Minimum Appeals Kelab Syabas

wage debate Board upholds returns

rages Telekom's to former
p 12 & 13 rights p 2
glory p
15

community May 6 — May 8, 2011/ issue 23

By Gan Pei Ling

KUALA SELANGOR: Selan-

gor is moving to save its dwindling
population of fireflies by setting
up a breeding nursery along Sun- OPS PAYUNG: 
In an effort to
gai Selangor next month. combat crime,
“We will set up artificial breeding police have set
grounds for the fireflies,” said Dr up mobile beat
Ang Lai Hoe at the Kampung Kuan- bases under
tan Firefly Park last Friday. umbrellas in
Ang, a senior research officer crime hotspots,
from the biotechnology division in such as this
Forest Research Institute Malaysia one located at
(Frim), said the fireflies’ natural Klang Parade.
spawning grounds have been dis- • Story on
turbed due to plantations and other page 6
developments along the river.
“The breeding ground has be-
come too hot and dry, and lacks
organic material,” he said.

Keeping the home

Indigenous tree species like sago
will be planted, and artificial shade
will be set up in a one-hectare plot
in Tanjung Beluntas to help reha-
bilitate the area by the riverside.
He said sago trees are the natu-

fireflies burning
ral habitat for firefly larvae as the
plants provide sufficient moisture
and shade.
“If the project is successful, we
will replicate it in other areas,” said
Ang.                    
Selangor has acquired and gazet-
ted 95 hectares of land as a firefly ages. Only the remaining 40% are RM390,450 to the project and along the riverbank. 2,000 hectares.
sanctuary along Sungai Selangor in forests. signed a memorandum with the “We must get the community Around 60% to 70% of the 2,000
2009 to preserve the species. Frim experts will be working to- state last Friday. involved to help protect the fireflies,” hectares are private lands, with some
Ang said that previously, around gether with the state to carry out the Selangor Water Management Norzamri told Selangor Times. converted into plantations and
60% of the 95 hectares were con- three-year breeding project spon- Authority (Luas) acting director He said fireflies can be found other residential areas.
verted into plantations and other sored by Aeon, a Japanese retailer. Norzamri Sondor said they also plan along a 20km stretch of Sungai Sel- He said the Luas enforcement
land use, according to satellite im- The company donated to invite villagers to help plant trees angor and its buffer zone of around • Turn to page 6
 news
2 MAY 6 — 8, 2011
To place your Advert in

Contact Timothy Loh 019-2674488,

Ivan Looi 014-9366698,
Yeoh (right)
or Vincent Boon 012-8902033 and USJ 6
residents
speaking to

RM50m relief fund the press

after the

for Selangor
Appeals
Board
delivered its
decision.
By Alvin Yap

SHAH ALAM: Selangor will boost its ability to prepare for

natural disasters with the creation of a RM50 million relief
fund.
Appeals Board upholds
Telekom’s rights
“The executive council has decided to set up a Natural
Disaster Relief Fund (TWBA) worth RM50 million for the By Gan Pei Ling
people during times of disaster,” said Menteri Besar Tan Sri
Khalid Ibrahim on Wednesday. SHAH ALAM: It was a bittersweet
He said an initial grant of RM10 million will be allocated day for residents of USJ 6 when the
this year, and RM10 million will be allocated every year from Selangor Appeals Board decided to
2012 to 2015 for the remaining RM40 million. uphold Telekom Bhd’s right to develop
The fund is set up according to financing and accounting its 0.35-hectare utility reserve land
laws to enable it to generate profits by investing in equities. yesterday.
It can also receive donations from individuals, as well as While the telecommunications
from companies wanting to discharge their Corporate Social company is now allowed to continue
Responsibility (CSR). with its development, three conditions
“The fund will be accorded tax-exemption status for this imposed upon them will reduce the size
purpose,” said Khalid. and nature of the development to en-
Khalid said the fund can only be utilised in 2016 because it sure that traffic conditions in the area
needs time to invest and generate acceptable returns to assist will not be severely impacted.
relief efforts. Telekom had initially proposed to
The administration will seek approval at the second state construct a nine-storey commercial
assembly sitting in July to legislate an enactment for the crea- tower in a development undertaken by
tion of the fund. TM Facilities and Pujangga Budiman
It will also ask the assembly to approve allocations for the in a joint venture.
initial funding of RM10 million. But conditions set by the board have
The fund will be administered by top state civil service of- ensured that the development is no
ficials who will report to the state executive council. higher than the existing five-storey Tele-
Currently, the state has the Natural Disaster Trust Fund to kom building located in the same area.
provide for victims, but it has only RM8 million in allocations “The building shall not be higher
and cannot be invested. than the existing Telekom building [in
USJ 6],” said board member Ho
Khong Ming.
Selangor WEATHER The board ruled that the developer
must also reduce the size and height of
Friday Saturday Sunday the building as traffic on most roads in
USJ 6 is already congested, according
Morning to a 2008 Traffic Impact Assessment
(TIA) report.
In addition, Ho said: “The develop-
ment shall only be for offices, and no
part of the development can be used for
commercial purposes that would attract
more traffic than offices.”
He said retail outlets, restaurants,
supermarkets, hotels and cinemas are
not permitted.
Thirdly, the developer must adopt
the TIA’s suggestions to improve traffic
conditions in the area and adhere to any
additional conditions imposed by the
local council.
Two other Appeals Board members,
Datuk Abu Bakar Awang and Datuk
Azmeer Rashid, were also present.
The board also said the Subang Jaya
Municipal Council (MPSJ) should is-
sue a public apology over its blunder in
designating the land as a field in its draft
local plan before changing the land’s
status to “commercial” without public
consultation.
Subang Jaya assemblyperson Han-
nah Yeoh said they will consult Gobind
Singh Deo, who is the lawyer represent-
ing the residents, to consider the pos-
sibility of a judicial review.
MPSJ had twice rejected the devel-
oper’s application to sub-divide the
utility reserve land for development in
its full board meetings in November
2005 and February 2006.
However, the local council gave
conditional approval for the project in
2008 before the TIA was completed.
The residents filed an appeal against
the project in 2009.
Due to public protest, MPSJ re-
voked its development order in 2009,
but the revocation is legally void as it
was never endorsed by the State Plan-
ning Committee.
Subsequently, MPSJ councillors and
its then president Datuk Adnan Md
Ikshan cancelled the revocation in an
ad-hoc meeting in April 2010.
However, the Appeals Board’s deci-
sion to allow commercial development
on utility reserve land is expected to
have far-reaching consequences for
similar cases in Selangor.
Yeoh said the precedent would now
apply to other cases in Petaling Jaya,
Serdang and other areas.
Meanwhile, residents who were pres-
ent yesterday expressed their disap-
pointment over the Appeals Board’s
decision.
“We’re the ones who will be directly
affected by the development and the
worsening traffic conditions,” said resi-
dent Philip Song, 49.

