Selangor Times Nov 25-27, 2011 / Issue 50

bedridden youth needs financial aid
Lack of PJ hostels: an respect for the unregulated, blooming Constitution

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November 25 27, 2011/ issue 50
More restrictions on fundamental rights

By alvin yap
Petaling Jaya: Putrajayas Peaceful Assembly Bill is coming under fire from various quarters for being even more repressive and unconstitutional. The new bill, tabled for a second reading on Tuesday and debated this week in Parliament, is to replace current restrictions under the Police Act 1967. However, the proposed law would allow protesters arrested by police to be fined up to RM20,000, while organisers face fines up to RM10,000 if no advance notice of a planned assembly is given to the police. "The fines further restrict the ability of Malaysians to participate in assemblies. It does not guarantee the freedom of assembly, but clamps down on dissent," said Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) campaign coordinator Nalini Elumalai. She said the fines were aimed at financially punishing the public, despite the fact that freedom of assembly is guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. She also pointed out that the law, if passed, would provide the police with even more discretionary powers to impose restrictions and conditions. The new law would require 30 days advance notice at designated areas defined by the home minister, and canproceed unless there is objection by the police. The bill restricts public gatherings at petrol stations, hospitals, fire stations, airports, railways, land public transport terminals, Ang Nyet Ngoh, a ports, canals, docks, bridges, places 60-year-old tailor of worship, kindergartens and who has difficulties schools, as well as dams and reserwalking and using voirs. her right arm, received a motorised It states that no street protests wheelchair from are allowed, and bars any assembly state executive in or within a 50-metre buffer zone councillor Dr Xavier around the listed prohibited areas. Jayakumar (left) at The home minister can also deher home in Taman clare any place as a prohibited area Sentosa, Klang on by way of a gazette, while Section Wednesday (Nov 23). 15 of the Bill states that restrictions Story on page 4.
and conditions can be imposed for the purpose of security or public order. The bill is written to further restrict Malaysians the right to assembly and to disrupt the avenues for them to speak up against unjust economic or public policies, she said. The human rights activist said the litany of restrictions barred legitimate public protest. For example, what if the public has to hold an assembly near water treatment plants to protest against the price of clean water? What if there are water safety issues that we have to highlight? she asked. According to legal-reform and human rights group, Lawyers for Liberty, the new ruling still gives the police too much discretionary powers to approve assemblies. Latheefa Koya, the groups spokesperson, described the regulations as still draconian. The human rights lawyer and Petaling Jaya City councillor blasted the 30-day waiting period, describing the move as impractical due to the currency and urgency of public policy issues. Is this a way for the government to force a cooling-off period? Do we have to wait one month to submit a memorandum? she said. Social activists also slammed the
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news
November 25 27, 2011
By Alvin Yap
SHAH ALAM: Restriction on permits for new cybercafs, which have been frozen since 2006, will be lifted once newguidelines are in place to better regulate the business in Selangor. Under the new rules,patrons will be required to electronically register themselves with their MyKad before using the computers, while owners must use fully transwith Tenaga Nasional Berhad and local municipalities and councils parent glass in the premises. These are some of the requireSyarikat Bekalan Air Selangor to enough power to bring to book ilments that cybercafs have to satcut both electricity and water sup- legal cybercafs. isfy to either apply for a licence or ply to the shops, he said. He said unlicensed outlets often for renewal, said state executive Liu did not mention if the state reopen in new locations even after councillor Ronnie Liu. would give a grace period for illegal having their premises sealed and Liu, whose portfolio includes cybercafs to adopt the new system, hardware confiscated, as they usulocal government, said the state has but said premises are given two ally operate with fewer than five been working with legitimate cyyears to carry out renovations on computer units. bercaf operators to regulate the their premises in accordance with The action taken by local auindustry. the guidelines. thorities doesnt hurt their pockIllegal cybercafs, which purHe further said cybercafs will ets, Liu said, adding that the new portedly allow teenage patrons to have to install closed-circuit televi- ruling specifies that operators must gamble online or download por- a model of the approved cybercaf. sion cameras as well as light up the have a minimum of 40 computers in nography, have mushroomed across premises. order to get the cybercaf licence. the country. These illegal outlets are Liu reiterated that local governHe said Putrajaya should conHe quickly dismissed the idea state would not hesitate to come also believed to be a front for gam- that the system and equipment down hard on them. ments in Selangor still have their sider heftier fines and longer jail bling dens. We will go all out to seal the hands tied on the matter, as the Lo- terms for those caught running ilcould be hacked, or that personal The state, along with theSelan- information could be retrieved premises and will set up a task force cal Government Act does not give legal cybercafs. gor Cybercaf Association, is at- from the database. tempting to rehabilitate the image Liu said the system has received of cybercafs. positive feedback from cybercaf Liu said 20 cybercafs in Selan- operators, and that the study on gor have been testing the MyKad the cybercaf monitoring system is registration system for six months in the last stages. now, and another 100 premises Once the study is finalised, and have signed up to test the system. the details and bylaws are ready, it SHAH ALAM: Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahims adminis- party in order to invest. The system tracks users and will go to the exco for approval by tration is willing to cooperate with Putrajaya to ensure If the investment is alerts a database that will record late December, he said, adding that development projects in the state proceed smoothly. beneficial to all, brings The Menteri Besar, who was speaking at theJoint clean profits and boosts their visits to pornographic web- the state would not fully enforce the sites, together with their name, system until problems have been Annual Conference of the Malaysia-Japan Economic Selangors economy, we Association (Majeca) and the Japan-Malaysia Eco- will approve the project MyKad number and address. ironed out. It will also automatically limit According to Liu, the new by- nomic Association ( Jameca) in Tokyo,said political without bureaucracy, he the time that an under-18-year-old laws will act to cull illegal cyberca- differences between Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Na- said on Tuesday. patron may spend on the cybercaf fs in the state said to be around sional should not get in the way of developments that He asked his Japanese counterparts to continue incomputers to two hours. vesting in Malaysia, especially in manufacturing, bank2,000 in number and will give a benefited the people. The state has proven that it can work [with the ing and finance, and said taxes from new investments After the allotted time, the chance for the 650 legitimate opfederal government]. Im part of the committee on would ultimately be utilised for public benefit. computer will restart and lock the erators to survive. person out from using the facilities He told Japanese investors that they would benefit He said feedback showed that the Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley Project, again, he said. cybercaf owners welcome the pro- and I work with them to provide land in Selangor for from starting up business in Selangor, which he said is Liu said authorities will be able to posed ruling, and hoped that ille- development projects," saidKhalid during the con- administered with accountability and transparency. check the data to identify those who gal and unlicensed operators will ference. Khalid said the Japanese business community repHe pointed out that cooperation between Shah resent the largest investors in Selangor, with some have carried out illegal activities. heed the new regulations as the Alam and Putrajaya has ensured that the projects are RM1.2 billion worth of projects as of August 2011. carried out with accountability and transparency. Selangor, from January to August, had approved 18 Selangor WeaTHer He added that the public deserves the best benefit Japanese investments, which created 1,000 new jobs from money allocated for development. Friday Saturday Sunday in the state, he said. For example, I know that RM5 million has been Khalid also visited the headquarters of electronics allocated to develop and construct new sewerage sys- manufacturing giant Sony and met its vice-president, Morning tems in the Klang Valley. I hope that the tenders for Tsugie Miyashita. He also met representatives of car the project will be open for local [companies] as well maker Toyota to discuss plans for the company to start as those from Japan, he said. a factory in Rawang. Part of Khalids three-day working trip, from MonDuring his inaugural visit to Japan since becoming afternoon day to Wednesday,involvedfinding a way to cut red the Menteri Besar, Khalid also visited industrial and tape for Japanese companies who want to do business financial group Nomura in Tokyo. here. Khalid was accompanied by state executive council He gave the assurance to Japanese investors that for investment, industry and trade Teresa Kok, Selaninvestment projects in Selangor will have the full sup- gor Selangor State Investment Centre chief executive night port of the state and will not be delayed, and said in- officer Datuk Mohd Jabar Ahmad Kembali, and Shah vestors need not lobby or pay commission to any Alam Mayor Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan.
New measures to regulate cybercafs
State ready to work with federal govt on projects
Source: Malaysian meteorological department
Police still have too much discretionary powers

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RM20,000 fine which can be imposed on anyone refusing to disperse at public assemblies. Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez said fine was a hefty amount that would hurt the pockets of any ordinary Malaysian who might join a public assembly to voice their dissent or unhappiness over public policy. The veteran social activist and non-governmental-organisation
leader describes the bill as regressive, and did not bode well for concerned Malaysians who wanted to participate in democracy. Political activist and university lecturer Wong Chin Huat called the bill shameless in its bid to stifle dissent. The government should not think of us as brainless, he said, adding that civil society would resist the
passage of the bill into legislation. During an emergency meeting atSuarams office in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday night, various civil society groups unanimously supported the setting up of another mass movement group called Himpun 2.0 According to organisers, it aims to use social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and blogs to fight the bill.
SELANGOR TIMES November 25 27, 2011 3
news
Rice farmers protest raw deal

EvEnts
Youth Leadership Programme
Extol Toastmasters Subang Jaya will hold their annual Youth Leadership Programme for students aged between 12 and 18 from Dec 16-18 at No 2, Jalan SS19/1G, Subang Jaya. For details, call 019-2319800 (Kwa Ngan Eng), 012-2323578 (SK Ratnam), 016-2160632 (Patricia Tan) or email nganeng@ gmail.com or skratnam2011@gmail.com. The protest in Sekinchan.
By Alvin Yap
SEKINCHAN: Some 200 paddy farmers from across Sabak Bernam staged a well-behaved albeit noisy protest here against low rice prices and subsidies set by Putrajaya. The elderly farmers from Sekinchan, Sungai Burong and Sungai Besar gathered at Parit 5 Sekinchan on Tuesday morning to urge the federal government to look seriously into their welfare and protect their fundamental rights. Theirtwo main demands are the implementation of fair trade for rice, and an increase in subsidies from the current RM24.81 to RM50 per 100kg, in order to protect their livelihoods. CurrentlyPadiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) pays farmers RM1,300 per 1,000kg of rice, while seedlings for replanting are sold atRM1,400 per 1,000kg. The farmers are appealing for these rates to revise to RM1,400 and RM1,600 respectively, and pointed out that even Thailand has recently increased the amount paid to rice farmers there. They also urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry to abolish the RM100 per 1,000kg transport fee(from acquisition centre to other states),which are charged to farmers instead of the centre. They said operating costs are getting higher day by day, and farmers have seen their profits slashed. Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lin and Sabak Bernam district councillors were also present at the protest.
Ng Suee Lin said the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry cannot continue to ignore the basic right of farmers. He claimed that the current rates paid to farmers have not been revised for two decades. Presently, rice production is monopolised by Bernas it is unreasonable as Sekinchan produces highquality paddy and seedlings, he said. Ng also pointed out there were others who are willing to buy the rice and seedlings at higher prices, yet the government prohibits this. While acknowledging that there were some subsidies and incentives provided by the government, Ng claimed that farmers are not benefiting
from them. Farmers tell me they get fertiliser of poor quality, while some say they dont get any harvesting incentives from the government, said Ng. In addition, he expressed support for the farmers call for the transportation fees to be abolished. Ng further called on Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omarto explain what happened toRM110 million worth of incentives promised to rice farmers. Putrajaya had allocated the RM110 million in 2010 for farmers to help increase their rice production, but the recent Auditor-Generals report revealed that the allocation was not distributed.
Music concert
The Selangor Kuala Lumpur Orchestra and Choir (Skoc) will organise a night of music titled Music of Hope Charity Concert to raise funds for Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Taman Megah Petaling Jaya. The concert, which will be held tomorrow (Nov 26) at the KL&Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall from 7.30pm-9.30pm, aims to raise funds for the construction of a new building for the centre. The concert will feature classical songs and a choir performances from the disabled home. Tickets are priced from RM30-RM00. For details, call 012-326 2005 (Simon) or 012-391 3344 (Herries).
Premise licence renewal

Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) is opening its doors to premise owners to renew their 2012 business licences from now until Dec 31. Renewals can be made at the MPSJ headquarters in USJ5 or other MPSJ branch offices in Bandar Puteri Puchong and Serdang from Dec 1. For details, call the Licensing Department at 03-8026 3176, 03-8026 3177, 03-8026 4321 or visit www.mpsj.gov.my.
Aid for the disabled

