Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Environmental
By Alvin Yap charging dirty water into drains
that eventually flow into the Taman
PETALING JAYA: Lakes in Jaya lake.
this city are slowly dying because This, he said, was depriving the
no measures are in place to tackle lake of oxygen, causing algae to grow
tragedy in
widespread pollution. and the water to stagnate.
“These lakes are in danger of be- While some restaurants have in-
coming stagnant pools of water stalled grease traps in the plumbing
where no life can grow, choked system, it is not 100% effective in
with pollution,” said city council- stopping oil from being discharged
lor Chan Chee Keong. into the drainage system.
The lakes at Taman Jaya, Taman Chan said the restaurants need-
the making
Alam and Kelana Jaya (which has ed a separate and specially built
four) cost the Petaling Jaya City sewer system that had to include a
Council (MBPJ) RM1.8 million treatment pond and filtration sys-
annually to maintain. tem to treat the water.
While the costs are steadily ris- The councillor had approached
ing, the lakes remain heavily pol- Indah Water Konsortium (IWK)
luted because there are no wa- on this matter in October last year,
ter treatment systems to treat solid but was told they could not build a MBPJ engineers detected “back- When contacted, a senior IWK to support infrastructure to accom-
waste from entering the lakes. sewerage system large enough to flow” from an adjacent IWK sewer- treatment plant engineer who spoke modate water and solid waste.
Chan and his colleagues, who are handle the amount of liquid and age treatment plant which leaked on condition of anonymity said the “As far as I know, that area does
members of the MBPJ sanitation solid waste from the restaurants on sewage water into the lake next to company did not have the provision not have enough land to build a new
committee, said it costs the city Jalan Gasing. the Kelana Jaya Stadium. to build a new sewerage system. treatment plant,” he said.
RM300,000 to hire contractors to Chan said MBPJ might also A circular was issued to IWK to “We manage the sewerage sys- He said a feasibility study would
clean each lake. compel restaurant owners to con- resolve the issue and to meet MBPJ’s tem, [but] we do not actually build have to be carried out, with the
However, this measure only ad- tribute to the construction as a stringent environmental standards. them,” he said. construction costing “millions”.
dresses the “symptoms”, not the root condition for their licence renewal. Councillor Cynthia Gabriel said He said older areas in Petaling He said IWK had been pushing
cause. During a walkabout with Selan- waste water from high-densi- Jaya did not have separate systems local governments to enforce envi-
Dealing with the pollution level gor Times reporters earlier this week, ty commercial plots opposite the for restaurants, and IWK could not ronmental by-laws.
means having to tackle the “source”, a worker from a restaurant was seen park was also flowing into the build them. Rather, the restaurants “We tell municipalities and coun-
where the grease and food particles throwing unwanted chicken parts Kelana Jaya lakes. would have to construct the system cils to ensure that these restaurants
come from, he said. into the drain. MBPJ is considering making on their own. have high-quality oil and grease
Chan blamed several restaurants Of all the lakes, Kelana Jaya is the these companies share the cost of However, he said the area in ques- traps, and that they regularly main-
operating on Jalan Gasing for dis- most polluted. In January last year, treating the water. tion, Jalan Gasing, would not be able tain [them],” he explained.
2
news
April 1 — 3, 2011
Selangor WEATHER
Friday Saturday Sunday State takes hard line
on developers
Morning
Afternoon
By Basil Foo
relocation
weeks ago, the state has decided to put
its foot down,” said the state executive
councillor.
Iskandar, whose portfolio includes
By Alvin Yap housing, visited the site for the new
homes on Monday, and told the devel-
SHAH ALAM: Executive Councillor Iskandar Abdul Samad opers to buck up.
has denied claims of racial bias in the relocation of residents of He warned that a stop-work order
a longhouse in PJS 1 to Lembah Subang. would be issued to Perspektif Masa Sdn
Iskandar was responding to allegations that the state was Bhd’s high-end condominium nearby if Iskandar (centre) being briefed by representatives from the developers
on the Kampung Berembang housing project.
only assisting Indian families staying in Taman Petaling Utama. there were further delays in work for the
“Ironically, the accusation is that we are only helping Indians low-cost homes. Since their village was demolished,
to move, but people are also accusing us of evicting them,” said “The developers should take this settlers have been living in makeshift
Iskandar, whose portfolio includes housing. project seriously and not just focus on homes and tents under power lines in
He said each family, regardless of race, was offered a lump their other costly projects,” he said. Kampung Berembang while waiting
sum of RM14,285 to pay for rental and costs of moving to a During the visit, he was told by the for their permanent homes to be com-
new transit home in Lembah Subang. developers that bricklaying would be pleted.
The state, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and developer done by April 6 and plastering by June, “There were originally [more than]
had allocated the money for the families to move. with the project to be completed by 1,000 residents here, half of whom have
An initial offer of RM10,000 was rejected by the residents, September. moved to temporary settlement areas in
but the state later increased the amount to RM14,000. He called on the Ampang Jaya Mu- Puchong and Jinjang owned by PNSB,”
However, only nine families have taken up the offer. nicipal Council (MPAJ) and develop- said Kampung Berembang residents’
The state wanted the land to build a school, but residents ers Permodalan Negeri Selangor Ber- chairperson Nor Alizan Ali, 48.
objected to the school’s location. had (PNSB) to provide weekly reports He said the other half had moved to
The state even postponed construction so that the residents on the project. Lembah Jaya, while some opted to find Nor Alizan
could continue to stay there. “The Menteri Besar has also asked for their own places to live. Ali.
“The state government has done all it can to assist the the progress [of the project] to be re-
[longhouse] residents,” he said. ported at every exco meeting,” he said.
He said the residents should not listen to allegations made
by “certain parties with political interests”.
There are 694 units in the low-cost
flats at 653 square feet per unit, which To place your Advert in
He added that the PJS1 longhouse in Taman Petaling Utama the developer say is 71% complete.
had always been a temporary “transit” accommodation for urban “The two-year delay was because
settlers until their low-cost homes at PJS 1/51 are completed. nobody was working here as the devel-
The move to Lembah Subang affects some 29 families, mostly opers complained about financial prob-
Indians. He said the state wanted the residents to move as the lems,” he added.
longhouse was too run-down for habitation. The 21-storey flats include shoplots Contact Timothy Loh at 019-267 4488
The residents have been waiting since 2004 for their low-cost
homes. In 2004, residents went to court to obtain an injunction
and recreational facilities covering 2.3
acres.
or Ivan Looi at 014-936 6698
to stop work on the low-cost homes.
Iskandar said the Pakatan Rakyat government had managed
to convince the developer to shift the construction to a new
site, now opposite the longhouses. PKNS fights graft
with integrity pact
“We convinced the developer to change the location which
the previous [state government] had failed to do so,” he said.