Afternoon
PKPS records RM1.8m profit
KAJANG: The Selangor Agriculture
Night Development Corporation (PKPS)
recorded a profit of RM1.8 million
and reduced operating costs by RM2
million last year.
Source: Malaysian meteorological department
“The profits are due to increased
palm oil production, which surged to
14,000 tonnes in 2010 compared with
9,200 tonnes the year before,” said Ali
Ahmad.
The PKPS group general manager Signing
phone (603) 5510 4566 the
fax (603) 5523 1188
added that the state subsidiary man-
aged to reduce operation costs through plaque:
email editor@selangortimes.com
Khalid at
a transparent system of governance
the PKPS
EDITORIAL since 2008. farm in
CHIEF EDITOR KL Chan Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibra- Sungai
COMMUNITY EDITOR Neville Spykerman him, who visited the farm in Sungai Long.
WRITERS Tang Hui Koon, Chong Loo Wah, Gan Pei Ling, Long, said profits should see an in-
Basil Foo, Alvin Yap, Gho Chee Yuan, Brenda Ch’ng crease this year. He also opened the Jelutong Jati Khalid said CP Group will train
COPY EDITORS Nick Choo, James Ang “Their profits are expected to in- farm on Jalan Tanjung Maling, which PKPS staff to use the latest technology.
DESIGNERS Jimmy C. S. Lim, Chin Man Yen crease [this year] with close monitoring houses a dairy and poultry farm using The Menteri Besar also had the hon-
PHOTOGRAPHER Victor Chong and systematic management carried out the latest technology. our of reaping the first harvest of chickens
ADVERTISING Timothy Loh, Ivan Looi by PKPS,” he said. The farm’s technology was the result which were bred on the farm for 39 days.
ADVISORS Faekah Husin, Arfa’eza Abdul Aziz
Khalid visited additional areas for of co-operation between PKPS and the The farm has 200 Friesian cows, and
oil palm cultivation and flood-prone Charoen Pokphand Group (CP PKPS is targeting a production of
sections of the PKPS field. Group) from Thailand. about 1,000 litres of milk per cow.
SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ MAY 6 – 8, 2011 ⁄ 3
4
news
MAY 6 — 8, 2011
Events
Pay less for books
Pay Less Books’ warehouse sale is back. Malaysia’s
largest provider for quality used English books is
selling rare out-of-print titles at cheap prices. Also
available are fiction and non-fiction genres. Sales
start today (May 6) until Sunday (May 8) from 10am
to 7pm on the first floor of the Lee Kong Chian
Hall, YMCA Kuala Lumpur, 95, Jalan Padang Belia,
50470 Kuala Lumpur. For more information, visit
www.paylessbooks.com.my.
Montfort open day
Come and join Montfort Boys’ open day on Sunday
(May 8) from 9am to 5pm on Jalan Montfort, Shah
Alam. Expect games, entertainment and joyrides.
For more information, contact the centre at 03-
55191735 or 03-55191736.
Tai chi for beginners
The Association of Tai Chi Huang Malaysia in
Klang will start a new tai chi class for beginners
this month. Anyone who is looking to keep a
relaxed and healthy lifestyle is welcome. Classes
will be held twice weekly on Tuesday and Friday
evenings from 8pm to 9pm at 92-C, Lebuh Tapah,
Klang (opposite Pin Hwa High School). For more
information, call 017-6028770 (Ong), 012-6741922
(Ng) or 019-6640956 (Koh).
Japanese film treat
The Japan Foundation of Kuala Lumpur will be
having a film screening tomorrow (May 7). The film,
titled The Place Promised in Our Early Days, features
an alternate timeline in post-World War II Japan that
has been divided and occupied by two rival powers.
The screening will begin at 3pm at Pawagam Mini
P Ramlee, National Film Development Corporation
Malaysia, Jalan Hulu Kelang, Ampang. Admission is
free.
Preserving Bukit Gasing
A family day to raise awareness about the campaign
to save Bukit Gasing from developers will be held
tomorrow (May 7). It is a chance for the community
to come together and help keep this hill safe
from environmentally damaging development on
the steep hill slopes. There will be activities like
balloon sculpting, art and colouring competitions
for children and adults, lucky draws and more.
The gathering will be held at the Gasing Indah
playground from 2.30pm to 4pm. For details, visit
http://savebukitgasing.wordpress.com.
Learn sign language
A sign-language course will be conducted by YMCA
Kuala Lumpur together with Pusat Majurdiri Y on
May 10. This course will be held for eight weeks,
every Tuesday and Thursday, from 7.30pm to 9pm.
Registration is now open. For more details, contact
03-22741439 (Chee Huay Woon / Morley Ng) or
email them at morleyng@ymcakl.com.
Hatha yoga lessons
Divine Life Society will be conducting Hatha Yoga
lessons from May 8 to June 26. The classes will
be conducted at the Vivekananda Ashram Hall,
Brickfields. It will cover over 30 essential yogic
exercises and five breathing techniques. For more
information, contact 03-40214657 (Nesa) or 03-
79560875 (Param).
Batik workshop
The Department of Extra-Mural Studies, Malaysian
Institute of Art (MIA), will hold a workshop for batik
lovers this month. The workshop, which consists of
four lessons, is open to anyone aged 13 and above.
Participants will be taught how to draft, draw, wax,
colour, and also get to know the various techniques
needed to create interesting designs with batik tools
and dyes. The workshop will be conducted at MIA
Art Centre, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. For more
information, contact the centre at 03-21632337,
email mia.ems@gmail.com, or visit the website at
www.mia.edu.my.
State addresses
grave concerns
By Basil Foo
KLANG: The spiralling cost of bury-
ing the dead is being addressed by the
state, which is moving to allocate more
land for public cemeteries.
Two sites here, amounting to 303
hectares, are being considered in Johan
Setia and Bukit Raja.   The land will be
“We are doing this to address short-
ages of burial grounds due to the in-
creasing amount of residential devel-
opments here,” said Ronnie Liu Tian
Khiew.
The state executive councillor,
whose portfolio includes local govern-
ment, said cemeteries will be managed
by non-governmental organisations
and not private companies.
He told Selangor Times during a
site visit on May 3 that this is to reduce
costs for the public, who need burial
plots but cannot afford private-owned
cemeteries.
“The land in Johan Setia has been
gazetted as a Muslim burial ground
and will be maintained by the Selangor
Islamic Religious Council (MAIS),”
said Liu.
Situated about 3km from the main
road, parts of the 22-hectare land have
been used as an illegal pineapple plan-
tation by nearby farmers.
Requests have been made by the
Iskandar cries foul over ‘illegal’ voters
Iskandar with records that show names of
illegal voters.
Klang Municipal
Council (MPK) to
the state govern-
ment for RM3 mil-
lion to prepare the
burial grounds and
upgrade the access
road.
developed in stages,
with the first 10
acres estimated to
be completed with-
in three months
upon the approval for funds, and will
meet the community’s needs for the
next five years.
The rest of the unused land will be
opened for agricultural purposes, the
developers of which will be charged a
nominal fee.
The 242-hectare plot, which is in
Bukit Raja, lies between MPK’s and
Shah Alam City Council (MBSA)’s
jurisdiction.
“I will speak with the mayor of
MBSA to carve out a piece of land. This
area is more suitable for non-Muslims,
especially the Chinese,” said Liu.
He explained that the Chinese com-
munity preferred undulating and hilly
land to be used as burial grounds.
If approved, the burial grounds here
will be managed by organisations like
SHAH ALAM: Assemblyperson
Iskandar Samad is seeing red over
the latest electoral roll, which
shows voters illegally transferred to
his constituency.
Latest Election Commission
(EC) records for January to March
show some 19 new voters trans-
ferred from the neighbouring
Teratai constituency to  Iskandar’s
Cempaka constituency.
Iskandar alleged that the voters
are commitee members from a
certain political party.
He said they are still residing in
Teratai, but have now registered to
vote in Cempaka.
“The number is small, but it is
part of a larger strategy to wrest
Liu talking to MPK
senior assistant
engineer Rosmala
Paiman during a
visit to Bukit Raja
for burial grounds
allocation.
Liu
inspecting
incinerators
at the
crematorium
during a visit
on Tuesday.
the Hokkien or Guangdong associa-
tions of Malaysia.
Allocating land for cemeteries is a
requirement that developers are reluc-
tant to adhere to when constructing
residential areas as they affect house
prices.
“The local council allows developers
to combine plots of land for cemeteries
which are situated on the outskirts,”
said Datuk Mislan Tugiu.
The MPK president said a shortage
of burial sites has spiked in recent years
due to rapid development in Klang like
Bukit Tinggi, Bandar Botanik, Anda-
las, and Bandar Puteri.
To assist with the shortage of burial
grounds, a crematorium in Simpang
Lima will be refurbished and re-
launched within a month.
back control [of Selangor] from
Pakatan Rakyat,” said Iskandar at a
press conference on Tuesday.
The Pas politician said the par-
ty’s election workers had detected
some 484 voters who have trans-
ferred themselves across Selangor
constituencies, based on the latest
electoral roll.
He said they were filing objec-
tions on the illegal transfers to
the EC.
Iskandar, who is state executive
councillor for housing and squat-
ters, had previously contested in
the Lembah Jaya state seat (1999)
and Pandan parliamentary seat
(2004) before winning his present
seat in the 2008 General Election.
SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ MAY 6 – MAY 8, 2011 ⁄ 5
6
News
MAY 6 — 8, 2011
Shukor (left) showing how the umbrella stand can be converted into a roadblock barrier.
Police doubles
‘mobile’ stations
in North Klang
By Basil Foo
KLANG: Satisfied with the suc-
cess of Ops Payung 1, the North
Klang police district has decided to
double the number of “mobile”
police stations.
Under Ops Payung 2, the num-
ber of three-police-officer units will
be increased to 18 from the current
six in northern Klang.
Besides monitoring crime ac-
tivities in housing estates, the mo-
bile police stations can also take
complaints from the public.
“These umbrella stands are a
more practical approach to com-
bating crime as they allow us to
respond quicker with greater flex-
ibility,” said Superintendent Shu-
kor Sulong yesterday.
The North Klang district police
chief said the additional 12 um-
Ensuring no big-scale
development threatens colony
• From page One
team would monitor the river and
its buffer zone from time to time
with Frim and the land office to
ensure there is no big-scale devel-
opment that would threaten the
firefly colony.
“Villagers will inform us when-
ever there are encroachments,” said
Norzamri, adding that the highest
penalty for encroachment is a fine
of RM50,000 and imprisonment
for two years.
Frim entomologist Nada Badrud-
brella stands will be deployed im-
mediately, and can also act as
counters for the community to tip
off the police about possible crimes.
Police officers have been told to
interact with members of the pub-
lic under a new Citizens Focused
Policy, to understand their needs
and address them better, he said.
“I encourage the public to ap-
proach the umbrella stands if they
have any information or questions.
The police are now friendlier com-
pared with the [19]60s,” Shukor
said during the launch in Klang
Parade.
During the launch, Shukor dem-
onstrated how the umbrella stands
could be modified on the spot into
barriers for setting up roadblocks.
The umbrella stands come
equipped with flashing lights, and
Shukor said that they have proven
din said fireflies can be found world-
wide, but the special behaviour of
fireflies that congregate, as seen in
Kuala Selangor, is only limited to
Southeast Asia.
“Kuala Selangor is special be-
cause the location is strategic; other
areas are not as accessible to hu-
mans,” she told Selangor Times.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid
Ibrahim said the popular eco-tour-
ism site attracts around 3,500 visi-
tors a month.
Visitors usually take a boat tour
via Kampung Kuantan Firefly Park
to be effective in improving police
response time to major crimes like
bank robberies.
“We can carry out traffic inspec-
tions [more quickly] now, too, in-
stead of returning to the police
station to get the roadblock equip-
ment,” he added.
The first phase of Ops Payung,
which was launched last December,
received encouraging response
from the public, some of whom
contributed food and drinks to the
officers on duty.
Penny Yeo, from the Taman
Klang Residents Assocation, sup-
ported the initiative as crime in the
area has decreased since the imple-
mentation of Ops Payung.
“Since the deployment of the
umbrella beats, there have been no
complaints from the residents
here,” said Yeo.
or Kampung Belimbing to view the
fireflies at night.
Also present at last Friday’s mem-
orandum signing ceremony were
Aeon president Datuk Abdullah
Yusof, state secretary Datuk Khusrin
Munawi, executive councillor Dr
Xavier Jayakumar, and assistant ex-
ecutive councillor Edward Lee.
They took a boat tour to witness
the beauty of the fireflies after the
signing the memorandum.
Kuala Selangor district council
officials and councillors were also
present.
World needs
press freedom
more than ever
By Alvin Yap
SHAH ALAM: Selangor has
pledged to ensure greater freedom
of information to ensure the public
and journalists get access to infor-
mation on issues that affect them.
“The state passed the Freedom
of Information (FOI) Enactment
on April 1 [this year] to ensure
transparency and accountability,”
said Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim during
a speech commemorating World
Press Freedom Day.
The speech, which was read out
by executive councillor Dr Halimah
Ali at a forum organised by Univer-
siti Selangor on Tuesday, said the
enactment would enable civil soci-
ety and democracy to advance.
The Menteri Besar said Selangor
would persist in giving people un-
fettered access to government ad-
ministration.
He pointed out that the demand
for greater freedom is increasing,
citing the ongoing events in the
Middle East.
“The upheaval and revolution
across Northern Africa and the
Middle East demonstrated that as
the world changes, the need for a
free press is becoming all the more
important,” he said at the forum
titled 21st Century Media, New
Frontiers, New Barriers.
Selangor to build
affordable houses
By Alvin Yap
SHAH ALAM: In a bid to resolve
the lack of affordable housing for
those earning a minimum of
RM2,500, the state plans to build
houses priced at RM100,000.
“It will be homes that are more
comfortable and spacious at 850 sq
ft, compared with 650 sq ft for low-
cost homes,” said state executive
councillor Iskandar Samad on
Wednesday.
He said the Affordable Owner-
ship Homes project will cater for
th o s e e a rn i n g R M 2 , 5 0 0 t o
RM5,000, adding that 30% of the
purchasers will be below 35 years of
age.
“We do not want a large section
of society who cannot afford to buy
houses,” Iskandar said after a state
executive meeting.
He said the Selangor Develop-
ment Corporation (PKNS) will
approve the design and specifica-
tions as well as build the houses.
Iskandar said a panel of architects
will act as consultants on the design.
An initial 2,000 units will be
built around the Bandar Baru Bangi
area.
An earth-breaking ceremony of-
ficiated by the Menteri Besar will be
Referring to Malaysia, he said
the country was shackled by censor-
ship in the print media, and online
news portals have been under at-
tack recently.
He pointed to Sin Chew re-
porter Tan Choon Heng, who was
arrested under the Internal Secu-
rity Act for 16 hours in September
2008 for reporting that a politician
had made racist remarks during a
ceramah.
Khalid said the internet was
becoming a tool for citizen journal-
ists to report stories.
He also painted a grim figure of
861 journalists killed on duty, with
16 deaths so far for the year.
There are 145 journalists de-
tained in prisons worldwide, with
more declared missing.
Most importantly, he said a re-
cent Press Freedom Index showed
a serious “regression” of press free-
dom in the country.
Malaysia has dropped to 141st
place, down 10 places over the
previous year.
“We are now worse than Russia,
Venezuela and Zimbabwe,” said
Khalid.
He also paid tribute to journal-
ists and those “who dared to tell
their story," pointing out that they
had gone the extra mile to provide
balanced and objective news.
held on May 29.
The announcement by Iskandar,
who is councillor for housing ,
comes on the heels of the National
House Buyers Association’s (HBA)
warning that young adults are un-
able to purchase property due to
spiralling house prices.
HBA secretary-general Chang
Kim Loong had said the inflated
prices are putting ownership beyond
the reach of young adults.
 “The price increases are not com-
mensurate with salary increases.
How are young adults going to catch
up [with house prices]?”
The average price of a residential
property in the Klang Valley – espe-
cially in the greater Kuala Lumpur
and Petaling Jaya area – is now esti-
mated at RM485,000.
The figure is nine times the an-
nual average urban household in-
come of RM54,000.
Earlier, Iskandar announced that
the state would hold a seminar on
June 14 at the Shah Alam Conven-
tion Centre (SACC) to brief the
public on the housing programme.
The event will give the public an
opportunity to provide feedback on
the shortlisted designs, he added.
The state is also starting a contest
to give suitable names for the project.
 NEWS MAY 6 — 8, 2011 7

Yoga fundraiser for Japan

By William Tan

SHAH ALAM: Yoga students opened

their hearts, minds and wallets during a
fundraiser for quake-hit Japan at Hotel
Saujana Kuala Lumpur on May 2.
Yoga instructor Manoj Kaimar led a
class of 70 students in releasing the ten-
sions of their daily lives, and explained how Yoga instructor
each yoga movement or stretch was aimed Manoj Kaimar.
at opening their hearts and minds.
“We are always so caught up in life, but to jog, but injuries forced them to
with yoga I can take away the frustrations make a switch.
and fears of one’s life and grant pure aware- Among the beginners in the class was
ness, which opens [one’s] eyes to the plight sales and marketing officer Marisa Saud.
of others,” Manoj said. She found the class quite challenging
He also explained yoga principles of but said it was very different from other
compassion, and lectured the class on how activities she had tried, such as pilates.
they could make a difference in the lives Marisa added that the class made a
of others. difference to her physically and spiritu-
The event, organised by Manasa Yoga, ally, and she felt more empathy for the
charged a minimum contribution of Japanese people.
RM25, with the proceeds going to Red The event closed with lunch and
Cross Japan. performances by senior students, as well
To help bolster the fund, stalls selling as another performance by the Shudo-
second-hand and yoga-related goods were Performance by senior yoga students held at Hotel Saujana Kuala Lumpur. kan Institute of Aikido.
also set up. Manasa Yoga collected about
Manoj said this was the second event Selvarajah were happy to help out for a good Ima Mohamed and Rowena Baker said the RM12,000 for the day, but they are keep-
that had been held for the Japanese cause cause, and get some exercise at the same time. event demonstrated that people could do ing the fund open to donations until May 15.
within the last two months. Selvam, who has been practising yoga for something collectively. They will later hand over the donations to
“At Manasa Yoga, we try to do this every two the past seven years, said the event was really “Yoga teaches numerous good traits such as the Japanese Chamber Trade and Industry,
months even if there is no major crisis,” he said. effective, and also served as an opportunity to being charitable, and it is something that spills which will then present it to Red Cross Japan.
He said they usually contributed the pro- meet new friends. over into your daily life,” said Rowena. For more information on how to contribute
ceeds to an orphanage in India. He has been practising yoga for the past Both Ima and Rowena have been practis- to the fund, visit Manasa Yoga’s website at
Students like property developer Selvam seven years. ing yoga for the past eight years. They used www.manasa-yoga.com.
8
news
may 6 — 8, 2011

Ampang council under fire

By Basil Foo
AMPANG: The municipal council
here has been taken to task by resi-
dents for failing to heed warnings
about trees which fell on cars on
Monday evening.
“We lodged a report with them
three months ago but no action
was taken,” Chua Yew Choong told
reporters.
The assistant to Teratai assembl-
yperson Jenice Lee said three cars
were damaged on Jalan Maju 3/1 as
a result of Ampang Jaya Municipal
Council’s (MPAJ) failure to act on
his complaint.
The trees had looked like they
were in danger of collapse for
months, and Chua’s worst fears
were realised when violent thun-
derstorms uprooted them on La-
bour Day.
The  Pandan Action Team
head  brought reporters to the site
on Wednesday before lashing out at
MPAJ.
Chua said MPAJ assured him
that work was in progress,  and that
the council was “waiting for funds”
when he called to check on the
complaint.
Residents had repeatedly ex-
pressed fears to him about the trees
which were growing precariously
on an elevated slope near parking
lots there. 
To make matters worse, Chua
said MPAJ has yet to clear the area
of the fallen trees.

Chua (right) showing the fallen trees with Pandan Action Team members.

Chua also pointed out that
MPAJ had failed to act against gar-
bage trucks parked in an open area
along Jalan Bunga Mawar and Jalan
Maju 2 since the end of March.
He said the foul stench has been
affecting residents less than 50 me-
tres away.  the latest one, and they were work-
Chua claimed MPAJ was drag-
ging its feet by moving the case from
Fallen trees on Jalan Maju 3/1 in Taman Lembah Maju which dam- the council’s Town Planning Depart-
aged three cars on Monday. ment to the Land Office and then
back to the Building Department.
“Till today, [rubbish] contrac-
tors are still operating despite com-
plaints from residents,” he said.
When contacted, MPAJ said
there were eight cases of fallen trees
in Taman Lembah Maju, including
ing to clear the debris.
MPAJ said they would also need
to refer to their records before com-
menting on Chua’s allegations that the
council had failed to heed warnings. 
“We will also be monitoring the
trees in the area and action will be
taken before more fall over,” said
MPAJ public relations officer
Norhayati Ahmad.
Norhayati added that MPAJ
would also be sending out notices
to operators who parked their gar-
bage trucks in the area. She also
acknowledged that the lorries were
illegally parked.

