Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Selangor Times Issue 7, 7-9 January 2011
Selangor Times Issue 7, 7-9 January 2011
Move delayed
By Chong Loo Wah and Gan Pei Ling
Selangor WEATHER
Friday Saturday Sunday
MB, Exco attend ceremony;
Morning
appointment still disputed
Afternoon
Night
More
r, Penang
rs
counteK
Selangos – good for MP p 16
budget re p 10
BaBy H for futu
Hatc
12 – 13
liver y to
p / issue
5
26, 2010
R 24 –
Free de
DECEMBE
JMB.
RA and
community
t:
Contac
t o r @
edi s.
a n g ortime
sel
r call:
SA) and
ncil (MB es for
City Cou District Offic Fairy
rk
Shah Alam
com o
ing st
g and Petal n again vals
8
Park. The A’s building and
23228
from MBS buried
le have been The
ment. than 20,000 peop work orders. h
More despi te stop ound s whic
Park comp d its
at Fairy only settled five Selcat starte
h 03-55
erman
t
ille Spyk company d to them after
s
te Md
get
By Nev ive priva were issue lan
, a mass ille- k Maza from
Fairy Park partly operated the probe. Alam Mayor Datu the direc
tive
ve
KLanG:here which is has been given all Shah received Unit to appro
MBSA ing
cemeteryagriculture land,provided it pays Noor saidEconomic Plann 9. dy
gally on to conti
nue
to man Datuk Tengg the State Dec
rsion on gement had alreathe
light chair conve ert
green to the state. ert the
land Selcat ed out that findinof the land y Park’s mana n to conv
its dues y Park must convsettle all fines, said
fees athy from point nsibility “Fair their applicatio onses amount-
“Fair oses and s,” ceme tery symp g Khim whods was the respo itted d 16 summ Maza lan.
oritie cre Chan subm
purp
commercialrs it owes the ie Liu.
auth the 154-a only 28 acres new burial groun Fairy and had
settle fines,” said 5,000
nt probing for led that up to land RM136,000 in onses for RM2 engi-
and arreacouncillor Ronnto take into accou in Selcat was h had approval . the state.inqu iry also revea ged y ing to de five summ by MBS A’s
, whic 1991 rted char rt-
executive the state had buried at the site in Meru te graveyard in legally conve The Park 0 for a famil , These inclu ,000 issued cement depa
Liu said were already sold other for a priva acres have been her 136 acres are RM316,30uring 48’ x 80’ and 11 for RM1ing and enfor
peop le comp any had Only 19 Anot plot meas est plot ng, build that must
that that the e use. cheap neeri ium
Meru and local from agricultur ultural while the ,000. . the prem the land
inclu des to fied as agric t ment ever, he said any to convert is still
lots. se port folio r had applied classi comp any was RM9 s a i d t h a How comp ercial use
the g
Te n to RM82 per be paid by the e into comm Mines
Liu, who t, said the
owne land andgot approval to
which a amounted h was highe
r ultur Land and
governmen land.
the
not
Sdn Bhd, using has ert the land into whic from agric mined by the
ivest most
文版
rt illegally feet deter
conve mber, Prem conv sq costs of being
admittedy 20,000 people cemetery.
内附中
In Septe not than the rtment.
Fairy Park, nearl up to he could
Koh said thos e who homes. the Depa
operates land to bury char ged criticised
agricultural 1990 s. They . away plot s, 报》 He also
since the 0 for family plotsging director,
Koh turn ed buri al Park
g need that Fairy 《雪州时
RM316,00company’s manawas just performin e claiming the chea pest
But the that he hauled up befor ed little
, argued was cy, offer. But he got
Tian Seng e when he e for Competen rates
a social servicSelect Com
mitte
parency
(Selcat).
Selangor’s ility and Trans
istmas
Accountab
from
Merry Chr
Constitutional
experts to The Sultan reading his speech at the swearing-in.
advise State
By Rahmah Ghazali and Yasleh exco at today’s ceremony is to show our ple.
Hani Mat Yassin affection and loyalty towards His High Speaking at Khusrin’s swearing-in at
Royal Highness, the Sultan of Selangor, Istana Kayangan, the Sultan stressed
SHAH ALAM: Menteri Besar Tan as well as His Highness, the Selangor that he remained apolitical, while
By Alvin Yap Sri Khalid Ibrahim has maintained that Regent. maintaining a good relationship with
his administration will not recognise “...(but), it does not mean that we are the menteri besar.
