Resolved: Pothole at Jalan Puteri 1 Patched

The big pothole at Jalan Puteri 1 was patched on 21 Dec 2011. Thanks to JKP member who alerted and followed up with MPSJ recently. Also thanks to MPSJ for their quick action to patch the pothole.

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After:

Sumbangan JKP 16 Kepada Ibu Miskin

Di dalam bulan Oktober 2011, sempena kempen membasmi kemiskinan, JKP Zon 16 teleh memberi sumbangan kewangan sebanyak RM200 dan barang keperluan lain kepada 20 ibu miskin.

Balik Ke Sekolah - Cenderahati peralatan sekolah untuk anak-anak yang terpilih

Acara penyampaian cenderahati peralatan sekolah untuk anak-anak yang terpilih diadakan di Flat kos rendah Jalan Wawawasan 5/3 pada haribulan 18 Disember 2011 (Ahad) pada pukul 10.30 pagi. Ia dianjurkan oleh JKP Zon 16 sebagai bantuan jom balik ke sekolah bagi keluarga miskin.

Puteri 11 gazebos installed with lighting

4 gazebos in Puteri 11 were installed with lighting recently with JKP 16 indent funding. Residents are able to mingle with each other at the gazebos during night time.

Resolved: 3 spot lights installed at Taman Wawasan 3 park

Taman Wawasan 3 park has been installed with 3 spot lights around the week of 13 Nov 2011. This has brightened up the whole playground areas and the visitors are very happy with the facilities.

Thanks to councilor Tan Jo Hann for his kind efforts and contribution.

Selangor Times : MPs and councillors: Distinguishing their roles

MPs and councillors: Distinguishing their roles

Writer: Brenda Ch'ng
Published: Fri, 11 Nov 2011

Lightning strikes during a heavy thunderstorm, causing trees to fall onto the road, obstructing cars driving through and almost injuring residents living in houses nearby. A phone call is then made to the first person that comes to the complainant’s mind – a face they elected two years ago, their Member of Parliament (MP) or assemblyperson.

Regardless of what the complaint is – be it uncollected trash, neighbourhood squabbles or potholes – most residents usually file complaints to politicians, hoping it will be resolved with a snap of the finger.

These residents tend to be unaware that such complaints should be directed to local councillors, they who represent the people’s voice at local councils.

“There is often a misconception of roles by residents on what a councillor should do and what a Member of Parliament should do,” says Klang MP Charles Santiago.

Being an MP, he is expected to prepare for debates in Parliament, be up to date on parliamentary issues, and make laws on a federal level.

However, over the years, MPs have become the person expected to handle anything and everything a resident comes to them with.

“About 50-60% of my daily tasks are handling local council issues like garbage collection and flood woes,” says Santiago.

He even received a threatening note from a resident requesting him to solve crime problems in an area because they voted for him.

“The thing is, I can’t solve that as it’s a police matter, and I can only highlight it to the respective authorities,” he says.

Even so, he never turns a complainant away, but tries to help them by redirecting straightforward complaints to councillors and intervening where it comes to the more complicated matters.

“I usually only step in when residents are finding it hard to negotiate certain matters with authorities, or when both parties can’t see eye to eye on things,” says Santiago. For example, matters like hawker relocations or major infrastructure problems.

However, there is a limit to how far he can help, as MPs have no control over the council’s budget, councillors’ decision-making, or the councils’ operating systems.

Bridging the gap
Meanwhile, councillors who have the power to get matters solved are often not recognised or acknowledged by residents, some of whom don’t even know they exist.

“Being part of the local council has made me realise how some issues could be resolved because we have the power to do so.

But many residents are still unfamiliar with the roles of a councillor,” says Subang Jaya Municipal Councillor (MPSJ) Tan Jo Hann.

The three-term councillor since 2008 explains that the responsibility of a councillor is to act as the bridge or facilitator between residents and the council.

“We organise dialogue sessions with residents and officers to discuss issues and ensure residents get a fair hearing, especially when it is an issue concerning powerful developers,” Tan says.

Councillors are also expected to draw up policies on a local-government level.

“Our role is to act as the highest body in the local council to set new policies and help implement them in the community,” Tan says.

In addition, councillors are placed in different committees within the council to tackle different issues such as infrastructure, finance, environment and audit.

Tan, who sits in the audit committee, environment committee and infrastructure committee, also chairs the cleanliness sub-committee and abandoned-building sub-committee.

It is crucial that councillors are placed in different committees so that they can come up with policies to help solve long-term issues like project development, traffic congestion, and development on slopes.

Motions are made in the respective committees and brought into the council’s monthly full board meeting for the resolution to be passed and approved by the board.

Once approved, the council will move to implement them in the community in a bid to create a more conducive living environment for the people.

