Team launched to patch potholes fast

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/1/24/central/3103959&sec=central

FROM now on, the Petaling Jaya City Council should be able to patch up a pothole within 48 hours from the moment you inform them of the location.

This is the promise of the council with the launch of the Quick Response Team on Thursday at the MBPJ headquarters. The team headed by the Engineering Department director is made up of three groups dedicated to acting on residents’ complaints. “The team is formed to tackle public complaints while cutting bureaucracy. Each of its members is committed to act on the calls in the shortest time, yet not compromising on the quality and productivity,” said mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman at the launch.

The role of the team is to check cleanliness, monitor the condition of public amenities and facilitate enforcement by looking out for those flouting regulations.

The uniformed team members are always equipped with a sky lift, saw, cleaver, hoe, torchlight, work signage and safety jackets to carry out their duties at once.

The complaints they take care of include flash flood, pothole, uprooted tree/ fallen branch and faulty traffic light.

“Each unit will also make their rounds during working hours to look out for these problems and fix them without waiting for anyone to make a complaint,” he added.

“The team is always ready to be called anytime, especially during weekdays,” he said, adding that the complaints would also be assessed so that they could be dealt with based on the urgency.

He highlighted that the council received 6,835 complaints last year and that 5,903 had been remedied while the rest were being seen to.

The public can forward their complaints by calling the MBPJ 24-hour hotline at 03-7954 2020 or send an SMS by typing mbpj complaint type of complaint to 33733. Complainants will receive acknowledgement of receipt and reference number on the same day.

KL ren in KT

Even our volunteer made it to the news!

He and Edward both journeyed to Kuala Terengganu together actually.

PJ residents unhappy over pool closure

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/1/12/central/2984580&sec=central
By TAN KARR WEI

THE swimming pool in Lorong Sultan, Petaling Jaya, has been closed for about three years now and it may remain so for some time, much to the annoyance of the people who want to use the pool.

Calvin Ho, 27, said he used to swim in the pool every Saturday during his secondary school days as it was the venue of his school’s swimming club.



The Petaling Jaya City Council swimming pool, once well used by
the public, is now lying idle.

“It is quite sad to see the pool in its current state as it used to be quite a popular place,” said Ho.
A PJ resident, who only wants to be known as Sivakumar, said he worked in the area and that he had seen people turning up at the pool only to be disappointed.

“I have been working in this area for the last 15 years and when the pool was opened, there were many people, especially on weekends. You could see families eating at the restaurants,” he said.

Currently, there is a sign at the entrance of the swimming pool announcing that it is temporarily closed until further notice but the gate is left open.

People can be seen walking into the pool compound to walk towards the Maju Curry House next to it.

However, there is another barrier to prevent people from walking into the pool area and the changing rooms for swimmers are also locked. Another set of toilets seem to be still in use as it is unlocked and lighted.

Despite it being unused, there is water in the pool with dirt and algae collecting in it.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee said he had received complaints from residents who were regular users of the pool.

“Many of them are unhappy with the existing operators as the pool is poorly maintained,” said Lee.

According to MBPJ public relations director Haniza Abdul Hamid, the agreement held by the current operator expired on Nov 30 last year and they have been issued notice to vacate the premises.

MBPJ councillor Latheefa Koya said the issue was discussed during one of the committee meetings and would reopen it for proposals to refurbish the pool.

“We want the pool to be turned into a family oriented place that is affordable for the PJ people,” she said.


Free for all: The toilets at the swimming pool in Lorong Sultan are still in use.

Lee said based on performance, the previous operator should not be given another chance to renew the contract.

He said some residents had also alleged that there were gaming machines being operated at the outlets in the area.

“These unhealthy activities should not be carried out at a public amenity owned by the council,” said Lee.

Appeal for a 'new lease of life'

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/Streets/Saturday/Stories/2442469/Article/index_html
By Sheila Sri Priya



Taman Medan assemblyman Haniza Talha (third from left)
at a meet-the-resident session on New Year’s Day


PETALING JAYA: Owners of expiring leasehold houses in Petaling Jaya Old Town may soon be able to sleep in peace. The Selangor menteri besar is expected to look into the issue in two weeks' time and the residents are hopeful of good news.

The residents of leasehold houses were told about this by Taman Medan assemblyman Haniza Talha on Thursday. During a meet-the-resident session on New Year's Day at Pasar Othman, Old Town, Haniza said: "Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing assemblyman) is still gathering the required information. We are going to meet the MB in two weeks to discuss the land code issue."

Residents in Sections 2, 3, 4, and 14 are still waiting for an tension to their leasehold or better still, be issued with freehold grants. Many residents in Old Town have only five years left before the 60-year-old leasehold expires. Their plight may see some positive response from the menteri besar as Perak recently issued freehold titles to 11 homeowners in Kuala Rui near Grik.

On other issues, Haniza urged the Petaling Jaya City Council to consider issuing temporary business permits to hawkers. "It's better to have them do legal business then for them to be involved in illegal activities like selling pirated discs or worse, involved in serious crime."

Haniza also proposed four-storey flats and developing human capital development in Taman Medan. She pointed out that the affordable quality housing (AQH), concept is used in developed countries to provide a better environment in areas with social problems."

At present, the quality of life in areas like Taman Medan is deplorable. "Most urban slums areas have a high crime rate. Without proper guidance, the younger generation won't be able to get out of the circle of poverty and may turn to illegal activities," she said.

Haniza said in the United States, AQH houses were built in areas with community problems. "If an area is stigmatised by prostitution, houses like these are built with nice gardens and other supporting facilities. This leads to the community prospering and slowing down and eventually stopping undesirable activities."

Haniza complained that lifts in high-rise buildings were often not functioning and this added to the stress among residents. Also the high-rise buildings are unsuitable for a large community. Haniza said she will propose the AQH project in the next state executive council meeting.

Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian, who was at the meeting with residents, said he hoped that the government would not raise toll rates and water prices this year.

RM12,000 donation for Assunta Children Society

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/1/1/central/2882375&sec=central
By TAN KARR WEI

PEALS of laughter rang through the premises of the Assunta Children Society (ACS) in Petaling Jaya recently as Banana the clown entertained the children with his antics.

The fun-filled afternoon was organised by sports and recreational organisation Delta Club, which also donated RM12,000 to the society as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.



Welcome support: Ewe (right) presenting the donation to Wong,
witnessed by Lee.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee witnessed the handing over of the mock cheque by Delta Club manager Ewe Teik Kwong to Sister Angela Wong from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, which runs the children’s home.

Wong said the ACS catered for 45 children from underprivileged families, mostly from the nearby Kampung Medan area.



Fun with balloons: Banana the clown giving out balloons to the children.

“They do not stay here but they come here for breakfast and lunch, and we have a study routine for them,” she said.

The objective of the ACS is to equip the children with better education so that they can have a better life.

After the cheque presentation ceremony, the children were treated to a lunch of pizza and fried chicken served by Santa and his Santarinas.

For details on the Assunta Children Society, call 03-7783 7105 / 03-7782 4600 or email acscie@tm.net.my.