toxicity and gas
emission issues would have to be tackled
first.
Haniza also said illegal settlers were put-
MBSA mayor pledges
to improve connectivity
By Goh Chee Yuan
 
SHAH ALAM: Improving this city’s public
transportation system will be the top priority
of new mayor Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan,
who was sworn in on Monday.  Mohd Jaafar further vowed to develop the
“I intend to set up a Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) system to improve connectivity in the
city,” Mohd Jaafar said.
The former director of Selangor’s Town and
Country Planning Department is the Shah
Alam City Council’s (MBSA) sixth mayor.
He said the BRT could help ferry commuters
to train stations.
Mohd Jaafar acknowledged that while the
project would require proper planning, he is
determined to help reduce the number of cars
on the road.
‘Take advantage of MBSA
summonses discount’
By Alvin Yap
SHAH ALAM: The city council here is offer-
ing motorists a maximum 70% discount when
they pay their outstanding summonses effective
April 1 until May 15.
“This is to compel motorists to settle their
summonses before we take stern action on them,”
said a press release from former mayor Datuk
Mazalan Md Noor’s office on Wednesday.
The discount is also carried out to educate
the public on settling their traffic summonses
on time, the mayor’s office said.
Motorists settling the summonses from
April 1 to 14 are entitled to a 70% discount;
ting their lives at risk by cultivating the land.
“The land there is toxic, some places may
blow up [from gas build-up]. The fruits and
vegetables are not safe for consumption as
they are grown in toxic soil,” she said.
Selangor Department of Environment of-
ficials could not be contacted for comment.
He also said MBSA would monitor the
construction of basic infrastructure at the four
proposed Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations
in the city to ensure that the stations are acces-
sible to the public.
city sustainably and improve the city council’s
service efficiency by adopting modern technol-
ogy, including the internet.
Mohd Jaafar succeeded Datuk Mazalan Md
Noor, whose term ended on March 31 and who
has been transferred to the Public Service De-
partment.
Mazalan was appointed as Shah Alam
mayor in 2007 and is the longest-serving
mayor in the city to date.
His biggest achievement during his tenure
was effectively resolving the floods in the city.
those who settle the summonses from April
15 to 30 will get a 60% discount, and those
who pay their summonses after this date will
get a 50% discount.
“As such, motorists are asked to check if they
have summonses and to pay it,” the press state-
ment said, adding that motorists with accumu-
lated compound summonses would benefit
greatly from the discount.
Motorists can go to Shah Alam City Coun-
cil (MBSA) counters at G level at Wisma
MBSA, or to its branches in Kota Kemuning
and Sungai Buloh to settle their summonses.
Online payments can also be made through
the MBSA website at www.mbsa.gov.my.
 NEWS
APRIL 8 — 10, 2011 9

Chaos at
land briefing
By Basil Foo
KEPONG: Confusion over land status of
homes in Taman Ehsan here was cleared up,
despite some tensions, during a briefing by the
Gombak Land Office last Sunday.
The owners were unaware that they had
previously been given “qualified” titles to
their homes and were informed that their
“final” leasehold titles were ready for collec-
tion.  because they had received many calls from
However, some owners thought they
could change their leasehold titles to free-
hold.
The event started with speeches by Selay-
ang councillor Lee Khai Loon and Gombak
assistant district officer Nor Zaidi Ratiman
to about 300 seated residents.
But midway through the briefings,
the  programme  disintegrated into several
separate question-and-answer sessions as
residents began crowding around the
speaker’s podium.
Lee and Nor Zaidi fielded questions from
groups of residents, while Subang MP RSi-
varasa took to the floor to address groups of
residents personally.
“The purpose of today’s briefing was to help
homeowners to change their temporary titles
to final titles,” said Lee after most of the crowd
had cleared the hall.
He said they came to brief the residents
Subang MP R Sivarasa (seated right) talking to residents.
them after a land title issue in Taman Kepong
was resolved recently.
Most residents have been living here since to a new party, they still have to reregister ment receipt when heading to the Gombak
the 1970s and still hold temporary land ti- with the land office and will receive a final district land office to receive their final title.
tles, while newer house buyers already have title then. Suresh Genyeh, a 43-year-old Taman
final titles. “They cannot change from leasehold to Ehsan resident, said this was the first he had
“The difference between the two titles is freehold, and once they change to their final heard of this issue and would go to change
only the name, and residents can still carry title, they still will have the same conditions his land title immediately.
out transactions with the temporary titles,” – like 99 years, or 60 years,” said Lee. “A lot of my neighbours are like me, they
Lee explained. Residents were also told they had to pay [didn’t] know about this matter only until
This is because even when the land is sold a RM10 fee if they lost their premium pay- today,” he said.

Owners surprised by final land titles

By Gan Pei Ling Elizabeth Wong.

During the briefing, Gombak assistant
KEPONG: Residents of Taman Ehsan district officer Nor Zaidi Ratiman said
and Desa Jaya were caught by surprise most of the homeowners’ final titles were
when informed on Sunday that their final ready but had yet to be collected from the
leasehold tiles were ready for collection. 
 land office.

The residents, some who have been stay- “They can come and collect anytime,”
ing at the housing estates for three decades, he said.
were unaware that they had been holding Nor Zaidi added that final titles had
“temporary” or “qualified land” titles all been given to new owners who bought
this while.  
 houses recently or who have applied for
A resident from Desa Jaya, who only change in ownership. 
wanted to be known as Mrs Ho, told Sel- Wong explained that owners holding
angor Times  that she had not previously qualified titles could still sell their prop-
known the difference between qualified erty but could not subdivide, change the
and final titles.
 land boundaries, or combine the land with
“We only realise now that we can collect other lots.

our final leasehold title from the land of- Some residents also asked if they could
fice,” said the 70-year-old homemaker, convert their land titles from leasehold to (From left) Nor Zaidi, Wong and councillor Lee Khai Loon taking down notes while a
resident asked a question on the land title.
whose family has been staying in Desa Jaya freehold.

Selangor moves to protect

since the 1970s.
 Wong said the matter was out of the
An estimated 1,600 homeowners were
also oblivious to this fact and would have
remained so had it not been for a briefing
organised by Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson
Around 180 residents attended the briefing on Sunday.
state’s hands as the change in status could
only be decided by the National Land
Council chaired by the prime minister
with all states’ chief executives.
 alternative water sources
By Basil Foo
SHAH ALAM: Seventeen lakes, ponds,
and mining pools identified as emergency
water sources during droughts and short-
ages will be gazetted by the state.
“The state has agreed to the move as
alternative or additional water sources,”
said Elizabeth Wong in statement recently.
The state executive councillor for envi-
ronment said the sampling  of quality in
these water sources showed it is safe for use
during emergencies.
However, the public is also encouraged
to implement water conservation tech-
niques such as the use of the Rain Water
Harvesting System (SPAH), which was
launched last November.
Groups that have already implemented
the system include the Damansara Jaya
Residents and Owners Association, which
is using the water for their herb garden in
their community centre.
The system is also been used at the  Sri
Kelana high school in Petaling Jaya for
watering plants, cleaning exercises, and to
supply water to their fish ponds.
The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ)
has also made the use of SPAH compul-
sory in all landed property projects in their
jurisdiction.
MBPJ will also give reductions in the
Infrastructure Service Fund for develop-
ments in their area that have been recog-
nised by the Green Building Index.
Other local authorities in the state have
been encouraged to follow Petaling Jaya’s
lead in implementing these environmental-
friendly initiatives.
The Selangor Water Management Au-
thority will also intensify its promotion of
the rain-harvesting system. 
Also in the pipeline are projects as well
as educational programmes that aim to
foster a culture of conservation to en-
sure water resources are preserved. 
10
News
April 8 — 10, 2011

MBPJ to
address staff
parking
monopoly
By Alvin Yap

PETALING JAYA: Claims that City Coun-

cil (MBPJ) staff here are monopolising public
parking spaces in PJ New Town have been
brought to the attention of the mayor.
“Datuk Roslan Sakiman will be speaking to
MBPJ’s staff union on the issue,” said Derek
Fernandez.
The city councillor was responding to the
allegation from the All Petaling Jaya Residents
Association Coalition (Apac).
Besides occupying scarce public parking
bays, Apac president Johan Tung observed that Lee (second left), Wong (third right) holding employment contracts with other employees of the beauty salon.
MBPJ staff parked for free.

Harassed worker
Tung also lashed out at MBPJ staff for depriv- By Basil Foo
ing others of parking space on the first floor of
the multi-level  parking  lot behind Standard KUALA LUMPUR: An employee of a
Chartered bank. local beauty salon, who claims to have been

seeks legal aid

These lots are designated as reserved bays for mistreated and threatened at her job, has
MBPJ, while the public had to walk two floors up. sought assistance to take her employers to
Fernandez suggested that the council staff swap court.
their reserved parking space in the multi-level Wong Huey Siew listed a large number of
parking lot with that allocated for the public. infractions, including unfair pay, charging
Under his proposal, MBPJ staff who need employees a severance fee, and sexual harass-
to park their cars from 8am to 5pm would park ment by customers. holidays, and sometimes worked for months who claimed to be directors, but they did not
one floor up to make it easier for those who “We were also made to do work which was with only two days off. produce any identification and just gave nick-
might only park for a short while. out of our job scope, like painting and clean- “According to the contract, all therapists names,” she said.
“Staff should park one floor above so that ing,” said the 25-year-old during a meeting get days off but not if they stay in the com- The other three who came to her office were
someone who needs to park temporarily won’t on April 4. pany hostel, which is in the service apartments described as thug-like in appearance and be-
have to park on the higher floors,” he said. She said the unfair pay included a RM5 above Berjaya Times Square,” said Jenice Lee haviour, and, when asked who they were, re-
Fernandez also blamed Menara MBPJ for hourly overtime payment that was given to Ying Ha. acted violently.
the lack of parking space, saying the imposing employees working after 12am. “But according to the labour laws, employ- “I explained to them [Wong’s] rights but
tower was built without providing for more Her employers also charged her RM9,000 ees should have at least seven days off in their they accused her of leaving to another com-
parking space for MBPJ staff. when she requested to leave the company. first year of employment,” added the Teratai pany for more pay,” said Lee.
“It should never have been built,” he said. Wong also had to work during public assemblyperson. She added that Wong has since moved out
Lee hosted the meeting with Wong and of the company hostel but had not looked for
members of the media at her office in Taman a new job as she feared retribution from her
mrt pr
reside oject:
disapp nts
Muda on Monday. old employers.
Greater
She had previously arranged a meeting with Lee would be assisting Wong in her court
ointed
transp
p 8 with FOarency com
From

Where to get
I bill
the employers on March 24 to resolve the case in the coming month.
m
to gh unities
etto p 4 p 12-13
s

commun
ity
matter, but reached an impasse as she said they She advised other employees who might be
were aggressive and uncooperative. facing similar situations at their workplace to
March
18 — 20,
2011/
issue 16
“Six of them came, two women and a man lodge a report with the labour court.