Examples of policies set by councillors over the year are a new hostel guideline for houses in MPSJ; one-hour timed parking system at Taipan, USJ; and green-building policies by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

Green buildings, policies and other duties
“We are the first council to manifest the mandatory green-building certification if developers want to get a higher plot ratio,” says MBPJ councillor Derek Fernandez.

The three-term councillor said policies are made by councillors to benefit all parties, especially residents.

Recently, MBPJ approved a policy to invite residents to hear and discuss the council’s budget.

It was the first open budget session that allowed residents to sit in and listen, and voice out their comments or objections regarding the Budget 2012.

Apart from that, MBPJ councillors approved a policy allowing all residents to object or voice out concerns over developments in their neighbourhood.

“Previously, only direct neighbours can make an objection, but now we overwrote the bylaw and extended the opportunity to all residents to have a say,” Derek says.

With the new policy, signage with details about a particular development will be put up at a construction site, and residents can write in to MBPJ with their concerns for the council to try to solve.

Policies can also be made to help earn more revenue for the council, like implementing a rental fee for billboard advertisers, or forming an independent audit committee to monitor council spendings.

“These two policies actually helped the council earn over RM7 million with the billboards, and saved us a few million each year on contract malpractices,” says Derek.

Though the councillors have a handful of policies to draw up and implement, their daily duties don’t end there.

Every day, councillors will be swamped with complaints ranging from general ones like rubbish, drains and floods to sensitive ones like neighbour disputes, house-renovation problems, and licensing issues.

Residents would rather call the councillor to personally address the issue or set up a meeting to see them individually, for fear their problems would fall on deaf ears otherwise.

“They have this mindset that it’s better to complain personally to a councillor in order for their complaints to be addressed and solved faster. They don’t trust the system,” said Hulu Selangor District Councillor (MDHS) Chua Yee Ling.

The two-term councillor said the system, which the council adopted over 50 years ago, has given the residents the perception that their complaints will be left unattended.

“I don’t blame the staff because it’s the system that’s at fault. They are so used to a particular way of doing things that it’s hard to change,” she said.

Chua added that local governments and councillors should think of new approaches and creative means to replace the old ways.

Money matters
However, Chua is unhappy about the small allowance councillors get, which doesn’t justify their huge job scope.

“How can you pay a councillor RM750 and expect them to do their job properly when they have to earn a living and pay bills at the same time?” she asks.

She says with the many issues a councillor needs to focus on and tackle, that amount of money isn’t enough for a full-time councillor.

Before this, Chua and her fellow district councillors were paid RM250 per month. This figure was increased this year by RM500.

The small pay rise raised eyebrows of Selangor MCA deputy chairperson Datuk Teh Kim Poo.

“The raise given to councillors is too quick. Less than two and a half years and the councillors are getting a second increase... it is absurd as the number of them throughout Selangor are inefficient and not service-oriented,” he said.

Agreeing with him was Selangor MCA Public Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Theng Book, who said the allowance was not meant to cover their living expenses.

“A councillor is appointed to serve the people, it is not a full-time job. If you think you cannot survive with the allowance you receive, I advise you not to take the post,” he said.

However, Monash University’s political scientist Wong Chin Huat thinks that councillors should be paid what they deserve, judging on the work they do.

“They should be paid like a middle-level manager but less than an MP and assemblyperson,” Wong says.

He says those paid a higher amount should be a full-time councillor responsible for taking care of daily complaints, supervising site visits and following up on grievances.

Part-time councillors can be paid less and are only expected to do half of what full-time councillors do.

“With one zone in the urban area having a population of about 10,000 to 20,000 people, it is impossible for one councillor to handle the whole lot,” Wong says.

Selangor Times

Source : Selangor Times

http://www.selangortimes.com/index.php?section=insight&permalink=mps-and-councillors-distinguishing-their-roles

Resolved: Drains, flexible poles and divider lines redrawn at SRK Pusat Bandar Puchong 2

Recently, drain covers were replaced with new ones at entrance of SRK Pusat Bandar Puchong 2.

Flexible poles were installed. Redrawing of divider lines were also done. Thanks to MPSJ and JKP 16 for making this happen.

Minor Renovation Work at JKP 16 office

Minor renovation work was done at the JKP 16 office. Tiang bendera, papan kenyataan and pembetulan tangga were carried out using JKP Inden fund.

Resolved: Road Hump constructed along Jalan Puteri 7/2

On 17 Oct 2011, 2 road humps together with yellow lines and road signs were constructed at Jalan Puteri 7/2. The funding came from JKP 16.

