Farmers crying ‘fowl’ over developer’s move to flatten land - Star

Jul 29, 2009 By IVAN LOH

A GROUP of farmers in Jelapang Tambahan in Ipoh had the shock of their lives when part of the crops they were growing on state land was allegedly flattened by a deve-loper.

Spokesman Chai Kok Chuen, 64, claimed that workers of the deve-loper had used tractors to destroy their crops and tool sheds without warning about two weeks ago.

“We have not received any eviction notices from the state authorities or the Land Office.

“Neither were there any verbal warning that the piece of land was to be developed,” he claimed at a press conference at the Jelapang DAP ser-vice centre in Ipoh on Saturday.

Chai noted that he and the other 15 other farmers affected had been growing vegetables and fruits as well as raising poultry and livestock on the 14.6ha piece of land for almost 20 years.

He, however, admitted that the farmers had not applied for the piece of land.

“We have not applied for the land as we know we will not get it. We want the developer to compensate us for the damage.

“We are willing to vacate the land if it does so and show us the eviction notices,” he added.

Their lawyer, Augustine Anthony, said the farmers would be submitting a memorandum to the state government this week in the hopes of having a discussion to resolve the problem.

State govt plans to rescue ailing bus companies - Star

Jul 28, 2009

THE Perak Government is mulling over various options to help stage bus operators who are incurring yearly losses.

State Executive Councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who is in charge of public transportation, said one of the reasons was because they were competing with each other on the same routes.

“They are also facing problems such as buying insurance coverage, insufficient diesel subsidy and ri-sing costs of spare parts,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with bus operators and state Road Transport Department director Md Yasir Mastakim on Saturday.

“The bus operators had suggested that the state government conduct a feasibility study on taking over as insurers,” he said.

Dr Mah added that he would hold a series of meetings with the state Economic Planning Unit, Commercial Vehicles and Licensing Board as well as bus operators to try to come up with amicable so-lutions.

Najib sets targets for Government to meet - Star

Jul 27, 2009

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on Monday a series of targets for the Government to meet in the next few years and the ministers responsible for it.

He said he would personally oversee the six ministers. The targets are:

* To reduce street crimes by 20% by the end of 2010 as part of the Government’s KPI target.

* To ensure 80% of Malaysian children get access to pre-school by 2012. Currently only 60% have access.

* By 2012, all school kids must master reading, writing and mathematics by Year 4.

* The Kelana Jaya LRT line is to get 35 new four-car train sets by 2012 as part of the Government's efforts to increase public transport usage to 25% from the present 16%.

* To ensure that by 2012, no one lives further than five kilometres from a tarred road and to build 50,000 homes for the poor.

* To improve the international perception of corruption in Malaysia by improving the country's ranking in the world's corruption index.

The following ministers are in charge of meeting the targets:

* Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as lead minister for widening access to quality and affordable education

* Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein for crime prevention

* Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz for fighting corruption

* Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil for raising the living standard of the low-income people

* Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal for upgrading infrastructure in the rural and interior regions

* Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for improving public transport in a moderate period of time.

Najib made the announcement when addressing a gathering of civil service officers at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), here.

The prime minister had announced the six National Key Results Areas (NKRAs) at the "100 Days of Najib with the People" function in Kuala Lumpur on July 11.

Poll: Most citizens concerned over high crime rate - Star

Jul 27, 2009

PETALING JAYA: The majority of Malaysians who responded to a poll say that they feel unsafe in the country at the moment.

According to the Home Ministry’s website, as at 6pm yesterday, 97% of 6,678 respondents to its poll said they did not feel safe due to the high crime rate.

More than half of the respondents formed this opinion because they or their family members were victims of crime while 36% of the respondents were influenced by news about crime.

Only 1% said they felt safe while the remaining percentage were uncertain.

The ministry’s website started a poll on Saturday to gauge the public’s views on the level of safety in the country and the Government’s performance in safe-guarding the people’s safety and security.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein called on Malaysians to participate in the poll saying that he appreciated their views, comments and complaints.

He said the public could also submit their feedback to ikdn@moha.gov.my for further action.

On the level of safety in the country, 95% of 5,209 respondents felt that it was not guaranteed as compared to 3% who felt that it was still guaranteed.

To a question whether the Government has done its best to ensure that the safety of the people was at the best level, 95% of 6,155 respondents replied in the negative.

Only 2% felt that the Government has taken the necessary measures to ensure public safety.

A total of 79% of 6,244 respondents also disagreed to a statement posted on the website that crime was a global issue and that Malaysia was not the only country faced with the increasing crime rate, while 17% others agreed to it.