KLANG: A 60-year-old tailor who has difficulties walking and using her right arm received a motorised wheelchair from the state on Wednesday. Ive had to reduce my workload recently because I get tired easily and my hand hurts Im glad to receive the wheelchair, said Ang Nyet Ngoh. State executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar handed over thewheelchair, which cost RM4,000, during a visit to her home in Taman Sentosa on Wednesday evening. Ang suffers from bouts of high fever and has been prone to falling since she was 13. She relies on tailoring to make a living. The pain in her arm gets so unbearable at times that she is rendered immobile and needs the motorised wheelchair. Ang wrote to my office about two months ago and requested for this wheelchair, which was also recommended by her doctor, Dr Xavier said. On the same day, Dr Xavier gave a motorcycle with a side-trolley to florist Chettivellu Thangiah during a visit to his home in Desa Mentari 2, Petaling Jaya. The vehicle, which cost RM3,000, is to help Chettivellu with his day job as he has to support his children who are of schoolgoing age. Initiatives like these are continuously done by the state government, Dr Xavier said.
Learn sign language

A sign-language course will be offered to the public by the Young Mens Christian Association of Kuala Lumpur from Nov 30. The course will be divided into basic and express levels. For details, call 03-22741439 (Eeyong), 017-2320833 or email eeyong@ymcakl.com.
Charity fun fair

Desa Amal Jireh (home for underpriviledged children and seniors) will hold a charity sale, food & fun fair on Saturday (Dec 3) from 9am-3pm. The home accepts donated items from the public to be sold at the fair. Those wishing to contribute items are encouraged to deliver them directly or call 03-8724 5153 / 03-8724 5158 (Catherine/Mala) or fax 03-8724 5160. Donations by money order, crossed cheque or postal order can be made payable to Desa Amal Jireh and mailed to P.O. Box 20, 43007 Kajang, Selangor.
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Art workshops
The Department of Extra-Mural Studies, Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) will organise art workshops from Dec 3. The Bead Jewellery Workshop and Intensive Painting Workshop: Oil Painting/Watercolour will be held on Dec 3 and 10. On Dec 10, there will be a Handmade Silver Accessories Workshop and Glass Printing Workshop for Families. The Creative Designer Animal Plush Sewing Workshop will be on Dec 11 followed by an Adult Glass Painting Workshop on Dec 17. The workshops will be held at the MIA Art Centre on Jalan Ampang KL. Call 03-2163 2337 or email mia.ems@ gmail.com for details.
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Forum for parents

Tung Shin Hospital and Nestles Nan Grow 3 will hold funfilled educational talks and activities for families on Nov 26 from 1.30pm-4pm. Parents can expect an array of exciting activities, including lucky draws, childrens colouring contest and free talks by the hospitals leading pediatricians, Dr Chew Bee Bee and Dr Lim Ee Tang, at 2pm. Admission is free and early birds will walk away with free Nestle goodie bags. To register, call 03 6201 1858 or visit www.weaning. com.my for details.
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News
MDKL to stop licensing errant traders

KUALA LANGAT: Business licenses for market traders in the Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) will be terminated if they fail to pay up on their outstanding rental. No more chances will be given to those who owe the council over three months in rental arrears, said MDKL president Abdul Razak Jaafar. Traders who continue to disregard warnings or compounds issued by the district council will have to face the consequences. The councils Evaluation Department, which is responsible for collecting fees, disclosed that 46 stalls have accumulated an undisclosed amount of monthly rental arrears. Most were also found to be flouting regulations set by the council for market operations. This includes failing to have at least one rubbish bin for their stall. The rules also [stipulate requirements for] hygiene, including having a proper place for poultry and fish, said MDKL Evaluation Department head Muhamad Nor Bahri Salleh. These traders have been warned that they face serious action if they keep repeating their mistakes. He said some traders have also been stealing water from shops nearby. Weve gave them warnings and even issued summonses. If they still disobey and steal, their licences will be terminated as well, Muhammad Nor said.
By Brenda Chng
KUALA LANGAT: Rubbish, littering and illegal dumping dominated the debate at the Kuala Langat District Council (MDKKL) full board meeting on Wednesday. There are signs everywhere saying no littering, but its disregarded as rubbish is being strewn all over, said MDKL councillor Kelvin Yong. Ironically, there is more rubbish found under the No Littering signboards. Yong was the first to raise the issue and moot the idea of shaming culprits caught on camera. We cant arrest them as we dont have the power, but our enforcement officers can issue summonses, said MDKL president Abdul Razak Jaafar (pic). However, he said the council does not have enough enforcement officers. I think even hundreds of summonses wont stop people from littering. We should educate them, create awareness, and change their mindset, said Abdul Razak.
Garbage takes centre stage at MDKL meeting

He said the council should look into publicising the faces of culprits caught littering on closedcircuit tele vision (CCT V ) cameras placed at hotspots. Enforcement officers will also be assigned to patrol these areas more frequently. Councillor Ridzuan Rahmat proposed that one contractor be assigned to each area to make rubbish collection more effective. With one fixed contractor per area, we can contact them directly if there are any rubbish problems instead of going through the council, he said. Currently, there are a few contractors assigned to collect rubbish at the 24 different areas in MDKL, but some councillors are confused as to whom they can call. Why not have a three-month trial period to see if one contractor for each area is effective? suggested Ridzuan. After three months, if complaints decrease, the council can implement it long-term, he said. However, councillor Shaari Sarkoni was skeptical of the idea as some areas are larger, and contractors responsible for bigger areas might have too much on their hands. Instead of one contractor per area, why not one contractor per number of houses? Shaari proposed. He urged the council to study this idea and work out a ratio on the number of houses per contractor. Ive already considered this and even asked the state if we are allowed to hire one contractor per area, but its still being discussed, said Abdul Razak.
Stricter action on Council to step illegally parked trucks

KUALA LANGAT: Eleven huge trucks that illegally parked on an empty plot of land opposite a row of 20 houses in Taman Mulia are causing distress to residents there. Owners of these trucks, who have been parking there for over a year, wake residents up at 3am every day with loud cranking noises and thick fumes from the vehicles. Residents are very unhappy as they cant sleep in peace, and its affecting their working and schooling life as well, said Kuala Langat District Councillor (MDKL) Kelvin Yong (pic). He said during the councils full board meeting that the owners of the truck start up their engines every morning and leave them on to warm up for half an hour or more. The noise and thick fumes have forced residents to sleep in the rooms furthest away from the trucks opposite their houses. This is bad for the residents health as they cant get proper rest and they are breathing in the poisonous fumes every morning, said Yong. Despite many complaints to the council, Yong said nothing has been done. MDKL Enforcement Department head Norlida Yasir said they had checked out the site and issues summonses and warnings t o the owners, but these have been disregarded. She added that they will look into this matter further and come up with other ways to solve this problem. In the meantime, MDKL president Abdul Razak Jaafar requested for the council to find out who the empty land belongs to and what is it supposed to be used for. If the truck owners are using the land wrongly, then we can summon them based on that, he said. Abdul Razak also pointed out that the council can summon the owners for trespassing and driving their heavy vehicles on residential roads. According to the council rules, heavy vehicles cannot drive through residential areas and drive on those roads as its dangerous, he said. KUALA LANGAT: Eyebrows were raised at the councils full board meeting on Wednesday when the Enforcement Department disclosed that only one illegal parked lorry was towed this month. How can there be only one heavy vehicle towed away when there are numerous reports of illegally parked lorries lodged at the council? asked district councillor Razali Ahmad, who said he had made several reports a month ago, but no action has been taken. Razali (pic) pointed out that there is one illegally parked lorry at Taman Sri Medan, which he has highlighted to the enforcement department numerous times. I see enforcement officers there at the site on some Wednesdays. They give several compounds, but fail to take any further action, he said. He urged the council to tow the vehicle away immediately as the heavy vehicle might damage the road and drain where it is parked. With the vehicle weighing over 20,000 tonnes, Razali is afraid that the road might give way and the drain would collapse. The council will have to fork out more money to repair the drain if it collapses, he said. Enforcement Department head Nordila Yasir explained that the lorry has not been towed due to
up enforcement on heavy vehicles

challenges faced by the towing company. The company can only provide us with a machine which requires the vehicle to be lifted off the ground instead of pulling it away, she said. Because of this, the lorry, which is parked too close to a lamp post, cannot be lifted. MDKL has been actively looking for other tow companies, but not many have shown interest to work with the council. She added, however, that the Land Public Transport Commission (LPTC) has stepped forward and offered their services to help councils tackle this issue. LPTC has asked us to send them information on illegally parked heavy vehicles that have received three or more compounds, she said. With this information, LPTC will take stricter action on unscrupulous vehicle owners. Meanwhile, councillor E Munusamy also proposed for the council to make those lorry drivers pay for damaged roads in residential areas. Instead of issuing summons, the council should consider asking them to pay for the damage and obstruction they cause to residents, he said. The council will be looking into all these proposals and study further on how to implement them.
New disabled committee formed

KUALA LANGAT: A new committee to look into providing disabledfriendly amenities has been set up by the district council here on Wednesday. This committee was formed to ensure all buildings in the Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) are fitted with proper disabled-friendly facilities. We have to look after the disabled community and ensure they are taken care of by providing them with the proper facilities, said Planning Department head Muhamad Yusli Askandar. He said the council will be engaging representatives of the Kuala Langat disabled community to be part of the committee. Council president Abdul Razak Jaafar revealed that among the committee members are four councillors, five MDKL officers from various departments, and himself as the head to oversee the committee. The disabled members will be included at a later date. Its good to have this committee formed so we can ensure new developments have disabled-friendly facilities included in their plans, said Abdul Razak. He said it could even be included as a clause in new developments that disabled-friendly amenities are a must. In the meantime, MDKL will also be looking into adding these facilities on the streets and to existing buildings.
news
Flood mitigation to start on Sg Rajah

By Brenda Chng
november 25 27, 2011
Online payment system for ratepayers

BANTING: Ratepayers in Kuala Langat can now settle traffic compounds and assessments via a new online payment system. We want to make it easier for Kuala Langat ratepayers to pay their bills without having to queue up at our counters here, said Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) president Abdul Razak Jaafar. Abdul Razak launched the Cimb Clicks dan Clicks Shoppe online payment system on Wednesday. Ratepayers can also lodge their complaints via the short message system (SMS) to the district council. Complainants can type MDKL ADUAN <details of complaints> and send it to 15888. To check on the status, ratepayers can type MDKL SEMAK <reference number> and send it to 15888. The public can also call 03-31872825/ 2732 extension 138 to talk to MDKLs customer service staff. Office to ensure the project does not encroach on private property. A number of homes in the village are located only a few metres away from the river, and there are fears some homes may be affected by the project. However, Mohd Faud could not discount the possibility that some houses that are built on the river reservemay have to be demolished. We will try our best to avoid tearing down any properties and build the drain walls away from the houses, said Mohd Faud. Contractors will also clean up the river and build a rubbish catchment area to prevent flooding.
RAWANG: U-shaped concrete wallswill be fitted along a kilometre stretch of Sungai Rajah here to improve drainage and prevent flash floods in Kampung Rajah. This river upgrading project is funded by the state and expected to cost close to RM3 million, said Rawang assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei. She said this is only first phase for the project, which starts from Kampung Lim Tans badminton court and ends at the Rawang train Gan explaining plans for the river. station quarters. In phase two, a further 200 metres of u-shaped concrete drain will be installed from Kam- a dialogue session with the Selayang Municipal Council pung Lim Tans badminton court to Rawang town at a cost of (MPS), Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), municiRM2 million. pal councillors and thecontractor. It will cost more than the first phase because the construcPhase one will begin this month and is scheduled to end in tion works are more complicated along that short stretch, said January 2013. The drain walls will vary in size and length, Gan. depending on the river depth and width. A consultant has been hired to study the development plans We will start work immediately. Contractors hired will be and upgrades for phase two, and construction will begin after monitored tightly to ensure the project is completed on time, the study has been done. said DID Gombak district engineer Mohd Faud. Gan explained the project to residents on Tuesday during They will also be working with the Gombak District Land
Bedridden youth needs financial aid

