MBPJ to promote free community bus service

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/9/12/central/2007637&sec=central
By TAN KARR WEI


THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will look into ways to increase ridership of its free community bus service.

The service was launched in August and has two buses that go around PJ Selatan and PJ Utara to service the elderly and the poor.

Each bus will ply their respective routes four times a day.



Poor response: Not many are making use of the free community
bus service provided by MBPJ.


Since it started, the response has been lukewarm, with only a handful of people making use of the service.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee took a ride on the bus to find out why.

“Many people are still not aware of the free bus service.




Inadequate info: There is a sign that says
"Free Service" in Bahasa Malaysia only on the bus.


“There is a sign on the bus stating it is a free service in Bahasa Malaysia and we will look into having this translated in Chinese and Tamil as well,” said Lee.

He said he also noticed that there were not enough stops along the routes.

Although the PJS bus goes through the district health centre in PJS 2C/5, Lee said the bus should stop at the Universiti Hospital as many people from the lower-income group seek treatment there.

An MBPJ officer said those who want to get on the bus could flag down the bus even if they were not at the designated bus stops. Most of the stops were near flats but do not have proper bus shelters.

Lee said it was more cost-efficient for the buses to go through routes with existing bus shelters so that MBPJ did not have to build new ones.

“We also need to discuss with the commercial bus operators to see if we can complement their routes,” said Lee.

It's his funeral parlour now

http://www.mmail.com.my/It%27s_his_funeral_parlour_now.aspx
By Dawn Lee



Bukit Gasing Assemblyman Edward Lee has found himself dealing with a problem that is not of his own making. He inherited the problem of an illegal funeral parlour along Jalan Gasing.

The temple had been conducting funeral rites for members and for others in Petaling Jaya. However, they will cease to be a funeral parlour unless the funeral parlour at Jalan 229 is unable to meet demands.

"I understand the noble desire of the temple to provide the service to families of the deceased. However, we have arranged with the Petaling Jaya Chinese Cemetery Association (PCCA) to accept deceased members of the temple," said Lee.

"There are only two non-Christian funeral parlours in PJ — at Jalan 229 and Jalan Gasing, which has since moved to Old Klang Road."

Unfortunately, said Lee, the funeral parlours in Old Klang Road, Nirvana and Nilai are more expensive.

Under the circumstances, he said he will leave it to the community to decide if they want to totally evict the illegal funeral parlour.

"Or the bereaved families can keep the bodies at the hospital mortuary until such time the crematoriums at St Francis Xavier church or PJCCA can accommodate them," added Lee.

There are already complaints about the crematorium at Jalan 229. Residents of the apartment blocks behind it have reported that emissions were posing a health hazard.

The PJCCA facility has equipment which ensures zero emission.

A spot in Kota Damansara has been identified for such a facility. However, the residents in the area will have to be consulted first.

Meantime, Lee asked Jalan Gasing residents to be patient until an amicable solution is worked out.

Community buses for PJ folks

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/8/18/central/1821510&sec=central
By JADE CHAN



LOW-INCOME wage earners and senior citizens living in Petaling Jaya can now opt to travel around the city using the PJ Community Bus.

“In view of the rising cost of fuel, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is providing this bus service, which will operate around the PJ Selatan and PJ Utara areas, for free.

“This initiative is to help the urban poor and we’re the first local council in Selangor to provide such a service,” PJ mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said when launching the two buses called Mesra Komuniti (Community Friendly) One and Two.

The bus service starts at 9am and ends at 5pm. Three trips are made daily from Mondays to Fridays to each area.

The PJ Selatan bus route covers destinations like the MBPJ Headquarters, the Jalan Sultan government offices, the PJ Police Headquarters, the PJ Community Library, the Jalan Othman Market, the Medan Maju Jaya Health Centre and the Taman Jaya LRT Station.





More information: Roslan (right) and Bukit Gasing assemblyman
Edward Lee (second from right) distributing leaflets to inform the
public about the new PJ Community Bus service.


The PJ Utara bus route will go to the MBPJ Headquarters, Jalan Sultan, Jaya 33, Tesco/Ikano, Dataran Sunway police station and the National Registration Department Kota Damansara branch office.

Each bus can accommodate 23 passengers and is equipped with air-conditioning and a television set.

“It cost us RM200,000 to buy one bus; the other was refurbished for RM50,000,” Roslan said.
“It will cost us RM120 to run and maintain one bus each day, which works out to about RM3,000 a month.

