Kota Kemuning Canal Gardens Residents' Community Blog

Quick Updates on CGRA (Canal Gardens Residents Association)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:07:00 +0000

The committee has submited the application to the ROS for registration of the RA in December 2008, but the ROS require certain amendments to be made to the proposed byelaws. So we have to do the amendments and re-submit the application in January 2009. Barring any unforseen circumstances, we expect the process of registration to be completed within three (3) months, i.e. by March/April 2009.

CGRC Monthly Meeting - Jan 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:59:00 +0000

Dear Canal Gardens Residents,

The CGRC will be having our monthly meeting and for this January 2009, we want you to be there if you can. We will be going through some updates and issues discussions affecting Canal Gardens as well as the plan for our annual Lion Dance (CNY).

We certainly need more residents to take an active interest in issues affecting Canal Gardens. The more residents who are willing to come and give their views is better. The more residents who are willing to contribute their time and effort to the committee is even better. We certainly need fresh blood and new talents.

Date: Friday, 16 January 2009
Time: 8.30 pm sharp
Venue: PPKK office (Right above the POS Office/Police Station)

Alerts - TM Conman

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:43:00 +0000

Be alert. Check with TM before you allow anyone wearing their uniform, enter your house. Got this posting and would like to share with all.

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This happened in Section 10, so please be aware. *(Regardless of whereyou stay)*

Good morning to you, wish to share an experience with you which happened yesterday. At about 1.30pm yesterday,we had someone ringing our doorbell .My daughter checked and found that it was a young Malay guy wearing a BLUE TM Shirt with the words printed TM Contractor in front and the back of the shirt TM. He informed us that our phone line was out together with our Steamyx. She went in to check and found it was true and informed me that the guy wanted to check the cables in the house. I tied up my Dog and let him in carying a small bag. He was shown all the phones in the house ie my room, daughters room and hall. When he was in my daughters room, he asked me to go to my room to check the phone for a dialling tone, and when he was in my room ,I was asked to go to the hall to do the same. He was in our house for a good twenty minutes and after that he told me that he has to go outside to check the cable. After looking at the cable outside ,he said he will be back to change the cables outside which was supposed to be the main problem, In a jiff he was off on his motorbike and sped off.

I had a strong feeling that something was not right. I asked my daughter to check her room to see if he left something behind and to my surprise Iwas told that her handphone was missing. I ran to my room to check and found my handphone and wallet still intack, BUT checking further my GOLD chain was missing (worth about RM 3,000.00)

So my friends, please be more alert and make sure that this do not happento you as nowdays things that you under estimate ,happens. By the way TM personel came this morning and they confirm that two wires have been dismantled from the TM box outside my house.

Happy New Year 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 11:02:00 +0000

Happy New Year to all our Canal Gardens residents!!!

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Wishing all our Christian residents a Merry Christmas!!!

Lights in 27 parks in Subang Jaya

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:40:00 +0000

One of the things which we managed to improved in Canal Gardens - getting the MBSA to upgrade the (voltage) of our street lights as well as installing additional lights along the canal as well as the courts.

Well ... we'll try and do more in the coming new year.

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Lights in 27 parks in Subang Jaya
The Star, Tuesday December 23, 2008

More Subang Jaya residents will not have to jog in the park in the dark any more as the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has installed lights in 27 parks under its jurisdiction.

At a press conference in her office, Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh said since November, most of the parks had been lit. There are about 50 parks in Subang Jaya.

USJ 11/3 Residents Association (RA) chairman Ng Peng Hin has noticed that more people going to the USJ 11/3F park and the nearby shops at night since the park was lit up two months ago.

“We had been writing letters to the MPSJ and former assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng for the past three to four years but no action was taken.

“There were lamp-posts in the park all the while but there was no electricity.

“Previously, there were some people who drank alcohol and threw the bottles there but now that the park is lit up, there are no more incidents,” he said.

Yeoh said she had been pushing for the parks to be lit since she was elected as the state assemblyman and thanked the MPSJ for its cooperation.

“Before the election, lamp-posts had been installed in 21 of the 27 parks but some were not functioning.

The other six parks were installed with lights following complaints by residents.

“Residents had been complaining that the parks were too dark and they felt unsafe.

“Even though there were streetlights in the park, they were not functioning as they were not connected to the electricity supply or not built to the required specifications.”

“We’ll continue to push for more parks to be installed with lights in Subang Jaya,” she added.

On another note, she advised residents not to play basketball or go to open areas during thunderstorms.

“I’ve noticed that there are still people who play basketball despite the rain and thunder even though a few years ago, someone was struck by lightning while playing basketball in a park in Subang Jaya.

“I hope parents will keep an eye on their children and tell them to be indoors during thunderstorms,” she urged.

Precaution - Snatch Thieves Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:47:00 +0000

Close encounters of the nasty kind
By The Star, 23rd December 2008 (Tues)

Tips from the victims:

Be alert and walk against traffic
Don’t wear or carry expensive things that will catch people’s attention
Avoid deserted roads or alleys if you are alone
Carry as little cash as possible, unless you need it, and don’t keep all your cash in the same purse or pocket
Never carry your purse or wallet in a very visible manner
Walk confidently, so as not to appear as an easy target
If your bag is snatched, don’t put up a fight as it is not worth getting hurt.

Snatch thefts and related crimes are so rampant these days that most people would know of family members, relatives, neighbours, friends or work colleagues who have met with such incidents. Following are personal accounts related to StarMetro by three victims.

