MBPJ to hire 98 new contractors for cleaning services

By Aida Ahmad
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/12/23/central/10148264&sec=central

THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will hire 98 new contractors for cleaning services next year.

Some 34 new officers will also be hired to monitor 77 zones in Petaling Jaya following an public outcry on the poor rubbish collection services in the city.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said each officer would be in charge of four to five zones.

“We need look into hiring more labourers to collect rubbish since the local councils have taken over the duties from Alam Flora.

“Our biggest problem now is the lack of workers and monitoring,” Roslan told reporters after the MBPJ full board meeting.

“We are well aware of the problems now and will outsource or hiring more workers to do the job,” he said.

The council has taken over garbage collection as of Oct 16 from Alam Flora. Those with complaints can call the council’s hotline at 03-7954 2020, SMS to 33213 or e-mail aduan@mbpj.gov.my.

During the full board meeting, councillor and Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian raised the issue of rubbish collection.

“Residents in Section 18, 17, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Petaling Jaya said the rubbish had not been collected for more than a week.

“Every time a wakil rakyat meets the grassroots we get bombarded by numerous complaints about the rubbish situation. The council needs to take action quickly,” said Hee.

Hee said there was also the problem of potholes especially along Jalan Universiti, Jalan Semangat and Jalan Utara.

“This is a problem that should be looked into. The authorities should not wait until it is close to the general election to do something about this,” he said.

On another issue, Roslan said the council would foot the outstanding electricity bill of RM188,000 for residents along Jalan PJS 1/52, who had been coping without streetlights for the past 10 months.

“We will pay the outstanding bill, for the sake of the well-being of the public and order the developer to reimburse the council later. In future, the council will be more stringent in ensuring the developers are trustworthy and reliable,” said Roslan.

During the meeting, councillors Derek Fernandez and Chan Chee Kong were opposed to the idea of footing the bill as it was the responsibility of the developer.

At the start of the meeting, the council offered its sympathy and condolences to the family of Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee Poh Lin who succumbed to colon cancer on Dec 20.

Appellate Court reinstates suit by three BN assemblymen against Selangor government

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/16/nation/20111216195012&sec=nation

PUTRAJAYA: Three Barisan Nasional Selangor assemblymen succeeded in their appeal Friday to reinstate the civil suit that sought declaratory relief concerning the legality of the Selangor State Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat).

A three-member Appellate Court panel, comprising justices Datuk Wira Low Hop Bing, Datuk Abdul Malik Ishak and Datuk Clement Allan Skinner, unanimously set aside the Shah Alam High Court's decision to strike out the suit filed by Sungai Air Tawar State Assemblyman Datuk Raja Ideris Raja Ahmad, Morib assemblyman Hasiman Sidom and Kuala Kubu Bharu assemblyman Wong Koon Mun.

Low, who chaired the panel, said the court was unable to agree with the High Court judge that their originating summons did not have sustainable cause of action.

The court ordered the suit be reinstated and remitted back to the High Court. The case would be heard and dispose off the merits before another High Court judge.

The assemblymen filed the originating summons naming Selcat chairman Teng Chang Kim, six Selcat members, namely Haniza Mohamed Talha, Mohamed Azmin Ali, Saari Sungib, Edward Lee Poh Lin, Sulaiman Abdul Razak and Ismail Sani, Selangor state assembly speaker, Selangor state assembly secretary and Selangor Government as defendants.

They filed the suit, seeking among others, a declaration that the formation of Selcat and/or its proceedings were null and void and had no effect, whatsoever.

The assemblymen also wanted the court to declare the committee was in breach of standing orders, state laws and federal constitution, and had acted in excess of its jurisdiction; and did not reflect the balance between the parties within the state assembly.

The High Court on March 22 had struck out the suit under Order 18, Rule 19 (1) (a) of the Rules of the High Court 1980 on grounds that it (the suit) disclosed no reasonable cause of action.

Lawyers Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin and M. Athimulan represented the assemblymen while counsel Tommy Thomas represented the respondents. Bernama

Choo-chooing in for seventh year

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/12/16/central/10082579&sec=central

IN A bid to spread light and warmth to the lives of the underprivileged, the charitable year-end project of Hilton Petaling Jaya — the Hilton Christmas Train — is returning for the seventh year.

Aiming to raise funds for the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) and to enable an educational trip to Aquaria KLCC with the children from Rumah Hope, the miniature train exhibit and icing setting will be showcasing at the hotel lobby from now until Jan 8, 2012.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee pulled the train lever during the launch which saw the attendance of NKF chief executive officer Chua Hong Wee, Rumah Hope chairman Jacob Mathew, Hilton Petaling Jaya business development director Manu Koshy, children from Rumah Hope and corporate sponsors. Apart from the Christmas carol sung by the children, the hotel engineering and pastry teams gave a short brief on the design concept to the guests and children.