By Alvin Yap
Lane closures on LDP

PETALING JAYA: The DamansaraPuchong Highway (LDP) near Persiaran Surian here was closed on Wednesday for upgrading works that are scheduled for completion inJune 2012. The construction is to upgrade a twokilometre stretch of the LDP between Persiaran Surian and the Penchala Interchange into eight lanes to mitigate the traffic congestion there. Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak) Group said one lane from the LDP to the Penchala Link (Sprint Highway) would be closed for 24 months, for construction of an additional four lanes to the existing four to ease congestion during peak hours. Users are advised to adhere to the traffic signs posted when approaching the construction site, said Litrak head of communications Shah Rizal Momamed Fawzi during a press briefing last week. Once completed, the first three lanes will be for traffic on the main highway, while the next two will lead to Penchala Link. The last three lanes will be for traffic to Mutiara Damansara and Kota Damansara. The project will also see a two-lane flyover constructed for traffic from Mutiara Damansara and Kota Damansara to Kepong, completely bypassing the LDP. Currently, traffic snarls during peak hours at the portion of the LDP exit near Tesco and Ikano Power Centre are caused by cars weaving lanes to enter the Penchala Link ramp or to Kepong and Sri Damansara. Litrak said the flyover will be built by April 2012, while the whole project is due to completed by end of August. The RM98.6 million cost is borne by the concessionaire and is part of a RM300 million upgrade package for the LDP. He said the project was on schedule, with 50% of the work already carried out. Shah Rizal said traffic volume on the LDP at the Bandar Utama to Kepong stretch had doubled since it was opened in 1995 due to rapid development in Sunway Damansara, Kota Damansara and the surrounding area.
KLANG: Bedridden S Kathravelan, who survived a near-fatal road accident in April, is battling injuries that have been slow to heal due to the weather and needs help. When it is warm, I sweat, and it makes my wounds fester and stops the healing, said the 19-year-old. The former pest controller needs to be in a fully air-conditioned room for there to be a chance for the six separate wounds along his back and legs to fully heal. Kathravelan accepting the donations from But the hefty electricity bills to keep the living Charles (second right), while his father (far right) room cool are taking a financial toll on his father, and Raju look on. Subramaniam Allimasammy. Kathravelans legs were shattered when a car chase the dressings for Kathravelans wounds, which knocked into his motorcycle, which threw him need to be changed three times a day. some six feet away from the accident site. This includes the cost of buying diapers for him He is now semi-paralysed from the waist down, to relieve himself, as he cannot move fromhis bed and has been through six operations to help him to go to the toilet. on the long road to recovery. Klang MP Charles Santiago, who visited the Kathravelan and his family are appealing for family on Tuesday, said the public should act with public donations to make ends meet. compassion and come to the familys financial aid. His older and younger brothers are contract People must come out and support Kathravelabourers, while his father has had to give up his job lan, who has a life ahead of him to live, the firstas a lorry driver to care full-time for his son, who term lawmaker said. has not left his bed since coming home in July. He later handed over cash donations to the famThe family spends some RM300 weekly to pur- ily, and promised that he would check up on the youths recuperation progress from time to time. Klang Municipal Councillor V Raju, representing Seri Andalas assemblyperson Dr Xavier Jayakumar, said the state executive councillor would get in touch with Hospice Klang to arrange for nurses and volunteers to provide professional care for Kathravelan. He also said Xaviers service centre would be providing rice and other food items weekly to help the familys situation. Those wishing to donate can callSubramaniam at 016-6288130.
Upgrading works on the highway.
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PJ hostels an unregulated and booming business

By Alvin Yap
Living room of one of the hostels.
PETALING JAYA: Illegal students hostels are mushrooming with impunity in the city because authorities feel clamping down on them would be futile. I admit that theyre all illegal. We are afraid that closing down a hostel will lead to another one being opened, said Petaling Jaya City (MBPJ) councillor Richard Yeoh. He said shutting down one premise would lead to greater shortage of student housing in Petaling Jaya. However,he said MBPJ would not hesitate to close down a hostel if it was found to be overcharging students for accommodation, or if the premises was offering rundown facilities that placed the health and safety of boarders at risk. Business licensing deputy Mohd Othman Yeoh was among MBPJ councillors, engineers and en- Iksas (left) and Tan (blue shirt) with Chan. forcement officers who conducted a spot check on two from a tertiary education centre, revealed that unlicensed premises in Damansara Jaya on Monday night. some 10 female students were staying there. Both premises could accommodate up to 10 students each, Another unit an intermediate lot across but MBPJ did notissue any summonses or seal the double- the street was also converted into a hostel that storey terrace houses, which were partitioned into eight to 10 housed eight students. rooms each. Both hostels were decorated in the same style and are beWe came here tonight to check up on these hostels due to lieved to be operated by the same company. complaints from the residents associations here, said councilHowever, an individual named Chan who met the MBPJ lor Terence Tan. team declined to confirm this. Tan pointed out that home owners are now cashing in on The hostels are well maintained, clean, and come fully the lack of student accommodation, butMBPJ is not going furnished, and each student is paying between RM700 after illegal student hostels for now. andRM850 for a room. Instead they wanted to come out with guidelines to regulate Each unit comes fully furnished, with internet access. The the booming trade. kitchens are fully equipped with stove, fridge and other equipIn the meantime, MBPJwants the media to highlight the site ment, said Chan, who said he was the operations manager at visits so that the public and illegal hostel operators know that the hostels there. the council is keeping an eye on them. However, no firefighting equipment, clearly marked exits The check on the corner-lot house, a stones throw away signs, or emergency lighting was sighted at the two locations. Yeoh said MBPJ will continue to conduct more site visits, and will come out with acomprehensive report for full board meetings to discuss the regulation of the trade. He added that the maximum number
Lower crime rates in SS15 thanks to floodlights
of people allowed in any habitation is specified in the Selangor Housing and Real Estate Board (LPHS) guidelines and is based on the size of the premises. Renovations will have to satisfy Section 70 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, which means the partitions or rooms in the hostels will have to comply with fire safety codes. The fire department would also have to certify that all specifications and requirements are complied with on the premises. According to Damansara Jaya Residents and Owners Association (DJROA) chairperson Datuk Yew Cheng Hoe, individual home owners in the area, not the RA, had lodged the complaints of illegal hostels to MBPJ. He declined to comment on the presence of illegal hostels in the neighbourhood, and did not comment on the need for regulations on the premises. Yew also said DJROA was leaving it to MBPJ to take any action deemed necessary, and agreed that premises must be checked for fire safety requirements.
the field on Wednesday. Tan Ai Mooi shared her relief with the reduced crime rate as they had previously faced many instances of snatch theft by motorcyclists. Last time, we even had to exercise on the field in the dark! But things are brighter now, said the 58-year-old resident. Tan, who has lived here for 30 years, said the area has been more secure now since the lights were installed in September. Also present was Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh, who encouraged other RAs to get better organised so their voice and needs will be addressed by the local council. Dont just expect the authorities to do everything. Do something as a Floodlights installed in September. group and the authorities will listen, she stressed. By Basil Foo The floodlights, costing a total of RM9,000, were installed by the SubSUBANG JAYA: Two newly in- ang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) stalled floodlights at the SS15/2E field with funds allocated to the Zone 1 here have resulted in a marked reduc- Residents Taskforce. tion in crime, and relief for residents Also at the event were MPSJ counwho no longer fear snatch thieves. cillor Loi Kheng Min, MPSJ EngiThe new lights, together with a neering Department director Ismail police outpost on the field and patrol- Shafie, and SS17 Police Station police ling efforts by residents, have brought chief Sulaiman Baputty. crime rates down to almost zero, said On behalf of the residents, I resident Michael Sundram. would like to thank Yeoh, Loi and The SS15/2 and SS15/3 Residents Sulaiman for their help in keeping our Association (RA) secretary spoke to housing area safe, said RA chairperreporters during a press conference at son Borhan Rahmat.
Family fun day to benefit homes

KLANG: Over 400 residents attended a Healthy Jog and Family Fun Day at Bandar Parklands, held to promote healthy living and to benefit needy children, on Nov 19. Developers WCT Bhd organised the event as part of its corporate social responsibility programmes last Saturday. Joggers took a two-kilometre jog route around the neighbourhood and were treated to gifts and snacks along the way. With the theme of 10 Parks for a Perfect 10 Healthy Lifestyle, Bandar Parklands was chosen to host this event as it contains 10 parks at strategic locations. Also participating were 75 children from the Good Samaritan Home, St Barnabas Home, and Waja Orphan Care Centre Home. A dictionary was given to each of the children to improve their vocabulary and help in their school work. The children also had a riotous time with game stalls, popcorn and candy floss stands, a mini zoo, balloon sculptors, glitter tattoo artists and inflatable castles. There were also talks on nutrition and dieting, magic shows, acrobat performances, and other fun activities for the families who attended. The event was also heralded as an ideal avenue for family bonding in a time when parents are usually bogged down with work.
Participants at the Healthy Jog and Family Fun Day in Bandar Parklands, Klang held to promote healthy living and in benefit of three charity homes.
Lack of respect for the Constitution

I
ts quite apt that it was during a mass circumcision ceremony that Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz made his announcement that Section 27 of the Police Act 1967 is going to be removed. We, the people of Malaysia, just like the poor little nippers at that ceremony, are going to be rid of something. However, there is a difference between us and the scores of little boys who will now be wandering around gingerly holding their sarongs at arms length. Whereas they are safe in the knowledge that their foreskins are not coming back, we cant really be sure whether Section 27 of the Police Act is going to return in another form. Section 27 is the law that governs public assemblies, and it has been heavily criticised as being a stumbling block to legitimate peaceful gatherings. Now the government wants to replace it with a new law. But we will have to look at the proposed Peaceful Assembly Bill very closely before we can say with any certainty that the draconian Section 27 is well and truly consigned to the graveyard. Its all rather silly, actually. We would not need a Peaceful Assembly law if there was a true understanding of the law in the first place. If one were to look at Section 27, it does look,
views 11
Your community paper

across Selangor & Klang Valley
then homosexuality must be unconstitutional. First off, Article 3 does not make Malaysia an Islamic state. According to the Supreme Court case of Che Omar Che Soh [1988], it was held that secular law governs the nation and Islamic law is confined only to the personal law of Muslims. Article 3 is taken to mean that as far as official ceremonial matters are concerned, Islamic form and rituals are to be used. Furthermore, if we take the ministers line of reasoning, the article that forbids slavery must be removed from the constitution because Islam does not forbid slavery. In fact, the Quran has several verses condoning it. This country was built on the premise that our secular government is limited, and that the people have fundamental liberties that must be protected. But when those who are in power have no concept whatsoever about this philosophy when years of uninterrupted power and a pragmatic ruling style which cares nothing for principles have ruled for over half a century we get the situation which we are in, where laws that already exist are ignored, and a big deal is made of new laws that do nothing more than illustrate the ignorance of the government machinery.
with 100,000 copies distributed weekly
going the distance

Azmi ShArom
on the face of it, a totally authoritarian law. The police appear to have unlimited power to decide whether a permit to assemble can be issued or not. However, there are limits to police powers. Its called the Federal Constitution. The constitution guarantees us the right to gather peacefully. The only conditions are that the gathering is non-violent, and not a threat to national security or public order. In other words, unless the police have actual hard evidence that one or more of these conditions will not be fulfilled, they simply must give a permit. And if they make a poor decision, then the courts should be the final arbiter. The problem is that there is no respect for the constitution. The reason why nations have constitutions in the first place is to ensure that government has boundaries. Think about it, they have tremendous power. They can tax us, their agents can carry weapons, they can lock
us up, they can make us listen to turgid patriotic songs. There has to be something in place to ensure that this power is not abused. Hence the constitution. However, if one were to treat the constitution simply like some sort of manual, a sort of Governance for Dummies, without understanding its true meaning and purpose which is as a guarantee and protector of the people of this country then anything can happen. After all, the definition of national security can be so broad that it makes a farce of constitutional provisions. The police could say, Asking for fair elections is against national security, so we wont allow for a march to happen; and then the court says, Yup, we agree. They will be following the letter of the constitution, but certainly not its spirit. But I think this argument for constitutionalism would roll off the governments back. I mean, when you have two cabinet ministers saying that homosexuality is unconstitutional, you know that you are dealing with people with zero understanding of what the constitution is. Because apparently, according to Article 3 of the constitution Islam is the religion of the federation and homosexuality is against Islam,
Tripping Zero 3
Sharyn Shufiyan
Please flush after use

