Selangor Times Dec 16-18, 2011 / Issue 53

community December 16 — 18, 2011/ issue 53

Shah Alam: Capital since 1978

Dreaming of a green Christmas

p 11 – 16 p 4

fest brings villagers, artists together

p 18 & 19

Villagers unconvinced by TNB promise

SULTAN Sharafuddin Idris Shah greeting children at the Raja Tun Uda library in Section U13 Shah Alam, accompanied by Crown Prince Tengku Amir Shah ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (blue tie, right), while Selangor Public Library Board director Mastura Muhamad (second right) and State Assembly Speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim (background) look on. The Selangor Sultan officially opened the library last Friday in conjunction with his birthday, and donated some 1,200 first-edition books from the United Kingdom.

• Turn To page 2

By gan Pei ling

raWang: A concession by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) to consider an alternative route for power lines away from Kampung Sungai Terentang is being met with scepticism by villagers.

The route proposed by an inde-pendent consultant hired by the state could amicably break the longstanding deadlock between the villagers and TNB.

But villagers who said they have been let down by top politi-cal leaders’ and TNB’s broken promises in the past six years are looking for assurance from the prime minister.

“Unless (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) himself guarantees that TNB will not be allowed to take away our land to make way for the high-tension cable, our minds will never be at peace,” said village chief Goh Ah Kow.

The 54-year-old said former En-ergy, Water and Communication

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Minister Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik had announced in 2007 that TNB would relocate the 275kV transmission lines if the state gov-ernment provided land for the al-ternative route.

“But when the current state government agreed to provide the land, TNB remained adamant at building the power lines through our village,” said Goh.

Villagers have protested vehe-mently against the project as a pri-mary school, a maternity and child clinic, and a kindergarten expected to be completed next January are located only 20-25 metres from TNB’s proposed transmission line.

Pregnant women, infants and children are the groups most vul-nerable to magnetic fields from high-voltage transmission lines, according to the International Health Research Association.

In addition, at least 51 homes in

phone (603) 5510 4566fax (603) 5523 1188

email [email protected]

EDITORIALCHIEF EDITOR KL Chan

COMMUNITY EDITOR Neville SpykermanWRITERS Tang Hui Koon, Chong Loo Wah, Gan Pei Ling,

Basil Foo, Alvin Yap, Gho Chee Yuan, Brenda Ch’ngCOPY EDITORS Nick Choo, James Ang

DESIGNERS Jimmy C. S. Lim, Chin Man YenADVERTISING Timothy Loh, Ivan Looi, Tony KeeADVISORS Faekah Husin, Arfa’eza Abdul Aziz

2 December 16 — 18, 2011

news

Worried about potential health impact

No state bailout for Cityliner

Chang and his wife in front of their house and now-defunct kindergarten. They have been living in fear of being relocated for the past six years.

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• From page one

By Gan Pei Ling

SHAH ALAM: Konsortium Transnasional Bhd’s (KTB) move to seek state funds in order to con-tinue providing rural bus services was described as “blackmail” by Teresa Kok yesterday.

“SPAD (Land and Public Trans-port Commission) is the regulato-ry body, not the state government. Why did KTB write to the Menteri Besar? It's close to blackmail,” said the state executive councillor.

On Tuesday, KTB stopped pro-viding services for 21 unprofitable routes in Selangor, particularly in rural areas such as Banting, Tan-jong Karang, Sekinchan and Sabak Bernam, leaving 80,000 commut-ers stranded and scrambling to look for alternative transport.

KTB executive director Tengku Hasmadi Tengku Hashim said the company requested Selangor’s help because its Cityliner bus fleet had

the Chinese New Village would have to be demolished if TNB is allowed to proceed with the original route for the 59km Central Area Reinforcement (CAR) project to reinforce power supply to Kuala Lumpur.

Tee Keot Cheong, 62, is one of the families that have been living with the fear of being relocated since 2005.

“We’re not interested in monetary compensation. I have been living in this village for more than 30 years, this is where I want to stay,” Tee told Selangor Times.

suffered financial losses due to low bus fares fixed by Putrajaya.

However, Selangor had declined to subsidise the bus operator as it is uncomfortable with the idea.

“Even if we were to give [subsi-dy coupons], we would give di-rectly to SPAD since it is the regu-latory body,” said Kok.

She was speaking to the press af-ter the Selangor Economic Action

Council met with SPAD represent-atives to discuss solutions for the issue for the first time yesterday.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had announced on Tues-day that it would not subsidise KTB because the company is sup-posed to use income derived from its profitable routes to finance the non-profitable ones.

“That’s the basic agreement

when the licence was granted to KTB. It’s unfair that now the com-pany is only willing to continue the routes that make money and stop those that are causing losses,” said Khalid.

He cited the example of devel-opers who are compelled to build low-cost housing as part of devel-opment project even though low-cost housing is not profitable.

Khalid also said companies can-not always expect the government to provide profit-guarantee con-tracts, and yet expect the govern-ment to use taxpayers’ money to bail them out when these busi-nesses are hit by losses.

“The government must stop this practice under the privatisation scheme that only benefits selected individuals,” said Khalid.

TNB general manager (asset de-velopment department delivery unit) Faezah Ahmed had claimed on Dec 1 that the stalled project must be completed as soon as possible to pre-vent major blackouts in Peninsular Malaysia.

However, TNB had finally agreed to study an alternative route pro-posed by independent consultant Aecom Australian Pty Ltd after a meeting with the Selangor govern-ment last Friday.

Aecom had suggested aligning the power lines along the 40-metre-wide Rawang Highway using existing road reserves. This route is estimated to cost RM17.5 million, a million cheaper than the RM18.6 million for TNB’s original proposed route.

TNB had also promised not to re-sume construction at the village for a month until its representatives carried out a detailed study on the alternative route with Aecom, the Selayang Mu-nicipal Council, Gombak Land Of-fice, and state representatives.

Its previous attempts to carry out construction work at the Chinese New Village, most recently on Dec 1, had resulted in standoffs with vil-lagers.

Rawang assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei said the joint survey on the alter-native route is expected to be com-pleted and presented at the Selangor Economic Action Council two

weeks from now.Gan noted that this issue would

not have arisen at all in advanced countries like Australia, where high-tension cables are strictly prohibited from passing through highly popu-lated areas, including residential areas, and school and hospital zones.

Villager Chang Ping Chow, 73, hopes TNB will heed the people’s concerns and reroute the 275kV trans-mission lines.

Chang used to operate the only kindergarten in the village with his daughter. However, the number of children enrolling has declined over the years due to the debacle over the high-tension cable. They closed the pre-school last year.

“We used to have over 200 students … The people are worried about the potential health impact of living near the high-tension cables.

“We’re not against development or trying to be difficult. We just want to be able to live healthily,” said Chang.

Houses around this temporary transmission pole would have to be demolished if TnB is allowed to proceed with its Central area reinforcement project.

SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ December 16 – 18, 2011 ⁄ 3

4 DECEMbEr 16 — 18, 2011

news

By Gan Pei Ling PETALING JAYA: A Christmas tree lit by pedal power was the highlight of the state’s festive celebrations at 1 Utama Shopping Centre last Saturday.

Young and old alike took turns to cycle on four stationary bikes, wired up to light up the energy-efficient Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on the tree.

“This is amazing,” said 10-year-old R Muniandy from Damansara Utama, after witnessing the tree light up from his labour.

Thousands thronged the state’s Christmas celebration at 1 Utama to partake of the festivities last Saturday.

The sounds and lights for the night’s performances – which featured singers Francissca Peters and Reshmonu, the Selangor Philharmonic Choir, Deafbeat, and the third KL Boys’ Brigade Company – were powered by biodiesel produced from used cooking oil.

Long queues formed at the food stalls serving up 5,000 free burgers to the crowd from 6pm to 11pm.

Vendors were encouraged to use recycled and biodegradable utensils and packaging, while their used cooking oil was collected to be recycled into biodiesel.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim launched the celebration with Selangor Speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim, and executive councillors Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Elizabeth Wong at around 6pm.

The state also gave out monetary contributions for churches and charity homes in conjunction with the Christmas celebration.

Others who were later spotted at the dinner included Council of Churches Malaysia general secretary Reverend Dr Hermen Shastri; Gombak Member of Parliament (MP) Azmin Ali; executive councillor Teresa Kok; Klang Member of Parliament Charles Santiago; Kapar MP S

Dreaming of a green Christmas

Manickavasagam; Subang MP R Sivarasa; Hulu Langat MP Dr Che Rosli Che Mat; Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo-Burne ; and Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson M Manoharan.

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Journalism training in MexicoThe School of Authentic Journalism invites media makers, journalists, bloggers and activists to attend a seminar on the relationship between media and civil resistance movements in Mexico from March 21-31. Those who are interested in acquiring additional journalism skills are also invited. Email [email protected] for applications, which must be submitted by Wednesday (Dec 28). For details, visit www.narconews.com/Issue67/article4534.html.

MPK’s New Year celebrationJoin the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) in ushering in the New Year on Dec 30 and 31 (Friday and Saturday) at Dataran Seni Klang. Among the highlights will be colouring and street dance competitions, a karaoke contest for children, and fireworks. For more information, call MPK coordinating officer Roshayati Abd Rahim at 03-33716044 ext 1234/1015.

Meeting Santa

Visit Santa Claus at his North Pole hideout at Sungei Wang Plaza on Dec 17,18, 24 and 25 at 4pm. He will be meeting and greeting children at the concourse level of the mall. For details, visit www.sungeiwang.com, www.facebook.com/sungeiwangplaza or call 03-21170288.

Calendars on saleShelter Home for Children is having its annual sale of colourful desk calendars for RM10 each. All calendars are painted, coloured and designed by the children. For details, call 03-79550663 (Edwin or Brian).

Renewal of licencesThe Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) is opening its doors to premises owners in the area to renew their 2012 licences from now until Dec 31. Renewals can be made at the MPSJ headquarters in USJ5 or other MPSJ branch offices in Bandar Puteri Puchong and Serdang. Call the Licensing Department at 03-80263176, 03-80263177, 03-80264321 or visit www.mpsj.gov.my for details.

Blood donation driveTropicana Medical Centre (TMC), in collaboration with the Na-tional Blood Bank, will hold a blood donation drive tomorrow (Dec 17) from 10am-3pm on the ground floor of Tropicana Medical Centre at 11, Jalan Teknologi, PJU5, Kota Daman-sara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. All patients, visitors and blood donors will get to enjoy a Christmas carolling session while Santa Claus will distribute gifts at the children’s ward.

Discounted booksA book sale will be held at the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) Multipurpose Hall on Jalan BU 3/1 Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, from Dec 23-Jan 1, 10am-9pm. Books will be sold at a discount of up to 80%. For details, call 03-61842448 or email [email protected].

EvEnts

Members of the public lighting up the tree through pedal power.

Over 5,000 free burgers were served during the event.

6 December 16 — 18, 2011

NEWS

KUALA LUMPUR: A decision to move the Kuala Lumpur Interna-tional Airport 2 (KLIA2) to the present location from an earlier pre-approved site has been blamed for spiralling costs and delays.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua took Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to task for ignoring engineering reports that indicated that the land west of the original site consists of soft soil unsuitable for air-port terminal or runways.

