Kota Damansara, Selangor’s new Sin City

With massage parlours galore, pubs and bars mushrooming all over the place, broken roads and 'dead' traffic lights, and restaurants taking over the parking lots so that cars need to park illegally and obstruct traffic, it makes one wonder how much these unelected Pakatan Rakyat local councilors are earning a month in ‘under-the-table’ money.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Today, Tunku Abdul Aziz wrote an article called ‘MPPJ enforcement officers cry foul’. This is what he said:

Local council enforcement officers in Petaling Jaya have told me that they are often stopped dead in their tracks in the course of carrying out their work by Pakatan Rakyat politicians. These loud-mouthed, arrogant and bullying lawmakers, or more correctly, lawbreakers, with their own personal political agenda give direct operational orders to enforcement officers who are answerable, in any case, to their career local government officers.

Enforcing municipal or city council laws in these circumstances takes on a bizarre tug of war aspect when politicians, often from the same party, descend on the scene issuing diametrically opposed instructions. Interfering to the extent of ordering enforcement officers to leave unlicensed food traders well alone for fear of losing their votes is considered, in their circle, as politically savvy and chic. No doubt all part of their ticket to Putrajaya.

The fact that this is blatant abuse of power, or not to put too fine a point on it, corruption, seems to escape them completely as they set about, single-mindedly, to develop popular ground support, for future parliamentary elections. They studiously look away from breaches of the rules and regulations of their own making, committed by MCA supporters who might, just might, change their political allegiance if they were allowed to continue to trade illegally. Why not help them to become “legit”? In this way MPPJ will earn some revenue.

(Read more here: http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/guest-columnists/35781-mppj-enforcement-officers-cry-foul)

AND SEE THE PICTURES HERE

Posted by barred at 11/07/2010 06:21:00 AM

Sand scandal: Kapar MP reveals 'witness'

Hazlan Zakaria
May 31, 10

Kapar MP S Manikavasagam has produced a witness to corroborate his allegation that a state-owned company has been involved in illegal sand-mining operations in Selangor. "Today, it is not empty talk, I am bringing a witness," he said at a press conference in his office today. Sand-mining contractor Zahar Rusili then told reporters that he has uncovered proof of illegal sand- mining activity in Sungai Rasa, near Rawang, near a site where he was working. Zahar, 43, claimed that the sand was mined illegally on state-owned land, alleging possible collusion between state-owned company Kuala Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) and the authorities, as well as his former business partner. "Hundreds of lorry-loads of sand were taken out from the disused mine without proper documentation," he claimed. He said he had submitted a complaint and evidence to KSSB, the police, the office of Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (left) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, but to no avail. The evidence was in the form of video recordings and a written record of all sand removed without proper clearance, up to the time that he received a threat on his life. "They sent nearly 30 gangsters to threaten me... A guy with a gun came to my home... My car was even rammed by a another vehicle just after I submitted a report to the MACC," he said. Although he then stopped pursuing the matter, he said he felt compelled to come forward after Manikavasagam took up the issue. The contractor said he was awarded a contract to mine sand from a river-bed but was unable to handle the job on his own and engaged a partner to assist him. After a while, however, his partner 'hijacked' the permit in order to mine sand from a nearby state-owned disused mine. "This was done using my permit under my name, so I wanted no part of it (illegal sand mining)," he said. 'Not allowed to testify' Manikavasagam said Zahar was among the key witnesses who had been turned down by the Selangor legislative assembly's Select Committee on Accountability, Competency and Transparency (Selcat) which is holding an inquiry. Selcat's letter did not prevent his witnesses from testifying, but cited procedure in stating that only witnesses summoned by the committee may testify. The letter also said that, if his witnesses want to testify, they are required to submit written testimony with their personal details. If their accounts are relevant to the public hearing, they would be asked to testify. Manikavasagam insisted that such procedures would only lead to more delays, while information about his witnesses may be leaked, thereby jeopardising their safety. "All of this will take time and it may endanger the witnesses. Look at what was done to me and I am an MP. Imagine what they may do to the witnesses. Mr Zahar here for one, had gone through a lot already," he said. His lawyers are due to elaborate on the matter at another press conference tomorrow, which will address the Selcat rejection and other legal matters. Manikavasagam has kicked up a storm with his recent outbursts. While he has claimed to be only doing his job, certain quarters have questioned why he did not wait for the investigations to be completed. Some have claimed that he is using the issue as a smoke-screen for a planned exit from PKR, which he has vehemently denied.

