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.
Making Ipoh the most liveable city in Malaysia
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, July 10, 2009
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.
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)
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 seminarThe 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 MPsSeveral 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 timeAlso 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)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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
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
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
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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.
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.
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