It’s official: Lee (right) pulling the train lever with (from left) Manu, Chua and Mathew.

Staying true to the spirit of giving and caring during the festive season, the hotel has spearheaded this renowned Hilton tradition since 2004. Hilton Christmas Train brings together different parties by raising fund through offering advertising space on various wagons, hot air balloon and billboards and donation from diners to promote the cause and benefits to the community.

“We have received continuous support from various stakeholders such as corporate clients, suppliers, restaurant diners and the local community since our first Hilton Christmas Train. It’s a great opportunity for companies to play their role as responsible corporate citizen yet at the same time leverage on advertising mileage by having their company logo visibly branded on the train exhibit,” Manu said.

This year, the launch of the train is a significant moment for Hilton PJ because the train was constructed entirely in-house.

“We are proud to say that this is solely our very own year-end charity project as it is assembled completely by our engineering and pastry teams. It is amazingly incredible, magnificent and, in fact, better than expected. Despite its smaller scale compared to previous years when we outsourced experts and college students, the satisfaction gained when you see the smile on children’s face and compliment from guests are simply cannot be put into words,” said Manu.

The Hilton Christmas Train 2011 features a winter setting at the North European Village with royal icing mountains, royal icing tress as tall as 30 inches, traditional buildings made of gingerbread, bridges, billboards, tunnel and hot-air balloons. At least two locomotives that can pull up to six wagons each, 30 pieces of 4’ x 8’ plywood, 30m of wires, 500kg of icing sugar, 500kg of flour, 200kg of butter, 200kg of sugar, 50kg of ginger and 50kg of spices comprise the magnificent display.

Chugging through the winter wonderland is a series of G scale trains, 22 times smaller than the actual train. They will be passing through tunnels, steaming over bridge and stopping to take on more passengers at the little town station. The display covers a space of approximately 35sq m.

Besides obtaining support from corporate companies, the hotel will be running a fundraising campaign. Guests are invited to contribute through the donation boxes placed at the train exhibit and dining outlets.

More pictures here: http://www.zestpj.com/general/hilton-christmas-train-launch/

Positive response at briefing

Writer: Gan Pei Ling
http://www.selangortimes.com/index.php?section=news&permalink=Positive%20response%20at%20briefing

PETALING JAYA: Homeowners unsure of how to extend their 99-year leases were delighted to be able to renew titles during a briefing and registration exercise on Tuesday.

Lee, 60, told Selangor Times she came from Perak to renew the lease for her mother’s house in Section 1, Petaling Jaya.

“The lease is expiring in 12 years’ time, of course I must take advantage of this good opportunity to renew it,” the homemaker said.

Azizah Rashid, 52, complimented the authorities for organising the public briefing at the Arena Sports Complex as the new Petaling District Office in Shah Alam U5 is out of the way.

“This is much more convenient for us,” said the home- maker, who owns a house in Section 3, Petaling Jaya with her husband.

She found out about the registration exercise via a flyer distributed in her housing area as this Private Residential Ownership Scheme initiated by Selangor was not widely reported in the mainstream press. Under the scheme, property owners can opt to pay RM1,000 instead of the full premium to extend their leasehold titles, and are only required to pay the remaining premium when they sell or transfer their properties.

This is to encourage private residential owners to keep their properties.

Alternatively, owners can choose to pay the full premium within six months of their application approval and receive a 30% discount.

Petaling chief assistant district officer Yahaya Hassan said property owners can find out whether their applications are approved after a month.

“After we receive their applications, the Department of Land Evaluation will determine the premium based on the land’s market price,” said Yahaya.

He added that a similar registration exercise had been conducted last week on Sept 21 and 22 at the same venue, which attracted a few hundred people to inquire about the scheme, and 80 applications for lease extension.

The public briefing-cum-registration exercises were organised by the Petaling District Office and the offices of Bukit Gasing assembly person Edward Lee and Taman Medan assembly person Hanizah Talha.

Hanizah said they plan to organise it again next month on a weekend for the public’s convenience.

Market road to be upgraded

Tan Karr Wei
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?sec=central&file=/2011/9/17/central/9484908

THE road where the open air wet market in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, is operating on will be upgraded to a concrete one.

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) engineering department director Cheremi Tarman said Jalan 17/27, which is a tarred road, was not conducive for a wet market because water from the stalls caused the surface to break easily, creating potholes.

“The council will turn the road into a concrete one at a cost of RM170,000,” said Cheremi, who visited the site recently with Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian and Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee to discuss the upgrading work with traders.

The traders have agreed to allow work to start on Sept 19 and they would move their stalls temporarily to the open car park in two phases.

Bad drainage: The road is riddled with potholes and the water is not flowing into the drains.

Fifty-seven traders will move the car park under the first phase and the remaining 66 will move in later when work starts on the second stage.

Section 17 Hawkers Association chairman Lim Keh Seng said the upgrade was timely because the road condition was getting from bad to worse and the drainage system was bad.