By Alvin Yap has installed some 230 trash cans in the town centre for the Briefing for landowners
last three months.
Gombak Land Office officers will be meeting
KLANG: After failing with the broom, the Klang Municipal Mislan said Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, at a residents of Taman Ehsan and Desa Jaya to
Council (MPK) will be using the “stick” on litterbugs to shed recent meeting, had ordered all local governments to take brief house owners on the status of their land.
the Royal Town’s unclean image. hygiene and cleanliness issues seriously. The meetings, organised by Bukit Lanjan state
Datuk Mislan Tugiu did not mince words when he told He said illegal dumping and littering by night- and assemblyperson Elizabeth Wong, will address a
MPK’s Enforcement and Health Department directors to morning-market traders were the main cause of illegal longstanding issue relating to their Qualified Title
issue on-the-spot fines to those caught littering. dumpsites. with the intention of converting it to the Final Title.
“I do not want any appeal, any compromise,” said the MPK The enforcement unit should work overtime and carry a The first meeting will be held at Dewan Serbaguna
president. stake-out after 2am to catch traders in the act, he said. Taman Ehsan tomorrow (3-5pm), while the second
Speaking at the council’s full board meeting on Wednesday, Earlier, a councillor suggested that MPK install “hundreds” meeting with Desa Jaya residents will be held at
Mislan said people had the impression that it was MPK’s of closed-circuit television (CCTV) to monitor hotspots for Dewan Jalan 19, Desa Jaya on Sunday (3-5pm).
responsibility to pick up after them and to organise gotong- illegal dumpsites. For more information, contact Lee Khai Loon (012-
royong to clean up areas when rubbish piled up. He called it “MPK is watching you,” and urged the 2250687).
He said there was no excuse for people to litter as MPK municipality to adopt a “see, record and summons” programme.
4
news
April 1 — 3, 2011
First
Sitting
First
Sitting
on hold
Kok also told the state assembly on Wednesday
that Selangor encouraged investors to invest in high-
tech, knowledge-based and eco-friendly industries.
She said the state welcomes all investors especially
SHAH ALAM: Selangor cannot set those from electrical and electronic industry, renewable
up an auxiliary police force without the energy industry, life sciences industry, and services
Home Ministry’s approval, the Menteri industry, among others.
Besar told the state assembly on However, Selangor does not offer any financial
Wednesday. incentives to investors as such incentives can only be
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim was respond- given by the International Trade and Industry Ministry
and Malaysian Industrial Development Authority.
ing to Bangi assemblyperson Dr Shafie The Selangor State Investment Centre, however,
Abu Bakar’s proposal that the state pass provides free assistance to investors to obtain
a new law to carry out its plan to reduce approval from state and local authorities for their
crime in Selangor. projects, said Kok.
Khalid explained that national secu-
rity is under the jurisdiction of the fed- From left: Selangor deputy speaker Haniza Talha (Taman Medan), FOI debate on Friday
eral government. assemblypersons Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan), Rodziah Ismail (Batu
Shafie urged the state to replace the Tiga), Hannah Yeoh (Subang Jaya), Jenice Lee (Teratai), Gan Pei Nei The much-anticipated Freedom of Information (FOI)
term “auxiliary police” with night pa- Bill is likely be debated today (Friday, April 1), said
(Rawang) and Dr Halimah Ali (Selat Klang) after the opening of the
Speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim.
troller (Peronda Malam) and security assembly on Monday. The select committee tabled its findings and
monitor (Pemantau Keselamatan). recommendations to the legislature on Wednesday.
However, Khalid said the auxiliary Khalid said the local council had even asked Nik Nazmi. “The amendments will see better transparency
police force is regulated under federal used a method called “crime base map- The Menteri Besar said he had writ- and efficiency in local governance,” Hulu Kelang
laws. Like normal police officers, they ping” to identify high crime areas in ten an appeal letter to the Home Min- assemblyperson Saari Sungib said on March 20.
need to undergo training and are pro- Petaling Jaya in order to plan effective istry last July, but had yet to receive a “We expect people to request and receive
information at local councils and land offices in their
vided with uniform and equipment, strategies to assist the police. reply. area,” explained Saari, who is the chairperson of the
hence the term, “auxiliary police”, could Seri Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Meanwhile, sparks flew at the usually select committee.
not be changed at will. Nik Ahmad asked if the Home Minis- calm state assembly proceedings in the Under the beefed-up amendments, civil servants
The Home Ministry had rejected the try’s rejection of the proposal was due to afternoon when Pakatan Rakyat and will not be able get away with restricting information
state’s pioneer project to train Petaling political reasons. Barisan Nasional engaged in a heated by citing secrecy. Rights groups and other non-
Jaya City Council (MBPJ) enforcement “If auxiliary police units [can be set debate on 1Malaysia. governmental organisations are hoping that the bill will
officers as auxiliary police in 2009. up] in Felda settlements, airport and by Speaker Teng Chang Khim had to be passed in the current sitting.
Selangor made history when it became the first
MBPJ had already allocated RM4.2 developers in places like Bandar Sunway, turn off the microphones at one point state to table the FOI bill in July 2010.
million for the programme. [why not by MBPJ in Petaling Jaya]?” and issued a warning to some of them.
6
NEWS
APRIL 1 — 3, 2011
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Study Medicine
March
18 — 20,
2011/
issue 16
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Workers To
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Ampang – Sentul Timur Amcorp Mall
Klang Centro
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Ampang
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films, liter jaYa:
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Amnesty fast
expiring Unlicensed factories
By Alvin Yap
44 couples
By Brenda Ch’ng others involved in the state’s Generasi The couples made a prayer vow to be
Idaman Selangor (GeMS) youth pro- forever true and just in their marriages.
KLANG: A state-sponsored mass wed- gramme. Hasan also reminded them of their
ding enabled 44 couples to tie the knot She added that the couples were off roles and duties towards their religion
ceremony
blessing to these 44 couples here today,” Dr Halimah, whose portfolio in- troubles to seek help by joining the
said Dr Halimah Ali. cludes education, was accompanied by GeMS programme.
The executive councillor said the her colleague Datuk Dr Hasan Ali, who The state is considering hosting big-
newlyweds were a shining example for is in charge of Islamic Affairs. ger mass weddings in the future.
NEWSAPRIL 1 — 3, 2011 9
Finalists, organisers,
sponsors, Yeoh and Loh
posing for a picture at the
Subang Jaya Talent Quest
2011.
By Alicia Mun of Most Talented Dancer in the Little Miss laysian Philharmonic Orchestra concert hall. an extra requirement for the participants of
Santarina pageant last December, and first She also plays in Chinese-instrument or- the talent quest.