Timely intervention
reaDY
Workers To
preparin HIT THe SKI
air balo g eS:
on in the to launch a
War sha hot
during s” character pe of “Sta
the Dar r
Hot air putrajaya Inte th Vader
Ballon
Fiesta rnational
– Pictu
yesterda
re by Victo y.
r Chon
g

gets school its roof

LRT Stations (Distribution by Empire
hand) – Morning Subang
Ampang – Sentul Timur Amcorp Mall
Klang Centro
By Gan

Ampang
Pei Ling

MPSJ t
su Ba
ng
films, liter jaYa:
dedicate ature and even There are

“mosquo unleash
Cahaya
eat dog d to the old sayin song s
swoop by”, but in an g of “dog

PETALING JAYA: Sekolah Kebangsaan classrooms on the top floor of the three-storey
inno
cil, the “doga local municip vative
by a mos ” will soon al coun

Hypermar-
quit be replaced-

Cempaka
In a pilo o.
taken soon t project to
Municip between the Sub be under-

ito eater Methodist will finally be getting its roof re- Methodist kindergarten building.
al
versiti Sain Council (MP ang Jaya

kets
Ban k Bhd s Malaysia andSJ), Uni-

Pandan Indah soon be , mosquito

used
CIM
larvae willB

”
The larv to combat
Mosquit ae of the Toxo deng ue.
species of oe, which prey rchynchites

Pandan Jaya (From Satur- placed after Petaling Jaya City (MBPJ) Part of the roof of two of the classrooms
be employe mosquit s on othe feed on
o larva r hum
threat.  d to redu e, will soon The loca an blood but
ce the deng
The pilo ue gether with l council is wornectar.
the univ king to- USM , which
“mosqui t project to project ersity on
a pilot fully sponsoredcost RM60,000,

day noon)
mosquit to release Toxorhy

Sentul Timur
mosquit to eater” to redurelease the

councillors and the Ministry of Education collapsed, causing rain to damage the desks,
oes is bein ce USJ 1 tooes at an abandon nchites coun If the trial by CIMB Ban is this
the MPSJ.  g carried Aedes is succ k. mon
mosquit th by monitoring
A Toxorhyn out by populat see if it can ed area in othe cil plans to appl essful, the loca o pop the Aed
ion of Aed reduce r areas with y the met l
up to 158 chite s effec tively. es mosquit the in hod to doned area in ulation at the abanes
to 400 larvae can eat representativ oes outHowever, Ada its municipality.

Tesco
USJ 1.

Sentul
dur ing Asked whe Later, -
its life Aed es larv
tim e, said ae
with  MP
SJ
es during
a brie mos quit ther the
that Toxo
rhyn
nan also
poin 600 Toxo they will relea

(MOE) intervened.
Unlike officials on Mar fing USM oes would distu release of the can only thrive chites mosquit ted the area rhynchites mos se around

chairs and tables.

  USM
Toxorhyn other mosquit ch 11.  said science officer rb ecosystem tion, so
the
in areas
with oes fem , with quit
ales in each 100 males andoes in
chites mos oes, it Adanan s, met vege
quitoes adult mosquitwould not as Toxo Che Rus in flats and apar hod cannot be ta- batch. 100

(Puchong,
do not tments. used The enti
oes is a natu rhynchite “This is six re trial will
This proj ral s help only months take arou
ect betw specie. curb the one of the tool
spread of Adanan, to complete. nd
een MP Ada s to who

An initial request for the roof – which was Petaling Jaya Selatan Member of Parlia-
SJ and nan . dengue,” in visit
He said said tionJanuary to iden ed Subang Jaya
they will s to cond tify suita

Kelana Jaya – Terminal Putra Kajang, Mutiara,

begin the area in USJ uct the ble loca-
trial 1 was chostrial, said the
en because
• Turn
To pag it

blown off in a storm on Feb 17 – was turned ment Hee Loy Sian and the three councillors
e6

Kelana Jaya Bukit Tinggi, Setia Alam, Am-

Taman Bahagia pang, Extra Shah Alam, Kepong) down by the state education department be- also donated RM15,000, with the school
Taman Paramount Giant (Puchong, Kajang,
Asia Jaya Subang Jaya, Bukit Tinggi, Setia
cause the school, being a missionary school, board contributing RM10,000.
Morning Wet Markets
Taman Jaya Alam, Kota Kumuning) (Saturday morning)
was privately funded. (The state education Yeoh also contacted Deputy Education
Universiti Carrefour (Bukit Rimau) Jalan SS2/62 department comes under the purview of the Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong’s office.
Sri Rampai Jusco (Bukit Tinggi) Taman Medan federal government.) The ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Dr
Wangsa Maju Metro Point, Kajang Jalan 17/27 However, a change of heart occurred, and Rosli Mohamed, toured the school and an-
GM Klang Taman Kuchai Lama
Sri Petaling – Sentul Timur Taman OUG
MOE later stepped in to provide RM50,000. nounced that funds would be provided for
Taman Melati Commuter Stations Pasar Taman Megah This was after MBPJ councillors contacted repairworks.
Sri Petaling (Distribution by hand) – Morning Pasar Jalan Othman them and also held a press conference to Yeoh said SK Methodist was now 51 years
Bukit Jalil Sentul – Port Klang Pasar Jalan 17/2 highlight the issue. old and in urgent need of refurbishment to
Bandar Tasik Selatan Port Klang Pasar Sek 14
Salak Selatan Bukit Badak
“The state education department said they repair the structure.
Pasar Seri Setia SS9A/1
Shah Alam Pasar Kg Chempaka
could not render assistance as SK Methodist’s Yeoh urged residents in Section 5 and the
Shopping Malls Subang Jaya Taman Tun Dr. Ismail land belonged to the church. surrounding area to contribute towards a fund
(From Saturday noon) Jalan Templer “A few of us councillors then held a press to maintain the school.
1 UTAMA Petaling Hospital conference [the next day] to highlight the The school’s Parent-Teacher Association
Tropicana Mall Forrest Medical Centre
Sunway Pyramid Rawang – Seremban issue,” said councillor Richard Yeoh. committee members have been told by MOE
The Curve Kuala Kubu Baru Colleges The meeting with the press was also at- to come out with a working paper on refur-
IOI Mall Sungai Buloh Help Institute tended by fellow councillors Derek Fernandez bishment plans.
IOI Business Park Kepong Sentral College Bandar Utama (KBU) and Tan Suie Ko. MOE says it will match ringgit-for-ringgit
Ikano Power Centre Kepong Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia The freak storm on Feb 17 damaged three funds that the school board is able to raise.
 Views 11
April 8 — 10, 2011

Teohlogy
patrick teoh
A
s I sit down to write this a
lot of funny things are hap-
pening in my country. Sex
scandals. Snap elections threats.
Detailed explanations of when a
Bribe is not a Bribe but a Gift.
The list goes on, so much so that
it is almost impossible to have a day
pass without something to laugh
about. But sometimes, after the
laughter ceases, the same events
bring tears to our eyes.
Here’s something funny to start
with. Some days ago I commented
on my Facebook page about the
deputy prime minister proudly an-
nouncing that he feels that there is
“growing public support” for Bar-
isan Nasional, which, to him, has
boosted the coalition’s confidence
in “wresting” back Selangor from
Pakatan Rakyat.
I commented that being the rul-
ing federal government, there are
allegedly quite a number of ways of
cultivating “growing public sup-
port”. Like postal votes which ap-
He who laughs last…
pear magically from … somewhere
la, because nobody really knows or
says where they are from. (As far as
I know, only very few Malaysians
are allowed to send in postal votes.
Well, maybe not that few, actually.
No, ah? Anyway.)
Like illegal voter transfers. You
know what that is, don’t you? It’s like
you’re so very sure that you’re going
to be voting in Section This One.
“Ya la. Sure one! I do that before
ma.” On polling day you go to Sec-
tion This One and are told: “Maaf
ya. Now you need to go to Section
That One to vote because you have
been transferred.” Do they need
your permission? No. Do they in-
form you or need to? No.
Like handing out “goodies” dur-
ing or immediately prior to impor-
tant elections. Which one minister
has already proudly announced that
it is not to be considered bribery. It
is merely the government’s way of
fulfilling its elections promises made
during the last elections.
Said minister’s explanation is farprime minister fertilising the crops of years since his mother’s passing,
funnier. Read this quote attributed in the state of Sarawak. And boy, this friend still misses her very much.
to the Yang Berhormat: “For exam- is he doing a great job. It’s promis- And so as a loving, filial son he
ple, the handing out of sewing ing to be a bumper crop I think. looks forward to each general elec-
machines, if it is not given during RM73million is going to be dis- tion. Why? That’s when his moth-
election, it would still be given outtributed to schools in Sarawak. er returns to vote. At least, that’s
at a later date. What is the differ- Wah! Good innit? what the election rolls tell him.
ence? Is this an offence?” And most of the recipient Good innit?
schools just happen to be If you have lost a loved one, don’t
missionary schools. A big despair. The next GE is around the
If you have lost a portion of the funds will also corner, and I am quite sure that at
loved one, don’t despair. go to Chinese schools. With least some of you will be able to see
The next GE is around that kind of manure sure will returning parents, brothers, sisters,
the corner, and I am quite get bumper crop, right? relatives and friends very soon.
But in the same cerita, the So, don’t forget to go and register
sure that at least some best line came from the chief to vote at the next GE and also go
of you will be able to minister of Sarawak when he and check if your friends and loved
see returning parents, said: “… A lot of assistance is ones are going to make the trip back
brothers, sisters, relatives needed, so the deputy prime from the other side, okay?
and friends very soon.” minister is giving a little at a Also don’t forget to ask for your
time to solve the problem.” gift from your YB. Don’t need to
Ha ha ha ha! Of course it is not Giving a little at a time to solve the be shy or feel guilty for being part
an offence la. It is merely the gov- problem? Something has to have of this questionable practice. After
ernment’s method of public sup- been lost in translation! all, it’s only a gift ma. And what
port cultivation ma. Right? An online friend of mine lost his they will give you is rightfully yours
And as I am writing this I am mother to cancer some years ago. anyway. So it’s just taking back what
also reading about the deputy And although it has been a number they took from you. No?

