Bukit Beruntung - Selangor Times

maY 25 —27, 2012/ issue 75
community
Bukit Beruntung
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• Kelab Sukan Malaysia Airlines Golf Series 2012
• Golf Persahabatan SUK Selangor Dengan Institusi Kewangan 2012
• Kota Damansara 6 Monthly Golf Tournament
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Felda
settlers
cry foul
p
2
Mom’s
tears of
anguish
p
5
Getting to
know your
birds
p
14
may 25 – 27, 2012/ issue 75
community
Going hungry for Effingham
By Alvin Yap
KUALA LUMPUR: Two grandmothers
along with a homemaker are among 10 people
resorting to a hunger strike on Saturday to compel MIC to return land allocated for SJKT Effingham in Bandar Utama.
The grandmothers, Ponama Perumal, 65, and
Kasmah Aziz, 62, and Kartini Sulaiman, 55,
yesterday told the press they were embarking on
the fast after the school’s repeated appeals fell on
deaf ears.
Ponama, whose son was a former student at
the school and who has a grandchild currently
studying there, said she regards all the students
there as her own.
“I am doing this because they are all like my
grandchildren,” she said.
While they had no direct connection with the
school, both Kasmah and Kartini said they would
be carrying out the fast because they identified
with the struggle to get back the three-acre plot.
Return Effingham Land Action Team (REFLAX) chairperson Manivanan Gowin said the
volunteers would be carrying out the fast near the
Brickfields water fountain despite failing to obtain
a permit from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)
“We will go ahead without the permit from
DBKL as a hunger strike is the most peaceful and
least disruptive form of protest,” he said.
REFLAX had handed over a letter on Tuesday,
at the Jalan Travers police station, notifying cops
about the impending hunger strike.
Their contention is that a six-acre plot in
Bandar Utama, Damansara, was originally allocated to the school by a developer in 1999.
However, the land was later divided into
two equal parts, one for the school and the
other later transferred to then MIC president
Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu and others to be held
in trust.
The school’s Board of Governors is claiming that MIC had alienated half the plot for
its own use.
According to plans submitted to the Petaling Land Office, MIC had proposed to build
Some 50 youths wearing white shirts from the Gerakan Belia Gagasan 1Malaysia, led by its president Shahrul Nasrun
Kamarudin (centre), along with another 20 yellow-clad members of the Kuala Lumpur Petty Traders Action Council led by
Jamal Md Yunus held a protest along Jalan Setiakasih 1 where Bersih co-chairperson Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s home is
located yesterday. They arrived separately at around 4pm and representatives from each group were allowed to go past the
police block cordoning off Ambiga’s home, where Bersih co-chair Datuk A Samad Said received their memorandum. Another
50 youths on motorbikes also turned up in support of the traders. The planned night market protest by the traders was
called off and the protesters dispersed peacefully after about an hour when told to by the police.
its branch office and an
Ma n i v a n a n s a i d t h e
orphanage there.
75-year-old school was already
However, MIC secbursting at the seams and its
retary-general S Murucommittee wants the adjacent
gessan had recently said
land to expand the premises.
they would construct a
“The land is vacant and if
hostel to accommodate
handed back to the school,
needy Indian students
they can expand and solve exalong with a sports
isting space constraints.”
field, which Effingham
He pointed out that stustudents can then use.
dents at the school could not
The school board, Ponama (left) and Kasmah
even run a straight 100m race
which has been pushing speaking about the strike.
as the field is only 75m long.
the state and MIC leadThe former Effingham stuers for the return of the land since 2007, has dent claimed that enrolment in the school is
brushed off the gesture and maintained the dropping annually, and now only has 480
land parcel belongs to them.
students and 35 teachers due to the lack of
space.
The school has a three-storey building with
just 18 classrooms and a small canteen.
The hunger strike comes in the wake of
weekly candlelight vigils in Brickfields’ Little
India by parents and students.
REFLAX also wrote to MIC president
Datuk Seri G Palanivel in late March to request for a meeting on the issue.
The group also handed over a memorandum to Putrajaya in early April for the government to intervene in the matter.
Manivanan said both Palanivel and Putrajaya have declined to take up the issue. Organisers said volunteer doctors and
nurses would be on standby during the fast to
attend to any medical situation.
2
news
may 25 — 27, 2012
Selangor WEATHER
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Morning
Afternoon
Felda folk want
Suhakam to step in
Night
Source: Malaysian meteorological department
State gives
RM7.8m
to schools
By Gan Pei Ling
SHAH ALAM:: Vernacular as well as religious schools in
Selangor received RM3 million and RM4.83 million respectively from the state yesterday.
State lawmakers and community service centre coordinators
received the funds on behalf of the 93 Chinese vernacular
schools and 180 Sekolah Agama Rakyat at the state secretariat from Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
“We set aside financial aid for schools in Selangor every year.
Education is one of the largest investments the state makes for
the future of Malaysia,” Khalid said.
He said nurturing a knowledgeable and skilled workforce
was key to the development of Klang Valley, the main driver
of economic growth in the country.
State executive councillor for education Dr Halimah Ali
said the RM7.83 million was in addition to the RM16 million
already allocated earlier.
She added that the state will also disburse financial aid to
Tamil vernacular schools soon.
Meanwhile, lower income families are now entitled to an
RM50 monthly allowance for each child attending kindergarten under a new state scheme called Tunas.
Parents who earn less than RM1,500 per month will be
entitled to the allowance.
“This scheme was approved by the state on Wednesday and
will be implemented from July 1 to help parents, as the cost of
living is getting higher and higher,” said Dr Halimah.
Only children aged from five to six are eligible for the
monthly allowance. The state will only be targeting 3,000
kindergarden pupils for the first phase this year, before expanding the scheme.
“We will be spending about RM1,016,600 from the Selangorku funds this year and RM3 million will be allocated for
this scheme in the budget next year,” she said.
Mat Zin (yellow shirt) hands over the memorandum to Detta Samen as Nurul Izzah (left), Kumar (right) and Damin
(blue shirt) look on.
By Alvin Yap
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 340 Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) settlers are asking the Human
Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to investigate
claims of mismanagement at their Felda Kepis scheme in
Negeri Sembilan.
They are crying foul over having received a lower payout
from the sale of their rubber trees compared to settlers
from a neighbouring Felda scheme.
“The settlers there received a minimum of RM94,000
and a maximum of RM104,000, while we got RM30,000
to RM39,000 only. Something is not right in our deal here.
“Please take action to investigate our complaints. We
are asking for the right amount from the sale,” said Felda
Kepis Settlers Action Committee chairperson Mad Zin
Mahat at Suhakam’s office on Wednesday.
They are seeking Suhakam's intervention after allegedly
getting the brushoff from Felda managers when they
sought explanations on payment discrepancies. Commissioner Detta Samen received the petition from the 40
settlers.
Mad Zin, 66, alleged that Felda had, in September 2010,
convinced them to have their mature rubber trees, on a
1,474-hectare site, felled in order to make way for reseeding for new trees or replanted with oil palm.
The rubeer wood was then sold on the open market and
the settlers received the payout.
However, they suspected something amiss when they
learnt that smallholders at nearby Felda Bukit Rotan Barat
scheme had received up to three times the amount.
He said settlers received the proceeds of the sale from
Felda without being informed of how much the wood
fetched per tonne.
He also complained that Felda did not re-seed the rubber plantations at each smallholder’s 10-acre land since
felling the trees in 2010, resulting in a loss in income.
“Imagine, for two years now, they haven’t replanted the rubber trees. That represents one harvest cycle we have lost to inaction on Felda’s part.”
Meanwhile, Damin Daud, 66, claimed that managers at
Felda Kepis have never provided the smallholders with the accounts and financial statement since they worked the land from
late 2007.
Lawyer T Kumar, who is representing the settlers, criticised
the management for its failure to inform the settlers of the actual price the rubber wood had fetched as well as not providing
the smallholders a detailed financial account.
Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, who was also present, said the rights of the Felda Kepis settlers were being violated.
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SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ MAY 25 – 27, 2012 ⁄ 3
4
News
may 25— 27, 2012
Events
Yoga Classes
Stretch away your worries by joining the
yoga class organised by the non-profit
organisation Divine Life Society Petaling
Jaya Branch starting next month. Led by
experienced instructors, beginners classes
will be on June 3 from 3.30pm to 4.30pm,
June 4 (7pm to 8pm) and June 9 from
4.30pm to 5.30pm. For advanced yoga
practitioners, join their Thursday classes
from 7.15pm to 8.45pm. Classes will be held
at No16, Jalan 18/16, Taman Kanagapuram
Petaling Jaya. For more details, call 013-340
0446 (Sunday and Thursday classes), 012278 7409 (Monday classes) or 019-240 6784
(Saturday classes).
Digestive Disorder Talk
Tropicana Medical Centre will be organising
a free health talk on digestive disorder, in
conjunction with World Digestive Disease
Health Day this month. The event, to be held
on May 26 from 10.30am to 1pm, will feature
a talk entitled “The Top Culprits of Digestive
Disorders”. For those interested, head on
down to Tropicana Medical Centre, Level 7
Auditorium. Admission is free, to register, call
03-62871106 (Phoebe), 018-2116789 (Ai Lin)
or email allee@tropicanamedicalcentre.com.
Children Theatre Show
“The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark” by
Blunderbus Theatre Company is back for
only one week in June. Hurry and grab
tickets for your children aged between
three and seven and enjoy the children’s
classic by author Jill Tomlinson brought
to life with a blend of live music, puppetry
and storytelling. Show dates are from June
19 to June 23 at PJ Live Arts @ Jaya One.
Showtimes are Tuesday to Friday at 10am
and Saturday at 11am and 3pm. Ticket
prices start from RM50, while packages and
school rates are also available. For more
information visit www.gardnerandwife.com.
Food Fest
Head on down to The Square, Publika in
Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur for The BIG
Group’s inaugural two-day The BIG B.I.G.
Weekend food festival on May 26 and 27.
This festival is aimed at introducing Ben’s
Independent Grocer (B.I.G) to the public. In
addition to the food festival, there will also
be a line-up of activities for food lovers.
For more details, visit www.facebook.com/
thebiggroup or call 03-6209 1700.
MB invites critics
to visit dams
By Lee Choon Fai
shah alam: An open invitation has
been sent to the Opposition to visit all dams
in Selangor so they can see for themselves
that the state has adequate water reserves. Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim also
extended the invitation to Energy, Green
Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri
Peter Chin Fah Kui as well as the media.
The invitation comes in the wake of claims
by Selangor BN coordinator Datuk Seri
Mohd Zin Mohamed that water reserve
levels in the state were at a critical 2.4 per
cent, far less than the safe 20 per cent.
“Based on the latest report from Selangor
Water Management Board (Luas) yesterday
(May 22), it shows that raw water storage is
at a good and satisfactory condition, with
seven dams having over 100 per cent in capacity in May,” Khalid said.
These dams include Sungai Selangor,
Sungai Tinggi, Klang Gate, Sungai Langat,
Sungai Semenyih, Tasik Subang and Batu.
Khalid pointed out that the state was
monitoring water reserve levels with regular
written reports from Luas.
“The water level is not only satisfactory, it
is even causing floods,” said Khalid.
Meanwhile, Khalid added that water
shortages can be mitigated if Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) reduces NonRevenue Water (NRW).
NRW is treated water that is stolen or lost
by leakages before it reaches consumers. Khalid said that out of every 100 cubic
metre of water, 30 per cent is lost as NRW.
“It is not that we are lacking water, it is a
case of mismanagement.”
He accused the ministry and state Opposition of trying to discredit Luas and urged
them to stop politicising the water restructuring process.
Khalid pointed out that the cabinet had
already agreed to hand over the water industry to Selangor before the 2008 general elec-
tion, just three months before PR’s victory in
Selangor.
Singling out the Langat II plant, Khalid
said the state does not oppose the construction of the plant but merely wanted it to be
included in Selangor’s water restructuring
process. “BN leaders and the ministry should
stop playing politics with water by involving
the Langat II project which will only benefit
crony companies at the expense of the people’s increased water tariffs.”
Meanwhile, the state is also organising a
Selangor Water Forum on Jun 12 at the Shah
Alam Convention Centre (SACC).
The forum will bring together non-government organisations, industry players,
water management and supply experts, along
with both local and foreign experts to address
the issue.