Victim 1
Graphic designer Adeline Ngui, 26, was unlucky enough to have her belongings snatched twice.

“The first incident happened outside my friend’s house in Damansara Jaya. I was sitting outside the house waiting for a couple of friends when I noticed two foreigners on a motorcycle who were circling the neighbourhood for some time,” she said.

“When the pillion rider got off the motorbike and walked towards me, I presumed that he wanted to ask for directions, until I realised too late that he was eyeing my gold chain,” Ngui said.

“I tried to open the gate to enter the house but the guy pushed me down with one hand and grabbed my chain with the other,” she said. “I was too shocked to shout but I struggled to keep my chain until it broke. I tried to give chase but gave up when I saw the robbers waving a 30cm-long knife at me.”

Ngui had her purse snatched in a second incident a year later at Taman Mayang Jaya. Three passers-by attempted to chase the perpetrator who was on a motorbike but lost him in a basement carpark.

“I suffered a shallow cut in the first incident and lost my IC, cash and ATM cards in the second, which I also reported to the police. The gold chain had more of a sentimental value as it was a gift from my grandmother,” Ngui said.

“I now carry less cash with me and stuff them into my jeans pockets. Unless I know I have something specific to buy, I’ll carry more cash with me, otherwise I won’t have more than RM50,” she said.

Ngui confesses to having a phobia of motorbikers driving slowly or too near, and has vowed never to wear expensive jewellery.

Victim 2
Business development manager N. Sangeetha, 28, also had her bag snatched twice within the same year and both incidents happened in the afternoon.

“I was walking home from college in PJ Old Town when a man on a motorcycle pulled my bag off my shoulder,” Sangeetha said.

“I didn’t fight him as I was alone and didn’t want to be dragged with the motorcycle. I had already reached my rented house and didn’t want him to know where I lived. I wanted to take down the number plate but there was none,” she said.

“A few months later, someone snatched my bag again, this time in the Chow Kit area,” she said.
As Sangeetha was then a student, she did not have much cash with her but lost her IC, student card, ATM card, handphone and house keys.

“In the second incident, I was left stranded in the middle of town with no money to go home or handphone to call for help, as I had already lost my handphone in the earlier theft,” she said.

“Thankfully I bumped into a classmate and she gave me money for a cab. It was a hassle to get my lost items replaced. I was still new to Klang Valley then; I didn’t know my way around and didn’t drive,” Sangeetha said.

“I had to pay a fine to get my IC replaced and also pay for a new student card. I also couldn’t withdraw money till I had a new ATM card and didn’t have a handphone for months,” she said.
Since then, Sangeetha has stopped carrying sling bags and does not carry a lot of cash with her.

Victim 3
Multimedia developer Ong Chin Han, 24, was mugged one night at the SS2 commercial centre.
“I was walking along the alley in between a row of terrace houses. A man on a motorcycle rode past me from behind,” he said.

“I had already braced myself for something to happen at the first sound of the motorcycle. But since he rode past me, I let my guard down a bit,” Ong said.

“The motorcyclist turned around and stopped to ask for directions. Since I didn’t know the exact location he wanted, I replied that I didn’t know and headed towards my car,” he said.

“The man then grabbed my shirt with one hand, and gestured with the other that he had a machete, while demanding that I hand over my valuables,” Ong said.

“I lost an old handphone and RM42. I didn’t hand my wallet to him. I merely gave him the money and showed him that I had a totally empty wallet. He even checked my pockets,” he said.
“I used to walk to the mamak stall or bank because my house is near the SS2 commercial centre.

But now when it gets dark, I’d rather take the car or do my errands in the day, although I’m aware that even a short walk to and from the car is an opportunity for robbers to strike,” Ong said.

He advises the public, especially women, to reduce the amount of things they carry, as handbags make them easy targets for snatch thieves.

Precaution - Snatch Thieves Part I

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:22:00 +0000

Victims fall prey to snatch thieves more than once
By The Star, 23rd December 2008 (Tues)

Some people are unlucky that they fall prey to snatch thefts more than once.

Following are two personal accounts of two victims who have been robbed at least four times.

While they consider themselves “lucky” for escaping unharmed or with minor injuries, the experiences have left them paranoid whenever they hear motorcycles approaching.

Case 1
UTAR student Michelle Boon Yih Yoong had to buy new wallets every three months since she moved into Section 17, Petaling Jaya.

So far, she has been a victim of snatch thefts four times this year alone.

“It is rampant here in Section 17. One of my friends was hospitalised for two weeks when she became a victim of snatch theft last year. She missed some important exam papers and even had a short-term memory loss.

“In August, a man snatched my sling bag when I was on my way to Utar. I did not hear him coming. The bag strap snapped and I almost fell.

“As my friend’s house keys were in my bag, we quickly went back to change the locks. It was such a hassle,” said the 22-year-old.

“The officers at the National Registration Department in my hometown could remember me as I had to apply for my MyKad so many times.

She was also robbed in Bukit Bintang. However, she is grateful that she was not seriously injured in the incidents.

“I try not to go out on my own and put my wallet in my pocket instead of in the bag.

“It’s crazy because I will clutch my bag tightly whenever I hear a motorcycle approaching, even if it is far away from me,” she said.

Case 2
Cheah Peng Sim, who lives in SS17 Subang Jaya, was a victim of snatch theft four times since 1998.

She fractured her arm five years ago when she fell prey to snatch thieves.