A biblical perfect storm?

One year ago, I asked my
MAN IN BLACK Sarawakian friend in Kuching if
there could be a Dayak version
wong chin huat of Hindraf. The answer I got
was negative. The most op-
pressed among the Dayaks are

H
istory is often written uncon-
sciously.
When the Tunisian po-
lice confiscated Mohamed Bouazi-
zi’s vegetable cart, then President
Ben Ali would never have thought
that the innocuous incident would
eventually bring him, Housni
Mubarak and perhaps a few more
Arab leaders down.
When the Shah Alam munici-
pal officials tore down a Hindu
Temple in Klang on the eve of
Deepavali in 2007, little did then
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri
Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo – let
alone former Prime Minister Tun
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi – know
this demolition would eventually
cost them their jobs.
I believe when the Home Min-
istry officials stamped and serial-
ised the 35,000 copies of Al-Kitab,
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hisha-
muddin Hussein also did not
know this act would land him, and
more importantly Sarawak Chief
Minister (CM) Tan Sri Abdul
Taib Mahmud, into a huge politi-
cal storm, when many Sarawakians
are already angered by land grabs
and deforestation under his 30-
year rule.
No, it’s not the taking of a cart,
the demolition of a temple, or
desecration of 35,000 copies of
Malay-language bibles that moves
the wheels of history. They are but
the last straws that broke the
camel’s back.
often uninterested in any fight-
backs, I learned.
Even earlier, I had also won-
dered if there could be any
Martin Luther King Jr-like fig-
ure rising from the East. The
answer I’d got was negative, too,
at least not in the present. Chris- Martin Luther King Jr Mahatma Gandhi Barak Obama Nelson Mandela
tianity is not a yet a political
ideology capable of guiding voters If it really happens, even if just ans were once firm believers of that religious officials and the bureau-
in the polling booth, I learnt. one tenth of the targeted turn out, apolitical code of conduct. Only crats who are angered by this com-
Today, I am increasingly con- it would send shockwaves through after the Hindraf rally have they promise, and is worried that this
vinced that a Christian version – the whole of Sarawak. learnt that a show of strength can be may precede the government’s
instead of a Dayak version – of It’s eventually about breaking the a viable option. concession to drop the appeal in
Hindraf is here. They may not be the taboo that “politics” is “dangerous”, For years, the Hindus had wanted the Allah court case.
same as Hindraf, but the churches “sensitive” or “simply not to be dis- Thaipusam be declared a public For the rightwing Muslims, the
are now speaking louder for their cussed in public”. holiday in Kuala Lumpur but to no exclusivity of the word Allah is an
congregations, much like the Hin- avail. However, following that ideological battle that they cannot
draf lawyers four years back. rally, there are now specific pro- afford to lose. Pas and progressive
No, we haven’t seen any Martin Like the Hindraf grammes to help the Indians. Muslims who support the right of
Luther King figure yet, but the activists who found The “pray for religious free- non-Muslims using the word would
churches – in Sarawak and beyond an unexpected ally dom” rally in Kuching has have been vindicated.
– are certainly resembling more and in Pas, Sarawakian forced the PM Department Just a year ago, Sarawakian Chris-
more like America’s Southern Bap- Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jala tians were relatively quiet compared
tist churches which evoked the icon Christians may find to dish out a 10-point plan to with their Sabahan counterparts in
of Martin Luther King alongside it unbelievable that resolve the Allah 2.0 contro- the Allah row 1.0. That sense of ex-
Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Man- Pas is actually more versy, which is over the banning ceptionalism evaporated when
dela and Barak Obama. accommodating than of Malay-language bibles. The 5,000 bibles were confiscated in
Kuching is a city that shies away they had previously earlier controversy was over the Kuching port.
from politics. Even outspoken in-
ternet opposition supporters hesi-
imagined, at least on right of the Malay edition of
Catholic publication Herald to
Like the Hindraf activists who
found an unexpected ally in Pas,
tate to do a “Taib must go” sign in the word ‘Allah’.” use the word “Allah”. Sarawakian Christians may find it
the public. But Idris’s 10-point compro- unbelievable that Pas is actually
But three weeks ago, the Kuch- But what’s wrong with voicing mise was shortlived. Before he could more accommodating than they had
ing Ministers Fellowship held an concerns in public? Why must even get all the major Christian previously imagined, at least on the
indoor prayer rally where 2,000 to public interests be kept to private groups to sign up, it has already been word “Allah”.
3,000 people showed up. conversations while the most pri- shot down by Hishammuddin. But with the Al-Kitab issue head-
A 100,000-person gathering is vate part of life is good for public Understandably, the Umno ing nowhere for now, it’s increas-
scheduled for tomorrow, three days discourse? heavyweight has to entertain the ingly looking like another perfect
after nomination. The Peninsular Malaysian Indi- right-wing Malay-Muslim NGOs, storm brewing in Sarawak.
 Insight
12 APRIL 8 — 10, 2011
FREE TUITION FO
NEEDY SPM
STUDENTS
Executive councillor Dr Halimah Ali (front centre) with students who attended the state-sponsored SPM workshop in 2010 in Shah Alam.
By Gan Pei Ling
I
t has become the norm for students to attend tuition
classes these days. However, not all parents, especially
those from lower-income families, can afford to send their
children for extra classes.
As such, in 2009 Selangor began to offer free tuition classes
for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates whose families’
income is lower than RM1,500 per month.
Priority is given to students with average grades. The
students are selected based on their Penilaian Menengah
Rendah (PMR) and Form 4 year-end results.
“We’re flexible. A student may still be accepted if his or her
parents’ income is say, RM2,000 a month but have 10 children
to raise in an urban area.
“The point is to reach out to students who need the extra
help but cannot afford them,” said Nurul Imma Mansor, the
state officer in charge of overseeing the free tuition programme
called Program Tuisyen Rakyat Selangor.
The free tuition programme coaches students in four
subjects: Bahasa Malaysia, English, History and Mathematics.
“Some have asked why can’t the state offer tuition classes
for Additional Mathematics or science subjects, but the state
has to be fair to students from all streams.
“So after much consideration, the state decided to stick to
the four core subjects that all students have to sit for in SPM,”
Nurul Imma told Selangor Times.
The state allocates RM3.45 million for Program Tuisyen
Rakyat Selangor each year. The programme falls under state
executive councillor Dr Halimah Ali’s education portfolio.
Since 2009, more than 8,800 students have benefited from
the free tuition programme – 4,333 students in 2009, and the
number has increased slightly to 4,508 in 2010.
This year, 3,794 students have been accepted into the
programme since registration started in February.
 
Transcending political divide to reach students
Despite its benefits, Selangor faced several challenges in
getting students and teachers to join the programme when it
was first implemented in 2009.
“Nobody had heard about Program Tuisyen Rakyat
Selangor then, but now it has become increasingly popular,
especially in the semi-rural and rural areas,” said Nurul Imma.
In 2010, the state’s free tuition programme was so well-
received that 25 out of the 56 constituencies, mostly semi-rural
or rural, reached the state’s maximum cap of 100 students per
constituency.
Thirteen out of these 25 constituencies are under Barisan
Nasional (BN). Among them, Dusun Tua and Semenyih even
exceeded their limit by having 130 and 160 students each.
This year, over 170 students from the Sungai Panjang
constituency (BN) have expressed interest in the programme,
but they can only accommodate a maximum of 140 students.
Nurul Imma said the coordinators from these constituencies
have to look for other sources of funding to support additional
students.
In stark contrast, the free tuition programme only received
lukewarm response in urban and more affluent constituencies
like Subang Jaya, Bukit Gasing, Bukit Lanjan and Kampung
Tunku.
Subang Jaya only had 22 students last year, Bukit Gasing
20 students, while Bukit Lanjan and Kampung Tunku did not
have any.
Nurul Imma pointed out that students in urban areas have
more choices due to the abundance of private tuition centres
around town.
However, she said a lot also depended on the programme
coordinators’ individual ability to seek out students from
poorer families in urban areas.
A coordinator is appointed in each constituency in Selangor
to look for suitable students, experienced teachers and places
to host the free tuition classes.
The coordinators are central to the programme’s success.
 Improvements after tuition
OR SIJIL Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leaver Hazira Aziz used to fail
Mathematics, her weakest subject, in Form 4.
“I couldn’t understand what the teacher was teaching,” Hazira
told Selangor Times in an interview in Meru on March 27.
Fortunately, she was able to catch up after she joined the state-
sponsored free tuition programme last year.
of constituency. The rate is markedly lower than the urban rate of
RM50 to RM60 per hour, but higher than the RM30 per hour in
rural areas.
Bahasa Malaysia teacher Zainudin Tarji, 42, has been teaching
for 16 years. While acknowledging that teaching tuition is an
additional source of income, he said the best satisfaction comes
“I like the maths teacher Cikgu Nurhayati (Haroon) as she taught from the students’ improvement in their examination results.
in a way that was easy to understand,” said Hazira, who used to be “Without a pass in BM, the students cannot get an SPM
an arts-stream student from Sekolah Agama Menengah Tinggi certificate, so I always use this to motivate them to study harder,”
Sultan Hisamuddin, Kampung Jawa. said Zainudin.
Hazira was able to catch up on the subject subsequently as the Meanwhile, English teacher Siti Hawa Husin said she would
tuition teacher re-taught the Form 4 syllabus. identify the better students in her classes to help the weaker ones.
She went on to obtain an A for Mathematics in last year’s SPM. “We’ve to take a different approach with students of different
Overall, Hazira scored six As, two Bs and two Cs. But the fourth capabilities,” said Siti Hawa, 38.
child out of a family of five children is most proud of her
achievement in Mathematics.
Muhammad Zamzurin Faiez Zambry, who was studying in
boarding school Sekolah Menengah Sains Muzaffar Syah in
Malacca, is another former SPM student who has benefited from
Program Tuisyen Rakyat Selangor.
The aspiring computer scientist used to score C or D in his
History, but managed to score an A- in SPM last year.
“There are fewer students in the tuition classes here, so I feel
more comfortable to ask questions,” said the teenager, who joined
the tuition class late last October.
He said the notes provided by the history teacher were also very
useful for his revision.
The two students are among many who have benefited from
Selangor’s pioneer initiative to provide free tuition classes for needy
SPM students since 2009.
They were recruited into the programme last year by Baharom
Basiron, the programme coordinator for Meru.
Baharom said his ultimate aim is to help the average students,
especially those from families who cannot afford tuition, to improve
their grades so that they can enter college. Hazira (second from left) and Muhammad Zamzurin (centre)
The students attend the tuition classes every Sunday from 8am with other former participants of Program Tuisyen Rakyat
to 1.30pm at Sekolah Agama Rendah Meru. Selangor in Meru last year. 
Most constituencies organise their free tuition classes on
Sundays. However, programme consultant Mohd Din Che Ramli She observed that the students tend to ask more questions and
said some hold their classes at night, too. participate more in tuition classes if the group is smaller compared
He said in Kuala Selangor, for instance, the tuition classes are to in school.
held from Tuesdays to Thursdays at night. Siti Hawa said the most common weakness among her students
Mohd Din said it was up to the coordinator to decide the best is the lack of vocabulary.
place and time for the students and teachers, depending on the “I always encourage them to read more to increase their
availability of the centre. vocabulary. As a tuition teacher, I can only guide them. So, they
He has to regularly visit the constituencies around Selangor to must also put in their own effort and read more to improve their
check on the coordinators and classes to make sure things are English,” said Siti Hawa, who has been teaching since 1998.
running well. Mathematics, History, English and Bahasa Malaysia are the four
“Initially the schools were a little suspicious [of our programme], core SPM subjects offered in the state-sponsored free tuition
but they later realised it’s good for them too if the students improve programme.
after attending our free tuition classes,” said Mohd Din. Interested students or parents can visit tuisyenrakyat.blogspot.
He added that some of their coordinators such as com for more information and download the registration form.
those from Ijok and Sungai Panjang are former teachers. Priority, however, is given to students from families whose
As for the teachers providing free tuition for the monthly income is lower than RM1,500, with grades of B, C or D
students, they are paid RM40 per hour regardless in the four core subjects.

