CF for flats being looked into

By Yip Yoke Teng
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/4/29/central/3783749&sec=central

THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will engage Selangor Economic Action Council and Housing and Local Govern-ment Ministry to discuss the issuance of Certificate of Fitness (CF) for the five blocks of PPR (Projek Perumahan Rakyat) flats in Lembah Subang.

In response to a question raised by Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San at the MBPJ full board meeting, mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the council was handling the matter with caution as the structures built on a former landfill involved complicated implications.

“We cannot rush into a decision as the matter is serious. We do not want another PJS 3 Taman Sri Manja, whereby the council had been held responsible for treatment on the environment as it issued the CFs,” he said.

A report that a total of RM89,000 was spent on Petaling Jaya Museum’s signage also raised eyebrows as several councillors said they did not see that many signs in the city and wondered how the bill could come up to such a staggering amount.

Roslan agreed to the points and ordered an investigation to be launched on the matter.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee again raised the issue of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and asked the mayor if anyone in the council could declassify local council documents.

The board was then told that deputy council secretary Ahmat Mahaayen Said had been given the authority to do so by the former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo.

Councillor Mak Khuin Weng, who sits in the billboard site inspection committee with three other councillors, asked why the formation of the committee and its members were not recorded in the minutes of the full board and sustainable development meetings.

“Even though the committee and its members is mentioned in the billboard guideline booklet, I cannot find any such records in the minutes,” he said.

Councillor Cynthia Gabriel steered the board’s attention to death threats received by several councillors in the course of their duties. She said her car had recently been vandalised for the same reason.

“We have sent a letter to the state informing them that the security of a number of councillors is at risk for helping the people. We will also send our officers to patrol the areas if need be,” Roslan said.

On public complaints, he said the council was re-zoning garbage collection areas for higher efficiency.

“Adjustments will be made to the list of 40 existing contractors upon Alam Flora’s recommendations. The figure will be increased to 112 by mid-May,” he said.

He also directed heads of department to meet complainants and called for a sense of urgency to be inculcated among all officials when handling public complaints.

The mayor also reiterated the effort of creating “Clean Zone” in the city, adding that the first on the list, Section 52, would be marked with signage and its accesses would be painted with apple green.