“It happened in SS15, across from where I stay. They came on a motorcycle and pushed my shoulder, causing my arm to fling in an awkward position, said the 58-year-old homemaker.

She was even robbed in front of her house.

“My friend dropped me off and noticed that the thieves were coming at us on a motorbike. She quickly threw her bag into the car and locked it.

“I tried to throw my bag into the house but it fell into the drain. I was so scared that I just squatted and screamed.

“The pillion rider pushed my head to the ground and went to get my bag from the drain.”
She lodged police reports after each incident as she lost important documents.

“Some people do not bother to lodge a police report as they feel that it is a waste of time,’’ she said.

Due to the incidents, she has now became paranoid but also more alert of her surroundings.
“Nowadays, I hardly carry a handbag and I buy clothes with pockets.

“I hope there will be stricter laws to curb snatch thefts,” she said.

Most Unaware of RM250 Limited Liability (Credit Card)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:45:00 +0000

Do you know that you credit card liability is up to RM250 only. Which means, you only need to pay up to RM250 should your stolen credit card are used by others. I personally have seen my friends forking out up to 50% of the amount swiped "illegally".

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Most unaware of RM250 limited liability

From The Star, December 22, 2007.

Cardholders need not pay more than RM250 whenever their lost or stolen credit cards are used by others. Yet, oftentimes, they end up paying much more.

This is because Bank Negara has not informed cardholders that they do not have to pay more than RM250 for fraudulent transactions carried out using their lost or stolen cards, when they had not acted fraudulently and had informed the banks about the lost or stolen cards as soon as possible.

This protection is given under Clause 13.2 of Bank Negara’s Credit Card Guideline (“The cardholder’s maximum liability for unauthorised transactions as a consequence of a lost or stolen credit card shall be confined to a limit specified by the issuer of credit cards, which shall not exceed RM250 provided the cardholder has not acted fraudulently or has not failed to inform the issuer of credit cards as soon as reasonably practicable after having found that his credit card is lost or stolen”).

Banks know about Clause 13.2 but have chosen to ignore it. Instead they pursue cardholders for the fraudulent transactions.

They will tell cardholders that a clause in the credit card contracts states that all transactions carried out before the loss of the cards are reported to the banks, are deemed to be carried out by the cardholders.

Many cardholders then pay up because they are unaware of the RM250 limited liability.
Bank Negara should rule that:

THE RM250 maximum liability on fraudulent transactions is highlighted to cardholders in the card agreements as well as in the monthly card statements.

BANKS are not allowed to insert any clause in the card agreement which is contrary to Clause 13.2.

BANKS should refund all money in excess of the RM250 collected from cardholders whose cases clearly come under Clause 13.2.

By S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS, President,Consumers Association of Penang.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:25:00 +0000

Wishing all our Muslim friends - Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha.

Canal Gardens Residents' AGM Minutes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:04:00 +0000

MINUTES OF CANAL GARDENS RESIDENTS’ ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD ON 12 OCTOBER 2008

Krishnan Jr, the Chairman for Canal Gardens Residents Committee (CGRC) 2008/09 called the meeting to order at 8.30 pm. He thanked the current CGRC members for a job well done.

Minutes of last AGM held on 28 October 2007

Item 6 of minutes should read as:

Mr Lau of 16L mentioned that we should evaluate before deciding to take over the management of the Gardens. This issue will be deliberated by the new CGRC members at their next meeting.

The previous minutes were then proposed, seconded and deemed as passed.

Canal Rectification Works
Krishnan Jr informed the meeting that the CGRC is unhappy with the developer, Hicom-Gamuda Development Sdn Bhd (HGD) for the delay in the rectification works of the canal resulting in a bad stench during hot weather. CGRC members have had meetings with both HGD and Majlis Bandaran Shah Alam (MBSA) on the canal issue from March 2008 – 24 June 2008. Initially HGD had agreed to proceed with the rectification works by building floodgates but on 30 June 2008, HGD expressed their rejection on doing so to MBSA. MBSA had then agreed to take on the responsibility of building the floodgates by using the deposit obtained from HGD. MBSA is currently calling for tenders and rectification works should begin on the first week of December 2008. We shall keep residents informed of developments via our Canal Gardens blog and the notice board.

Persatuan Penduduk Kota Kemuning (PPKK)
Krishnan Jr stressed the importance of being a member of PPKK; PPKK with the relevant authorities has managed to stop the sand lorries from plying the Kota Kemuning area and it has lent a hand in the following issues with regards to Canal Gardens:

1) Canal rectification works
2) Basketball court lights changed
3) Street lights changed to a higher voltage. Currently, these street lights are changed on an alternate sequence but all lights will be changed from 70w to 150w by 2009
4) Unhealthy and dead trees have been replaced with 200 new ones

Residents were encouraged to join or renew their memberships at the registration desk set up.

Financial Position of CGRC accounts
Kenny Khow, our Treasurer briefed the meeting.

Currently, we have approximately RM11,000 in our CGRC fund which is derived from the monthly recycling collections, Family Day and Golf Tournament. From this fund, we have issued a cheque amounting to RM1,000 as donation towards SJK © Chung Hua Klang. We have also purchased 2 units of reflector mirrors as well as a sound system unit for future events.

As for the Audited Accounts from HGD which was received 3 days prior to the Annual General Meeting although we have requested for same for months. CGRC had also requested for HGD’s auditors to be present for any queries but to no avail.