Perak politicians share common disinterest in environment - Malaysiakini

July 24, 2009

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Perak are asking Perakians to only vote for politicians who are environmentally conscious.

Spearheaded by the Perak Environment Association (PEA), the move hopes to create environment protection awareness in the state by backing politicians who cared for the environment and took the issue seriously.

PEA president Abdul Rahman Said Alli told Malaysiakini today that the state authority in Perak is deteriorating with politicians ignoring the environmental aspects of because they are too busy lobbying for positions and political clout.

"The forest reserve area in the state is dwindling fast and adversely affecting the environment as a whole and politicians are not bothered about arresting this problem," Rahman lamented.

In line with these objectives, a two-day seminar was held in Ipoh by the Open University of Malaysia.

Shunned by BN and Pakatan

The seminar was attended by seven NGOs comprising the Malaysian Nature Society, World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), Fomca, Ipoh City Watch, KARS Society (watchdog group on limestone operations in the state), Selangor Environmental Society and PEA.

The main objective of this seminar, according to Rahman, was to educate the state politicians on the importance of preserving the environment and to get their support to highlight the problem both at the state assembly and in Parliament.

'But, sad to say the objective of the seminar was not reached as only a handful of the invited politicians turned up for the seminar. We have written to both the federal and state leaders of BN and Pakatan protesting the lukewarm attitude of their political representatives," Rahman stated.

"So, as a reactive measure, we are going to monitor all state politicians and urge the voters to support and vote for those who support the environment in the next state and general elections," he added.

Review for all Perak govt offices - Star

July 18, 2009

THE Perak Government has started reviewing the administration of all state departments, agencies and their subsidiaries to ensure their effectiveness.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the state had also begun mulling over methods to reorganise each institution where needed.

“This will involve the process of reinvention, restructuring and possibly reappraisal of each department.

“We will also look at their delivery system to see if they are satisfactory,” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting here yesterday.

Dr Zambry said that this was to ensure that the institutions would be effective in their ser-vice to the people.

“We also hope that by conducting this review, we will be able to increase the state’s revenue and expand our economic sector,” he added.

Dr Zambry also said that the Perak Economic Council, after holding its second discussion recently, would soon create an economic development plan for the state.

“We hope to improve on certain sectors that can help better the state’s economy,” he said.

Dr Zambry said the state would put emphasis on its manufacturing, tourism, food and service industries.

Jalan Lahat expansion to be ready by year-end - Star

July 18, 2009

THE Ipoh City Council will widen a 50m stretch of Jalan Lahat in Ipoh from two to four lanes to ease the traffic congestion there.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the stretch from the Jalan Lahat-Jalan Falim junction to the front of a driving school in Menglembu was narrow and prone to traffic jam.

Speaking to reporters after a meet-the-people session at Menglembu near Ipoh on Wednesday, he said the project would be completed by year-end.

Roshidi was responding to a proposal by councillor Dr Lee Mun Toong during the meeting.

He also said Jalan Lahat and other major roads in Menglembu and Falim would be resurfaced.

On another matter, Roshidi warned night market traders in Menglembu not to litter but to throw their rubbish into garbage bins.

“If they refuse to keep the area clean, we will revoke their licences,” he said, adding that they should maintain the cleanliness of their trading area.

He stressed that the public should stop littering and help keep the city clean.

MB: Centre is for all - Star

July 18, 2009

THE Perak Barisan Nasional Public Services and Com-plaints Centre was set up to help and serve the people regardless of their race or political leanings.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, who officially opened the centre in Ipoh yesterday, said the public should not hesitate to seek help there.

”This is a place for all. It is not necessarily for Barisan or its supporters but for all the rakyat including those who do not support us.

“We do not discriminate against those who come to get help,” he said at the centre’s opening ceremony recently.

Dr Zambry said that since its opening a month ago, the centre had handled 28 cases ranging from those seeking donations for health or medical problems to complaints on flood and rubbish problems.

”The centre takes all complaints seriously and the assemblymen will do their best to solve them,” he said, adding that the centre had resolved six cases to date.

He later handed out donations collected from the public to housewife Lew Chew Chuan who is the mother of three-year-old heart patient Lim Wei Jin, cancer patient Choi Choi Yok, 39, and the family of Lam Siew Kang, who needs funds to remove her cataract.

Perak Barisan information chief Datuk Hamdi Abu Bakar is adviser to the centre while its chairman is former Tronoh assemblyman Datuk Lee Kon Yin.