standard for Malaysians, as in the old days people would dig a hole to do their business. But I could not hold back my laughter when my college mate sheepishly asked me how people squat and not wet themselves. She figured that your pants would be under you. I would have demonstrated it to her, but I didnt want to risk flashing. I reckon toilet paper must have been a new addition since we dont really use it. They either end up on the wet floor or clogging the jamban. We do, however, like to depend on the water hose or the classic pail and bucket. And although we do wash ourselves and wash ourselves thoroughly we do until the seat is all wet it seems like we dont like to dry ourselves. My colleague from Ecuador made a careful observation when using public restrooms: She would hear the person next to her wash, but realise that none of the cubicles were equipped with toilet paper. So, how do they dry themselves? Do they carry tissue paper in their bag? I hardly think so. Theyll just pull up their panties. They will eventually dry. Washing ourselves is one way to maintain hygiene, but I imagine walking around in damp panties, especially in our hot climate, can be pretty uncomfortable. Comfort is one thing, health is another. Moisture can encourage the growth of fungus yeast, which leads to infection. Keeping ourselves dry is equally important as washing regularly. So, ladies, if you start feeling itchy down there, you might want to reflect on your toilet habits. World Toilet Day was established by the World Toilet Organisation in 2001 to raise awareness on the lack of clean and proper sanitation of 2.6 billion people in the world. While most Malaysians are blessed to be equipped with access to clean water and functioning toilets (well, count our lucky stars for the ones that do function!), we tend to abuse this privilege. We wet the floors; we leave shoeprints on the toilet seats; we leave diapers and unwrapped sanitary pads in the cubicles; we often forget to flush (its not funny when the flush does work!); we leave tissue paper everywhere. Maybe we think that there will be other people to clean up our messes. But whats more baffling is that some paid public toilets are in worse conditions than the free ones! Ive been in toilets where the cleaner is just sitting there.
ovember 19th was World Toilet Day! What better way to celebrate World Toilet Day than to address our toilet habits? Toilets are somewhat a taboo subject how many of us had made a boo-boo in a public toilet and rushed out so that we wouldnt get caught red-handed? Im sure some of us have been in a situation where the flush doesnt work and its all clogged up, so the next best thing to do is to pull down the seat cover and walk out as innocently as possible and let the next person deal with it. After all, its a situation thats outside of our control; more of a maintenance issue. But let me talk a bit about our habits that can be controlled. Babies are adorable and all, but their crap is as nasty as an adults. In some public toilets where there is no diaper room provided, some enlightened mothers would use the wash basin to wash their babies excrement. I was recently using the ladies in the departure hall of an airport, and in front of me was a mother washing her babys bottom while a tourist was using the basin next to her. I was so embarrassed for my own countryfolk that I didnt dare look up. When I walked out, I passed the tourist again and overheard her telling her friend about her restroom experience. Needless to say, we didnt paint a pretty picture. I was recently enlightened by a practice by some of the male species. While relating my airport experience, my colleague shared that some men wash their members in the wash basin. So you can see it? I asked gleefully. My colleague signed off with a cheeky Confucius say, man in bathroom with tool in hand is not necessarily a plumber. I think that practice may not occur as often these days, as some urinals are now equipped with flowing water. So what do these gentlemen do? They cup the water and splash it onto their members. God knows where the water has been. Maybe its better to just flick it clean a few times. That said, flicking it may set off a different kind of sensation. Once, my brother was washing his hands in a public toilet in a mall in Klang when he realised the person next to him was pleasuring himself in the sink while listening to his Walkman. Hello! Some things should be done in private! Malaysians like to think that we are united and that we understand each other. But sometimes, our toilet methods are quite baffling. Ive always thought squatting toilets are quite
And sometimes, the restroom exterior is so posh, but when you push the cubicle door open, its like a whirlwind had hit from inside. Even signs seem to not do the trick. Its one of the many Malaysian mysteries I have yet to solve. Public toilets are an indicator of quality. How often do we size up a place by checking its toilets first? Trust is built once we approve of its toilet. But more importantly, our toilet habits are really a reflection of the kind of society we really are. We take shortcuts we think just enough is good enough. It may not be a big deal to some, but its a big deal as to how foreigners perceive us. And even if we dont want to care about foreigners, at least care about the next person in line. Many times Ive lost the urge to go and its really painful, you know.
12 November 25 27, 2011
InsIght
Bullish amid uncertainties

Stagnant wages, rising prices and a soaring budget deficit had left concerned Malaysians anticipating the Federal Budget 2012 with bated breath. now that the curtains have been raised, economic observers have weighed in on how the budget measures up against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty. We foresee a 4.8-5.5% economic growth rate for Malaysia due to global concerns, says MIDF amanah Investment Bank Bhd chief economist anthony Dass. He says they are looking at a more bullish situation compared with the governments projection of a 5-6% growth rate next year. Dass says growth will largely depend on whether the economies of our export-oriented nations trading partners pick up within the year. although economic conditions in the United States and Europe remain a cause for concern, there are ways in which the budget aims to boost growth figures. Large infrastructure projects have been identified by the government to kick-start growth as they will be working with private investment, he says. Projects like the Mass Rapid transit (MRt), integrated transport terminal and highway construction will allow the government to collect taxes on corporate revenue. Involving the private sector will lead to increased employment opportunities and line the peoples pockets with more income. the government will then be able to collect more personal income tax, and because consumers will be spending, more sales and excise tax, he said. Increased incomes will help workers weather the increase in prices that will come about due to the gradual removal of subsidies. However, Dass says the government is not expected to remove subsidies entirely as they will have to make sure income growth is first present. If income growth is faster than the increase in prices, then you are not eroding the standard of living, he explains.
He maintains that subsidies remain relevant as our open economy relies much on the external supply of basic goods. the importing of commodities like energy and food from external sources makes the country vulnerable to supply disruptions which can cause price hikes. For example, the recent floods in thailand resulted in our food supply being stuck, so prices may stay up beyond Malaysias control, says Dass. He says policies should be balanced between subsidising a portion of increasing prices while not totally sacrificing economic growth. He lauds the governments aim to trim down the budget deficit to 4.7% or 4.8% of gross Domestic Product (gDP) as a good policy move. However, everything depends on the global scenario to determine whether we can bring it down to 4.7% or somewhere closer to 5%, Dass says. He warns that if Europe goes into a recession or the US falls into a double-dip recession, the government will have a hard time reducing the budget deficit. On the outflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that Malaysia is experiencing, Dass says the government is moving into newer areas of the market to offset the loss. Instead of attracting labour-intensive FDI when our labour cost is expensive, we are focusing on capital-intensive FDI with knowledge-based people coming in, he said. He explains that the new capital-intensive FDI areas include oil and gas, telecommunications, hospital industries, and renewable energy. He maintains that there is no need to sound the alarm bells over the FDI outflow as we are not the only ones experiencing this. there have been high labour-intensive FDIs moving out of China and going into Indonesia and Vietnam, he says. Dass says a better way to go about it is to move into new growth areas such as high-end products to maintain growth.
Doing m The Sha

By Basil Foo
iming to manage resources more effectively and raise the standard of living in the country, Pakatan Rakyat presented its first Shadow Budget on Oct 4. Released ahead of the Federal Budget 2012, the Shadow Budget 2012 was touted as doing more with less. Among the tenets of its basic framework is raising revenue by curbing tax evasion and spending government money more effectively. The Shadow Budget aims to do that by auctioning off the Approved Permits (APs) worth RM1.8 billion and curbing the illicit cigarette trade worth RM2 billion, says Teh Chi-Chang. The Research for Social Advancement (Refsa) executive director says the APs, which are used to import vehicles, should not be awarded to certain parties. Instead they should be auctioned off to the highest bidder to enable the government to reap the maximum amount of revenue available from the permits. Now, four out of 10 cigarette packs sold are illicit. More can be
Teh: Incomes of Malaysians should be raised by soft infrastructure.
done to curb the illegal trade of cigarettes, he adds. Teh, who is also an expert independent contributor to the Shadow Budget, takes a swipe at illegal gambling centres, which he claims are as many as their legal counterparts. He says the government stands to derive more revenue from weeding out illegal 4D gambling centres. Apart from bolstering revenue, the Shadow Budget aims to tackle highincome inequality by redirecting subsidies to those who really need them.
2012 Forecasts Revenue Expenditure Budget deficit nominal gDP Deficit as percentage of GDP
All chart sources: Refsa
BN
RM RM RM RM
4.7%
Teh at a presentation of the Federal and Shadow Budgets on Nov 14.
Derived from 2008 average househol New Economic Model (pg 58).
more with less: adow Budget 2012

I think everyone can agree that subsidies should be given to the poor. The problem is subsidised commodities like petrol benefit the rich more than the poor, he says. The basis for his argument is that the rich can afford more cars to drive to more places and hence use more petrol. For every litre of subsidised petrol used, it can be said that more subsidies are going to the rich. Retargeting the more needy segments of society, the Shadow Budget has allocated RM1.7 billion for the low-income elderly in the form of RM1,000 bonuses. A total of RM3.6 billion will be channelled through RM1,000 bonuses for homemakers or in the form of childcare support for low-income households, says Teh. The ultimate aim is to wean people from subsidies. Quoting the teach a man to fish analogy, he says freeing people from subsidies allows them to pursue their own economic endeavours independently. A reduction of subsidies would also help save the government money as the subsidy bill has ballooned from RM2.6 billion in 2000 to RM33 billion in 2011. However, it would seem that subsidies are here to stay as incomes remain low, with the bottom 40% of households averaging monthly incomes of RM1,500. A majority 80% of households
Govt
Pakatan RM181.3bil RM221bil RM39bil RM890bil 4.4%
M186.9bil M230bil M43bil M918bil
average a monthly income of only RM2,500, he adds. While fresh university graduates may command a salary of RM2,500, Teh says 70% of the workforce only have Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualifications. Instead of large-scale construction of mega projects, he says the
ld income data published in the
foreign labour, the gap can then be filled by local workers. The plan is to develop technical and vocational education and training as a respected career pathway, he says. The private sector should also be encouraged to take the lead through offering apprentice programmes and skills-based training for youths. To encourage new businesses, Teh says an open procurement policy should be adopted to eradicate the current need for paying fees and commissions to agents. Ultimately, government interference should be reduced to encourage the formation of new businesses by private entrepreneurs. He criticises government-backed companies and initiatives like the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) for acting as a stumbling block to private enterprise. The KR1M would be a conflict of interest to loExpected 2011 operating expenditure breakdown by BN government. cal mom-and-pop grocery Source: Economic Report 2011/12
incomes of Malaysians should be raised by soft infrastructure. This can be accomplished by raising productivity and skills, and by encouraging private enterprise. To raise the productivity of workers, the Shadow Budget plans to introduce a minimum wage of RM1,100. Teh says with a reduction of
shops which cannot reduce their prices too low, he stresses. Teh says the government should complement and not crowd out the private sector with its hand in various industries like telecommunication services, airlines, public goods and automobile manufacturing. On the mounting budget deficit that the government has incurred over the years, he says measurement of deficit should be based on disposable income. This would be a better indicator as the ability to service debt is based on income and not Gross Domestic Product (GDP), he says. As of 2010, Malaysia has incurred a RM577 billion household debt, which was pegged as an equivalent to 77% of the GDP. Teh says this amounts to 140% of personal disposable income, which is far higher than that of the United States (123%) and Singapore (105%). With better management of available resources, cutting down on waste and boosting revenue, the Shadow Budget has forecast a budget deficit of RM39 billion, compared with the Federal Budget forecast of RM43 billion for 2012.
views 14
Shopping, hoping and missing