Bikers feted by Khalid Children undo damage

on Labour Day
By Alvin Yap
By Brenda Ch’ng
shah alam: A convoy of
130 bikers who rode to Tereng- subang jaya: Some were as young as 10, but age did not
ganu’s coastal town of Dun- stop children from USJ 3 from pitching in to repaint a hut in
gun  under the Subang Jaya their park on Monday. 
Municipal Council’s (MPSJ) Marred by graffiti, the hut – which served as a shelter – was
Jom Konvoi programme were in dire need of a new coat of paint.
feted by Tan Sri Khalid Ibra- The paint was supplied by resident KW Tan, and the children
him upon their return here on spent their Labour Day holiday hard at work to make the hut
Monday. clean again.
“I’m glad that the partici- “ The chil-
pants got a chance to live with dren wanted to
foster families in Terengganu,” get people to
said the Menteri Besar. take better care
The bikers, aged between 18 of public places,
and 35, took part in the seventh so they formed
edition of the annual event. an informal
The programme was opened Bikers reach- ‘Gogreenkidz’
ing the of State
to bikers with motorcycles Secretariat club among
from 100cc to 150cc and was building. themselves to do
flagged off at MPSJ on April 29. something for
The group travelled some the community,”
800km and took part in gotong royong activities at said Tan.
a beach as well as a turtle conservation programme.  The 49-year-
Government agencies like Pemadam and the state old resident,
sports council (MSNS) helped organise the team- who was touched by their eagerness, said he was moved to help
building events. them. 
Khalid said he was happy that the participants “They were from all races, and they should be recognised for
had an opportunity to visit and see the East Coast, the efforts,” said Tan, who contacted Selangor Times.
adding that Malaysia was different regionally and The pillars of the hut were painted green by the nine pri-
had its own characteristics. mary schoolchildren, but their parents played their part in
He said events such as Jom Konvoi gave an op- painting the higher sections of the shelter.
portunity for participants to travel in a group and Parents have stepped in to support the enthusiasm of their
do charity.  children by looking out for  other community projects they
“I hope Jom Konvoi will come together next year could take on.
to repair and even build houses for the poor at the Tan’s own 10-year-old daughter is part of the Gogreenkidz
planned destination,” said Khalid. Tired but happy participants taking a break after their ride. club. 
 news may 6 — 8, 2011 9

No compensation Badrul off the hook,

lawyer in hot soup
for victims SHAH ALAM: Port Klang as-
semblyperson Badrul Hisham Ab-
dullah was let off the hook on April
29 as the House Rights and Privi-
which he did not attend. Mano-
haran said they only found out
about the court injunction after the
hearing.

of falling barrel
leges Committee found him not
guilty of insulting the assembly.
However, the committee recom-
mended that the state assembly fine
Badrul’s lawyer, Datuk Hafarizam
Harun, RM20,000 for not attend-
ing the hearing.
“He (Badrul) has apologised
profusely,” said M Manoharan
(Kota Alam Shah) after the commit-
tee’s closed-door hearing.
Manoharan said Badrul had told
the three-man panel that he had not
instructed Hafarizam to issue a let-
ter dated March 29 that allegedly
insulted the state assembly.
The three-panel committee, in-
cluding Hannah Yeoh (Subang Jaya)
and Dr Shafie Abu Bakar (Bangi),
unanimously decided to acquit him.
Badrul and Hafarizam were re-
ferred to the committee by the Sel-
angor assembly for writing a letter
that was deemed “obscene, rude and
threatening” to Speaker Datuk Teng
Chang Khim.
The letter demanded that Teng
pay RM40,000 in costs to Badrul or
his lawyer as ordered by the Shah
Alam High Court or face a bank-
ruptcy charge.
Hafarizam had sought a court
injunction against the hearing,
“He can easily explain to us.
What is he afraid of ?” said Mano-
haran, who is also a lawyer.
Manoharan chaired the hearing
in place of Teng, who is the Rights
and Privileges Committee chair-
person, to prevent a conflict of
interest.
He said under the constitution,
the legislature has the power to haul
up any member of the public to ap-
pear before it for contempt of the
house.
Meanwhile, Teng described
Hafarizam’s court injunction as
“unconstitutional”, saying only the
Sultan has the power to stop pro-
ceedings in the house according to
the state constitution.
“I’ll discuss with my legal adviser
before we take the next course of
action,” he said.
Teng had declared Badrul’s seat
vacant on Jan 16 for failing to attend
assembly sittings for six months
without any reasonable excuse.
Badrul subsequently challenged
the Speaker’s decision in court, and
the Shah Alam High Court ruled
against Teng on Feb 18 without
Teng’s lawyer’s presence.
Teng then appealed to the Court
of Appeals.

Know Your Councillor:

Lee (left) with the injured couple Kum (right) and Chen during the press conference on Monday.  “Traffic conditions in my area are getting more
By Brenda Ch’ng
AMPANG: While admitting that
a barrel fell out of his truck and in-
jured a couple, a lorry driver is refus-
ing to take responsibility or pay
them compensation.
“The barrel rolled across the
road, but I didn’t cause the accident
to happen. The motorist should
have avoided the oncoming barrel
instead of driving right into it,” he
said.
The driver’s remarks stunned
both Teratai assemblyperson Jenice
Lee and reporters, who were listen-
ing to the conversation via speaker-
phone during a press conference on
Monday.
Electrician Kum Chee Wai suf-
fered multiple injuries, while his
wife Chen Chow Hwa nearly had
her left foot amputated when they
fell off their motorcycles as a result
of the April 14 accident.
With three young children to
look after and their inability to
work, the couple turned to Lee for
financial aid.
During the phone conversation,
the driver also claimed it was not his
place to pay compensation to the
family, and added that he would
only pay the police summons.
The hardware store owner said
that he had lodged a police report
on the day of the accident and there-
fore had already done his part, be-
fore ending the telephone conversa-
tion.
“I will be sending out a letter to
the driver asking for compensation,
but in the meantime I’ve given them
RM1,000,” said Lee.
She said if the driver fails to re-
spond in two days, she would help
the couple get legal assistance.
As a last resort, Lee said she
would also help the couple lodge a
complaint with the Road Transport
Department against the driver for
failing to secure the barrels properly.
Kum and Chen are facing mount-
ing medical bills in addition to the
cost of repairing their motorcycle.
“He refused to speak to us, visit
us in the hospital, or even apologise
to my husband and me,” said Chen.
The 26-year-old real estate agent
said the driver spoke to her brother
at the hospital and initially agreed
to pay RM1,000 in compensation,
but the promise was not honoured.
“My wife is still traumatised by
the accident … and I’m shocked we
didn’t at least get a visit or apology
from the driver,” said Kum.
The 44-year-old said there was no
Ng Sze Han
subang jaya: Making Sri Kembangan roads
safer and reducing accidents are among the top pri-
orities for Ng Sze Han (pic). 
hazardous because of poor management and insuffi-
way they could have avoided the cient traffic lights,” said the local councillor.
barrel because there were oncoming Having served with the Subang Jaya Municipal
cars on their right and a downhill Council for three terms, Ng said the majority of com-
slope on their left. plaints he has received are about accidents and traffic.
Their motorbike collided with Ng has been working with the Public Works Department (JKR) to
the barrel and flipped over, flinging come up with a plan to improved traffic conditions.
the couple off their vehicle. The 40-year-old retail business manager took up the challenge to be-
Kum said he was thankful both come a councillor knowing he could make a difference. 
he and his wife had remained con- Since 2008, he has been making full use of the opportunity to imple-
scious after the incident, although ment changes for the community.
they sustained multiple injuries.  Among his initiatives was to help shop owners get licences to display
Kum managed to call his friend, their products on five-foot ways.
who arrived just in time to notice a Now, retailers in Sri Kembangan are allowed to occupy one-third of
lorry stopped beside the road. the five-foot way in front of their stores.  
“I ran towards him and per- He has also ensured that at least 90% of parks in his area are well-lit to
suaded him to help get them to the ensure the safety of residents.
hospital. But he kept denying it was Previously, the dimly lit parks were inconvenient for joggers in the
his fault, and said he didn’t stop to evenings as well as children who use the playground.
help them but to collect the fallen Ng also took care of the needs of dialysis patients by letting St John’s
barrel,” said Tan Chee Chong.  Ambulance (Selangor) use the Serdang Raya community centre to help
Kum was hospitalised due to patients. The community centre has not been utilised for years, and Ng
blood loss and multiple injuries on believes that this joint project will benefit dialysis patients who do not
his body while his wife received 13 have the means to travel far for treatment.
stitches on her injured foot. And Being a non-profit organisation, the community centre is free for St
when the swelling failed to heal after John’s to use. St John’s, however, will charge dialysis patients a minimum
a week, another visit to the clinic in amount to help cover the cost of the treatment provided. 
Taman Putra confirmed embedded Before his term ends this year, Ng hopes he will at least be able to install
glass fragments.  more traffic lights on the Serdang Raya main road.
The X-ray was picked up by her The request sent to JKR for traffic lights on the densely packed main
doctor just in time to avoid ampu- road has been dragging on for years.
tating the foot.  He said JKR has not responded to his requests yet.
Now she has to get treatment for According to Ng, he will not stop until he gets full corporation from
her wound on a daily basis, which JKR to improve road safety.
costs RM300 per visit.
10
NEWS
MAY 6 — 8, 2011

‘Diversity should be a strength’
Mumtaz speaking on race relations at the forum while Yap,
Muhammad, and the moderator look on.
By Basil Foo
PETALING JAYA: A paradigm
shift to see Malaysia’s diversity as a
strength rather than a weakness was
among calls by youths at a race rela-
tions forum on Saturday.
“The road forward is not to make
everyone alike, but to create a mind-
set that differences are not some-
could have been avoided if organ-
isers had found a Malaysian fluent
in Mandarin rather then used an
online translation programme.
The banner was used as a back-
drop during a welcome ceremony
for Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
and his entourage in Putrajaya last
Thursday.
“That is how differences in
language can be made beneficial
for society. Diversity should be a
strength,” said the special officer
to state executive councillor Eliza-
thing bad,” said Brian Yap Jee Kit.
Yap, who was a panellist at the
state-organised Program Jelajah
Belia Selangor, pointed out that
differences among Malaysians
should be utilised for the benefit A participant receiving a lucky-draw prize
from Mumtaz.
of society.
He said the recent  translation beth Wong.
blunder on a banner when the Previously working in the media
Chinese premier visited Malaysia and theatre industry, Yap has seen
the polarities of some youths who
were tired of racial issues and others
who propagated it.
He has seen university students
advertise for roommates of a par-
ticular race, or how other students
protested against the opening of
UiTM to non-Bumiputeras.
“That leaves me with some
confusion because I thought
youths were supposed to be the
more progressive members of so-
ciety,” he said.
Film director  Shahili Abdan
also related his experiences of vio-
lence during his school days due
to differences in race and culture.  The forum was the second in a
The co-director of Gadoh
pointed out that his personal ex-
periences were used to form the
storyline of his film.
But he advised the audience
not to assume others experienced
the same amount of racial tension
he did.
“My good friend in theatre
(after he left school) was a Chi-
nese who showed me things I’ve
never seen before – there are poor
and suffering people from all rac-
es,” said Shahili.
He spoke after a 15-minute clip
of Gadoh, about racial violence in
secondary school, was screened.
Also at the forum was Malaysian
Islamic Students Federation
(Gamis) vice president Muham-
mad Zaki Sukery and Senator
Mumtaz Nawi.
“The differences among us is
lessened when we open our minds
and think on a global scale,” said
Mumtaz.
She explained how in the global
arena, people from different coun-
tries would come to the support of
those afflicted by natural disasters
by providing funds or aid services.
series of four to be held in Bangi,
Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, and
Shah Alam over the course of sev-
eral weeks.
“Hopefully through the speak-
ers and the discourse, we are able
to create awareness in the students
and start making changes for the
better,” said Arfa’eza Aziz.
 The press secretary to the Selan-
gor Menteri Besar said awards are
also being handed out during the
course of the forums to  youth-
based non-governmental organisa-
tions to recognise their efforts.

Neighbours to resolve Kristal Heights buyers

barricade dispute receive keys
By Brenda Ch’ng
SUBANG JAYA: Two residents asso-
ciation ssociations (RA) which are locked
in a two-year feud over a blocked access
road in USJ 5/4 have agreed to resolve the
issue.
“I [have] managed to get the RA repre-
sentatives from the bungalow and terrace
sections to come up with a solution to this
problem,” said Hannah Yeoh.
The Subang Jaya assemblyperson said
representatives from both RAs have agreed
to resolve the issue.
Both RAs are in USJ 5, but the terrace
residents are angry that their bungalow
neighbours have barricaded the internal
road leading out to USJ 6.
During a dialogue on Wednesday (April
27), Yeoh listened to grouses from the ter-
race homeowners. 
“Everyone here has to make a big detour
around the housing area to get to USJ 6,”
said Chai Wee Han.
He said another access road is guarded
with a boom gate that closes at 11pm every
night. 
Chai pointed out that the road is shared
property and should not be barricaded
permanently.
Siti handing
The barricaded road has also inconven- the apartment
ienced visitors to USJ 5 because they have keys to Azrul
to make a U-turn when they enter through while Idris
USJ5/4. looks on.

By Basil Foo
SHAH ALAM: In an at-
tempt to foster closer com-
munity relations, 10 buyers
of Kristal Heights apart-
ment units were invited to a
key-presenting ceremony
last Saturday morning.
“We hope that these new
owners will have closer rela-
tionships through this cere-
mony,” said Siti Zubaidah
Abd Jabar.
The Selangor State Devel-
opment Corporation
(PKNS) development con-
troller said the key handing
was an ongoing process, and
that other keys should be
ready by the following week.
The 10 new owners were
invited to the ceremony to
give them a chance to get to
Yeoh listening to grouses from USJ 5 terrace residents. know their future neigh-
bours and to view the apart-
ment facilities.
“Kristal Heights has an
in-house gym, swimming
pool, multipurpose hall, and
a playground for children,”
said Siti.
The apartment units, to-
taling 300, are 1,300 square
feet each, and were completed
in two years after construc-
tion began in May 2008.
The units, which cost
between RM263,000 and
RM275,000, were com-
pletely snapped up by eager
buyers within two weeks of
the soft launch last July.
“This has been a long-
awaited moment for me. I
feel proud getting them to-
day,” said Azrul Hisham.
The 38-year old father of
three said he bought a unit
due to its suitable location
and price for investment
purposes.
Esyam Aizam, 37, and
Noor Faizah, 36, both engi-
neers, chose the apartment
because of its attractive de-
sign and location.
“The view from here is
beautiful. This is also acces-
sible as it is near shops and
other residential communi-
ties in the area,” said Esyam.
PKNS Senior Officers
Association president Idris
Ishak, who helped present
the keys to the buyers,
thanked them for their sup-
port in purchasing the apart-
ment units.
He said a keen reception
was also seen at PKNS de-
velopment Ayu Prima in
Alam Nusantara, which saw
buyers queuing overnight to
purchase the units.
 VIEWS 11
may 6 — 8, 2011