Committee member Tan Yew Leong said water from the meat and fish stalls would create pools on the roads.

“Some of the marketgoers have even slipped on the road,” said Tan.

The upgrading work was expected to be completed in three months but Hee urged the council to get the job done earlier to minimise the disruption to the business.

Lee said after the road was upgraded, it was the traders’ responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of the area.

He said there was a proposal to build a waste disposal and recycling centre at the carpark but the project was still pending approval.

Traders were also concerned if they would be charged for operating at the carpark because it was privately-owned.

Cheremi said they had obtained a verbal approval from the landowners and would request for a formal one.

He added that the engineering department would also look into installing proper lighting in the area, which was also used by a night market.

Bukit Gasing project starts

Bulldozers begin clearing forests for 69 bungalows

Meena Lakshana

http://www.mmail.com.my/content/84634-bukit-gasing-project-starts

GREEN NO MORE: A billboard advertises bungalow land for sale at the entrance to where the hill is being cleared for the project

PETALING JAYA: The fate of Bukit Gasing appears to be sealed. Bulldozers have cut huge tracts of forests to build 69 bungalows on 15.3 ha.

Work on the Sanctuary Ridge Kuala Lumpur City project began in August despite the fact the residents' appeal against the High Court's dismissal of their application for a judicial review of the development is to be heard on Dec 12.

Petaling Jaya city councillor Derek Fernandez said the developer, Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd, was acting within the law by commencing work on the land pending the appeal in court.

"From a legal standpoint, they can do the earthworks because there is no interim stay on the court's decision or an injunction against it," he told The Malay Mail yesterday.

"If the residents want to stop work on the land, they could apply for a stay on the court's decision pending the appeal. However, the residents would then have to pay a certain sum to the developer if an injunction is filed."

Bukit Gasing Joint Action Committee chairman Gary Yeoh said the injunction remained an option and he questioned the local authorities' role in upholding residents' interests.

"My main contention is, where is Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) responsibility towards ratepayers and residents?" he said.

"It's about time local authorities lived up to their responsibility to ensure the safety of residents."

On Sept 6 last year, the High Court dismissed the judicial review application filed by residents seeking a public hearing on the development.

Judge Datuk Aziah Ali, who delivered the decision, said residents in the area had no right to be heard in relation to the hill slope development as the right for a public hearing only arose if there was a change of density or use to a plot of land.

The site for the development had been individually titled since 1977 and the land is categorised as "building". Gasing Meridian has owned the land since 1995.

On the clearing of vast tracts of forested areas, Yeoh said it was unsettling for residents.

"Large tracts of land are now exposed to the elements. Do we have to go through a landslide before an inquiry into the development is held?" he asked.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee said the onus was on the developer to ensure the land clearing work did not cause any untoward incidents.

Sanctuary Gasing Group marketing manager Steven Tan said the company had appointed an independent consultant, Ikram Engineering Services Sdn Bhd, to monitor the project.

He said development impact and mitigation measures such as proper drainage, and silt traps and bunds to divert and channel run-off water, mud and silt from public roads and the surrounding areas would be implemented.

Tan also said technologies such as inclinometers and settlement markers or gauges would be fixed to ensure the stability of the development into the future.

"Measures for slope protection include retaining walls and cutslope management using turf, hydro-seeding (where grass seeds are sprayed onto the slope along with mulch and binder), gabion mattresses, stone pitching, slope drainage and horizontal drains," he said.

It has also been reported Gasing Meridian intends to relocate the existing sewerage treatment plant at Taman Gasing Indah, and convert the site into a public park.

Lee out of line, says Guan Eng

**Just to clarify, Edward never "threatened". There were rumours that he'd be dropped, and a reporter called up to ask what would he do if DAP were to drop him, and he merely replied that he'd run independent.

By Sylvia Looi
http://www.thestar.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/10/nation/9664330&sec=nation

IPOH: Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee was out of line when he threatened to stand as an independent if he was dropped in the next general election, said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

Lim said Lee's statement was completely unexpected as the assemblyman had not discussed the matter either with him or other party leaders.

“This kind of statement is out of line and completely unexpected. It is an unusual statement,” he said after opening the Perak DAP convention here yesterday.

It was reported that Lee had made it clear that he would quit the party if he was dropped as a candidate.

Lee, who was speculated to be one of the four DAP incumbents to be dropped, said he would contest as an independent if the party decided not to field him in the 13th general election.

In an earlier report, a party insider said Lee and three others Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M. Manoharan, Balakong assemblyman Yap Lum Chin and Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin might be dropped in the next general election.

He said Lee's declining health was the reason why he might be dropped, but Lee claimed that it was due to political agenda.

Lim admitted that it had been quite some time since he last met Lee although they communicated through the phone on several occasions.

On hudud, Lim said if it was not tackled carefully, the issue could affect Pakatan Rakyat in the next election.