Since there is no representation from HGD or their auditors, residents who have any queries with regards to the audited accounts ending 31 March 2008 are to directly write to HGD Property Services Sdn Bhd or visit their office.

Paul Leong, 35R voiced the following issues:

1) HGD has made no effort to spruce up the vicinity before the AGM which they have done previously. Are they no longer interested?
2) Auditors should be available to present the Audited Accounts and answer queries
3) Dengue cases – regular fogging
4) Suggestion for barbeque pit
5) Recycling – residents should try their best to contribute recyclable items as well as volunteer their time on the first Sunday of each month as the proceeds from the sales will go directly to the CGRC account for the organizing of events for residents

Social and Sports Update
Steven Lim, the current Head of Sports briefed the meeting.

1) Volunteers for Head of Social which is currently vacant, previously held by Mrs Lily Wong who has since left for the US
2) Line Dancing for the ladies ongoing every Monday at RM30 per month with practice session on Thusrdays
3) Martial Arts practice every morning
4) Recycling – first Sunday of each month. We would like to request for more volunteers to assist on the recycling day as well as more contributions in recyclable items
5) Golf – yearly event, next one 2009
6) Family Day – once in two years, next one in 2010
7) Home Gardening contest – once in two years, next one in 2009
8) Forthcoming events: a) cycling day (family event), b) gotong royong, c) Tai Chi
9) Residents walking their dogs to kindly ensure that their pets’ waste is properly taken care of.

Security
There were a few comments/complaints from the floor on the following:

1) runaway maids
2) noisy dogs
3) entry and exit of visitors/contractors/others
4) security as a whole – slacking

Brandon briefed the meeting:

A SOP on security has already been given by HGD and all residents are required to give their full cooperation to ensure that the SOP works. If we want to have good security, we must ensure that we as residents also play a responsible role as follows:

1) Follow the SOP
2) Ensure that we as residents gain access into Canal Gardens by using the access cards and all of us should have the 2008/09 stickers on our windscreens
3) Visitors/contractors are required to register at the guardhouse after which the guards will give them a Visitors Placard to be placed at their dashboards and to be returned upon exit
4) For any reports of missing maids, theft – to report to the Police and complete the incident report forms at the guardhouse for the Security Company’s action and follow ups
5) Noisy and unfriendly dogs – speak to your neighbours directly on the problem; this will also improve your rapport
6) Residents are encouraged not to speed, take a complete turn at the roundabout and not to drive across or park on the turfs

CGRC has given the Security Company 45 days grace to improve on their slackness and should there not be any progress, CGRC will inform HGD for a replacement.

The proposals given by residents on improving security – automation, wireless communication between the guardhouse and individual homes and security measures similar to the one practised in Bukit Rimau will be discussed with HGD and the Security Company.

Canal Gardens Residents Association (CGRA)
JT Chong, our Legal Advisor briefed the meeting.

At present the CGRC is not legal and it has no proper standing when handling matters with HGD or the authorities. Whereas, a Residents Association (RA) is:

1) Permanent and legal. It involves membership fee collections, conducting of yearly audits
2) As it is permanent and long term, a RA requires residents commitment
3) A RA is a common trend nowadays working as a pressure group to make it easier to raise issues with the developer and authorities. Quality of service to residents will hence improve
4) RA must be registered if we want to take over the management of Canal Gardens where we can either appoint our own management company or appoint full-time staff who are reporting to us
5) Acording to the Deed of Mutual Consent (DMC), we must get the consent of HGD to take over the management of Canal Gardens as it involves the collection of maintenance fees and sinking fund. Also according to the DMC, HGD can at anytime revoke the decision and for the management of Canal Gardens to be returned to them

The Township Manager, Tony Ooi has mentioned to Krishnan Jr that HGD have plans on passing over the management of Canal Gardens to the CGRC. Therefore, CGRC would like to request for a decision by residents present on whether to register the CGRA by a show of hands on the following:

1) Yes, to register and set up
2) No because we can still continue using PPKK to liaise with both HGD and the authorities
3) To KIV, as we need time to consider

There was a show of hands on items 1-3 above and the numbers are as follows:

1) 70 )
2) 46 ) 121 present
3) 5 )

CGRC to proceed with the registration of the CGRA as soon as possible.

Questions raised before the count and answered by JT Chong:

Is there a need for a quorum for the decision of registering a CGRA?

Legally, we do not require approval of the residents at this meeting to register the RA. What is required is that the pro-tem committee which presently comprises the CGRC members pass a resolution to register a RA, which the CGRC had already done prior to this residents’ meeting. We merely want the residents to endorse and support the decision of the protem committee to form the RA in order to lend greater moral ground when the RA deals with HGD.

Are there any implications when we sell our houses?

No, you as a house-owner may sell your house at any time regardless of whether you are a RA member. Your capacity as a house-owner is different from your capacity as a member of RA. A RA member pays membership subscription fees to the RA. A house-owner must continue to pay monthly maintenance charges and sinking fund to HGD under the DMC, regardless of whether he is a member of RA.

How do we get out of the DMC?

When we sell and are no longer owners of the property.

Other Matters
1) Notice board will be used for minutes of CGRC meetings and newsletters from both CGRC and HGD
2) Residents are welcome to attend any monthly CGRC meetings, check with your respective road representatives for the dates
3) Collection of donation for the CGRC fund from residents present is RM1,169.00
4) Canal Gardens T-shirt sale @ RM25 per piece available

There being no other matters, the meeting ended at 10.45 pm.