B
y the time you read this the good folks
in the little red dot, Singapore, would
have been to the polls and either a)
elected the almost all-powerful PAP again as
their government of choice, or b) elected a
much younger, more change-oriented
government from one of the opposition parties
like The Workers Party or the Singapore
Democratic Party.
Of course, if you are a realistic Singaporean
or an interested Malaysian, you would put your
money on the PAP retaining their stronghold
on the reins of government in one of the most
successful countries in the world.
Now, the reason why I decided to start this
column by writing about Singapore? A few
days ago I received a message from a Singapo-
rean senior citizen who was quite amused that
for the first time in election history the PAP
dished out free nasi lemak to all the attendees
at one of the PAP rallies.
This caused me to reflect that things were
beginning to feel quite similar to what our
election tactics are like here in Malaysia. You
know, freebies given out during run-ups to
elections.
Although we seem to be able to do it with
much better style la. They only give out free
nasi lemak. We give out free Tupperware and
fully loaded goodie bags that are said to con-
tain large ang-pows, depending which con-
stituency you’re in. Oh and don’t forget the
new community halls and elections here in
Bolehland were all copied from THEM!
What? How can? What tokking you man?
No meh? the Singaporean asked.
Take a look at what your leaders do. You
think we copied this “give them stuff only
when elections are near” system from you? No
la. You copied from us. You see ah, I give you
one example. If my HDB flat is in a PAP-
controlled area, I get regular upgrading works.
New lifts, new paint jobs, improved void-deck
facilities etc. But if it was in an opposition-
controlled area I don’t get lor.
Also, opposition-area HDB prices will be
just so slightly lower than PAP ones. Even if
they are just across the road from each other.
You all also same, right? Opposition states don’t
get federal funds for building schools, roads,
water treatment plants etc.
Who copied who?
Teohlogy
patrick teoh
And then now I notice that your leaders
always threaten you flers, right? Recently, your
prime minister even said that you Chinese flers
if don’t vote for BN will have no representation
in government. And then you all sure die one.
Over here we have been threatened so often
by you-know-who that we are quite used to it
now. Even recently he said if we vote opposition
we will have five years to suffer and then we
shall surely repent one. Ya la, he used the word
repent some more.
Your YBs also like that right? But maybe
they don’t say REPENT la cos your English
not so good, right? But same thing lor. Nasi lemak diplomacy is practised in the south too.
But I suppose there is something that
maybe our PAP flers learn from you all la. I neid, come la. Show support. Some more got ple ma. Just because they are in politics doesn’t
remember reading somewhere that during free nasi lemak.” mean their talented family members cannot
elections, general elections or by-elections, I am told that your flers always want to play do business ma. Can right?
your BN people provide transport for sup- race card during election time, right? That one Actually hor, we all are so same same in so
porters one, right? also you learn from us one what. Ya what. You many ways la. Our young flers all want to see
Like they bus in people from all over the think you all invent one ah? It’s from our Senile change. They say the old flers have had it their
place. Even when they are not voters in that … I mean Senior Minister one last time. The fler way for too long already and that things are not
area. Just to make show and intimidate (this tell us if Chinese don’t have enough hor, then fair in this little red dot. So they go out and
a big word I know and learn from young. I Singapore sure cannot tahan one. You flers use campaign and hope to win for change.
am Singaporean ma) the other flers. And then the same tactic right? Only different race lor. But our older people are just like yours. We
I am told that sometimes your flers even re- Another thing that we are same is the big all every time say, “Hiyah! Waffor want to
cruit supporters from beyond the grave hor? money that all our YBs (of course we don’t change? Waffor rock the boat. Ok what. Can
That one I must tabik you all la. We have not call them that la) earn. Did you know that our earn living. Some more got no earthquakes
learn that one yet. PM earns eight times more than the president and tornadoes. And the food here is damn
But this time our PAP flers also provide of the USA ah? good ma.”
transport for supporters leh. Last time, when Your YBs don’t earn that kind of salary la, And I think just like in your place, the old
they more confident time – okay la I wanted but we all know they all also damn rich, flers outnumber the younger ones or are about
to say arrogant but they might be keeping tab right? We are told that our flers get paid big the same. So the old flers vote to stay same same
on me lor – they all say, “Ha? Want to come to money because it keeps them away from cor- and then they also convince some of the young
rally ah? Take MRT la.” ruption lor. ones to say WAFFOR. And so the results also
But this time they say, “Come, come we have I think your people tell you that they are same-same lor. Or like you say, sama-sama.
air-con coach for you. Never mind you from rich because their family members, sons, (The above was written while totally under
Ang Mo Kio and this coach is going to Alju- daughters, wives all damn good business peo- the influence of non-alcoholic beverages)

Real issues behind ethnic representation

A
fter the Sarawa k state
elections, Barisan Nasional
(BN) politicians of all sizes
and shapes talked about ethnic
representation. The messag e
targeting ethnic minority is simple:
if you abandon us before everyone
else, you will be abandoned.
This message is perhaps the art of
political enslavement at its best, and
not aiming at only the minority.
“No Representation If You Vote
Opposition!”
If ethnic minority voters dare not
vote for change unless they know the
majority group would do the same,
the minority group becomes captive
by the status quo.
Case in point was the Penang
Chinese voters after 1990. DAP was
expected to take Penang with its
“two-coalition system”, but Tengku
Razaleigh Hamzah’s Semangat 46
did badly outside Kelantan and
Terengganu, resulting in major de-
feats in Penang.
The Penang Chinese voters found
themselves caught between a rock
and a hard place – DAP, which won
14 seats, were three seats away from
forming the state government, while
the Chinese representation in the
state government was seriously weak-
ened. To avoid losing the only chief-
MAN IN BLACK
wong chin huat
ministership in the hands of the
non-Malays, they swung back to BN
in a big way for the next three elec-
tions, leaving only one seat for DAP.
Now, if the minority group be-
comes too scared to demand for
change, then unless and until the
majority group unanimously opt for
change, no change is possible.
That’s what happened in 1999.
When more than half of the Malays
wanted to make Tun Dr Mahathir
Mohamad the parliamentary opposi-
tion leader, the Chinese voters who
had chosen to maintain Chinese
representation in the government
after 1990 saved Umno.
So, if this “no representation if
you vote opposition” threat by
Umno, MCA and SUPP works, no
party alternation is possible until
things go so bad that all ethnic
groups in unison.
Multiparty democracy
But where is democracy if all groups
have to vote together?
Many “idealists” lament about
ethnic voting, but in reality there can
be no multiparty democracy with-
out division.
In fact, the word “party” comes
from the word “part”, which means
“factions” and “divisions”. If there are
no rival social groups, there won’t be
a firm basis for political parties.
Hence, every group – be it on the
basis of ethnicity, faith, economic
class, geographical region, lifestyle,
etc – must be allowed to vote differ-
ently from other groups if their
members wish so.
Three levels of ethnic exclusion
Ethnic exclusion from the political
system can happen at three levels.
At the first level, an ethnic group
is denied franchise or the right to
stand in elections.
At the next level, thanks to the
electoral system, the ethnic group
cannot win any representation in
legislature even though they can and
do participate in elections.
Finally, at the third level, the
ethnic group wins representation in
the legislature but is excluded from
the executive. The more powerful
the executive is vis-à-vis the legisla-
tive, the more important it is for the
executive to be inclusive.
Now, for ethnic exclusion to be
really effective, it must happen at all
levels of governments: national,
state and local.
Unless an ethnic minority group
is too dispersed geographically, and
the electoral system is too unfair to
deny it some effective remedy, an
ethnic group should be able to win at
least some legislative representation
at lower-level governments.
Imagine in 2008, if the non-Malay
voters had swung so decisively that
MCA, MIC and Gerakan lost the 20
parliamentary seats they have, would
the non-Malays be unrepresented in
the country’s political system?
Pakatan Rakyat, which would
represent the vast majority of the
non-Malays and a significant number
of Malays, would have 102 seats
against BN’s 120 seats, making it a
really powerful opposition to check
on the federal government.
The non-Malays would also win
strong representation in the adminis-
tration of Penang, Selangor, Perak
and Kedah.
How can they be marginalised?
Not unless both our Parliament and
federalism fail miserably.
Now, look back at Sarawak. Why
should the urban and Chinese voters
worry about their exclusion from
state executive power?
By giving solid support to Paka-
tan Rakyat, they would have been
able to control their own municipal
governments in Kuching, Sibu,
Miri, Bintulu and Sarikei. Their le-
gitimate interests would have been
well taken care of by these municipal
governments.
And if the constituencies are
partitioned fairly, Pakatan Rakyat
should have won around 40% of the
seats in Sarawak state legislature,
making it a formidable opposition.
How could the White-haired Rajah
bully or ignore these voters?
The threat of ethnic exclusion by
Umno and its satellite parties there-
fore is a reminder of three things we
desperately need: Decentralisation
(including local elections), parlia-
mentary reform (to allow more
meaningful role of the opposition),
and electoral reform (to ensure fair
distribution of seats).
Succumbing to the blackmailing
tactics of electoral politics means
that we allow all Malaysians to be
politically enslaved.
To be a free nation, we must have
decentralisation, parliamentary re-
form and electoral reform to ensure
no group should ever be intimidated.
And we must demand all these not
only from the BN, but also Pakatan,
which has promised us local elections.
 Insight
12 MAY 6 — 8, 2011
Pensioner Matiros Abd Rahim says workers need a minimum wage
to survive.
Productivity is key,
says MEF
Set up in 1959, the Malaysian
Employers Federation (MEF)
represents the interests of private-
sector employers in the country.
The MEF is pushing the gov-
ernment to set up the National
Wag e Consultative Council
(NWCC), but has made it clear
that a minimum wage is not the
way forward for the country’s
workforce and economy.
“MEF instead recommends
that the government set up a
policy for tax-deductible incen-
tives to reward companies that
pay their workers bonuses based
on productivity.
“This will be an incentive for
companies to pay their workers
bonuses based on their hard
work,” explained MEF executive
director Shamsuddin Bardan.
Higher productivity levels will
be rewarded by higher bonuses,
which are then tax deductible
under the proposed policy, he said.
He said if the government were
to enact a minimum wage, it must
be be determined by productivity
– and is opposed to trade unions
and labour activists that want
productivity “concerns” removed.
“Employers want the discus-
sion on minimum wage to be
centred on productivity,” he said.
“We think it is a recipe for
disaster if we do not include pro-
ductivity. Can an employer be-
come competitive if he [or she]
has to pay minimum wages [but]
on low revenue or profit?”
He said businesses may close
down if they feel they are pres-
sured to pay minimum wages,
when in reality, they cannot af-
ford to do so.
He pointed out that in the case
of security guards, employers were
still hardpressed to pay them mini-
mum wages of between RM500
and RM700 (depending on loca-
tion) as guaranteed under a cabinet
directive released last year.
The policy, in effect since Jan
1, has seen some security services
companies unable to pay their
staff minimum wages, Shamsud-
din said.
Security guards are the only
sector that has a minimum wage
in Malaysia.
He said if a minimum wage
law was enacted, it should be
adjusted for fluctuations in cost
of living.
“We should be looking at the
Singaporean model, where salary
levels are adjustable, flexible, and
reflect market conditions,” he said.
Furthermore, he said wages
should be reviewed based on food
prices and inflation.
As such, wages will be raised
to offset higher cost of living, but
also be lowered when cost of liv-
ing goes down.
Shamsuddin said the debate
on minimum wage should be put
aside, and pointed out that a
discussion on driving the Malay-
sian economy into high gear was
more important.
“Why the talk about mini-
mum wage when we should talk
about driving the economy up-
wards?” he asked.
Minimum wa
debate rag
Workers organising themselves on Labour Day for workers’ rights.
By Alvin Yap than RM700 a month.
That amount is below the official poverty line of RM
J
ayayah Abdul Hamid, 47, works as a factory operator and increasingly, households are falling further into
in Kajang. After 18 years of service, and with small because of borrowing to sus-
increments, she is currently earning RM920.
 tain food purchases and house
She brought her elder daughter to a Labour Day rally rentals.
in Kuala Lumpur on May 1 to commemorate Workers Day The way forward is to leg-
and also to support a campaign to seek a minimum wage.
 islate a Minimum Wage Act
“I suppose you are going to say that I am being irrespon- in Parliament, and to set an
sible for bringing my child here,” she said. She was not amount that can set a figure
apologetic about it, saying she wanted the public to know higher than these low wages,
that minimum wage is more about helping her to provide according to Santiago.
for her family than for her own value or worth as a worker. T h e g o v e rnm e nt ha s
The RM920 she brings home every month is not enough pledged to submit legislation
for rental and food expenses. Her husband works as canteen to the Dewan Rakyat by next
operator at another factory, earning less than RM1,200. month, and plans to establish
However, she pointed out that their combined salaries a National Wages Consultative
are not enough to tide them over until the end of the month Council (NWCC) to study
as they recently bought a car. several factors and options in
Labour activists and economists agree that wages should giving minimum wages to
reflect the rising cost of living, and pointed out that workers.
wages have only increased 2.6% across the work sectors for The issue of minimum
the past 15 years. wage is pitting its supporters
They are sceptical of the government’s plan to move into against employers who say a
the ranks of high-income nations by 2020, which would “wage quantity” is tied to
require the average annual income to touch RM45,000 productivity, among other
from its current RM24,000. factors.
“Wages have stagnated across the board during those The Malaysian Trades Un-
years while cost of living has gone up. Profits in the private ion Cong ress (MT U C),
sector have gone up, but people still earn the same as they which represents 600,000
did some 15 years ago,” said Klang Member of Parliament workers, has flatly refused to
Charles Santiago at a roundtable discussion on minimum link minimum wage to pro-
wage attended by academics and labour activists recently. ductivity, saying that it is
A 2009 study of 1.3 million workers by the Ministry of about “wages for a person to
Human Resources showed that almost 34% earned less live” over “financial- or profit- Jayayah Abdul Hamid
wage
ges
related concerns”.
M720, Labour activists say productivity is too dependent on
debt other factors outside of both workers’ and employers’
control, pointing out that
labour output was a factor of
the condition and quality of
machinery and tools, among
other things.
“RM550 paid by some big
companies in Shah Alam (the
premier industrial location in
the country) is not enough
for anyone to live on,” said
MTUC secretary-general G
Rajasekaran.
More importantly, he said
the wages paid to workers are
“scandalous” and not enough
to provide a person four
meals a day.
MTUC wants to see a min-
imum month ly wa g e of
RM900 for all domestic and
foreign workers, supplemented
by a cost-of-living allowance
that will vary by location.
Rajasekaran also ques-
tioned employers who say a
minimum wage will drive out
investors, claiming that India
has attracted investors after
giving minimum wages.
TNB Junior Officers Un-
ion president Mohd Roszeli
d with her daughter.
Majid said the reluctance to
A decent standard
of living
UNIVERSITI Malaya economics shared between the private sector
lecturer Dr Lee Hwok Aun sees and the public.
minimum wage as a move to sustain He explained that the public
workers’ right to maintain a decent should also bear the cost of giving
standard of living. minimum wage as some companies
Lee emphasised that minimum could not afford to absorb the extra
wage is legislated, and explained overhead.
that the enforcement of minimum In this case, tax proceeds could
wage with legislation underscores be used to fund a subsidy system for
the business community’s reluc- those companies to sustain paying
tance to accede to a minimum wage. minimum wages to their workers,
Lee Hwok Aun giving a briefing. “It is enforced by law. It is im- but companies would have to dis-
posed on the premise that if employ- close their financial and payroll re-
ers could get away with paying cords to qualify for the subsidies.
give minimum wages is also endemic in lower wages, they would,” he said, Lee said workers had, in the past,
government-linked companies (GLCs). pointing out that it was “natural” for borne a tremendous cost in creating
Roszeli, also a MTUC vice-president, employers to want to maintain their wealth for the country, and that it
lamented that GLCs make billions of dollars profit margins. was the private sector’s turn to pro-
annually, but their workers are paid low However, he said employers vide for workers.
salaries. would have to choose the values and If minimum wage primarily
“In Pos Malaysia, the minimum wage is message they want to give society if benefits blue-collar workers, should
RM635 a month. For TNB, it is RM750. At they continue to pay their workers white-collar employees care about
Petronas, it is RM1,050, and Telekom Ma- lower than a minimum wage. the debate?
laysia, RM800,” Roszeli said. “Do we want to pay our workers “Yes, white-collar workers should
He claimed the huge profits the GLCs wages that still keep them at pov- care if they want a more just and
are reaping could easily sustain a wage in- erty level?” he asked. equitable society,” Lee answered.
crease. Lee said studies have shown that “It would be callous of anyone to
“The government keeps on talking about low wages are linked to absenteeism disregard the need for minimum
becoming a high-income nation. GLCs are and high turnover. wage if a section of society is earning
earning billions of ringgit, but what about On the other hand, there is evi- RM350 per month, for example.”
the workers?” he asked. dence that employers who pay their He was also disappointed with
What, then, is the acceptable amount for staff higher wages will have a reliable the government for saying that
a minimum wage? and loyal workforce, he said. minimum wage was not about lift-
The figure varies. The MTUC’s mini- However, Lee, who received his ing workers out of poverty.
mum wage of RM900 level supplemented doctorate from University of Mas- Lee explained that minimum
by a cost-of-living allowance is nowhere sachusetts Amherst, said the busi- wage would be a first step toward
near the RM1,500 that Parti Sosialis Ma- ness community is also right when addressing poverty.
laysia (PSM) wants. they say their bottom line will be “A person earning RM350 a
The debate is important. At the heart of theaffected by a minimum wage. month is [living ] in poverty. A
issue is the amount – and that debate is influ- Lee said a minimum wage system minimum wage will help address the
enced by the “definition and purpose”. is a “social project” that should be problem,” he said.
Santiago is disappointed with the Human
Resources Ministry for saying that a mini-
mum wage is not “about solving poverty”. worried that the NWCC would be one of social justice.
Non-government organisation leader and dominated by “political appointees” University of Malaya economics
activist Irene Fernandez says the government or employers’ federations who will lecturer Dr Lee Hwok Aun said
wants to justify its eventual decision to give get to influence the debate and even- minimum wages would not solve
a low minimum wage. tual policy. poverty, but it would contribute
Fernandez is worried that the government “In the Malaysian context, our towards addressing working poverty.
may enact a minimum wage that may only commissions and fact-finding mis- He said companies that have been
satisfy the legal terminology and not award a sions are political appointees. Will paying low wages to their workers for
salary that can address the increasing costs of the NWCC be filled with the former their fulltime work in the past and
food, rental and transportation, especially in director-general of the Labour De- present to increase profits should give
the Klang Valley. partment?” Santiago asked. them better remuneration.
She said the correct term would be the He pointe d out that repre- “If we accept that these compa-
International Labour Organisation’s “De- sentatives on the council should nies have been paying too low wages
cent Living Wage” framework, which calls include academics and civil soci- and their staff have been affected by
for wages that guarantee security for social ety players who represent public it, then minimum wage should be
protection for families and better prospects interests, saying that the topic is the answer,” he said.
for personal development.
“It must be decent living
wage,” she said.
National Union of Bank Em-
ployees secretary-general J Solo-
mon said an organised campaign
among trade unions and civil
society would pressure the gov-
ernment to accede to a higher
minimum wage amount.
However, he said Pakatan
Rakyat-held states should con-
duct studies on minimum wages
with the aim of implementing it
if the federal government is seen
to be against it.
Santiago said the debate is
also shaping up to be a political
issue. This is because labour ac-
tivists and trade unions on one
side and employers on the other
are clamouring to have their
voices heard at the NWCC.
Activists and unionists are Students and workers side by side at the Suhakam office in Kuala Lumpur to
hand over a minimum wage memorandum.
14
VIEWS
MAY 6 — 8, 2011