“Changing the site from the north to the west meant that portions of the terminal and a runway would be on peat soil,” Pua.

MAHB had ignored the consul-tant’s report that said construction could only start following significant earthworks, along with a minimum two-year wait for the land to settle.

As a result, the company had to spend an additional RM1.2 billion

MP urges MIC to return school land

Castor seed deal too good to be true

Costly KLIA2 move unnecessary: Pua

By Brenda Ch’ng

PETALING JAYA: The public are being urged to be wary of scams that promise huge returns for plant-ing castor oil seeds to be sent to China.

Ho Yaw Horng, 41, who fell victim recently, is hoping that au-thorities will act against the com-pany that promised investors RM1,200 for each tonne of dry castor seeds harvested.

“All they asked was for an initial investment fee of RM30,000 and promised me the plants will grow in four months’ time,” said the finan-cial planner.

Ho was told that the amount paid in November last year was to fund the fertiliser and enzymes given by the company.

“I did everything they told me to do and planted all 10kg of seeds at my family plantation in Johor after getting the seeds from their Kuala Lumpur office,” he said to reporters during a press conference yesterday.

However, only 30% of the seeds, which were given to him for free, grew within two weeks, but died shortly after.

Ho made calls to the company demanding an explanation.

“They told me I planted it wrongly, and they gave me another 5kg of seeds to plant it their way,” said Ho.

He was told to grow the seeds in black plastic bags instead of scatter-

ing it around the land.Despite efforts to keep the new

batch of plants alive, about 70% didn’t grow at all, while the rest died within a few weeks.

“When the second batch didn’t work out, I decided to pull out from the project as I would be losing more money if I carried on planting new ones,” he said.

But multiple calls and letters made to the company were not en-tertained.

“I even explained my situation to them and returned all the unused fertiliser and enzymes, but I couldn’t get even a portion of the money back,” he said.

Ho filed a police report in May this year, and another in June to the Cooperative Commission of Malay-sia (CCM), but no further action was taken.

He then brought this matter up to Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San, who wrote another letter to the CCM urging them to investigate the matter to prevent future scams.

“The government should take stern action against such companies for scamming the public and imple-ment stricter regulations to stop these activities,” said Lau.

He urged the public to be alert and not get scammed by this and other companies in the future.

With the help of Lau, CCM has issued a notice to the company to stop the castor-oil seed-planting activity, and banned them from col-lecting investment deposits of RM30,000.

PETALING JAYA: Sivarasa Rasiah is adamant that land meant for SRJK (T) Effingham had gone to MIC leaders and should be returned to the school.

“We have investigated the issue. We know the issue,” said the Subang MP at his Kota Damasara service centre here on Wednesday.

His press conference was held in re-sponse to a statement published in a Tamil daily last week, where MIC presi-dent G Palanivel rubbished his claims.

Effingham, a Tamil school in Bandar Utama with about 500 students, has called on MIC to return the adjacent plot, which is urgently need to cater to their space constraints.

Sivarasa said MIC should not deflect the issue, and return the land.

The first-term lawmaker said research into the case showed that the late MIC

State Executive Councillor Datuk K Sivalingam had played a part in the land transfer in 1999, when Selangor was un-der the administration of former Menteri Besar Tan Sri Dr Abu Hassan Omar.

The land was transferred to former MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu and other party stalwarts.

Sivarasa challenged former MIC strongman Palanivel and others to rebut his claims in the media.

“Answer me in the press. Do they deny that the land meant for Effingham has been transferred to MIC members?” he asked.

to prepare the land for heavy con-struction.

The report in the 1992 KL Mas-terplan indicated that a car park was the heaviest structure that could be built there.

The KLIA2 project was projected to cost RM2 billion when it was an-nounced by the Transport Ministry in 2009, but the cost has ballooned to RM3.9 billion.

It was further scheduled to be completed in September this year, but has been revised to 2013.

But Pua is questioning if the air-port could be even completed by 2013, since the report indicated that the soft soil has to settle before con-struction could begin.

The relocation also means that the existing control tower at KLIA will not be able to monitor aircraft at the new terminal, leading to MAHB spending an additional RM500 mil-lion to build a new tower.

“We are about to be the only modern airport in the world to have two control towers within a two-ki-lometre distance from each other,” Pua said on Wednesday.

He said the scenario could have

been avoided if MAHB had stuck to the original plans to build the termi-nal on the north site.

The new site is also further from existing runways at KLIA, and MAHB would have to build a third runway for low-cost carriers that want faster turnover times.

However, Pua said, the probable location for the third runway is situ-ated smack on top of the peat-soil area. “It will take another two to three years to even start construction of the runway. Until then, no low-cost carrier will want to move there,” he concluded.

MAHB in a statement on Wednesday said the site of KLIA2 comes from a 2008 master plan, which supersedes the one referred to by Pua.

MAHB added that the present site for KLIA2 was selected based on the recommendation of the Na-tional Airport Master Plan (2008), after a detailed and comprehensive study involving all stakeholders in-cluding the Ministry of Transport, Department of Civil Aviation, Min-istry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, and all airlines.

Lau (left) with Ho showing pictures of his plantation.

Five kilogrammes of seedlings in black plastic bags.

7December 16 — 18, 2011

news

Residents want school, not stadium

Residents with the memorandum.

By Gan Pei Ling

SHAH ALAM: Plans for a mini sta-dium in Pandan Perdana are getting the thumbs-down by some residents who want the land to be used for a school.

Some 20 residents handed a memo-randum to the state yesterday (Thurs-day), calling for the vernacular school to be built.

One of the residents, John Lau, 52, said there is already a Lake Club within the residential area and a badminton stadium on Jalan Cheras for recre-ational purposes.

“We need a vernacular school more than we need a mini stadium,” said Lau, who sends his children to SJK (C) Kuan Cheng at Kampung Attap in Kuala Lumpur due to the lack of a vernacular school in the proximity.

Among local groups that have signed the joint memorandum include 30 Chinese associations, temples and youth groups.

The community hopes to lobby Pu-trajaya to allow a vernacular school to be built in the area once the state gives them the green light, and gazette a piece of vacant land as school reserve.

May, a mother of two, said residents want the vacant land on Jalan Perdana 6/2 to be gazetted as a school reserve as the majority of the residents in the area are Chinese.

“Most of the parents have been send-ing their children to vernacular schools in Ampang or Kuala Lumpur, but most of these schools are already congested. We need our own vernacular school in Pandan Perdana,” said the 28-year-old.

May has enrolled her six-year-old daughter in SJK (C) Jalan Imbi, but she hopes her four-year-old son can register with a nearer primary school.

“Now I’m training my daughter to sleep at 9pm and wake up at 6am before school starts in January. I’m driving her to school; if she takes the school bus she would have to wake up even earlier,” said the homemaker.

Another parent, Ahmad, 39, from Taman Bukit Mewah, also showed up to support the cause as he plans to enrol his three remaining children in a ver-nacular school.

“My son is starting at SJK (C) Kam-pung Baru Ampang next January, but the school is already quite congested. It would be better if the state could allo-cate the vacant land at Pandan Perdana for a new vernacular school,” he told Selangor Times.

He added that he decided to send his children to vernacular school instead of national school because he wants his children to be more disciplined and excel in mathematics.

Norzaton Aini Mohd Kassim, pri-vate secretary to Tan Sri Khalid Ibra-him, accepted the memorandum from the residents on behalf of the Menteri Besar.

THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ON LOT PT7, SECTION 14, BANDAR SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN

TENDER NOTICE

Yayasan Selangor (Yayasan) is a wholly-owned Selangor State Government body in Malaysia solely formed in November, 1970 to cater for the need of education for rural students to bring them on par with their counterparts in the urban areas. To this end the Yayasan has always been maximising the potentials of their properties and fixed assets to generate income to fund the running of their educational facilities as well as the students’ sustenance.

Yayasan owns a piece of land on Lot PT 7, Section 14, Bandar Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan. This 1.14 acre (498,48S.F) land sits within a residential, education and commercial area with huge potential for development within the Shah Alam city.

Yayasan realise the natural ever increasing demand for high end convention/function halls for, inter alia, weddings, social events, conventions and seminars to serve the various needs of the above mentioned mixed social make up of this community. A state of the art Convention/ Multi Functions Center is the only solution.

The Yayasan is inviting creative and financially sound developers to cash in in this practically endemic social need by bidding for financing, building and operating (BOT)the Convention/ Multi Functions Center.

Essentially, the proposed design shall adopt the podium and a single tower block concept; the tower block to accomodate patrons/guests of functions held as well as sufficient car parks to match.

Bid documents shall be obtained from:

Yayasan Selangor,Tingkat 16, Menara Yayasan Selangor,18A, Persiaran Barat,46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan03 – 79551212 www.yayasanselangor.org.my

from Tuesday 22nd November, 2011. Completed Bid Documents are to be submitted to the Yayasan Selangor Bidding Box on the 18th Floor of the MenaraYayasan Selangor by 12.00 noon on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.

Bidders shall be charged a documentation fee of Ringgit Malaysia: Two Thousand Five Hundred only (RM2,500.00) in the form of a banker’s draft in favour of Yayasan Selangor which shall be non-refundable.

A Tender Briefing is to be conducted on Tuesday 29th November 2011 at 10.00 a.m. at the Yayasan Selangor Meeting Room on the 18th Floor , Menara YayasanSelangor.

May and her children.

8 december 16 — 18, 2011

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What’s Your Property Worth Today?

By Gan Pei Ling

KLANG: Klang Member of Parliament Charles Santiago has urged Putrajaya to heed the Chinese community’s long-standing plea to restore the late Lim Lian Geok’s citizenship.

“Lim didn’t do anything wrong; his citizen-ship shouldn’t have been revoked in 1961,” said Santiago, adding that Lim had merely opposed the then Alliance government’s education policy.

Santiago said Putrajaya should also enact an Education Equality Act to ensure equal treat-ment of national and vernacular schools.

The revered Chinese educationist had cham-pioned Malaysia’s diverse communities’ right to vernacular language education regardless of their ethnicity.

Lim, who died in 1985, had opposed the 1960 Rahman Talib Report and Education Act 1961, which required secondary schools to teach in Bahasa Malaysia or English in order to receive government aid.

The government revoked Lim’s citizenship on the grounds that he was disloyal to the country.

However, civil society groups say that every citizen has the right to scrutinise and criticise any government policy and action.

In addition, Lim, who was originally from Fujian, China, and came to Malaya in 1927, had advocated for Chinese schools to add Malayan perspectives into their textbooks to instil patriot-ism among youths.

Lim also agreed that Malay was the appropri-ate common language for Malaysians, but felt that should not prevent other ethnic communi-ties from preserving and developing their lan-guages.

Civil society groups launched a campaign recently to restore Lim’s citizenship and to seek redress for the “injustice” done to Lim.

The Chinese community has also been organ-ising an education festival every December since his death to commemorate Lim’s struggle.

MP: Restore late Chinese educationist’s citizenship

Santiago (third left) with other supporters of the late Lim Lian Geok.

By Basil Foo

PUCHONG: The multipurpose hall in Kampung Lembah Kinrara is now safe for use by residents after a state-sponsored makeover.

Despite more than two decades of disrepair, villagers had continued to use the building for recreation before the upgrade.