Read more here:

Kapar MP reveals video of 'sand thieves'

Illegal sand-mining: The buck-passing begins

Hello Khalid , care to answer ? Isn't PKR preaching about no bribery and no corruption ?

Expired permit but mining continues

Thu, 27 May 2010 13:27

By Stephanie Sta Maria, B Nantha Kumar and Patrick Lee

SEPANG: Jenderam Hilir is a solitary spread of land in Sepang with the nondescript Langat river running past it. Like many such areas, it has vast empty spaces which boast an abundance of sand. In other words, a choice location for sand-mining operations.

FMT visited Sepang earlier this week, following reports of possible illegal sand-mining activities there. Within a short drive to the district, a large signboard loomed indicating a sand-washing project being carried out in Kampung Sungai Buah.

The signboard belonged to Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB), the Selangor-owned sand-mining company currently being investigated for allegations of corruption.

While nothing was amiss at the mentioned site, a quick chat with the workers hinted that “suspicious activities” were being carried out at another site nearby. That site was Jenderam Hilir.

Like Kampung Sungai Buah, the entrance into Jenderam Hilir was also fronted by a KSSB signboard. Unlike it, however, the contractor's name was left blank and the permit had expired on March 7.

A drive deep into the area revealed that operations were still in full swing. Heavy machinery were digging up sand from the river bed and numerous mounds of sand were already being stockpiled on its banks.

More brazen

The workers were unperturbed by FMT's presence and continued operations, which confirmed reports by industry sources that the illegal miners have grown more brazen over time.

One industry source, who only wanted to be known as BK, confirmed that the sand mining in Jenderam Hilir is illegal.

“Contractors must submit applications to renew their permit a few months before it expires,” he said. “There is no such thing as continuing operations while awaiting a new permit. And the signboard must list a contractor's name.”

When contacted, a KSSB employee, who only identified himself as Hamid, claimed no knowledge of the operations and refused to explain the process of permit renewal.

FMT then managed to get in touch with KSSB's executive director Ramli Abd Majed, who also declined to comment.

“I am in a meeting,” he said. “And I will be very busy this whole week, so I'm sorry but I will not be able to talk to you.”

What the hell is going on in the Selangor State Govt ? Breaking their own laws !!

Still think PAS is relevant in Selangor ?

Quit S'gor govt, PAS urged

Sunday, 27 December 2009 20:10

SHAH ALAM - A group of Selangor residents wants PAS to withdraw from the tripartite pact with the DAP and PKR, saying the two parties were deceiving and neglecting PAS in the state’s decision-making.

While the group claimed they are PAS members, party insiders believe they are Umno supporters out to destablise the Pakatan Rakyat administration in Selangor.

Group spokesman Wan Hilman Abdul Rahim, who said he is from the PAS Gombak division, said they will be submitting a memorandum to Selangor PAS chief Hassan Ali (pic), who is also a state executive councillor,on Monday.

Grievances against alliance

The memorandum spells out their grievances against the Pakatan Rakyat adminiustration in Selangor.

"We feel PAS is being deceived and neglected in the decision-making process. We are not happy with the way the Selangor government takes care of Islamic interests and the people, especially the Malays,” said Wan Hilman.

The group of about 20 people held a peaceful demonstration outside the Selangor PAS office here Sunday.

“We want PAS to review its position in the Pakatan pact in Selangor," he told reporters at the scene.