Road Widening at Jalan Puteri 11/3

With MPSJ fund, work started at Jalan Puteri 11/3 for widening the road to allow access for emergency services such as fire brigade and ambulance. More stories athttp://puchongputeri11.blogspot.com/2011/10/widening-of-road.html

Selangor Times : 雪州连批3块蒲种区校地

http://selangortimes.com/cn/index.php?p=newsdetails

公教中学·益智华小·宗教小学 雪州连批3块蒲种区校地

梳邦再也SS16区帝国购物广场周三凌晨3时45分，疑一家餐馆员工疏忽，打烊时没关好炉灶导致石油气泄漏引发大爆炸，广场商店内外满目疮痍，百间商店毁坏，警方消拯局即刻封锁现场。 经警方确定爆炸只是意外后，管理层星期四局部开放让住客及员工入内拿取文件，同时管理层遵循消拯局劝告宣布暂时关闭广场，以策安全。

（莎阿南讯）雪兰莪州行政议会再批3幅地段，作为八打灵再也公教中学分校、蒲种益智华小分校，以及一所宗教小学的校地。 与此同时，州政府也批准一片2.5英亩地段给一家发展商，以充作自闭症教育培训中心。 在上述4幅地段中，公教中学、益智华小及自闭症中心，皆落在蒲种打昔柏丽玛花园（Taman Puchong Tasik Prima）一片占地13英亩的地段上；而宗教小学地段则是位于金銮镇，占地5.93英亩。 在上述13英亩校地当中，州政府把2.5英亩批准为自闭症教育培训中心，其余11英亩则分给公教及益智两所学校，解决这两所学校所面对的学生爆满危机，与迫切急需地段建分校的困境。 另批地段建自闭症中心 雪州高级行政议员郭素沁指出，州政府是在州行政议会上作此决定，公教中学分校获批8.88英亩地段、，益智分校4.12英亩，以及宗教小学5.93英亩。 她说，在批准上述校地后，州政府也将发出支持信给教育部，表明州政府支持上述两间分校建议，希望教育部也尽快批准校方申请，好让建校计划早日进行。 她受访时对《雪州时报》指出，公教中学及益智华小去年已向州政府申请校地，以便兴建分校，容纳每年无法接收的学生。 她说，经研究后，州政府拨出蒲种打昔柏丽玛花园13英亩地段给予公教及益智；同时也把其中2.5英亩地段，拨给发展商宝敦工程有限公司（Bolton)，为马来西亚自闭症协会兴建一所自闭症教育培训中心。 她透露，除了公教与益智分校外，州政府也把金銮镇一块5.93英亩地段列为宗教小学保留地，这也意味着，州政府一口气批准3幅校地给各源流学校，以应付蒲种区人口日益增加所对各源流学校的需求。 公教与益智可共用资源 她说，由于公教与益智校地相毗邻，所以州政府会建议教育部及校方资源共享，共同使用学校的硬体建设，如操场、食堂等。 她说，其实，雪州境内的华小与宗教学校学生与日俱增，尤其是八打灵县。在1998年，灵县的华小学生人数是2万4518人，但今年已增至4万3611人，13年内的增幅是77%，所以灵县迫切需要增建华小。 “再者，华小也不局限于华裔就读，很多异族同胞也把孩子送入华小。根据教育部统计，在华小就读的土著学生有5万5976人（9.15%），其中雪州就占了4863人。” 郭素沁说，宗教小学也同样面对不足情况，虽然灵县拥有19所宗教小学，但是蒲种只有一所蒲种13哩宗教小学，学生人数高达1500人。 她重申，批准校地是州政府权力，但批准建校则是教育部权限，所以，州政府只可以致函教育部，表示支持上述两项建校计划，希望教育部尽快批准建校。 公教校友会主席方贵伦：望教育部批准 公教中学校友会主席方贵伦指出，董事部是在两年前开始申请分校，因为每年有几百名学生被拒于门外，董事部希望在雪州境内找一块地开设分校。 他说，目前，该校学生人数是3300人左右，学生人数与年俱增，董事部多年前已提出开设分校，直至两年前正式向州政府申请分校。 “我们建议数个地区，蒲种是其中之一，因为地点理想，人口也多。” 他说，在申请校地后，董事部将正式向教育部及州教育局建议建分校，毕竟有校地后成功机率比较大，希望公教分校计划能够早日实现。 宝敦工程：企业社会责任 宝敦工程有限公司总经理卢志强指出，兴建自闭症中心是该公司回馈社会的计划，也为大马自闭症协会提供一个教育中心。 他说，随着州批准地段后，该公司将着手向有关单位申请，包括卫生部、教育部、福利部、梳邦再也市议会等，预料需要2至3年时间才能落实。 益智董事长梁润林：蒲种居民之福 益智华小董事长梁润林受访时指出，益智学生人数不断增加，校方去年向州政府申请校地，以增建分校。 他说，该校学生已近4000人，而明年报名新生超过700人，预料会开15班一年级，所以，明年学生人数肯定突破4000人。 梁润林也是八打灵县华小发展工委会副主席。他透露，在蒲种区面对华小严重不足情况下，工委会原本是要申请一所新华小，但是想到增建华小不易，所以就改为申请建 分校。 他说，尽管州政府并不是批准董事部所申请的金銮镇学校保留地，但董事部也没有坚持，只要校地是在蒲种区即可。 “州政府在短短1年内就批准校地给我们，令我们深感欣慰，也是蒲种居民的福气，多一所华小，蒲种居民就不须把孩子送到蒲种以外华小就读。” 他说，其实，在向州政府申请校地同时，董事部也向州教育局申请建分校，如今校地申请已获准，董事部将进一步向教育部及州教育局跟进，加速分校落实大计。 “我们是一所全津贴学校，若批准建分校，将由政府全面承担建校费用。” 州政府把13英亩的地段分别分配给公教中学、育智华小及自闭症中心。