Khalid added the people support the
state’s initiative to improve the quality of
water services and to reduce water tariffs in
order to reduce their financial burden. New rubbish
bins for hawkers
KLANG: Cleanliness is expected to improve at Lorong
Sungai Puloh after 20 standing
rubbish bins were handed out
to traders and restaurant owners on Wednesday.
The 240-litre rubbish containers were purchased by the
Klang Municipal Council
(MPK) after numerous complaints from residents about the
foul stench coming from the
rubbish there.
“Sometimes there will be
stray dogs rummaging through
the trash and tearing rubbish
bags apart for food. The area
will be filled with rubbish eve-
rywhere,” said MPK councillor
Winston Phua.
Phua handed out the bins to
shop owners along Jalan Lorong
Sungai Puloh 13, 13A, 13C and
13D, who are expected to share
the bins with other hawkers on
their premises.
“I hope shop owners will buy
a lock and chain to ensure the
bins are not stolen,” said Phua.
He said each bin cost between RM240 and RM260 and
might be resold for that price
or higher. The bins were purchased by MPK for only
RM200. Shop owners are also ex-
Phua (centre) with volunteers giving out rubbish bins to traders
at his service centre.
pected to keep the bins clean and
keep the lids covered to prevent
stray dogs or rats from digging
through the trash.
“I hope they will take good
care of the bins and put them to
good use by keeping the area rubbish free,” said Phua.
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news
may 25 – 27, 2012
5
Court stops mother,
child reunion
By Gan Pei LIng
The devastated mother (left) at the High Court on Wednesday.
SHAH ALAM: A hearing-impaired mother was
left devastated when the High Court here refused
to enforce an earlier decision to allow her to have
joint custody of her two-year-old baby boy.
The 31-year-old mother was left in tears after
Justice Datuk Yaacob Md Sam, who was expected
to deliver his judgment on the case on Wednesday,
adjourned the court hearing to May 30.
“I miss my son. I just want to see him,” said the
plaintiff who last saw her son more than a week
ago after pleading with her husband.
On March 27, the Shah Alam High Court had
granted her custody of her child for four consecutive days a week but her husband failed to comply
with the interim custody order.
His counsel, George Proctor, alleged in court
on Wednesday that the mother was unfit to care
for the child as she suffered from depression.
He filed two summonses to cross-examine the
mother as well as the three medical professionals
who had provided reports in favour of her.
But her counsel, J Gunamalar, highlighted that
clinical psychologist Paul Jambunanthan, who
made the assessment, was recommended by the
defendant and his counsel.
Gunamalar said psychiatrist Dr Subash Kumar
Pillai from Universiti Malaya also stated in his
report that the mother was mentally sound while
a third medical professional had verified that she
was still lactating.
“The reports are in our favour…(The defendant)
is just trying every way to delay the matter,” she
said.
Justice Yaakob said he will decide whether to
allow the defendant to cross-examine the three
medical professionals and the plaintiff on May 30.
Meanwhile, Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah, who was also at the court
hearing, said the case had dragged on too long since
the plaintiff first filed for custody last February.
She noted that the mother was separated from
her son when he was only eight months old and
was still breastfeeding him.
“This is the third judge hearing the case. Why
didn’t the first judge allow the baby to be with the
mother?” questioned Josiah.
She blasted the judge for being “insensitive” to
the mother’s and baby’s needs as well as failing to
accommodate the mother during court proceedings.
“Even I can barely hear what he was saying in
court…If there were a psychologist and social
worker at hand, they could have advised the judge
accordingly. We need a better family court system,”
said Josiah.
(Names of the defendant and plaintiff have
been withheld in compliance with the Child Act
2001)
6
news
may 25 – 27, 2012
Briefs
Better sand-mining profits
SELANGOR recorded a profit of over RM84 million from sandmining last year and achieved an excess of RM180 million between
2008 and now.
The figures, provided by the government-administered company
Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) surpassed the projected figure
of RM150 million set by Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
“The state and Kumpulan Semesta have for the past four years
improved the situation of sand-mining in Selangor, which had been
left in a deteriorated condition,” said state executive councillor for
industry and trade Teresa Kok.
She said this during a press conference after the weekly state executive councillor meeting at the state secretariat.
Kok further denied claims made by Agriculture and Agro-based
Industries deputy minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong in an English
Daily on Monday, that the state only generated RM10 million to
RM20 million from sand mining.
2,500 to attend youth convention
AN estimated 2,500 youths will attend the upcoming Youth Rally
and Convention Selangor 2012 that will be held in the Youth and
Culture Complex, Shah Alam, on May 25 and 26.
Organised by the Department of Youth Development of the Selangor Sports Council, the objective is to be a medium of discussion
for youths about their future aspirations for Selangor.
“The Selangor government is confident that it is the youths that
will continue the agenda of transforming Selangor into an ideal state,”
said Selangor executive councillor Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi.
Yunus said youths should be given exposure and education as they
will become the state and country’s future leaders.
The programme features a book launch by national laureate Datuk
A Samad Said, song and dance performances, a bazaar, a flea market
and several forums.
Illegal massage
parlours risk
losing premises
SHAH ALAM: Selangor may move to
seize premises used as
unlicensed massage
parlours as a last resort
if owners still fail to
heed warnings and
continue operating illegally.
“We will be discussing it with the head of
local governments during our upcoming
meeting to see if this
rule can be implemented,” said Menteri Besar Tan Sri
Khalid Ibrahim (pic).
Khalid said this in response to
claims in Malay dailies that he had
failed to control the increase in massage parlours in the state.
PROPERTY
& Lifestyle
Supplement
Sate Barisan Nasional
deputy chairman Datuk
No h Omar
had called on
Khalid to
handover his
Islamic Affairs
portfolio to
PAS members
for his failure
to act.
“If they are
willing to take
the risk to operate illegally, then they
will have to be responsible and face
the consequences,” said Khalid.
He pointed out that the mushrooming of massage parlours should
be the responsibility of all parties,
from local governments to owners.
Khalid further urged local authorities to keep a closer watch on the
massage parlours and to enforce
stricter action against them, if they
are found to conduct illegal business
there.
“They (local governments) must
come up with stricter measures to
help tackle this problem of massage
parlours.
“The gap between policies, laws
and implementation should be combined as one,” he said.
If local governments agree to apply the policy of seizing premises,
they must also move to implement it
according to the law.
Khalid pointed out that local
government bylaws allowed local
authorities to seize property and he
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news
may 25 – 27, 2012
By Basil Foo
SERI KEMBANGAN: Nine traders who have
been operating at the morning market on Jalan Panggung here for over a decade have been granted permission to stay put.
About 200 of their fellow traders, of which about
30 per cent were illegal, were made to move from
their old premises here to the new Pasar Rakyat
(People’s Market) along Jalan SK6/1 before receiving
business licences last month.
“But we don’t want to move because we are more
comfortable here. Our customers are used to coming
here also,” said jeans vendor Chua Choon Kiat.
Chua, 36, added they have been legally operating
there with licences since the mid-1990’s and they
should not be made to move.
While they have been granted permission to stay
in the area, their stalls have been shifted back away
from the main road so as not to impede traffic flow.
Traffic congestion had been one of the problems
for visitors entering or passing through the narrow
roads of Seri Kembangan town, especially along Jalan
Besar and Jalan Pasar.
Chua and the other eight traders, who sell a variety of items like fruits, watches and bags, had approached Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean
Yong Hian Wah for assistance.
“After discussions, the Subang Jaya Municipal
Council (MPSJ) agreed that they can stay. Their
stalls were previously in front (nearer to the main
road) but now are placed further down,” Ean Yong
said.
He met the traders on May 22 and said additional parking lots will be built by the municipal
council within a month for the area.
He said the parking area along Jalan Pasar will
have a capacity of about 80 vehicles and will allow
for greater access by the public to the stalls and shops
in the vicinity.
7
Nine Seri Kembangan
vendors can stay
Ean Yong (sixth from right) and the traders at the morning market.
Amazing Race at Joy Home
By Brenda Ch’ng
SEMENYIH: Some
47 youths from Joy
Home were treated to
a miniature Amazing
Race game organised
by Gapurna Sdn Bhd
on May 12..
The participants,
aged between 18 to 30,
got the chance to show
off their natural abilities while taking part
in various challenges
b e s i d e s d e ve l o p i n g
their leadership skills.
Joy Home is an ex- Participants trying to eat their doughnuts with their hands
tended home-stay and behind their backs.
work programme under
the umbrella body of Persatuan KanakMeanwhile, Gapurna also contributed
Kanak Istimewa Kajang Selangor (PKIK). RM55,000 towards the funding for the
“The children really had fun today. construction of a new school for PKIK,
They learnt to work in teams and showed which is estimated to cost about RM5
off their agility. They were so proud to million.
have completed all the six challenges,”
However, in the last six months, PKIK
said PKIK vice-chairman Edwin Untam. had only managed to collect RM600,000
Among the challenges were a scavenger through fund-raising activities.
hunt for coloured cups and balloons, eat“We’ve been housed in a rented indusing a hanging doughnut with hands tied trial shoplot for the past 17 years and the
behind the back and candy-picking with location is not really conducive for the
their mouths.
children but we have no choice but make
Untam, whose child also took part in do with it,” said Untam.
the event, said the task that drew the most
He hopes more people will donate to
laughter was the candy-picking as they all help them provide better service to those
finished the game with white powdered with intellectual or learning disabilities.
faces from the tray of flour.
Currently, the centre provides proIn addition, participants were treated grammes to help parents and their chilto a modern version of “Tarik Upih” dren with their learning disabilities.
where they got to hurl their team-mates
For those interested to donate, call the
across the finish line one-by-one using a centre at 03-8736 6385, 03-8734 0866 or
big piece of cloth.
visit www.pkik.org.
8
views
may 25 — 27, 2012
A man with no shoes
Youthology
Lee Lian Kong
H
e didn’t have shoes on. A pair of
rubber soles with the top part of
what used to be a shoe, hanging by a
thread or two, hardly count as shoes. On
them were his feet, his black feet covered
white, only possible through the harshness
of the cold, chapping away at skin. I could
not take my eyes off them. For three months,
I’ve only seen smooth feet, covered in proper
shoes or the eye-rolling hipster Toms. Feet
and shoes that belonged to the haves. I’m
guessing this plastic train seat was his bed
for tonight, or has been for many nights. His
hands were clasped but the same white
marred his big, clumsy hands. His clothes
were a homeless mismatch. Torn, old, dirty.
Those feet …
No one would sit near him. Granted there
were other seats available, away from him,
preferably. The train rumbled on under this
city called New York, concrete jungle where
dreams are made of. Hush-hush, my iPhone
deftly concealed, snap, I Instagrammed this
man. Shame came over me immediately.
Who am I to use a man’s suffering to add to
my stupid collection of vintage-fied photos
on my middle class iPhone app?
“The other side of capitalism,” said
Vanessa, my traveling companion and who
later grew to be a close friend, from
Venezuela. The anti-Chavez, proudly
middle class, fire-breathing capitalist
Vanessa was not exempt for this scene. We
had just returned from the Empire State
Building, running through Fifth Avenue,
thrilled from our view from the 86th floor
of that famous landmark. Had we seen an
architectural marvel or the product of years
of marketing gimmicks? The audio guide
which spoke proudly of the millions of
dollars involved in the building of the
Empire State building, played like a sinister
soundtrack to my sight of the homeless man
in front of me now.
Was he the rule or the exception? We have
placed a black man in the White House built
by black slaves but have we taken the blacks
off the streets? Was he the man Vanessa and
I were so afraid of being mugged from just
a while ago? In the capital of this developed
nation glorified by so many, we beat ourselves
up for not arming ourselves up with small
pistols and pepper sprays, you know, those
type that would fit just nicely into a woman’s
handbag. And he had the mugger’s look :
unrefined, smelly, black, scary. In a different
light, in the subway, seeing his “shoes” and
feet, we now offer him our sympathy. We
probably want to give him a meal, find him
a job, offer some money. And later put this
in our resume as our philantrophic kindness.
Our sympathy was handed down vertically,
from our comfortable enclave above to him
in the pits below.
I looked around to see if others were
looking at him or at me looking at him.
None were. A desensitize d ma ss of
commuters? Oh, but I caught a guilty peek
from a man just to my right. Were they
desensitized or just really good at hiding
their uncouth busybody-ish behavior? Was
the ability to feel something for your fellow
man no long er a virtue but now an
unsophisticated vice?