SUBANG JAYA: Four-year-old “mermaid” runner-up of the Miss Little Qi Pao (cheong- chestra Yi Ler Xiang. “If they want to participate in any group
Amelia Lee Zi Yuen beat six other finalists to sam) competition during Chinese New Year Lok finished eighth in the 2nd Interna- entry, they must have a multiracial composi-
emerge grand champion and win RM3,000 at earlier this year. tional Zheng Qualification Contest Open tion. This is to ensure that the young will learn
the Subang Jaya Talent Quest here last Sunday. Multiracial dance group Resurrection recently. to work together with people of other races,”
Lee, who performed a cute self-taught walked away with the title of first runner-up Among the other finalists were Sharifah she said.
dance routine to the song Under the Sea from and received RM2,000 cash. Zamaera, 17, who played the keyboard and Also present at the event was Kelana Jaya
The Little Mermaid, won the hearts of both Comprising seven girls aged between 12 sang her rendition of Jar of Hearts by Chris- MP Loh Gwo-Burne.
judges and the audience during the finals at and 17, the group did extremely well despite tina Perri; dance duo Hijau with their routine
Sunway Pyramid’s main concourse. differences in race, age, and dance style. using the song Hijau by Zainal Abidin; Aiza
She also blew the judges away when she The girls, who are also ballet dancers, Jasmin, 14, who performed the song Ben by
performed the popular dance routine of the worked hard and practised their routine for a Michael Jackson; and Nehemiah Ting, 17,
song Nobody by Korean group Wondergirls. month to perfect their performance. who played the drums.
Her mother, May Lim, said her daughter’s Dressed in white outfits with make-up re- Local celebrity Liang was the emcee of the
other achievements include winning the title sembling zombies, they managed to pull off grand finale, while the judges of the talent
stunning choreography with quest were singer-songwriter Juwita Suwito,
dramatic effects. writer and performer Fahmi Fadzil, and local
Resurrection leader Siti band Paperplane Pursuit frontperson John
Amelia said, “The idea of our Oommen.
performance is actually based Beatboxer Shawn Lee, who also performed
on Michael Jackson’s Thriller at the event, did a great job entertaining the
as we wanted to do some- crowd with his incredible sound effects.
thing similar to that concept.” The talent quest was open to residents
Madeline Ashlee Lok, here aged 17 and below, and was organised
16, bagged the second run- by the service centre of Subang Jaya assem-
ner-up title with a cash prize blyperson Hannah Yeoh to provide a plat-
of RM1,000 with her excit- form for young people to shine and explore
ing instrumental perfor- their talents.
mance on the Chinese zith- “I wholeheartedly believe that we need to
er or gu zheng. help them channel their energy and passion
Despite only learning in the right direction and spur them more in
Judges (front row, from left) Fahmi Fadzil, Juwita Suwito how to play the instrument healthy activities because they are the hope of
and John Oommen; (second row) Loh Gwo-Burne and five years ago, she has al- this nation,” said Yeoh. Winner Amelia Lee Zi Yuen with her
Yeoh enjoying the performances ready performed at the Ma- She also explained how she decided to add mother, May Lim
LRT extension?
Not in our backyards
Assemblyperson for Sri Muda Shuhaimi Shafiei (fifth from left) and residents of Taman Subang Alam protesting the building of an LRT line in their backyards.
By William Tan
The nearby man-made lake is also a danger it only applied to people who lived between Medical Centre, Hospital Universiti Kebang-
zone. “If you drained it without a thought, the five and seven metres away from the tracks.
saan Malaysia (HUKM) and Hospital Kuala
SHAH ALAM: Fearful for their health and whole area will probably collapse in because “Honestly, what use is insurance? Money Lumpur (HKL) that residents close to the
safety, residents of Taman Subang Alam and of the weak soil,” he said. can’t replace a lost life. Who is going to collect LRT were 45-60% more likely to develop
Putra Heights here said they are against the Inadequate safety measures may cause a if we all were to die from a major accident, cancer.
extension of the Kelana Jaya LRT through their rush of water to flow down to nearby schools, like a derailed train?” he said. He based this on the results of the number
backyards.
which are built on lower ground than the He also believes that students of the nearby of people diagnosed with cancer in Kelana
Last Saturday, the residents voiced their surrounding areas.
schools are going to find it very difficult to Jaya before and after an LRT line was built
objections during a press conference held with Jamaluddin said the cost of building the study because of the noise. near to them.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) pro- track would be phenomenal. He also claimed Ng Wai Ming, a businessperson who has He argues that the electromagnetic dis-
fessor Dr Tajul Anuar Jamaluddin.
that even if the developers succeeded in ex- been living in the area for the last four years, charge from the rails would beat that of a
The protest was organised by Sri Muda tending the LRT line, it would require con- agreed, saying it escapes him how no-one transmission tower.
assemblyperson Shuhaimi Shafiei. stant and detailed maintenance, and runs the seems to have conducted a feasibility study At the moment, all residents are petition-
The coordinator of the university’s geologi- risk of possible collapse within 20 or 30 years.
before deciding on the extension project.
ing the state to relocate the line to an alterna-
cal disasters programme explained the poten- Furthermore, the plans indicate that the The lives of 156 families in the area and over tive route suggested by the Shah Alam City
tial dangers of building the tracks in the area.
tracks are going to be some seven metres away 600 from nearby estates are at risk or are going Council (MBSA).
“Why do they even want to build it here? from a row of houses. This implies that some to be directly impacted.
Ng said the most the Prem Kaur, who is in charge of the resi-
There are so many other better places,” he said.
families are expected to put up with nearly authorities had done was to conduct a survey dent task force on the matter, said that the
Tajul Anuar said he was expressing his 300 trains passing by daily, just a stone’s throw with all residents of Seksyen 27, which found alternative route would cost RM500 million
personal opinion, and that he is not biased as away from their homes.
that only 49% opposed the proposed line. more, but it would mean no risks of a major
he is not even a resident of the area.
“No one even asked my opinion. It is not However, Ng believes that the 51% who disaster, and the alternative route would al-
He explained that the soil in the area was just the noise pollution; I worry for the safety voted yes have no clue of the dangers the line low three times the current proposed number
improper for such construction as it is main- of the children, what would happen if they will bring.
“I don’t think our feedback was of passengers.
ly made up of clay and is similar to the type accidentally climbed onto the tracks,” said even seriously considered by them,” he said.
“To be fair, the current allocated budget
found in Bukit Antarabangsa, which experi- Ahmad Shukri Mohammad Lazim, whose Mohan Krishnan, a pilot and a resident of for this stretch is undervalued at RM7 million.
enced massive landslides in 2008 and 1999. house is about seven metres away from the the area for the last three years, has been It has grown to RM40 million, and I believe
A nearby hill is also made up of the same proposed tracks. conducting personal studies on the health in the end it will be in the billions,” she
said.
soil, which makes it all the more dangerous.