SHAH ALAM: Two experts will be roped in to help the appointment of the new state willing to accept PSC’s arbitrary actions “Selangor menteri besar always has
Selangor’s legal advisor draft changes to the State Constitution secretary despite attending Datuk against our administration. We stand an audience with me at least once a
on the appointment of top state civil servants. Mohd Khusrin Munawi’s swearing-in by our argument that the state secretary week where we would exchange views
Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari and Datuk Param Cumaraswamy yesterday. appointment is not final and needs a for the benefit of this state,” he said.
will help advise on proposals to amend the constitution to In a statement issued before the proper solution,” said Khalid. Later at a press conference, the Sul-
enable the palace to appoint the State Secretary, Treasurer and ceremony, Khalid said he had informed He further added that the state tan’s private secretary, Datuk Mohamad
State Legal Advisor,”. Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah would convene a state assembly session Munir Bani, refuted Khalid’s remark
Abdul Aziz is a law lecturer at the International Islamic that the State Government was seeking by the end of the month to amend that his defence of Khusrin’s appoin-
University while Param was the chairman of the Malaysian Bar a resolution with the Public Services the State Constitution which will re- tment did not reflect the Sultan’s views.
Council from 1986 to 1988 and United Nations Special Commission (PSC) as advised by the turn the power of the state to the ruler He asserted he was just acting under
Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers by the Sultan. and menteri besar in appointing the the instruction of the Sultan who had
UN Commission on Human Rights from 1994 to 2003. “The state has sent a letter to the PSC three executive officers – state secretary, consented to all press releases written
The move follows the ongoing dispute between Shah Alam informing them of our displeasure with finance officer and legal advisor. by him.
and Putrajaya over the appointment of Datuk Mohd Khusrin the appointment of the new state sec- Meanwhile, the Sultan maintained Despite the disagreement with the
Munawi as state secretary. retary. We stress that their actions have that Khusrin’s appointment is lawful state, Munir said as a civil servant he
In a statement to the press on Wednesday, the office of the gone against the spirit of the Constitu- under the State Constitution, saying it would remain non-partisan and main-
Selangor menteri besar said the move would be carried out tion. should not be politicised and sensa- tained that the Palace will not interfere
legally and according to procedures. “The attendance of the whole state tionalised as it could confuse the peo- in any political issues.
It also said that the palace would be notified of the proposed
Our new Shah Alam branch is now at: Unit 3/5, Jalan Plumbum S7/S, Pusat Komersial Seksyen 7, Seksyen 7,
40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Tel: 03 2056 7635
For more information, please call our Contact Centre at 03-2056 7777. Or log on to www.kfh.com.my
BrAnCHeS: Kuala Lumpur Pavilion Shah Alam Klang Johor Bahru Penang Kuching
BureAu de CHAnge: Kuala Lumpur International Airport KL Sentral Station Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) Pavilion
4
news
January 7 — 9, 2011
Address parking No
RM1 million,” he added.
Straightening the monsoon
1Malaysia
drains could only be a long term
plan for the local government.
Keeping the drains clear of debris
and rubbish remains the only im-
mediate solution to the floods.
“There is also the possibility that
one of the causes of flooding is the
problem, Selayang billboard ban
By Basil Foo
Hospital urged
clogging up of the monsoon drain SHAH ALAM: Selangor has
beneath the roads,” said Iskandar. clarified that only state government
“We have also seen some man- linked companies (GLCs) are
holes here that have been shut by barred from displaying 1Malaysia
building owners probably to avoid logos while restaurants and business
rubbish or debris falling into the By Tang Hui Koon Double and even triple parking have become a com- premises would not be stopped
monsoon drain,” he added. mon sight at the hospital. from displaying them.