The train stopped at 157th Street. It was
our stop. We stepped off the subway and
walked back to our hostel. The homeless
man is forgotten. Until I used him again for
my own selfish reasons to write an overdue
column.
Is Vision 2020 delusionary?
L
ooks like Vision 2020 is riding back
into the limelight. With elections
around the corner, as they have
been for about a year, and destiny’s date
now just eight years away, UMNO-BN
fires a cocktail canister of pleas: so little
time, so much to do, and only they will
get us there, only they know how. It
almost brings tears to my eyes, tears of…
I started out a 2020 fan, until I turned
Vision skeptic. The grand Mahathirian
plan, forged at the dawn of the roaring,
booming 1990s, dreamed an economic
sky with no limit, a society with all the
trapp ing s o f huma n p ro g re ss a n d
sophistication anchored in “strong
morals”, a mature democracy, a balance of
prosperity, equity, and justice.
In the words of Mahathir’s launching
sp e e c h to th e Ma lay s i an Bus in e ss
Council, Ma laysia would be “f ully
developed... in terms of our economy,
social justice, political stability, system
of government, quality of life, social and
spiritual values, national pride and
confidence.”
The year was 1991, the vision was so
good you wanted
it to be true. It was
to o g o o d to b e
true, we later
discovered.
Ac t ua l l y, th e
vision faded not so
much because the
goals were too
g re at . It l o s t
m o m entum
because the g ulf
between the
objectives and the means to achieve them
was too wide, and the insistence that
many developments had to be postponed
until we were “ready” grew unbearable.
The vision unravelled before me.
The early- to mid-1990s economy did
soar, and could have been a springboard
for progress on various other fronts. But
other elements of the development vision
– mat ure d em o cr a c y, tr a nsp a rent
government, clean business, ecological
conservation – were huddled beneath a
small canopy. With almost nine percent
annual real GDP growth over 1987-97 as
the normal, we were taken and went along
for a fast ride. Get money rich first, add
on other stuff later.
Except that those other things caught
up with the financial and economic
euphoria. The 1997-98 crisis had roots in
both the international financial system’s
push for dereg u late d markets and
Malaysia’s eager embrace, as well as a mass
local deviation toward greedy, corrupt
and wasteful behaviour.
These practices had a place in the
wit pleasure
Lee Hwok Aun
execution of the Vision. The time had not
yet come for transparent government,
clean business, mature democracy, and
other pesky demands of conscious citizens
that mig ht have aver te d ma ss and
unproductive wealth accumulation. It was
never clarified when the time would
come. At the latest, 2020.
The late 1990s roared for political
reform, for justice and alternatives to the
dominant regime. A new normal settled
in the 2000s, of moderate economic
growth, a broadening of the development
mandate, tepid attempts at reform, and
continual decline in public institutions.
Corruption kept flowing , education
stagnated, people were governed by a
somewhat softer but not much freer
regime.
A new normal also formed in
development policy around the world,
with social concerns, inclusive growth
increasing ly considered integral to
national progress. Of course, economic
growth remains vital, but the era of nine
percent is past, we need to make more out
of less. And forget China as a model much
as politicians envy plus-ten percent
growth, though we can consider bits of
its experience.
PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently
declared that our per capita income
growth is on track to acquire developed
status by 2020. I’m sure we will be
hearing more of this line.
All this sounds nice, but it is plainly
false, delusionar y, even dang erous.
Unless our economy grows in overdrive,
perhaps continuously pumped by deficit
spending , we will not join Korea and
Singapore as East Asian members of the
rich country club eight years from now.
We are better off admitting the economic
goal is impossible, and building real
bases for comprehensive development.
Eventually, we may get there materially
as well.
But doesn’t a country need a vision,
something to rally around? Yes, there’s
good in that. I must acknowledge, Vision
2020 was quite ingenious. Yet I see more
yearning for proof of true intentions than
for show of grand designs, more
discontent toward empty promises than
ambitious goals.
I believe Malaysians have come to
terms with the vision business, judging by
popular sentiment. Many of us publicly
rallied, at pain and inconvenience, not to
demand higher GDP growth but clean,
free and fair elections – now. Not later,
but now.
The anti-Lynas campaign had a big
presence on April 28 as well, and the
broader message there is also clear.
Protect our living environments, now.
The KL Bersih crackdown and police
b r u t a l i t y d i s p l a y s V i s i o n 2 0 2 0 ’s
hollowness and hypocrisy. The time is
ripe for alternative development visions,
visions that are perhaps more modest, but
also more meaningful, inclusive and real.
NEWS
may 25 — 27, 2012
Malaysia’s democracy
sacrificed for free trade
On May 22, 2012, the Malaysia-Australia
Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) was
signed after seven years of closed
door intermittent negotiations.
In those seven years, the
vast majority of Malaysian
citizens have not been included
as stakeholders – especially in
Parliament – on the terms of this
21-chapter agreement.
This unfortunate exclusion from discussions, debates or any other form of participation let alone the entire process of obtaining a Parliamentary ratification denies
the public their right to oversight and
scrutiny of international treaties and agreements, be they bilateral or multilateral,
which could affect national interests and
sovereignty.
Although the government is allowed to
enter into international agreements and
treaties without having to obtain Parliament’s approval, the signing of this bilateral MAFTA is evidence of the Barisan
Nasional government’s penchant for unilateral actions without seeking public
opinion, or being attentive to their concerns and sentiments.
While we in Keadilan support any FTAs
if all stakeholders are involved in the process, alongside with Parliamentary review
and ratification, all FTAs nevertheless must
be premised on “fair trade” principles
without compromising the socio-economic sphere, environment, cultural domain,
labour rights, public safety and national
security.
Keadilan is particularly concerned with
the increasingly growing trend of transfer
of potentially environmentally hazardous
industries to Malaysia from countries with
more stringent environmental standards. MAFTA, shrouded in secrecy and
dogged by a lack of transparency and full
disclosure, will certainly bring to the fore
the Lynas controversy.
The Lynas Advanced Materials Plant
(LAMP) in Gebeng, Pahang, scheduled
to commence operations in the second
quarter of this year, will import raw
rare earth materials from Western Australia to be processed in this refining
facility.
Keadilan demands a conclusive answer
to the question of whether Australia, under
MAFTA, will accept the export of waste
and by-products as a result of processed rare
earth materials from LAMP which can be
designated as a “trade product”.
Keadilan also demands to know wheth-
er the Australian government, to
comply with the anti-corruption
rules under MAFTA, will retroactively require Lynas to disclose if there were bribes,
kickbacks or any other forms
of corruption in obtaining the
Malaysian government’s approval to
set up LAMP in Malaysia.
In the same vein, Keadilan asks if Australia would demand Malaysia to: – guarantee a free press to ensure
timely and accurate information to facilitate free trade;
– guarantee free and fair elections to
ensure that the Australian Government
deals with a legitimate Malaysian Government in enforcing all the terms and conditions of MAFTA;
– protect labour rights such as the
right to form trade unions, which is almost
non-existent at present in Malaysia, as one
of the pre-conditions for Australia to accept goods and services from Malaysia.
Keadilan insists on both governments
to urgently address the deep-rooted negative perception with the recent controversies vis-a-vis the LAMP project as well as
the failed “Malaysia Solution” asylum
seeker immigration initiative as cases in
point.
Finally, Keadilan strongly believes in and
demands that the legislative role and
democratic rights of the Malaysian Parliament to review and ratify all treaties and
subsequent legislative amendments needed
to comply with such treaties be restored
with immediate effect.
History has shown in many occasions
how the executive branch has failed miserably to protect our national interest and
sovereignty for instance the territorial
dispute cases of Pulau Batu Putih (with
Singapore) and Block L and M (with Brunei), the Water Agreement (with Singapore) and the Singapore Tanjong Pagar
KTM land deal (with Singapore).
Keadilan deeply regrets that Australia
has clearly missed a golden opportunity to
make these Parliamentary and democratic
reforms as one of moral prerequisites before
even going to the negotiation table with
Malaysia on MAFTA.
Wouldn’t that have been a truly fair
trade deal for the citizens of both countries
- democracy for free trade?
Nurul Izzah Anwar
Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai
and vice-president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat
(People’s Justice Party)
Sabak Bernam as coconut hub
SHAH ALAM: Selangor plans to turn
Sabak Bernam into the largest pro ducer of pandan coconut in the country
within four years, said executive councillor Dr Yaakob Sapari.
“This will reduce our reliance on
imports from Thailand while fulfilling
demand from the Klang Valley,” he said.
Yaakob said the state is distributing
10,000 coconut saplings in stages to
villages in Sabak Bernam through the
village chiefs.
He said villagers are encouraged to
plant the saplings in their rice fields to
replace crops that are not producing
yields.
The Kota Anggerik assemblyperson
added that a coconut tree can produce
10 to 14 bunches a year and a bunch
can contain 10 to 12 coconuts.
In other words, a tree can produce
100 to 168 coconuts annually and villagers can sell them to earn extra income.
9
Floods not due
to cancelled
project, says Liu
SHAH ALAM: Selangor has refuted claims that
axing the Canal City project last year was the cause
of recent flash floods in Klang and Kajang. “This project doesn’t bring benefits to the state
and some studies show that it is not a good solution
to flood woes,” said state executive councillor for
local authorities Ronnie Liu.
The project, which involved building an 18km
canal linking Sungai Kelang and Sungai Langat,
would have led to the loss of land and houses by
villagers and Orang Asli living there in the area
He said this in response to Agriculture and
Agro-based Industries deputy minister Datuk
Chua Tee Yong in an English daily that floods were
occurring because of the cancelled project
“I urge Datuk Chua to get his facts right first
before making any claims. We cancelled the project
because it was not beneficial to the people,” said
Liu.
Reports from the State Irrigation and Drainage
Department further showed that there was no link
between the floods and the project cancellation.
According to the report, floods happened due
to the hours-long heavy downpour, which caused
rivers to overflow.
Liu: : Project didn’t benefit the people
views
10
may 25 — 27, 2012
Fallacies Spun by Critics
of the Bar
T
he Bar Council and the Malaysian Bar (the Bar) have
been criticised recently as being pro-Opposition. This
is because of the Bar’s press statements and its
extraordinary general meeting resolution regarding the police
brutality shown at the Bersih 3.0 sit-down rally.
The common theme adopted by critics of the Bar is that it
was not fair, or even-handed, as it was more critical of the
police than it was of the other parties involved.
Some of the more popular criticisms were summarised in
Roger Tan’s article “Unswayed by fear or favour” which was
also published in The Sunday Star on May 20. In summary, he
says the following:
• The Bar in condemning the police brutality must
be equally aggressive in its condemnation against the
protestors who “behaved like rioters and anarchists”.
• The Bar had prejudged the issues by passing the
resolution because by doing so “the Bar had already come
to a conclusion that all those acts
listed therein had been committed
by the police”.
• The Bar should have demanded an
apology from Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim because “it was his men
who were reportedly the ones
who removed the barrier” which
was “the trigger point”.
This statement is written immediately in response to the article, but also
addresses others who have been critical
of the Bar on this issue.
The Bar did not prejudge the
issues
In his second criticism, Tan says that
the Bar should only pass the resolution
condemning police brutality after a finding has been made by an independent
body such as Suhakam. However, Suhakam relies on the evidence of witnesses, and often conducts a hearing
several months after the event. The Bar
based its stance and resolution on the
observations of 80 lawyers who formed a team of observers of
events during Bersih 3.0. The purpose of assembling and mobilising this team was so that the Bar would be able to rely on
their eyewitness accounts. Their observations were recorded
and compiled within hours on the day itself and there is no
reason to doubt their credibility and observations.
Aside from the monitoring team and its report, many
other eyewitness accounts have emerged, including photos
and videos that speak for themselves. Significantly, on this
occasion, even media members were not spared. We even had
the embarrassing incident where Al-Jazeera’s reporter Harry
Fawcett had to report via Skype from his iPad as his team’s
video camera was smashed by police while they were recording
police brutality against protestors.