Minuted by: Sonia Tait, Secretary, Canal Gardens Residents Committee

Recycling Day - December 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:26:00 +0000

A very BIG THANK YOU to all the residents who took the trouble to turn up with the recycables. This is a long weekend and most of the folks are also busy preparing for the year end festivals ... Yet we collected around RM500 plus.

Moving forward, our recycling center will be manned by our recycling contractors, from 10am to 3pm. However, in order to continue to be a platform for our residents as a "get-to-know" and "info sharing" session, the committee members will still be around helping with the unloading of your recycables, albeit in smaller numbers.

We would also urge residents to come and help in the manning our recycling centre, especially from 1 pm to 3 pm, so that we can also supervise the weighing of the materials.

Security Alert - Break-Ins at Doritis 1

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:07:00 +0000

From Doritis Zone 1 Website.

There were 3 house break-in in Doritis Zone 1 on 21 October 2008. The incidents occurred in Jalan 31/155 and 31/161. The three houses were all unoccupied when it was broken into.

The thief entered the house through the ceiling after removing the roof tiles. All three houses were not installed with alarm. The security guards surrounded the two adjoining houses in Jalan 31/161 at 9pm after being alerted of the break-in and thereafter waited with members of the residents committee for armed police to arrive and check if the thief was still holed up in the adjoining vacant house. Unfortunately after a thorough search of both houses , the guards and the police did not find the thief who may have escaped via the slope to persiaran anggerik mokara.

It would appear that the thief are targeting houses where the owners are away for long period. The security guards have been instructed to prevent construction workers from taking short cuts through our residential roads as a precautionary measure. Residents are advised instal house alarm where possible and to be more vigilant especially on houses which appears to be vacant. Please inform the securtity guard immediately on any suspicious characters seen loitering in our residential area.

In view of the recent break-in, we are looking into the construction of a permanent perimeter fencing fronting persiaran anggerik mokara from 31/155 to 31/165 as this limit the access of non residents into Doritis Zone 1. We hope that all residents would support this effort. Your road reps would seek your feedback shortly.

Happy Diwali

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 02:03:00 +0000

Wishing all our Hindu friends a Happy Diwali, and to the rest ... Happy Holidays!

Time For Some Dignity In Malaysia's Public Transport

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:07:00 +0000

By Melati Mohd Ariff, BERNAMA, 22nd October 2008

Over the years, complaints on the shoddy services offered in the country's public transport sector have continued to snowball and reached colossal proportions.

This had forced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to take to the ground to witness and experience for himself the daily mayhem and disorder faced by commuters in the city.

At the end of the Prime Minister's day trip, he arrived at the conclusion that a more efficient, reliable and integrated public transportation, which provides seamless travel and greater frequency of services, is required.

In the Klang Valley alone, an average of 400,000 people use the bus services daily while another 350,000 go up RapidKLs trains. Overall, RapidKL provides 44 per cent of the public transport services in the Klang Valley.

These were some of the statistics in the 2009 Budget speech, delivered by Abdullah in the Dewan Rakyat last Aug 29.

To further improve public transport's efficiency, the government has pledged a sum of RM35 billion to be utilised for the period 2009-2014.

Improvement plans include enhancing the capacity of existing rail services, building new tracks and increasing the number of buses.Regular public transport users including those in the Klang Valley now harbour high hopes that the endless woes they are facing daily would be things of the past.

ATTITUDE CHANGE
Amidst the government's multi-billion Ringgit plans, the erroneous notion that public transportation is for only the low-income group should be corrected.

"We limit ourselves by assuming that public transport is for the poor people which is really not the case. One of its functions is to provide mobility service for the public and it is not just for people who cannot afford private transport but also for people who have the option of not using private transport," said Moaz Yusof Ahmad, a public transport activist.He is the adviser of 'Transit', the Association for the Improvement of Mass Transit-Klang Valley), a newly established public transport activist group.

Moaz said there were two other functions of public transport which were equally important, namely development and business.

A good system of public transport, he said, would encourage the kind of development which was good for the city and its people.

"It would create urban centres that are people-friendly, pedestrian-friendly, the city becomes more livable because people can walk and spend money. They do not have to drive, park or go through traffic jams.

"This community will also save money as the government can save money on roads and transportation and so can the people. We do not have this community in the Klang Valley except in a few of the older areas. Most of our newer communities are designed around cars," he said.

With available infrastructure, profitable businesses can also be generated around public transport stations. Where services are prominent, business operators can also expect increase in profit and property owners can command higher rentals.

"You have the opportunity to advertise and sell land around public transport stations, which in itself can be a profitable enterprise," said Moaz who is an economics lecturer in a Subang Jaya private college.

PLANNING
Moaz argued that issuing more bus or taxi permits and providing more train lines or coaches would not solve public transport woes without proper planning or organisation that would severely impact reliability.

"If we do not include public transport in initial planning to fulfill the transport needs of the community, we are going to see serious problems in the future," he stressed.According to Moaz, the main shortcoming in public transportation is the complete lack of wholesome or holistic investment.

"We built the LRT line and say the problem is solved and now we can move people. The point is when they get out of the LRT, there is another set of problems the commuters have to deal with. This is what you call the first mile and the last mile connectivity.

"The existing number of feeder buses are inadequate or unreliable and if we do not make the whole service reliable from the first mile to the last mile, then we are not going to get the people to use public transport no matter how many LRTs are built," said Moaz.