Ahmad Shukri, who has lived in the area effects of building the LRT rails so near to In two weeks, they will be bringing the
He added that even the granite found in the with his family for two years, said they were residences.
matter up to the Selangor Economic Action
area was cracked, which would make putting offered compensation in the form of free insur- Beyond noise pollution, he found through Council in hopes that a final decision will be
down rails an expensive and dangerous process. ance from the Menteri Besar of Selangor, but records and interviews with the Subang Jaya made to halt construction.
T
hese are “artistic impressions” when faced with something as colos- clave and head straight for One broke but pulped, mushed, and re- TTDI appears set to continue, de-
of thoughts circumambulat- sal as the MRT. In particular, I’d like Utama shopping centre? gurgitated the camel’s back into a spite the very public displeasure of
ing the increasingly contro- to take a look at how residents in the Was there anywhere else these pile of anger was the manner in residents. And from the looks of
versial Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) leafy neighbourhood of Taman Tun stations could be located? How which the Land Public Transport http://kvmrt.blogspot.com, the
project. I chose to say “increasingly Dr Ismail (TTDI) responded. would traffic flow increase or de- Commission (SPAD) personnel resistance to blanket acceptance of
controversial” because we all know The TTDI residents have held a crease during construction and once had pasted the notices on trees and the project is not just limited to
we need this infrastructure and thus number of public meetings since the the stations were operational? And lamp posts about how residents’ TTDI anymore. It appears that
any opposition to it appears to reject idea of the MRT was first broached. how would this impact on the land may be acquired for purposes more and more residents are want-
a very public need. These meetings – which I’m told homes nearby? of the project. ing the MRT to go underground.
Yet at the same time we don’t were mainly self-organised – were Then it was the question of the The residents went from bewil- Which only means that the cost
entirely know how it will all go. As initially aimed at clarifying the pe- train tracks. Would they be above- dered to berserker mode. It was not would go even higher...
I write this, many residents are still rimeters of the mega project and ground or below-? How close would only the uncertainty of losing their It makes me wonder, yet again:
unsure if their homes will be bought which areas would be affected most. these tracks be to residents’ homes? homes, but it was the manner in Why oh why didn’t we build the
or not, or how this mega project will At these meetings, the recurring Once operational, how much noise which the notice was given to them. MRT system 20 years ago?
“
We lived on farms, then we lived in cities,
and now we’re going to live on the inter-
net!” Sean Parker, The Social Network.
At least the young ones are. age teenager thinks, I’d rather have them with like-minded people and gain solidarity. Jeremy was the title of a song by grunge band
They should be the ones who know about mute.” With support comes strength, no? Pearl Jam about a 15-year-old boy who shot
one Rebecca Black, the most talked- (or Fa- They certainly aren’t mute. The internet is If Rebecca and the Azwan Ismail fiascos himself in front of his class. Using this song as
cebooked- or Tweeted-) about 13-year-old a thriving avenue for youth expression, both are anything to go by, hatred seems to come an analogy, Yench, 21, hypothesised: “If Jer-
these last couple of days. Her music video good and bad. Like honey to bee (or twee- more easily than help. Says Khairul, “People emy had the internet, he’d write an emo blog
Friday went viral with more than 17 million nyboppers to Justin Bieber), teenagers flock are now famous for being the object of so post or rage on Youtube and still commit sui-
hits on YouTube. to the internet to express themselves. It offers much hate. It’s like we’re parasites who feed cide afterwards anyway”.
The reactions to her video are powerful but a wall for the shy or timid to say what they on hate, jumping from one target to another.” It will be a bold and unwise move to tackle
also painful. At best, the lyrics are inane, the want. There is now even a special category for this problem by erasing its source. Teenagers
music unremarkable and the video forced. Being so, it becomes a double-edged sword. suicides induced by internet, like the case of will always be angsty. They will always have
It starts with her singing about waking up Girls like Rebecca and a g irl who was unlimited sources of rage. Malaysia’s usual
for school, having cereal, deciding whether to Marie Digby get their tricked into think- reactionary way in handling problems (re-
sit in front or back, excited about Friday and big break, thanks to the Whether or not there ing she had a love member the Valentine’s Day crackdowns?)
the weekend. Maybe a little too excited about internet. Friday is now is a direct correlation interest when it was may potentially bring more harm than good.
the weekend when she sings: “Yesterday was No 19 on the iTunes between the internet all a prank . She The effects of the internet are starting to
Thursday, today is Friday, we so excited, we chart, just behind En- hanged herself in show, and the sight is not very pretty. It is a
gonna have a ball today, tomorrow is Saturday, rique Iglesias and just offering a place for solace her bedroom. good indication of what our humanity is like,
Sunday comes afterwards.” ahead of Grammy-win- and expression, and Surprisingly issuing death threats to innocent 13-year-
Comments range from Hypervocal.com’s ner Zac Brown Band. thus decreasing youth enoug h, suicide. olds or forcing homosexuals to die. The
“Truly, undeniably awful” to SF Gate’s “… the Conversely, many suicides, remains yet to org, a suicide aware- Malay saying goes: “Kalau melentur buluh,
ultimate combination of horrible lyrics, hor- have committed sui- be confirmed. What is ness and prevention biarlah dari rebungnya (To bend a reed, start
rible songwriting, horrible auto-tuning (ap- cide because of cyber- non-governmental from the shoots).”
parently to hide horrible singing) ... horrible bullying. There is no definite is that the young organisation, noted There is a solution to this. Teenage angst
dancing and horrible horribleness…” escaping bullies even are turning to the internet that youth suicide can be channelled elsewhere other than death.
They are also personal, like: “I hope you get on the internet. Re- to articulate their angst or in the United States Imagine what an artistic world it would be if
an eating disorder so you’ll look pretty, and I member the “Saya gay, sadness.” started to decrease all this raging angst were channelled into
hope you go cut and die.” Saya OK” (“I’m gay, from 1990 on- learning to play guitar, to write, to draw?
The most-liked comment is how she makes I ’m OK”) YouTube wards. The 90s was If we are serious about this, the time is ripe
Justin Bieber look good. video by a 33-year-old engineer last year? He when the internet began to be used publicly. to start looking for and paying attention to
Why so much hate? Singing about school was humiliated, chastised, and had even re- Whether or not there is a direct correlation our youths. And the internet would be a good
and parties sounds like pretty standard ceived death threats. between the internet offering a place for solace place to start.