He denied their action was ‘orchestrated’ by either Selangor Umno or PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim.

'Don't accept memo'

It is learnt that in the past few days an SMS was being circulated to urge the Malays in Selangor to take part in the anti-Pakatan protest.

A PAS official who received the SMS said he traced the source of the phone message to an Umno leader.

Commenting on the matter, PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said the party was not connected to the group. He alleged it was formed to belittle the party.

"I do not know them. The group does not come under us (PAS), and this is all slanderous," he said when contacted by Bernama.

Salahuddin, the Kubang Kerian MP, said PAS will study the issue before considering whether ornot to sue the group. "We will look into that (legal action) later. Let things be for now," he said.

Meanwhile, a pro-PAS blogger, bongkarsauh, urged Hassan not to accept the memorandum.

To accept the memorandum would mean going against the fellowship principle of the Pakatan, the blogger said.

New state govt in January?

“An important stand has to be made. This is not the time to show goodness, be friendly, be open minded..and what else...with those who have devious intentions,” the blogger added.

In another development, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin (pic) said Umno leaders was spreading the word within the various state government agencies that the Barisan Nasional is set to take over the Selangor government in January.

“Following this, state agencies that are still led by Umno supporters are not functioning as they should,” he said, adding that these agencies were waiting to see if this prediction would come true. – Malaysian Mirror

PAS Selangor at a crossroads?

Hasan has repeatedly clashed with his Pakatan Rakyat partners. — File pic

By Neville Spykerman

SHAH ALAM, Dec 23 — PAS may end up the biggest losers in Selangor come the next general elections.

The Islamic party, which won eight out of the 56 state seats in Election 2008, in mostly urban or semi-urban constituencies, stands to lose the support of non-Muslims who make up between 20 and 40 per of voters in these constituencies, according to its own ground reports.

PAS contested a further 12 seats in predominantly rural Malay majority constituencies but lost all of them to Umno.

A PAS state lawmaker, who did not want to be named, told The Malaysian Insider that the support the party received from non-Muslims is dissipating.

“I don’t even know if I can retain my own seat in the next general elections.

“I’m on the ground, we meet the non-Malays and know they are not happy,” he said, adding that their main grouse is against the state Pas leadership, which has invited one controversy after another.

Earlier this year, PAS Commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Ali proposed a beer ban for Muslim-majority areas and moved to empower mosques officials to arrest Muslims caught drinking.

Although PAS attempted to explain that the proposals, which were eventually not implemented, would only affect Muslims, it triggered uneasiness among non-Muslims and created the perception that the party was pushing a hard-line Islamic agenda.

Non-muslims make up 47 per cent of Selangor ‘s population.

Worse still, Hasan has repeatedly clashed with his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners.

He made an open challenge in the media calling for his State Executive colleague, Ronnie Liu, to resign for allegedly ordering the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to return beer seized illegally from a 7-Eleven outlet.

More recently he caused another stir by undermining the authority of the special select committee for competency, accountability and transparency (Selcat) which was investigating abuse of state funds by former Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers just before the general elections last year.

Hasan accused Speaker Teng Chang Khim, who heads the state government watchdog, of bullying civil servants during a public inquiry into the misuse of funds.

“I think we are going to be in trouble if there is no change in direction or in the state leadership,” said the Pas lawmaker.

Ibrahim Suffian from the Merdeka Center for Independent Research who spoke to The Malaysian Insider did not, however, completely share the lawmaker’s pessimism.

“Overall PAS is gaining more support from non-Muslims, more so now after last week’s PR Convention when they reiterated their stand with the coalition.”

Before the March 8 general elections, non-Malay sentiment was to vote for any party which was not in the ruling BN coalition including PAS despite the reservations they might have had about the Islamic party.

In subsequent by-elections, Chinese and Indians, especially in Perak, willingly voted for PAS.

However, in Selangor, he could not discount the negative publicity generated by Pas Selangor including forcing their values on non-Muslims.