SPEND LESS FOR MORE
In terms of costs against the benefits, Transit considers that the LRT is actually one of the least effective choices of public transport.

Citing the Kelana Jaya LRT line, Moaz said currently it was running with double-coach trains and moving about 9,000 passengers in one direction each hour.

"The Kelana Jaya LRT will move approximately 20,000 passengers per hour when they operate the four-coach trains at the end of 2009.

"If we need to move 9,000 or 20,000 people, actually we should be building monorails as it costs less and can move the same number of people," said Moaz.

He also believed that extension of the Kelana Jaya line should continue right to the Shah Alam Stadium as there is ample undeveloped land to the west of the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE).

"If we go to the Shah Alam Stadium, we have access not only to Ara Damansara but also Subang, Kampung Melayu Subang and the rest.

"The stadium area is a very large spot, very open and we can have room for a depot, parking, and express bus lanes.He said the stadium is located near two highways - the Federal Highway and NKVE, therefore it is viable for a reliable bus system that could move people from Shah Alam to other areas including Subang Jaya, Kota Kemuning, Klang and even Kuala Lumpur.Transit also suggests plan to extend the LRT from Seri Petaling to Petaling Jaya South and through Petaling Jaya, all the way to Kepong and back to Sentul.

"The Klang Valley Transport Study identifies Petaling Jaya line traveling from PJ South to Taman Tun Dr Ismail. This line can be integrated within our proposed extension to Petaling Jaya. When completed there would be a KL-PJ loop line that could move 60,000 passengers per hour. This would remove thousands of car from the MRRII daily," said Moaz.

Transit has also identified a solution for Puchong and western Petaling Jaya.

"Jalan Klang Lama and Jalan Puchong are large roads which move thousands of cars per day. If we expand the KL Monorail to four or six-carriage trains and extend it to MidValley, and then along Jalan Klang Lama and Jalan Puchong, we can move 40,000 passengers per hour. MidValley will benefit and we would reduce traffic on Jalan Puchong.He said in the long term, Transit's approach would build more economic growth for the Klang Valley and Malaysia.

PROVIDE MORE FOR BUSES
The bus service is another area which Transit has great interest in.According to Muhammad Zulkarnain Hamzah, Transit's spokesperson, buses are very much affected by the traffic congestion.He said highways and expressways could be used as alternative routes for buses.

As an illustration, he said, 30 buses were more than capable to relieve the maximum amount of free flow traffic that the 1.2 billion Ringgit Akleh( Ampang-KL Elevated Highway) can sustain at any one time.He also proposed that expressways be used as 'Expressway Rapid Transit' (ERT) tracks with ERT buses functioning as 'trains'.

Muhammad Zulkarnain said bus 'stations' could be built on top of these 'tracks' at identified strategic transit points with high suburban population."Bus terminals for suburban feeder bus services together with depots and car parks can be built inside the suburban area and next to the ERT points so that transit time can be cut short," he explained.Accordingly, three strategic Kuala Lumpur gateway points for ERT buses can be created at KL Sentral/Mid Valley, Imbi (near the Pandan Roundabout) and Sentul Timur with dedicated bus ramps to Jalan Travers for direct access to NKVE and NPE, KL-Putrajaya and Duke Expressway respectively.

The gateway points should be conveniently linked to Ampang and Kelana Jaya LRT Lines besides KL Monorail while the Dang Wangi LRT Station could be the main gateway point that caters to ERT buses from Ampang via Akleh, he said."This is because it sits strategically at the west end point of Akleh. To fill up the demand during rush hours, express bus operators should be allowed to bid for periodical contract to serve ERT buses in which they will be paid based on a set of criteria set up by the transport authority," Muhammad Zulkarnain explained.

He said all buses and bus stops as well as mass-transit terminals should be designed based on the universal accessibility principle that would speed up bus service and encourage people to use them.POLITICAL WILL To fix the public transport system, it needs a strong political will. It also requires intervention from higher ups as voiced out by both Moaz and Muhammad Zulkarnain.

They proposed the setting up of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Public Transport led by members of Parliaments from both sides of the divide."The infrastructure is already there. It is just getting everybody to cooperate for the sake of facing this problem and not thinking of their particular vested interest," said Moaz.He also stressed that a proper public transport system that provides a level of standard should also be available across the nation and not just only for the Klang Valley.

"If we stick to what we are doing, we are going to stagnate. Jakarta, Bangkok and Singapore have invested in their public transport networks. Jakarta has an exemplary Bus Rapid Transit System. They built seven lines in four years and three more are under construction.

"Bangkok has expanded their Metro and Skytrain and they are building Bus Rapid Transit and Airport Express line. Singapore is building three MRT lines and three more are being planned.

"There is a lot of work ahead but it can be done if we just change our attitude, our perception in public transport," said Moaz

Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:25:00 +0000

Articles extracted from New Straits Times, 3rd August 2008

Owners and residents of Prima Bayu Apartments in Bayu Perdana here took charge and formed a joint management body to address problems on maintenance following the developer's failure to respond to the set up.

Residents' Association chairman P. R. Rajah said the body had to be formed, although under the law the management body should comprise the developer and residents. He said a letter was sent to the developer urging it to set up the management body, but there was no response." Following which residents lodged a complaint with the Commissioner of Buildings, which is under the Klang Municipal Council."

The council appointed an agent to help us form the joint management body which was supposed to comprise the residents and the developer. But the developer did not turn up." This is the first meeting where an agent has been appointed to help us form the body," he said at the meeting recently.