Current participants in Meru taking a break during
their Sunday marathon tuition classes from 8am to
1.30pm.
They must be able to maintain the students’ interest in the
classes throughout the programme. Otherwise, the students
may drop out halfway.
To recognise the coordinators’ contribution, the state
awards the best coordinator with an excellent service award
each year.
Not just a free tuition programme
Apart from tuition classes, six other free educational
programmes are also included as a package in Program Tuisyen
Rakyat Selangor.
Besides the core subjects, students get to attend the Smart and scored A or B in SPM after attending our classes,” said
Learning Programme during the first quarter of the year to Nurul Imma.
learn how to study more effectively. Executive councillor Dr Halimah would present the 10
Closer to the SPM examinations at the end of the year, students with an award at the official launch of Program
they are invited to join Program Pecutan Akhir and a special Tuisyen Rakyat Selangor each year.
SPM workshop for tips and techniques to answer exam “This also serves to motivate future students and show them
questions. that they can improve their grades too if they put in the effort,”
“Besides academic performance, Dr Halimah also wanted said Nurul Imma.
us to help develop the students’ characters and spirituality
through this programme,” said Nurul Imma.
As a result, the state has also introduced a motivational
programme called Youth SPIES for the students. SPIES stands
for spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional and social.
During a two-day, one-night camp, the students are exposed
to different modules that aim to develop their capabilities in
these five areas.
Besides that, Muslim students also get to take part in Solat
Hajat Perdana, where they are brought to visit mosques.
The students’ parents can also join a free programme to
polish their parenting skills and learn different psychological
tactics to encourage their children to excel in their studies.
Finally, when SPM results are announced, 10 students who
have shown the most improvement in the four core subjects
are honoured every year.
“These are the students who used to get C or D in Bahasa Students in Meru attending free tuition class for
Malaysia, English, History and/or Mathematics but improved Mathematics on Sunday, March 27.
14
VIews
April 8 — 10, 2011

Free and fair elections?

S
eriously, will we ever have a free and election period. ties to compete on an equal footing.
fair election focusing on bread and It also aims to educate voters on Providing equal opportunity to
butter issues for once? @firdaus_h via how to keep their elected representa- them would entail allowing them
Twitter. tives accountable and responsible. access to institutions that would al-
So UndiMalaysia hopes to inspire low them to compete equally. Exam-
Free and fair elections are different from bread a new political culture where voters ples of this are quotas in educational
and butter issues. The truth is we don’t have make responsible and rational choic- institutions and subsidies in eco-
bread and butter issues. Since we’re in Malay- es at the ballot box. When this is nomic opportunities.
sia, we tend to have more rice and rendang achieved, you will find your elected However, as with everything,
issues. After all, how many Malaysians eat representatives slowly focusing on there are two sides to the story. The
bread and butter? Even if they do eat bread, kuey teow and cincau issues. pros for such a programme are that it
they won’t stop at just butter, but add kaya or Finally, it’s important that you tends to boost competitiveness even
maybe just eat it with sugar. But hey, whatever understand that UndiMalaysia is for those sidelined economically, due
rocks your rojak. politically non-partisan, but we at to history of events beyond their
The truth is, the rakyat for the most part are Pusat LB love to party, son. control (like slavery and war).
focused on those issues. Most of the rakyat are Source: sxc.hu It also facilitates economic re-

W
having a hard enough time just eking out a liv- hat does Lord Bobo distribution and helps close the
ing, if not a leaving. think of affirmative ac- income gap between the rich and
The problem is that the politicians wouldn’t otherwise give tion? @fareez_shah via the poor, or, at the very least, slows
are not focused on these meehoon and you when there are no Twitter its widening.
sambal issues. They are more inter- elections. You should not The cons to affirmative action are
ested in poorly made sex video clips, also choose simply based Man. You don’t make it easy for us, that it discourages true competition
sodomy, more sodomy, sexual harass- on a political party. do you? We could do a three-volume and creates a perception of unfairness
ment – and did we mention sex? You should vote the book with this question because Lord to those who do not have access to
If the rakyat wants nasi lemak candidate based on their Bobo is so very learned. But let’s try such policies.
and sambal sotong issues, then they track record and what our best to address this. Ultimately, Lord Bobo is not in-
have to tell their state councillors they will do to alleviate What was the ultimate goal of herently opposed to affirmative ac-
and Members of Parliament their pressing issues in the local an affirmative action programme in tion programmes, but understands
concerns. Tell them to push these communit y such as, the first place? It was first imple- that it can be greatly abused if not
issues for you. Don’t let them dictate “What is your stand on mented on a large scale in the 1960s carried out honestly, meaningfully
what the issues are. If they don’t local council elections?”, at the height of civil rights move- and fairly.
listen to you and address them, then Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column by
or “Do you think domes- ment in America. It cannot also last too long or in-
vote them out when you can. LoyarBurok (www.loyarburok.com) tic marital rape should be First mentioned in the executive definitely. Affirmative action is sim-
As for free and fair elections, of where all your profound, criminalised?” orders by President John F Kennedy ply a temporary measure to assist a
course we will get there. Eventually. abstruse, erudite, hermetic, recondite, Ultimately this wind- and his successor, President Lyndon community or people who are ham-
The possibility of that kind of elec- sagacious, and other thesaurus- breaking initiative aims to Johnson, it was aimed at increasing pered from competing on an equal
tions has been given an added boost described queries are answered! help Malaysian make an competitiveness and combating dis- footing because of their economic,
with the recent launch of the Pusat informed choice at the crimination against non-whites and social or political deprivation, which
Rakyat LoyarBurok (Pusat LB) – ballot box. other minority communities, who happened to them sometimes with-
that Rakyat centre of undiluted pure that you, as a voter, should base your UndiMalaysia aims to educate were displaced and deprived of op- out any blame on their part.
awesomeness in Bangsar Utama – choice of candidates on their stand voters on their rights so they can portunities socially and economi- When it is abused, then af-
which will soon launch its Lord on local community issues. You make an informed choice and ask cally because of their race, religion, firmative action programmes be-
Bobo-inspired initiative cryptically should not give your votes away meaningful questions to the politi- origin, or the colour of their skin. come a tool of tyranny instead of
named UndiMalaysia. simply because someone gives you cians, instead of just relying on their Some of the policies were aimed a springboard to a more equal and
The idea behind UndiMalaysia is money or promises you things they ad-hoc promises made during the at empowering minority communi- just society.

Wong is joined by Storm Studio managing director Amri Rohayat,
Adam Swee, and Fazly at the launch of the competition.
Promoting Selangor
as a food haven
KOTA DAMANSARA: Prizes and holiday
packages are up for grabs as the Selangorlicious! Food
Blogging Competition gets under way until May 31.
The quest to determine the best foodie is organised
by Tourism Selangor to  highlight the state as a food
destination and collect entries for a food guide to
everything yummy in Selangor.
“The aim [of the competition] is to put Selangor on
the map as a food destination for local and foreign
tourists,” said Elizabeth Wong.
The state executive councillor for tourism said just
as health and education tourism have proven to be viable
ideas, food tourism will appeal to those who are keen
to try something new.
The joint organisers are Storm Studio and Bright
Lights After Midnight, two Klang Valley-based creative
agencies that came up with the unique idea to promote
food tourism.
A series of activities has been planned throughout
the year, making food tourism in Selangor an ongoing
programme.
June has been earmarked as the official food month
for Selangor, and the competition will kickstart the
event by highlighting the state as a food haven.
“The competition is a short cut to identifying the
best food available in Selangor by mobilising bloggers
to uncover delicious delights,” said Fazly Razally.
The Tourism Selangor events and marketing manager
said the blogs would encourage people to visit the
various districts of Selangor as the competition covers
the entire state.
Existing and new bloggers are encouraged to take
part in the competition, which begins on May 1.
Participants can visit www.selangorlicious.my for more
information.
The competition is open to people of all ages.
Participants can write about their meals at any food
outlet, big or small, in 400 to 800 words. Blogging about
home-cooked meals is not accepted.
Each entry must be accompanied by photos of the
meal and submitted via the website.
Prizes:
1st – RM5,000 and a holiday package.
2nd – RM3,000 and a holiday package.
3rd – RM1,500 and dinner vouchers.
Consolation – 3xRM500 cash prizes and dinner
vouchers.
Best Food Photography – RM1,000 and a digital
SLR camera.
Best Food Photography (Runner-up) – a digital
camera.
Best Food Photography (Consolation) – a digital
camera.
Weekly prizes – Goodie hampers.
 news 15
April 8 — 10, 2011