What is important, Lim said, was for all three Pakatan parties not to lose sight of the fact that the opponent was Barisan Nasional.

Lim added that the hudud issue was turning into a psychological battle with Barisan.

“With the election around the corner, there is a psychological war going on,” he said.

Lee threatens to contest as independent if left in the lurch

**Just to clarify, Edward never "threatened". There were rumours that he'd be dropped, and a reporter called up to ask what would he do if DAP were to drop him, and he merely replied that he'd run independent.

By Wani Muthiah

http://www.thestar.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/9/nation/9661678&sec=nation

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee (pic) is threatening to quit the party if he is dropped in the next general election.

Lee, who is speculated to be one of the four DAP incumbents to be dropped, said he would contest as an independent should the party leave him in a lurch.

“It's unfortunate as I am a long-time life member of the party.

“But I may have to make this drastic move because I still want to serve my constituents,” Lee said.

A party insider said Lee's declining health had been cited as the reason to replace him.

The other three are Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M. Manoharan, Balakong assemblyman Yap Lum Chin and Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin.

Lee said he was confident his constituents would back him if he chose to stand as an independent.

However, he said he would remain in the party should the DAP stand by him.

“If the party still wants me, I will be more than willing to contest on a DAP ticket in the next general election,” he added.

Lee said although he had some health problems, he was still well enough to serve his constituents.

“If I want to put my health on the line to serve my constituents, it is my business and no one else's,” he said.

Lee said that the move to oust him was politically motivated by those unhappy with him.

“I have been doing a lot of investigative work.

“Most of this has been published and some are uncomfortable with it,” Lee said.

He added that his experience as an activist had also not gone down well with his detractors.

He claimed his track record as an assemblyman was also good because he was “hands on” and “easily contactable” by his constituents.

DAP to drop three more Selangor reps

By Wani Muthiah
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/5/nation/9623835&sec=nation

PETALING JAYA: Three more DAP elected representatives in Selangor, in addition to Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M. Manoharan, will be replaced at the next general election.

A Selangor DAP leader, who declined to be named, said the three were Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee, Balakong assemblyman Yap Lum Chin and Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin.

He said Yap was being replaced because the party leadership felt he was not doing enough for his constituents.

“He has not been performing as expected and we feel it's best to replace him if we want to keep the seat,” he said.

He said Lee and Dr Cheah would not be contesting due to health reasons.

Lee is said to be ill while Dr Cheah is recuperating after a serious automobile accident.

However, Lee said the decision was not his.

“If they don't want me they should just tell me instead of saying that I'm ill,” he said.

Yap said it was up to the party leadership to decide if they wanted to field him.

Manoharan is being removed because some of the state leaders are unhappy with him.

His recent remark on his Facebook page that the Malaysian flag would be changed if Pakatan Rakyat came into power hurt his chances of being retained, said the leader.

Dr Cheah was not available for comment at press time.

Former mining pool emits noxious gas

By TAN KARR WEI 

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/9/23/central/9452800&sec=central

EIGHT years have passed since Taman Sri Manja residents in Petaling Jaya first detected the stinking smell of hydrogen sulphide coming from the drains, and the problem has not been solved completely.

The problem began in 2003 when industrial waste was dumped into a pool in the area. The resulting chemical reaction from the industrial waste releases hydrogen sulphide which is carried through the drains in the housing estate.

The 46.13ha of land was a former mining pool that now belongs to four owners and residents living in the surrounding residential areas said they would occasionally catch a whiff of the gas.

Taman Sri Manja Flats resident S. Kaliamah, 40, said they could still smell the gas coming from the drains especially in the morning or after heavy rain.

Dumping ground: The former mining pool has been filled up and lorries can be seen coming in and out of the area with loads of construction waste.

“We have become used to it but friends and relatives who visit us will comment that it was hard to breathe,” said Kaliamah.

The drain leading from the pool goes past several residential areas and have since been covered up by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to prevent the gas from polluting the air.

Kaliamah said when the hydrogen sulphide emission was at its worst in 2003, metal grilles would rust quickly and electronic equipment with copper wires would also be damaged.

“I have changed three television sets and two refrigerators. Our copper vases for prayers would turn black very quickly and we have to polish it almost every week.

“It is not so bad now but we still have to clean it about once a month,” she said.

Question remains : Residents are also concerned whether their flats are still structurally safe.

Universiti Malaya solid and hazardous waste management professor Dr P. Agamuthu, who was part of a team who conducted a study in the area in 2007, said the presence of hydrogen sulphide was a tell-tale sign that organic matter had been dumped into the pool.

“The pool should only be filled with inert waste like construction material or sand.” he said.

During the study, the level of hydrogen sulphide was monitored at various locations around the pool and an average reading of 21ppm (parts per million) was recorded.

Dr Agamuthu said consistent exposure to that amount of gas could pose health risks to residents, with children and senior citizens being more vulnerable.