The centre located at 17B, Jalan Seenivasagam, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, is open from 9am to 5pm daily.

To seek help, call 05-2554916 or fax enquiries to 05-2544 916.

Redesign around killer Jelapang stretch complete - Star

July 14, 2009

IPOH: The stretch of the North-South Expressway between Ipoh Selatan and the former killer Jelapang toll plaza has been opened to traffic, allowing non-stop travelling between Kuala Lumpur and destinations north of here.

Previously, road users had to stop at the Ipoh Selatan toll plaza to pay toll, then collect another ticket at the Ipoh Utara toll plaza before continuing their journey north.

The redesigned stretch, opened by Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor on Tuesday, was prompted by the need to remove the Jelapang toll plaza where several fatal accidents had occurred.

Work, which began last year, included the construction of two parallel toll-free roads to enable Ipoh residents to travel between the Ipoh Selatan, Ipoh Utara and Jelapang interchanges without needing to pay toll.

Users heading to Ipoh -- whether to Jalan Tasek, Jalan Kuala Kangsar or Jalan Jelapang -- from Kuala Lumpur now need to exit the expressway at Ipoh Selatan.

Those from the north should exit at the new Ipoh Utara interchange which replaces the old Jelapang exit.

Perak aborigines want greater rights to their land - Star

Jul 13, 2009 By CHRISTINA KOH

ckoh@thestar.com.my

IPOH: The orang asli (aborigines) of Perak want the state government to recognise their rights to their ancestral land and are calling for an amendment to existing laws governing their jurisdiction.

Yayasan Orang Asli Perak chairman Suki Mee said this was one of the six resolutions passed unanimously by over 500 orang asli participants at a conference to discuss their land woes in Tapah last weekend.

Suki said they want the state to gazette, as orang asli reserve, the areas covering their villages, their agricultural plots and orchards, and their foraging grounds -- with immediate effect.

Another resolution called for an amendment to the Orang Asli Act or the National Land Code that would allow such land to be gazetted, and for the Tok Batin (orang asli village chief) to have a voice in its development.

“Legally, only the Orang Asli Affairs Department (JHEOA) has the purview to decide what development projects take place in the reserve, but we want the Tok Batin to also have a say.

“Although the Tok Batin is usually appointed by the JHEOA director-general, the appointment is usually done with the recommendation of the village,” he said in an interview Monday.

Suki said a special committee to resolve the people’s longtime land issues would raise the matter when handing over the resolutions to the state in early August.

Perak executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, he said, had pledged to meet them and the JHEOA to discuss their concerns.

Another resolution was to allow the orang asli to apply for individual titles within or outside a proposed gazetted orang asli area while waiting for its gazetting.

“I am confident that the state and Federal government will look into the resolutions. We are not asking for new land, we are only asking for the rights to the areas we are on now,” he said.

Suki said that the state government had in the past made some effort to grant land titles to the orang asli people through its orang asli land alienation policy in 1993.

“But as far as I know, not a single application has been approved under JHEOA since 1993 except for one area in Kampung Bawong in Sungai Siput, Perak.

“Other orang asli might have also been given titles, but this was through their own individual effort,” he said.

The remaining resolutions passed concerned other land and development related problems.

He said that according to 1998 JHEOA statistics, only 17% of some 29,766ha of orang asli land have been gazetted as reserves.

An estimated 42,000 orang asli live in Perak.

Sound sleep with flood woes solved - Star

Jul 11, 2009 By IVAN LOH

FLASH floods plaguing Taman Cherry and Taman Idris in Ipoh for almost 20 years are now a thing of the past.

Taman Cherry Rukun Tetangga secretary Lucus Asirvatham said a new drainage system, which was completed last year, had been successfully diverting rainwater to a nearby water retention pond.

“The drains have been made deeper to accommodate a heavier flow of rainwater,” he said.

“All the clogged drains have also been cleared and water is flowing smoothly to the retention pond.

“So far, there have been no flash floods reported in these areas and the residents can finally sleep soundly now,” he said after a meeting with Ipoh City councillor Datuk Daniel Tay on Tuesday.

On another matter, Lucus said there was a need for a speed bump on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, in front of Taj Kolej, to prevent motorists from speeding.

He said the curve along the road near the state Customs headquarters was prone to accident and he urged the city council to consider their request.

Lucus said a letter requesting for the construction of the bumper had been handed over to Zone Eight (Tembok, Taman Cherry and Taman Lim) area officer Azman Toha.