Most importantly, many previous Suhakam inquiries – the
Nov 5, 2001 Kesas Highway Incident, the June 17, 2003
Kundasang Incident, the May 28, 2006 KLCC Incident, the
May 27, 2008 Persiaran Bandar Mahkota Cheras 1 Incident,
the July 9, 2011 Bersih 2.0 Incident – found that there was
excessive use of force by the police, and evidence of police
brutality. Numerous complaints by victims led to the said
inquiries, the findings of which thereafter vindicated the
complaints leading to damning conclusions about police
conduct. These many reports do not just show isolated instances of police brutality: Bersih 3.0 was not a one-off. There
is a pattern of regular use of excessive force and brutality in
violation of human rights by the Royal Malaysian Police Force.
Despite these many reports by Suhakam, and despite the findings of the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and
Management of the Royal Malaysia Police, the police have not
made any serious attempts to school themselves in the prevention of human rights violations.
Regrettably, Tan is sceptical of the 80 monitors appointed
by the Bar Council because they are not named, as he “would
certainly like to know their political inclinations” to satisfy
himself that they “were independent-minded in their conclusions”. Firstly, five widely-respected senior members of the Bar,
who were a part of a “roving” team of monitors, were named
and had their observations separately documented: Christopher Leong (Malaysian Bar vice president), Steven Thiru (Bar
Council treasurer), Datuk Ramachelvam Manimuthu, Ramdas
Tikamdas, and Roger Chan Weng Keng. Apparently it is not
enough that lawyers of this calibre verify and endorse the report.
More importantly, what does one’s political inclination have
to do with stating a fact about whether Malaysian citizens were
assaulted and battered by the police?
Whilst Tan has left the Bar Council, it is unfair to assume
that the Bar Council would not have trained these monitors
properly bearing in mind this is not the first assembly monitoring mission dispatched by the Council. His flippant remarks
greatly disparage those members of the Bar who volunteered
Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column by LoyarBurok
(www.loyarburok.com) where all your profound,
abstruse, erudite, hermetic,
recondite, sagacious, and other thaesaurus-described queries are answered!
What is this obsession with Anwar?
In his third criticism, Tan insists that the Bar
should similarly demand an apology from Anwar
because he was reported to have instigated the removal of the barrier. But Tan must understand that
one must distinguish between credible first-hand
reports by Bar monitors, and accusations by obviously partisan members of Barisan Nasional and its
media.
This is where he shows an obvious inconsistency
– whilst saying that the eyewitness accounts of the
Bar’s monitoring team is insufficient to be relied
upon, he says that they should demand an apology
from Anwar for an incident that no one on the
monitoring team witnessed. Despite the many eye
witness blog entries, photos and videos, there has
been no compelling evidence either way to show who
removed the barriers, or whether their removal was
facilitated by the police, public, or Opposition
members. On what basis is he suggesting that the
Bar demand an apology from Anwar?
Let us for one moment set aside the question
Pic: TheMalaysianInsider.com whether the Court order prohibiting entry into
Dataran Merdeka was unnecessary, wrong in law and
unconstitutional. Let us also assume the barriers in
to serve on the monitoring team, implying that they would question were covered by the Court order. Even assuming that
allow their personal prejudice to influence their professional the order was validly executed by the police, did it necessitate
the extreme use of non-lethal force to arrest and disperse the
duties.
Rather conveniently, whilst casting these aspersions on small group of people who breached the barrier? Bearing in
others, Tan himself does not reveal his strong affiliations to a mind that the resolution was on police misconduct, and not
particular political party. Employing his logic, one wonders, about who removed the barrier, it is even more disconcerting
perhaps, whether commentators in The Star for example that Tan implies that the police may excessively and disproshould also be required to divulge their political affiliations portionally tear-gas and beat the innocent just to get at those
and leanings before their opinion pieces are published. But who did breach the barrier.
we will not venture into the realm of the fallacy of argumentum
ad hominem to discredit the views of others, as he disappoint- The Bar need not have condemned the protestors
Finally, Tan develops the basis of the criticism that the Bar
ingly has.
His comments suggest that we should not immediately is not “independent” by stating it failed to condemn with equal
make conclusions even if we see a group of uniformed police- vigour lay members of the public who he says acted “like riotmen beating up an unarmed citizen who lies helpless on the ers and anarchists”. Many labour under the misapprehension
ground because there were extenuating circumstances. And that to be “independent” an organisation must always be
even if numerous members of the Bar, members of the public even-handed and restrained in one’s remarks. But that is a
and journalists documented such incidents of brutality. The fallacy. And it is an even greater fallacy when it concerns infact is, the police are supposed to treat each person they arrest justice.
Police brutality is a violation of a human right. A violation
as if they are innocent until proven guilty. The police should
only use reasonable force in arresting someone. If they have to of any human right is manifest injustice. Police brutality per
resort to force, they should only use force that is proportion- se is an injustice. The presence of police brutality has tainted
ate to the threat faced, and only enough to ensure the person’s the Royal Malaysian Police as surely as a drop of blood stains
a uniform. An injustice perpetrated by even one from an inarrest.
Tan cites the example of the Bar postponing its EGM with stitution set up to serve the cause of justice deserves the harshregards to the VK Lingam video clip scandal while it waited est condemnation. There cannot be any restraint in condemnfor the Royal Commission of Inquiry to complete its task. ing abuse of power. As a police force meant to be independent
However he seems to overlook the fact that the video clip and professional, they are kept to higher standards than lay
sparked the groundbreaking Walk for Justice in September members of the public. So the Bar cannot be swayed by fear
2007 which saw about 2,000 lawyers marching to the PM’s or favour; it cannot be hesitant or even handed in condemning
office. The other difference with Bersih 3.0 is the Bar monitor- an injustice that is police brutality. Here is an Executive instiing team saw police brutality with their own eyes, and not tution that is well-funded and well-staffed with wide powers
through a video clip. It is obvious that this is not a comparable taking action against unarmed people. It is State against the
individual person, and the Bar stands – must stand – for the
precedent.
views 11
may 25 — 27, 2012
Roger Tan replies to Loyarburok
I
knew this was coming because as I said, it
would be painful for some lawyers to read
what I wrote in Unswayed by fear or favour’
last Sunday in The Sunday Star. I am indeed not
wrong with my prognostication.
However, I am surprised that it was even
necessary for the eight Loyarburoks to come
together to give a 2,700-word response to something they felt were just mere fallacies being spun
by me.
In a tweet sent out early Tuesday morning,
one of the eight, K Shanmuga tweeted that their
joint statement, Bar’s resolution proper’,The Star,
May 23, 2012, was issued because my aforesaid
article had got all of them so annoyed.
Hence, because I emphatise with them, I
would oblige them in the best tradition of the
Bar with a short reply which should suffice.
Firstly, my concern on the independence of
the 80 monitors from the Bar is not totally unfounded. Out of the 80 monitors, I personally
know at least one of them whom I follow on the
Twitter. On April 28, the day Bersih 3.0 assembly
was held, this monitor, albeit not based in
Kuala Lumpur, had tweeted, inter alia, the following whilst undertaking monitoring duties:
> Heading to @bersihxxx at Dataran xxx
#Bersih. This is it, we love this nation. God save
#Malaysia! We want clean & fair elections!
> Bye-bye BN! RT @xxx: Water cannons and
tear gas fired. Bye bye BN.
> Don’t associate with them. Agent provocateur RT @xxx: #Bersih #Malaysia Unruly mob
attacks police patrol car http://....
It follows that the political and social beliefs
as well as the prejudices of these monitors are
material to ascertain if the integrity and independence of their final report could be described
as incontrovertible. Unfortunately, we were not
provided with the names of these 80 monitors.
A fortiori, my political affiliation is not relevant compared to the monitors’ simply because
I did not volunteer to assume such a heavy responsibility of an independent monitor.
Further, my MCA membership, albeit dormant, is public knowledge and I have written
several articles in that capacity anyway. Neither
have I made any attempt to hide it. The fact remains that at least I do not pursue any political
agenda under the guise of any organisation, be
it political or non-governmental.
Of the many articles I have written, the majority of them are critical of government policies
and supportive of the Bar; the last being my
support for the continuing professional development proposed by the Bar Council. (See Lawyers
must constantly improve skills’, March 9, 2012
inThe Star.)
The eight are probably oblivious, either deliberately or otherwise, of this fact but hopefully not because they felt that was the natural
thing I should do. In fact, I am in the least
bothered by their insinuation that the stand I
took in my aforesaid article was because of my
MCA membership. As the saying goes, truth
fears no trial and it is their assertion which is
nothing but a fallacy.
Secondly, I am not just obsessed, but very obsessed with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. As a
lawyer, I should be very concerned if this political
leader who aspires to be the future prime minister
of our great nation has no regard whatsoever for
the rule of law and the due process of law.
The eight Loyarburoks are clearly very economical with their criticisms of the breach of the
barrier which triggered the response from the
police. They even argued that there was no
compelling evidence on who had removed the
barriers. In this respect, I know I am getting old
but let me assure them that my eyesight is still
good enough to watch the many videos posted
on the You Tube which showed otherwise.
Apropos, I am impressed that my eight
learned friends were discerning enough to decipher the hidden meaning of my argument that
if the Bar Council could rely on their conclusions
based only on reports, so could I.
Thirdly and finally, it is not fair to portray that
I condone police brutality. I have emphasised in
my article as well as during the EGM that there
is no excuse if the police had responded disproportionately to the act of breaching the barricade.
I made it clear in the EGM that I would support
the resolutions against police brutality if the Bar
would inveigh in similar language the acts of
violence committed by those protesters who had
behaved like rioters and anarchists during the
assembly.
What I was also interested to find out before
forming my judgment is what actually had caused
some policemen and protesters to react in the
way they did, taking into account various rumours surrounding it. The monitors’ report had,
in fact, mentioned that protesters had thrown
bottles at passing patrol cars as well as taunted
policemen with derogatory shouts of anjing’ and
anjing kurap’. When I raised this at the EGM,
the Chairman, Lim Chee Wee did not think
these acts were serious enough to warrant condemnation from the Bar prompting me to ask if
it was all right from now on for the citizens to
call policemen with such derogatory terms.
It is not true that no amendment was proposed to Resolution (12) as regards the conduct
of the protesters. I specifically proposed that this
should be placed in the same Resolution (1) with
“What justified the 4 hours of continued attacks?”
latter.
What those who adopt this line of criticism
fail to explain is how the condemnation of
police brutality amounts to an endorsement
of the Opposition. This criticism reveals more
of their own political prejudice than that of
the Bar. Their criticism strongly suggests a
belief that criticism of the police is the equivalent of criticism against the political party in
government. Their criticism also reveals that
they are the sort who think that perception is
reality.
It is only those who are so immersed and
drenched in politics that adopt such a worldview. The Bar’s criticism and the facts it relies
on are an inconvenience to their perception.
Ultimately these popular criticisms against the
Bar are not borne of logic or facts, but a need
to feel good.
There is one further reason why we would
not have voted for a resolution that condemned those members of the public who
turned violent. The fact is that most thinking
Malaysians who have access to the alternative
media are not convinced that these so called
“rioters” are as blameworthy as the police.
The police had put razor wire across our
City roads turning Kuala Lumpur into a war
zone before any violence had ensued. The
police also obtained a Court order prohibiting
entry for four days into Dataran Merdeka.
Then, when the disturbance started, it was the
police who shot tear gas behind and in front
of retreating protestors so that they were boxed
in rather than allowed to disperse. Who ordered the closure of the nearby LRT stations
so as to prevent people from dispersing? Who
ordered the destruction of cameras belonging
to journalists, and the reported censorship of
Al Jazeera and the BBC? What justified the
four hours of continued attacks on people who
were already dispersing or having dinner? All
this done against Malaysians, who until the
very end had taken part in an almost perfect
rally.
As pointed out by Tan, the Bar’s resolution
did expressly state that it is concerned with and
does not countenance acts of violence by rally
participants, and are concerned by reports that
police barriers were breached. In our view, that
says enough.
We did not hear any suggestions made at
the EGM to amend the resolution. All the
dissenters at the EGM agreed in principle that
they were against police brutality. What more
needs to be said really, seeing as the police were
already actively identifying and hunting down
those whom they say committed offences during the rally? The police had even stated that
they would conduct a house-to-house search
for these individuals. Compare this with the
lack of action in identifying, let alone condemning and punishing, the police officers
who committed violations of duty and human
rights.
The Bar’s resolution was proper
The Bar was entitled and correct to issue
the statements it did, and to pass the resolution
it did. The resolution is fair under the circumstances and was carefully worded throughout.