Smoother roads
By Basil Foo

PETALING JAYA: A free car park has been built

in Section 10 on Jalan Gasing to alleviate the longstand-
ing problem of insufficient parking space and traffic

with free car park

congestion.
“We are thankful for this great project, which we
were also involved in during the input-gathering ses-
sions,” said Ronald Danker at the car park launch on
April 2.
The Section 10 Residents Association president said
the traffic congestion, which had occurred for over 10
years, was made worse by the nearby SMJK Katholik
school.
There were also regular occurrences of double or
sometimes triple parking because of the nearby St Fran-
cis Xavier Church.
“One of the problems of urbanisation is parking. This
is to ease some of your problems,” said Petaling Jaya City
Council (MBPJ) councillor Derek John Fernandez.
He said the budget for the project, at a cost of
RM465,000, was approved in 2009. But the car park
was only constructed this year and took three months
to complete.
The parking lot contains 116 bays and is only open
to light vehicles like cars and vans. Heavy vehicles like
lorries and buses are barred using a height limit barrier.
Members of the public will be able to park their cars
from 7am to 9.30pm every day, but their vehicles might
get towed if they leave them past the The free car park at Petaling Jaya Section 10, which was open for
time limit. public use recently.
“At the moment there will not be Datuk Mohammad Roslan Sakiman. be out soon.
any overnight parking to avoid Commuters were urged to take Fernandez also said plans for ad-
people abandoning their vehicles care of the cleanliness of the park- ditional free car parks in the city
here,” said Fernandez. ing lot as it is meant for public use, have been considered, and the next
The parking lot, situated next to and as the council cannot afford to area would be near the Asia Jaya
several well-known chicken rice have weekly gotong-royong to LRT (Light Rail Transit) station.
restaurants, aims to reduce the num- clean the place. “I have also begun an application
ber of cars being parked on road He also said a task force will be process to get the support of the
shoulders, especially along roads formed to clamp down on litter- state government to use their fixed
10/1, 10/4, and 10/5. bugs by issuing fines within two reserves [for projects like this],” he
In a council statement, the police, months. Flyers on the decision will added.
beginning from April 15, will be
issuing summonses along those
three roads.
(Front, from left) Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Edward Lee, SMJK
“We will also be installing closed- Katholik principal Lee Kim Lai, Fernandez, and Datuk Roslan.
circuit cameras (CCTV) in the car Selayang tops
dengue cases
park at a cost of RM33,000 and a under Tenaga Nasional Berhad will be about 12ft above the car park.
netting above it for RM100,000,” (TNB) electric cables. “We will consult TNB for addi-
he said. According to Fernandez, TNB tional advice, but putting the netting
The netting is a metal wiring to had approved the safety aspect of the is a long-term plan to keep the car
cover the car park as it is situated project, and the netting wire mesh park safe,” said Petaling Jaya mayor SELAYANG: The Selayang methods under the Destruction

Plan to ensure taps run clean

Municipal Council (MPS) has of Disease-Bearing Insects Act
so far recorded the highest num- 1975.
ber of dengue cases in Selangor “Out of the premises that were
this year. checked, three areas have been
By Alvin Yap landfill sites at Sungai Kem- A report monitoring dengue found to be dengue hotspots
bong and Sungai Pajam are cases in the municipality showed (Dahlia and Palma Apartments in
PUTRAJAYA: World Health being managed and treated to 151 positive cases from January to Bandar Country Homes and Ta-
Organisation (WHO) standards prevent leachate from reach- March 15. man Muhibbah Batu 16),” he said.
are now being used to safeguard ing groundwater. While there have been no ca- When asked if MPS would
vital fresh water from the Seme- “That programme is on sualties, MPS plans to increase the follow the Subang Jaya Municipal
nyih river and dam. track. Previously it was dicey number of gotong-royong activi- Council’s lead in releasing mos-
Konsortium Abass Sdn Bhd as no one was managing the ties to increase awareness on the quito eaters to destroy dengue
(Abass), which treats the water, landfill,” explained Abas. disease. mosquitos, Zainal said, “If MPSJ
said the new standards are part of He was referring to an “I urge councillors to work is undertaking the study to see the
the company’s water safety plan Abas Abdullah (left) and Abbas senior incident in September last with residents’ committees to effectiveness of the mosquito kill-
to safeguard drinking water.  manager Sazli Mohd Salleh. year when the water treat- hold activities that will make ers, there is no point in repeating
Abbas  chief executive Abas ment plant here was shut people aware of dengue mosquito their study.”
Abdullah said they continue to face ecological and envi- down for the whole day due to leachate leaking into breeding habits,” said MPS chair- Also discussed at the meeting
ronmental challenges in treating water from upstream.  Sungai Kembong and Sungai Semenyih. person Datuk Zainal Abidin. was the collection of assessment
“The challenges at Hulu Semenyih are from landfills The situation, he said, was currently under control due He said dengue could only be tax by the council, which until
at Sungai Kembong and Sungai Pajam. We are also af- to treatment and monitoring from World Wide Holdings eradicated when the public heed February had received RM29.5
fected by illegal sand-mining activities,” he said. under its subsidiary Worldwide Landfills Sdn Bhd. warnings that Aedes mosquitoes million from a total of RM35.1
“Another problem is ammonia content due to old Abas said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had breed in stagnated water. million.
Indah Water Konsortium treatment plants upstream.” visited the landfill site at Sungai Pajam recently, and ex- In his speech at a council meet- Also collected were assessment
Abas said the plan is part of the National Water Ser- pressed concern over the environmental issues. ing on March 30, he announced tax arrears of RM2.7 million.
vices Commission’s (SPAN) move to ensure safety of He also said Abass is looking into ways to reduce that 67 cases were reported in “As this is the main income of
drinking water through the use of risk assessment man- sludge waste from treating upstream water. February, with the MPS carrying the council, we will continue to
agement from “catchment to consumer”. Abas explained that the company is partnering with out fogging operations on 45,639 push for payment of the remain-
The company is applying for International Standardi- local universities in carrying out research on turning premises. ing assessment tax [owed to us] so
sation Organisation and Risk Management certification sludge into biodegradable waste. Out of 1,848 residential and that we can proceed with develop-
with Moody’s Risk Management Agency. The plant is part of the Sungai Semenyih Water Sup- business premises that were ment projects,” said Zainal.
“The auditors from Moody’s will audit us on com- ply Scheme. It produces 135 million gallons of water checked, 100 were found to have He added that the council
pliance with international standards in water produc- daily to parts of Bandar Baru Bangi, Klang, Petaling Jaya, positive cases.  went to 1,979 premises for the
tion,” said Abas during the launch of the programme Puchong, Shah Alam, Sepang, Seri Kembangan and USJ. MPS has also issued 18 com- collections, with 38 premises hav-
at its Sungai Semenyih water treatment plant in Pu- Abass is partly owned by Kumpulan Perangsang pounds to land owners who did ing their properties repossessed
trajaya last Friday. Selangor Berhad, a subsidiary of Kumpulan Darul not adhere to dengue-prevention for failing to pay up.
On the ecological challenges, Abas reiterated that the Ehsan Berhad.
16
food
April 8 — 10, 2011

Shelf decor.

By Basil Foo

C
onsisting of indoor and outdoor sections that were
always full of customers, The Little Pantry in IOI Mall
Puchong seemed to be a favourite among diners here.
The first time we noticed this restaurant was during
Valentine’s Day recently, but what attracted our attention
most was the prevalent use of pink and flowers.
The outdoor entrance was decorated like a garden patio,
and upon entering, we were greeted cheerfully by wait-
resses in French maid-like uniforms.
The expansive establishment also included a closed section, Flower decor at the indoor entrance of The Little Pantry.

Saying it
possibly for private parties, which
looked like the dining room of a
meticulously designed house.
While restaurants usually just
throw anything on their walls for
a vintage feel, The Little Pantry

with pink
seemed to have been decorated by
a tidy person fond of gardening
and tea parties.
The menu presented us with a
wide selection of Western and
Asian cuisine. We opted for the
former this time.

and flowers
Arriving as soon as our appe-
tites were sufficiently whetted
from looking at the food on sur-
rounding tables, the Spaghetti
Beef Bolognese (RM15.90) was a
hearty edition of the crowd staple.
While this dish usually suffers Soft Shell Crab Salad.
from insufficient sauce or overly salad with, as its seafood taste can was featured on a full page in the
floury noodles, the flavours of this be quite overpowering if eaten on menu, we had high expectations
version were a pleasant blend with its own. of this dish. We were not disap-
a side of Parmesan for taste. The vegetables were crisp and pointed.
The savoury dish had a good fulfilled all the expectations of a The lamb meat came easily off
balance of noodles and meat and salad, but the quantity of sauce the bone and was surprisingly ten-
retained its heat well, but none- left much to be desired. It could der, given that most other lamb
theless should be enjoyed as soon have been improved with more dishes we have tried have been of a
as it is served. varieties of greens. chewier consistency.
The Soft Shell Crab Salad Next up was the centrepiece of Mint sauce was not included in
(RM11.90) was a strong-tasting the whole meal – the Braised the original presentation but was
fried soft-shell crab with a mix- Lamb Shank (RM28.90) – which available upon request, and thyme
ture of greens dressed in creamy was arranged standing up on a was also used extensively in the
cilantro sauce. platform of mashed potato and dish’s sauce.
It is advisable to divide the crab mushroom sauce. Another hearty dish was the
in enough portions to eat the As an impressive photo of it S t u f f e d C h i c k e n B r e a s t
(RM23.90), which comprised
several chunks of the meat encas-
ing mushroom ragout and served Stuffed Chicken Breast.
with mashed potatoes.
The dish was a warm blend of
wild mushrooms and its accom-
panying sauce, but perhaps its
flavours could have been better
enhanced with some cheese, like
a Cordon Bleu.
While probably costing more
than your average neighbourhood
restaurant, diners would be pleas-
antly surprised with The Little
Pantry.
Requests were promptly at-
tended to by the friendly staff, and
overall food quality exceeded ex-
pectations.
The Little Pantry is located on
the ground level of IOI Mall,
Braised Lamb Shank. Puchong. Spaghetti Beef Bolognese.
 FICTION 17 ARPIL 8 — 10, 2011

Cinta Satay
By Amir Muhammad “It makes things messy.” This made her look
at him in a new light. A man who couldn’t