Another concern: There are pools of stagnant water at the perimeter of the former mining pool in Taman Sri Manja, especially near the Petaling Perdana flats.

Among the short-term measures proposed to tackle the problem was to neutralise the water with oxidising agents, cover up the drains, fill the pool with inert materials and vacate a nearby kindergarten to minimise the children’s exposure to hydrogen sulphide.

Dr Agamuthu said the treatment involved releasing hydrogen peroxide into the water before it flowed into the drains to reduce the gas emission.

“This is something that has to be done continuously until the pool is eventually filled up,” he said.

The kindergarten was not vacated but the covering up of the drains had drastically reduced the smell but Dr Agamuthu said there would still be traces of hydrogen sulphide as long as the pool has not been filled up.

“The smell becomes unbearable after a downpour because the rain compresses the gas so the concentration is higher at ground level,” he said.

The issue became a hot topic during council full board meetings last year due to the illegal dumping into the pool. The council even resorted to stationing enforcement officers round the clock to ensure that only construction waste was thrown at the reclaimed land.

MBPJ public relations officer Zainun Zakaria said the council was now monitoring the levels once every six months, the latest being from Aug 4 to 11.

“The readings have always been at an average of 2ppm. The treatment is still being carried out by the Alam Sekitar Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Asma) using mud balls and reclamation with construction materials and stones,” she said.

MBPJ engineering head Cheremi Tarman said a part of the reclaimed land had been designated as a retention pool and another identified as a road reserve.

Dr Agamuthu said the level was safe for residential areas but residents would still smell the rotting stench.

Another problem faced by residents was water becoming stagnant at the fringes of the reclaimed land.

Petaling Perdana Residents Association chairman Hamzah Harip said it was especially bad near Blocks O and N of their flats, which was next to the reclaimed land.

“When it rains, the water will rise near the flats,” he said.

Residents have made matters worse by throwing rubbish and old furniture in the area.

Hamzah said there were a lot of mosquitoes in the area due to the stagnant water and he hoped the pool would be filled and levelled properly.

Kaliamah said they were also concerned whether their flats were structurally still safe.

“We have seen what it has done to the grilles, so how will we know if the steel foundation of our flats has not corroded?” she asked.

There are many questions still left unanswered and Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee, who was part of the committee set up by the Selangor government to monitor the issue, said it was up to the state to consider taking back the land from the owners.

“My recommendation is to leave it as a open recreational area to ensure the safety of the people.

“It has been filled up but we do not really know what is inside,” he said.

Dr Agamuthu said the pool was 100m at its deepest and high-density development was not recommended.

“The land will take years to settle and even then, any development will have to be low-density ones or open spaces like golf courses and recreational parks,” he said.

He cited an issue in Kelana Jaya, where residents of houses built on a former landfill found compressed garbage under only 15cm of soil.

“That landfill was only 5m deep but even now, some of the land around the houses are sinking. The pool is much deeper so the soil would need time to settle,” he said.

Report on PJ Palms to be handed to state

Writer: Alvin Yap
http://www.selangortimes.com/index.php?section=news&permalink=report-on-pj-palms-to-be-handed-to-state

PETALING JAYA: The mayor will present a detailed report on the operations of PJ Palms Sports Centre to the Selangor Economic Action Council.

The report by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will include the refurbishment work and operations at the former Kelab Syabas.

“We will present the report to the Menteri Besar and state executive councillors soon,” Roslan Sakiman said on Wednesday after the council’s full board meeting

The move follows complaints from Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Edward Lee that the private operator, Sepang Mekar, has been given a lease of RM15,000 per month for the 60,000 sq ft area.

Lee said it was unfair for Sepang Mekar to make its sub-tenants fork out triple the rent they used to pay to the previous operator.

PJ Palms is within Lee’s state constituency, and sub-tenants have complained to him that they are paying high rental rates.

Two traders, Waikiki Bar, a pub, and a barbershop called Barber Joe claim that the new management’s policy of charging RM4.50 per sq ft rental space has caused a threefold increase 
in rental.

Waikiki Bar has to pay over RM19,000 instead of the usual RM5,000, and Barber Joe, which used to pay RM500 monthly, now has to pay RM1,800.

Roslan said MBPJ would review the lease rates to Sepang Mekar every three years.

“We will likely increase the monthly rates then,” he said at a press conference.

He pointed out that Sepang Mekar had given the sub-tenants rental discounts.

Roslan said Sepang Mekar was spending RM4.2 million to renovate and refurbish PJ Palms.

He said the previous operator operated a slot-machine gambling business and neglected the olympic-sized swimming pool.

A comprehensive audit report on the finances and work carried out by Sepang Mekar will be presented at a later date, he said.

Councillor Derek Fernandez said the club was in disrepair, adding that MBPJ had at one point planned to demolish the 30-year-old club, which was turning into an eyesore in New Town.