“We played games like ping-pong and carrom in the dilapidated hall. We had to make do with what we had,” said 55-year-old villager Ibrahim Salleh.

The hall, built by hand by villagers in 1990, has new wiring for fans and lighting, security wire netting on the windows, and cement flooring, as well as new zinc roofing.

The makeover was carried out by a Subang Jaya Mu-nicipal Council (MPSJ)-recommended contractor and cost RM27,000, which was contributed by the office of Kinrara state assemblyperson Teresa Kok.

“Renovations to this hall have been long requested by the villagers. Hopefully it will now be more comfort-able for them to run programmes here,” Kok said.

Kok attended the opening ceremony of the hall, and

also presented financial aid to representatives of two nearby surau and a religious school on Dec 12.

Al-Siddiq surau chairperson Mohamad Taib Piti, who received RM7,176, said they would be using the aid to fund their programmes.

Al-Rahman surau chairperson Syed Ahmad Kamal Syed Noordin added that he was thankful for the aid, which would be used for maintenance of the surau.

Puchong Batu 13 primary school parent-teacher association president Ghazali Abu Hanifah also thanked Kok for the funds, which will be used for a new school block.

He was also moved by how the monies were garnered through a fundraising dinner at Puchong Indah, which saw a turnout of multiracial guests on Nov 9.

“I was touched when I saw the hall filled with all races to lend their support,” Ghazali said.

According to Kok, proceeds from the fundraising dinner were distributed to the two surau and schools based on the number of tickets sold by each body.

She said this was proof that Puchong residents were moderate and looked past religion to lend a helping hand as long as it was for a good cause.

Village hall gets makeover after 21 years

RAWANG: Purchasers of a mixed development in Kundang, which was abandoned for more than a decade, can now rest a little easier with new moves to revive the project.

Developer Tungling Corporation and Selangor State Develop-ment Corporation (PKNS) have been brought in to restart the project on the 40.87-hectare site.

“We committed a lot, about RM140,000 each, to the last devel-oper. I hope the new developers will not make us pay more,” said Chan Teck Lee.

The 37-year-old finance manager was speaking at a meeting be-tween 30 buyers and the new developers at the Kundang New Village Senior Citizen Hall on Tuesday.

Chan is among 35 buyers who bought shop lots in addition to 37 others who bought homes when the project was launched in 1997.

The development, abandoned in 2000, was supposed to include 203 offices costing between RM200,000 and RM300,000, and 205 homes comprising semi-detached houses at RM80,000 and terrace houses at RM68,000.

“We requested for the two plots of land on which the development sits from the Land Office in November,” said PKNS business devel-opment manager Pathooraman Abu.

He said it would take about six months for the handover, with work expected to begin next March.

“PKNS has never had an abandoned project. We will act as a safety net in this redevelopment,” Pathooraman added.

Shop lot purchaser Loo Chee Keong lauded PKNS’s move while urging the state to act against the project’s former developer, who is still operating.

At the meeting were Selayang MP William Leong Jee Keen and Tungling Corporation chief executive officer Tan Jee Tien.

Abandoned project to be revived

Kok (middle) with Mohamad Taib (left), Ghazali (second left), and Syed Ahmad (second right).

9december 16 — 18, 2011

news

By Brenda Ch’ng

SUBANG JAYA: New floodlights, installed to ensure the safety of joggers at the USJ 2/2R park here, are ironically causing fear among residents.

“It’s not a good spot for the floodlight as the huge tree behind it may collapse at any time during heavy rain [and bring down the pole],” said a USJ 2 resident who only want-ed to be known as Sela.

The lights, mounted on a two-storey-high pole, were installed by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) and funded by the office of Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh.

Sela expressed his concerns during a press conference between residents, MPSJ and Yeoh on Tuesday.

Other residents also pointed out that the lights, located near the park’s badminton court, did not look sturdy and might collapse during thunderstorms.

MPSJ officials said the concerns of residents were unfounded, but they could not provide any guarantees.

The new floodlights are also proving to be inade-quate, residents claim.

“It’s usually pitch-black when I go out at nights. The whole park is in darkness, except for the small portion where the new floodlight is,” said USJ2/2J resident KS Yee.

Yee, who has been living here for over 20 years, said the existing lights around the park are always turned off, except for the floodlight.

“The [existing] lights are faulty and cannot be turned on due to cable problems,” said a representative from MPSJ’s engineering department.

He said all 14 lamp posts have to be rewired, and the

bulbs have to be changed as the existing ones aren’t bright enough.

“We’ve got plans to install another floodlight next year, on the other side of the park,” Yeoh added.

She hopes the extra floodlight will be able to brighten up the park and curb youths from drinking there at night.

In addition, the park has been equipped with two new picnic tables, which were funded by the USJ resi-dents committee.

“The two picnic tables cost the committee about RM4,500,” said committee chairperson R Rajiv.

Rajiv, who is also an MPSJ councillor, said residents used to bring their own tables and chairs to the park.

MPSJ further donated 100 fruit trees, including mango, rambutan and ciku saplings, which were planted at the park to create an educational orchard for residents.

The saplings were planted recently by a private com-pany as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts.

Residents fear floodlights collapse

Residents enjoying breakfast on the picnic table after their morning jog.

SUBANG JAYA: With private healthcare being too expensive and the nearest public clinic being in Kelana Jaya, residents here need one built within the municipality.

“There should be one clinic to cater for residents in Subang, USJ and Bandar Sunway so that they don’t have to travel all the way to Kelana Jaya,” said Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh.

She said on Tuesday that it is an inconvenience for seniors, single mothers, the less fortunate and the sick to travel so far.

She often receives complaints from patients about the long wait, insufficient waiting chairs, and medicine shortages.

“We have over 8,000 residents at the Angsana low-cost flats alone who visit the clinic. What about other less-fortunate resi-dents in USJ, Sunway and Subang?” asked Yeoh.

With the increasing number of patients from Subang area and Kelana Jaya, she is worried the Kelana Jaya clinic will not be able to accommodate everyone.

Yeoh has been urging Ministry of Health to build a clinic here since 2009, but she was told that there wasn’t a suitable site for a clinic in Subang Jaya.

“They refused to build it and kept giving me excuses, even after we had identified a land for them,” she said.

The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has even written to the Ministry of Health, giving them permission to use an empty plot of land at USJ1/23. The 0.72-acre land is located in Taman Subang Permai near factories and shop lots.

“There is sufficient basement parking available there and it’s a suitable place for a clinic,” said Yeoh.

She said MPSJ has also suggested that the ministry acquire an existing shop lot and convert it into a clinic instead of building one.

Clinic too far for Subang Jaya residents

KLANG: The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) has started closing Jalan Pos Baru, located between Plaza MPK and the old bus station, from 5pm to 7pm on weekdays since Monday (Dec 12).

“This is for a three-month trial to ease traffic congestion at Bulatan Kota,” said MPK traffic sub-committee chairperson Jamulid-din Elias (pic).

The closure follows a joint assessment by the committee and police on the Kota roundabout traffic flow during peak hours.

The roundabout, which links Jalan Kapar,

Jalan Meru, Persiaran Sultan Ibrahim and Jalan Pos Baru to Jambatan Kota, is heavily congested in the evenings.

The congestion is caused by vehicles that attempt to access Jambatan Kota to cross the Klang river to reach Pandamaran, Bukit Tinggi and Port Klang.

Jamuliddin hopes the closure of Jalan Pos Baru will ease traffic flow by directing motor-ists to cross the Klang river via the old bridge linked to Jalan Tengku Kelana.

He added that MPK enforcement officers would work together with police to regulate traffic flow.

Klang road closure for traffic trial

MPSJ to determine bus routesKLANG: SUBANG JAYA: The Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) has handed over the planning of bus routes to Subang Jaya Municipal Council in a move to create more accessibility around town.

Spad’s decision was conveyed to MPSJ during its infrastructure subcommittee meet-ing on public transport and shuttle buses last month.

“We’ll be the first council to design the master plan for bus routes. Maybe after us, Spad will engage other councils to do the same,” said MPSJ councillor R Rajiv.

He said MPSJ would carry out a study of all routes, the frequency of buses, and number of buses needed before drawing up the final plan. The study will include roads in Subang, Seri Kembangan, Puchong, Sri Serdang, Bandar Sunway and USJ.

“Once the study is done, we will engage

residents and other bus users to get feedback and comments before proceeding with the plan,” said Rajiv.

When the plan is finalised, it will be sub-mitted to Spad for approval and contracted out to bus operators.

Currently, there isn’t enough bus coverage in MPSJ to plug gaps in routes which are cur-rently not covered, especially in residential areas.

Most buses only frequent the main roads around town, making it hard for residents to travel from their homes to town.

“With this collaboration with Spad, we can now determine which areas need more buses and also make sure buses are accessible everywhere,” said Rajiv.

MPSJ also plans to ensure their bus routes serve Spad’s light rail transit (LRT) and mass rapid transit (MRT) lines.

10 december 16 — 18, 2011

views

Dear Lord Bobo, when did “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” enter Malaysia’s Penal Code? Is it an archaic law? @adriene, via Twitter

THE crime of carnal intercourse against the order of nature penetrated the Malaysian Penal Code due to the British.

It was chronicled as early as 1290 that the Common Law in England held sodomy to be a crime punishable by being burnt alive. This was later penalised by hanging under the Buggery Act 1533. His Supreme Eminenceness is not making this up – there really was a Buggery Act 1533, which inciden-tally was known prior to that as “An Acte for the punysshe-ment of the vice of Buggerie”.

The Buggery Act was passed during the reign of King Henry VIII (above), becoming England’s first civil sodomy law. The Act really buggered those who fell foul of it, as they were

not only sent to the hangman, but the law allowed a convicted sodomite’s possessions to be taken by the government, as op-posed to going to their next of kin. It also sent shivers down the tailbones of priests and monks, as they could be executed for buggery – which was harsh, seeing as they could not be executed for murder.

The British grew a fondle more civilised when they removed oral genital sexual acts from the definition of buggery in 1817, which strongly indicates that oral sex was a form of buggery prior to that. In 1861, the death penalty for buggery was for-mally abolished in England and Wales. In 1967, buggery laws were repealed by the United Kingdom Parliament.

Since Malaysia was colonised by the British, despite the claims of some silly politicians and dubious historians, we naturally received the laws that the British practised, among others, the outdated notion of buggery, which was formally referred to as carnal intercourse against the order of nature. This is unfortunate because in Malaysia, this does not simply encompass the act of sodomy but fellatio as well, no matter how consensual it was/is/will be.

Interestingly, buggery laws were used by Henry VIII for “political” reasons – executing monks and nuns and legally taking possession of their monastery lands. His Supreme Eminenceness wonders whether sodomy laws will ever be used for political reasons in Malaysia.

In any case, Lord Bobo strongly believes that the Malaysian law infringes Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution, as only males can be convicted under that provision – which makes it gender discriminatory! Please donate generously to Loyar-Burok so we may challenge and remove the offending provi-sions.

Lord Bobo, do our courts practise what we see in those Hong Kong TVB courtroom dramas, where “if there’s a benefit of doubt, it will be in favour of the accused”?

@AdrianNCF, via Twitter

TO answer the question – of course! We call this the the concept of the “golden thread” of the criminal justice system, and it was first articulated by the wonderfully named Viscount Sankey (right). The prosecution must prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Flowing from this, any doubt would be in favour of the accused.