During the site visit, local coun- SELAYANG: The Selayang Hospital has been urged Ooi submitted a memorandum to the hospital’s as- “There has been confusion here.
cil workers were brought along for to address its parking shortage for the sake of patients sistant director Venothini Retnam on Monday. We only bar GLCs from using state
a cleaning operation but that was who need immediate medical attention. They urged the hospital to build a multi-storey car money for promoting 1Malaysia.
postponed as Iskandar said they did “If the situation continues to worsen, it would park on the vacant land between the hospital building There is no 1Malaysia billboard
not come equipped with special affect ambulances from entering and leaving the and staff quarters. ban,” said Menteri Besar Tan Sri
gear. “It might be too dangerous at hospital in time, thus delaying rescue work,” said Ooi added that the public had also suggested to Khalid Ibrahim.
this time to clean without special Selayang MCA Public Complaint Bureau chief Johnson the hospital to remove the 14 boundary embankments On Wednesday, Khalid said
equipment in case there are poison- Ooi. in its open-air car park and turn them into parking Selangor GLCs were only supposed
ous gases underground.” Ooi said although there were already over 1,000 spaces. to promote state policies.
Klang Member of Parliament parking lots available, traffic would begin to be con- Patients are advised to get a family member or friend The state has maintained that
Charles Santiago said the housing gested as early as 8am and would reach its peak at 10am. to drive them to the hospital whenever possible. 1Malaysia logo was a political sym-
bol of the Federal Government and
state funds cannot be used to pro-
mote it.
SHAH ALAM: The state has expressed
disappointment with the results of the Teoh
Beng Hock inquest and called for a Royal
State calls for RCI to get Instead, they want to promote
their “Merakyakkan Ekonomi Sel-
angor” policies.
Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to be estab-
lished.
“The open verdict points to the fact that
the death was not investigated thoroughly
truth over Teoh’s death Khalid added the state would not
have any problem if private prem-
ises displayed the 1Malaysia symbol
but they could only do so with
and the State leaves it to the police and the Corruption Commission (MACC) to carry sible for his death have still not been identi- conditions.
Attorney-General to continue further inves- out their responsibility to ensure the safety of fied,” said the Selangor Menteri Besar. “Local authorities have the rights
tigation,” said Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim in a detainees and witnesses during investigations. Selangor said that an RCI was needed in to approve the symbol for use on
statement on Wednesday. The political secretary to executive coun- order to determine the truth and restore private premises as long as they use
Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas on cillor Ean Yong Hian Wah was found dead at public confidence. it for business reasons, not political
Wednesday ruled out suicide. He also said Plaza Masalam on July 16, 2009 after being “We are not surprised at the decline of the purposes,” he said.
that there was insufficient evidence to prove questioned overnight by the MACC. people’s confidence in the integrity of the Several business owners were
that the political aide’s death was due to The Selangor MACC was previously based MACC,” he said. previously issued with notices to
homicide. on the 14th floor of the building. He added that his government was com- remove the logo from their sign-
He added that the coroner’s findings also “This decision that Teoh Beng Hock did mitted to helping Teoh’s family in their pur- boards by local governments which
reflect the failure of the Malaysian Anti- not kill himself means that the parties respon- suit for justice. considered the symbol as political
advertising.
news
January 7 — 9, 2011 5
Power to Orang
Asli village
By Gan Pei Ling The system is environmentally-
friendly as it does not need construc-
SHAH ALAM: A remote Temuan tion of dams that would submerge
village in Hulu Langat will soon get large areas.
regular electricity after a micro-hydro It merely converts the kinetic en-
project funded by the state and Shell ergy of river water flow into mechani- A competitor
Malaysia is completed. cal power via a turbine. busy writing
“We are now at the last stage of the Nicholas said technician Adrian her essay.
project – the wiring of the 16 houses,” Lasimbang, from Jaringan Orang Asal
The young
said Colin Nicholas from the Centre Semalaysia-Tonibung, provided the By Alvin Yap
for Orang Asli Concerns(COAS). technical expertise.
The village, accessible by road, is However, progress and speed of the HULU KELANG: A vision of free education as
express hopes
located about an hour from Kuala project is dependent on the availabil- a gift for students in Selangor won 17-year-old
Lumpur and 25 families currently have ity of the Sabah-based expert. Nabihah Ahmad Rosdi first prize at an essay-
to rely on oil lamps or generators, if “The villagers are enthusiastic and writing contest last Saturday.
they can afford it. want to see the light in their houses “I hope the State Government will be an admin-
Nicholas said the Tanjung Rambai
community had successfully built the
small embankment in the river and
soon,” said Nicholas.