Selangor citizens' private residence ownership scheme

SELANGOR CITIZENS' PRIVATE RESIDENCE OWNERSHIP SCHEME

Kelab Syabas: Rental rates not high

Writer: Alvin Yap
http://www.selangortimes.com/index.php?section=news&permalink=kelab-syabas-rental-rates-not-high

PETALING JAYA: The private operator of PJ Palms Sports Centre has refuted claims it charges high rental rates.

The new management of former Kelab Syabas said the rental is to recoup the RM4.2 million investment that was spent to refurbish the iconic club.

“We created a new look for the place to make it more family-oriented. We’ve placed new signages, installed new canopies and laid new flooring for our tenants,” said co-director David Solomon.

Solomon was clearing the air over allegations that his company, Sepang Mekar, is charging his tenants high rental since it took over PJ Palms early this year.

The swimming pool that was upgraded by Sepang Mekar at a cost of RM1.2 million.

Solomon pointed out that he had offered to renegotiate a lower amount after hearing their complaints.

Two tenants, Waikiki Bar, a pub, and a barbershop called Barber Joe, have complained that the new management’s policy to charge RM4.50 per sq ft rental space has caused a threefold increase in rental.

Waikiki Bar has to pay over RM19,000 instead of the usual RM5,000, and Joe, which used to pay RM500 monthly rent, now has to pay RM1,800.

They brought up the matter to Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Edward Lee, who says rental at PJ Palms is too high.

Lee also claimed that MBPJ was leasing the 30-year-old club to Sepang Mekar at 11 sen per sq foot.

Solomon said he had offered to lower Barber Joe’s rental to RM1,500 a month.

“He asked for 24 hours to consider it. But he never responded to the offer after that,” said Solomon.

He said Waikiki currently occupies the largest floor space in PJ Palms, and after consideration, was given a discount over non-rent generating space.

Solomon said he did not charge rent for some 1,000 sq ft as a result.

“I measured the storage room area and other utility spaces and did not charge them for the area,” he said.

Solomon said he still wants to extend the olive branch to Waikiki and Barber Joe by offering instalment plans for them to pay their rental.

“We can still sit down and discuss terms,” he said.

Meanwhile, MBPJ councillor Richard Yeoh said Sepang Mekar is guaranteed a tenancy of 12 years made up of four three-year terms based on the council’s appraisal of Sepang Mekar’s performance.

Yeoh also said the rent was based on a set figure of RM15,000 per month and not at “11 sen per sq ft” as alleged.

He also said Sepang Mekar investors had to recoup the capital investment of RM4.2 million.

Yeoh explained that MBPJ would get to keep the upgraded facilities consisting of a swimming pool, squash courts, indoor cricket hall and other amenities at the end of the tenancy agreement period.

He said it is not feasible for the sub-tenants to pay the same rental as it had done in the past as rental prices in the city had increased.

He further said that the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreements had been recommended by the city council’s committee on privatisation and investment.

He pointed out that out of six bids for the open tender, Sepang Mekar was chosen as it offered to turn the club into a “family-friendly” club.

“The tender process was carried out in an open and transparent process. It was also vetted by councillors during the full board meetings here at MBPJ,” he said.

He said previous operators had failed to maintain the eight-lane Olympic-size swimming pool, and also turned the premises into a gambling den.

Happy ending for Barber Joe

BY T.K. LETCHUMY TAMBOO

http://www.mmail.com.my/content/75638-happy-ending-barber-joe

LET THERE BE LIGHT: Power supply to Joe's Unisex Salon reconnected yesterday

PETALING JAYA: Barber Joe is here to stay as power supply to his salon in Jalan Sultan was reconnected on Sunday. Over the past month, the outlet had faced power cuts on weekends for refusing to agree to a new rental which was more than triple what he had been paying for many years.

"I had a meeting with PJ Palms Sdn Bhd two days ago and the matter was settled amicably when a more reasonable monthly rental of RM1,250 was agreed upon," said 60-year-old M. Inthirarasa, better known as Barber Joe whose clientele, built up over two decades, includes celebrities, sportsmen and corporate leaders.

"I don't want to lose my regular customers. I want them to know I'm back in business and here to stay."

PJ Palms are the new caretakers of the PJ Palms Sports Centre which also houses Joe's Unisex Salon.

Over the past month, The Malay Mail highlighted that Joe, who had been paying RM500 monthly to the previous management, felt the new rental of RM1,800 was exorbitant. He had also turned to Bukit Gasing State assemblyman Edward Lee for assistance.

PJ Palms director Seelan Chelliah, when contacted, said: "We brought down the rent significantly after negotiations with Joe, and took into consideration the longevity of his business, his age and the passion he has for his salon and his customers. We wanted a win-win situation."

Lee said the May 21 agreement between the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council and PJ Palms was the root cause of the unhappiness of the tenants there.