Emergencies, politics,
freedom, and Osama
D
ear Lord Bobo, what is the
effect of the five emergency
declarations that have not
been abrogated? @izmil_amri, via
Twitter
THE effect of not abolishing the
Emergency Declarations is simply
that we are, from a legal point of
view, still in a State of Emergency.
So we should really go about our
work and lives more anxiously in
this year. After the results were an- This access to infor-
nounced, the consensus is that – er, mation vital as these
there is no consensus. So, nothing g overnment/public
to be learnt there then. agencies are there to
Anyway, we can’t expect politi- make decisions and uti-
cal analysts to come to certain lise our tax ringgit on
conclusions. If they did, they’d our behalf to provide
have nothing else to write about the ser vices that we
for the rest of the year. need. The fact that we
Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column The most important conclusion can have access to this source: Mike Kline@Flickr
by LoyarBurok (www.loyarburok. then? BN won. information, which will
com) where all your profound,
then enable us to hold our govern- the world’s most sophisticated mili-

fear of our lives than we do.
We should have more check-
points than those occasional ones
that the traffic police set up for
speedsters or the drinking fraternity.
Domestic fashion should also revert
to the sensibilities of the 1950s to
1960s with thick, dark-rimmed
glasses, dull grey suits and grainy
black-and-white photography.
This also explains why we should
listen to our grandparents when
they say, “Don’t take the trunk roads
just to avoid the long-weekend
jams”, or “Don’t go to Fraser’s Hill,
it’s dangerous” because hey, they’re
probably right when they say that
Communists could jump out of
them bushes/oil palm estates/jun-
gles at any time.
abstruse,
erudite, hermetic, recondite,
sagacious, and other thesaurus-
described queries are answered!
much attention by Orang Semenan-
jung (Peninsular Folk). Some say
this was because of Pakatan Rakyat
hyping up its significance. Some say
this was because of the online media
portals and social media like Twitter
and Facebook.
Whatever it was, it’s undeniable
that for the first time in history, the
Peninsular Folk seemed to realise
that these East Malaysians had
separate state elections which were
pretty significant in terms of the
balance of political power at the
national level.
His Supreme Eminenceness
won’t go into the political intricacies
of the results. Those have been ana-
H
ow is Selangor’s Freedom
of Information Act (FOI
Act) useful to the ordinary
ape on the street? @adriene, via
Twitter
THE importance of freedom of
information as a fundamental
right is beyond question. It is a
right enshrined under Article 19
of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights.
Freedom of information is an
important component of a transpar-
ent and accountable government. It
plays a key role in enabling the great
apes to know how government/
public agencies are being run, and
helps expose abuses of power, cor-
ruption, and mismanagement.
In general, the FOI Act provides
access and rights to request for
ment/public agencies to account is
a very important part of democracy.
Democracy is bound to fail if
government/public agencies oper-
ate in secrecy, regardless of how
much discussion and open debate
is allowed. Without quality infor-
mation from public authorities,
the nature and quality of public
discussion would be significantly
impoverished.
The FOI Act should result in an
increased level of transparency, and
make public servants more account-
able for their actions, which should
in turn encourage responsibility and
lead to a reduction in instances of
abuses of power and corruption.
The ideal end result of the FOI
Act is an increase in public confi-
dence in government/public agen-
cies, as these agencies can show that
tary, with the world’s most intricate
intelligence network and equip-
ment, almost nine years to find one
man would be more embarrassing
than impressive.
Then again, we must remember
that “getting Osama” has been an
obsession in the US, so much so that
we read about 10-year-olds talking
about how they “finally got the guy
they’ve been after my whole life”.
But still, nine years? Perhaps
their “intelligence” isn’t that smart
– after all, if they wanted to know
where he was, all they had to do was
Ask Lord Bobo.
Have a question for Lord Bobo?
Call on His Supreme Eminence-
ness by emailing asklordbobo@
loyarburok.com, stating your full

L
ord B ob o, I ’m a lmost
completely disinterested in
politics, but have noticed a
lot of noise being made about it in
lysed (or was it spun?) to death in publicly available information they have nothing to hide from the name, and a pseudonym (if you
the past couple of weeks anyway. from any government/public agen- ordinary ape on the street. want), or tweeting your questions
The bottom line is that BN won, cies; in this case, information in the by mentioning @LoyarBurok and
retained their two-thirds majority, state government/public agencies using the hashtag #asklordbobo.

the past few weeks. Anyway, after
all the dust has settled, what is the
most important conclusion from
the results of the Sarawak state
elections? @A Political, via email
WE think we are right in saying that
this is the first time the Sarawak
state elections have been lavished so
but saw their share of the popular
vote drop from 63% to 55%. Which
one of these facts is more significant
will depend on whether you are a
BN or Pakatan supporter.
Political analysts were saying in
the lead-up to the elections that the
results would tell us whether or not
a general election would be called
of Selangor.
An ordinary ape can now request
for information vital to his or her
well-being as a Selangor citizen, such
as how many acres of land have been
earmarked to be developed as ba-
nana plantations, the costs involved,
and how much banana yield it is
expected to produce.
D
ear Lord Bobo, so, they
finally got that Osama guy,
eh? @About Time, via email
IT’S amazing that killing this one
guy has caused so much celebration
in the US. The scenes in Times
Square were really quite astonishing.
We would think that the fact it took
The first 100 questions published
will receive monkey-riffic Loyar-
Burok merchandise courtesy of
Selangor Times . What are you
waiting for? Hear This, and Trem-
blingly Obey (although trembling
is optional if you are somewhere
very warm)! Liberavi Animam
Meam! I Have Freed My Spirit!

People must reclaim media

WORLD Press Freedom Day,
which fell on Tuesday, is an occasion
to remember the challenges that
journalists face in doing their job.
Although the theme this year is
21st-century media: New frontiers,
new barriers, in Malaysia, the old
barriers still loom large, especially
repressive laws that have been so
successful in taming print media
that they are also used, or are being
considered, for new media.
The Printing Presses and Publi-
cations Act 1984 (PPPA) is one
such law that has been so effective
in muzzling the traditional media
that the federal government is re-
portedly considering to expand its
scope to include new media.
Home Minister Datuk Seri
Hishammuddin Hussein’s state-
ment that discussions are still in
the early stages is hardly reassuring
given the federal government’s
record of amending laws without
public consultation.
The PPPA is also a fine example
of this. The clause which imposes
a licensing regime for all serial
publications was amended to re-
move any prospects of judicial
challenge, giving the minister the
final and absolute decision.
The PPPA not only tethers
newspapers that are already con-
trolled by the ruling party through
direct or indirect ownership, but
also opposition party organs, whose
applications for a new annual per-
mit are constantly delayed.
Suara Keadilan, the monthly
organ of Parti Keadilan Rakyat,
has not received its permit since it
expired on 30 June 2010, and has
had to resort to creatively chang-
ing the name slightly every month,
so as not to violate the law.
The consequences of the PPPA
over the years have been dire.
Mainstream press editors who
have been held “hostage” by the
law now accept the executive-as-
signed” position of the press as
publicist – or worse, propaganda
arm – of the federal government.
The newspapers report as a mat-
ter of fact the executive’s inten-
tions and initiatives, such as the
Government Transformation
Programme (GTP) updates and
first year report, as well as the New
Key Results Area (NKRA) Media
Blitz campaign by the Rural and
Regional Development Ministry.
What’s more, top editors can be
held “responsible” for coverage of
a crucial issue that results in an
unfavourable outcome to the au-
thorities, as The Star was over the
Al-Kitab coverage.
A hostile environment for press
freedom can only make it difficult
for conscientious journalists to
practise ethics in their daily work.
It increases the prevalence of self-
censorship, resulting in important
issues of public interest being sup-
pressed and executive powers
dangerously unchecked.
And if before, journalists could
barely make an unequivocal stand
for press
free-
dom,
they are
silence d now
more than ever following the
recent sacking of their union
president, Mohamed Ha’ta Wa-
hari, for daring to criticise the
editors of the newspaper he was
working for.   freedom of expression, which in-
There is another threat looming
– the federal government has
raised yet again the proposal for a
media council. Although it seems
an ideal solution to addressing
unethical reporting in a free envi-
ronment – and may even be wel-
comed after the recent lows de-
scended to by some mainstream
media in a politically motivated
attempt to implicate Federal Op-
position Leader Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim in yet another sex scandal
– a media council in the current
restrictive setting in Malaysia
would essentially act as another
level of control.
On World Press Freedom Day,
we call on citizens and residents of
Malaysia to speak up and reclaim
the mainstream media. Call for a
parliamentary caucus on freedom
of expression to conduct a com-
prehensive review of existing laws
to ensure that they are consistent
with the fundamental right to
cludes press freedom.
Demand for media plurality, so
that the public will have access to
a wide variety of sources of infor-
mation and can choose the media
that practises ethical reporting.
It is time for the people to re-
claim the mainstream media and
help them restore the dignity and
respect they once commanded,
which will also ensure that journal-
ists are able to do their job – safely,
unhindered and ethically.
C e n t r e f o r In d e p e n d e n t
Journalism Malaysia
 news 15
MAY 6 — 8, 2011

By Brenda Ch’ng

AMPANG: A trek up Bukit Saga was marked

by 200 hikers in a bid to promote the hill as a
recreational destination on Labour Day.
The steep jungle treks, which start at Taman
Bukit Saga, were discovered about a decade
ago. But the trails remain mostly unknown ex-
cept to the initiated.
“City people should be aware that there is a
well-maintained hill in Selangor open to the
public for jungle-trekking activities,” said Alex
Ng Boon Chiang.
The Taman Muda resident said he only knew
about the hill a year ago, and was surprised by
how challenging the climb was.
The trails were made by a group of “uncles”
who live in the area. 
According to Ng, the men have been main-
taining the routes and ensuring the paths are
safe and clear of grass or rocks where snakes
might hide.  Trekkers washing at the waterfall. Map of the hill.
He added that the hill’s pristine

A Saga hidden to the uninitiated

condition is due to the civic-con-
sciousness of residents and hikers
alike, who want to see hill main-
tained for future generations.
The start of the hill forks into
three different tracks – A, B and C. ers of the hill would organise events said she will be allocating some
All three are labelled with a sign- and camp-outs by the waterfall. money to fund their project.
board at the start of each track, with She said during Merdeka and “I’m really glad to see how con-
information advising the public on New Year’s Eve, the founders even scious the public are about the en-
the best route to take. brought fireworks up to the peak. vironment, and the cleanliness of
The 3km track A, which was Though this hill sounds well fa- this hill is a good example for the
climbed on Labour Day, is the cilitated, unfamiliar trekkers might public to follow,” said Lee, who
shortest but steepest track. The get lost halfway up the peak due to joined the climb on Labour Day.
hour-long climb proved to be a the lack of signage. Lee added that the strenuous
challenge of stamina for some. For tighter safety precaution, climb helped her determine what
“I’ve been trekking here every residents are seeking for a registra- improvements can be done to make
weekend with my family for the tion hub at the bottom of the hill, the hill a more conducive hike for
past year, and it makes for really to make sure that everyone who people of all ages and experience. 
good exercise,” said Wendy Wong. signs in finds their way back down The money and material spon-
The 47-year-old hiker said she safely. sored by Lee will be given to the
sometimes even brings food up to The hub would also help moni- residents to erect more signboards,
the waterfall and cooks breakfast tor the daily flow of trekkers and as well as build rest huts, swings for
there. distinguish where trekkers are com- children by the waterfall, and a
Wong added that the pioneer ing from.  picnic area.
climbers are often seen up there To help with the funding of bet- The hill gets about 600 trekkers
cooking bah kut teh with firewood.  ter facilities for the hill, Teratai as- every Sunday, some of whom come
On special occasions, the found- semblyperson Jenice Lee Ying Ha as early as 6.30 in the morning. Jenice Lee (in green) with some of the participants.