S
he had six months to find him. She
would be reaching a milestone birthday
then, and if her friends gave her another
surprise cake, it would come with the customary
joke that a fire extinguisher would be needed
to extinguish all the candles.
She didn’t need a fire extinguisher; she just
wanted a guy beside her to help her blow.
Getting dates was the easy part, as she was
an eligible bachelorette. But each guy would
need to pass the satay test to go further.
The satay stall was a semi-autonomous
region across from a restaurant near her apart-
ment. The restaurant really came alive at
night, which meant that it was more fun to
be there with someone else. Satay orders could
be made to the restaurant staff but payment
had to be made separately, upon delivery, to
the satay-maker Sam.
His stall closed only on rainy nights.
On a dry night in the first month, she
brought a guy named Rais. He was full of
florid praise for everything about her. But she
noticed he didn’t even look at Sam when
ordering. Worse, he complained too loudly
when there weren’t enough nasi impit cubes
for his liking.
You could tell a lot about a guy from the
way he behaved to people he considered be-
neath him. Rais was rude, and so he didn’t go
further.
On a dry night in the second month, she
brought a guy named Daniel. He was punc-
tual when he picked her up, which was such a
rare quality.
But she noticed that he didn’t eat any of
the kuah satay. When she asked why, he said,
handle messiness would also be less fun and
spontaneous later.
Daniel was dry, and so he didn’t go further.
On a dry night in the third month, she
brought a guy named Ivan. He had great taste
in clothes and aftershave. But she noticed
something off-putting when he ordered the
satay.
“We’ll have only the beef. Chicken’s lame,
and mutton’s gross,” he told Sam. She was
taken aback. Did she have no say in the mat-
ter of which slain animal she might like?
Ivan was inconsiderate, and so he didn’t
go further.
You could tell a lot image source: sxc.hu
about a guy from the myself into a false state of comfort. So I force meat, as a toothpick that she felt dismay. He
way he behaved to myself to also eat mutton.” kept doing it for the rest of the conversation,
people he considered He went on and on, not noticing that her which grew less scintillating as it progressed.
beneath him.” eyes were glazing over. He didn’t want a date, Ghani was gross, and so he didn’t go further.
but an audience. Almost a month later, she was at the restau-
On a dry night in the fourth month, she Prakash was ponderous, and so he didn’t rant alone. It was raining.
brought a guy named Prakash. He had a very go further. Sam, who couldn’t open his stall, asked
nice car, the kind she could imagine disappear- On a dry night in the fifth month, she shyly if he could sit with her. She was surprised
ing into while forgetting the congestion that brought a guy named Ghani. He was in an but was happy for the company.
might be on the road or in her head. industry that was related to hers. So they had They started talking. They’d had no reason
But something happened as soon as he or- many matters of mutual interest, and that to speak to each other before; aside from the
dered 10 chicken and 10 mutton sticks for helped to keep the conversation lively. In capitalist barrier of customer/provider, she had
himself (she was not hungry this time). fact, everything seemed to go swimmingly. always been busy with her dates and he with
“Why?” she asked, since it seemed to be She thought she’d finally found the ideal guy his orders. But now that they were unoccupied,
expected of her. for the birthday party, which was only a she found herself having fun. She didn’t even
“It’s to remind myself that in life, we can’t month away. mind not having satay, because they ended up
always get what we want. We have to deal with She had no problems with how he chose, doing other things later.
even negative eventualities. So if I ordered only ordered or ate the satay. It was only when he Sam was sexy, and he skewered his way to
chicken, which is what I love, I’d be lulling ostentatiously used a stick, now stripped of the next stage perfectly.

Double joy for

Yee siblings

Talented 13-year-old figure skater Naomi Peh Ju Xian Haeger from Singapore.
Ryan Yee Zhi-Jwen,
15, Malaysia’s first rienced skaters of top level during the AWG in Kazakhstan
skater to pass in January.
the International
Skating Union (ISU)
“I started skating since I was six as I used to follow my mum
Senior Test. to the ice rink,” he said. “Figure skating is fun yet challenging
and it is a very good sport.”
By Alicia Mun Younger sibling Julian managed to edge out three other
skaters to bag the Junior Men’s category with a convincing
SUBANG JAYA: There was double joy for the Yee broth- performance.
ers last weekend as Ryan and Julian Yee managed to top their Julian collected 108.85 points, while second-placed Bryan
respective groups during the 6th Malaysia National Figure Christopher Tan finished with 98.2 points. Third-placed Chan
Skating Championships (MNFSC) held at the Sunway Zhen Feng finished with 98.17 points.
Pyramid ice rink. In the Ladies Junior event, Raya Willoughby defended her
Older brother Ryan, who is already a veteran in the figure title again after finishing with 74.14 points, edging out the
skating scene in Malaysia, grabbed the Senior Men’s crown other contestant Ching Siau Chian (66.66 points).
with a total of 135.44 points. According to competition director Norrizah Ismail, the
However, the 15-year-old, who represented Malaysia in the winners of the respective categories will go on to represent
recent 7th Asian Winter Games (AWG), was the sole entry in Malaysia in the various junior figure skating tournaments
the Senior Men’s category. this year.
Ryan said he felt good to be able to compete with expe- “The junior season is expected to begin in July and there
are eight Grand Prix tournaments,” said Norrizah.
“But we are still waiting for the organisers to decide which
country will host the competitions.”
Last weekend’s championships drew 83 participants,
aged from six to 26, from seven countries: Malaysia, Sin-
gapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, India and New
Zealand.
The panel of judges consisted of 2006 Winter Olympics
(Torino, Italy) referee Rita Zonnekeyn and Malaysia’s first
national judge Jennifer Low.
The 6th MNFSC is organised by the Ice Skating Association
of Malaysia (ISAM) with the support of the National Fitness
Council and sponsored by Sunway Pyramid Ice, 100PLUS,
Nestlé Milo and Shaklee.
ISAM president Datin Laila Abdullah said Malaysia’s big-
gest handicap now in terms of figure skating is the lack of an
Olympic-sized ice rink in the country.
“This has to be looked into urgently if we are looking at
being represented and achieving results,” she said.
18
TRAVEL
april 8 — 10, 2011

Fishermen’s market of
Pasir Panjang
A highway cruise to nowhere often leads to
surprising discoveries. LIN ZHENYUAN feels the
heartbeat of Pasir Panjang on a northbound journey

I
f you are on the road to Tanjung Karang fisherfolk. Others are involved in agricul-
heading north, Sekinchan will soon meet tural activities like rice cultivation and the
you halfway. Before long, you will be pass-planting of crops like eggplant, fruits, vegeta-
ing Kampung Sungai Leman. bles and chilli.
A few more minutes later, Pasir Panjang The rest of the people in this sparsely
and its green acres will rush to meet you. populated area hold jobs in the private, pub-
Anytime between 8.30am and 6.30pm, you lic and manufacturing sectors. However, in
will probably come across the fisherman’s recent years, development has crept up on the
market, or Pasar Nelayan. area and the look of Pasir Panjang is undergo-
The trading site is under the auspices of the
ing a gradual transformation.
Fishermen’s Association of Sungai Besar. The About half of the residents are farmers
heartbeat of this place emanates from Kam- whose average income is about RM1,000 a
pung Pasir Panjang. month. The farmers work on their own plots
Pasir Panjang shares its boundaries with of about one to 1.6 acres, and are mainly in-
Sungai Besar and Sekinchan. Kampung Pasir volved in oil palm or paddy. Their products
Panjang also comes under the jurisdiction of are sold to intermediaries and wholesalers
the Besut district council of Selangor. Besut is
who distribute them to nearby towns around
situated near the border of Selangor and Perak.the region.
More than three quarters of the population On the day I stumbled upon the fisher-
of Kampung Pasir Panjang are descendants of men’s market in Pasir Panjang, business was The sign that tells you business is in full swing.
Javanese who settled here around 1915. The operating at full throttle. The amount of
population of this village is about 3,000. agricultural produce was a feast to city eyes area as it was sold in abundance. There was a
Since the sea is within cycling distance, a like mine. market vendor who came from Kampung
sizeable number of the residents here are Petai seemed to be rather popular in this Lope in Sabak Bernam near the Perak border
to do business here.
Others were selling “kue teaw goreng”
and keropok lekor. At RM1.50 per packet
of the fried noodles, it wasn’t considered
costly at all.
Other enterprising women were making
good money selling Malay dishes. On a table
were plastic bags of beehoon with pre-packed
ingredients and gravy that is usually packed
separately for customers.
There was an ice-cream seller who sold
his sticks of “ais potong” utilising an uncom-
mon method. He had an aluminium tub
designed with cone-shaped slots. Inside the
tub, which could be rotated manually, were
chunks of dry ice. The vendor poured
chocolate milk or strawberry chocolate milk
from one-litre cartons into plastic tubes and
stirred the tub. Within minutes, the choco-
late milk would solidify and a customer
would have his “ice cream á la kampung”.
Quite an ingenious way of pleasing and
enticing young children.
Near the fishermen’s market was a mini
market that looked more like a grocery shop.
Fried chicken and nasi lemak are Nevertheless, the owner saw it fit to advertise
Petai lovers will love Pasir Panjang for its abundance. popular among kampung folk. his business outlet as a “mini market”.

Life is simple and fairly uncomplicated in Pasir Panjang.