Meanwhile, Tay said residents in Zone Eight who wanted to lodge complaints to the city council could now call Azman directly.

Tay said it was easier to go directly to the area officer rather than to call up the city council hotline or general line.

Azman can be contacted at 019-5708995.

New tax deduction system from July - Star

July 10, 2009 By SARBAN SINGH

PORT DICKSON: A new schedular tax deduction system from this month will eliminate the need for employees to pay an additional lump sum at the year-end to make up for the shortfall in monthly deductions.

Inland Revenue Board (IRB) chief executive officer Datuk Hasmah Adullah said that under the current system implemented in 2004, the board had on many occasions taken a big cut of the individual’s bonus to make up for the shortfall.

“We had cases where an employee’s entire bonus would go to the IRB (to make up for the shortfall). We do not want to do this any more as it is unfair to the taxpayer.

“It is better for us to make higher deductions every month. This is a better arrangement,” she said, adding that under new system, the taxpayer would have paid up almost all his dues by the end of the year.

She added that the new system would also allow for employees to submit their claims for rebates every month, along with a range of new reliefs.

Previously, the taxpayer was allowed to claim relief for himself, his spouse, their children, his Employees Provident Fund and insurance contributions, and zakat payment (if any), and claim other reliefs only when filing his returns at the end of the assessment year.

Under the new system, Hasmah said an employee can submit claims for rebates such as parents’ medical bills, purchase of a computer, tertiary education fees, medical check-ups, and book and sports equipment purchases to his employer every month using the PCB/TP1 form.

“When this is done, the tax to be paid for that particular month will be reduced automatically. This would practically be a real-time tax payment system.

“We want the taxpayer to benefit straightaway rather then wait till the end of the year,” she said.

She said under the new system, the employee could make monthly claims for 17 other reliefs announced in Budget 2009.

The employee, she added, would not have to submit receipts for the claims to the employer.

Among the new reliefs announced are for travelling allowance, petrol claims, parking fees, food allowance, caretaker fee, maternity and traditional medicine treatment (ayurvedic, acupuncture, etc) and subscription to broadband services.

She said taxpayers could submit their claims for rebates monthly, quarterly or twice a year.

Hasmah said employers who needed assistance on the workings of the new structure could enter the board’s website at www.hasil.gov.my and look for the schedular tax deduction (PCB) calculator icon.

Seminar on improvement of existing environmental laws related to forest and natural enviroment

The 2-day seminar organized by Perak Environmental Association (PEA) in collaboration with Ipoh City Watch (ICW) and Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) was held in Ipoh from 6 to 7 July 2009 at Open University Malaysia Perak.

Abdul Rahman, President of PEA delivers his opening speech watched by Augustine and representative of MNS

The objectives of the seminar are to create awareness on improvement of the existing environmental laws related to managing of forest reserve and natural environment. PEA hopes that through such seminar it can help protect the environment for the sake of the current and future generations.

Some of the participants of the seminar

The following are some of the acts being focused during the seminar:

i) Akta Perancangan Bandar dan Desa 1976 (Akta 172)
ii) Akta Perlindungan Hidupan Liar 1972 (Akta 76)
iii) Akta Perhutanan Negara 1984 (Akta 313)
iv) Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling 1974 (Akta 127)

YB Fong Po Kuan was making a point on how to create awareness on environmental protection among ADUNS and MPs

Several disinguished speakers have been invited to present their papers during the seminar. Among the notable speakers include:

a) Mr. Piarapakaran Subramaniam, Manager of ERA Consumer - Environment Dept
b) Mr. Kanitha Krishnasamy, Senior Conservation Officer of MNS
c) En. Saharudin Bin Anan, Director of Enforcement, Jabatan Perhilitan Malaysia
d) En. Ahmad Zafir Abdul Wahab, Rhino Rescue Project, Senior Programme Officer, WWF
e) En. Meor Razak Bin Meor Abd. Rahman, Secretary, PEA
f) Pn. Tijah Yoke Chopil, Pengasas dan penasihat Jaring Kampung Orang Asli Perak
g). Mr. Bah Tony William Hunt, Bekas Presiden, Persatuan Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia
h) En. Nizam Mahshar, Coordinator Sahabat Alam Malaysia
i) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rusli Bin Mohd, Fakulty of Forest, UPM

Bah Tony was delivering his talk on Orang Asli and the environment

Mr. Augustine Anthony posting questions for Puan Tijah and Bah Tony during question time

Also present, Mr. Augustine Anthony, President of ICW, YB Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah MP), YB Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat MP)and YB Manoharan (Teluk Intan MP)

Traders target of thieves - Star

July 7, 2009

FOR the past three weeks, a group of thieves have been terrorising traders at the Pasir Pinji wet market in Ipoh by threatening them and making off with their goods.