Kelab Syabas returns to former glory as PJ Palms

By Alvin Yap
PETALING JAYA: Refur­
bishment work on an iconic
landmark here is almost ready –
Kelab Syabas is back, and better
than ever.
The pride of the club, the eight-
laned 50-metre swimming pool, is
already taking in paying guests, who
are amazed at the crystal-clear water
thanks to a state-of-the-art filtration
system from Australia.
Crystal-clear waters of the swimming pool.
“We have more than a thousand
patrons who have used the pool,”
said Sepang Mekar Sdn Bhd
managing director David Solomon
recently.
He pointed out that the pool – in
operation since early last month –
has had swimmers raving.
“They tell me the water is crystal
clear, both to the eyes and the
skin,” Solomon said, explaining
that the newly installed filtration
system, which cost RM1 million,
auto­m a­t ically balances the pH atmosphere, which wood-fired pizza or
levels in the pool. h e d e s cri b e d a s a steak dinner after
In May 2010, Sepang Mekar was perfect for outdoor a swim, or a beer
awarded a three-year tenancy by the dining. after a strenuous
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Solomon, who workout at FitWorx
to develop Kelab Syabas. operates the Out of gym,” he said.
Kelab Syabas is now renamed PJ Africa Restaurant Solomon said
Palms Sports Centre, with new and Kudu Bar at PJ he could not wait
management under Solomon. Palms Sports Cen­ for PJ Palms to be
Besides the pool, the two squash tre, wants to turn fully operational
courts next to it will be upgraded, the place into a with all tenants on
and a new indoor cricket pitch as family- and sports- board as he wants
well as a futsal court are expected oriented club, and the public to enjoy
to be ready in a few has even brought in Sepang Mekar director the new amenities
months. a wellness spa and a David Solomon. and services.
Solomon said the pool chiropractor as “I want to see
area will be lit at night,
tenants. the people enjoy themselves between
giving it a cozy “resort” “It is a one-stop place to have swims with a beer or snack at
poolside bar,” he explained.
Seven years ago, Kelab Syabas was
vacant, which Solomon described as
the “worst years”.
“I remember being sad at
witnessing the then Kelab Syabas
derelict and almost abandoned,
while my own restaurant was still
operating,” he said.
Solomon, who remembers the
“hustle and bustle” of the patrons,
described Kelab Syabas as the focal
point of Petaling Jaya.
Sepang Mekar has invested some
RM4 million to refurbish, upgrade
The indoor cricket pitch, which will be ready soon. and to beautify the club.
16
fiction
may 6 — 8, 2011

The Sun Came Up

Over the Rocks
Fiction by Angeline Woon 
 “Oh yeah, forgot the rice granaries. Thank you, Ad- he found
  miral. Now, whenever people come into the village, they himself in a
THE sun came up over the rocks where the boy sat with come from this direction, wouldn’t you agree?” Another b i g ro o m w i th
his back propped against a tree. He had an upturned box chuckle of agreement.  plenty of buttons like the
over his head, the flaps falling over his shoulders. He “They usually don’t have any supplies with them, so one in the lift, except shinier
forgot to cut holes in it and could not see.  they must have either a base nearby. Perhaps they parked and more complicated.
“Mission control, this is Angkasawan Bob … squeee their ship and walked, not wanting to scare the natives. There was a big picture of
… squeee. Mission control, do you copy?” the boy said That’s us, by the way.  space on one of the walls.
into his box.  “So, the plan, as I was saying, would be to do a very One of the men standing
“Oi Angkasawan Bob. This is Mission Control,” the systematic search of this area.” Bob tapped out a spot on around turned and addressed
boy heard a voice from outside the box. “The chickens the sand, whereupon the rooster crowed in support.  him. 
are eating your breakfast.”  Putting his plan into action, Bob upturned stones, “Hello, Bob. I’m the Ad-
Bob hurriedly pushed the box from his head. His knocked on every knot in trees, and even moved miral. I was wondering when
grandmother passed a bowl of rice to him, amusement branches in the hope that they were hiding spaceships, you’d find the hidden door.” 
dancing in her eyes. “That’s for the chickens,” she said. to no avail. Bob was confused be-
“Yours has sambal ikan bilis in it. Don’t get confused Despondent, he returned home for lunch. “You’ve only cause the Admiral was, to
like the last time, ok? Otherwise you’ll be eating nasi just started, Bob. You can’t give up now,” his grand- him, the rooster. So he said,
putih again.”  mother said, when he explained his sour mood. “It “That’s a nice picture of
“Awww,  Mama. The chickens didn’t mind a bit of wouldn’t be much of a hiding place if you could find it space, Admiral.” 
change.”   so easily.”  “Thank you, Bob, but I’ll
“They didn’t, but you did! Your head’s always in space, His grandmother made sense, Bob thought, so he have to tell you the truth.
Bob.”  decided to stay on his quest. The second day went like That is not a picture. That is
“One day I’ll find space, Mama! You’ll see.”   the first, and on the third and fourth days, it rained heav- a window. You’re in the navi-
“I’m sure you will. You’re a clever boy,” Bob’s grand- ily. The fifth day, the sun came up over the rocks again, gation deck of a space ship.
mother said, smiling proudly. Despite his daydreaming, and Bob took to his search with renewed vigour.  The place that you think is your
her grandson always came out number one in village class, Again, he tapped on a rock here, moved a branch there, village is actually one of our
even doing better than the older boys. She hoped that pushed and pulled on knots in trees. He was in the final farm decks.” 
Bob would be able to head for the city on a scholarship.  quadrant of his search perimeter, pulling at a mushroom “So all the clever boys who left
That very morning, Bob devised a plan to get into stuck at the side of a tree, when an opening appeared, the village for the city...” 
space. He headed for the sandy area where the chickens revealing a small chamber within the tree.  “Trained as crew.” 
had done their worst to the grass. Picking up a stick, he “Well,” said the boy. He stepped into the chamber. “And the sun that comes up
consulted the rooster.   Inside was a box with buttons showing arrows pointing over the rocks in the morn-
“Admiral, I believe that with the proper search perim- upwards and downwards. He pressed the arrow pointing ing...” 
eter, we can find our way into space.” Bob started drawing upwards. Nothing happened. So he pressed the other The Admiral sighed. “You’ll find out soon
patterns in the sand, detailing the locations of buildings button.  enough.” 
in his village. The rooster cocked his head and chuckled The door slid shut with a whoosh. Bob felt a movement Yes, I will, thought Bob.  
in agreement of the map, making some scratches to help.  in the lift, for that was what it was. And when it slid open, He was, after all, the small village boy who found space.
source: sxc.hu

SACC parties with Upin and Ipin

Selection of cakes sold at SACC’s Westside Bistro.

she said. Executive Officer Datuk Zulkifli

Celebrating the birthday of Asyiela Putri, who voices Upin and Ipin.
By William Tan
SHAH ALAM: Upin and Ipin
were celebrated at the  Shah Alam
Convention Centre (SACC) to
mark the company’s merchandising
The deals include a shop within
the convention centre selling Upin
& Ipin merchandise, and another
deal allowing the making and selling
of cakes with the images of the
characters.
rights to the cartoon characters.   They also helped celebrate the “This is part of our efforts to
The colourful characters came birthday of Asyiela Putri, 11, who is rebrand SACC as a destination for
out on the day to entertain guests, the voice of Upin and Ipin. the family, and we hope the unique
which included children from “I thank you for the support cakes combined with our event
Rumah Penyayan Hembusan Kas- SACC has shown, and hope ev- packages will make it hub for fam-
turi orphanage. eryone continues to support us,” ily celebrations,” said SACC Chief
Mohamed.
The cakes have interesting names
such as Kek Harimau Malaysia,
Injit-Injit Semut, and Rumah
Opah. They are priced between
RM40 and RM120 depending on
their size and ingredients, and can
be purchased from SACC’s West-
side Bistro.
A delivery service is also avail-
able. For bookings and inquiries, call
03-55118858 or 55118824.
 review 17 MAY 6 — 8, 2011

Entrance from the car park. Rich chocolaty Louisiana Mud Pie.

Lovely Louisiana nights

By Brenda Ch’ng
This oven-baked pizza
lived up to the authentic
Italian pizza-dough texture,
especially when compared with
with other thin-crust pizzas
doesn’t fill you up too quickly. was just right. available elsewhere.”

O
verlooking the waters of For a spicier option, you can This mouth-watering savoury
Tasik Kelana is the alfresco also top the gumbo with chilli dish can be eaten with the special
dining Louisiana Res­tau­ flakes. Louisiana tabasco-like chilli sauce with a single red pitted cherry. This three-course meal was
rant at Plaza Kelana Jaya. Next was the Cajun seafood found on every table. This dessert is a must for all splendid as it did not make us feel
This picturesque restaurant is pizza (RM29.90), which came Lastly came the dessert, the chocolate lovers. It is packed with as if we had overindulged.
the perfect place for a romantic topped with clams and an abun­ Louisiana Mud Pie (RM16.90), chopped walnuts and almonds, The restaurant has a “Eat all You
star-gazing date or a lovely night dance of mozzarella cheese. which was full of chocolaty richness giving it a crunch to every bite. Can” promotion during weekday
out with the family.  The best part about this pizza covered in vanilla ice-cream topped The smooth, creamy chocolate lunch hours (11.30am-3.30pm).
Hungry with a craving for sea­ was not the tomato - icing literally For only RM14.80, patrons can
food, we dived in without hesita­ based sauce or the gen­ melts in your get a free flow of pastas and enjoy
tion and ordered two seafood erous amount of sea­ mouth along with a neverending supply of soup, sal­
dishes that stood out on the menu. fo o d , but the thin, the ice-cream. ads, desserts and drinks.
First up was the appetizer, sea­ crunchy pizza dough. Compared to a This family restaurant also al­
food gumbo (RM 20.90), which Th i s o ven-b a ke d brownie, this mud lows children below the age of
came piping hot in an oval porce­ pizza lived up to the pie is definitely eight to eat for free with every
lain dish with parsley and four authentic Italian piz­ richer, creamier, main entree ordered.
slices of garlic toast on the side. za-doug h texture, smoother and Operating hours are from Mon­
The uniqueness of this dish lies espe­c ially when com­ softer. days to Saturdays from 11.30am to
in the gumbo, a sauce which origi­ pared with other thin- It would be rec­ 3.30pm (lunch), and from 5.30pm
nated from South Louisiana, crust pizzas available ommended to ap­ to 1am (dinner).
where the seed from the gumbo elsewhere. portion every bite It is closed on Sundays during
plant is used to create the starchi­ This thin yet supple of the mud pie lunchtime, but is open from 6pm
ness seen in stews or broths. dough allowed us to with a spoonful of to midnight for dinner.
The starchiness of the seafood taste the bread with­ ice- cream . The The restaurant is housed at
gumbo blended perfectly with the out taking away from warm chocolate Block D-01-01, Jalan SS7/13A,
cream, creating a light and slightly the tomato -based mixed with the Plaza Kelana Jaya, 47301 Kelana
stringy orange-coloured texture sauce. The amount of cool ice-cream is a Jaya, and can be contacted at 03-
that resembled cheese.  topping on the pizza Alfresco dining by the lake. heavenly blend. 78755230.
The starchy effect held the mix­
ture of chopped-up crabmeat,
prawn, fish and squid together,
enabling us to use the gumbo as a
solid topping for the garlic bread.
The blend of sweet seafood and
salty salsa and cream resulted in
the orange-coloured sauce. It was
thick and creamy, its smoothness
not affected by the jam-packed
chunkiness of the seafood filling. 
To top it off, the dish was deco­
rated with parsley and drizzled
with fragrant Italian herbs.
It is best if the gumbo is eaten
with the garlic bread that accom­
panied the dish: the garlic flavour
from the crunchy toast added more
bite to the already chunky dish.
The seafood gumbo can be eaten
as a standalone dish, or shared as
an entree so that its creaminess Authentic Italian-doughed seafood pizza. The must-try seafood gumbo.
18
FOOD
MAY 6 — 8, 2011

Eat to your heart’s content

at KTZ
There must be hundreds of eateries in KL and PJ,
but nothing beats this place that has dust, noise
and heat, as LIN ZHENYUAN finds out

K
epong has about 22 housing
estates and 16 schools. But
these bits of information are
irrelevant as far as food is concerned.
There must be scores of coffee
shops and restaurants spread
throughout the sprawling district.
And when it comes to hawker stalls,
there are so many of them that you
will be in hospital sooner than you
can try them all.
There is one place that’s close to
my heart, or in this case, my stom-
ach. I am a Johnny-come-lately, so I
only discovered this place about two
years ago.
Why talk about this place only
now ? I was simply too busy sam-
pling its dishes and the nearby eat-
ing joints within the vicinity. It has
issues resulting from their lack of
consideration.
I have been to KTZ at least seven
times over two years. Personally, I
am a little surprised that I have put
up with all the inconvenience. But
the food items at KTZ are so tempt-
ing that I yield to temptation and
set a bad example for the others.
When there are visiting relatives
or ignorant friends, I like to bring
them to KTZ. The idea is to give
them a little culinary surprise and
bring joy to their hearts.
Some of my friends who are not
used to eating under such circum-
stances will keep their opinions to
themselves, but after they have had
their share of the food at KTZ, they
become willing participants of a The KTZ outlet is packed in the late hours of the afternoon.