In the absence of developer Palm Grove Sdn. Bhd, the meeting was conducted by Peter Chong, the agent appointed by the council. Rajah was elected as chairman of the joint management body, Albert Yeow as deputy chairman, V. Gunaseelan as secretary and V. Kalaisilvan as treasurer.

Prima Bayu comprises 672 apartments with 3,000 residents. Not all are owners, some companies have rented the flats to house their workers. Rajah said the residents have had various problems especially on maintenance and security. Klang MP Charles Santiago, who was present at the meeting, advised developers in Klang to work closely with residents to work out complaints and problems."

Many complaints from residents of apartments have been about the lack of maintenance and the developers' lackadaisical attitude."

Fun way to get to know the neighbourhood

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 07:48:00 +0000

More on other RAs ... perhaps we can emulate as well and organize this as one of our social and sports event - Canal Gardens Treasure Hunt. Any volunteers? Takers? Comments? Suggestions?

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Fun way to get to know the neighbourhood
The Star, by Tan Karr Wei, 16th September 2008

KNOWING their neighbourhood well paid off for Steven Lim and Pamela Chen as it won them two return air tickets to Melbourne.

The two emerged tops in the Taman Megah Residents’ Association (Tamera) Treasure Hunt-Walk organised in conjunction with the 51st National Day celebrations.

Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin flagged off the hunt at the Taman Megah community hall in Petaling Jaya.

RA chairman Ong Thiam Hiong said 29 teams of two people each took part in the event that was open to residents of Taman Megah and the neighbouring areas.

Participants had to take a 2km walk around Taman Megah while looking out for clues to answer about 30 questions given to them.

Cheah said the treasure hunt was a fun way for residents to get to know their neighbourhood better.

Guests also tucked into a selection of fried meehoon, nasi lemak and satay, among others, as they mingled with their neighbours.

MyFM deejays Wan Wai Fun and Royce Tan dropped by to play games and hand out freebies to those present.

Chen Tat Ngee and Chen Wai Kit of the A Team won the second prize of two return AirAsiaX tickets to Perth while Eugene Lee and Horng Jir Yih of Megah Duo won the third prize of two return tickets to Hangzhou.

All air tickets prizes excludes fuel surcharge and taxes.

Three teams also won consolation prizes sponsored by CIMB.

Also present were Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and representatives from AirAsiaX and CIMB.

Puncak Nusa Kelana Folk Up in Arms Over Mall Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 07:41:00 +0000

More Residents' Association actions around the country.

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Puncak Nusa Kelana folk up in arms over mall plan
The Star, by Tan Karr Wei, 22nd September 2008

Residents of Puncak Nusa Kelana in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, are going all out to save the lake in the area.

Help us out: Residents protesting the development at the man-made lake

About 30 residents showed up at the lake to object to the development of a strip mall at the site.

“We noticed that they had set up equipment to drain the water from the lake about a week ago but there was no notice put up regarding the development,” Puncak Nusa Kelana Owners and Residents Association (PNKORA) chairman Sudesh Ratnarajah said.

He said even though the lake was not a natural lake, residents were concerned that the draining would affect the soil around it and compromise the safety of their homes.

“We have not been given the traffic and social impact assessment reports.

Many residents also said the traffic congestion was getting from bad to worse in the area and another commercial development would add to their woes, especially with the issue of the Taman Megah Mas tunnels still unresolved.

According to Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Nasir Hashim, he had chaired a monthly meeting with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) on Sept 19 and has requested for another meeting between all the parties concerned, including the developers and residents.

“We’re hoping to have the meeting by next week to clear the air,” he said.

“There is a school near the lake and it is not viable to have a strip mall there,” Sudesh said.

Residents were unhappy with a previous meeting with the developers because their concerns were not addressed and the development would still take place despite their protests.

Sudesh said residents would start a signature campaign against the development.

Residents were peeved that MBPJ councillor Mohd Halil Haji Harun, who was in charge of their area, was not present despite having been informed of the event.

Puncak Dana Sdn Bhd had earlier explained to the residents that the area was not originally a lake and that approval was received in 1998 to build an 18-storey commercial building that was scaled down to a four-storey community shopping centre.

Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah was also present at the protest.

Residents Want Tunnel Closed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 07:27:00 +0000

Just wanted to share a few stories related to Residents' Association around the country. We will be setting our very own RA soon ... and we look forward to getting all your support.

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Residents want tunnel closed

The Star, by Jade Chan, 14th October 2008

Residents from Taman Megah Mas and Taman Mayang held a peaceful demonstration last weekend to protest against the use of the Taman Megah Mas tunnel as an access road to the Ara Damansara and Lembah Subang areas.

The rally, organised by the Taman Megah Mas Residents Association (RA) and Taman Mayang Rukun Tetangga (RT), was aimed at highlighting the residents’ concerns about the traffic congestion and pollution they have to endure to the authorities.

The tunnel was originally built as a temporary route for garbage trucks to access Lembah Subang, which was previously designated as a waste disposal area.

However, the Taman Megah Mas tunnel and nearby FAS tunnel are used as alternative access roads linking the eastern side of Petaling Jaya, like Ara Damansara, to the western side like Kelana Jaya and the LDP.

Stating their needs: Taman Megah Mas and Taman Mayang residents protesting against the use of the Taman Megah Mas tunnel as an acces s road to the Ara Damansar a and Lembah Subang areas.