The facts that it had gathered itself through
their members were set forth frankly and
properly, and the urgent action that was
needed due to the unprecedented police brutality seen on that day was set out in an appropriate and immediate manner.
We are proud to have supported the resolution and have no qualms about the Bar’s continued independence. We believe the vast
majority of the Bar are totally in support of the
resolution, and the comments against the
resolution are the isolated voices of a few in
the wilderness given undue prominence by
propaganda organisations posing as the mass
media.
It is telling that Tan states that “removing
the barrier was the trigger point” and adds that
it is “common sense” that “whoever first raises
his hand against the other is the most blameworthy”. Words do not suffice to describe the
disingenuous nature of the suggestion that the
removal of the barrier is even remotely comparable to the brutal actions of the police. In
any case, there have been no reports of barriers
being “breached” in front of the Bar Council,
on Leboh Pasar Besar – yet even then, water
cannons and tear gas were fired there. He fails
to acknowledge the clear reality that police
reaction was not localised to Dataran Merdeka or to the participants there, and that other
than at the Jalan Raja / Tun Perak junction, it
was the police who struck first.
The actions of some members of the police
force on that day were incidences of injustice
that were so blatant that it should be impossible for anyone who purports to stand up for
justice to remain silent. We have already seen
concerted efforts – by the ruling coalition, the
police, and those who are too politically-partisan to distinguish clear acts of injustice from
their political posturing – to distract from the
injustice highlighted by the Bar’s resolution by
attacking the Bar and casting aspersions on
those who are doing no more than reporting
what they saw with their own eyes.
The Bar must continue to fight for those
who cannot speak up for themselves, and
whose rights are oppressed by the might of the
State. That is our duty, and one that we hope
members of the Bar will continue to discharge
without fear or favour.
Edmund Bon, Fahri Azzat, Janet Chai,
K Shanmuga, Mahaletchumy Balakrishnan, Marcus van Geyzel, Seira Sacha
Abu Bakar, and Sharmila Sekaran. This
article first appeared on Loyarburok.com
on May 22.
regard to police brutality but with respect, the
Chairman disagreed with me.
In fact, I would also like an investigation to
be done first whether various steps allegedly
taken by the police in dispersing crowd are in
accordance with standard policing methods. In
America, for example, the police there have even
used Taser stun gun against contumacious protesters.
All in all, the resolution was initiated by the
Bar Council and I obviously had hoped that the
Council would have been more circumspect in
their approach because the entire Bar looks to
them for their guidance on various matters. One
would expect that even though the Council had
decided at the eleventh hour to amend to include
a resolution on the conduct of the protesters, the
Council should have reasonably foreseen that
merely expressing concern over such violent acts
by rioters would be repugnant to many lawabiding citizens in this country.
All in all, the thrust of my aforesaid article is
that the Bar must not only be independent and
apolitical but seen to be independent and apolitical. In fact, there was clearly no necessity for
the eight lawyers to get so annoyed. They should
take my criticisms constructively. After all, I was
merely stating, whether rightly or wrongly, why
I could not vote in favour of the motion. My
criticisms were made not to divide but to
strengthen the Bar out of my love for the Bar.
As their arguments against me are, in my
humble view, both fallacious and mendacious, I
shall treat the matter closed and venture no
further to respond again.
Note: Tan’s initial column can be found online here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.
asp?file=/2012/5/20/nation/11325011
&sec=nation.
12 ⁄MAY 25 – 27,2012 ⁄ SELANGOR TIMES
news
Umbrella
walk raises
RM125,000 for
Lupus patients
15 Jun
e-
2S
ep
t2
01
2
Supplement
MALAYSIA MEGA SALES CARNIVAL 2012 will be held nationwide
from 15 June to 2 September this year. Take advantage of this special
Patients, family members and members of the public walking with umbrellas to raise
awareness of the Lupus disease.
supplement on shopping to highlight your products and services,
discounts and offers. Not only do Malaysians love to shop, they simply
By Brenda Ch’ng
cannot resist good bargains. That goes for the foreign tourists too who
PETALING JAYA: Over 1,000 umbrellas
were raised by walkers in support of the
World Lupus Day walkathon to spread awareness of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
(SLE) disease. Organised by Persatuan SLE Malaysia, the
walk, entitled “Walk-a-Payung”, on May 20
raised RM125,000 for the organisation and
its patients.
SLE, also known as lupus, is a life-threatening disease that causes the body’s immune
system to turn against the body’s own healthy
tissues.
Awareness of the debilitating disease,
which affects 43 out of every 100,000 Malaysians, was also created when participants
made their way through the roads of Dataran
Sunway in Kota Damansara.
“People suffering from Lupus face potential strokes, hearth attacks, disabling pain and
fatigue and other serious health problems,”
said the organisation’s president, Professor Dr
Esha Das Gupta in a statement.
“The sad part is that Lupus targets people
in the most productive years of their life,
people who should otherwise be healthy.”
It’s estimated that 12,000 Malaysians, 90
per cent female and as young as four years old,
suffer from the autoimmune disease.
find our country a value for money shopping destination with high
quality goods and plentiful of duty free items.
te:
tion Da
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c
i
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b
u
P
e 2012
15 Jun Deadline:
ooking
Story/B une 2012
6J
ine:
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a
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t
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e 2012
13 Jun
Ads of quarter page and above will be
entitled for editorial write-up.
Press release to be submitted before the deadline.
Interviews to be granted at the discretion of writers.
Size of write-up to be at editor’s discretion and will
be laid out as per the Selangor Times’ style.
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She said some funds raised this year will
be channelled towards patients who require
joint replacement and cataract operations.
Osteoporosis and cataract problems are
among the major side-effects resulting from
long-term usage of steroid medication for the
Lupus disease.
Besides lack of public awareness, the disease is also not easy to diagnose, some taking
up to months or even years to detect, depending on which organs are affected.
Although there are 10,000 people diagnosed with SLE in Malaysia, the disease is still
unknown to many, leaving patients feeling
alone and rejected.
Due to this, awareness events like Walk-aPayung are needed to both raise funds and
help the public and patients’ family members
understand the disease more.
On May 27, Persatuan SLE Malaysia in
Johor will also be holding their Walk-a-Payung event at Columbia Asia Hospital in
Nusa Jaya to bring together patients, family
members and the public.
Those interested in taking part can call
012-762 8002 (Addaline).
Those wanting to donate or volunteer can
contact the organisation at 03-79577672
(Cecilia Wong), email pslem@streamyx.com,
pslemhq@gmail.com or visit www.lupusmalaysia.org.
news 13
may 25 – 27, 2012
Abdul Aziz and Fernandez at
the press conference.
Fernandez
slams cops,
MACC
The residents are angry at being overcharged for their water and also the
disruptions.
Residents
protest
water cuts
KLANG: Around 40 residents from lowcost flats at Jalan Batu Nilam 35, Bandar
Bukit Tinggi Two protested last Saturday
against water cuts and being overcharged
on water bills.
Yahya Hashim, the surau committee
chairperson who led the protest, said water
supply to 1,600 homes was cut twice last
month without advance notification being
given.
Yahya, 59, said residents were being
charged 80 sen for per cubic metre of water,
instead of the standard rate of RM0.57, by
the developer.
“We still don’t know why our water supply was cut, and we don’t enjoy free water
like other Selangor residents,” said Yahya,
who has been living there for nearly eight
years.
He also complained that there had been
a lot of thefts in the area and the flats’ facilities have not been well-maintained.
“Some motorcycles have been stolen,
there’s no security…They’ve increased the
maintenance fees from RM17.90 to RM33
a month around two years ago.”
He said cleanliness was also a problem
in the neighbourhood and the Klang Municipal Council should collect the trash
daily instead of once every two days.
Meanwhile, another resident, Heng
Chai Law, complained that they’re required
to pay over RM1,000 administrative and
legal fees to receive their leasehold titles.
The residents are setting up an action
committee to negotiate with the developer
and appeal to the state government for help
as their Joint Management Body has not
been able to solve these issues.
Klang local councillor Yew Boon Lye,
who was also present, said the problems
raised were common among low-cost flats
in the municipality.
He said the residents here were urban
pioneers who were relocated from Jalan
Papan in Pandamaran and Sungai Aur.
PETALING JAYA: Veteran activist Irene
Fernandez said government enforcement authorities should be probing into reported human
rights abuses of migrant workers, instead of trying
to intimidate her.
“The speed with which the police have chosen
to act in investigating the reports against me is
perplexing,” said the Tenaganita executive director on Monday.
She noted that the police have not acted with
“enthusiasm for swift justice” on the 15 reports
lodged by Tenaganita on behalf of migrant workers and another 10 reports lodged by migrant
workers themselves this year.
Selangor Anti-Human Trafficking Council
member Abdul Aziz Ismail, who was also present
at the press conference, said the police had also
failed to act on over 30 reports lodged by the
council.
“When I called Bukit Aman (police headquarters), the disciplinary officer tells me he
cannot locate the IOs (investigation officers)...
The IOs refused to answer when I called them
for updates,” claimed Abdul Aziz.
Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Ku Chin
Wah confirmed on May 18 that police will probe
Fernandez as reports had been lodged by Ikatan
Rakyat Iman Muslim Malaysia, Dewan Ekonomi
dan Social Malaysia and Rela against her.
Ku said the police were studying Fernandez’s
interview with Indonesian newspaper Jakarta
Post, in which she said Malaysia was not safe for
migrant workers as Putrajaya had failed to enact
laws to protect them, to see if they were seditious.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had also questioned Fernandez
over the interview on May 11.
“Why are they wasting their time investigating
me when they should be out there investigating
these cases (of human rights abuses and human
trafficking)?” questioned Fernandez.
Meanwhile, she also noted that “state-controlled media” had been publishing stories of
employers who declare how happy their migrant
workers have been recently.
“It should be noted that it’s the personal sense
of goodwill and decency of these employers that
ensured the protection of basic rights of their
workers,” said Fernandez.
She reiterated that it was not sustainable to
rely on personal sense of goodwill to prevent
human rights abuses.
S.C. NG DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD
bumi unit only
Searching for Selangor’s Avatar tree
PETALING JAYA: Where’s the most
magnificent tree you’ve seen in Selangor?
Snap a photo, submit it to “The Sentinels
of Time - The Search for Selangor’s Majestic Trees” photography competition
and you stand a chance to win RM5,000.
“It’s open to all, from amateur to professional photographers, Malaysians and
expatriates,” said the contest organiser
EcoKnights founder and president Yasmin Rasyid.
Sponsored by the Selangor government via its Selangorku grant, the contest
aims to raise public awareness on forest
conservation and reforestation via digital
photography.
“The tree can serve as a symbol of
protection like the tree in Avatar and the
photograph of it should command a
‘wow’ factor,” she said.
The best 12 images will be exhibited
at the Experimental Theatre at Universiti Malaya in conjunction with the annual Eco Film Fest in October.
The 12 finalists are expected to be
notified on Oct 13.
The grand prize winner will take home
RM5,000, second place RM3,000 and
third place RM2,000. They will also receive a trophy, certificate, gift vouchers
and a one-year subscription of Natural
Health magazine.
Fourth to 12th place winners will each
receive RM300 and a certificate.
EcoKnights also plans to auction the
12 winning photographs at art galleries
and use the images to make 2013 calendars.
The contest starts on June 1. Contestants can submit single or multiple entries
by Aug 3 0 to s entin e l s o f tim e @
ecoknights.org.my.
Image size must be between 2MB and
5MB, accompanied with caption or
story of the tree and its location (GPS
location preferred).
For more information, visit www.
ecoknights.org.my/sentinelsoftime.
Bandar Malawati
Kuala Selangor
Shop Lot Office Double Storey & Three Storey
Min. Price
Max. Price
After Less 10% Discount
After Less 10% Discount
RM488,000 RM1,125,000
S.C. NG DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD
(264042-A)
No. 15, Jalan Melati 3/21, Bandar Malawati,
45000 Kuala Selangor, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
tel/fax
03 3289 6618
email scng_develop@yahoo.com
feature
14
may 25 – 27, 2012
Peterson often goes
birdwatching with her
daughter at spots like
Bukit Kiara Park, Forest
Research Institute
Malaysia in Kepong and
Kuala Selangor Nature
Park.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Asian Glossy Starling
麻雀
亞洲輝椋鳥
Ciak Rumah
Spotted Dove
Zebra Dove
Pink-necked
Green-pigeon
原鴿
珠頚斑鳩
和平鳩
紅頚綠鳩
Pied Triller
Little Heron
White-breasted
Waterhen
Asian Koel
黑原鹃鵙
綠鷺
白腹秧雞
噪鹃
Common Iora
Olive-backed Sunbird
Brown-throated Sunbird
黑翅雀鵯
黄腹花蜜鳥
褐喉直嘴花蜜鳥
Common
Flameback
Golden-bellied Gerygone
爪哇缝叶莺
金背三趾啄木鳥
黄胸吵刺鶯
Common Tailorbird
長尾縫叶鶯
Merbah Kapur
白眉黄臀鵯
Ashy Tailorbird
photos by Lim Kim Chye.