I
read that the goods in Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia arent really cheaper than some hypermarkets. Which led me to wonder, where does Lord Bobo do his shopping? Hassan Jaffar, via email
Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column by LoyarBurok (www.loyarburok.com) where all your profound, abstruse, erudite, hermetic, recondite, sagacious, and other thesaurus-described queries are answered!
When he was 10, and playing alone at a public playground nearby our house, a group boys came along and beat him up. After doing so, they called him names and warned him never to play at that playground again.My badly beaten son staggered home to me, crying relentlessly. This incident continues to traumatise him. School, from Form 1 until now, has also been agonising for him. So, dear Lord Bobo, please advise me how to raise up my traumatised child in Malaysia. Incidentally, he recently said this: Malaysia is not a melting pot (of different races living in harmony), but a high-pressured pot (of hatred and discrimination) just waiting to explode. He has chosen to suffer in silence for now, waiting for the day he can leave.He actually doesnt want me to publicise this issue, and he says the situation is hopeless. Thank you, Lord Bobo. A Very Distressed Mother, via email (Note: the email was edited) THIS is the saddest email that Lord Bobo has ever received through this column. It is obviously terrible that your son has had to go through all these experiences as part of his childhood. However, Lord Bobo would ask that you remind him that not all Malaysians are like that we would say that most Malaysians would feel very sad and outraged to read the account above. We understand that it may be difficult to change your sons mind about leaving Malaysia. Our advice to you is to surround him with the love and care of friends and family. Dont let a group of racist and immature students be his enduring memory of his childhood. If you want, both of you would be more than welcome at the LoyarBurok Rakyat Centre. We have kids as young as 15 who are active in the many initiatives that are run there. The UndiMsia! citizen empowerment group are planning many exciting and fun-filled programs in the coming months. Challenge him to get involved and link up with a whole new circle of friends. Lord Bobo knows it is tough. But you, and your son, must be optimistic. For it is from optimism that the courage and commitment to bring about change will come about. There is no guarantee that he will not have bad experiences in whichever country he decides to leave Malaysia for. We must hope
and believe that things will be better. And what better place is there to build a future than this nation we call home?
ear Lord Bobo, why are you always so negative and cynical when it comes to Malaysia? We have a lot of good food here you know! Negaraku, via email
HIS Supreme Eminenceness was quite intrigued by that story, too. At first, we had to double-check that it wasnt some advertisement for specific hypermarkets. You know, those ads where celebrities (in this case, politicians) come up and say, Hey look, this product is cheaper here by 50 sen! The whole KR1M concept is flawed anyway. It is supposed to be a way of making cheaper goods available to the needy rakyat but it is open to all, which means that those stingy Penang Datins can ask their servants to head to a KR1M to do their shopping. Wouldnt the resources be better allocated by distributing provisions directly to the poorest of the poor? Then again, we suppose that this model gives rise to more opportunities for contracts. Someone has to run the stores, supply the goods, set up the distribution logistics, etc.
THIS is a misconception. Lord Bobo loves Malaysia. After all, of the hundreds of countries on this Earth (not to mention the countless number of planets, galaxies, and universes), His Supreme Eminenceness chose to reveal Himself and His continuous wisdom and guidance to a bunch of Malaysians! As for the government, ah, perhaps the reason you feel that Lord Bobo is negative or cynical is because we sometimes criticize what the government gets up to. The problem is, many Malaysians have been brought up thinking that the definition of Malaysia is the government. This is, of course, a fallacy. The country is not the government. Now, as the Lord is passionate about human rights (selflessly, despite being a monkey), His minions naturally speak up strongly against violations of human rights in Malaysia. This often translates into criticism of the actions of the government, as quite understandably, it is the government of the day that would be more likely to commit violations of human rights. Not because they are evil dwarves in bush jackets, but because the government of the day would have the most resources and access, and hence opportunities to commit acts go against human rights principles. So, to be clear, His Supreme Eminenceness is not antiMalaysian. The Lord is not even anti-government (we are non-partisan, remember?). We are all about love, harmony, group hugs, and car-pooling. And hey, of course Lord Bobo knows Malaysia has good food didnt you read our article about durians?
ear Lord Bobo, Im a single mother struggling financially and emotionally to raise a child. May I ask you for some parental advice on raising children in Malaysia? My 15-year old son recently declared that there is truly no 1Malaysia, only Zero Malaysia. He recently decided that the moment he is old enough, he will leave Malaysia for good for elsewhere; anywhere! You may say my son should be focusing on his studies and leave the 1Malaysia thing to the grown-ups instead of getting so worked up about it.But how can he, when for five agonising years, he has been taunted, ridiculed, and even beaten up for his ethnicity?
ord Bobo, we notice that you were missing from Selangor Times again last week. What gives? Ashley K, by email
DEAR Ashley, did the editorial team put you up to this? Or are you some sort of self-appointed class monitor? Please go and harass the columnists who have a lot of free time, like that Patrick Teoh fler. Lord Bobo has all sorts of world domination related activities to get up to. Or better still, use your observations skills to keep an eye on where the taxpayers money goes to cows, diamonds, condos, shopping trips its all very confusing.
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may 13 recoll: reconcections & 12 & iliation
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Where to get your

LRT Stations (Distribution by hand) Morning Ampang Sentul Timur Ampang Cahaya Cempaka Pandan Indah Pandan Jaya Sentul Timur Sentul Kelana Jaya Terminal Putra Kelana Jaya Taman Bahagia Taman Paramount Asia Jaya Taman Jaya Universiti Sri Rampai Wangsa Maju Taman Melati Sri Petaling Sentul Timur Taman Melati Sri Petaling Bukit Jalil Bandar Tasik Selatan Salak Selatan Shopping Malls (From Saturday noon) 1 UTAMA Tropicana Mall Sunway Pyramid The Curve IOI Mall Plaza Damas Ikano Power Centre Empire Subang MetroPoint Centro Mall, Klang Bangsar Shopping Complex Hypermarkets (From Saturday noon) Giant (Puchong, Kajang, Bandar Kinrara, Klang, Pandamaran, Bandar Selayang, Kota Damansara, Taman Setiawangsa, Putra Heights, Taman Connaught, Kelana Jaya, Bukit Antarabangsa, Subang Jaya, Bukit Tinggi, Setia Alam, Kota Kemuning) Sentul Port Klang Port Klang Bukit Badak Shah Alam Subang Jaya Jalan Templer Petaling Rawang Seremban Kuala Kubu Baru Sungai Buloh Kepong Sentral Kepong Morning Wet Markets (Saturday morning) Jalan SS2/62 Taman Medan Jalan 17/27 SS15 Subang Jaya Taman Kuchai Lama Taman OUG Pasar Taman Megah Pasar Jalan Othman Pasar Jalan 17/2 Pasar Sek 14
commun
15
ity
May 20
22, 2011
/ issue
25
By Will
iam Tan
Petal ed low- ing Jaya: cost Dila angor may flats through pidata pilot progget a new lease out Selsuch hom ramme to rehaof life if es The amb is successfu bilitate kind proj itious and l. first the Peta ect is being carr -of-itsKeeping (MBPJ) ling Jaya City ied out by in safe: Faizabandoned tas Design collaboration Council bab demons ah Mohd Tahi ies pan y, and Group, a privwith Veritrati baby hatc ng the use r (left) commun Rum ah Air ate comof the Datin Sofi h as local ity-b Pan as, celebrity a The sing ased charity. a STory Jane looks on. Maju Jaya le block at on pag the houses 59 apartments here Taman e 10 fam , which to und ergo ilies, will be which inclu the tran sfor the first furb ishm des renovatio mation, ns physical ents whi le keep and reaspects inta ing the "All wor ct. sions mad ks are based on social active by the resid the decients," said ist Won Wong, g Hay pointed who mooted Cheong. out dents were that many the idea , of flats whe forced to mov the resie demolishn squatter settleme into the ed, but nts were facilities were the building The entr hardly adequates and y of Veri . Gro up, tas RM100 whi ch has con Design ,000 and architect the skill trib uted Wong said change, s], means that s [of their ryin the priv is going said to Cor g out the proj ate firm is carAs man Wong. ect as part porate Their relocate y as 50,000 fam Social of its (CS d technolo architects, usin 2000 and to low-cost flats ilies were last R) programme, Resp onsibilit g the gies y teri Besa 2008 under formbetween for two years layin having spent the rem ode l the and techniqu latest arch itect Iska g the grou es, the proj Squatter r Dr Khi r Toy er Menect. ndwork budget, whic buil ding on a will Iskandar ndar Razak. The tight than RM h is estimated LB_24 added that icised for policy which has o's Zer o with company 6391_ 500 to be less difficult to has been creating Sun_m14.ai critbeen obta the fam It is very ,000. high-rise liaising 1 from vario obta in comit was very busi in what they feed ghettos.5/12/11 back on ilies regularly chal need from ness cont 9:56 the proj usparties at mitments to get ever ything need leng ing; alm PM their them deci acts. their needs and ect, with the De wiring is ost s to be redo de on prac funding start of port spite it all, ticalsolu help and the horrible, the roof ne. The ous issue. this is still a seriant proj tions. The that a city ect for us as a very imstench, septic tank emit is leaking, spon success of the should not we believe saidVer itas Des s an awful nent sorships for the project rests on by the wea lthy only be inhabited ign Gro up part s, such as the various compo- strata of soci , ety. In but by ever supply of s, and the metal juvenating the city, a way, we are y compan rey hopes If the pilo said to t is successfu Iskandar. l, the com Turn To pag e2
Facelift for old
flats
Carrefour (Bukit Rimau, Subang Jaya, Wangsa Maju, Sri Petaling, Kepong, Puchong, Ampang, Jalan Peel, Jalan Kapar, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, S23 Shah Alam) Jusco (Bukit Tinggi, Tmn Maluri, Wangsa Maju, Bandar Baru Klang, Mahkota Cheras) Commuter Stations (Distribution by hand) Morning
Pasar Seri Setia SS9A/1 Pasar Kg Chempaka Taman Tun Dr Ismail Hospital Forrest Medical Centre Colleges Help Institute College Bandar Utama (KBU) Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia
Tesco (Puchong, Kajang, Mutiara Damansara, Rawang, Bukit Tinggi, Setia Alam, Ampang, Extra Shah Alam, Kepong)
Upgrades in the works for low-cost development

By Neville Spykerman
news 15
SUBANG JAYA: A white knight has emerged to help low-cost-flat owners here finally get their strata titles and improve their facilities. Nadayu Properties Bhd has agreed to step in to help residents of Indah Courts, whowere left in the lurch when their original developer went missing due to mounting debts. We hope that the residents will be happy with the results of the upgrading work [which will be carried out],saidNadayu executive chairperson Hamidon Abdullah. The public listed company has entered anagreement with the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) to take over the master title for the surrounding four-hectare land parcel, including the 140-unit Indah Court flats. For upgrading Indah Courts, the company will in turn get to develop two of the four acres into a commercial and residential hub. Besides obtaining the strata titles for Indah Courts, Nadayu Propertieswill foot the bill to upgrade and carry out a one-off maintenance at the flats. The existing open-air parking at the flats will be converted into a four-storey car park with lifts and covered walkway. The plans also call for a new surau, with additional amenities to be constructed on top of the multilevel car park.
In addition, the company has agreed to upgrade the sewerage system, and rework the drainage and electrical wiring at the flats. The upgrading work, slated to begin by midDecember, will also see the facade of the flats receive a new coat of paint while there will be better lighting in the surrounding compound and corridors. The almost 550 residents at the PJS 11 flats have had to fend for themselves for the last 19 years. The residents association here has been running the show since 1992, collecting money for garbage collection, arranging for plumbers and contractors to carry small-scale maintenance, said chairperson Mohd Abu Noh on Monday. Mohd Abu said they were looking forward to the upgrades the company would bring. Hannah (second left), Hamidon (blue tie), Mohd Abu Noh and other MPSJ had facilitated a series of dialogues residents outside Indah Court. since 2008 between the company and residents about the upgrades at the flats, which will be upgrade package during a press conference last Sunday. carried outin stages so as to minimise disruption to the comShe added that Nadayu had agreed to fund and construct munity there. the renovation at Indah Court as part of its condition of reSubang Jaya assembly person Hannah Yeoh announced the ceiving its developers permit from MPSJ.
More funds needed to revive Astana Square

By Basil Foo
New hospice centre for cancer patients

By Brenda Chng
SELAYANG: Abandoned for the past 10 years, the Astana Square project may yet see the light of day, provided purchasers agree to collectively pay more for itsfunds for its construction. If the purchasers want to revive the project, we need extra funding from them, said GTC Corporate Advisory Sdn Bhd executive director Chu Siew Koon. Chu, who represents the liquidators of the previous de veloper which face d bankruptcy, spoke to about Chu 100 purchasers during a meeting at the Selayang Utama Hall last Sunday. He said they need an additional RM4.6mil to fund the project, which he estimated would take another 18 months to complete. To share the cost, each purchaser has to pay an additional 15% on top of their original sale and purchase price, he explained. The Astana Square project, which includes 160 serviced apartments and 16 shop lots, has been left
abandoned since 2001. Owners of units have been burdened with bank loans despite the units being nowhere nearer completion. Astana Square Owners Association secretary Tam Voon Cheong hopes for the project to recommence as soon as possible once the purchasers give the go-ahead. I purchased a shop lot for about RM680,000 which has not been completed for years, he complained. The reconstruction would need a unanimous agreement from the purchasers in order to source sufficient funds for the project. However, out of 130 purchasers, the liquidation company has so far been unable to contact 26 of them. Market prices for properties here have risen, so even if the purchasers pay an extra sum, they might still recoup their investment, said Selayang MP William Leong. Speaking to reporters at the meeting, he said abandoned projects like this are proof that the law needs to be changed to protect buyers. Leong said the 10-90 model, where buyers initially pay 10% and only pay the other 90% upon project completion, should be implemented. Selangor currently has 141 abandoned projects, which we have been working to revive since 2008, he added.
Residents flee damaged condo