Fortunately, they found a local
electrician to assist the villagers with
istration that educates the youth, so that we bloom
like flowers,“ she wrote.
The contest, held at Surau Al-Ehsan, was organ-
for Selangor
installed the pipes leading to the tur- the wiring of their homes recently. ised by executive councillor for education Dr
bine. In fact, he visited the village on Halimah Ali and Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Abdul Kodir Shaharudin won the 13-15 year-
“The villagers were involved in all Wednesday and wired up the first Sungib. old category. “We hear so much about Malaysia
stages of construction. This will make house. Saari said the state always welcomed views and affected by natural disasters. I want our citizens to
them competent enough to do their “The villagers are enthusiastic and opinions of the public. Penning the essays was a make Selangor an advanced, yet caring state,” wrote
own repairs,” he added. want to see the light in their houses chance for people to make their views known to the the 15-year-old.
The first of its kind in Selangor, the soon,” said Nicholas. leaders. The adult category was won by Norsaidah Za-
project was launched in September They hope to complete the project “That is the pulse of the people. We want to karia. “Selangor has achieved low deficit, and I ask
2010 and funded by the state and Shell by the end of January. know what people think, their dreams for Selangor, the State Government to use the money to fight
Malaysia. Kampung Songkok, also in Hulu welfare and their rights,” said Saari. corruption,” wrote the 24-year-old.
A renewable energy source, micro- Langat, is the next village in Selangor He added the state would adopt these aspirations Among the prizes were children’s bicycles, elec-
hydro systems are increasingly popular to benefit from the micro-hydro sys- while shaping policies for the welfare of the people. trical appliances and boxes of confectionaries.
in rural areas in Malaysia. tem.
CNY calligraphy competition at Seri Kembangan clogged drains, and illegal hawkers.
Such problems are usually brought up
at the full board meeting of the Majlis
By Basil Foo they are encouraged to do so because the well wishes vertically on pieces of paper in B a n d a r a y a S h a h A l a m ( M B S A) .
prizes are more attractive,” said organising Mandarin,” Tong explained, “People would Sometimes, however, not all roads and
SERI KEMBANGAN: The ancient art committee member Tong Chee Kuan. stick them on the front door of their house drains belong to the municipality and in
of calligraphy is celebrated this Chinese As the date of the competition will held or office. those cases the MBSA will have their hands
New Year with a competition that is open on Thaipusam, a public holiday, Tong “ Nowa day s , l e ss p e o p l e kn ow tied, Kamarudzaman said.
to all ethnic groups. hopes people of all ethnic groups will calligraphy so they prefer to buy from His councillor’s office is located at the
The competition will be held at the Seri participate. calligraphy artists at markets. This is a MBSA Pulai Hall, Jalan Sungai Gapis
Kembangan Multipurpose Hall from 9am “It is open to people [of all races] who chance for them to do some personal 27/71, Section 27, 40400 Shah Alam.
to 1pm on Jan 20. know calligraphy. They are welcome to join writing for themselves,” he said. Residents with queries and concerns can
Participants can choose to take part in also, like Malay children who may have Tong said that the competition was free see him there.
the primary school, secondary school, or attended Chinese primary schools,” he for participants who register before the date Although Kamarudzaman enjoys
open categories with a limit of one category added. of the event. working for the people, he often finds
per participant. Participants should bring The competition is meant to showcase For registration or enquiries concerning himself missing the simple pleasures of life.
their own ink and calligraphy pen. Chinese culture and to cultivate an interest the competition, contact Bryan at 016- “One thing I would like to do more is
“Some students may feel that they are in calligraphy among people. 3239577, Tong at 016-2123950, or email to participate in treasure hunts. I have
good enough to join the open category and “ Traditionally, calligraphy was writing adun.serikembangan@gmail.com. missed them so much ever since I became
a councillor,” he said.
8
news
January 7 — 9, 2011
TRAINING HARD: Volunteers attaching a hose to a hydrant during an evening practice session recently.
Risking life
By Basil Foo
and limb
as guardians to the neighborhood
despite the risks involved.
The unsung heroes, whose mem-
bers include teenagers as young as
18 and senior citizens as old 56,
work and train tirelessly to be ready
for others
to be the first to respond to emer-
gencies.