“We will place the bus stop signs either at existing bus stops or nearby buildings that are identified as bus stops.”

Roslan said the bus stops were identified during consultations with the community leaders in the targeted areas, who will spread the word about the service.

“We will distribute leaflets about the service to the target areas, and get their feedback.

“If there is a high demand, we will consider extending the bus service to weekends or increase the frequency.

“We also have a community van for the disabled that is available on an on-call basis.

“It can fit two disabled persons in wheelchairs at a time, who are lifted into the van via a hydraulic jack that cost RM10,000.”

Roslan had earlier launched the council’s 51st Merdeka Celebration programme, which features a month- long of activities organised by the various PJ Residents Assocations (RAs) and Rukun Tetangga (RT), in collaboration with the MBPJ.

He presented materials like Malaysian flags, banners and bunting to the RA and RT chairmen for them to display in their communities.

Roslan then flagged of a classic mini car convoy, which will have a 51 cars, travelling from PJ to Kuala Terengganu.

“The convoy will be presenting a gift on my behalf to the Kuala Terengganu City Council mayor as a sign of mutual understanding between the two local councils.”

He later presented prizes to the winners of the PJ Tourism Slogan and Photography Competition winners.

The 51st Merdeka Celebration programme is available on http://www.mbpj.gov.my/.
To request for the community van service, call 03-7956 3544 ext 374/ 351.

Funeral parlour to move soon

http://www.mmail.com.my/Funeral_parlour_to_move_soon.aspx
By Darshini Kandasamy


THE temple operator of an illegal funeral parlour at Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya, intends to use the premises for another purpose soon but declines to elaborate what it will be converted into.

This was disclosed by Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee, who told Malay Mail a solution to the problem of a funeral parlour operating in a residential area, was close at hand.

Lee, however, declined to say what the premises would be used for as he had yet to iron out the details with the operator.The only hint Malay Mail was able to solicit from the assemblyman was that the new function would be “good for the community.
Lee said he had been talking with parlour operators for the past two months.“The original funeral parlour operator, Eight Eleven Funeral (M) Sdn Bhd, has vacated the premises, leaving the operator of the temple. That is who I have been talking to.”

Last week, Malay Mail highlighted the issue of the funeral parlour operating illegally for more than 15 years. Its burning activities and defiance of rules had caused discomfort to residents and motorists.

Lee said the operator had limited services to five wakes per month and he had chosen not to interfere until a solution was reached and the funeral services relocated. He said he was talking with several funeral parlours to find one willing to help.

He added that discussions with the Petaling Jaya City Council and the Petaling Land Office were needed to ensure all parties involved agreed to a mutual solution, Lee called on residents to be patient. He said all parties were trying to settle the matter amicably before the end of the year. “We have to exercise great care when handling the matter of community needs.”

State Legislative Assembly questions - third meeting (October), first term of the 12th State Legislative Assembly 2008

YAYASAN SELANGOR
Bertanya kepada Y.A.B. Tan Sri Dato' Abd Khalid Ibrahim: -
a) Yayasan Selangor telah ditubuhkan sebagai salah satu daripada program pembangunan belia Negeri Selangor. Sila beri maklum / nasihat, apa jenis syarikat / aktiviti atau kewarganegaraan yang akan diminta untuk menyumbang kepada Yayasan Selangor?
b) Apakah syarat-syarat yang akan dikenakan (sebagai contoh, usaha sama / 'joint venture', kenaikan premium tanah, perkongsian untung / 'profit sharing')?
c) Sila nyatakan jenis syarat-syarat yang berlainan, yang tidak disebutkan dalam soalan b), yang akan dikenakan.

PAPAN IKLAN
Bertanya kepada Y.B. Tuan Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew: -
a) Operator-operator papan iklan sedang bertanya, bila satu dasar untuk seluruh negeri yang adil akan dilaksanakan?
b) Bilakah dasar baru ini akan diberitahu kepada pemain industri dan dikenakan? Sila nyatakan tarikh yang tetap.
c) Apakah garis panduan / proses-proses terperinci, yang diamalkan oleh kerajaan Negeri Selangor untuk mengawal (regulate) industri papan iklan di Negeri Selangor terutamanya di bawah kawasan pentadbiran Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya?