According to the traders, the group, compri-sing between four and six people, often struck in the wee hours of the morning.

“They usually arrive on their motorcycles after 3am, ride around the area first and then one of them will enter the market to check out the si-tuation.

“Once the coast is clear, the group steal whatever goods they find, like our meats and vegetables,” said trader Cheong Sum Sooi during a visit by a group of officers from the Perak police contingent at the market yesterday.

Getting feedback: DCP Zulkifli speaking to a trader during his visit at the Pasir Pinji wet market in Ipoh. With him is Cheong (centre).

Cheong, who spoke on behalf of the traders, said the thieves had once even stolen some cash and valuables from a trader who happened to be in the market then.

“In another incident, when one trader asked the group why they were making off with the goods, they threatened him and told him not to lodge a police report.

“They told him that they would hurt him if he reported them,” he said.

Cheong added that over the past three weeks, the same group had struck several times, causing the traders to live in fear.

“We have also lodged police reports. However, the group would only attack after they see the police patrol vehicle leaving the site,” he said.

After his visit, Perak CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah pledged to step up security in the market.

“We will increase the frequency of our police patrol and ensure that the traders here feel safe again.

“I will also ask the Ipoh City Council to install more street lights around the market to brigh-ten up the area,” he said

Crime rates soar in Perak - Malaysian Insider

IPOH, July 7 — Crimes involving robbery, car theft and snatching in Perak has shot up in the first six months of this year, compared to the same period last year, said Perak chief police officer, Datuk Zulkefli Abdullah.

He said cases involving robbery increased by 197 cases from 541 cases in the first six months of last year to 739 cases this year, a 36 per cent hike.

“Police observation found that the jump was due to the economic slump along with unemployment,” he told reporters after the Chief Police Officer’s monthly gathering at the Perak Police Contingent Headquarters here today.

He said the criminals were also into drug abuse and their targets included 24-hour outlets, roadside stalls and housing areas.

Car theft from January to June this year went up from 55 for the whole of last year to 138 cases in the first six months alone this year, a jump of 150.91 per cent.

He said the cases of motorcycle theft also rose from 2,287 in the first six month period last year to 2,398 in the same period this year (a 4.85 per cent rise).

Zulkefli said snatching theft rose from 195 cases to 268 in the first half of the year, up 37.44 per cent. Most of the crimes occurred in the districts of Ipoh, Manjung, Taiping and Hilir Perak.

He was upset with the attitude of the people in the state, who did not provide information to the police about crimes in their area. He said the meet-the-people programmes at police stations held each Tuesday were not well received by the public.

“People only blame the police when there is a crime committed but when the police have a programme like meeting the clients there is poor response,” he said.

Zulkefli said the police also had a website (polisperak.rmp.gov.my/polis perak/index.html) to get feedback from the public on crimes. — Bernama

Ipoh terminal plan still alive - Star

Jul 2, 2009 BY CLARA CHOOI

THE Ipoh Central Terminal Hub, a Perak Pakatan Rakyat project aimed at easing the city’s public transport problems, is still on but the group undertaking the project must give the state government a proper proposal.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said he had instructed the group to hand him a more comprehensive proposal than the present one so that they will be able to work things out as soon as possible.

“I have already instructed the state authorities to allow the group to acquire the piece of land where the bus terminal will be built,” he said.

Dr Zambry, who was speaking to reporters after distributing education aid to 442 students at the State Secretariat on Monday, said the current city bus terminals in Medan Kidd and Medan Gopeng needed to be improved instead of being relocated.

In September last year, the Pakatan Rakyat-led government signed an agreement with Combined Bus Services Sdn Bhd, a consortium of 14 city bus operators which agreed to invest RM38mil to construct the terminal in Meru Raya and a further RM150mil to equip the city with 300 modern air-conditioned coaches.

According to former exco member in charge of public transport Nga Kor Ming, a groundbreaking ceremony had already been held at the 3.4ha site allocated for the terminal.

“The consortium has already spent some RM2mil on its first batch of buses which were supposed to be plying the city routes earlier this year,” he said when contacted.

“There was even a competition to name the buses and we had already decided on the name ‘Perak Flyer’.”

Nga alleged that Dr Zambry had offered the consortium the land premium at market rate while Pakatan’s agreement was to give them a nominal premium.

“How can the investors pay so much?” he asked.