“Our role is to be first on the
scene so that we can assist the Fire
and Rescue Department and mu-
nicipalities during emergencies,”
said Lim Chee Keong, who has been
a volunteer firefighter for 16 years.
The deputy chairman of the vol- up to two more cars, with two vol-
unteer fire brigade said the team unteers each, will be sent out with For beginners who
comprises 40 Seri Kembangan resi- equipment from the team’s make-
dents, including six women. shift headquarters in Taman Sri
have just joined our
While the volunteers may all be Serdang. group, it would take
from Seri Kembangan, they have Those first on the scene are re- them around five to
responded to emergencies as far sponsible for clearing the way for the six months of training
away as Puchong, Semenyih, Kajang ensuing fire trucks and locating once a week to be fully
and Desa Petaling. nearby fire hydrants and other operational.” LIM: Usually takes us 5-10 minutes to get to scene.
The volunteers usually get calls sources of water like rivers.
directly from residents or are told “This is so that the operations He said the blaze was too big for his own pocket to keep the volun- helmets for the group to reduce
about incidents by the Fire and are more efficient and no time is the volunteers to handle and those teers operational. costs.
Rescue Department. wasted looking for a hydrant or who responded did not have the “We have a Proton Arena spon- “We didn’t receive any contribu-
“It usually takes us five to ten moving vehicles which are blocking necessary specialised training. sored by the government and a tions last year. In 2009 we received
minutes from getting the call to ar- the hydrant,” he explained. “We were not allowed to enter Russian truck which is from me. I pumps, jackets and equipment from
riving at the scene if the places are Lim said chemical fires at facto- the area of operations. Otherwise, have also bought fire retardant jack- the government. But government
near us,” said Lim. ries are the most dangerous emer- we would have assisted in retrieving ets, helmets and air filter masks for grants can only cover for what we
Volunteers who live closest to the gencies they have faced along with people trapped inside the building,” the members,” he said. actually need,” he lamented.
emergency are usually alerted and furniture factories where thinner is he added. The full set of a firefighting uni- The Sri Serdang volunteers un-
called to respond using their motor- used. Shortage of funds is the main form, which includes fire retardant dergo volunteer firefighter training
cycles or cars. “The biggest fire we saw was at a problem faced by the volunteers. jacket and pants, costs about every Wednesday at their service
Then, depending on the in-for- Seri Kembangan furniture shop in Lim, who owns his own car repair RM2,000. A new helmet would cost centre.
mation about the extent of the fire, 2009,” he said. shop, sometimes has to pay out of RM600 but Lim got second hand “We have permission to use only
part of the centre for meetings and
training because the hall is open for
PETALING JAYA: Despite criticism from some parties, Mayor to move into
RM1.5m residence
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman will
move into his RM1.5 million official residence once construc-
tion is completed in February.
“Everything related to the rebuilding of the official residence
was discussed and approved at a MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City
Council) board meeting.
“We’ve nothing to hide. I welcome any inquiry from the
public. They can even visit and inspect the residence if they
want to,” said Mohamad Roslan.
He stressed that the six-room bungalow on the 10,000 square
feet council land in Jalan Tinggi 6/12 was not his, but MBPJ’s
property.
MBPJ originally allocated RM900,000 to rebuild the ter-
mite-infested residence in 2008. Construction was supposed
to be completed last year.
However, work was delayed as the contractor wanted extra
payments for higher building material costs, with the total cost
ballooning to RM1.5 million.
Some Rukun Tetangga members and resident associations
have expressed concern that the increased costs would affect
the MBPJ’s operating budget.
Last month, Mohamad Roslan had to clarify the matter due
to public pressure. He had said those who were still unhappy
could propose to MBPJ to sell it, and he would continue to
live in his double-storey terrace house in Shah Alam.
Mohamad Roslan will be the first mayor to move into the
official residence.
Study Medicine
in connection with these payments.” ment signed between both the buyer and
If these consultants did not provide le- the sellers with severe sanctions
gitimate services of value to AL then what for defaults, such as termination
type of “services” did they provide? The of contract, black-listing, dam- At
Kursk State Medical
use of “consultants” or middle- ages to the buyer and unsuc-
men/facilitators, especially in cessful bidders.