Councillors blast Lee for incorrect statement

By Jade Chan
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/6/21/central/8923503&sec=central

TWO Petaling Jaya City councillors hit out at Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee for issuing statements on the rent hike at the PJ Palms Sports Centre without fully understanding the tenancy agreement details.

Richard Yeoh and Derek Fernandez were responding to the story “Proprietors cry foul over higher rent under new agreement” published in Friday’s StarMetro.

The proprietors of Joe’s Unisex Salon and Waikiki Bar had claimed harassment by the building’s main tenant to sign a new tenancy agreement or leave the premises.

Proposals were called for via an open bidding. Of the half dozen or so proposals, Sepang Mekar’s was the most advantageous to the MBPJ and it offered only family-friendly facilities. — RICHARD YEOH

The proprietors also complained of a four-fold increase in their rental rate under the new agreement with Sepang Mekar Sdn Bhd, the main tenant of the centre formerly known as Kelab Syabas.

The agreement was signed between the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Sepang Mekar, who are the landlord and main tenant respectively.

Yeoh stressed that it was incorrect and misleading for anyone to say that the premises was let out at “11 sen per sq ft”.

“That calculation was evidently derived based on the total land area of the title that PJ Palms sits on of 136,500sq ft (12,681sq m) and the RM15,000 monthly rental paid by the head tenant, Sepang Mekar to the MBPJ,” he said.

“For the record, the area under the tenancy is less than half of the total land area, that is about 60,000sq ft.

“We must also take into account the RM4.2mil that Sepang Mekar is legally bound to spend within the first two years to rebuild and upgrade the facilities at the centre,” said Yeoh.

“The 136,500sq ft (12,681sq m) refers to the entire land area held under the title, including the Complex C carpark, which is not included in the tenancy.

“The fictitious ‘11 sen per sq ft’ rate is irrelevant as the agreement is not even based on per square footage, but on a lump sum of RM15,000 monthly rental.”

The tenancy agreement was signed on May 21, 2010.

Yeoh said if there was no breach of the agreement and both sides agreed on the subsequent rental reviews, Sepang Mekar was guaranteed a tenancy of 12 years made up of four three-year terms.

Unfair: The proprietors of Waikiki Bar and Joe’s Unisex Salon are crying foul of the harassment they have been enduring from Sepang Mekar, the main tenant of PJ Palms Sports Centre.

“Sepang Mekar will be paying a monthly rental of RM15,000 to the council for the first six years,” he said.

“Sepang Mekar will be given a rent-free period for PJ Palms for the first year, which is an international industry practice to help them cope with the revamp and upgrade period.”

After the first two terms, Yeoh said renewal of the agreement is subject to rental rate review with the increment cap at 10% for each renewal.

“Sub-tenancy agreement details are negotiated between Sepang Mekar and the sub-tenants. The MBPJ will not interfere in that unless there is a breach of the agreement by Sepang Mekar,” he said.

“The main terms and conditions of the tenancy had been recommended by the MBPJ PJ Palms Sports Centre Project sub-committee, and approved by the MBPJ Committee for Economic Development, Privatisation, Industry and Investment, and endorsed by the MBPJ Full Board.

“The entire exercise in handling the PJ Palms project was done in an open and transparent manner,” said Yeoh.

“Proposals were called for via open bidding. Of the half dozen or so proposals, Sepang Mekar’s was the most advantageous to the MBPJ and it offered only family-friendly facilities.”

Yeoh said the detailed negotiations and drafting work were carried out over a period of many months and the MBPJ was advised by the legal firm of Messrs Chooi & Co.

“The terms obtained for this tenancy are far superior to the terms in the demised tenancy which we had refused to renew as the level of maintenance of the premises was considered not up to the mark and our firm conviction that council premises should no longer be used for any form of gaming,” he said.

Yeoh added that as part of the agreement, the swimming pool rates at the club must be approved by the MBPJ.

In the agreement, the proposed rates are as follows: RM4 and RM5 for adults on weekdays and weekends respectively, RM2 and RM3 for senior citizens above 55 and children below 12 on weekdays and weekends respectively, and RM1 for people with disabilities on both weekdays and weekends.

“One of the issues raised recently was the distribution of some leaflets advertising a RM8 rate for using the pool during peak hours at night, which is a matter that the council will check on,” said Yeoh.

“The MBPJ will ask the PJ Palms management to update the committee on the progress of the project.

“We will mediate and act if the head tenant acts unfairly or does not adhere to the agreement.”

Fernandez said the MBPJ was getting a good deal because the community would be getting first class facilities costing RM4.2mil and the MBPJ was collecting RM15,000 in monthly rental.

“If the tenancy is terminated or expires, the RM4.2mil capital renovation will belong to the MBPJ without any compensation,” he said.

“The whole idea is to bring back facilities to the public. The previous tenant was operating a gambling den in a public facility. Sepang Mekar is restoring the centre with a first-class pool and several sports facilities.”