This single “golden thread” runs throughout English criminal law, and it also now finds itself in Hong Kong TVB courtroom dramas as well as in the courts of Malaysia.

Of course, Malaysia has no juries and the sole arbiter of fact and law are experienced professional judges, so it’s a little less easy to create doubt. This is good and bad, depending on whether you are guilty or innocent.

Backing the accused

Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column by LoyarBurok (www.loyarburok.com) where all your profound, ab-struse, erudite, hermetic, recondite, sagacious, and

other thesaurus-described queries are answered!

In just a couple of weeks it will be the new year. Yes, 2012. Another year. But as with every new year for the past decade, I would

say we Malaysians step rather tentatively into the next 365-day period.

For those of us who are parents, we shall spend some time empathising with what our children will face as they enter another school year in an education system that a lot of us have little confidence in.

As ordinary Malaysians, we shall contem-plate some of the usual things as we enter a new year. Stuff like new clothes, school uniforms, books… and how much money will be left over after “essentials” to buy little presents for the family for Christmas or to wrap up in the ang pows for Chinese New Year. And yes, CNY comes early this time.

But as Malaysian rakyat, we also have lots of other stuff to think about and decide on as we step into 2012. Will the General Election be in March or later? This question will be on our minds as we watch the fireworks and make a toast accompanied with a silent prayer that our beloved country will survive another year.

The other question is, surely, who to vote for in the next General Election – or if you

have decided, then you might ponder if the government is changed, will the new flers do things any better?

Of late, we have been listening to and read-ing about a lot of things. Both from our gov-ernment and also the opposition. But after a while, all the speeches seem to sound the same.

At his party’s conference, our prime min-ister repeated the fear about losing this right and that right and having the fear of one community lording it over another. Ya, of late there has been a lot of race-baiting and hate politics. I also don’t know why there has to all this “goreng” to win confidence and votes.

As an average taxpaying Malaysian who didn’t go to university, I think it is very simple what. Malaysia is our country. Malays, Chinese, Indian and everybody else who was born and raised here. Its future is our collec-tive responsibility.

You mean one community will screw it up just to spite the other? Think about it la. If I was the prime minister or any politician run-

ning for election, my whole emphasis would be on Malaysia and how WE all play a part in her progress and prosperity. I am Chinese, you are Malay, but I will defend with my blood your rights as a Malaysian. I am Malay and I will give my life to protect your well-being as a fellow citi-zen. If I am rich and you are poor, I will make sure you get the kind of assistance that will make you realise your full potential as

a citizen of this abundantly blessed country. We all subscribe to different religions and

beliefs. And I will defend to my last breath your right to worship whichever God you choose. No meh? Very simple only ma. If Najib says that and Anwar says that and Kit Siang and Nik say that, then it will be great. Imagine the fun our General Election will be then. Everybody saying the same thing. Prom-ising the same deals. For ALL Malaysians across the board. Then it is just up to us, the electorate to watch, listen and decide which one we believe la.

BN will say that they are doing good and have done good for 50-plus years. PR will say they are doing damn good since 2008. Then we, as the people who are at the receiving end of all this good, decide la whether true or not. And then vote accordingly. Simple isn’t it?

Then why isn’t it like that one? Now, after 54 years of independence, we are still listening to politicians who want to protect their own communities only ah? Waf-for? We are all Malaysians and we all know damn well that none of us can exist and prosper without the other.

Actually, when did we all start thinking like we are all separate people sharing the same room and not co-owners of the housing estate ah? Very funny isn’t it? We seem to be always talking about which piece of the cake belongs to whom. That one bigger, so

it’s mine. No la it’s mine. And so on and so forth. Then with so many mouths to feed, we

start cutting the cake into smaller and smaller slices. Then somebody asks, “So why don’t we build a bigger bakery ah?” Eh! You shaddup ah! I give you small slice of the cake you just eat quietly and be happy ok? After all, we only let you into the bakery ma.

Hi y o h ! If l i k e

this sure one day we all tak cukup

makan one. Then how? I osso donch know la.

Happy New Year my fellow Malaysians. I know it’s a bit in ad-

vance la. But I wish you now because not sure la whether when the real time comes it will still be happy or not.

Your right, my right, and all the ‘goreng’

Teohlogy patrick teoh


Birth of a capitalBy Alvin Yap

Shah Alam was envisioned, planned and built as the centre from which all corners

of the state would be administered.The history of Shah Alam as the

administrative centre began in the early 1960s when it was decided that Kuala Lumpur, the then capi-tal of Selangor, should be the na-tion’s capital, with its own territory.

The loss of Kuala Lumpur meant that Selangor had to find a suitable place to administer the state, something that then prime minister Tun Abdul Razak had already planned for.

This new administrative centre would be the first planned develop-ment in the country, taking in ac-count of new town-planning ideas garnered after the Second World War.

A search for the new administra-tive centre for Selangor began, and town-planning experts zoomed in on a rubber and palm oil estate called Sungai Renggam as the pro-posed site.

The location was between the newly opened bustling township of Petaling Jaya and the established royal town of Klang.

Immediately, critics began to say that Shah Alam was too remote, that Petaling Jaya or Klang would have been better suited as the location of Selangor’s administrative centre.

By 1963, the area was officially opened up, and the next year saw a fledgling Selangor State Develop-ment Corporation (PKNS) given the immense responsibility to de-velop 33 square kilometres.

PKNS was given municipality-like powers and was the predeces-sor to the current Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and the previous Shah Alam Municipal Council (MPSA).

PKNS had set up the Shah Alam Town Board in 1965 to administer the area, and continued to do so until Dec 7, 1978, when MPSA took over the state subsidiary’s function as local government.

Town planners in 1965 divided Shah Alam into North and South portions, with the Federal High-way bisecting the township neatly into two halves.

The northern part of Shah Alam was reserved for the town area along with administrative centre, institutes of higher learning, as well as residential land. The southern part was primarily zoned for indus-trial and also residential areas.

Shah Alam was developed in stages, as PKNS began to build more buildings to house the vital state agencies and departments.

One of the first state agencies with headquarters in Shah Alam during the mid-1960s was the Selangor Land Office and the State Economic Planning Unit at what is now Sec 14 and Section 7 respectively.

Still, detractors seemed to have

Unisel building.

Capital since 1978

won the arguments, as around 1965, the outskirts of Shah Alam were still jungle, rubber and oil palm estates.

Critics were silenced in 1967, however, when the federal govern-ment and then Menteri Besar Da-tuk Seri Harun Idris relocated In-stitut Teknologi Mara – now known as Universiti Teknologi Mara or UiTM – to Shah Alam.

Around 1968, more state agen-cies were set up in Shah Alam, namely the Selangor Agriculture Development Corporation and other state subsidiaries.

The Royal Mint, which mints coins and commemorative medals, was also opened in Section 15 and has won numerous awards for its designs.

Residents who have stayed in Shah Alam since the 1960s remem-ber the area as a “ghost town” after dark, when civil service staff left their offices for home in Klang or Petaling Jaya.

However, the first PKNS flats and housing schemes in 1969 and 1970 meant that Shah Alam would fast become a residential area.

The city today is the conurba-tion that settlers in the early 1960s

SHAH ALAM’s potential as an industrial hub, as well as it being the state’s administrative centre, proved to be a pull factor for local and multinational companies, along with federal agencies.

The first companies that chose Shah Alam as their base of operations include Swedish Motor Assemblies Sdn Bhd (Volvo) and ICI Fertilizers (M) Sdn Bhd in the 60s and 70s.

The Royal Mint of Malaysia also opened its doors as the first government building in the city.

Section 16 also became location of Shah Alam’s first petrol station, the Mara Shell service and petrol station; first clinic, Koh Dispensary; and first school, SK Shah Alam primary school.

The Selangor State Development Corporation

(PKNS), Shah Alam’s main developer, set a target of 200,000 residents. To achieve the goal, PKNS offered 10 private developers the rights to construct 1,156 units of various residential types in Sections 4, 6, and 11 in Shah Alam by 1990.

Situated close to the city capital of Kuala Lumpur and the Port Klang international trading hub, Shah Alam has been the destination of many foreign companies.

International companies Matsushita Electric Co, Carlsberg Brewery, and Goodyear Malaysia Bhd all have set up shop in the increasingly vibrant city.

Various essential services have also sprung up – including the city’s first higher education institution, Universiti Teknologi Mara – together with an influx of new residents.

Shah Alam’s firsts

could not have imagined.When Shah Alam was planned,

it had it only one highway connect-ing it with the rest of the state. However, there are now numerous highways into the administrative heart of Selangor, something that has contributed to the Shah Alam’s transformation into the transporta-tion and manufacturing hub of the country.

Shah Alam reached another milestone when the late Sultan

Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, on Dec 7, 1978, declared the Orchid City the new state capital of Selangor.

It coincided with the then MPSA being set up to plan and administer the state capital terri-tory.

Shah Alam reached another turning point when construction started on the 24-storey Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Building state secretariat building, which houses the state government as well

as the state assembly.Successive state governments

have eyed the iconic building at the heart of Shah Alam to administer Selangor.

Shah Alam, in the 33 years since being conferred state capital of Selangor, has since grown into a residential and manufacturing centre. But to many, it is still the place where policy, power and prestige emanate from, to all cor-ners of Selangor.

Sultan Alam Shah museum, with a glimpse of the Blue Mosque. (Pic source: Wiki commons)

Message from the Menteri Besar

12 ⁄ December 16 – 18, 2011 ⁄ SELANGOR TIMES

I would like to congratulate the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) on their 33rd-anniversary cel-ebration of Shah Alam being declared as the capital

of Selangor.The declaration of Shah Alam as the state capital

was a special moment that should be celebrated by all Selangorians, especially those in Shah Alam.

Time flies – Shah Alam is now 33 years old since it was declared state capital on Dec 7, 1978 by the eighth Selangor Sultan, the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah.

The fame and prosperity achieved by Shah Alam during that period was very encouraging. Shah Alam, which was once a rubber and oil palm plantation, has now grown and developed rapidly to not only become the administrative centre of Selangor, but also as a catalyst for other developments like industrial, com-mercial, business, higher-education institutions, and leading international art and culture centres.

The prosperity and rapid development in Shah Alam could not be attained within the blink of an eye, but is the result of planning, development, and integrated and comprehensive cooperation among all stakeholders who wish for a city that is vibrant, harmonious, and sustainable, that can be shared by all segments of society regardless of ethnicity, race

and religion.MBSA has worked hard to uplift Shah Alam to a

level of excellence in terms of city planning, infrastruc-ture development, providing public parks and fields, beautification programs, social and community pro-grammes, and various aspects of good governance that can be used as a benchmark.

But this does not mean that MBSA can sit back and stay in the “comfort zone”, for public service based on customer satisfaction is dynamic, and MBSA needs to be sensitive to the various changing needs of the people.

Customer satisfaction should be given priority by improving delivery systems and empowering the capac-ity of the administrative machinery to meet the needs and changes over time, in line with the globalisation era that is increasingly sophisticated and fast-moving.

May the outstanding achievements so far be a springboard to provide the best service, because it will be the people who will judge the quality of services provided.

I pray that the city of Shah Alam will continue to excel and move forward on par with other metropoli-tan cities in Malaysia and also internationally.