AMPANG JAYA: A 50-metre-long crack in the parking lot of Pandan Mewah Heights has led some fearful residents to abandon the homes. During a site visit to the condominium on Monday, state executive councillor Iskandar Samad said a Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) report has cited soil erosion as the cause of the cracks. Iskandar, whose portfolio includes housing, said water had been making its way underground due to another crack in the retaining wall of a nearby drain. The cost to repair the retaining wall has been estimated to be RM3 million, and Iskandar will be requesting for state funding. The crack was 20 metres in length when it first appeared on Nov 16, and had increased to 50 metres in length and 25cm in width five days later. The condominiums Joint Management Body ( JMB) chairperson, Michael Yap, said this was the worse damage he has seen. Also at the site visit were Lembah Jaya assemblyperson Khasim Abdul Aziz, and Selangor DID deputy director Nor Hisham Mohd Ghazali. A building manager said water has been seen continuously flowing underground from the nearby monsoon drain. He said residents have been told to move about 25 cars away from the affected area as the car park road was also sinking due to the crack. The 528-unit condominium was built in 1990.
KLANG: New land has been allocated for the Klang Hospice Centre, which has been seeking toexpand its services to more terminally ill patients for the last three years. Last Saturday, Dr Xavier Jayakumar announced that a one-acre lot at Bayu Mas will be allocated by the state for a new centre. The state fully supports Hospice, and weve been actively searching for a suitable piece of land for them, said the state executive councillor at a charity dinner to raise funds for the organisation on Saturday. Dr Xavier, whose portfolio includes health, said theapplication for land is currently with the Land Office and will be handed over to the centre as soon as possible. The non-profit organisation, which provides daycare, counselling and other services from a double-storey terrace house in Taman Sri Andalas, is facing an uphill task in accommodating the
growing number of patients and their needs. The centre, which does not house patients, alsoprovides free services including home visits, medical supplies for the poor, and loans of hospital equipment such as wheelchairs and beds. The centre caters to almost 300 new patients every year and conducts over 250 home visits to the terminally ill every month. The annual Hospice Klang fundraising dinner was held at SJK (C) Kong Hoe hall, and the organisation is aiming to collect monetary donations to build the new centre besides funding current operations. Our hope at Hospice is to care for the sick and continue to make this care possible, said Hospice Klang chairperson Dr Michael Yoong. He hopes the community will continue giving their time and money or both to help Hospice Klang grow. For those who would like to donate, contact the centre at 0333242125 / 4740.
Dr Xavier (centre) with Dr Yoong (third left) and Hospice Klang members during the fundraising dinner.
media 16
Service apartments near KLIA launched

By Brenda Chng
SEPANG: Service apartments located next to the Salak Tinggi ERL station, five minutes from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), are now on sale. TheKota Warisan @ Airport City Business Centre, a project byGema Padu Sdn Bhd, isan integrated township consisting of 1,000 apartment units in four blocks, along with two commercial blocks. This township is well connected to many places, and its good for people travelling to and from KL as there is no traffic congestion on the highways, said Gema Padu director Lee Kuan Yong. The Premier Service Apartments are strategically located between KLIA and Putrajaya. Besides easy access to KLIA, residents can get to the Kuala Lumpur city centre under 30 minutes via the Maju Expressway. The township is also easily accessible via the DamansaraPuchong Highway (LDP). Theapartments are located a 10-minute drive away from Lim Kok Wing University and Alice Smith International School. In addition, Mutiara Warisan is also 10 minutes away from Alamanda Mall, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and Giant & Nilai Square. This apartment is a good investment property as there will be a high rental demand from KLIA staff and also university students nearby, said Lee. Buyers at the apartment launch on Saturday. Currently, only one block of 250 units is open for sale, while the other three will be launched in phases after each one sizes range from 765 square feet to 1,259 square feet. sells out. The nine-acre complex is also part of the 15-year-old resiEach unit is priced from RM185,790 per unit, and the dential development at Kota Warisan, with 4,000 houses
Lee showing the model of Mutiara Warisan apartments.
ranging from bungalows to low-cost terrace houses. Residents do not need to worry as this is an old establishment fully equipped with facilities like national schools for children, commercial shops, and parks, said Lee. The proposed completion date for the development is within three years. For more information, contact Gema Padu at 03-87068188 / 8118 / 8868, or call 012-203 6772, or email kotawarisan@ gemapadu.com.my.
TGV opens at 1Shamelin with free movies
RM54k raised for Montfort Boys
SHAH ALAM: TGV Cinemas opened its 17th multiplex last Monday at the 1Shamelin Shopping Mall in Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Cheras. The TGV 1Shamelin, with eight screens and a total seating capacity of 1,714, offers numerous upgrades and improvements, including larger seats and Lifestyle caf Cantina. more spacious leg room for added comfort. It also features Cantina, the very first lifestyle caf with free movie passes redemption from Dec 9-16. in TGV Cinemas in the Klang Valley. Each customer can redeem a maximum of two tickTGV Cinema chief executive officer Kenny Wong ets per day by presenting a promotional leaflet at the said: TGV Cinemas is committed to enhancing the ticket counters. These leaflets will be dropped at cinema-going experience for everyone. Within the residential areas in the vicinity. next 12 to 18 months, we shall be opening six new Patrons of TGV 1Shamelin will also be able to cinemas while carrying out refurbishment of our enjoy the facilities at the Cantina, with a selection older locations. that ranges from Illy coffee and Hagen Dazs iceTo celebrate the new opening, TGV 1Shamelin cream to croissants. Patrons can enjoy a quick bite is showing free screenings of selected movies until here before they head in to the plush cinema halls Dec 9. for their movie. Some 8,000 free tickets will be given away to paLocated on Level 5 of the 1Shamelin Shopping trons for screenings of English, Malay and Chinese Mall, this latest multiplex follows the newly refreshed blockbusters, including Rise of the Planet of the design concept introduced by TGV Cinemas in 2010 Apes, X-Men: First Class, Nasi Lemak 2.0, Kongsi, at its Wangsa Walk outlet. KL Gangster, Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa and It features a contemporary design that is dynamic Men Suddenly in Love, among others. and youthful, in line with TGV Cinemas efforts to The celebration at TGV 1 Shamelin continues appeal to the younger generation of movie buffs.
Montfort students displaying their works of art.
SHAH ALAM: In just three months, Magnum Youth In Action (MYIA) has raised RM53,891.40 for Montfort Boys Town. The funds were raised to help Montfort equip its computer maintenance department with new computers and servers. The money will go towards 12 new computers, five servers and server software. The fundraising was made possible through the TLC Promise Me Season 2 Campaign, where 12 corporations helped fulfill the Golden Wishes of 12 selected charity organisations. To raise the amount, MYIA organised a charity dinner at the
Montfort school, and sold bookmarks and greeting cards during a month-long donation drive at selected Magnum sales outlets. The newly furnished computer lab is for Montfort students to progress to Level 3 of their computer technician course. The che que wa s g iven to Montfort director Bro John Albert by Magnum chief executive officer Lawrence Lim on Nov 18 during the launch of the computer lab. Also present were Magnum chief financial officer Loh Minjiann, TLC chief executive officer Julia Chong, and TLC executive director Khaw Chay Tee.
SELANGOR TIMES NOVEMBER 25 27,2010 17
The Fourth Assault

Fiction by Czi Lim
FICTION
RRRAANNNGGG! JANNNNG JANNNNG JANNNNG! Everybody in the whole cell block Was dancing to the jailhouse ro He managed to blast these precious few lines through the schools sound system before Puan Juni and Sir broke pass the flimsy barricade of chairs and plastic tables, eyes wild and arms akimbo. Oi! You again! For the last time, Azi, youre going to be in big trouble! Aww, Im doing everyone a favour! Who wants to listen to chamber music during lunch break? Shut it down! THAT day was a great success for Aziz. Normally, he would be halted by the Audio Club members at the entrance of the audio room. This time, only two bratty bespectacled juniors stood guard. Azi took 30 seconds to send them flying. However, his regular invasion of the schools airwaves had invited the wrath of several teachers, who condemned his insolent disregard for school tradition and, to his mortification, his taste (or the absence of it) in music. Come on, who would object to the King of Rock?! A little INXS wouldnt hur t a ny o n e . Jeez, even Joan Je t t a n d t h e Blackhearts would trump any of the mournful tones dribbling out of the loudspeakers. People would think the school was run by tone-deafs and the eternally depressed. Aziz! That was awesome! Haha! Yeah, can you play Hotel California by the Eagles next? Red ears again Aziz! Puan Juni pulled hard today, huh? Aziz growled, You guys, always the requests, but when I make the real invasion, not even your shadows were there to help! Sorry la, Ziz, you know Kam and I have librarian duties. Have to go immediately after lunch. No time at all. Yeah right, as though you have duties every day of the week. Bull! Kam and Nain. His best buddies since primary school. Like Aziz, they shared a taste for classic, alternative or hard rock, however one would like to categorise it. It all started the day Nains father uncovered a mountain of vinyl records back at his grandparents house in Kelantan. When the dusty turntable was also restored to its former glory, the three of them holed up in Nains room and spent a glorious night discovering gems like Bo Diddley, Patti Smith, Simon & Garfunkel, and his personal favourite, The Police. Since then, they never looked back. Aziz
got hit the hardest; he would spend every spare sen of his allowance hunting down second-hand 50s to late 80s records in obscure music shops. Soon, he became convinced that he should spread the wisdom. Down with stuffy art music, hed say. It was high time his peers in school received Enlightenment. So what are you planning to play next? Some AC/DC? Yes, Im baaaaack! Back in black! It doesnt matter what we play next. We have a problem: the teachers are getting serious I might not be able to even walk past the school audio room after today. Did you see how Puan Juni came after me like a tiger? Terror! Really? I want to help, but my dad one notice from the school, Im toast. Typical of Kam, who would hesitate to touch trouble with a 30-foot pole. But didnt Sir once comment that there is no explicit rule saying you cant ah commandeer our airwaves? Maybe you can reason with her. Na h , y o u know her. Shoot b efore a sking questions. We need a plan. S u d d e n l y, Na in er upte d into giggles: Ive got it try asking Suzanne! Aziz pale d. Suzanne, the prettiest girl in school and, alas, also the president of the schools Audio Club. Last week, shed issued a bounty on Azizs head. Their enmity over his constant attack of their sacred club room was fast approaching legendary status. It didnt help that Aziz had developed a crush on her. He resisted the urge to punch Nain. Are you nuts? Im not going near that Aziiiiz! All of them froze. Speak of the devil. Suzanne Ong. A vision of swinging braids and swishing skirts. Aziz could barely squeeze out an automatic apology when she pushed a tape into his hands. It was a Queen single. Bohemian Rhapsody. Err, this certainly has objectionable contents. Shut up! Didnt you say you need help? Oddly, Aziz was not the only one who was blushing. Suzanne was beetroot red from neck up. Sir wants you to play this next. What? He secretly supports your antics. Not all of us swoon over lunchtimes music programmes. Although as the president of the club you persistently break into, I hope you would consider an alternative route, like talking to the principal for instance. With that, she stormed out. Azizs head was spinning. Beside him, Kam and Nain were shaking with silent laughter. Be Bop A Lula, what a lady huh, Ziz?
TECHNOLOGY 18
NOVEMBER 25 27, 2011
iPhone4 is coming to town again