Noting the controlled swimming pool rates, zero gambling element and RM4.2mil investment, All-Petaling Jaya Residents Association Coalition (Apac) chairman Johan Tung Abdullah said: “As far as Apac is concerned, the swimming rates are reasonable and the rental for sub-tenants is strictly a commercial decision issue that must be left to market forces without interferences from any politicians.

“APAC is happy that the MBPJ now collects three times more rental from the new operators, and at the same time has new and better facilities for PJ ratepayers.”

Proprietors cry foul over higher rent under new agreement

By Jade Chan

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/6/17/central/8899864&sec=central

THE proprietors of Joe’s Unisex Salon and Waikiki Bar are being harassed by the building’s main tenant to sign a new tenancy agreement or leave the premises.

Salon owner M. Inthirasa (better known as Barber Joe) and bar proprietor Tony Siew whose outlets are in the former Kelab Syabas, now known as PJ Palms Sports Centre, said there appeared to be a force in asking them to sign the tenancy agreement and a testament to this was the intermittent disruption of power supply at their premises over the past three months.

“Sepang Mekar Sdn Bhd, the building’s main tenant, has been forcing us to sign a new tenancy agreement. This means we have to pay higher rent,” said Siew, who has signed the new agreement but yet to pay the deposit.

Joe said he had yet to sign the contract, as under the new agreement he would have to pay four times more than his rent now.

Crying foul: Edward (right) speaking at a press conference to highlight the dispute between Joe’s Unisex Salon and Waikiki Bar with Sepang Mekar, the main tenant of PJ Palms Sports Centre. With him are Tony (centre) and Joe (second from right).

“Under the new agreement, I will have to pay a monthly rental of RM1,700, as opposed to the current RM500 per month,” said the 61-year-old who has been operating his business for two decades.

“I have had no problems with the previous management, Bina Syabas, who managed the building for 18 years until their contract ended. The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) ran the place until Sepang Mekar won the contract last year.”

Siew, whose has been opearting his business for 15 years, said under the new agreement, the rent for his premises soared to RM18,900 from the present RM5,000.

“I had to lodge a police report last Thursday when my premises was padlocked without my knowledge. I had to reconnect the electricity supply on my own when it was cut off as I needed it restored to run my business,” he said.

Joe and Siew also complained about their inflated electricity bills, which they said were above Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) commercial rates.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee said managed to get a copy of the agreement, which was signed between the MBPJ and Sepang Mekar, who are the landlord and main tenant respectively.

“The total area of Kelab Syabas is 136,500sq ft (12,681sq m), including the shops and swimming pool,” said Lee.

“Sepang Mekar is paying the MBPJ a monthly rental RM15,000 for the entire club, which after a quick calculation means that they are paying 11 sen per sq ft.

“However, Sepang Mekar is charging sub-tenants like Waikiki Bar and Joe’s Salon RM4.50 per sq ft, while the other sub-tenants are charged RM5.20 per sq ft.

“It appears that the main tenant is buying time (by cutting off the electricity) to force the sub-tenants to sign the new agreement.”

Lee said he met PJ mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman two months ago and he promised to look into the matter.

“Roslan later acknowledged that something was not right, but that the agreement had to be complied with as the councillors had already agreed to it,” he said.

“When nothing happened at the council level, I brought the matter up to the state government.

“Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has requested for the matter to be tabled at the MTES (Selangor Economic Action Council).”

Lee said the issue was now with the state government and he hoped that the MTES would discuss the matter this week.

When contacted, Sepang Mekar managing director David Solomon expressed his disappointment and frustration, saying that both Waikiki Bar and Joe’s Salon had been difficult to sort out.

“We are not here to evict anybody. The agreement is still under negotiation with Joe’s Salon. Waikiki Bar has signed the agreement but have not honoured it,” he said.

“These two businesses have not paid their rental since March 2011. Their utility bills have not been paid on time either.

“The other 10 sub-tenants at the centre have been cooperative and paying their dues regularly.”

Even with the new agreement, Solomon said Joe’s Salon and Waikiki Bar would be paying lower than the average rental rate.

“The average rental for a basic commercial premises in PJ is RM6 per sq ft,” he said.

“We want to help these two businesses and tried hard to work with them and the MBPJ. We have a number of upgrades planned if they had come to an agreement on the tenancy details.”

Solomon said Sepang Mekar signed the agreement with MBPJ in May 2010, but only received access to the building in August 2010.

“We began refurbishment work in September 2010, and the new pool was completed within six months for its re-opening in March 2011,” he said.

“The delays have put a damper on the official launch of PJ Palms Sports Centre’s new look.

“The initial stage of its re-opening was scheduled for July 2011, with the new look to be fully unveiled by the end of this year.”

Solomon clarified that Sepang Mekar is the main tenant and was given the agreement to upgrade and refurbish the centre, while PJ Palms Sdn Bhd is the management company assigned by Sepang Mekar to manage and run the premises.