Perenjak Kelabu
A
part from sparrows, pigeons
and crows, what other urban birds can you recognise? Can you tell the male
Asian Koel from the House Crow?
(The Asian Koels are parasitic cuckoos
that lay their eggs at the crows’ nests and
let the crows bring up their young.)
“All birds have their own fascinating
stories,” said bird enthusiast Tashia
Peterson, 41, during an interview at the
Bukit Kiara Park in Taman Tun Dr
Ismail.
In 2010, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) kick-started a long-term
project called MY Garden Birdwatch
to monitor urban birds population and
cies like the Common Flameback,
Olive-backed Sunbird and Common
Iora came from mangroves and
coastal areas while the Oriental
Magpie-robin was from the forests.
“Birds, like other life forms, are
programmed to survive in the wake
of changes to their natural habitats.
No bird, however, has had the time
to evolve specific physical adaptations
Merbuk
Ruak-ruak
Pucung Keladi
Burung Kunyit Kecil
Belatuk Pinang Kecil
Kelicap Bukit
Tahu
Kelicap Mayang Kelapa
Blue-throated
Bee-eater
White-throated Kingfisher
Coppersmith
Barbet
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
白胸翡翠
赤胸拟啄木鸟
栗喉蜂虎
Common Myna
Javan Myna
Black-naped Oriole
House Crow
家八哥
爪哇八哥
黑枕黄鸝
家鴉
Pekaka Dada Putih
Tiong Jawa
Avid birder Khoo Swee Seng said
it’s important to secure statistics of the
garden birds as fluctuation in their
population could signal changes in the
environment.
For example, the Asian Koels were
very rare in Kuala Lumpur in the 1960s
and 1970s but became very common
in the 1980s due to the expanding
range of the House Crow.
And an increase in the population
of House Crows may be an indication
of poor garbage disposal as garbage is
their food source, said Khoo.
Zoologist Ron Orenstein noted
that birds were valuable indicators of
the environment as birds were more
visible compared to other animals like
frogs.
“If you build the data over a period
of say 10 years, it’ll give us a picture of
what’s happening to the birds in Malaysia (and the environment),” said
Orenstein in an interview posted on
online video portal Youtube on May 2.
He added that very few studies have
been done on garden birds and this
survey gives the public an opportunity
to become citizen scientists and contribute towards conservation.
“It’s only half an hour. By participating, people learn to appreciate nature
and the birds they see. They more they
know, the more they’ll care.”
The Malaysian survey is modelled
after the Big Garden Birdwatch in the
United Kingdom, which began in
1979 and attracted nearly 600,000
counters in January.
In comparison, only 135 counters
took part in the Malaysian survey last
year and no data was recorded from
Johor, Kelantan, Malacca and Tereng-
to the rapidly changing man-made
habitats.
“(So what happened is) some birds
have been able to develop an opportunistic nature and were able to move
from their original niches into new,
totally man-made habitats,” said Jeyarajasingam.
The birder noted that natural cliff
nesters like the House Swift and Pa-
cific Swallow adapted to cities and
towns by utilising concrete buildings
and bridges as nesting sites while the
Common Tailorbird made use of
potted plants and flower shrubs in
gardens as their nesting sites.
The Common Myna, often seen
strutting on lawns, nests in a variety
of situations from the tops of coconut
palms to large cracks in concrete
buildings.
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow, most
Why care about birds?
Punai Gading
Beberek Leher Biru
Tiong Gembala Kerbau
What are garden or urban birds?
Garden or urban birds in Malaysia are
mostly of open country and mangrove species, and some forest species,
which have been able to adapt to
changes to their natural habitats, according to expert Allen Jeyarajasingam.
The author of “A Field Guide to
the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and
Singapore” said common urban spe-
Tekukur
Murai Kampung
Kelicap Perepat
Perenjak Pisang
time with her six-year-old daughter
Reia on the weekend of June 2 and 3.
“This is not just about bird conservation; it’s also about appreciating nature and a chance for family and friends
to spend some quality time with each
other,” Peterson said.
鵲鴝
Rock Pigeon
Yellow-vented Bulbul
distribution nationwide through annual surveys.
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow was the
commonly sighted in 2011, followed
by the Common Myna and Rock Pigeon. House Crows came in sixth.
Peterson, a committee member of
the project, said the survey can be done
by first-time and casual bird watchers.
Data submitted will be analysed by
MNS and made public two to three
months later.
“Anyone can do it. They just have to
spend half an hour to observe the species and number of birds that can be
found in their gardens or parks on a
selected date every year,” said the freelance researcher.
She’ll be doing the count for the first
Oriental Magpie-robin
洋燕
Layang-layang Pasifik
Rembah Kening Putih
By Gan Pei Ling Pacific Swallow
Perling Mata Merah
Merpati
Getting to know
your garden birds
Not widespread in Sabah & Sarawak
Takur Akar
Burung Kunyit Besar
藍喉蜂虎
Beberek Ekor Biru
Gagak Rumah
©2012 Malaysian Nature Society Bird Conservation Council. Photos by David Lai, John Steed and Ooi Beng Yean.
Not found in Sabah & Sarawak
ganu due to the lack of publicity.
MNS hopes to gather 1,000 counters this year by publicising this initiative through the print and social media.
How to do the count?
The count can be done on June 2 or
3. The best time is between 7am to
11am or 4pm to 6pm when the birds
are most active.
Pick a site – your garden, park or
playground in your neighbourhood.
Bring the count sheet and pocket-sized
bird guide. Both can be downloaded
from www.mygardenbirdwatch.com.
Wear dull-coloured attire and
choose a discrete spot so that your presence will not scare the birds away.
Stay in the same spot for the next 30
minutes and observe the area around
you. Identify and count birds that are
perched on trees, wires or on the
ground. Do not include birds in flight
or birds that are heard but not seen.
Submit your results to the website
before June 17. Even if you didn’t see
any bird, submit your results as the information is also deemed as valid and
crucial data.
Still unsure how to do the count?
Join the mock session organised by
MNS this Sunday from 8am to 10am
at the Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur.
commonly sighted among all urban
birds in Malaysia, builds its rather
untidy nest on the eaves of buildings
and feeds on scraps of leftovers from
roadside food stalls, restaurants and
rubbish dumps.
Nevertheless, Jeyarajasingam
warns that these birds may not be
common for long if environmental
pollution and removal of green lungs
in towns and cities continue at an
accelerated pace.
NEWS15
may 25— 27, 2012
The Phil performs for charities
By Alvin Yap
subang jaya: The Philharmonic Society of Selangor is set to
repeat its best-selling performance
with the “Music from Movies and
Musicals IV” theme this June in
aid of charities.
“As a community-based choir,
we will always perform for our
community and the charity organisations in our locality,” said
choir director Cheryl Teh on
Sunday.
Known as “The Phil”, the
90-member team has been training since early this month in
preparation for their upcoming
three-day show scheduled at the
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts
Centre from June 1 to June 3.
Tickets for all three shows are
by invitation but donations are
welcome.
Proceeds from the June 1 performance will go towards the SK
Methodist Petaling Jaya Building
Fund.
Money collected on June 2 will
go towards The Phil, while the
June 3 show will benefit the Society for the Severely Mentally
Handicapped Selangor and Federal Territory, Persatuan SLE
Malaysia and the Light a Home
Project.
The choral group will perform
three new songs each from the
movies “Grease”, “Sound of Music” and “Prince of Egypt” along
with renditions of favourite stage
songs from the Broadway hit, “Les
Miserables”.
Teh said the choir would also
pay tribute to the late Whitney
Houston by singing “When You
Believe”, from the animation
“Prince of Egypt”.
She said the songs the group
will be performing all contain
messages of “hope and inspiration”.
An oldie slated to make a
comeback is P Ramlee’s Getaran
Jiwa, which the Phil had sung in
its inaugural overseas performance
in Perth last August.
During the practice at the Australian International School Malaysia at Serdang, the group again
showed its ability to harmonise
and hit the right notes when singing the melody.
Teh, who took over the conductor’s baton two years ago, said
the choristers have been showing
dedication to their craft, adding
that the group had stepped up its
commitment by not missing a
single practice session.
“This time, we have had a
shorter time to prepare and every-
Members of the Phil going through the dance choreography during
practice. Inset: Teh
one has shown a high level of commitment,” she said. She said that almost
one-third of the choir line-up comprised new members, following a series of successful “recruitment” drives
after their sell-out shows in 2011 and
early this year.
Member of the public can contact
Brenda (016 390 1282), Sereen (016
210 8219) or Kok Wing (012 213
9333) or email pssrsvp@gmail.
com for ticket inquiries.
Good response to Cycle Fest
subang jaya: An inaugural event to promote cycling in the
community saw overwhelming
participation by riders of all levels
of experience from Selangor.
Some 1,000 riders who took
part in Cycle Fest 2012 praised
the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) and the Racing Bicycle
Association of Selangor for organising the event and said they were
looking forward to next year’s
races.
“It’s a great start to showcase a
healthy lifestyle with bicycle riding,” said Paralympic racer Azman
Yeop Akil, 42, when met after
finishing first in the Disabled
category event.
A cyclist before a traffic accident in 2005 that led to his right
leg being amputated below the
knee, Azman has adapted to riding with a prosthetic leg.
The Cycle Fest programme
comprised races for four kinds of
bicycles: road racers, mountain
bikes, Fixies and folding bikes.
One lane each at Persiaran
Bakti, Murni, Tujuan and Perpaduan around the MPSJ Sports
complex were closed to traffic in
order to create the makeshift
three-kilometre per lap racetrack.
MPSJ allocated RM15,900 in
prize money with RM1,000 going
to the champion of the Men’s Elite
category which was the most
gruelling at 15 laps for a total of
45km.
The cyclists getting ready for the fest.
Meanwhile, the Men’s Open
category saw 25 cyclists vying for
the RM500 prize money after
racing for 12 rounds or 36 km.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid
Ibrahim officiated at the event
and later flagged off the Women’s
Open category race.
Khalid later said the MPSJ
initiative was beneficial to both
the environment and the health
of residents.
“I see that future Cycle Fest
events will be a huge draw and
the concept of cycling is a green
idea which benefits both the surroundings and also individuals’
health,” he said during a press
conference.
He called on Subang Jaya
ratepayers to be mindful of cyclists and their safety when driv-
ing on the streets in the area.
Also present at the event was
MPSJ president Datuk Asmawi
Kasbi and his deputy Abdullah
Marjunid.
Asmawi said Cycle Fest was
an opportunity for cyclist to get
together and thanked bicycle
retailers in the Klang Valley for
setting up their booths at the
event.
MPK opens
payment
counters
in Meru
KLANG: Ratepayers in Meru and
Kapar can pay their Klang Municipal
Council (MPK) bills at the Meru
community hall which will open on
the first weekend of each month.
MPK set up the counters at the hall
which will be open from 9am till 2pm
for residents to settle their assessment
dues and trading licence fees, among
other payments.
“We set up the payment centre in
Meru following public demand for
counters nearer to them,” said MPK
press relations officer Norfiza Mahfiz
in a statement on Monday.
She said ratepayers can opt to settle
their bills by cash, cheque, money
order, bank draft or credit card.
She pointed out that the counters,
which started operations in early May,
had received good response from
Meru residents.
Norfiza said Klang residents can
also settle their arrears at the I-kiosk
terminal at MPK’s headquarters in
town.
She added that ratepayers can
contact MPK’s revenue and collections unit at 03 33755555 and or 03
33716044 ext 2418/2518/2519 to
inquire about other payment counters
in the Klang area.
media
16
may 25 — 27, 2012
Just the space
for your needs
petaling jaya: Businesses
looking to give their corporate image
a boost can now opt to operate from
Cubic Space’s premium semi-D factories in Kota Damansara.