ed to offer it to 4S customers exclusively. Siri was an independent company that was bought by Apple in 2010, and as such, all development for this software goes into the iOS 5 software, the latest iteration of Apples operating software. Whats interesting about Siri is that its not just another software voice-activated function on the phone, but it can actually recognise natural language instruction. So instead of the 4s Voice Control commands, Siri can make more sense out of instructions you would give a person instead. For example, on Voice Control, you could tell the 4 to Call James and it would duly dial James number from your address book. But with the 4, you cant use the Voice Control function to ask, What is James number?, which you can with Siri. Siri can do much more than that. Say you want to send a text to your wife to remind her to pick up the dry-cleaning on The new eight-megapixel (MP) camera compared to the 5MP doesnt mean better quality, but reviewers have again said in this case its better. The 4S also has new lenses that sport an f/2.4 aperture versus the old f/2.8. What has improved according to common opinion is the speed at which the Camera App is called up when you want to take a picture. Video capture is also top-notch, and many have found the footage to be clear and bright.
By Edwin Yapp
y now, many would know that the worlds most famous consumer electronics company, Apple Inc, has launched its latest phone, the Apple iPhone 4S. The smartphone debuted in seven countries in October, and now, 22 more countries have it, including our neighbours across the causeway. Malaysia is only slated to receive its stock in January 2012 or so Ive been told by industry sources. That said, its never too early to talk about Apple products. So I thought Id go through some of the differences between the older iPhone 4 and the 4S, and round up with some tips as to whether you should upgrade or not.
Under the hood, the 4S comes with a faster processor, a better camera, an all-new personal virtual assistant named Siri, and twice the storage of its predecessor if you dont mind paying for it, that is
Is it worth the upgrade?
The first thing to note about the 4S is that its virtually identical to the 4, save the weight three grammes more to be exact. Apart from the dimensions, there is nothing that separates the two looks-wise. Under the hood, the 4S comes with a faster processor, a better camera, an all-new personal virtual assistant named Siri, and twice the storage of its predecessor if you dont mind paying for it, that is. The processor on the 4S is now the dual core (two-core processor) A5 compared with the A4 in the 4, which means that it has the same processor as the iPad 2 but running at a slightly slower speed of 800MHz compared with 1GHz on the iPad 2. Memor y-wise, its still 512MB, which is kind of a disappointment to me as I certainly think the 4S could do with more memory. The 4S comes with a 64GB variant for those who need the power-hungry storage option. One other major difference is that the 4S supports quad band frequencies, which practically means that the 4S can support every major operator and you can virtually roam anywhere around the world for both voice and data. Screen resolution remains the same as the Retina display version on the 4, but the panel is still quite good compared with other technologies in the market such as Super AMOLEDs (Active Matrix Organic LEDs). The biggest difference between the 4 and the 4S must be Siri, the softwaredriven personal assistant that comes on the 4 S . S i ri wa s available as an app for the 4, Contact: but since the 4S Timothy Loh 019-267 4488 came out, Apple has disconIvan Looi 014-936 6698 tinued that app Tony Kee 016-978 2798 and has decidSiri to the rescue?
Whats the difference?
when reaching out to Selangor and the Klang Valley
Be on target
her way home from the gym. You can just say, Tell my wife pick up laundry. Siri will send your wife a message saying, Pick up laundry. How does Siri know who your wife is? Well, she doesnt at first, but shell ask, and once you tell her shell remember. With Siri, you can send e-mails, check your calendar and to-do list, set alarms, ask for directions, ask for recommendations of food joints, ask the meaning of words, and a host of other things you would do with a person. Without having actually tested the 4S, all the major reviewers have noted that the 4S performs better than the 4, as it should due to the faster processor. Battery life is slightly better on the 4S, where reviewers have clocked it at about eight hours with heavy use of data, video, e-mail and other activities.
Battery life and performance
This is often a difficult question to answer, partly also because Ive not actually reviewed the 4S. But here are some general guidelines. If youre a 3GS owner, and have a wealth of apps you want to keep by porting them over to the 4S, then its a no brainer upgrade the first chance you get, as after all, the lifecycle of your 3GS is up anyway. If however, youre not already an iPhone user or a 3GS user who would like to sample another ecosystem of phones, then unlike three to four years ago, you have plenty of brands to choose from besides the 4S, namely the Android-based smart phones. If, however, youre a big fan of Apples App Store, the 4S is a good bet. That said, some may feel that the 3.5-inch 4S screen to be too small, and that its specifications are not as good as some of the Android-based phones such as HTCs or Samsungs out there. Also, the Android marketplace isnt a bad place to get apps, as many of the same Apple developers have also posted some good stuff in the Android store If youre a 4 owner, as I am, I dont see any marked technology improvements on the 4S to warrant an upgrade. Except for Siri, which can be pretty cool to use, I cant see an upgrade in sight, unless your contract with your operator is up or youve got a lot of cash to spare. For a comprehensive look at the differences between the 4 and 4S, go to http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare-iphones.
Filled and fulfilled at Fat Spoon

By Basil Foo
November 25 27, 2011 Exterior of Fat Spoon.
food 19
ituated in the Damansara Uptown commercial square, Fat Spoon is not easily found as it faces the Petaling Jaya SS21 residential area just off the Damansara-Puchong highway. The eaterys tagline is Grandmas recipes, good coffee, and seemed to have attracted a mixed crowd of families and friends during dinnertime one Tuesday night. Searching for a parking space proved to be not as daunting as most would expect because of its location further away from other The charming interior. eateries. Its unassuming faade of mismatched furniture, large creaky doors, and fat spoon door handles keeps its lively dining atmosphere well hidden. Friendly staff were readily on hand to usher customers to their seats and place old childrens picture books on tables the menu was glued onto the pages inside. Indeed, the interior seemed intent on transporting its diners back in time, with old pots and pans dangling from the ceiling and a bunch of vintage clothes on sale in a corner. There was also a lengthy menu scribbled on a blackboard on one Cempedak spring of the walls from which customers rolls with vanilla could pick out their choice of ice cream. dishes. Under the home-cooked dishes section was the perut ikan (RM15) which turned out to be a concoction of fish belly, pineapple, brinjal and a mix of other ingredients. The thick gravy reminded one of the heady mixes of herbs and spices prevalent in Nyonya cooking, and only had a tinge of spiciness. The fish belly did not stand out in taste, probably because it was smothered in the thick gravy. Similar to the previous dish was the ikan merah cutlets in assam before biting into it as it might pedas (RM39), which ditched the contain bones. The gravy was satisfying with the use of pineapples, resulting in a heady smell of fish and a generous gravy that was less sour. The fish was firm in texture, and drizzle of bunga kantan, which we were warned to take caution made the dish taste kind of like
Ikan merah cutlets in assam pedas.
Perut ikan.
For dessert, the cempedak spring rolls with vanilla ice cream (RM9.90) was one of the more eye-catching dish titles on the menu. From the spring-roll wrappings satisfying crunch to the soft gooey cempedak within, this dish was one of the highlights of the night. The sweet fruit mixed with
cold creamy ice cream melted satisfyingly in the mouth, producing an instant craving for one more piece certainly worth coming back for. Overall, Fat Spoon was a cozy and filling experience, perfect for a quiet date in a quaint atmosphere or a boisterous reunion in yet another concept eatery.
Menus in old childrens books.
asam laksa. Next up was fried kunyit chicken (RM15), which was picked from a lineup of different cooking methods curry, steamed, and soy ginger. The generous hunks of chicken were tender and juicy, with a crispy outer layer that tasted more delicious than that at most fast food or caf chains. The meat was not overly smothered in batter for a more supple bite, and this dish received glowing reviews from the whole table. Not wanting to leave out the restaurants centerpieces, the Fat Spoon tofu (RM15) came in an earthen pot with pieces of tofu floating in a savoury sauce. The dish is a solid addition to any dinner as it comes with pieces of meat and the broth is both thick and flavourful.
food 20
Quacking good roast at Loong Foong

here are so many roast duck shops and stalls in Klang Valley, it would take months to count them all. But there are only a handful that have withstood the test of time and the relentless criticism of discerning diners in Selangor. We who are devotees of roast duck have sworn on the last crispy drumstick that some of the worst-kept secrets about the best roast duck in town are written in bold in the diaries of housewives, sons-in-law and grandfathers. Come next month, Loong Foong Restaurant in Paramount Garden, Petaling Jaya, will again be swamped with pre-orders for roast ducks. Last year, in a mistaken belief that there was ample time for pre-Christmas orders, I showed up at Loong Foong and was turned away because the restaurant had filled its festive season quota. I couldnt believe it. I was there two weeks before Christmas. It seemed that a few hundred customers had beaten me to the Christmas dinner duck list. Loong Foong is not only the restaurant that claims the lions share of duck orders. Further up the road, closer to the main traffic lights junction, is Sunrise Restaurant. Sunrise is well known among roast duck lovers for its superlative crispy quack-quack. Its roast ducks are just as good than those sold at Loong Foong. Personally, I find it difficult to cast my lot with either Loong Foong or Sunrise in terms of excellence. Each has its own unique merits. Suffice to say, if anybody buys me a roast duck, the choice of either restaurant will be just dandy with me. The price of roast duck in any one of these two restaurants has seen gradual increases over the years. Due to the insatiable appetite of PJ folks, the roasted farmed ducks are constantly in high demand. On one occasion, I was at Sunrise at around 1pm. My objective was to order half a roast duck as takeaway. Business was good as usual. There were customers aplenty, and those who waited were offered glasses of Chinese tea. That was definitely good PR on the part of Sunrise. It is not without ample evidence that Sunrise has been doing roaring business for as long as I can remember. It would be safe to say that20 years is
Turkey or roast duck for Christmas dinner? Due to the yearly escalating prices of xmas turkey, LIN ZHENYUAN reveals why roast duck has gained the upper hand
At least two ducks have achieved the right colour after the allotted number of minutes in the oven.
a conservative estimate. Recently, I was at Loong Foong again. It was one of those quiet afternoons after 4pm when the place is firing up its giant metal ovens for producing the evenings quota of roast ducks. As I pulled up and parked my car in front of the shop, there were at least two other customers ahead of me. They, too, were there to order takeaways. A family member had reminded me to buy two boxes of nyonya acar or acar awak. The mildly spicy pickled veggie mix is a nyonya dish that has found great favour among nyonya parents and their children. Fo r a l o n g tim e , I thought Loong Foong had its staff make the acar as a side-dish. I discovered this wasnt the case when an elderly uncle showed up with boxes of acar that he extracted from his car. It turned out that his wife was the secret chef who had been supplementing her income with the homemade acar. I couldnt resist telling the man to convey my compliments to his wife for her fine culinary skills. He s e em e d q u i t e pleased. I was sure I was responsible for adding a little bounce in his step as he walked back to his car. The pinkish ducks that were being shipped out from a no -entr y corner of the kitchen aroused my curiosity. The person in charge of turning the ducks into the beloved Pretty and tasty roast golden honey-coloured dish was ducks all in a row at quite responsive to my discreet Loong Foong. enquiries about the roast duckmaking process. The ducks are obtained from farms, I was told. Thus, almost all are about the same size before they are considered to be at the optimum weight. After the de-feathered ducks have gone through several processes, they are taken out and hung up and blown dry by heavy-duty industrial fans. The Chinese describe this as foong kon, or being dried by the wind. After the allotted cooling-off period, the ducks are put into the ovens. If memory serves me right, about four to six ducks are put in each oven for about 20 minutes or so. There is no use trying to remember the various steps in roasting a duck to its optimum colour and taste. An apprentice or novice will almost never get it right. It is all done by experienced duck doctors. We
A duck is sliced and cut into right proportions for waiting customers.
The specially prepared ducks are dried by an industrial fan.
ordinary mortals should be content just to buy and relish them as a special treat on our dining table. There are at least three big metal ovens at Loong Foong.
SELANGOR TIMES november 25 27,2010 21
news
LEMBAGA PERUMAHAN DAN HARTANAH SELANGOR
TINGKAT 5, PODIUM UTARA, BANGUNAN SSAAS 40503 SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN
PERINGATAN LEMBAGA PERUMAHAN DAN HARTANAH SELANGOR: BERHATI-HATI DENGAN PENIPUAN BAGI PENDAfTARAN PERMOHONAN RUMAH KOS RENDAH DAN SURAT KELULUSAN PALSU BAGI PEMBELIAN RUMAH KOS RENDAH DI SELANGOR
Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor ingin memberikan peringatan kepada orang ramai supaya berhati-hati dengan cubaan penipuan dan pemalsuan yang dilakukan oleh individu tertentu yang menggunakan nama Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor bagi tujuan mendapatkan keuntungan dan wang dengan memperdaya orang ramai. Modus operandi yang digunakan oleh suspek untuk memperdaya mangsa adalah seperti berikut: Mangsa dijanjikan unit-unit rumah kos rendah yang belum terjual (walhal tiada kekosongan) dengan syarat pemohon dikehendaki untuk membuat sejumlah bayaran (antara RM 1 ribu RM3 ribu) sebagai fi pendaftaran dan proses kepada suspek. Mangsa akan dikehendaki untuk mengisi borang SPP01 dan mengemukakan dokumen-dokumen sokongan yang berkaitan. Suspek berjanji untuk menguruskan semua proses berhubung permohonan sehinggalah surat kelulusan dan tawaran tersebut dikeluarkan ke atas nama mangsa. Suspek akan memalsukan dokumen yang berkaitan seperti surat kelulusan/ tawaran dan mengemukakan kepada mangsa. Suspek memberi jaminan dan menyakinkan mangsa akan memperolehi rumah yang diinginkan walaupun tidak memenuhi syarat dan kelayakan bagi memiliki rumah kos rendah di Selangor. Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor tidak pernah melantik manamana ejen, syarikat, badan atau mana mana orang sama ada secara individu mahu pun berkumpulan untuk menerima permohonan orang ramai bagi mendaftar sebagai pembeli rumah kos rendah di Selangor. Sebagai langkah pencegahan, orang ramai dinasihatkan supaya tidak terpengaruh dengan sebarang janji dan jaminan yang disampaikan oleh mana-mana pihak dan dinasihatkan untuk mendapatkan penjelasan dan pengesahan maklumat berhubung permohonan bagi mendapatkan rumah kos rendah secara terus di Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor melalui :1. Menghubungi Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor di talian 0355447078/7196/7646 (Unit Penawaran dan Setinggan); ATAU 2. Datang sendiri ke pejabat Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor di Tingkat 5 Podium Utara Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah,42503 Shah Alam Selangor; ATAU 3. Melayari laman sesawang Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor di http://lphs.selangor.gov.my
The boxes of acar for customers who like them as a side-dish for dinner.
They looked fairly unspectacular to me, but the roast ducks that eventually emerge from the specially designed ovens really have a taste that leaves lingering memories. There are usually at least two persons serving customers. All of them are quite adept with the cleavers as they surgically slice the duck meat into manageable pieces. The bones, heads and innards are cut, chopped and extracted with the greatest of ease. And the aroma ... ahhh, heavenly! A styrofoam box containing a full-sized roast duck makes the car ride home rather exhilarating because the whole interior is filled with the aroma of the freshly roasted duck. If you have not tried roast duck of this quality, it is definitely your loss. It would be
too hard for me to explain to you the extreme sensory pleasures of munching and chewing on a roast duck that can almost bring tears to the eyes. If you want to purchase a roast duck of undisputed quality, be prepared to hand out a RM50 note. If you want a box of acar, take out a few more ringgit. Believe me, it is worth the small investment.
Loong Foong Restaurant 1, Jalan 20/13, Paramount Garden. Tel: 03-78769045 Sunrise Restaurant 31, Jalan 21/1, Sea Park, PJ Tel: 03-78769689
Know Your Councillor: Lee Khai Loon