An initial traffic study revealed that an average of 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles cross the Taman Megah Mas tunnel per day and 2,000 vehicles at peak hour.

“The motorists will clog the narrow two-lane residential roads at Jalan Emas 1 and 2 in Tamah Megah Mas and squeeze their way into the tunnel, which measures a mere 8m wide, when the required width for public roads is 12m,” said Taman Megah Mas RA chairman G.C. Goay.

“Motorists from as far as Kota Damansara and Bandar Utama will also cut through Taman Mayang (via Jalan SS25/32 and Jalan SS25/39) to use the tunnel as a short cut to go to Saujana and Ara Damansara,” said Taman Mayang RT chairman Chan Chow Wang.

“The congestion is expected to worsen with future developments in Lembah Subang and Saujana like a four-star 18-storey hotel and several commercial and residential developments.”

“The congestion in our neighbourhood is very bad, particularly during peak hours, and the heavy traffic poses a danger to residents and pedestrians,” said Goay.

“When the Taman Megah Mas tunnel was closed last month for a traffic study initiated by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), crime went down to zero. Otherwise, there would be reports of car and house break-ins, and snatch thefts every week.”

According to Goay, the residents have been requesting for better access roads for those residing on the eastern side of Petaling Jaya since eight years ago.

“I would prefer a long-term solution like having a flyover be built at a suitable location to address the problem,” he said.

“I also hope that the relevant authorities would hasten efforts to provide a proper access road while making motorists’ safety a priority, as well as to restore the neighbourhood’s peaceful environment.”

“We want the authorities to close the Taman Megah Mas tunnel as soon as possible and construct a proper access road that doesn’t cut through residential areas,” said Chan.

Poll Result: How Would You Rate Our Security Services?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 07:16:00 +0000

Recently we had an online poll via our CG Community Blog. The question is "How Would You Rate Our Security Services?"

And here are the results:

An overwhelming 64% requested that we replace the existing security team
Quite a few, 24%, felt that the current security can do much better
Only 7% felt that they are doing a good job
Only 3% felt that they have done a superb job

FYI, we have requested for improved services from the existing security team. If there is no improvement, we may request to change them.

And we thanked all of you who took the initiative to response. Stay tune for more online polls. Thank you!

How Come Ah? Can HGD Property Services Enlighten Us Ah?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:57:00 +0000

For those of you who turned up at our annual AGM, thank you. You will have a copy of the "unsigned" Financial Statements of Canal Gardens .... Yeah ... "unsigned" one!?

So we really have some questions for HGD Property Services and we really hope to get some good answers lah ... so we are compiling lah. Let's start with:

1. How come ah we only receive the statements only in October after we asked and asked for it since a few months ago? By the way, the financial statements are for financial year ending 31st March 2008? How come ah?

2. How come ah the financial statement we received got no signature one from the auditor? Forgot to sign? So is this the "final" or "approved" financial statement? How come ah? Again-lah I ain't auditor, so not sure if you kena sign the financial statements ....

3. How come ah, we don't see any extra "landscaping maintenance" when Landscaping Maintenance = RM156,000 ... In FY (Financial Year) 2007, our landscaping = Zero. How come ah? Do you see "landscaping maintenance"? Please enlighten us ...

Dear residents, please feel free to comment and add more questions to the list.

Thank You For Your Support - Canal Gardens AGM 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:15:00 +0000

Approximate Figures ...
Turnout = 120 households (Out of approximately 500 occupied homes)
Joined PPKK = 50 (Almost half of the attendees)
Donations (On the Night Itself) = RM1,169 (which we used to pay off the rental for tents, chairs, printing, bottled water etc.)

We thank you for the time and effort ... and we look forward to more volunteers in the coming days as we will have open invitation to all Canal Gardens residents to join us in our monthly meeting.

Financial Statements of Canal Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:41:00 +0000

Just got hold of a softcopy of Financial Statements of Canal Gardens - Reports & Financial Statements for the Financial Year ended 31 March 2008.

You can collect the hardcopy during the AGM this Sunday.

In the meantime, if you want the softcopy, just drop us an email: CanalGardens@gmail.com Subject: I Want - Financial Statements of Canal Gardens. Please include your Name, Mobile and House No/Road e.g. Thomas Tan / 66L / 012-8888999. We want to take this exercise to update our database and disseminate community alerts through email and/or sms in the future. Don't worry - our database is not for sale.

So see you this Sunday, 8pm @ CG Basketball Court.

Wanted - Transporter to Subang Jaya SS19

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:25:00 +0000

Another community service - looking for transport for kids to pre-school in SS19 Subang Jaya. Please contact Michele Loo (016-257-8565).

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I'm a resident of Canal Gardens and I'm looking for a reliable transporter to take my 4 yr old daughter to a preschool in SS19 Subang Jaya and fetch her back home after school. The time for sending her to school is around 11am and back from school at 3:30pm. I'm am willing to pay a higher fee. Hope someone can recommend pls, thank you. (Michele Loo - 016-257-8565)

Private Tutors

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:08:00 +0000

As part of our community services, we will help out as much as possible through our blog. For those parents looking for private tutors, you may contact Justina (013-4304158).

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From: Justina (013-4304158)

I am a part-time tutor in a tuition centre, teach English in Cambridge English for Life, and also managing a pre-school in the mornings. I can teach English, BM, Maths and Science to primary school children. For parents looking for tutors, you can contact me at 013-4304158.