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim

Capital since 1978

Commemorating

Shah Alam’s 33rd Anniversary

as Selangor’s capitalfrom

The Management & Staff of

TAnjong WAhyu Sdn BhdNo. 23, Ground Floor, Jalan SS17/1A,

47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.Tel: +603-5635 8881 Fax: +603-5636 7805

E-mail: [email protected]

Capital since 1978

SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ december 16 – 18, 2011 ⁄ 13

SkyTrex adventureGuaranteed to hit the spot for adrenaline

junkies or even suitable for couch potatoes wanting to get a bit of sun, SkyTrex will leave guests breathless. Participants to this out-door adventure will be climbing ladders, swinging from tree to tree via flying-foxes, and crossing obstacles – all this while being suspended from three to 22 metres in the air. The first of its kind in Malaysia, SkyTrex Adventure is located at the Bukit Cahaya Agricultural Park. Participants will be taken on an “eco-recreational-cum-educational” activity while appreciating the wonders of the Malaysian tropical rainforest.

Attractions

Historical sitesThe Sultan Alam Shah Museum and

Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah building are a rich repository of history and culture in Shah Alam – the former being the state museum of Selangor and the latter contain-ing the administrative offices of the state government. The museum was opened in 1989 and displays many treasures and arti-facts related to the history of the state. The state administrative building was built be-tween 1982 and 1984 with elements of tra-ditional Bugis design – it is shaped like a cargo ship to signify the state’s progress.

I-CityLocated off the Federal Highway from the

Sungai Rasau toll is the city of digital lights – I-City. Visible to the naked eye from miles away, the first tourism destination in Malay-sia based on light decorations is a must-see. From trees and animals made of LED lights to rows of stalls, visitors will be entertained for hours. The addition of a Snow Walk with edible snowfall and temperature of -5C will also allow families to experience snow for the first time.

Islamic landmarksSultan Salahuddin Abdul

Aziz Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, is the larg-est in the country and fea-tures a large blue and white dome 107 metres high. It has four minarets 140 metres tall with Islamic khat calligraphy in the interior and exterior of the building. The Selan-gor Islamic Arts Complex also has on display many Is-lamic calligraphy and relics. Nearby is a performance centre where exhibitions and shows regularly take place.

Wet WorldKnown as Malaysia’s largest water theme

park chain, Wet World Shah Alam offers guests a splashing fun-filled family outing. It faces the scenic Taman Tasik Shah Alam and was constructed to be child-friendly with water levels not exceeding one metre. Filled with a range of thrilling theme rides, restaurants and recreational facilities for all ages, the theme park can also be booked to celebrate parties, corporate events, and fundraising activities. The water attractions include the Fountain of Youth, Cascading Waterfalls, Atlantis City, Big Splash, Water Slide and Treasure Island.

Extreme ParkThe Shah Alam Extreme Park contains

one of the nation’s most varied extreme sport facilities with a skate park, inline skate park, bike park, climbing wall and paintball arena. The park contains eight acres of outdoor concrete skating surface with wooden vert ramp and a balance of street and transition styles. Located in Section 13 near the Shah Alam stadium, the park also has futsal courts and three free-standing boulder blocks. Guests can bring their own skateboards and bikes and refuel themselves at nearby fast food outlets.

Capital since 1978

14 ⁄ december 16 – 18,2011 ⁄ SELANGOR TIMES

By Alvin Yap

SHAH ALAM: Opened in July, the Raja Tun Uda state li-brary in U13 is set to become a major landmark in Shah Alam.

The RM70 million building, next to a man-made lake, looks like a private campus building rather than a community library serving the city.

Tucked away in the leaf y neighbourhood next to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf Club, some distance from the city centre, the library is proving to be popular although the area does not have a bus service.

With almost 6,000 visitors on weekdays, the library has benefited immensely from a re-vamp of its boring im-age, being turned into a place for youths to hang out.

“The management decided on the theme ‘My library, my second home’,” says Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Selangor (PPAS) director Mastura Muhamad, 56, who took over as head librarian in Selangor in September.

First-time visitors, she says, are surprised to know that they have to take off their shoes before entering the reading area.

The comfortable and cozy surroundings along with the infrastructure and facilities at the library have proven to be a hit with the public.

According to library records, more users arrive in the morn-ing and stay on until later in the afternoon.

The management has spared no expense at making the li-brary a conducive place for youths to gather and read.

The initiative to attract the public, especially youths, in-cludes installing plush leather sofas with cushions to rival that of coffee cafes in the Klang Valley.

Each floor has 12 Windows-based desktop computers as well as six iMacs that visitors can use for RM1 per hour.

Alternatively, visitors can use their laptops for free, paying only a RM1 per day fee to connect to an electricity socket.

The library has free 6 MB/per second wifi coverage that extends to the lakeside cafeteria.

Visitors can take full advan-tage of the internet connection and the space and operate their “offices” from the premises.

Mastura, a former entrepre-neur who has won numerous awards for her commercial ini-tiatives, says she doesn’t mind people visiting the library only to surf the internet.

“Our aim is also to get young-sters away from the illegal cyber cafes and their vices like pornog-raphy and gambling.

Here they can at least be monitored,” says Mastura, who was handpicked by the state administration to head library services in Selangor.

Her task is to turn the 200,600sq ft premises into a modern community library.

The library in U13 replaces the old library next to Shah Alam museum which closed down in August.

In September, the library opened a six-dimensional (6D) cinema with 18 full-motion chairs that simulate roller coaster rides or jet fighter combat maneuvers.

“We’re the first library in the world to have the 6D cinema. Only cinemas in shopping malls or theme parks have them,” says Mastura, adding that visitors pay only RM7 compared to the RM17 fee at theme parks.

The 3D cinema across the hall shows family-oriented mov-ies showcasing positive moral and ethical values.

Racks filled with magazines line the wall at the hall outside the cinema, and movie-goers who arrive early can be found reading there.

Librarians, security and cleaning staff there have been briefed to provide “personalised” service to members and visitors to the library.

“We treat our young visitors like our siblings and we make them feel at home,” the head librarian says, adding that visitors like the community- and family-friendly approach.

She says the rebranding of the services along with top notch facilities have converted many to the book reading culture.

There is even a fully equipped gymnasium with a personal trainer for library users.

On why a flagship public library in Selangor contains a gymnasium, she replies: “Very simple – healthy minds and healthy bodies are es-sential to good living.”

However, the main attraction are the 190,000 books in the shelves; the library can accommodate a maximum of over 400,000 copies.

Young readers are attracted to the ‘book-wall’ located on every floor of the atrium area. The shelves there contain some 500 reference books with high quality illustrations on

science, namely physics, biology, computers and medicine.While Mastura acknowledges the shortage of books, she

welcomes corporate sponsors as well as private donors who wish to donate either cash or books.

During the opening ceremony last Friday, chain bookstore Borders Sdn Bhd contributed some RM100,000 worth of books.

State government subsidiary Perangsang group also do-nated RM100,000 worth of books and magazines.

Leading the donation drive was Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who personally picked some 1,200 first edition books from his recent visit to the United Kingdom.

The state ruler, who had officiated at the opening of the library, has been instrumental in both the design and location of the library.

“Tuanku has been checking on the progress of the library. It was he who suggested the location and also how we should be people-friendly,” says Mastura.

She say the library can support more than the current number of visitors as well as books, magazines and other multimedia collections.

Currently, there are no bus route to the library, but the management has met with concessionaires to start a route there by end of December.

Public libraries in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore have taken notice of the Shah Alam library, and have made plans to send teams to learn from the management here.

“I’ve met with my counterparts in other countries, and they want to learn how we have changed public perception of librar-ies to become a ‘cool hang-out place’,” she concludes.

The Raja Tun Uda library is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

A library for the people

The Raja Tun Uda library.

View from the atrium: five floors with racks filled with books.

Mastura says the Shah Alam library at U13 is designed to be family- and community-friendly.

Each floor has some 16 desktop computers, which the library charges RM1 per hour use.

Seats that are more comfortable than cineplexes.

16 ⁄ December 16 – 18, 2011 ⁄ SELANGOR TIMES

Capital since 1978

Q&A with MBSA mayorBy Brenda Ch’ng

Meeting the demands of 600,000 residents is a daunting task for the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA). But mayor Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan is committed to making it work with the help of councillors, town planners, and the state government.

What are the challenges faced by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) as the administra-tive capital?

The biggest challenge we face so far is connec-tivity. We don’t have proper public transportation available here, like the Light Rail transit (LRt) or Mass Rapid transit (MRt). We’ve brought this up to the Land Public transport Commission (Spad) and Syarikat Prasarana negara Berhad (Prasarana), but nothing has come of it yet.

However, we will continue to request for those facilities here in Shah Alam. it’s the responsibility of the state and federal government to provide

these public transport services. Our hope is that the city will be well-connected and accessible.

We are also finding it hard to meet the expecta-tions of all residents living here. We are trying to ensure good solid waste management, along with the maintenance of infrastructure like roads and drains

So far things have been going well, but these problems will never end as new problems will arise every day. However, we are open to suggestions and other plans which may help us.

it’s also hard to upkeep public spaces like the park, lakes and landscape around the city. People have this expectation for their recreational places to be clean, fully equipped and well-maintained all the time.

Despite the high cost, MBSA is striving to ensure these facilities measure up public expectation.

What about improvements for the people liv-ing on the fringes of the city, like Paya Jaras and Kampung Melayu Subang?

There are state funds to improve the infrastruc-ture of villages, and we will study what needs to be done before making a proposal to get the money to improve their living conditions.

The first step will be infrastructure repairs. Then we will look into providing them with pub-lic amenities like football fields and a multipur-pose hall.

But i think education is the key to improving the living and social conditions. They need to be equipped with the proper knowledge and skills to earn a living. The cost of living in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley is very high, and without education, it’s hard for them to make a living here.

But we can’t just give them handouts all the time; we need to give them the proper tools to succeed.

What are the future plans for Shah Alam?We want to boost the economy of the city. Shah

Alam cannot only be a residential hub. Residential and commercial activities must go hand in hand.

The plan is to have a balanced residential and commercial ratio in the city. We will strive to bring in more business and create more job opportuni-ties for locals.

We also want an improve feeder bus service to connect the city centre and residential areas and other locations, like the new library.

This will include buses to all parts of Shah Alam, including Paya Jaras and Kampung Melayu Subang. if the MRt and LRt are built here, then we will ensure there are feeder buses to the sta-tions.

What direction is Shah Alam heading in?We want a sustainable city, a place where resi-

dents are happy and healthy. They should be able to find a place to exercise within 10-15 minutes’ diving distance from their homes.

But there will be some areas in Shah Alam earmarked for a higher density and plot ratio such as i-City. They will be developing vertically and there will be more buildings there.

However, the city centre will continue its is-lamic city concept. i don’t think the city will be overdeveloped, but we will ensure new develop-ments are fixed with public transport facilities to make them accessible to everyone. There will be fewer cars on the road as well.

Communities on the fringes neglected

SHAH ALAM: earmarked as Selangor’s capital 33 years ago, town planners aimed at balanced and planned development for the city.

However, lawmakers and councillors point out that more needs to be done for the communities on the fringes of the city, which have yet to fully benefit from Shah Alam’s status.