13-year-old material. One would think that with the internet and expression, and thus decreasing youth
Zapa, 32, a journalist, says, “What do you comes a platform for expression not possible suicides, remains yet to be confirmed. What
expect? Can’t have her talking about Nato’s within the confines of school, universities, is definite is that the young are turning to the Lee Lian is not a Belieber. She
strike on Libya, innit?” workplace and families. On the internet there internet to articulate their angst or sadness. welcomes all feedback at
On the other hand, Khairul, 23, a law are blogs, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Tum- This may not exactly prove to be enough to leeliankong@gmail.com.
student, expects more. “If this is how the aver- blr, etc. to vent. These are also places to bond stop them from killing themselves, though.
Advertorial
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But hey, let’s not be too depressed described queries are answered! s it lawful for the 13 actually does not only encompass cannot arbitrarily deny your right to
about Malaysia’s current state. It is, government to immovable property such as land, renew your road tax. If you are pre-
after all, still peaceful and harmoni- blacklist a driver and but includes movable property such vented from renewing your road tax
ous with no mass civil unrest. Lord centre” in Bangsar Utama. The centre prevent him from renewing his as vehicles. Therefore, if the Road without a valid reason you should
Bobo is all about channelling posi- was set up as a place to gather, mobi- road tax just because he has an Transport Department (RTD) pre- ask the RTD for a written reason for
tive vibes everywhere. lise and empower more people to join outstanding traffic summons, if vents someone from renewing his or the prevention. And remember,
And this is where the Pusat Raky- the LoyarBurok army. he has not been convicted of the her road tax, the RTD is denying there is always the possibility of you
at LoyarBurok comes in – that awe- What does this “army” fight for? alleged traffic offence? @Boleh that person’s constitutionally grant- suing the RTD for damages, includ-
some brand spanking new “rakyat Well, our current initiative, UndiMa- Settle?, via email ed right to property. ing for the loss of use of your vehicle.
up-market property
used to beautif y parts of The
Wharf, a lakefront commercial
development here.
Property developer Bolton Ber-
organised a Wharf Hoarding com-
petition here on Sunday (March 27),
which saw 14 teams apply their
creative and artistic talents to win the
chance to have their art displayed at
the entrance of the project site.
“The competition will provide a
platform for the promotion of the
arts and showcase young creative
talents,” said executive director
Chan Wing Kwong.
He added that the organisers are
planning to make the competition
into an annual event.
Chan said the talents shown by
the students from various art and
design faculties were “impressive”.
The top spot went to team De-
sign Ninja of art and design college
One Academy. Each member won
an iPad and a share of the RM5,000
Arts and graphics students competed for the chance to have their artwork
cash prize.
displayed.
Second place went to Saito Col-
lege’s team Warrior. ment in Puchong. rate social responsibility pro-
A lakefront commercial hub of- “My memory of Puchong is that grammes, and said the group was
fering business, retail and leisure it was a tin-mining area, a backwater balancing its “profitability and re-
blocks, The Wharf is situated on town. Now it is a bustling urban sponsibility” to the rakyat. One
eight hectares of commercial land in area,” she said. “The state government is ever Academy’s
Taman Tasik Prima, Puchong. “It is now one of the sought-after ready to lend a helping hand to all team Design
State senior executive council- places to live and work,” said the property developers to discharge Ninja, who
lor Teresa Kok said she was im- state assemblyperson for Kinrara. their social responsibility,” she won first
pressed by the upscale develop- She commended Bolton’s corpo- added. place.
permanent home
SJK(C)s in Hulu Langat.
“There are 11 SJK(C)s in Hulu
Langat, but only 10 applied for
allocations,” he said.
By Basil Foo on private land but were The allocations will be disbursed
forced to move due to by the Menteri Besar in April.
SERI KEMBANGAN: A permanent site works initiated by the de-
for 11 roving hawkers has been found at velopers.
the Selesa Jaya Industrial Park. They were relocated by
The new site for the traders, who have been MPKj to a lane behind some
forced to move to different locations for the shoplots as a temporary
past five years, was found by Teo Nie Ching. measure two weeks before
“We moved them here because this is a the Chinese New Year.
better place for them to set up shop, and today “Because this area
marks their first day of business,” said the doesn’t have reserve land Teo (in red) with Yap (fifth from right) and Cheong (sixth from
Serdang MP on March 23. for markets, these hawkers right) visiting the market on March 23.
During a visit to the site in Balakong, she had to move twice before
said the hawkers would be issued licences to finally settling here,” said Balakong assem- MPKj councillor Cheong Siow Foon, who
enable them to operate legally. blyperson Yap Lum Chin. also visited the site, thanked the Selesa Jaya
However, she said the Kajang Municipal Yap said the state government encourages Industrial Park Association for offering the
Council (MPKj) would not allow more hawk- private parties to build permanent markets for hawkers a place to run their businesses.
ers to move to the site as it is not designated hawkers, and that private contractors who “As this is the only market in Taming Jaya,
as market location. were willing to come forth would have the residents here don’t want them to close or
The hawkers previously set up their stalls cooperation of their respective local councils. move again,” he said. Lee (left) being shown the
extent of the damage in SJK(C)
Sin Ming by Lim (centre).
16
FEATURE
APRIL 1 — 3, 2011
T
ired of personality-driven politics, lawyers, students and the centre would focus on mainstreaming human rights.
an orang utan conservationist are embarking on an A library, resource centre and a reading room will be set
ambitious plan to take matters into their own hands. up in time.
“It’s always about (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) or (Datuk Based on an open-space concept, youths and NGOs are
Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), who has sodomised whom … what free to use the space to host discussions, training sessions or
about the people? film screenings to promote their causes.
“What about the issues [that directly impact on people’s “We welcome any group to use it as long as it fulfils a
lives]?” said human rights lawyer Edmund Bon during the purpose … we want to be as inclusive as possible,” said Bon,
unveiling of the tentative plan of voter-education project adding that this was part of their efforts to promote more
UndiMalaysia! last Saturday. intellectual discussions.
UndiMalaysia! aims to redirect the people’s attention from
personality-driven and partisan politics to issue-based poli- Making activism fun
tics. Whether human rights, women’s rights or environmen-
tal issues, Bon said they want to engage all relevant non- Despite the serious issues they are taking on, they try not to
governmental organisations (NGOs) onboard their voter- take themselves too seriously.
education project. The rakyat centre’s opening launch was called Ops Pisang,
Part of their plan is to highlight issues during elections and aptly, the 200-odd visitors were given a free banana each.
and question the candidates on their stand over topics such “Pisang stands for People’s Initiatives for Social Activation
as the environment or the Internal Security Act. and New Governance, but honestly, that was just an excuse
Stressing that the initiative would be nonpartisan, Bon for us to use Pisang as the name,” said another LoyarBurok-
said they would be holding closed-door consultations with ker, Pang Khee Teik.
the NGOs in the coming months He said bananas fit Lord Bobo’s image.
to gather their feedback on Undi- The organisers also invited indie bands like the Sounders, LoyarBurokker and lawyer Fahri Azzat performing
Malaysia!. MC Stiff and Lord Bobo’s Minions to perform at the launch. at the launch. He is the only band member in Lord
UndiMalaysia! will be the first There were also quizzes on politics and LoyarBurok his- Bobo’s Minions right now.
project under LoyarBurok Rakyat tory. LoyarBurok merchandise was given to those with the
Centre, also known as the Malay- correct answers. foreign as well as local, to fund their projects.
sian Centre for Constitutionalism Bon said one of the problems with civil societies in Ma- The collective is also looking for volunteers. Individuals
and Human Rights. laysia was that they had forgotten that activism could be fun. interested in UndiMalaysia! can email undimalaysia@gmail.