Past-times in Pasir Panjang generally involve games
like sepak takraw, football and fishing. Anglers nor-
mally try their luck at the Kampung Pasir Panjang wharf
or at the nearby Sungai Nibong.
The Pasir Panjang district consists of 15 villages.
There is a local resort called the Nibong Beach Resort
located in Kampung Nibong near the Pasir Panjang
village.
Visitors who come here on weekends or public
holidays are usually from Kuala Lumpur and Petaling
Jaya. Apparently, the most popular stretch is nick-
named the “23-mile beach”.
People from as far as Negri Sembilan and Malacca
come here to enjoy the sea, the beach, the food and
deep-sea fishing. Boats are available for hire for anglers
who “want to catch the big ones”.
But daily market activities centre on Pasar Nelayan.
It is the melting pot of Pasir Panjang.
The simple country lifestyle co-exists with the agro-
Fried mee and
koay teow for
takeaways.
based culture of this rural settlement, where the
spirit of community co-operation or gotong royong is
practised in its best form.
Pasir Panjang is also well known for its version of
“tempeh”, which is a high-protein food made of par-
tially fermented, cooked soya beans.
The origins of tempeh can be traced back to Indo-
nesia. Malay housewives who are familiar with this
dish will tell you that tempeh can be prepared with
other ingredients like red kidney beans, coconut, small
white beans, wheat, oats and barley.
How it will all turn out depends very much on the
experience and culinary knowledge of the tempeh chef.
Apparently, Pasir Panjang has its share of tempeh ex-
perts.
Pasir Panjang is one of those small villages that’s
hardly a blip on a traveller’s radar, but when you stop
and have a good look, the sights and sounds will as-
tound you.
The ice cream
vendor who
makes his
own stuff.
TRAVEL 19
april 8 — 10, 2011
✂
Take 5 minutes to fill this form up and drop it off at
the nearest police station to have regular checks
at your house while you are away.
Ibu pejabat Polis Daerah Subang Jaya
Tel: 03-5637 3722 Fax: 03-5631 9815
Borang maklumat
Memaklumkan tentang meningalkan rumah kediaman untuk
bercuti.
Kepada Kawasan Pentadbiran Balai Polis
..............................................................................................
Butiran penduduk:
Nama: ..................................................................................
Alamat: .................................................................................
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
Nombor telefon bimbit/kediaman: ........................................
Nombor telefon yang boleh dihubungi: ................................
..............................................................................................
Tarikh meninggalkan rumah: ................................................
Tarikh dijangka balik ke rumah: ...........................................
Kenderaan yang ditinggalkan (jenis model & nombor daftar
kenderaan).
1. ..........................................................................................
2. ..........................................................................................
3. ..........................................................................................
Lain-lain maklumat:
..............................................................................................
............................................... .......................................
Tandatangan Tarikh
Have you checked
your electrical
switches before
leaving home?
Before leaving your home for a holoday, have you
checked all your electrical switches and turned off
your gas tanks?
Call the SS17 Bomba for advise at
03-5634 9444
20
FEATURES
APRIL 8 — 10, 2011

Cheating with technology

F
or this week’s insight into chess, I would like to touch
upon a topic of some controversy that has been largely
ignored until the French Chess Federation, in an
unprecedented move, took action against members of its
own national team.
They had used an elaborate system of SMSes among them-
selves to communicate computer analyses of their ongoing
games.
What was difficult to understand was how players of such
strength would need to do this, and if there were any real
practical benefits.
Chess is today regarded as a sport. Computers are widely
used in training, from databases of your games and that of
your opponents to studying or playing training games from
preset positions added by computer analysis.
It was also interesting that a Grandmaster had moaned on
Facebook about how his rating was slipping because he no
longer studied openings as he wanted to just play chess, but
could not help getting into trouble with players who were avid
users of technology.
But the shocker came following a game played recently at
the European Championship in an article titled Massacre of the
Innocents by “Mishanp”, on the website Chess in Translation.
Martinović spent even a little time thinking. Up to that point he still
Get smart! had his original hour and a half on the clock. The 30-second increment
for each move had been more than enough to conduct the game.
Play chess! 15.Bxe6 Nc6!
This computer trick could no longer have surprised anyone. There
By Peter Long followed:
peterlong@aol.asia
16.Bxf8 Qe5+ 17.Kb3 (or 17.Kc4 Rxf8 18.Bd5 Qf4+ with mate)
17…Nd4+ 18.Kb4 Qb5+ 19.Kc3 (Diagram 2)
Knowing what followed, it’s easy to recommend
withdrawing the knight to e2, but at this point Fe-
dorchuk still had not grasped the strength of his
opponent’s preparation. He simply didn’t know who
he was dealing with. It goes without saying that tak-
ing the pawn on e5, without having looked at it
beforehand, was problematic.
10.Nb5 e4!
I think that after this move Sergey must already
have suspected that he was in trouble. But it was
already too late. The fight had begun.

Sergey Fedorchuk (2662) – Saša Martinović (2504) 11.Bxd5

Aix-les-Bains 2011 In the line 11.Bxb4 Nxb4 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.Ne5
Nxc2+ 14.Ke2 Nxa1 15.Nxf7 (or 15.Rxa1 Be6
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.exd5 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Nc7 Nd7 18.Nxd7 Rac8! -+) 15…
Nxd5 7.N2f3 Bb4+ 8.Bd2 0–0 9.Bc4 Bg4+ 16.Ke3 Nc2+ 17.Kf4
And this is where it begins. Black would win with the exquisite blow 17…
Be2!! followed by 18.Nxd8+ Bxc4 19.Nc7 Nc6! and
9…e5! (Diagram 1) so on.

11…exf3! 12.Bxb4
And if 12.Bxf3 Re8+ 13.Be2 Bg4 14.f3, then even
an amateur would see the elegant mating conclusion
14…Bxf3! 15.gxf3 Qh4+ 16.Kf1 Bc5 17.Be1 Qh3#!
Never mind the computer.
It’s also not hard to guess that the line 12.0–0
19…Ne2+
Black wins the queen. White resigned, not even having managed
to get to the 20-move mark! You’ll agree that was a massacre. A top
class player was simply wiped from the board.

Feast of international
Qxd5 13.Bxb4 Qxb5 14.Bxf8 Kxf8 15.Qd6+ Ke8
16.a4 Qc4 17.Qg3 Be6 18.Qxg7 Qg4! (with a big
advantage for Black) would have been taken care of
by the great hurricane.

12…Qe8+!
tourneys ahead
Elegant geometry, don’t you think? KUDOS to the Malaysian Chess
Federation (MCF) for holding
13.Kd2 Qxb5 14.Kc3 both the National Age Groups
A desperate king dashes under fire and has al- and Malaysian Closed Champi-
lowed White to keep his pieces, but a new salvo onships in March, as there are
follows. many international events, both
official and traditional, that take
14…Be6! off this month.
This was the first move in the game on which Since the basis for the selec-
tion of national representatives
is already in place, hopefully
while all eyes will be on the Asian
Youth Championships in Subic,
Philippines from May 14-22,
where many of our top juniors
are expected to play.
Hopefully, Malaysia’s junior
champions will also try and make
it to the Asian Junior Champion-
ships in Colombo, Sri Lanka
from June 1-11 as this is the
banner event for aspiring young

Revenue collection
MCF will be consistent in the talents, and a great platform for
criteria they have formulated our juniors to vie for an Interna-
while remaining flexible where tional Master title.

improves in Selangor
By Gan Pei Ling
SHAH ALAM: Selangor’s 12 local govern-
ments collected more than RM977 million, includ-
ing outstanding arrears, from ratepayers last year.
Petaling Jaya City Council topped the list with close
to RM172 million in revenue last year, followed by
Shah Alam City Council (RM156 million) and Sub-
ang Jaya Municipal Council (RM155 million).
Councils from other urban areas such as Kajang
collected RM70 million.
In stark contrast, district councils from rural areas
such as Kuala Selangor, Kuala Langat and Hulu Sel-
angor collected between RM13 million and RM26
million.
Sabak Bernam district council, which has no sub-
sidiaries, recorded the lowest income with RM3.65
million in 2010.
necessary, because at the end of
the day, most of the top players
are not full-time chess players.
First up is the 11th Thailand
 The overall collection rate for all local councils was Open to be held at the Dusit
90.87% for current collection and 58.57% for out- Thani in Pattaya from April 11-
standing arrears. 17. This is the most “western” of
Executive councillor Ronnie Liu told the press on reg ular Asian International
Monday that overall, the local councils’ revenue has Open Championships and is an
been increasing steadily since 2008. excellent choice for budding
amateurs. For more details, visit
RM www.apcoa.net.
2008 892.52 million Next is the Asian Cities Team
2009 928.10 million Championship for the Dubai
2010 977.36 million Cup, which will be held in Ja-
karta from April 21-29, and
Liu advised the local councils to use some of their where last year’s National Inter
financial reserve to repair roads and improve local State Team Champions Penang
facilities for the people. will be representing Malaysia.
On a separate matter, Selangor also announced on World Championship quali-
Monday that it would fork out RM500,000 to rebuild fication starts with the super-
a burnt-down longhouse and repair mosques in strong Asian Continental Cham-
Sarawak. pionship in Iran from May 1-11,
Concurrently, the Sri Lanka
Chess Federation is also organis-
ing the Asian Seniors Champi-
onship. The next tournament for
young players to look forward to
is the ASEAN+ Age Groups
Championships which will be
held in Indonesia (Kalimantan)
from June 12-21.
This year, too, the World Jun-
ior Championship returns to
Asia and will be in Chennai from
Aug 1-16, and is a much bigger
deal if Malaysia’s top young tal-
ents are serious to see where they
rank among their peers.
MCF also plans to send our
top juniors to the World U-16
Youth Olympiad in Sanliurfa,
Turkey from Oct 23 to Nov 1.
On the local front, the Malay-
sian Open will be held from July
20-26.
 Media 21
April 8 — 10, 2011

SHAH ALAM: After the success

of townships in Damansara, Shah
Alam, Mont Kiara and Semenyih in
the Klang Valley, Sunway City Bhd
will unveil yet another iconic master
integrated development tomorrow.
Located just 3.8km from Kuala
Lumpur City Centre, the new devel-
opment, Sunway Velocity, is about
to change the way people live, work
and play.
The mixed commercial develop-
ment comprising service apartments
and retail shops will merge office and
home needs, recreation and wellness
with shopping and entertainment.
Sunway Velocity’s Phase 1A,
which comprises 124 units of shop
offices, is due to be launched tomor-
row. Its service apartments are sched-
uled to be launched in the second
quarter of 2011.
Sunway to
launch Velocity
Tomorrow’s launch will be at the
Sunway Velocity Sales Gallery from
6.30pm to 9.30pm, and will be held
together with the Velocity City
Street Party.
The retail shops are priced from
RM2.4 million, and office suites are
priced from RM1.2 million on-
wards. The indicative pricing for the
264 units of service apartments is
from RM600,000 onwards.
Unlike other developments, the
advantage of Sunway Velocity begins
with superb connectivity. This new
hub of activity will be connected via
major roads and highways, plus
public transportation including the
LRT and a proposed MRT station.
Sunway Velocity will also ease the
way traffic flows in this booming
quarter of KL with a direct tunnel
and underpass cutting across Jalan
Cheras.
The numbers and the facts are
equally impressive as KL’s next
landmark development features a
Environmen-
tal Deck at
Level 1.
lifestyle shopping mall of over a style and comfort.
million square feet, with more than In the heart of it all is the huge
5,000 parking bays, a pedestrian- Central Park. In line with Sunway
friendly environmental deck and a embracing the Lohas philosophy,
two-acre Central Park. the Central Park is a two-acre green
Beautifully integrated with lung offering tranquil and whole-
luxury service apartments and top- some moments to help balance the
notch shop-offices spread over 22 pace of work with play and leisure.
acres of valuable freehold land, For more details about the devel-
Sunway Velocity embraces the lat- opment and the launch, contact 03
est technologies in design and ar- -92055500 or 012-3189656.
chitecture to enhance your
life, day in, day out.
Sunway Velocity is also
where you can inject stylish
vigour into your life wheth-
er at work, business or at
home. The pedestrian-
friendly elevated environ-
mental deck links all three.
Basking in a lush, bright
and breezy ambience, you
can enjoy shopping or sim-
ply observe the scenes of
day-to-day outdoor living.
Al fresco dining and wining
takes on the ultimate in