INFRASTRUKTUR UNTUK MENURUNKAN KADAR JENAYAH
Bertanya kepada Y.B. Tuan Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew: -
a) Apakah langkah-langkah pencegahan dalam infrastruktur yang telah dirancang atau dilaksanakan untuk membanteras jenayah di dalam negeri?
b) Adakah negeri mempunyai program-program untuk menyediakan pekerjaan dalam jangka sederhana bagi menggalakkan lebih ramai orang untuk bekerja supaya dapat menyara diri sebagai alternatif daripada mengambil jalan keluar dengan melakukan kegiatan jenayah untuk mencari rezeki bagi keluarga mereka?
c) Berapakah mesyuarat-mesyuarat yang berlaku (dalam satu bulan) diantara kerajaan negeri termasuk pihak-pihak berkuasa tempatan dengan pihak polis untuk menilaikan keadaan jenayah di dalam negeri dan sila nyatakan beberapa langkah yang telah dilaksanakan sejak Mac 8, 2008 lalu?

BANJIR KILAT
Bertanya kepada Y.B. Tuan Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew: -
a) Sila nyatakan kawasan-kawasan di bawah daerah Petaling yang dikenalpasti sebagai kawasan banjir kilat.
b) Adakah peruntukan kewangan yang dibajetkan untuk tahun 2008/09 bagi skim-skim tebatan banjir dalam negeri untuk kawasan-kawasan ini dan berapa banyak?
c) Kawasan-kawasan yang manakah telah diperuntukan kewangan sebegini dan berapa banyak?

KEMUDAHAN TEMPAT LETAK KERETA
Bertanya kepada Y.B. Tuan Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew: -
a) Apakah langkah-langkah yang sedang diambil untuk memberi perhatian terhadap masalah tempat letak kereta di kawasan membeli-belah dan bangunan bertingkat seperti pangsapuri-pangsapuri serta kondominium-kondominium?
b) Hasil yang patut diperolehi oleh kerajaan tempatan terhilang dengan menswastakan konsesi tempat letak kereta di dalam negeri. Bilakah situasi ini akan dibalikkan supaya kerajaan mendapat balik hasil yang hilang?
c) Syarikat-syarikat manakah yang kini memegang hak untuk punggut bayaran letak kereta di dalam negeri? Sila senaraikan.

PESURUHJAYA BANGUNAN (COB)
Bertanya kepada Y.B. Tuan Iskandar Bin A. Samad: -
a) Kedudukan, fungsi dan proses membuat keputusan oleh Pesuruhjaya Bangunan (COB) telah mengapung diantara lembaga perumahan dan pihak berkuasa tempatan dengan arah yang tidak tertentu dan adalah tidak diketahui siapa yang akan kawal fungsi pesuruhjaya bangunan (COB) pada akhirnya. Apakah situasi terkini dan bagaimanakah perkara-perkara dasar yang berkenaan dengan pesuruhjaya bangunan (COB) akan diputuskan? Oleh lembaga perumahan atau pihak berkuasa tempatan?
b) Adakah kedudukan pesuruhjaya bangunan (COB) disetiap daerah diwartakan dan bila?

HAK MILIK TANAH
Bertanya kepada Y.A.B. Tan Sri Dato' Abd Khalid Bin Ibrahim: -
a) Bagaimanakah bahawa di dalam negeri Selangor, terdapat 14,442 hartanah yang telah diberikan taraf hak milik selamanya / tetap dimana pula adanya 14,167 hartanah yang di bawah taraf pajakan? Apakah kriteria dan syarat untuk kedua-dua jenis taraf pemilikan tanah sejak ia nampaknya tidak adil?
b) Jadi kalau terdapat 1487 tapak di Petaling Jaya yang mempunyai tempoh masa kurang daripada 10 tahun dalam pajakan mereka dan bahawa kawasan Bukit Gasing mempunyai kebanyakan daripada pemilikan tanah bawah kategori ini, apakah langkah-langkah yang telah diambil oleh kerajaan negeri untuk beri perhatian kepada isu ini dan jika kerajaan akan mengambil kira pertimbangan factor-faktor sejarah dan perlembagaan untuk membuat keputusan secara memihak taraf hak milik selamanya / tetap di Petaling Jaya?
c) Bilakah dasar yang kekal akan diwujudkan, yang akan menggabungkan pertimbangan aspek tanah dari segi sejarah dan perlembagaan untuk menentukan jenis hak milik tanah di Petaling Jaya?