This tray of dim sum went straight past our table.

been 24 months, and I haven’t even sinful activity: gluttony.

gone halfway down the list yet.
KTZ, or Kei Tuck Sek (Canton-
ese for “remember to eat”), is one of
the most popular eating places in
Kepong Baru. No need to have that
nugget of information verified. Just
check out the crowd at 4pm. That’s
the time it officially opens.
Purportedly, business hours con-
tinue till 1am. There about 42 items
on its long list of food items. Unfor-
tunately if you don’t read Chinese,
you will be in a spot.
So the most practical thing to do
is to point at what you like on the
long table in front of you. The
workers are fast and efficient. They
will mark on a little piece of paper
what is delivered to your table.
Therefore, even if you don’t know a
single word of Cantonese, you can
still dine with the hungry hordes
around you.
Sometimes at 5pm, there are so
many people that cars are parked
indiscriminately on the road, right
at the junction traffic lights. Yes, it
is a nuisance to the other motorists
who are trying to get home in the
area, but the customers at KTZ are
oblivious to other pressing social
Some of the more popular KTZ
items are the stuffed crab shell, or
baked crab, radish and yam cakes,
fried spring rolls, fried pancakes and
the various types of “tong shui”.
KTZ’s peanut  butter tong shui
is almost as famous as the Kuan Yin
statue at the Kek Lok Si Temple in
Penang. If you are feeling a bit
greedy, you may add the “tong yun
with black sesame”, which costs
RM1.10 each.
The peanut butter tong shui is
quite filling and definitely satisfy-
ing. One bowl is sufficient for most
people, but if you can consume two,
you have earned my respect.
There is an iced fruitti stall right
next to the main stall of sinful de-
lights. The most popular item ap-
parently is the “mango lolo”. On
top of the little mounta in of
smooth shaved ice is a generous
topping of mango puree with em-
bedded sago.
The heap of ice is fortified by
cubes of fresh mango. After you have
had your lion’s share of the tasty and
savoury dim sum and related items,
the mango lolo will come as a wel-
come relief.
Baked crab shells will trigger your saliva ducts.
KTZ is not a place for those who
are faint-hearted about what they eat.
My only advice to these longevity-
driven folks is to stay away from this
place. It is an eatery for the stout-
hearted with a gung-ho attitude – in
other words, foodies who want to
have some of the most memorable
gastronomical memories before they
move on to God’s green acres.
I like my dim sum to be fresh from
the wok. Thank goodness, that’s the
policy of KTZ. The cooks behind
the woks happily and willingly deep
fry all the items you have picked.
When the dishes arrive, they are
as fresh as the flowers in your garden
early in the morning. The aroma of
the dishes alone will make you fall in
love all over again – with food!
Life should always be like that:
eat, slurp, burp and be merry. Every-
thing in moderation, of course.
By the way, the address is 66, Jalan
7, Kepong Baru. Tel: 03-62529451. Mango lolo and all its wonderful ingredients.

Mind your PQRS,
bloggers told
(From left) Amri, Chuah, Lee, Tourism Selangor general manager Noorul Ashikin Mohd Din, and
Tourism Selangor events and marketing manager Fazly Razally.
By Basil Foo
AMPANG: Bloggers interested in
writing food reviews of their favour-
ite eateries were advised to keep a
simple formula in mind: PQRS.
“The Personality, Quality, Read-
er-friendly, and Serviceability fac-
tors will help bloggers write more
interesting and useful blog posts,”
said Chuah Guat Eng.
The Selangorlicious! Foodster
Blogging Competition chief judge
addressed bloggers and the press
during the competition launch on
April 28.
The competition is expected to
draw 5,000 submissions from blog-
gers who will vie for RM12,000 in
cash prizes, holiday packages, and
digital cameras.
“The reviews have to be attrac-
Selangor assistant executive councillor for tourism Edward Lee Poh Lin and Tourism Selangor general
manager Noorul Ashikin Mohd Din watching a cooking demonstration by chef Anis Nabilah at Bora
Ombak restaurant, Ampang.
tive, easy to read, and bloggers have
to remember the purpose is to draw
readers to eat there,” said Chuah.
As such, she said, not only should
the food be reviewed but the restau-
rant’s surroundings and even the
condition of their washrooms.
Language quality and grammar
are not as important as the main
point of the competition is for peo-
ple to have fun.
“There are no restrictions for the
food outlets reviewed – small stalls
to five-star restaurants, halal or non-
halal,” said Amri Rohayat.
The Storm Studio managing di-
rector is part of the competition’s
organizing team, together with
creative agency Bright Lights After
Midnight and Tourism Selangor.
Submissions must be between
200 and 400 words, in English or
Bahasa Malaysia, and submitted
from May 1 to 31.
“Each write up must be accom-
panied by 10 photographs, of which
two are of the eatery exterior, two
of the interior, and six of the food
or participants,” said Amri.
Also at the launch was Selangor
assistant executive councillor for
tourism Edward Lee Poh Lin, who
said this competition was also to
identify Selangor’s trademark cui-
sine.
This would assist Tourism Selan-
gor’s efforts in marketing the state
at international level through a
food-tourism initiative.
“Penang is well known for nasi
kandar and char koay teow. Melaka
is well known for nyonya cuisine.We
want to know what food is Selangor
famous for,” he added.
NEWS 19 MAY 6 — 8, 2011
✂
Take 5 minutes to fill this form up and drop it off at
the nearest police station to have regular checks
at your house while you are away.
Ibu pejabat Polis Daerah Subang Jaya
Tel: 03-5637 3722 Fax: 03-5631 9815
Borang maklumat
Memaklumkan tentang meningalkan rumah kediaman untuk
bercuti.
Kepada Kawasan Pentadbiran Balai Polis
..............................................................................................
Butiran penduduk:
Nama: ..................................................................................
Alamat: .................................................................................
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................
Nombor telefon bimbit/kediaman: ........................................
Nombor telefon yang boleh dihubungi: ................................
..............................................................................................
Tarikh meninggalkan rumah: ................................................
Tarikh dijangka balik ke rumah: ...........................................
Kenderaan yang ditinggalkan (jenis model & nombor daftar
kenderaan).
1. ..........................................................................................
2. ..........................................................................................
3. ..........................................................................................
Lain-lain maklumat:
..............................................................................................
............................................... .......................................
Tandatangan Tarikh
Have you checked
your electrical
switches before
leaving home?
Before ieaving your home for a holoday, have you
checked all your electrical switches and turned off
your gas tanks?
Call the SS17 Bomba for advise at
03-5634 9444
20
FEATURES
MAY 6 — 8, 2011

Challenges of national Get smart!

Play chess!

selection and representation

By Peter Long
peterlong@aol.asia

By Peter Long pionship held every year. If they could afford

it, they could also play in the World Junior

I
n a much gentler time, representing your
country in chess was rather uncomplicated.
Like Malaysia, most countries did not have
professional players. If they had any, they were
a handful of players who had international
ratings, with some having the prestige of being
an International or FIDE master.
The centrepiece in Malaysia was the an-
nual National Closed Championship,
where one qualified via state representation.
It was a prestigious event, often with a game
played a day, and sometimes lasting for al-
most two weeks!
Every two years, there was also the World
Chess Olympiad, and in alternate years the
Asian Chess Team Championship. With very
few exceptions, the top five players would be
selected to make up the national team, with
the National Junior Champion also given a
place. The teams then comprised of four play-
ers, with one or two reserves. To save money,
the sixth place would be given to the manager.
Besides these team events, there was really
only the Zonal Chess Championship, the first
step towards qualifying for the World Chess
Championship, which was the official right
of the national champion.
For junior players, it was even simpler. The
Malaysian Chess Federation recognised the
MSSM Individual Chess Champion as the
national junior champion. He – and later she
when they had a girls equivalent – had the
right to play in the Asian Junior Chess Cham-
Chess Championship.
The only other major event was the Asian
Cities Chess Team Championship. The hon-
our of representing Malaysia went to the state
that emerged victorious at the National Inter-
state Chess Team Championship.
Chess today is very different, starting
with the reality that modern living is at a
much quicker pace, with time a premium
with competing priorities and choices.
And as a result of the World Chess Fed-
eration’s (FIDE) success in popularising
the game, players are freer to compete in
many official events.
You can qualify for the World Champion-
ship not just through the zonals, but by doing
well in the continental championships, or by
having a high international rating and the
FIDE president has wildcards to give away.
For juniors, it has become a case of every-
one being a national player. Because if you
don’t qualify, you can still join in the party
by paying a higher entry fee. You are not Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nehayan, president of the Asian Chess Federation,
limited to the formerly exclusive and pres- presenting the Dubai Cup to the convincing winners Shi Jiazhuang City from China.
tigious Asian and World Juniors, but can also On the right is a legendary grandmaster, Senator Utut Adanto, chairperson of the
choose the ASEAN Age Groups, the Asian organising committee.
Youth and Asian Schools, the World Youth
and World Schools. a full international! analysis of the ongoing National Selections
I helped start the annual Malaysia- While such events have helped reinforce for the SEA Games. But I can report that
Singapore Match, which comprises two cross-border friendships, many take part Penang, representing Malaysia at the re-
teams with more than 40 players in catego- without understanding chess as a sport. The cently concluded Asian Cities Chess Team
ries from Under-8 to veterans, boys and sad outcome is country representation can Championship held in Jakarta from April
girls, men and women. You get to become now be obtained with sufficient funds, and 22-28, finished credibly with four wins, one
organisers have taken the advantage by mark- draw, and four losses of its nine matches to
mrt pr
ing up the rates at the official hotels. finish in 12-15th place (14th after tie-breaks)
reside oject:
disapp nts
ointed Greater Next time around, I will provide an in a field of 24 teams.
transp
p 8 with FOarency com
From

Where to get
I bill m
to gh unities
ettos

MPSJ donates
p 4
p 12-13
commun
ity

March
18 — 20,
2011/
issue 16

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

LRT Stations (Distribution by Empire

hand) – Morning Subang
Amcorp Mall
By William Tan carefully as we don’t
Ampang – Sentul Timur
Ampang Klang Centro
By Gan
Pei Ling intend to waste tax-
MPSJ t
su Ba

SERI KEMBANGAN: The Subang Jaya

ng

payers’ money,” said

films, liter jaYa:
dedicate ature and even There are

“mosquo unleash
Cahaya
eat dog d to the old sayin song s
swoop by”, but in an g of “dog
inno
cil, the “doga local municip vative
by a mos ” will soon be al coun-

Hypermar- Municipal Council (MPSJ) donated 100 the councillor.

quit

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

ito eater
versiti Sain al Council ang Jaya
(MP

kets
Ban k Bhd s Malaysia andSJ), Uni-

Pandan Indah soon be , mosquito

used
CIM
larvae willB

shrubs to the residential community of R e s i d ent s a r e

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

Pandan Jaya (From Satur- be employe mosquit s on othe feed on

o larva r

Serdang Raya SR 8/7 to be planted as a thankful for the

d to redu e, will soon hum
threat.  ce the deng The loca an blood but
The pilo ue gether with l council is wornectar.
t project project the univ king to- USM , which
“mosqui ersity on
a pilot fully sponsoredcost RM60,000,

day noon)
to mosquit to release Toxorhy

Sentul Timur
mosquit to eater” to redurelease the If the trial by CIMB Ban is this
the MPSJ.  oes is bein ce
g carried Aedes USJ 1 tooes at an abandon nchites coun is succ k. mon
populat see if it can ed area in othe cil plans to appl essful, the loca mosquit th by monitoring

natural fence. contribution as the

A Toxorhyn out by o pop the Aed
up to 158 chites larv effectivelion of Aedes reduce the r areas with y the met l
hod to doned area in ulation at the abanes
mosquit in
ae can eat representativ y. oes outHowever, Ada its municipality.

Tesco
USJ 1.

Sentul
dur ing to 400 Asked whe Later, -
its life Aed
tim e, said es larv ae with  MPSJ es duri ng a brie mosquit ther the that Toxo
rhyn
nan also
poin 600 Toxo they will relea
  USM Unlike officials on Mar fing USM oes would distu release of the can only thrive chites mosquit ted the area rhynchites mos se around
Toxorhyn other mosquit ch 11.  said science officer rb ecosystem tion, so in
the met areas with vege
oes fem , with quit
ales in each 100 males andoes in

The shrubs are provided upon request of shrubs also serve to

chites mos oes, it Adanan s,
quitoes adult mosquitwould not as Toxo Che Rus in flats and apar hod cannot be ta- batch. 100

(Puchong,
do not tme used The enti
oes is a natu rhynchite “Th nts. six mon re trial will take
This proj ral s help is is only one ths to com
ect betw specie. curb the
spre
of the tool Ada plete. around
een MP Ada nan. ad of deng s to nan, who visit
SJ and ue,” said in January to ed Subang
He said tions to iden Jaya
they will conduct tify suitable loca

Kelana Jaya – Terminal Putra Kajang, Mutiara, the residents association (RA) of Section 8, beautify the area.
begin the area in USJ the -
trial 1 was chostrial, said the
en because
• Turn
To pag it
e6

Kelana Jaya Bukit Tinggi, Setia Alam, Am-

pang, Extra Shah Alam, Kepong)
who are continuing efforts to enhance the Professor Adel Ng Sze Han
Taman Bahagia
Taman Paramount Giant (Puchong, Kajang, security of their area. Algriani, who has been residing in the area
Asia Jaya Subang Jaya, Bukit Tinggi, Setia Morning Wet Markets “Just as with the security in our guarded for the last three years, said apart from se-
Taman Jaya Alam, Kota Kumuning) (Saturday morning) community, the entire community will be curity, the shrubs will demonstrate the
Universiti Carrefour (Bukit Rimau) Jalan SS2/62 paying for the up- residents’ love
Sri Rampai Jusco (Bukit Tinggi) Taman Medan
Wangsa Maju Metro Point, Kajang keep of these for the environ-
Jalan 17/27
GM Klang Taman Kuchai Lama shrubs,” said RA ment.
Sri Petaling – Sentul Timur Taman OUG head Tan See Meng. The professor
Taman Melati Commuter Stations Pasar Taman Megah He s a i d t h e y of Islamic histo-
Sri Petaling (Distribution by hand) – Morning
Sentul – Port Klang
Pasar Jalan Othman only had to wait for r y said he was
Bukit Jalil Pasar Jalan 17/2
Bandar Tasik Selatan Port Klang Pasar Sek 14
one to two months re a l l y g e t ti n g
Salak Selatan Bukit Badak Pasar Seri Setia SS9A/1 to get the shrubs. more value than
Shah Alam Pasar Kg Chempaka MPSJ councillor th e R M 6 0 h e
Shopping Malls Subang Jaya Taman Tun Dr. Ismail Ng Sze Han said pays per month
(From Saturday noon) Jalan Templer
1 UTAMA Petaling each each shr ub to the local RA. Adel Algriani
Hospital Tan See Meng
Tropicana Mall Forrest Medical Centre costs about RM15 Seri Kemban-
Sunway Pyramid Rawang – Seremban and could grow up to six feet. gan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hiah Wah
The Curve Kuala Kubu Baru Colleges He said MPSJ encourages such resident and Member of Parliament for Serdang Teo
IOI Mall Sungai Buloh
Kepong Sentral
Help Institute initiatives, and that the local council in- Nie Ching were on site last Saturday to help
IOI Business Park College Bandar Utama (KBU)
Ikano Power Centre Kepong Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia
tends to support them as best as it can. plant the first trees and to encourage the
“We will, of course, review each request RA’s future efforts.