Cubic Space includes eight threestorey semi-D factory units in an exclusive gated and guarded address
along Jalan Teknologi 3/4 in Selangor
Science Park 1.
The units give off a modern feel on
first impression with sleek design
themes and landscaped green surroundings which are pleasing to the
eye.
Its spacious and practical floor
plans allow flexibility for both indus-
trial and corporate use and the surrounding residential area represents a
large potential workforce.
The units are divided into a corner
lot, Type A, which has a land area of
approximately 14,000 sq ft and an
approximate build-up area of 12,600
sq ft.
Type A faces Cubic Space’s entrance to the main road which is
manned by a security outpost offering
peace of mind with safety features .
They have an approximate land
area of 10,000 sq ft and an approximate build-up area of 9,800 sq ft each.
Employees can enjoy convenience
with ample parking lots available
C u b i c S p a c e ’s
premium semi-D
factories are
pleasing to the eye.
within each factory unit and around
the Cubic Space compound.
As there is a certain amount of
security involved, a maintenance fee
will be charged to buyers amounting
to 20 sen per sq ft. In line with the
contemporary outlook of the factory lots, clean industry businesses
are encouraged to join in as there is
no chemical waste output in the
area. Since its launch, the factory
units have since been taken up by a
light manufacturer and other investors.
Cubic Space is connected to the
Damansara-Puchong Highway
(LDP) by Persiaran Surian.
It is also reachable by the North
Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE)
via the Damansara exit. There are
also hotels, colleges and commercial
centres close by, including recreational resort Seri Selangor Golf
Club.
Media thanked for support
The ‘sky garden’ offers a grand view of the city skyline.
Stunning Vue
kuala lumpur: Vue Residences is offering buyers a chic lifestyle with a pulsating urban vibe at
their doorstep and the best of the
city’s modern facilities close by.
The single block of 272 serviced
suites sits along Jalan Pahang and offers homeowners stunning views of
the cityscape.
Those wanting to paint the town
red on a Saturday night will find the
suites an exciting choice as just a
stone’s throw away are places that
pump up the frequency of life.
Such a close proximity to the city
centre offers residents a wide variety
of eateries and entertainment venues,
including the Bukit Bintang belt.
Travelling businesspersons will
find their stay convenient with the
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
(KLCC) and the Putra World Trade
Centre (PWTC) nearby.
Out-of-towners who want a
holiday home can enjoy the Titiwangsa Recreational Park, National
Art Gallery and other interesting
and quirky scenes the city has to
offer.
They will also enjoy recreational
facilities within their residence itself
with an indoor pool that offers a
sprawling view of the city and a
private gym.
Even more relaxing are the jacuzzi and saunas nearby and a “sky
garden” which invites residents to
throw barbecue parties under the
stars.
Just a walk away are the Star LRT
and Titiwangsa Monorail stations
which allow for better connectivity
with other parts of greater KL.
At sizes of 500 to 1,003 sq ft, and
from studios to three-bedroom
suites, Vue Residences lets buyers
reignite their dream for cozy spaces
in the heart of the city.
The current take-up rate for Vue
Residences has exceeded 70 per cent
with the suites to be completed by
December 2013.
Vue Residences is the creation of
construction and property development company Prinsiptek Corporation Berhad (PCB).
Their other on-going projects
include Kristal 7, two-and-a-half
terrace homes in Shah Alam, and
Seri Wirani 8, which is a gated and
guarded development in Bangi.
PCB is also in the midst of constructing townhouses in an upmarket development called The
Prince in Bangkok.
For sales enquiries or to view the
Vue Residences show unit, call 0340213440 or 016-2295168.
kuala lumpur: Over 200
members of the media attended
LBS Bina Group Berhad’s media
appreciation night at the Kuala
Lumpur Golf and Country Club on
May 4.
LBS managing director Datuk
Lim Hock San expressed his thanks
to the media for their continuous
support in helping to shape the
company.
“We are grateful for your support, which motivates us to forge
ahead, changing progressively to
improve ourselves,” he said.
Ten guests walked away with
prizes from lucky draw sessions
held throughout the night which
gave away electronic gadgets like
iPod Touch and iPad 2.
LBS executive directors Datuk Joey Lim (fourth from left) and Cynthia
Lim (second from left) with winners of the iPod Touch and iPad2.
Better bereavement care
kuala lumpur: Bereavement
care provider NV Multi Asia Sdn Bhd
(Nirvana) is leveraging on the experience of cosmetic supplier The Dodge
Company Limited to ensure a family’s last glance of their loved ones is
memorable.
The tie-up between the companies
is aimed at providing greater comfort
to those attending funerals.
“The business alliance with Dodge
will allow Nirvana to provide the
deceased with the perfect appearance
on their last journey,” said Nirvana
general manager Reeno Kong at the
signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the two companies in
Nirvana’s KL office on May 21.
He said the products offered by
Dodge will help their company cater
to the funeral needs of an estimated
population of seven million Malaysian Chinese in the country.
“The Chinese population (in Malaysia)… translates to an estimated
RM140 billion in funeral expenses,”
Reano (second from left) shaking hands with Caldwell. Looking on (from
left) are Yu, David, Chien and Jeff.
he explained.
He said the collaboration with
Dodge will help improve the company’s overall cadaver handling and
provide the grieving families with
dignified and humane services.
Reeno added that Nirvana was
currently the only South-East Asian
partner chosen by Dodge to carry and
promote its embalming chemicals.
Signing the MOA for Dodge was
vice-president Craig Caldwell who
said they found a partner in Nirvana
as they shared the same values.
The American company, founded in 1893, will not only be providing Nirvana with their range of high
quality cosmetic products but will
also be holding training sessions.
Also present at the event was
Nirvana managing director Datuk
David Kong, Nirvana group chief
operating officer Jerry Yu, Nirvana
executive director Jeff Kong, and
Futein Pacific Enterprise Co Ltd
representative Peter Chien.
food 17
may 25 – 27, 2012
By Brenda Ch’ng
I
f you want to impress your
partner with an expensive
steak meal for two but on a
tight budget, head on down to
El Toro Butchery & Grill for a romantic dinner which will melt her
heart.
Located on the ground floor of
Subang Avenue and overlooking
Jalan Kemajuan Subang, the redpainted restaurant takes on a contemporary setting with simple cow
decorations which scream steakhouse.
Upon arrival, patrons can choose
to either dine alfresco style and pass
their time watching cars go by or sit
indoors where its slightly cooler as
it’s air-conditioned.
However, it’s advisable not to sit
near the main entrance as there
might be tiny flying insects coming
through the doorless restaurant.
Once comfortable, we ordered
their special promotion meal, which
consisted of a 200g black angus
tenderloin served with a side of
garden salad and steak fries.
For only RM48, patrons can
enjoy the steak plus a choice of either pumpkin or mushroom soup
and coffee or tea.
We opted for the mushroom instead of the pumpkin soup as we
were not really keen on filling our
tummy’s with the hearty broth.
Out came the mushroom soup,
tastefully decorated with swirls of
cream, and served with a warm slice
of garlic bread.
The fairly thin slice of garlic
bread was actually soft rather then
crispy like served in other restaurants, making it easy to chew but too
soft when dunked into the soup.
Lovers of mushroom soups
should definitely give this dish a
go as it was cooked with what
looked and tasted like Porcini
Mushrooms (brown mushrooms).
This soup reminded us
of the authentic ones served
in bread bowls at some Italian
restaurants around town.
We savoured the smooth thickness of the soup, seasoned with salt
and pepper, which was neither
chunky nor heavy.
Bearing in mind how reasonably
priced the whole set meal was, we
were even more surprised at how the
medium-rare meat tasted.
Grilled to perfection, the Australian beef simply melted in our
mouths as we savoured the black
pepper and salt seasoning.
On a scale of one to 10, we
unanimously rated it nine, for the
soft texture, perfect cooking and the
overall colour of the red meat.
However, we preferred it salted
and maybe seasoned a little
more to give it a richer taste.
Don’t dismiss this dish if
all you want is more flavour,
as you can always pour youself a squirt of Dijon mustard, chili sauce, tomato
sauce or even barbecue sauce
provided on each table.
Tantalise your tastebuds by
dipping the meat into the
mildly spicy yellow mustard
and be ready to double dip the
steak after every bite.
If you aren’t a big fan of black
Interior of the restaurant features cow decorations.
Meaty night out at
El Toro’s
Lamb burger with a serving of fries.
angus tenderloin, feel free to choose
among the several different meats or
cuts on the menu.
For example, try their grass-fed
sirloin steaks for only RM15 per
100 grams or the grass-fed rib-eye
for RM28 per 100 grams each.
If you have more to spare, indulge in their Australian import
Wagyu rib-eye at RM55 per 100
grams or the Wag yu Sirloin at
RM50 per
Mushroom soup.
The black angus tenderlion grilled medium-rare.
100 grams.
Other cuts like the black angus
rib-eye, sirloin or grass-fed tenderloin are priced between RM18 per
100 grams to RM28 per 100 grams.
One thing diners should note is
that the restaurant only cooks up a
minimum of 200 grams per serving.
Next up was the lamb burger,
with a sizable serve of lamb patty
sandwiched between fresh lettuce,
Italian Panna Corta.
tomatoes, diced onions and soft
hamburger buns.
It was hard to pinpoint what was
used to marinade the lamb patty,
which was grilled medium-rare
but we tasted a hint of mint, rosemary and other mysterious spices
marinated into the patty. This dish was also served with a
generous side of steak fries, which
was not glistening in oil, sprinkled
with a little salt and when eaten, is
soft on the inside and crunchy
on the outside.
The fries may look ordinary but when we took a
bite, we were amazed at
how fresh it was and soon
realised we were hooked on
El Toro’s fries.
We turned a blind eye to
the fact that we were chewing
the fried potatoes like they were
carrots as it was just too good to
resist.
After ingesting the unhealthy
sides and red meats, we found a little room left in our tummy and or-
dered ourselves their dessert of the
day, Panna Cotta.
Panna Cotta which means
cooked cream, originates from
Northern Italy and is usually served
with wild berries, caramel, chocolate sauce or fruit coulis.
This dish, made out of cream,
milk, sugar and gelatin can also be
eaten plain like yoghurt or icecream.
We were given two choices,
strawberry or chocolate, and we
opted for the latter topping.
In the midst of eating it, the three
words that came out of our mouths
to describe the dish was creamy,
velvety, and sinful.
To come up with your own set of
three illustrative words, head on
down to El Toro Butchery & Grill
at Subang Avenue, Jalan Kemajuan
Subang.
Opening hours are Tuesday to
Thursday 11am to 10.30pm, Friday
and Saturday 11am to 11pm and
Sundays from 11am to 10.30pm, or
call them at 03-56117713.
travel
18
may 25 — 27, 2012
Town that rose
from
floodwaters
The roads in KKB town are spacious and the view of the nearby mountain is marvellous.
Somewhere north of Selangor and 5km off the old KL-Ipoh trunk road
is Kuala Kubu Baru. LIN ZHEN YUAN visits and makes new discoveries.
F
or at least three decades I have bypassed
Kuala Kubu Baru or KKB for more
“civilised towns”. Towns like Serendah,
Rawang or Tanjung Malim can be seen from
the trunk road but KKB is a bit out of sight.
Finally, after what seemed to be a long
separation from the town that is located on a
hilly terrain, I got out from my house and
literally headed for the hills.
According to historical records, Kuala Kubu
was already in existence prior to 1883. Then
on that fateful year, a dam near the town broke
and practically destroyed Kuala Kubu.
Many lives were lost and property damage
was severe. In the aftermath of what had been
described as the “Kuala Kubu tragedy”, a new
town sprung up on the soggy grounds of a
disaster zone.
KKB is today the district capital of Hulu
Selangor. Its notable attractions are the
Chiling waterfalls, Sungai Selangor Dam and
the abandoned old town called Ampang
Pecah (named after the dam flood).
There is even the Ulu Kalong hot spring
lodged inside an oil palm plantation.
According to those who have tried to find it,
it is not easily accessible.
Frankly if not for an old and dear friend who
has made KKB his permanent residence, I
wouldn’t have switched on my GPS and went
in search of the town.
Kuala Kubu Baru has a few surprises for first
time visitors. The initial surprises were the
tranquil atmosphere and serene landscape.
One could say that the town is pretty.