PILIHANRAYA KERAJAAN TEMPATAN
Bertanya kepada Y.B. Tuan Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew: -
a) Adakah langkah-langkah yang diambil untuk membuat persiapan pada tahap masyarakat sivil untuk membentuk kerajaan tempatan secara memberangsangkan ahli-ahli dari pihak pertubuhan-pertubuhan bukan kerajaan untuk bersedia untuk mengandaikan jawatan-jawatan dalam kerajaan tempatan apabila pilihanraya kerajaan tempatan akan berlaku?
b) Bilakah anda menjangka pilihanraya kerajaan tempatan akan berlangsung pada akhir tempoh perkhidmatan jawatan ahli majlis dan kalau tidak, mengapa?

Section 14 folks seek MBPJ approval to convert homes to semi-commercial status

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/7/22/central/21865815&sec=central
By JADE CHAN

SEVERAL RESIDENTS from Section 14 had a meeting with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) regarding the conversion of several blocks of houses in Section 14 to semi-commercial status.

The affected houses are located in six blocks along Jalan 14/20, Jalan 14/14 and Jalan 14/24.

At the meeting, chaired by Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee, the council was represented by town planning department senior deputy director Zain Azly Abd Rahman.

Lee said the meeting was held when one of the owners of the Section 14 property requested for a review of the land use of the area to convert it from residential to semi-commercial status.
“Some of the residents made their application for the conversion more than 20 years ago, but MBPJ had not responded. Now they're appealing and have got the consensus of the majority to go ahead with the conversion.

“Most of them agreed to the conversion and would like to carry on living in their houses, which means that the ground floor of their units will be used for semi-commercial activities.

“The conversion, if approved, will follow strict guidelines set by the MBPJ on the activities that can take place,” said Lee.

“The MBPJ has stated that the guidelines allow only limited commercial activities, but they need to define the type of activities that are allowed. These activities will be made known to the owners at subsequent meetings.”

In the meantime, he said, the residents will have to elect a leader to represent each block to further study the proposal with the MBPJ.

“My main concern is that such commercialisation will not further aggravate the traffic situation in the area. The MBPJ will have to look into this aspect and be stringent in their selection of the activities that are allowed,” said Lee.

On the various problems that were raised by the residents during the meeting, including indiscriminate parking, environmental issues and repair works that take place after working house, Lee said that he would talk to the respective department heads at MBPJ and get its enforcement officers to address the problem.

He also urged the residents to keep in touch with their new councillor (Thiruvenggadam Anamuthu).

PJ folk raise five issues with APAC

By Sheila Sri Priya, NST

Liew Wei Beng (fourth from left) the president of APAC, with
Edward Lee (sixth from left) the Bukit Gasing state assemblyman at the meeting.

PETALING JAYA: If you stay in Petaling Jaya and are unhappy with what is going on in the area, you can complain to All Petaling Jaya, Selangor Residents Association Coalition (APAC).

APAC was formed about five months ago and is headed by Liew Wei Beng. Its main objective is to help the residents of Petaling Jaya deal with the issues affecting their areas. Liew said APAC acts as the intermediary between PJ residents and MBPJ.

APAC has already started looking into five issues raised by residents. They are:

• The 10 per cent hike in assessment fees on residents in 2006.


• MBPJ's gazzetted account amounting to millions which also includes uncollected assessment fees. To date no figures have been made public.


• The accounts of the MBPJ's football club funds after the club was closed in 2007.


• The number of illegal billboards around PJ.


• The privatisation of car parks in PJ to a company called Godell.

Liew has appealed to PJ residents to join APAC. The membership registration fee is RM10 and the yearly subscription RM50.

PJ residents with relevant problems are urged to call or e-mail any one of the committee members.

Under APAC is the Condominium Apartment and High Rise Building (CAAC) unit, of which the chairman is Tengku Nazaruddin Tengku Zainudin. "We have 60 condos and high-rise buildings around PJ. Our focus is on the issues related to the welfare of the residents of these buildings," said Nazaruddin.

Meanwhile, Ho Fook Chuan, a resident of Flora Damansara, Damansara Perdana, said he is frustrated by the long-delay in the formation of the Joint Management Bodies (JMB). Talks in setting up JMB have been underway since April. JMB is a body that would officially link the management offices of high-rise buildings with MBPJ in resolving problems faced by the residents.

"The local authorities do not seem to be serious about this. Residents living in high-rise building are living with problems like lift breakdowns."These problems are often unattended by the management of the building and this is where JMB would come in useful," he said.