“Many are just doing it for the sake of doing it. There’s no com, stating their name, contact details and expertise.
A centre for the people more excitement,” he said.
The lawyer-activist
Located near the Bangsar LRT highlighted that one could
Bon
station, the LoyarBurok Rakyat b r i n g a b o ut p o s i ti ve
Centre was officially opened on changes in society while
March 19. The centre is the brainchild of the LoyarBurok having fun.
collective, which now has more than 200 volunteers. Through the rakyat cen-
Despite its name, the collective is no longer made up of tre and the UndiMalaysia!
only lawyers, but students, environmentalists, concerned initiative, Bon said they
citizens, and anyone who has written for the blog www.lo- hoped to unite civil socie-
yarburok.com. ties and spark new ideas in
The “blawg”, as they prefer to call it, was started in 2006 local movements.
by Bon and five other lawyers: Fahri Azzat, Amer Hamzah However, he stressed
Arshad, K Shanmuga, S Sharmila and Edward Saw. that what was revealed
Last year, blog articles on the Perak constitutional crisis during the launch last Sat-
in 2009 were compiled and published as a book titled Perak: urday was only the “bare
A State of Crisis. bones” of their master
Bon claimed they were “mind-controlled” by a monkey plan.
called Lord Bobo Barnabus that exists solely in cyberspace “We still need to con-
to start the blawg and publish the book. sult the NGOs [to fine-
“We’ve never met him before, but he’s the one who gives tune it and come out with
us the inspiration to do the things we do,” said Bon. a workable action plan],”
Later, due to the increasing number of members in the said Bon.
LoyarBurok collective, some felt there was a need for a He added that they
physical space to expand their activities. Hence a space was would be looking to foun-
rented in Bangsar. dations and corporations, The crowd with the free bananas at the LoyarBurok Rakyat Centre launch.
LoyarBurokker and orang utan conservationist June Rubis presenting a special wall at the rakyat centre for people to scribble their wishes for the country. She was one of
the emcees at the launch.
FICTION 17 APRIL 1 — 3, 2011
The Mongolian
By Zed Adam Idris had stitched it well, fortunately. But the ex- Running and not knowing where to go was take a right after a hollow tree, and so I did.
plosive device had to come out, and I was a feat. I rested on a moist spot where veins of As I ran I could feel the device inside me, like
T
he crash was a convenience. The door running out of time. I had forgotten to look a yellow fungus blossomed on the forest floor. a ticking tumour with a push-button trigger.
swung open. They were unconscious. for the detonator. It could be stuck some- It was soft and cool. For a moment, I thought I ran faster and it wobbled harder.
I crawled out like a tripedal creature where in the wreckage. I had to keep moving. I was home. I lay my ear on a vein, hoping it Endorphins nursed me well, lulling the
awkwardly manoeuvring its steps. They All I could do was to stay out of signal. That would divulge me its secret, that I would be pain when I moved. I reached a creek. I
bound my hands but I managed to slide the was my lifeline – out of reach. its new keeper. scooped some to drink. As the water settled
blindfold down to my neck. I felt damp and Finding a sharp tool in the middle of a The yellow fungus whispered, “Those in my palms, I could see the bruise on my
sticky, a mixture of sweat and blood since the rainforest was almost a fairytale. I tried look- men are on your trail. The blue fungus told cheek and the five-o-clock shadow poking
tears had dried up. I ran into a clearing, ing for patches of bamboo. There wasn’t any, us so.” Or it could be the lightheadedness through dried blood. It was getting dark and
trudged through some bushes, and lost myself but I felt relieved. Instinct wanted it removed talking. I was losing time.
in the forest. from my guts, but logic told me otherwise, I got up to my feet, and a map of blood The leaves rustled behind me. And there
My hands were still tied together. I that I would bleed to death if I couldn’t stitch showed itself on my shirt. they stood. I could smell their fury. We eyed
couldn’t let myself free, they were very tight. the wound shut. So I stood there under a I closed my eyes. I could hear the crackling each other. They had the detonator in one
I raised them closer. I eyed the bind and sky-scraping tree, numb and overwhelmed. of dried leaves, and the furious footsteps hand and guns in most of them, aimed at me.
tracked the loops like I would a maze. My I hadn’t done anything evil to deserve this. stomping the ground. They were tracking me. I knelt and closed my eyes. I saw every-
wrists were crossing each other on diagonal. I was merely a journalist hired as an inter- I shut my eyes tighter and my ears took me thing. I could feel the swaying grass in my
I took my shoes and socks off, wriggled my preter. They had made some business abroad back to the tumbled car. At some point before hands, and the gentle breeze on my cheek
toes. I turned my wrists and locked my palms and settled me a commission, but I’d thought the crash, I heard the flicking of a lighter, the softened the pain. I lay on my arm on the
together. It loosened slightly. I forced my big it wasn’t enough. I was that ambitious. If they cracking of knuckles that reddened my cheek, grass, watching a family of foxes cuddled into
toes between the loops and pulled them away. had a ten-ringgit deal, my cut was only a sen. and the nonchalant discussion of destroying a giant ball of fur. I could see the galloping of
Palms together like a Buddhist monk, I I demanded half a ringgit, or else, I said. the evidence – my body. the Takhis down a subtle slope, and the horde
prayed it would loosen further. And it did. And I was that naive. I assumed I had the A gibbon called. His voice swooped and of gazelles herding across the great steppe,
I unravelled the loops and buried the rope upper hand, that the secret I had known wavered. He was calling to me, warning me moving with the wind.
under a fallen trunk. My stomach had would quake the entire country into ruins that they were moving quicker than before, And there on the swaying grass, I saw
stopped bleeding but for drop or two. They and rubble. cattle-prodded by their master. He said to myself. J’avais perdu ce jeu.