“Areas like Kota Kemuning and Sungai Buloh were acquired to make up Shah Alam and might have been left out of the city’s earlier plans,” said Shah Alam City Councillor (MBSA) Azli Yusof.

He pointed out that currently, only the main city centre, which comprises government buildings, and neighbouring areas close by are well taken care of.

“More funds should be spent on repairing and upgrading the infrastructure in areas like Paya Jaras and Kota Kemuning, instead of only improving the city centre,” said councillor Adzhar Maludin.

He said the landscape and cleanliness of the city fringes, especially Kampung Melayu Subang, should be modernised and maintained, too.

“By improving infrastructure and fa-cilities, the village can be promoted as a tourist destination to locals and foreign-ers,” said MBSA councillor Ang Leng Kiat.

Local business like handicraft can be aided and improved, while new businesses like homestays can be opened for tourists to experience life in a Malay village.

“even though it’s necessary for the vil-lage to be upgraded,its identity as a Malay village should be kept intact,” said Kota Damansara assemblyperson Dr nasir Hashim.

Being the second largest Malay village in the state, Kampung Melayu Subang is still lacking proper drains and roads to keep up with the heavy rains and new development nearby.

He hopes the state will improve infrastructure at Kampung Melayu Subang soon, and come up with a plan to

b o o s t l o c a l businesses and p r o m o t e t h e village.

There are also concerns about the lack of public transport in the capital city of Selangor.

“everything is taken care of in

t h e c i t y – sustainable development, preserving of recreational areas – but unfortunately, not public transportation,” said MBSA councillor A Sivarajan.

Public-transport users in Sungai Buloh, Kota Kemuning , Puncak Alam and Puncak Perdana are finding it hard to travel to the city.

Sivarajan pointed out that there isn’t a bus route to and from those areas, and the lack of Mass Rapid transit (MRt) and Light Rail transit (LRt) here is a shame.

“ there should be proper public transport facilities available in Shah Alam to ensure the city is accessible to everyone,” said Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad.

He said the availability of MRts and LRts would ensure better traffic flow in Shah Alam and less congestion.

Also, Khalid said the administrative capital could be improved by having a government hospital.

“How can it be a proper capital city if it lacks the most important facilities like

h o s p i t a l s a n d p u b l i c t r a n s -portation?” he said.

He pointed out, however, that a hospital will finally be built here, and is scheduled to be c o m p l e t e d b y 2014.

Khalid said the l a c k o f p u b l i c transportation will also be solved by the operation of internal bus services for people traveling around Shah Alam, start-ing next year.

“The shuttle service will be available to anyone who wants to travel in and around Shah Alam,” he said.

Apart from that, some councillors think the city and its people can be im-proved by organising more activities and promoting a more integrated community.

“The town’s planning needs to improve to cater to people of all races. A cultural theme to represent the different races in Shah Alam would be good,” said MBSA councillor ganabatirau Veraman.

He said the capital city should promote togetherness and unite everyone, rich or poor, in one neighbourhood.

“instead of segregating the low-cost housing in Section 25 and section 26, why not standardise all areas so that low- and high-cost housing can be together?” he said.

Dr Nasir Hashim

Ang Leng Kiat

A Sivarajan

17december 16 — 18, 2011

news

By Alvin Yap

SUBANG JAYA: Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) has called on the federal government to monitor logging, a source of political financing in the country.

The corruption watchdog wants Putrajaya to compel states to come clean on the number of logging permits and the licences that are given to concessionaires to harvest forests for timber.

“Putrajaya should use its power to influence states to do more to keep track of logging permits and concessionaires,” said Josie Fernandez at a forum titled The Forest Factor in Sustainable Development yesterday.

She said widespread graft in the awarding of logging li-cences as well as illegal harvesting of timber is contributing to the dwindling of natural forests in the country.

She said states as well as the federal government must disclose information on licences.

She said the alarming rate of deforestation could force Putrajaya to step in and acquire state land under the Na-tional Forestry Act 1984 to gazette Permanent Reserved Forest areas.

Josie, head of the anti-graft body’s forest governance in-tegrity programme, said illegal logging cases would drop by tackling corruption.

She said government agencies such as the Forestry Depart-ment of Malaysia should invest more resources as well as increase the use of technology to monitor logging activities.

Information technology applications such as Google

Earth should be utilised to monitor and assess forest degradation, she said.

She acknowledged that while the service is free for personal use, the enhanced capabilities that government agencies such as the forestry department need might be priced at a six-figure sum.

“They can get the money. As a government agency, they have to push Putrajaya for funding,” she added.

Ibrahim Selamat, a participant at the forum, said the forestry department should invest in Unmanned Aer-ial Vehicles (UAV) drones that are flown remotely to monitor illegal logging hotspots.

“They only need two, maybe three UAVs. Each ve-hicle costs around RM30,000,” said Ibrahim, who is managing director of Kspatial (M) Sdn Bhd, a geo-graphic company.

He said the forestry department would only have to allocate specially trained staff to fly the UAV drones by remote control.

Earlier, Forest Department director-general Datuk Dr Abd Rahman Abd Rahim said corruption in for-estry management was a matter of perception.

He said his department was constrained by financial re-sources in the fight against illegal logging.

“I would like to have a satellite to monitor forests in Peninsular Malaysia, but I know I won’t get the funding,” he added.

He said developing nations such as Malaysia depended on timber products for revenue.

He pointed out that his department was aware of the need to balance economic growth, social responsibility and the environment.

“For example, forests are cleared for smallholder farms under the Federal Land Development Authority,” he said, adding that while trees are felled, the land is converted for agricultural use.

TI-M: Political funding behind logging permits

TINGKAT 5, PODIUM UTARA BANGUNAN SULTAN SALAHUDDIN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH 40503 SHAH ALAM SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN

Sebarang pertanyaan boleh menghubungi :

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LEMBAGA PERUMAHAN & HARTANAH SELANGOR

Game, set and match for young ‘stars’

PUCHONG: It was a proud day for under-privileged children from three shelter homes when they graduated from a 10-month bad-minton training course on Dec 14.

“These children have learnt badminton skills and also developed good attitudes like teamwork,” said Michael’s Badminton Acad-emy (MBA) director Lee Kok Choong.

The MBA-IOI Properties Hope For Change Badminton Charity Programme, which began in March, gave an opportunity to 53 children to undergo weekly training.

The children, from the House of Joy, Ru-mah Shalom, and At-Taqwa Welfare Home, were trained by MBA coaches at the associa-tion’s centre in Bandar Puteri Puchong.

They also watched the Proton National Badminton Circuit, apart from meeting na-

tional champion and world No 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

“These extracurricular activities were meant to motivate them and allow them to make new friends,” Lee added.

Bandar Puchong Jaya Rumah Shalom su-pervisor Joseph Selvarajah said six children from his home reaped many benefits from the course.

“The course was fun. I learnt how to serve and smash. I’m happy to get my certificate,” said 11-year-old Mohd Wafi Amran from At-Taqwa Home in Taman Putra Perdana.

Taman Kinrara House of Joy caretaker Gan Lay May said the children enjoyed themselves and looked forward to participating again.

The next course will be held in February, with more homes expected to take part.

The graduation ceremony on Dec 14.

18 december 16 — 18, 2011

feature

By Alvin Yap

KUALA SELANGOR: Artists from as far as the United States and Europe showcased their art at the Sasaran Interna-tional Arts Festival 2011 at Sasaran village here last week.

It is the only arts festival in the world where residents and guest artists work together to organise workshops and exhibi-tions of paintings and sculptures.

Some 42 artists from 17 countries, including Malaysia, set up their studios inside the classrooms of SJK (C) Chung Hwa last week and began painting and creating their sculptures.

“Visitors to the festival are amazed that these artists are carrying out their work in the classrooms. Anyone can drop in, chat, and inquire about the creative process,” said 63-year-old Tan Kang Sang, who grew up in Sasaran but resides in Klang.

The arts festival committee member said residents have been quick to volunteer to help the artists weld the metal sculptures or install their artwork around town.

Each artist is given more than a week to complete two contemporary paintings, as well as collaborate with others on a sculpture.

Artists had the option of displaying photographic work in place of the paintings, but still had to work on a sculpture.

Tan said the sculptures were created from “found” objects, or things that are not designed for artistic purposes.

“Some artists chose to create a sculpture from an abandoned fishing boat, netting, as well as bamboo containers,” Tan said, adding that a local contractor used his crane to transport the abandoned vessel from the nearby pier to the centre of town.

According to Tan, all the guest artists are up-and-coming talents in their respective countries, with at least 10 years’ experience and have showcased their work in at least two ex-hibitions.

He said the Sasaran arts festival serves as a platform for budding artists to gain more exposure, and the organisers did not want to invite established painters or sculptors.

Held every three years in early December, the quiet fishing village of Sasaran – 30km north of Klang – hosts the festival that transforms the sleepy hollow along the Kuala Selangor-Teluk Intan road into an art colony.

The arts festival, which began in 2008, is the brainchild of renowned artist Ng Bee, who mooted the idea to Tan and other residents.

Ng studied at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore, and the prestigious Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Art in Paris.

“Ng is friends with other artists, local and international. He got them to join the arts festival three years ago as guest artists. Some have returned for this year’s event,” Tan said.

Artists pay for their travel expenses, while the organisers provide accommodation and food.

The villagers have opened their arms to welcome the artists, some of whom come from as far as Russia, Romania, Denmark

and Japan.The organisers, Tan said, had booked the artists into a

service condominium in Kuala Selangor, but all them opted to stay with foster families in Sasaran town.

He said the villagers there now talk about which or whose artwork they like, and it is common to hear shopkeepers or fisherfolk talk about how a particular painting has moved them.

“Walk into a coffee shop and you’ll overhear villagers talk about a painting. They’ll say that they managed to see an art-ist at work,” Tan concluded.

Schön creating pieces of pottery while visitors look on.

Mashbat wants to share his perspective on life, with his ‘Mirage’, a depiction of sunset in the steppes of Mongolia.

Pama posing with ‘Milking Cow’, which has attracted the attention of visitors to his make-shift studio.

Upcoming Events

17 Dec (Sat)6-7pm: Fashion Parade featuring designs by guest artists and designers at SJK C Chung Hwa

7pm: Cultural night at the Art Recreational Park to commemorate Sasaran fishing village

9pm: Closing ceremony of art performance workshop at SJK C Chung Hwa

18 Dec (Sun)6pm: Closing ceremony of the 2011 Sasaran International Arts Festival by Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim

7pm: Official opening of art exhibition featuring works of guest artists

19 Dec (Mon)12pm: Art exhibition road show departs Sasaran

The Arts Recreational Park will commemorate Sasaran as a fishing village.

Arts fest brings villagers, artists together

19december 16 — 18, 2011

feature

KUALA SELANGOR: Artists at the 2011 Sasaran International Arts Festival say the event gives the public a chance to see them at work, which will lead to greater appreciation of the arts.

“The festival gives people the chance to see us work and explain the creative process. I think it will lead to greater love of the fine arts,” said El-len Schön, a Clay Studio supervisor lecturer in fine arts at the Art Institute of Boston, on Sunday.

The only American guest artist this year, the potter wants to reach out to younger painters and sculptors from her country to participate in the next arts festival at Sasaran village.

Noel Pama, 50, said the arts event allows the community to work with the artists to realise the dream of making art accessible to everyone.