By Brenda Chng
SELAYANG: Trying to improve infrastructure in Desa Jaya in the face of budget constraints is an uphill task for Selayang Municipal Councillor (MPS) Lee Khai Loon. Upgrades of roads and drains at the 30-year-old housing development, which comprises 1,000 homes, are long overdue. Nothing has been done there since the 1980s when the residents first moved in. Major improvements need to be done, says 33-year-old Lee. The two-term-councillor has been been pushing for major upgrades, but has been repeatedly told that MPS has insufficient funds. If MPS allocates the budget for this project, then they would not have any more money for other minor projects proposed by residents in Selayang, says Lee. As councillor in charge of Desa Jaya, Desa Aman Puri and Bukit Desa, Lee says his annual infrastructure budget of RM60,000 is only enough for four to five small projects. This allocation will be divided among the areas in his zone, and is mostly used for patching up potholes or covering drains. We cant do much with the small amount of money, but we try to prioritise the more urgent projects, says Lee. Together with the residents committee, which consists of representatives of residential and commercial committees, they meet once a month to discuss problems faced in each area. Sometimes there will be a repeat of demands and issues highlighted by the
residents, but we cant do anything because of the tight budget, says Lee. He finds it hard to please everyone, and is sometimes stressed out by the pressure and high expectations from the residents. Residents expect councillors to do a lot more, but there is only a limit to what we can do, says Lee. Though he faces many challenges, he strives to serve the people better by fostering closer ties with MPS officers and residents. Lee also educates the public on how to send in complaints to the council via the online complaints system on the MPS website. For the future, Lee hopes a master study will be carried out on the drainage system around Desa Aman Puri and the neighbouring development in Sri Damansara. The master study is needed to address flooding problems on the main roads of Desa Aman Puri. This study will involve intercouncil meetings between MPS and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). According to Lee, the floods are caused by water flowing in from the recent residential development in Sri Damansara. I think the drainage system was not upgraded or checked when the development took place, and now it cant channel rainwater out to monsoon drains or rivers, says Lee. Apart from floods causing damage to roads and potholes in Desa Aman Puri, residents also get stuck in traffic jams during heavy rain.
LEMBAGA PERUMAHAN DAN HARTANAH SELANGOR

TINGKAT 5, PODIUM UTARA, BANGUNAN SSAAS 40503 SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN
Gallery 22
November 25 27, 2011 Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh and Subang Jaya Municipal Councillor Loi Kheng Min cutting a ribbon to officiate new floodlights at the SS15/2E field on Wednesday. Looking on are SS17 Police Station police chief Sulaiman Baputty, and SS15/2 and SS15/3 Residents Association secretary Michael Sundram.
A resident getting her blood pressure tested during a free health camp held at the Damansara Jaya Residents and Owners Association community centre in Petaling Jaya last Sunday.
Participants of the states Bakti Siswa programme at Kampung Sesapan Batu Minangkabau, with Semenyih constituency coordinator Nor Azlan Mohammad (red shirt) and village head Waris Ahmad (white shirt) on Nov 18.
Cracks in the parking lot of Pandan Mewah Heights condominium in Ampang Jaya have sent residents fleeing out of concern for their safety.
Hulu Kelang Assemblyperson Saari Sungib at the close of the sepak takraw championship organised by his office, held outside the multipurpose hall on Jalan E 5, Taman Melawati, last Saturday (Nov 19). SS15/2 and SS15/3 Residents Association chairperson Borhan Rahmat (left) presenting a gift to MPSJ councillor Loi Kheng Min on Wednesday. The municipal council had installed two floodlights at the SS15/2E field here, which has resulted in a drop in crime.
Participants at the Healthy Jog and Family Fun Day in Bandar Parklands, Klang, held last Saturday to promote healthy living and in benefit of three charity homes.
Culture 23
revIeW
By Dominic Luk
CALeNDAr
Compiled by Nick Choo Send your events to: nick@selangortimes.
NOT knowing what to expect, I went to watch Whatll Break You / Apocalips, a double bill of plays produced by Catwoman Productions and Big Eyes Entertainment. Staged at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre from Nov 3-13, the two plays were playwright Ivan Yeos first works for the stage. The show featured names like Datuk Zahim Albakri, Gavin Yap, Vince Chong and Ash Nair, along with Stephanie Van Driesen (who was last seen in The Secret Life of Nora) and newcomer Tania Khan. Walking into the theatre, I was intrigued by the simple set. There were reflective walls placed under lights, and a table in the middle with an actor already seated there quietly. It felt like I was in an interrogation room. True enough, when the first play (Whatll Break You) started, we saw Zahim interacting with Yap. It almost felt like I was watching a stage version of Law & Order, especially since the story was set in the US. The plot evolved as Zahims Mr Whitacre admitted to killing someone, and then went through a whirlwind of emotions as he explained what really happened. Although Zahim managed to captivate the audience and allowed us to relate to his character, his inconsistent American accent was distracting at times. Yap stole the spotlight with his portrayal of Mr Schmidt, Whitacres lawyer or at least we were made to think thats who he was! Whatll Break You required a lot of attention as it solely evolved around the dialogue between the two men. The ending caused me to want to bite all my twenty nails, as we were left with a cliffhanger that was unsettling. Spoiler alert: Schmidt exited the room, claiming he wasnt really who he said he was. After all that drama, it was hard to figure out the truth: Was he really a lawyer? Was he actually a reporter? Did he really exist, or was he purely a figment of Whitacres imagination? The truth, alas, is never revealed. Apocalips, the second item of the evening, was equally interesting. It revolved around three couples that tried to find the truth about love, and the truth about truth itself. It was entertaining from beginning to end, with all six performers on stage. Again, I felt that Yap was
Tapestry Inspired by the Animal Kingdom

Dance; 22-26 Nov; Experimental Theatre, Aswara Campus, Kuala Lumpur; 03-26971777; RM20
The Faculty of Dance of Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan announces its last production of the year, a showcase of traditional folk and classical dance. The title of show refers to the colourful collage of dance cultures that make Malaysia what it is and this time around, to look at how many traditional dances have drawn inspiration from the animal kingdom. From Johor and Kelantan to Sarawak, it is fascinating to note that a common source of ideas for choreographers is nature, keeping the idea that folk traditions can be fun, too. Featuring around 60 dancers; dance restaging and reconstruction based on original choreography by Mohd Hazlami Harun, Gloria Patie, Mohd Yunus Ismail, Norbaizura Abdul Ghani, Kishore Kumar and Hajijah Yaacob, among others.
Van Driesen and Zahim in Apocalips.
As You Like It
Concert; 26 & 27 Nov; Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; 03-40479000, www.klpac.org; RM30 / RM25
Featuring jazz standards, popular songs, movie themes, and showstoppers from musical theatre; presented by the members of Kuala Lumpur Childrens Choir and the Subang Jaya Childrens Choir.
An engaging, explosive double bill

The hilarious Chong and Yap. to marriage. The most uproarious plot line of Apocalips was the one-way love affair between Jude, and Vince Chongs Fr Benjamin, who was convinced he was only in love with God. Despite Judes many attempts to remind Fr Benjamin of his carnal feelings towards him, the priest denied it, being married to his religion until the end, when, out of panic, the good padre spilled everything out in the open. The awkward yet hilarious chemistry between Chong and Yap and their characters was what gelled the story together. Throughout, I resisted blinking so that I wouldnt miss anything although once, my mind did nearly drift away when Chris and Wendy were discussing their problems. Unfortunately, it felt like the bond between Nair and Khan was weak half the time. However, Khan played her character well enough, and it certainly wouldnt have been an easy task for a newcomer to play such a heavy role. Thanks to the Yeo and director Ida Nerina, these two plays were worth every minute in the theatre. Whatll Break You, in particular, is one I would love to see expanded into a short film or full-length play.
Nyoba Kan: Butterfly Lovers

Dance; 30 Nov & 1 Dec; The Actors Studio @ Lot 10, Kuala Lumpur; 0321422009, www.theactorsstudio. com.my; RM50 / RM30
An innovative creation inspired from the old Chinese legends of Liang Shan Bo and Zhu Yin Tai. Solo dance and live music will tell the story of well-known chapters from Studies, Eighteen Farewells, Cries The Grave, and The Butterfly, among others. Presented by Nyoba Kan.
Magic Mirror: The Musical

Musical; 25 Nov-4 Dec; Istana Budaya; 011-12828859 / 8860, 011-12880399, www.guanyin.org. my; RM100-RM300
In the Western Pure Land of Great Bliss, the embodiment of all the Buddhas compassion, Guan-yin is entertained by the singing and dancing of her attending goddesses, but her heart, however, is perturbed. She contemplates the welfare of beings, and, hearing their laments, decides to help by teaching villagers and bandits about love, compassion, patience, tolerance and concern. Presented by Yayasan Guan Yin.
outstanding as Jude, a scientist who claimed he had found a way to make people blow up if they kissed each other on New Years Eve. With a fancy touch of science fiction and a look into the realities of love, we saw how Nicole (played by Van Driesen) and her boss, Senator Troy (Zahim) tried to discover their hidden love for each other. We were also introduced to Chris and Wendy, played by Ash Nair and and Tania Khan respectively, who were engaged but were having trouble moving on
STOMP ll
Theatre/Musical; 29 Nov-4 Dec; Plenary Hall @ KL Convention Centre; 0378807999, www.ticketpro.com.my; RM78-RM268
Londons West End theatrical sensation returns. With unstoppable energy and toe-tapping exuberance, STOMP takes the clutter and junk of everyday life bins, lighters, and even the kitchen sink and transforms it into a pulsating, witty, utterly irresistible theatrical event!
Aladdin: The Musical

Musical; 25 Nov-2 Jan 2012; Sunway Lagoon; 03-87754666 (AirAsia RedTix), 03-56390000 (Sunway Lagoon ticketing); www.airasiaredtix.com/Events/Aladdin; RM50-RM300
Get whisked to a land far, far away, filled with adventure, magic, and excitement in this production from the West End! Set against the mystical kingdom of Askabar, go on a musical journey featuring international artistes and dancers with exotic costumes, a flying carpet and a stunning stage. Witty dialogue, hit songs and a spellbinding spectacular.
Zahim and Yap in Whatll Break You.
Selangor_Clover Follow-up_26-27_FAOL copy.pdf
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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.

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bedridden youth needs financial aid

Lack of PJ hostels: an respect for the unregulated, blooming Constitution

November 25 27, 2011/ issue 50

More restrictions on fundamental rights

November 25 27, 2011

New measures to regulate cybercafs

State ready to work with federal govt on projects

Source: Malaysian meteorological department

Police still have too much discretionary powers

To place your Advert in

Faekah Husin, Arfaeza Abdul Aziz

SELANGOR TIMES November 25 27, 2011 3

Rice farmers protest raw deal

November 25 27, 2011

Premise licence renewal

Aid for the disabled

Learn sign language

Charity fun fair

3 Hours inspiring talk on how you can walk tall.

International Zaki + Partners

As a Real Estate Negotiator

ABOUT THE TRAINER MR.L.TLIM

Whats Your Property Worth Today?

Forum for parents

For Properties in:

016 - 331 0377

Damansara Heights Bukit Tunku TTDI

Bandar Utama Sierramas Subang Jaya / USJ

Puchong Cheras Klang

SELANGOR TIMES November 25 27, 2011 5

November 25 27, 2011

MDKL to stop licensing errant traders

Garbage takes centre stage at MDKL meeting

Stricter action on Council to step illegally parked trucks

up enforcement on heavy vehicles

New disabled committee formed

SELANGOR TIMES November 25 27, 2011 7

Flood mitigation to start on Sg Rajah

november 25 27, 2011

Online payment system for ratepayers

Bedridden youth needs financial aid

Lane closures on LDP

Upgrading works on the highway.

SELANGOR TIMES November 25 27, 2011 9

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