A town that perhaps could be compared to
KKB is Taiping. Taiping’s most attractive
feature is its Lake Garden. KKB has a genteel
appearance of a pastoral sanctuary.
I now officially withdraw my preconceived
notion that it is on the “ulu” side of
development. Its population is probably closer
to 30,000 now. The official population
estimates in 2004 was 22,470.
If you feel the constant flow of wind ruffling
your hair at certain times of the day, it is
because KKB’s elevation is 91 metres, or 200
ft. You can breathe deeply the mountain air
because it is relatively pollution-free around
these parts.
About 128.7km to the northwest is Gunung
Korbu and 133.5km northeast lies Gunung
Tahan, the highest mountain in the peninsula.
And 51.5km (32miles) southwest , as the
crows fly, is the Straits of Malacca.
KKB is a hop, skip and jump away from
Batang Kali and Ulu Yam Lama. The latter
town is where some PJ and KL folks visit on
weekends in search of “lor mee”.
According to the resident expert (my friend)
who has stayed here for a better part of 15
years, the town has a good mix of races. About
57 per cent of the population is Malay, 23 per
cent Chinese and 19 per cent Indians. There
are also the Orang Asli who make up the
remaining one per cent.
In recent years, a number of housing estates
have sprung up and helped push KKB up a few
notches in terms of development. The middle
class families
are found in
T a m a n
Ampang Pecah,
T a m a n
Ampang Indah,
T a m a n
Gamelan,
Taman Seruling
a n d Ta m a n
Tanjak.
From th e
rooftop balcony
of a town
shophouse, a
visitor can catch
a beautiful
glimpse of the The view is lovely
n e a r b y from the balcony
mountains with of a shophouse.
white clouds
drifting across the clear-blue sky.
Kuala Kubu Baru town is surprising
clean and there is a semblance of order
uncharacteristic of towns its size. In Jalan
Mat Kilau where there is an interlocking
block pavement road, the trees are
trimmed and pruned to reflect a “city in
the garden” appearance.
Some obvious changes have taken place
in the town. An old landmark built in
1953, Coates Theatre has been turned
into a snooker centre. Modern times and
technology have changed the face of
mass entertainment with the advent of
DVDs, Blu-Ray discs and home
theatre systems.
But I learned in a matter of hours
that the town itself has a number of
Chinese eateries that are worthy of
a second and third visit. There is a Red, green and yellow are now the colours of the
Hailam restaurant in the heart of old Coates theatre.
town that serves fairly good chicken
chop and fried rice.
the Metrobus service from Kuala Lumpur and
There is another restaurant around the corner the old KL-Ipoh trunk road, Kuala Kubu Baru
called Restoran 98. It is probably doing is easily within reach.
roaring business as well. What caught the You can take an 80-minute drive from KL
attention of a wide-eyed visitor like me was a which is 60km away, and if you so wish you
shop that advertised itself as “Café Kek & can drive another 40km to catch some
Roti”.
interesting views from top of Fraser’s Hill.
I thought its message was as clear and direct I was told that the best mode of transport for
as any I had seen in some smaller towns. There anyone staying in KKB is cycling. Many
is no mistaking cyclists have scaled the moderate heights of
as to what lie Fraser’s Hill and found the ride to be
w i t h i n i t s exhilarating.
premises.
Don’t for a minute think that KKB is for old
Since January folks, retirees and those who have a disdain
2008, the KTM for the incessant city traffic. KKB is no longer
C o m m u t e r the little toddler that falls asleep every now
train route has and then.
been extended It even has a 24-hour restaurant and more
t o K K B . than a couple of interesting shops to make you
Coupled with feel right at home.
KKB surroundings are breathtaking,
green and invigorating.
Gallery 19
may 25 – 27, 2012
PJ Selatan member of Parliament
Hee Loy Sian (standing, third from
right) celebrating Dental Hygiene
Day with teachers at the Taman
Kanagapuram Community
Rehabilitation Centre on May 21.
State executive councillor for
health and compassionate
government Dr Xavier Jayakumar
inquiring about the health of a senior
citizen while visiting Sungai Kandis,
Section 36, Shah Alam, last week.
(From left) State
exco Dr Ahmad
Yunus Hairi,
Selangor Menteri
Besar Tan Sri
Khalid Ibrahim
and Bangi state
assemblyperson
Dr Shafie Abu
Bakar watch as a
traditional kris is
washed at the Shah
Alam Museum. Kapar member of Parliement S Manikavasagam
(centre) during a press conference on Tuesday
where he denied claims that he sought RM10
million from former Menteri Besar Dr Khir Toyo to
leave Pakatan Rakyat. He is flanked by Shah Alam
member of Parliament Khalid Samad (right) and
Kelana Jaya member of Parliament Loh Gwo Burne. Hulu Kelang assemblyperson Saari Sungib (right) and village security and
development committee (JKKK) member Malathi Palanisamy (yellow shirt)
and a resident standing next to construction debris which is one cause of the
floods at Kuala Ampang following a downpour here last Saturday.
culture
20
may 25 — 27, 2012
The Phil
strikes again
By Dominic Luk
C
atch The Phil in action as they present ‘Music from
Movies and Musicals 4 (MMM4)’ from June 1-3.
The Choir of the Philharmonic Society of
Malaysia (most fondly known as The Phil) is one of the
country’s oldest music societies and was founded in
1958. The choir is the most active arm of the society,
and over the years has produced and staged over 50
successful productions. This community choir is made
up of passionate volunteers from all walks of life, with
the purpose of building a community in harmony.
The choir, led by Cheryl Teh, will perform their fourth
edition of Music from Movies and Musicals (MMM) with
over 100 singers. The choir will be accompanied by a
live band which will be lead by Nish Tham. Among the
CALENDAR
magical and memorable tunes that will be featured that
night include songs from The Sound of Music, Grease,
The Lion King, Les Misérables, Prince of Egypt, Shrek,
and Jersey Boys.
The first MMM was performed in 1996, with MMM2
in 2003 and MMM3 took to stage in 2010.
As a community based society, apart from promoting
the love of music in the community, one of The Phil’s
other main objectives is to contribute to charitable
organisations within the community. Over the past half
century, proceeds from productions have been donated
to many charitable organisations around Malaysia. This
year proceeds from the production will be channeled
to the Society for the Severely Mentally Handicapped,
Selangor and Federal Territory (SSMH); Persatuan SLE
Malaysia (PSELM); and the Light a Home Project.
Do get your tickets to watch this concert and enjoy
the delightful voices of The Phil. More details on The
Phil can be found at www.thephil.org.my.
Concert Details:
Venue: Pentas 1, KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) Shows: -Friday 1 June 2012 @ 8:30pm for SK Methodist
Petaling Jaya (MPS) Building Fund. (Invitations for this
show please contact Marissa Abishegam 012 9078751 or
Prof Guna 013 3040083, email: drguna@unisel.edu.my)
Saturday 2 June 2012 @ 3:00pm & 8:30pm
- Sunday 3
June 2012 @ 3:00pm
For other Invitations please contact:
Brenda (Bangsar
South) 016 390 1282 / Sereen (Taman Tun Dr Ismail)
016 210 8219 / Kok Wing (General Enquiries) 012 213
9333, pssrsvp@gmail.com
French
Dreams
The End
Film: May 25-27; Sunway
Rooftop Theatre; 014
7330944; RM15.
Three different stories
woven together to bring you
one half an hour long film.
As a meteor shower heads
towards Earth, a young man
confronts the issues of his
past regarding his father.
Two best friends who grew
up believing in the healing
powers of herbal soup must
now face the fact that it
may not be as magical as
they believe it to be, and a son faces up to his parents when
he can no longer conform to their strict upbringing. Intimate Encounters
Music: May-June; Urban Lounge; www.damaorchestra.com;
03-2092 9592 & 03 6201 9108
Intimate Encounters is a 60-minute showcase presented in
two sets (9.30pm-10.00pm & 10.30pm-11.00pm) with piano
accompaniment and/or minus-one music. Dining patrons can
savour the specially prepared pre-show two-course or threecourse dinner that promises to titillate the taste buds. Dinner
will be served from 7pm onwards. It includes a first drink at
the show. Non-dining patrons will also enjoy a first drink at
the show.
Music: May 19-20;
Dewan Filharmonik
Petronas, KL;
RM30-RM120.
Malaysian
Philharmonic
Orchestra (MPO)
pays tribute
to the glory of
French music
by performing
masterpieces
themed French
Dreams this
weekend at
Dewan Filharmonik
Petronas. These
concerts are part of
the French Art and
Film Festival 2012, and is a joint collaboration between DFP,
Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur (AFKL) and the Embassy
of France in Malaysia.
The Orchestra will perform four works. Gabriel Fauré’s
Ballade for Piano and Orchestra, originally composed in
1877, is a story or narrative of the composer’s harmonic
sophistication and subtlety. It is rarely performed, thus
making these concerts rather special.
Francis Poulenc’s Aubade is both a ballet and a concerto, a
work like no other. Though the plot of this particular ballet is
‘dreamy’, the dominance of keyboard and woodwinds give
the work a sharp, clean sonority that is ‘very 20th century’.
Also included in the repertoire are Claude Debussy’s Iberia
and Maurice Ravel’s popularDaphnis et Chloe Suite No.2. PJ Laugh Fest
Comedy: May 26 (8.30pm)-27 (7pm); PJ Live Arts Theatre @
Jaya One; 03-79600439; http://pjlivearts.my/; RM60.
Malaysians throw rubbish beneath a “Jangan Buang
Sampah” sign—BUT WHY? It’s not you, it’s me—BUT WHY?
Malaysians ask a lot of questions—BUT WHY? Jenhan
doesn’t have the answers although he has lots of jokes…
BUT WHY???
Functions
and Weddings
at
BBGCR
Thinking of having an annual conference, dinner & dance or a wedding set
against a luscious green background and amidst serene surroundings? Then Bukit
Beruntung Golf & Country Resort would be the prefect location. With its custommade event organising, catered to your needs and specifications, BBGCR offers
you top delivery for bottom dollar.
Rates for functions in its classy ballroom start from RM2,400 – offering a 300pax
seating arrangement, provision of a stage, air-conditioning, tailor-made settings &
decoration, ample parking space for guests and much more.
For larger scale functions, there is the option of converting the badminton court
into an events venue that can seat 800-1,000 people for a surprisingly lower rate
– RM1,500.
BBGCR is certainly a steal when it comes to pricing, services, location and
satisfaction. Don’t just take our word for it. Drop by and experience Selangor’s
latest jewel.
Bukit Beruntung
Country
Resort
Unlike some golf resorts, Bukit Beruntung Golf & Country Resort offers its members usage of its course and facilities at no monthly subscription. Membership with BBGCR comes with numerous perks and in particular for this term, new registrations come with a 6-month free membership. This would mean golfers enjoy an 18-month membership for the 12-month rate, if the
registration is secured before June 30, 2012.
Why Bukit Beruntung Golf & Country Resort? Apart from all the above, this
premier five-star golf and country resort caters for the whole family. It is easily
accessible via the North-South Highway and the Bukit Beruntung Interchange.
A peaceful car drive will lead visitors to the magnificent beauty of the club set
against harmonious flora and fauna.
For a valuable and rewarding golfing experience, on a course that covers an
area of over 400 acres consisting of a main clubhouse with full club facilities and
a 36-hole dual golf course, drop by BBGCR today.
To Serendah
from Rawang
Rawang
interchange
Sg. Buaya
NORTH-SOUTH
Highway
Toll Gate
Bukit Beruntung Housing
& Commercial Area
To SKC
Bukit Beruntung
Housing Area
Full golfing membership and access to its facilities comes at:
• RM1,500 for a ONE YEAR golf-term membership
• RM1,000 for a ONE YEAR sports-term membership
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
6-month free membership
36-hole golf course
Sports facilities include squash, table-tennis, badminton and tennis courts
Swimming pools
Gymnasium
12-lane bowling alley
Snooker room
Children’s playground
Terrace Garden coffee-house
Ballroom & seminar rooms
20-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur
Bukit Beruntung
interchange
Exit 118
To EMKAY
Bukit Beruntung Golf
& Country Resort
Bukit Beruntung Golf & Country Resort
WDT NO. 14, 48009, RAWANG, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Tel: (603) 6028 1888; Fax: (603) 6028 1843;
Golf Booking Line: (603) 6028 1841
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.