GSC Alamanda celebrates third anniversary

GSC Alamanda
SHAH ALAM: Ushering a new chapter in
the coaching industry in Malaysia, Corporate
Coach Academy (CCA), the Malaysian
Association of Certified Coaches (MACC),
and media network Omnicom Media Group
unveiled the first-ever handbook for the
Malaysian coaching industry – Coaching
Standards.
Coaching Standards, which was launched
last Friday, aims to set the benchmark for the
coaching industry, guide coaches and coach
aspirants on the path to excellence, and enable
the sharing of best practices.
It also aims to educate the public to be more
discerning in differentiating between well-
trained coaches and untrained ones.
“At PHD and OMD (leading agencies of
Omnicom Media), we believe in putting
people first above everything else, and we are
relentless in our efforts in engaging, motivating
and nurturing our staff to excel.
“The launch of Coaching Standards is about
success, self actualisation, and achieving
outstanding results. As a group, we firmly
believe in staying true to our 3Ps principle –
People, Product and Profit.
“Sponsoring the first-ever coaching
Handbook on coaching standards
(From left) Vogiatzakis, Heah and Lim
during the launch last Friday.
standards handbook is in perfect sync with our
motto of walking the talk”, said Andreas
Vogiatzakis, managing director of Omnicom
Media Group, Malaysia.
Dr Michael Heah, CEO of CCA and
MACC chairperson, stressed that “one of the
key aims of this book is to help raise the
awareness in our industry, to become a catalyst
for change and to set an example for others
to follow”.
“Coaching is an increasingly critical tool
that is beneficial to both individuals and the
SHAH ALAM: Make your way to
Alamanda this month as Golden Screen
Cinemas Sdn Bhd (GSC) Alamanda
celebrates its third anniversary.
From April 3, moviegoers will be
rewarded with a GSC “Buy 1 Free 1” or
“Buy 2 Free 1” voucher with ever y
purchase of two GSC Alamanda movie
tickets in a single transaction, while
stocks last.
At the GSC concession counter, grab
a Combo 2 and be rewarded with
a Cars 2 car decal.
The Cars 2 car decals are
available in two designs, featuring
Lightning McQueen and Mater on
company they belong to. With their people the first, and the main characters
propelled to greatness through coaching, of the Cars 2 movie on the second
companies will forge ahead of others and design.
accelerate better results”, he added. This giveaway is for a limited
Omnicom Media Group is the media period, while stocks last.
services division of Omnicom Group, Inc., a On April 10, GSC will also host
global advertising, marketing and corporate the Hop Roadshow, featuring
communications company. games, activities and movie pre-
ICF is a non-profit organisation formed by miums to be won.
professionals who practise coaching. With Also be sure to catch the
over 17,000 members, it is the largest upcoming movies in GSC Alamanda
worldwide resource for professional coaches, this April such as Hop, Cun, Just Go
and a source for those who are seeking a coach. With It, Rio and many more.
MACC is an independent and non-profit For showtimes and further
national coach community of certified and/or information, log on to www.gsc.
trained coaches and coach-students of the com.my or www.gscmobile.com.my.
International Coach Federation (ICF) and GSC is the leading cinema
other coach-learning institutions exhibitor and distributor in
Coaching Standards is available free of cost. Malaysia, with a total of 180 screens
However, individual and corporate donations in 22 locations around the country.
will enable the printing of more books. Currently, GSC has 40 digital
To get a free copy, contact MACC at 03- halls nationwide, which includes
62054488 or email mikeheah@corporate- the larg est d ig ita l ha l l : the
coach.com. 555-seater GSC Maxx on the 10th
floor of Berjaya Times Square.
22
Gallery
April 8 — 10, 2011

More than 3,000 students attended

the state-sponsored Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia (SPM) workshop held in
Shah Alam late last year. The state
allocates RM3.45 million for this
programme, which is open to SPM
candidates whose families earn
less than RM1,500 a month.

About 300 students from

SM Teknik Sepang, Sekolah
Sultan Alam Shah, Sekolah
Sri Putri Cyberjaya, SMK
Precint (16) 1 Putrajaya and
Selangor Recreation Club
students were taught about
the water treatment
process by Konsortium
Abass Sdn Bhd last
Saturday in Putrajaya as
part of its public education
campaign.

Residents raising their concerns to Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson Elizabeth Wong,

councillor Lee Khai Loon and Gombak assistant district officer Nor Zaidi Ratiman
after a formal briefing on land and local issues in Kepong last Sunday. Residents
of Taman Ehsan And Desa Jaya were surprised to be told that their final leasehold
titles were ready, as they were not aware that they had been holding temporary or
qualified land titles all this while.

At the launch of a
Demonstrators protesting against voter-registration
nuclear power plant development at campaign – part of
the jetty of Pulau Ketam on Pakatan Rakyat’s Layar
Wednesday. The protest was Rakyat programme –
spearheaded by DAP division at a morning market
chairperson Ivan Ho Fook Keong, in Taman Greenwood,
Pas secretary for the Klang branch Selayang on April 3.
Mohd Prasad Hanif, and Klang MP
Charles Santiago (second from left).
On Charles’s left is Klang Municipal
councillor Yeo Boon Lye.
 Culture 23 April 8 — 10, 2011

Divas bring Vegas to Shah Alam

By Basil Foo

SHAH ALAM: A Secretaries Week

luncheon at the Shah Alam Convention
Centre (SACC) turned out to be an
intimate affair when two celebrities took
to the floor to serenade 800 guests.
The show, dubbed Divas Las Vegas, saw
invited crooners Anita Sarawak and
Noryn Aziz show some personal touches
to their performance as they moved table
to table greeting the secretaries.
“I hope all of you are having a good
time; if you’d like, feel free to sing and
dance along with me,” announced Anita
after she entered the hall to cheers from
the audience.
Dressed in a glittering pantsuit covered
by a large blue-feathered coat and looking
every inch the diva, she brought her own
brand of Vegas-themed entertainment to
the show.
Bursting into rock anthems like
Queen’s We Will Rock You and lounging
on onstage furniture while singing
sentimental Malay ballads, she also sang
Sinatra’s New York, New York.
“When I was performing in Vegas,
and although it is a song about a different
city, this song by Frank Sinatra was a
crowd favourite,” she said before singing
the song accompanied by Broadway-
style dancers.
Noryn also took time between her
songs to chat up members of the audience
and take pictures with them.
Hosted by Raja Lawak runner-up
Zizan Razak and actress Juliana Evans,
Noryn struts her stuff.
Divas Las Vegas not only treated guests to
a lunch spread but also lucky draw prizes.

Theatre / Music / Dance

Up for lucky audience members was a
set of luxury furniture from Empire
Classic Furniture worth RM45,000, and
a set of green agate and pearl jewelry from
Elegance Club worth RM60,000.
The most well-dressed secretary was
chosen to win the Best Dressed award and
went back with a gown from Ashley@
Kapas worth over RM3,000.
“It is apparent we have the ability to
host events of international standard,” said
Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad.
The SACC chief executive officer
stressed that not only was a performance
by the two celebrities highlighted, but
SACC also guaranteed the quality of the
food served.
Anita wows the crowd.
Indicine Live! 3
Theatre; Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts
Centre; April 6-17, 2011; RM35 / RM25; www.
klpac.org
Following a sold-out 2010 season, Indicine
Live! returns with more sketch comedy
highlighting various aspects of Malaysian life,
directed by KLPac’s director-in-residence
Kelvin Wong. Featuring the writing of Patrick
Lee, Ema Mahyuni, Adriana Nordin Manan,
Nina Shah, Freddy Tan, Tung Jit Yang and
Amir Yunos; starring Siti Farrah Abdullah, Sani
Zanial Ibrahim, Oliver Johanan, and Shirin
Jauhari, among others.
Madu II
Theatre; The Actors Studio
@ Lot 10; April 6-10,
2011; RM33/RM23; 03-
21422009 / 21432009;
www.theactorsstudio.
com.my
Polygamy. We hear about
it, we read about it, and
often we are told what to
think about it. What is it
like to be a madu (co-wife)
in a modern world? Writer
U-En Ng, in his directorial
debut, leads the audience
to contemplate the extent
of polygamy in Malaysia
and the controversial
issues that revolves
around it. Singaporean
playwright Alfian Sa’at’s
Madu II contains the quiet
hopes, shattered dreams,
compromised joys and
honest humanity of women
who live in polygamous
households. “It is at once
breathtaking as it is
Compiled by Nick Choo
Odissi Stirred
Dance; Sutra Dance Theatre; Kuala Lumpur
Performing Arts Centre; April 6-10, 2011;
RM53/RM33; 03-40479000; www.klpac.org
Featuring works from contemporary Odissi
choreographers Sharmila Biswas (Kolkata),
Madhavi Mudgal (New Delhi), and Ramli
Ibrahim and Guna (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).
Comprising three dance performances –
Evocations, Pallavan and Kamala – each
drawing upon and and inspired by the
Odissi tradition, one of the most dynamic
Indian classical dance styles. “One takes us
back to its folk and rural tradition of games
and drums; another moves us beyond to
the experimental, creating new works with
compelling images and messages.”
heartbreaking, uproarious in its humour,
pathos and outrage.” Featuring real-life sisters
Elza Irdalynna and Inessa Irdayanty; in Malay
with English surtitles.
Fantastikal Strings
Concert; Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts
Centre; April 9 and 10, 2011; RM35 / RM15;
www.klpac.org
Fantastikal Strings’ programme features
folk songs and well-known classical pieces
such as Pachelbel’s Kanon, Mozart’s Eine
kleine Nachtmusik and Dvorak’s The New
World Symphony. The ensemble will also be
playing the theme song from the blockbuster
movie Titanic as well as an old favourite
popularised by the late Teresa Teng, The
Moon Represents My Heart. Conducted by
Dr Takahisa Ota, music director and resident
conductor of the KLpac String Ensemble.
Published by Selangor State Government and printed by Dasar Cetak (M) Sdn Bhd No. 7, Persiaran Selangor, Seksyen 15, 40000, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan.