Act against illegal banners

Wednesday July 20, 2011

By FAZLEENA AZIZ
fazleena@thestar.com.my
Photos by BRIAN MOH


DEPUTY Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk M. Saravanan is urging the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to form a unit to disconnect the telephone numbers displayed on illegal stickers and banners in the city.

Saravanan said the MCMC’s role was pertinent as it was one of the best ways to curb this problem that was marring the city’s image.

“Last year we had submitted more than 400 numbers to MCMC but there has not been any feedback on the matter.

Hard to remove: Some of the DBKL officers removing illegal stickers posted on a lamp post in Wangsa Maju.

“These illegal stickers and banners block signboards and road names,” he said.

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) workers have to go around the city every other day to remove them,” he said during an operation to remove the illegal banners and stickers by the local authority yesterday.

About 80 DBKL employees took part in the operation in Desa Setapak, Teratai Mewah and Taman Bunga Raya.

Saravanan said they had to discuss with the minister to come up with a better policy or bylaw on the matter.

Ugly sight: Illegal stickers posted on a telephone booth in Wangsa Maju .

“Legal proceedings usually take time and it will be more effective to disconnect the telephone lines displayed on the illegal stickers.

“I would like to urge non-governmental organisations to carry out more campaigns to curb this problem,” he said.

He added that the DBKL would also bring down worn out flags.

Until June this year, 227,985 illegal stickers had been removed in Cheras, Batu and Bandar Tun Razak.

Last year, 458,811 stickers and banners were removed.

The most number of illegal stickers were found in Bandar Tun Razak followed by Bukit Bintang and Wangsa Maju.

My 18 hours under the ISA

Malaysia Terrorist Law Used To Protect Journalist?... read more. Judge It !!! Do you want this happend to you & family? Show your disapproval, Click here to vote againts it.

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The Star Online > Nation Tuesday September 16, 2008

My 18 hours under the ISA

By TAN HOON CHENG

WHILE enjoying my yew char koay (fried dough stick), I was worried about the show-cause letter issued to Sin Chew Daily, and anxious about the days ahead for my newspaper.
Suddenly, a group of plainclothes policemen appeared in front of my gate. A woman police officer started to identify who they were and the purpose of their visit. She was also the only one in uniform.

She told me I had to follow them to the police station. I said would not open the gate unless they had a warrant of arrest.

I immediately rang the legal adviser of our company and my direct superior to seek their advice. Later, the woman officer told me they were arresting me under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and therefore a warrant was not required. Upon hearing that, I immediately prepared for the worst.

I had to act calm, comforting my parents and reassuring them that my colleagues would be waiting for me at the police station to render assistance. When I was taken away, my parents reacted strongly and they kept on asking the police to accord me proper treatment.
I was brought to the Seberang Prai Tengah district police station. I was placed in a cold room while waiting for the police to begin their paperwork.

I was accompanied by a woman officer who seemed to be shivering because of the low room temperature. To break the silence, I initiated a conversation. She told me: “You seem to be very calm.”

I told her: “I am arrested under the Internal Security Act and even though I am scared, I have to face this reality. But I am worried about my parents, friends and relatives, they must be very worried about me.”

To be frank, I was very cool-headed. I believed there must be a lot of people out there supporting me and giving me the strength I needed. So, I had to stay strong for them.
The police recorded all my personal belongings which were later taken away from me. After that, I was considered ready to be sent to the police contingent headquarters in Penang.
When I was brought out of the police station, I realised a lot of my media colleagues, representatives from different parties and groups were already waiting outside the police station to show their support.

Seeing this, I was deeply touched, I could no longer hold back my tears.
When the police car arrived at the entrance, my superior, Puah Eu Peng, our Northern Region Manager, tried to stop the car with his body and to slow it down.

He knocked at the window, to make sure I was in the car and gestured to show his support. I instantly wiped off my tears.

After taking my thumbprints, I was given dinner and arranged to spend my night in remand. I did not know that people had gathered outside the station to show their support.
I requested the woman officer to keep the lights on. She told me not to worry, she would not switch off the lights.

The police also informed me I would meet my parents at 8am tomorrow morning. I spent a very long time, thinking of everything that I had to tell my parents.

I lost touch with the outside world and since it was my only opportunity, I had cherish it. To clearly explain everything to my parents.

After clearing my mind, I tried to sleep on a wooden bed with the company of mosquitoes and the noise of water dripping. I had no idea what tomorrow held for me, but I knew I had to be in perfect condition to handle everything.