Selangor Times: New land approved for Selangor schools

http://selangortimes.com/index.php?section=news&permalink=New%20land%20approved%20for%20Selangor%20schools

New land approved for Selangor schools

Writer: Brenda Ch'ng

PUCHONG: Land for three new schools and a centre for autistic students have been approved by the state to cater to overwhelming demand from the community.

“We have already approved the land for the schools to share,” said state executive councilor Teresa Kok.

The Kinrara assembly person said the state had received many complaints about the lack of public, vernacular and religious schools, especially in the Petaling district.

The schools, SJKC Yak Chee (2) and SMJK Katholik (2), and an autistic centre will be located in Ta- man Tasik Prima. A further 5.93 acres of land will be reserved for a primary Islamic religious school in Bandar Kinrara.

About 2.5 acres have been approved for the autism school, which will be built by the developers of Taman Tasik Prima. The rest of the land will be divided between the schools.

Although land for the new schools has been approved, the school boards still need approval from the Education Ministry be- fore they can proceed with construction.

Kok expressed hope that approval will be given immediately to enable the schools to start drafting plans on how to fully maximise the space.

The schools can share some common facilities like a field, courts and canteen to optimise the land.

She added that there should be no reason for the ministry not to give the green light.

She pointed out that SJKC Yak Chee in Taman Bukit Kuchai and SMJK Katholik in Petaling Jaya are highly reputable. Allow ing them to open branches in Puchong would benefit the community here, she said.

Each of these schools has about 3,000 to 4,000 students, with both having to turn down about 1,000 students annually due to lack of space. “The new schools will be within the vicinity of Puchong and it is convenient for residents to send their children there,” she added.

The autism school will also be a reputable one as it will be run by professionals from the National Autistic Society of Malaysia.

“This is part of our corporate social responsibility plan. We strive to give the best to the community,” said Tasik Prima project manager John Lou Chee Khiam.

He added that the move would also be timely because there is no autism centre in Puchong and surrounding areas.

Representatives from SJKC Yak Chee and SMJK Katholik also gave their thumbs-up to the move,

“We applied for land two years ago, and we are happy the state approved it this year,” SMJK Katholik Alumni chairperson Fong Kui Lun.

He said the school had applied for land in a few area, but they preferred Puchong because it is not that far from their current school in Petaling Jaya.

SJKC Yak Chee Alumni chair- person Liong Yen Lan said the school was already bursting at the seams.

Jamuan Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2011 Anjuran JKP 16

Resolved : Tier Installed at Taman Wawasan Basketball Court

2 new tiers installed at Taman Wawasan basketball court using JKP 16 fund.

Safety Railing Installed from Puteri 7 to Giant

Safety railing along the road leading from Puteri 7 to Giant was installed by MPSJ. This was to create a safe zone for pedestrians and deter snatch thieves.

Trip to Air Hitam Forest Reserve via UPM Camp (Saujana Puchong)

On 19th June 2011, MPSJ organised a trip to the Air Hitam Forest Reserve for residents and JKP members. Visitors first assembled at the UPM camp (Saujana Puchong) before being led to the forest reserve trail by UPM ranger.

Resolved: Playground facilities at Wawasan 3 Repaired

Around 2Q 2011, JKP noted that some playground facilities at the Wawasan 3 needed repair and improvement. The request was put forward to councilor Tan Jo Hann, and it was approved under the councilor fund. We are pleased and grateful to councilor Tan and MPSJ for reparing and improving the following items started 11-9-2011 :

1. Supply of additional 3 concrete chairs.
2. Repair of concrete walking slabs/path
3. Repair of exercise equipment.