By Alvin Yap
PETALING JAYA: Rescued cats
and dogs won the hearts of many at
a charity event sponsored by online
pet adoption group Petfinder at
Sunway Pyramid recently.
Hai-Ling, a Rottwelier mix with
jet black coat, and Johnny, a Siberian
Husky with dreamy blue eyes,
wowed shoppers who patted, hugged
and kissed them for a fundraising
charity drive.
“We knew a shopping mall would
be the perfect place to hold the
event, [especially] to raise awareness
of issues related to animal care and
adoption,” said Petfinder’s founder
and chief officer Andy Koh.
Koh said the proceeds from the
charity drive would be disbursed
equally to all seven animal welfare
groups that had participated in the
event.
The groups are SPCA Selan-
gor, Paws, Save A Stray, Malaysian
Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB),
Hope, Paws Mission and Animal-
Care.
Petfinder is an online “match-
making” website where people can
find rescued cats and dogs to adopt.
He said Petfinder has successfully
found homes for some 6,300 rescued
canines and felines.
The event was organised to ad-
dress problems facing animal welfare
groups, like overbreeding and aban-
Amy Mastura demonstrating proper hand-washing techniques during the Lifebuoy Little Doctors’
Challenge.
TV9 wins bowling match
K L A N G : T V9 won the
Friendly Bowling Media Match
organised by the Klang Mu-
nicipal Council (MPK) at
Klang Parade recently.
They won a trophy and cash
prize of RM 2000, followed by
Sinar Harian and Radio and
Television Malaysia (RTM),
who finished second and third
respectively.
This tournament is an annual
event aimed at bringing to-
gether members of the press,
MPK councillors and council
Rescued cats and
dogs steal the show
donment of pets by owners.
Jacqueline Tsang, from pet rescue
group Save-A-Stray, said the event
was an opportunity to showcase her
organisation’s work with saving stray
department heads.  student population is able to
Thirteen teams took part.
“This [media bowling com-
petition] is also a way of showing
my appreciation to the media
world, who have never failed to
keep the public informed with
good quality news,” said MPK
president Datuk Mislan Tugiu.
He said the event would help
foster better ties between the
council and media.   In addition, two other schools
Also present were executive
councillor Ronnie Liu and
MPK councillors. Mislan (right) and Liu (second from right) with the TV9 team.
Paws animal
Vincent Leong with shelter manager
his adopted puppy.
Edward Lim
cats and dogs.
She pointed out that RM45,000 a month to house, feed
they are going all out to and treat the 400 cats and dogs un-
rescue and even treat der its care.
the animals, but Cats and dogs caught by the city
stressed that they need councils of Petaling Jaya (MBPJ),
funding to keep the Shah Alam (MBSA) and Subang
work going. Jaya (MPSJ) are placed at Paws. 
“We have a mobile People who surrender or adopt
clinic based in SS18 the cats and dogs pay a small fee to
Subang Jaya that goes Paws to do so, but the amount is
from site to site to treat not enough to care for all the ani-
abandoned cats and mals.
dogs,” Tsang said. Lim said there was not enough
Save-A-Stray targets financial resources to care for all
youths to run its volun- the animals at their shelter, and
teer programmes, espe- explained that some animals had
cially f undraising to be put to sleep to make way for
events. the others.
Edward Lim, man- “The very sick animals, the old
ager of Paws Animal ones, and the aggressive ones will be
Welfare Society Malaysia, echoed put to sleep,” Lim said.
the need for more funding if animal Animal welfare groups say the
shelters are to survive. main concern is to stop cats and
He said Paws, located along the dogs from breeding freely, and it
old Subang Airport road, requires is every owner’s responsibility to
Bringing good
hygiene to schools
SHAH ALAM: Good hygiene
b e g ins at a young a g e, and
a c c l a im e d enter ta in er Amy
Mastura kicked off a six-week
campaign by going to schools to
share tips with students.
Some 1,200 students of SK
Taman Tun Dr Ismail 1 (SK TTDI
1) recently took part in the
Lifebuoy Little Doctors’ Challenge
as Amy demonstrated proper hand-
washing techniques.
The Lifebuoy celebrity
ambassador taught the students
that inculcating a habit to wash
with soap during five key occasions
in a day, namely when bathing,
after using the toilet, and before
breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is
very important as it helps eliminate
germs and bacteria on their hands.
Media 21MAY 6 — 8, 2011
neuter their pets.
“Never abandon them because
they become wild and feral, and
most of all, they breed more off-
spring,” Lim pointed out.
Earlier, it all ended well for a
puppy found abandoned near
UITM Shah Alam days before the
event, when it was adopted by sales
manager Vincent Leong.
Leong, 37, who lost his dog to
bone cancer on Christmas eve last
year, responded to the adoption re-
quest on the MDDB website.
“I have not given her a name yet.
I’m just happy to be able to give her
a home,” Leong said.
Amy said, “It is promising to see
these students learning good
hygiene habits, especially at a
young age.
“It is particularly meaningful for
me as my daughter is also one of
the students from SK TTDI 1
bene­fit­ing from this challenge.
“As a mother, I really enjoy
being a part of this programme and
getting to spend time with all these
students. Hopefully in time, good
hygiene habits will be second
nature to them.”
Things turned livelier when
Amy taught the students to sing
th e L i f e b u oy j ing l e , wh i c h
encourages and reminds them to
wash daily with soap during the five
critical occasions.
The Lifebuoy Little Doctors’
Challenge was launched on Feb 28,
and is a six-week nationwide inter-
school competition that will see
p ar ticip ating scho o ls b eing
evaluated on how well their entire
embrace good hygiene habits thanks
to the efforts of their “little doctors”.
The school with the most
noticeable change in habit, judged
on a pre-determined list of criteria,
will see its toilets and hand-washing
facilities renovated at the cost of up
to RM20,000, and a one year’s
supply of Lifebuoy soap for its
toilets.
will receive a one-year supply of
Lifebuoy soap for its toilets as
consolation prize.
22
Gallery
MAY 6 — 8, 2011

Children from USJ 3 in Subang Jaya hard at work

painting a shelter in their park that had been marred
by vandals. The children, some as young as 10, were
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim during a visit to a Selangor Agriculture Development Corporation (PKPS) in part of an informal GoGreenKidz club formed to get
Sungai Long, Kajang. them involved in community projects.

Six-year-old twins Daniel and Danish Farhan, looking like their favourite cartoon Asyiela Putri, the voice of popular cartoon characters Upin and Ipin, cutting
characters Upin and Ipin, at the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) last Saturday to a cake on April 30 to celebrate a deal allowing the sale of Upin & Ipin-themed
celebrate SACC’s merchandising rights of the popular television characters. cakes at the Shah Alam Convention Centre’s Westside Bistro.

About 70 participants practising yoga during a special class organised by Manasa Member of Parliament for Serdang Teo Nie Ching(on left with shovel) and Seri
Yoga. The event was held at Hotel Saujana Kuala Lumpur on May 2 to raise funds Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hiah Wah planting a tree with residents of
for Japan quake victims. Serdang Raya SR 8 last Saturday.

CALENDAR
Compiled by Nick Choo
God of Carnage
Theatre; April 28-May 8
PJ Live Arts @ Jaya One; RM60
03-79600439, www.pjla.com.my
The second annual PJ Laugh Festival at PJ Live
Arts @ Jaya One opens with this 2009 Tony Award-
winning comedy play, which premiered in New York
in 2009 with Hollywood bigwigs Jeff Daniels, Hope
Davis, James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden.
Malaysia’s version features Will Quah, Maya Tan,
Megat Sharizal and former Ms Malaysia World Lina
Teoh, directed by David Lim.
God of Carnage is a tale of two couples who meet
to discuss the misdemeanours of their sons. “The
evening begins quite amicably with the four parents
intending to resolve the situation diplomatically.
However, as their hopes begin to splinter and
disillusionment sets in, the evening deteriorates from
one of mild unease and discomfort into a deluge of
accusations, recriminations, jealousy and rage.”
Women: 100 Photography
Exhibition
Exhibition; April 28-May 8
Sky Bridge, Pavillion, Kuala Lumpur; free admission
www.kakiseni.com
Pictures from 100 hours of shows presented as part of
Kakiseni’s Women:100 festival throughout the month
of March. Featuring photography by Evelyn Lam Lip
Lin, Naomi Aw Shui Ching, Sharon Lam and Visithra
Manikam.
Land of God & Shadows
Exhibition; May 9-29
Pentas 2 Foyer, KLPac
03-7958 2175, email: stag@tm.net.my,
www.shaliniganendra.com
Pictures by photojournalist Rahman Roslan, taken
during frequent visits to Bali in 2010. “As a frequent
stranger to this land, Bali offers many surprises. On
my second visit, I was able, due to familiarity, to
capture images, people met, and landscapes touched,
and the feeling of the breeze. What I see has more
meaning now and grows from the image, because
from the visual I explore the multiple layers beneath.
Sometimes a beautiful marriage occurs between the
ancient and contemporary, or the obvious and the
subtle. These relationships, shadows, and realisation
brought the mesmerising energy for this series.”
Presented by Shalini Ganendra’s Fine Art.
The Fulfillment of Solitude
Exhibition; May 10-31; EQ Fine Arts
03-62010985/019-2809985, email: rajaihsan@gmail.com
Free admission
A selection of sphotographs by HRH Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah (1907-79). “The 25
photographs carefully chosen for this exhibition are some of his most celebrated, and also
several that were never before printed. These are pictures that reveal the true character of
the photographer, who also happened to be a Malay Sultan. They also reveal his relationship
with the human element of his subjects, as well as the countryside that he belonged to.”
Viewing by appointment only.
The List Operators For Kids:
More Fun Than A Wii!
Theatre; May 5-22
PJ Live Arts & Jaya One; RM44-77
03-79600439, www.pjla.com.my
Australians Matt Kelly and Richard Higgins are veterans of
children’s theatre, who devised and first performed in The
List Operators for Kids: More Fun Than a Wii! in September
2009. It has received a prestigious Barry Nomination for Best
Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, played
to thousands of children in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and
Sydney, and received multiple five-star reviews at the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival. “The award-winning List Operators are heading
to Kuala Lumpur, fart machine in tow, with their raw, raucous
and ridiculously cool show … for anyone aged five to 500 million
(dinosaur allowed).” Presented by Garner & Wife Theatre.
CULTURE 23 MAY 6 — 8, 2011
Cabaret
Musical theatre
May 6-15, KLPac
RM125/RM105/RM85
03-4047900
www.klpac.org
Berlin, 1931 – the capital
of divine decadence,
liberal thought and
cultural transformation,
while the shadow of the
Nazis threatens to engulf
all of Europe. Cabaret
is the iconic musical
created by John Kander
and Fred Ebb, which
revolves around the seedy
happenings of the Kit Kat Klub and its regulars.
Step inside the world of Sally Bowles, a cabaret
performer, as she embarks on a torrid love affair with
Clifford Bradshaw, a young Englishman who has come
to Berlin to seek inspiration for his new novel. Set amidst
the political and social upheaval of pre-Nazi Germany, this
musical will allow you to indulge yourself in the unbridled
sensuality of the club, revel among its morally ambiguous
inhabitants, and plunge into its glitz and glamour.
Cabaret on stage since 1966 to over 3,000
performances in Broadway and the West End, and
has been performed in Europe, Mexico, Australia and
Singapore. It was also adapted for the big screen with an
Oscar-winning performance by Liza Minelli in the iconic role
of Sally Bowles.
Its debut in Malaysia features the talents of Stephanie
Van Driesen, Peter Davis, Trudy Ganendra, Alizakri
Alias, Aaron Khaled, Peter Ong, Bernie Chan, Judimar
Hernandez, Sabrina Hassan, Suhaili Micheline, Hunny
Madu, Davina Goh, Sarah Loh, Alfred Choo and Paul Wong.
Directed by Nell Ng; musical direction by Nish Tham.
Sticks, Stones, Broken Bones
Theatre; May 10-15
PJ Live Arts @ Jaya One; RM60
03-79600439, www.pjla.com.my
A wordless, shadow puppet comedy from Montreal,
Canada. Monkeys in the jungle, UFO abductions, brain
transplants and flying Ninjas … don’t miss Jeff Achtem’s
amazingly playful vision of wonder and nonsense as he
transforms bits of junk into surreal shadow puppets.
In each scene, the audience is invited behind the
visual trickery to witness the making of these amazing
puppet melodramas. Winner for Best Puppetry in the
Adelaide Fringe Festival 2011, and Spirit of the Fringe
& Best Newcomer in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
2010. Suitable for all ages. Presented by Garner & Wife
Theatre.
After Waking
Theatre; May 12-15
MAP KL @ Solaris Dutamas
RM20/RM10
03 6207 9732
A physical theatre piece inspired by
the makyung epic Dewa Muda. “A
young man is haunted by the dream
of a woman and the journey that takes
him into the sky to find her. A physical
theatre piece fusing Malaysian and
American traditions … a play about
flight, fate and what happens when
we get what we want.” Presented by
the reTheatre Company.
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.