“I always believe that artists should work with the community to express their art,” said the self-taught painter, who hails from Manila, Philippines.

He said communities that work together on art projects end up being more cohesive and united, and added that the event will lead to more youths exploring art as a means of expression.

The common themes in his oil-on-canvas paintings reflect issues on the treatment of women and children by society, and also the role technology has on individuals.

Mongolian painter Mashbat Sambuu said the event allows interna-tional artists to showcase their artwork and express their themes to Malay-sian audiences.

“We have our own unique experiences we want to share with Malaysians, our hosts,” said Sambuu, who paints about life in the rolling grassland of his hometown in the landlocked Central Asian country.

Sasaran resident Edward Yu, who is an art teacher at a secondary school in Klang, said he was excited that the village was hosting the event again after its inaugural one in 2008.

Yu, who signed up as an assistant to first-time guest artist Annabelle Ng, hopes the festival will influence children to explore their creative talents.

Ng, a Penangnite, concurred with Yu, saying the workshops should also include a comprehensive art and sculpture class for youth to explore their creativity.

“The guest artists are only too happy to teach the younger generation,” she said, adding that youth should be given the chance to explore their own identity through art. Ng shapes wires to create sculptures depicting people and animals.

Taiwanese artist Dino Tsai, 56, uses barcodes as inspiration for his sculptures.

He said art exhibitions such as the Sasaran International Arts Festival provide a chance for artists to showcase their artwork to the community.

Tsai,whose art is usually displayed at upscale galleries and exhibits, said the initiative to hold a workshop in Sasaran is a step in the right direction.

The residents, he said, are seeing art in a new light, and have even sur-prised the artists with their interpretation of their artwork.

“They see more than us and give us insights into our artwork that amaze me,” the full-time artist said.

Residents themselves are praising the event. Ramachandran Kannan, a 51-year-old engineer, missed the 2008 arts festival but made it a point to make it for this year’s event.

He and his wife, both from nearby Kapar, said they were impressed that the public could walk into a classroom-turned-studio and witness artists at work.

They entered their daughter Nivethaprya, 9, and son Shremankuna, 7, in an art competition at the festival on Sunday.

The siblings go to an art tuition centre in Kapar, whose principal notified the parents of the Sasaran event.

Philip Loo, who grew up in nearby Kuala Selangor but now resides in Subang Jaya, came back for the weekend and decided to visit the arts exhi-bition.

“I’m impressed with the quality of the exhibits and the creative talents behind them,” he said, adding that he was glad that the villagers and artists were collaborating to make the event a success.

Loo said the guest artists were very helpful and took the time to explain to visitors their work.

“It makes art more accessible to the community,” he said.

In appreciation of the arts

KLANG: A group of cyclists travelled from Klang to Sasaran village in Kuala Selangor for the interna-tional arts festival here on Sunday.

Some 50 riders departed from the Klang Railway station here on Jalan Stesen for the 29km journey in conjunction with the festival held every three years.

“Congratulations to all the participants who joined the inaugural Klang-to-Sasaran ride,” said organiser Lee Seng Tiong.

The chairperson of the Klang Fan Club, a social club based in the town, said the riders covered the distance and reached SJK (C) Chung Hwa in Sasaran in less than four hours.

Cancer survivor Lee Hong Keow, 38, said she had enjoyed the ride, which took the group from Klang to Kapar with a 15-minute stop at Pantai Remis to take in the scenery.

“It was fun and it wasn’t tiring at all,” said Lee, who battled stomach cancer last year, adding that she will join the ride next year.

Lee, who works in a legal firm, also said she has been thinking of setting up a cancer-survivor group next year, and will likely organise a similar bicycle ride for the participants from Klang to Sasaran.

Cheras resident Jacklyn Lee joined the group after hearing about the event from from her friends in Klang.

“I don’t ride bikes at all, but I joined the group as it was an opportunity for me to get some exercise and also do a little sightseeing,” she said.

Earlier, the cyclists were flagged off by Kota Shah Alam assemblyperson Mano-haran Malayalam and Klang Mun i c i p a l C o un c i l l o r (MPK) Lim Lip Suan at the railway station.

Prior to flag-off, they were briefed on riding safely by veteran cyclist Richard Chin, who was roped in with other regular cyclists to help out with the programme.

Thumbs-up for inaugural Klang-Kapar-Sasaran bike ride

Participants posing in front of SJK C Chung Hwa upon arrival.

Lee with her certificate: It was fun ride with the group.

Manoharan and Lim moments before the flag-off.

(From left) Ng with Yu as he wears one of the wire sculptures.

20 December 16 — 18, 2011

Media

Jazzy affair with Andaman

All aboard PJ Hilton’s Christmas Train

SHAH ALAM: In the spirit of spreading light and warmth to the lives of underprivileged, Hil-ton Petaling Jaya’s charity year-end project has returned for its seventh year.

The Hillton Christmas Train was launched by Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Edward Lee, who pulled the train lever on Dec 1.

Aiming to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) and to enable an educational trip to Aquaria KLCC with the chil-dren from Rumah Hope, the miniature train ex-

(From left) Lee pulls the train lever with Mathew, Chua and Manu during the launch of the Christmas Train on Dec 1.

10 Full House outlets by year endSHAH ALAM: A one-of-its-kind lifestyle store and café chain, Full House, which started operations in 2008, will be opening new outlets in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu before the end of this year.

Inspired by the the Korean drama series of the same name, its concept is a white-themed Victorian house with romantic French-design accents complete with living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, gar-den and even a bathroom.

The white décor exudes a calming effect and creates a serene, warm, subdued and inviting environment for diners. The café aims to create a home-away-from-home re-laxed atmosphere where one can dine in comfort with friends and family.

Each outlet houses the café as well as a lifestyle store where everything displayed is for sale. This includes clothes, fashion acces-sories, gifts and decorative items from Korea and Hong Kong.

Another unique feature is that the café and store are represented by five comic-book characters known as the 5-Ts, a family unit

that comprises the dad Thomas, mom Tracy, the kids Tony and Tiffany, and their pet dog Toy. The 5-T characters are reflected in the menu items that are created with the five family members in mind.

The café offers diners a wide selection of Italian, Japanese and Chinese fusion cuisine. Menu highlights include main courses such as the Tony’s Burger (with chicken patty done in Teriyaki style), pan-seared dory with lemongrass cream, oven-roasted chicken parcel, lamb shank ratatouille, and desserts such as Tiramisu with strawberry, chocolate cup with berry sauce, and crème brulee.

Adam Swee, chief executive officer of Full House, says: “We will be rapidly expanding to bring the Full House experience to East Malaysia and Singapore.

“We believe that our concept will greatly appeal to the young-adult and family seg-ments that are always on the lookout for something new in the market. We have started the theme concept for outlets in Gi-ant Cheras and Penang Times Square.”

The café chain recently opened its eighth outlet at the Hills Shop-ping Mall in Kuching, and is on track to open outlets in Suria Sabah Shopping Mall (Kota Kinabalu) and Rendezvous Gallery (Sin-gapore). It currently has six outlets in Klang Valley and one in Penang.

By Basil Foo

KUALA LUMPUR: Media practitioners were treated to a night of scrumptious dining and jazzy numbers at the Andaman Media Night on Dec 8.

Held at premier jazz club No Black Tie, guests were serenaded by crowd favourites performed by a four-piece band and guest singers.

Addressing a turnout of about 80, Andaman Property Management Sdn Bhd director of sales and marketing Datuk Dr Vincent Tiew thanked guests for attending.

He also gave out six flat-screen TVs during the lucky draw.

“We held this event as an appreciation to the media after a year of strong performances by Andaman,” Tiew said.

The value of projects from 2011 to 2012 under Andaman Property Management is ex-pected to be worth more than RM1.6 billion.

Completed projects include the Casa Sub-ang service apartments in Subang Jaya, Cova Villa, Cova Square and Cova Suites in Kota

Damansara.Upcoming projects include newly launched

The Arc @ Cyberjaya and commercial centre Diamond Square in Serdang.

Andaman Group’s property division, formed in 2005, is involved in property devel-opment, construction, management, security, travel and tours, and mining.

hibit and icing setting will be on display in the hotel lobby until Jan 8.

The Hilton Christmas Train campaign aims to raise funds for the needy through advertising space offered on various wagons, hot-air balloons and billboards, as well as through donations from patrons.

The launch was attended by Na-tional Kidney Foundation of Malay-sia chief executive officer Chua Hong Wee; Rumah Hope chairper-son Jacob Mathew; and director of business management Manu Koshy and corporate sponsors.

“We have received continuous support from various stakeholders such as corporate clients, suppliers, restaurant diners and the local community since our first Christ-mas Train.

“It’s a great opportunity for companies to play their role as re-sponsible corporate citizens, and leverage on advertising mileage by having their company logos visibly branded on the train exhibit,”

Manu said.The Hilton Christmas Train

2011 features a winter setting at a North European Village with roy-al-icing mountains, royal-icing tress as tall as 30 inches, traditional

buildings made of gingerbread, bridges, billboards, tunnels, and hot-air balloons.

Two locomotives that can pull up to six wagons each – comprising 30 pieces of plywood, 30 metres of

wire, 500kg of icing sugar, 500kg of flour, 200kg of butter, 200kg of sugar, 50kg of ginger and 50kg of spices – make up the magnificent display.

Corporates are welcomed to

join the ride with Hilton Petaling Jaya and brighten up the lives of the less fortunate. For inquiries, call the hotel’s Marketing and Communi-cations department at (03)-79559122, ext. 5774/2.

Tiew (left) presenting a flat-screen TV to lucky-draw winner Nurul Eeman Hakimi Teoh from the Malaysian Corridor.

The jazz band serenading guests.

Hilton Christmas Train 2011 features a European Winter Wonderland comprising an icing-sugar mountain, royal icing trees and gingerbread houses.

The entrance to Full House.

21december 16 — 18, 2011

food

Like so many others who have been before me, I was recently a guest at 1 Utama Shopping Centre’s Dragon-i Restaurant. It is one of the many fine eateries in the huge

shopping complex, and is located on the second floor.Dragon-i has been around since 2004. The culinary offer-

ings come from Beijing, Lanzhou, Szezhuan and Shanghai. But its most famous item is the Xiao Long Bao, of which the “Long” is part of its official name Long Ti Chuen Ren.

The meaning of its name is significant for the Chinese com-munity because eons ago, the Chinese regarded themselves as descendants of the Dragon. Thus, the menu has several signa-ture dishes that befit its ancient royal status. Among these is the outstanding Xiao Long Bao, which is a Shanghainese delicacy from the province of Nanxing.

The meat dumpling, of which the ingredients are Chinese ham, ginger and pork, is filled with soup. I believe the restau-rant also provides straws to drink the delicious soup within.

Ordinarily, what most of us do when we have the Xiao Long Bao in sight is take a big bite and gulp down the soup in a rush. Many are unaware that the steamed dumpling is shaped like a pagoda and it has 18 tiny interlaced folds or plaits. While some of us do not exhibit the finesse required with this delicacy, a few are aware of their table manners and adopt the proper approach to appreciating such a delicate dish.