A
lmost everybody who stays
Island of
in Klang Valley has heard
of Carey Island, or Pulau
Carey. Selangor folks will tell you
It is not an island of great natu-
ral wonders. In fact, if you took a that Crab Island (Pulau
Ketam) is more exciting than
tranquillity
drive to Carey Island, you would be
surprised by how little awaits you.
But looks can be deceiving. Be- Carey Island. LIN ZHENYUAN Keroncong
music from
hind the veneer of an island that
boasts nothing but Sime Darby oil
goes to Pulau Carey to get to
traditional
palm plantations, there’s a peaceful the truth of the matter. fills the
instruments
sanctuary that is home to the Mah hall where
Meri, an aboriginal tribe famous for fabric
their carved ancestral masks and materials
wooden artworks. are sold.
The Mah Meri is just one of the
18 sub-ethnic groups of Orang Asli Langat Seafood Restaurant. century. He was born in Ceylon in From the 1880s, European plan- He retired in 1910, and four
in Malaysia. There are three main The Seri Langat Seafood Restau- 1865. tations in Malaya were mainly years later, died at the relatively
Orang Asli communities compris- rant looks like it has recently been His father was Arthur Edward growing coffee. After Edward came young age of 49.
ing the Semang , Senoi and the renovated, but residents around the Carey and his mother was Margaret to Malaya, he studied the global The Mah Meri had settled on the
Proto-Malays. area say it has been in business for Maingay. Edward followed in his trend regarding coffee and decided 35,000-acre island long before
The Proto-Malays are found about two decades. father’s footsteps and joined the to switch to rubber. Edward showed up. Their main
mainly in the southern region of Kang Guan, however, is pre- profession of coffee planters. Thus by 1905, rubber had out- livelihood was fishing, and they
the peninsula, the Senoi in the ferred and appreciated for its old- The young man spent 11 years in stripped coffee in importance. By were found in large numbers along
central part of the country, and the style plank- and zinc-roof structure Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) learning then, Edward had been put in the river estuaries.
Semang in the north. According to on stilts on the river edge. It is very all about planting coffee, tea and charge of three huge plantations The Temuan tribesmen on the
2008 statistics, Orang Asli account popular among those who love cinchona, a plant that is known for covering more than 2,000 acres. mainland described the Mah Meri
for about 148,000 of the total seafood. its quinine properties. Later, Ed- Two companies, Carey United and as “Hma Besise”, or people with fish
population of 27 million. By word of mouth, Kang Guan’s ward became manager of Liberian Jugra Land, were later set up to scales. The description alluded to
Carey Island is about 40km reputation for fine seafood cuisine Coffee, a company based in Selan- manage the plantations. the fact that they were natural-born
away from the capital city of and affordability has made it a gor. At the height of his career in fisherfolk.
Kuala Lumpur. Most visitors come popular choice among 1892, Edward was Temuan villages are mostly
only as far as the edge of the bridge Chinese, Malays and made chairperson of found in Johor, Selangor, Malacca,
over Langat River that divides the Indians. Today, the Mah Meri are the Federated Malay Pahang and Negri Sembilan.
Selangor coast and the island. Carey Island is named well-known for their wooden States Planters Asso- The Mah Meri speak a language
The short bridge joins the island after Edward Valentine artworks and carvings which ciation. In recognition called Besise, which is a component
from Chondoi and Teluk Panglima Carey, a senior British reflect their beliefs in ‘ari muyang’, of his significant con- of the Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer
Garang. Those who have been officer who was in charge or mythological ancestors. The tributions, he was giv- language. These people were given
there are mainly diners who are of several rubber planta- en control of the island a 1,000-acre reservation on Carey
regular patrons of the Kang Guan tions during colonial muyang are said to be supernatural that subsequently car- Island in 1966.
Seafood Restaurant and the Seri Malaya in the late 19th beings who are called Orang Alus.” ried his name. With development of the island
The bridge (right) links Teluk Panglima Garang to Carey Island. This long row of wired boulders acts as a wave breaker.
Travel 19April 1 — 3, 2011
✂
Nearby residents on
Carey Island beach
for a family picnic.
that spread from the 1960s to the Kepada Kawasan Pentadbiran Balai Polis
1990s, the Mah Meri were system- The narrow
atically alienated from the shore- road ..............................................................................................
line. Today, their three villages – inside the
Kampung Sungai Bumbun, Kam- Mah Meri Butiran penduduk:
pung Sungai Mata and Kampung settlement.
Sungai Salang – are located within Nama: ..................................................................................
320 acres of forest land.
There are about 83 families in Alamat: .................................................................................
the three villages, with a total of
500 people, based on 2007 statis- ..............................................................................................
tics. The villages are provided with
clean water, tarred roads, electric- ..............................................................................................
ity, a clinic and a school.
Today, the Mah Meri are well- Nombor telefon bimbit/kediaman: ........................................
known for their wooden artworks
and carvings which reflect their Nombor telefon yang boleh dihubungi: ................................
beliefs in “ari muyang”, or mytho-
logical ancestors. The muyang are ..............................................................................................
said to be supernatural beings who
are called Orang Alus. sandy and slightly untidy Tarikh meninggalkan rumah: ................................................
The Mah Meri believe in the stretch of shoreline, there is
existence of the seven-layered di- nothing but tiny pebbles Tarikh dijangka balik ke rumah: ...........................................
mension, in which humans occupy and small heaps of debris,
the sixth layer. They have their own probably washed up by the Kenderaan yang ditinggalkan (jenis model & nombor daftar
shaman in their own villages, and waves. kenderaan).
honour the muyang on Ancestors’ Ships can be seen sailing
Day, which is determined by the slowly across the horizon. 1. ..........................................................................................
shaman who bases his calculation Nobody swims here. The
on the lunar movement. conditions are not suitable 2. ..........................................................................................
The length of Carey Island is for such an activity. How-
about 12km. On a leisurely drive, ever, it is possible to collect 3. ..........................................................................................
it should not more than 15 minutes shells.
to get to the edge of the sandy The rows of wired and Lain-lain maklumat:
beach on the far end. stacked boulders along the
The two-lane straight road is upper reaches of the beach ..............................................................................................
relatively free of traffic except for are there to break the waves
Oil palm fruit ready for collection at a
the occasional car or a few passing during high tides. plantation.
motorcycles. There are long stretch- The island has seen more
es of oil palm plantations. than 150 years of slow changes, but indicate that something is brewing
Somewhere on the island is the it has little to show for it. Recently, in terms of development. ............................................... .......................................
Carey Island Golf Club in the West road projects from the direction of Perhaps Carey Island’s time has Tandatangan Tarikh
Estate. At journey’s end on the the bridge to the island seem to finally come.
Have you checked
your electrical
switches before
leaving home?
Before ieaving your home for a holoday, have you
checked all your electrical switches and turned off
your gas tanks?
Android attack!