“Their urban seats could be in jeopardy.”

Whether Selangor PAS continues to clash with their PR partners and alienate non-Muslims could depend on the party’s disciplinary committee.

Hasan, along with his one-time deputy, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, who has openly criticised the former’s policies have been hauled up before the committee for “jeopardizing the party’s image.”

Both men have responded to show-cause letters and the disciplinary committee is expected to decide on the next course of action today.

The committee could decide there is no case to answer, which would lead to status quo in the state leadership, or opt to suspend or remove Hasan as state commissioner, but this is unlikely because of his close links to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who appointed him in the first place.

The most likely outcome could be a face-saving slap on the wrist for either Hasan or for both men.

Fear of superior BN machinery caused third vote rejection

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) officials had raised concerns that even Kota Baru in the PAS stronghold state of Kelantan could fall into the hands of Barisan Nasional (BN) if local council elections were restored.

These concerns caused PR to water down its commitment to restore local council elections should the fledgling coalition take federal power.

PR officials from DAP, PAS and PKR who spoke to The Malaysian Insider confirmed the coalition's technical committee, responsible for putting together its common platform, had grappled at length with the issue amid fears that the BN machinery, which they considered far superior to that of PR’s, would grab the lion's share of local council seats.

And in doing so, it was felt that BN could cause problems even for the administration of PR-held states.

These "tactical considerations" were understood to have been brought up by PAS.

"In terms of resources, certain quarters fear that they will not be able to compete with the BN machinery and major cities within PR-controlled states," said one senior PR leader.

"One of the major concerns raised during PR's secretariat meeting on this issue is that Kota Baru will fall into BN hands," he added.

The fall of Kota Baru — the administrative capital of PAS-ruled Kelantan — into their political rivals' hands would be disastrous for the party, it was argued.

Another senior leader from PKR concurred with this tactical view, saying that in Selangor itself the pact faced various technical problems pertaining to the third vote.

"In principle I will tell you that nobody in PR disagrees with the view that the third vote should be implemented."

The senior leader explained that there was a pervasive fear that BN would have the upper hand should the third vote be restored, given their superior resources and also the fact that civil servants within local councils "are tied to the BN-led federal government".

Another problem PR is facing, said the PKR leader, is with how the municipalities are carved out.

PR-led state governments are losing out to the BN-led federal government in terms of cash and while maintaining municipalities should be done by local councils, the federal government is also pouring in money into them in a bid to woo voters.

"So our supporters on the ground feel that we often lose out to BN. While we struggle to maintain the big municipalities with our limited resources, they can easily pour in cash," said the leader.

Anwar Will Bankrupt Selangor, Says Dr M

Anwar Will Bankrupt Selangor, Says Dr M

Tuesday, 17 November 2009 00:36 |

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has warned that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s appointment as Selangor’s economic adviser would bring financial ruin to the state.

He said Anwar, who had served as his deputy and also finance minister, had worsened the country’s economic position by adopting International Monetary Fund (IMF) policies without involving the IMF during the late 1990’s Asian financial crisis.

“This is a fantastic economic advisor because he almost brought Malaysia down to its knees during the financial crisis,” he quipped in his trademark sarcasm to reporters after giving a special lecture for Universiti Malaya’s Asia-Europe Eminent Persons Lecture Series yesterday.

Dr Mahathir maintained that the PKR adviser did not know how to manage the economy and would bankrupt the Selan­­­gor state coffers if he continued to be the adviser.

“If you want to bankrupt Selangor, I think that’s the best adviser. Of course, if you pay him one ringgit, you get one ringgit’s worth,” he said when commenting on Anwar being named the Selangor government’s economic advisor by Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim last week.

Dr Mahathir also said democracy would hinder the progress of a country if there was too much politicking without enough focus on developing itself.

“Most people don’t understand democracy. When you lose in an election, you have to accept it and support the winner. It’s not that democracy is bad. It’s just that people don’t understand the limits of democracy,” he said.