My favourite item has to be the deep-fried eel, or what the Japanese called unagi. The crispy honey-glazed eel usually gets a very big thumbs-up from diners who have tasted it. Children in particular love this item because it is notches better than the KL street-fresh keropok from the hot wok.

For an adult like me, I opted for my personal steamed soy sauce rice with Chinese sausage, mush-room and chicken. The rice comes in a wooden bucket, which is pretty cute. Some Chinese describe this as a little “fan toong”, or rice bin.

By the time the waitress had finished taking down our orders, we had six items on her list. The others were a plate of fried noodles, a bowl of corn/crabstick soup, and claypot of spicy brinjal.

In a fine eatery like Dragon-I, the cutlery and other utensils are slightly better than other Chinese restaurants. It just goes to show that you get what you pay for.

The ambience of the restaurant exudes a certain elegance befitting its illustrious title. The menu has a wide range of choices, which some diners have described as a notch higher than its counter-part, Canton-i. (Incidentally, Dragon-i is af-filiated to Canton-i and CI Express. They are all under the same business group. Perhaps with the exception of the

newly introduced CI Express, Canton-i and Dragon-i are popular eating places among the Chinese community.)

The ambience at Dragon-i is enhanced by Terracotta war-riors. These ancient stone figures came to the world’s attention when Chinese farmers in the Lintong district of Xian, Shaanxi Province found them near the mausoleum of the first Em-peror of China, Shi Huangdi in 1974. Emperor Shi Huangdi united the warring states of China and put it under imperial rule. Henceforth the Chinese dynasty of imperial rulers lasted almost 2,000 years.

Terracotta warriors, together with chariots and horses, were found in three massive pits. Altogether, there were more than 8,000 Terracotta warrior figures, and the teams of archaeolo-gists have not finished digging the site.

The Terracotta warriors have come to symbolise ancient China and all its magnificence. Hence, Dragon-i has aptly chosen to strategically place a few of these imitation warriors at the entrance to the dining area.

Discerning foodies have been known to mark down the quality of some Dragon-i selections, but I rather like the res-taurant for its quick service, elegant setting and above-average dishes. Of course, Dragon-i’s prices are not like those in downtown KL. The rentals at 1 Utama are not exactly at ground level.

Dragon-i has received a string of awards since it opened its doors. In 2006 and 2007, the Malaysian Tatler honoured it the Best Chinese Restaurant title. It has also received the ac-colade of Outstanding Customer Service from One Utama Shopping Complex.

Other awards include the 2009 Golden Bull award, special mention in The Miele Guide Asia’s Finest Restaurants 2009-

2010, Malaysia Tourism Award 2008-2009 Best Innovative Chinese Restaurant, and World Chinese Youth Entrepreneurs Award 2009.

Since the new Chinese Lunar Year or the Year of the Dragon is celebrated next month on Jan 23-24, any person thinking of holding a family reunion dinner treat at Dragon-i should made a reservation as soon as possible.

All in all, Dragon-i is certainly one of the more outstanding Chinese restaurants in the Klang Valley. At last count, there are eight Dragon-i outlets spread throughout KL and Selangor, stretching all the way to Penang.

Klang Valley residents are without a doubt spoiled for choice as far as eateries are concerned. LIN ZHENYUAN enters the Dragon’s ‘lair’ and was feted like an emperor of ancient times

Enter the DragonDragon-i restaurant on the second floor of the new wing of 1 Utama.

The Terracotta Warrior guards the entrance into the Dragon-i.

Claypot brinjal with mixed ingredients.

A wooden bucket for a diner who prefers steamed rice, sausage and mushroom.

Crispy honey-glazed eel makes the meal totally enjoyable.

Waitresses are quick on their feet to serve customers.

22 December 16 — 18, 2011

GalleryMenteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim flagging off the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) cycling team at the launch of the eco-friendly Worldwide Landfills Park in Puchong on Dec 8.

Filipino artist Noel Pama works on a painting for the Sasaran International Arts Festival in Kuala Selangor, while visitors look on.

The Selangor Philharmonic Choir carolling during the state’s Christmas celebration at 1 Utama shopping centre in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya last Saturday.

Underprivileged children from House of Joy, Rumah Shalom, and At-Taqwa Welfare Home showing their skills after a 10-month training course in the MBA-IOI Properties Hope For Change Badminton Cha-rity Programme at Michael’s Badminton Academy in Bandar Puteri Puchong.

Purchasers of an abandoned mixed development in Rawang in a meeting with representatives from the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) and private developer Tungling Corporation Sdn Bhd, at the Kundang New Village Senior Citizens Hall on Tuesday. The buyers were informed that the developer would restart the project that had been abandoned since 2000.

Hulu Kelang assemblyperson Saari Sungib and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad officiating the start of an arm-wrestling competition in the Tanjung Sepat state constituency on Dec 10.

23December 16 — 18, 2011

CultureCompiled by Nick Choo

Send your events to: nick@selangortimes.

This Little Child

Music; 18 Dec, 5pm; Petaling Jaya Gospel Hall, Jalan Gasing; free admission

The 55-strong combined choir of Subang Jaya Gospel Centre and Petaling Jaya Gospel Hall, under the direction of Colin Kirton, will present This Little Child ... The King of Kings, an inspiring evening of contemporary music celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. The 55- minute performance also features a seven-piece live band and will cover a wide range of musical styles, including ballad, gospel and rock, with infusions of classical, country and Latin, closing with a new arrangement of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. Between songs, storytellers will bring the Christmas story and its significance to life on stage, backed by original art and multimedia projection.

Architecture Without Paper

Exhibition; 14 Dec-2 Jan; Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; www.klpac.org, 03-40479000

A selection, in audiovisual format, from Spanish architectural projects presented at the Venice International Architecture Exhibitions, curated by the architects Soledad del Pino and Angel Fernandez Alba. This exhibition aims to show the innovation and quality of the work being carried out on the Spanish scene today, represented by 15 young architecture studios that typify a fully consolidated, global “virtual architectural reality”. Their

projects put the spotlight on a fresh, avant-garde architecture, one that serves the sensibilities and needs of society. Presented by the Embassy of Spain.

Si Putih and the 7 Makciks

Theatre; 14-23 Dec; The Actors Studio @ Lot 10 Kuala Lumpur; www.theactorsstudio.com.my, 03-21422009; RM30 / RM50 / RM120 (family)

An adaptation of Snow White and the 7 Dwarves, set in two kampung kingdoms where an envious Queen plans to kill her beautiful and fair stepdaughter, Si Putih. Does Sergeant Sutera, the queen’s henchmen kill Si Putih, or is she saved by the seven Makciks, keepers of secrets from another kampung? Only time will tell. A funny original adaptation of the all-time-favourite classic with singing and dancing, and an all-male cast with a twist at the end, as all fairy tales have.

Malaysian Girls

Theatre/Musical; 10-26 Dec; Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; www.klpac.org, 03-40479000; RM38-RM100

A musical about the beautiful world we live in; about the friendship between Malaysian girls, and how this fragile friendship can be more beautiful than the crown one aspires to wear. “Put on your tiaras, pucker up that smile, and brace yourself, for really, with 14 beautiful girls on a glitzy stage, how ugly can it get?” With original songs by Ariff Akhir, Ian Chow, Min’z, Khairil M Bahar and Wani Ardy; directed by Joe Hasham.

Aladdin: The Musical

Musical; 25 Nov-2 Jan 2012; Sunway Lagoon; 03-87754666 (AirAsia RedTix), 03-56390000 (Sunway Lagoon ticketing); www.airasiaredtix.com/Events/Aladdin; RM50-RM300

Get whisked to a land far, far away, filled with adventure, magic, and excitement in this production from the West End! Set against the mystical kingdom of Askabar, go on a musical journey featuring international artistes and dancers with exotic costumes, a flying carpet and a stunning stage. Witty dialogue, hit songs and a spellbinding spectacular.

reVIeWBy Dominic Luk

KLuE,DOH!, showing at the Black Box @ MAP, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, is a production by TerryAndTheCruz in collaboration with Australian company, The Rubix Cube.

The concept of the play, similar to the board game Cluedo, leaves us in a situation where a mystery unfolds before our eyes. And as usual, the question is not really whodunit, but whodunit first.

Before the audience walks in to the theatre, everyone is divided into two groups: Witnesses and Suspects. The play’s concept is such that the two groups watch the plot evolve from two different perspectives, both being shown simultaneously.

During the first act, the first group watches the story taking place in the study room, while the other group sits on another side of the theatre where the living room is. Throughout the whole play, the actors move back and forth between the two rooms. After intermission, the audience swaps rooms and sees the whole thing unravel again.

I thought this concept was interesting and unique, and was certainly a treat for Malaysian theatregoers. I was in the study room first, where a dead body lay on the floor. Immediately the suspense kicked in. Every character that came on stage after that was a suspect, so I was eager to pay attention to every detail.

The story takes place in a house in Ipoh, where Datuk Jackson Mo has just been murdered. Because of his wealth, you could assume that anyone would want him dead, especially his ex-wife Datin Saras (played by Anne James), and his soon-to-be wife, Charity Ho Mun Mun, played by Davina Goh.

As the plot thickens, more suspects are added to the list: Datuk’s maid played by Nabihan Yaacob, Datuk Jackson’s son played by Terence Conrad, the brother-in-law played by JD Manon, and the effeminate wedding planner played by Jon Chew. And like all crime scenes, the police are eager to solve the case. Two policemen, played by Iqmal Shafiq and Ley Shahrwind Agilan, arrive at the scene, interrogating everyone in the house (most of the time very

unprofessionally!). Two people stood out among

the cast. Nabihan Yaacob did a great job as the maid; she was convincing albeit playing a simple role, and remained in character better than the rest of the cast.

JD Manon, the money-hungry brother-in-law, also performed well and showed that he was very comfortable with his character. It was disappointing, though, that the only Cantonese lines in the script were by Davina Goh, who was clearly uncomfortable

cALeNDAr

Doh!

The scene of the crime.

with the dialect. Perhaps casting should have been done such that someone who actually speaks Cantonese played the character instead. Still, Goh played Charity well enough to make us want to get annoyed at her.

As the story expands, clues are exposed bit by bit. To catch all of them, it helps if you can understand English, Malay, Cantonese and Tamil.

I applaud the fact that the production was very Malaysian, and you could easily relate to the characters in so many ways. Yet, the script was not as insightful and intense as I thought it should have been for a murder mystery. While trying to add humour, some jokes (mostly those referring to local political and social innuendos) spoilt it a bit for me. I would have preferred seeing the same story being shown through more tightly written lines that made you think more than you would laugh.

It didn’t help much either that a lot of shouting was going on, causing so many distractions and lines being lost in the process.

In a nutshell, Klue,Doh! was an entertaining murder mystery play that made you want to walk onto the stage and be a part of the story, and then take on the task of asking all the suspects your own questions. Nevertheless, more could have been done to increase the intensity, especially during the climax of the play. But it was memorable, and hopefully will inspire more murder-mystery plays to take place in Malaysia.

Klue,Doh! runs until tomorrow (Dec 17). Tickets are priced at RM68 and are available at www.tix.my and the PJ Live Arts Box Office at Jaya One.

Anne James, shocked.

A very pretty Jon Chew.

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.

Selangor Times Dec 16-18, 2011 / Issue 53

Documents

Transcript of Selangor Times Dec 16-18, 2011 / Issue 53