By Edwin Yapp plenty of options for you to choose from.
T
here is no doubt that the world is HTC Incredible S
embracing the smartphone more and Arriving in Malaysia as recently as last
more. Much of this successful adoption week is the Taiwanese maker’s model called
is due to the fact that smartphones are not HTC Incredible S. The phone is equipped
only getting cheaper, but also because the with a 1GHz processor, and 4-inch super
number of models out in the market is LCD screen at 480 x 800 WVGA resolu-
growing at a furious pace. tion, making it far clearer and brighter than
This phenomenon was first seen when Ap- its predecessors.
ple introduced the iPhone to the public in It has an 8-megapixel rear camera with
2007. Since then, Apple has produced four flash, and a 1.3-megapixel front camera
iterations of the iPhone. Today, it’s a hugely 720p high-definition video recorder.
popular phone. The Incredible S has all the bells and
But the growth of smartphone adoption whistles you could want from a smart-
has also been driven by the rise of Google’s phone. It is available for a limited time
Android operating system. Just last month, through a partnership with DiGi packages.
Canalys, an analyst tracking the global smart- As for the standalone handset, you’ll
phone market, reported that Android have to wait a little over a month more for
(33.3%) has now overtaken Symbian (31%) it. The handset-only version of the Incred-
as the world’s bestselling platform in the last ible S comes at a recommended retail price
quarter of 2010, with Apple further back at of RM1,999.
16% and BlackBerry at 14.6%.
Here in Malaysia, this growth is being felt Maxis (Google) Nexus S
almost every quarter as mobile phone players Essentially a Google Nexus S, this smart-
begin introducing Android-based phones. phone has been brought in and is exclu-
This trend is expected to exacerbate as every sively available through Maxis. The Nexus S
major phone maker – HTC, Sony Ericsson, is very similar to the Incredible S, but there
LG, Samsung, Motorola – adopts Android as are a few notable differences. The Nexus S
its core platform. does not sport high-definition video-record-
Most of these phones come equipped with ing capabilities; its front camera is only tagged The HTC Incredible S.
the Android version 2.2, also known as Froyo, at 5-megapixels, and it does not have a mi-
with the exception of Google’s own phone, croSD expansion slot. materials and is only 8.7mm at the thinnest retail price of just RM899, the Optimus
dubbed the Nexus S, which is equipped with However, the Nexus S has a feature known part of the phone. sports a 3.2–inch HVGA LCD screen,
Android version 2.3 codenamed Ginger- as NFC (near field communications), which Coupled with a 4.2-inch multi-touch ret- 3-megapixel camera, 4GB of on board
bread. is effectively a chip embedded within the ina display (same as iPhone 4), 8.1-megapixel memory and expandable up to 32GB through
But for those of you contemplating buying device and used to support wireless micro camera, and built-in HDMI connector, the a microSD card.
an Android-based smartphone, don’t worry. payment in conjunction with payment opera- Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)-powered Arc is
Even if you opt for the 2.2 Froyo version, tors such as Mastercard or Visa. expected to be a hit. Motorola Defy
upgrades will become available later in the The Nexus S can’t be officially found in Slightly older but still available on the
year. Malaysia, though people have been known to LG Optimus One market is Motorola’s Defy. Available via
Android-based smartphones have come a go across the Causeway just to get one. For those who are more cost-conscious but Maxis, the Defy has a 800MHz processor with
long way since its introduction to the market would still like to own an Android phone, try 512MB of RAM and 2GB of on board stor-
two years ago, and I believe that it’s only going Sony Ericsson Experia Arc the LG Optimus One. At a recommended age. Memory can be upped to 32GB.
to get better as the days go by. Announced at the Consumer Electronic
In my next column, I will look further into Show in January, the Arc is the Anglo-Japa-
Hasan to remain
two Android models that came out at the nese firm’s latest smartphone which should be
beginning of the year. For now, here’s a list of available here sometime in April/May.
Android-based smartphones that arrived on Visually sleek and curvaceous to behold,
our shores in the first quarter of the year, with the Arc boasts of being crafted from premium
MPKj president
By Chong Loo Wah Liu after launching Taman Suntex in Batu
9 Cheras as Zon Bersih on Sunday.
CHERAS: Selangor has agreed to allow Meanwhile, Liu expressed hope that
Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) the state’s 12 local councils would be
president Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd strong contenders for a five-star rating in
Rahman to continue his term. the annual national competition organ-
Executive councillor in charge of local ised by the Housing and Local Govern-
government affairs Ronnie Liu said ment Ministry.
Hasan’s term officially ended last month. He said five out of the 11 most out-
He said Hasan had reported to the standing councils chosen last year were
Statistics Department of Malaysia on from Selangor.
March 1, as instructed by the Public Ser- Subang Jaya Municipal Council fin-
vices Commission. ished second, while Petaling Jaya City
However, Liu said Hasan would like Council was placed third, with Kuala
to continue working in MPKj to complete Lumpur City Hall taking top spot.
his plans such as the Kajang Square pro- However, all the 11 winners only re-
ject, which is 30% complete. ceived a four-star rating. They were rated
Selangor has asked Chief Secretary to for their service quality and efficiency,
the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan to among others.
reappoint Hasan. “We hope they will continue to im-
“He should be able to return to the local prove their performances, and at least
council once he receives the re-appoint- one of them can achieve a five-star rat-
ment letter from the Chief Secretary,” said ing,” Liu said.
MEDIA 21
APRIL 1 — 3, 2011
Rawang assemblyperson Gan Pei Nei (left) and Selayang Member of Parliament
William Leong handing out contributions to single mothers during a function to
celebrate International Women’s Day in Rawang last Sunday. About 80 single
mothers received staple items such as cooking oil, rice and other household goods.
Young participants holding candles during Earth Hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on Since Pakatan Rakyat took over Selangor in 2008, the number of single mothers
March 26 at Sunway Pyramid. who have registered with the state has increased from 1,500 to 26,000.
INTERVIEW
Singaporean Alfian Sa’at’s play
Madu II was first staged in the
island republic in 1998, and was
presented in Kuala Lumpur in 2001
as part of the double-bill Bulan
Madu with Anak Bulan di Kampung
Wa’ Hassan, supported by the
National Arts Council Singapore
and Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka.
Editor’s
Now theatergoers will again be able Pick
to catch the tale of two wives living
under one roof when The Actors Madu II
Studio Kuala Lumpur presents Theatre; The Actors
Madu II at Lot 10. Studio @ Lot 10;
In this email interview with April 6-10, 2011;
Selangor Times, Alfian tells us RM33 / RM23;
more about the influences behind 03-21422009 /
his polygamous tale, and what’s 21432009;
coming up next for this thirty-three www.theactorsstudio.
year-old poet, playwright and com.my
author.