I have never suffered from insomnia but this very night, I finally experienced it.
Deep down in my heart, I know those who cared about me would also be experiencing the same and my heart ached thinking about that.

When I was about to wash up at 6am, the woman officer passed me clothes brought by my parents. I was surprised; everything was new, the toiletries, T-shirts, shorts, panties.
I later discovered that the “parents” the police officer was referring to were a bunch of colleagues. While waiting outside the Penang police contingent headquarters, they had prepared them for me.

They were uncertain when I would be released, but told themselves they had to get these items ready in the shortest time possible.

I met my parents and said goodbye.

The police informed me they would bring me to the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. My heart sank. I told myself this was the beginning of it, I must brace myself for everything.

I was eventually brought to the Perak police headquarters in Ipoh. After a brief interrogation session, I was brought back to Penang police headquarters again.
I was interrogated further. I told myself to keep my mind clear, I must tell them the truth, and respond appropriately.

After the interrogation, I was brought to see another higher-ranked officer, he told me: “We can both go home now!” Both of us turned to the clock on the wall. The time was 2.25pm.

These were my 18 hours under the ISA. I have gone through a lot.

After being released, I received a lot of messages, telephone calls and bouquets.
My colleagues in the press, representatives from political parties, society leaders, schoolmates, classmates, friends and relatives visited me at home. Of course, not forgetting the readers and members of the public who called up or visited Sin Chew Daily’s office in Penang or the head office in Petaling Jaya.

To all of them, I express my deepest gratitude. During those 18 hours, which was filled with a lot of uncertainties, I felt there was some unknown strength that supported me through it all.
I knew it must be from you all, those whom I knew or have not met!

I realise our journey is still full with challenges and obstacles, so we have to continue with the same righteous spirit and courage that we have all shown this time! Our society needs this spirit. To build a better tomorrow.

I have finally been freed, but I hope Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamarudin and all those detainees under the ISA can be released as soon as possible.

If the authorities think they have broken the law, they should be brought to a court of law to stand transparent and fair trials.

This article is reproduced, with permission, from http://www.mysinchew.com/.
© 1995-2008 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

Impact Of Inflation On Kuala Lumpur Real Estates

Oil Has Indeed Falls Below US$135 Today. I expect oil and commodities prices to fall continuously. As mentioned yesterday, oil may stage a rebound To US$160/barrel after falling to US$118/barrel. This is the economic cycle where bond & stocks will also be drag down due to inflation worries.

Inflation will prevail, causing economic downturn. Jobs loss will increase. Due to high margin of financing given by banks during the last fews years and considering property value has not appreciate much, bankers will panic to execute forecloser for residential properties for location out of the 20km radius from KL, especially for those pricing below RM300k.

As spare production capacity is high and income of the average or poor are greatly reduced, both office space, industrial and retailing outlet will also be affected not with standing where these are located .

As most of the residential properties sold during the last 4 years are mainly for own-use, prices for residential within the 20km city radius will hold or soften slightly, with some forecloser by banks giving great bargains. It will be a scenario where property price won't drop much in this location, but with occassional good bargains from banks' auctions. However, properties below RM300k will be slow to dispose (if no good bargains is offered), especially financing from bank will be tightened with buyer having to cough high initial deposit. As for high-end properties within this location, selling will be easier with lots of good bargains as buyer in this category remains afordable.

Developers will face challenging times. They really need innovative building designs plus value-for-money package to capture buyers' hearts. And this policy is good only with branded developers, as fear of non-delivery by less known developer will rings in the minds of buyer.

If the economic down turn is a long one, it may change permanently the lifestlye of the mass population. This means also change in the way we live and work. This dictates changes in housing design, community concept, etc that may result in the house currently we stay being out of date and hence drop in demand and value by the time recession is over.

So What Now? Hold Or Sell Or Buy?

Is Oil Coming Down?

I have been expecting oil price to come down since June 15 when it was only about US$138, but instead it short up to new heights to US$149 in July. Now looks like this expectation is coming true. The last few days oil price slide more than moving upward. If it falls below US$135 the next few days, it will be on its way down to US$118, then it may move to US$160 by early next year.




It is indeed difficult time for us here in Malaysia, especially politically. I am real fed-up, just wish the politicians thinks and work more for the citizens than just whacking like ducks. Blessed with many resources, we should be able to make it even the world is at it worst .... provided the right government is in place.

With oil price moving up for long term, one thing for sure, lifestyle need a change to basic. Basic? Say is easy but must try. Like to comment on living a basis lifestyle? Suggest some ways!