University,
Unversity, Russia
closed or negotiated tenders, raises In IPs, the buyer com-
strong suspicion of corrupt practices. mits not to solicit bribes and to
Many of them are RM2 companies put in place all possible measures to
with no relevant expertise or experience ensure its officials comply and the sellers
or even the resources to offer the services commit to not paying bribes. All commis-
which they are supposed to provide. sions and other payments paid directly or
In addition to possibly being conduits for indirectly by the sellers must be disclosed to
bribes, in some cases, there are several layers the buyer.
of consultants and/or sub-contractors. The The best practice of IP requires all stages
actual contractor doing the work gets a frac- of the procurement process, including tender
tion of the contract value and middlemen/ specifications, prequalification, appointment Malaysian graduates of June 2010
facilitators get significant portions for facili- of consultants, tender evaluation and award,
tating the contract. The consequences of such contract performance and post-contract • Established in the year 1935 (75 years old)
procurement practice are highly inflated evaluation, especially for large projects, to be • Recognised by JPA & MMC, GMC (UK), CANADA and 40 countries Globaly
prices, shoddy work, goods not delivered to monitored by an independent external • LISTED IN DIRECTORY OF MEDICAL SCHOOL OF WHO
specification in quantity and quality, etc. monitor with the requisite integrity and • Choice of more than 1100 Malaysian students to study in KSMU
Although the regulators have espoused relevant expertise. • 420 have graduated since 1999 are employed in government hospitals
good governance, especially for public listed For example, the upcoming MRT infra- • Halal food and Surau for Muslim students
companies (PLC), and while many have structure project announced by the Govern- • Course fee with Hostel fees for 6 years only RM 121,284.00
published beautifully drafted statements of ment would be an ideal candidate to imple- • Taught fully in English medium since 1994
good governance in their annual reports, ment these important measures given its • Two intakes in a year FEB / MARCH and September/ October
actual measures to implement good govern- magnitude, costing RM36 billion, and will • Entry requirements : Students with STPM, A’Level, SAM, SSAM.CPU, Indian PU, UEC
and other equivalent qualification can apply for direct entry to 1st year medicine
ance may still be lacking, especially in pro- have a direct impact on the general public.
• Assistance for loans and others provided
curement. Transparency International Ma- Although regulations and governance
laysia (TI-M) advocates a set of integrity tools measures may not completely eliminate fraud For Further Information Contact www.ksmu.com.my
that are often missing from PLC compliance and corruption, TI’s experience is that the
measures. These are: MAGGARAM SDN BHD (P – 825616) Contact :
measures mentioned above together with top Sole And Exclusive Representative For KSMU In Malaysia DATO’ M.V.RAJU : 019 3520249
(1) Each PLC, GLC and government- management setting the tone of integrity and C-19-02, Dataran 3 Two, No .2, Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19, MRS.RENUGA : 017 3661578
46300 Petaling Jaya, selangor Darul Ehsan OFFICE : 03 79568006
owned enterprise to make a public anti- cor- zero tolerance of corruption, do mitigate the EMAIL : v_magaram@hotmail.com FAX : 03 79577006
ruption pledge similar to the pledge signed risk significantly. Recently, multi-billion
10
news
January 7 — 9, 2011
u l a t i o n s
C o n gr a t
to
Weiron Tan
for winning the
2010 Yamaha SL
International Challenge
Championship Title
from
Committed to CSR
Views 11
January 7 — 9, 2011
W
for the Iraq War but still love Queen hat’s the greatest form of public a false sense of security. Drivers barge past with
transportation? Not the MRT, not
Elizabeth II who represents the
country. the LRT, not trains, or even buses. wit pleasure impunity. The steering wheel is a status symbol
and power charm.
Phrased otherwise, constitu- It’s your legs. Lee Hwok Aun I’m not sure how much of these realities
tional monarchy is relevant in the We all walk, or move around on wheelchairs. factor into the grandiose target of increasing
modern world because the monar- Anyone who’s taken a bus, train or taxi, stands tion issues. public transport usage to 50 percent by 2020.
chy can cover for and complement or sits around waiting for the vehicle to arrive. Policy is being made out of desire for other But I’m sure there is no escaping the pros-
elected government, hence making Any effort to generate mass participation in people to use it and free up the roads for the pect that many more people will have to walk
democracy work better. public transport will falter unless we make our rest of us. Policy is written by people who drive and take the bus. The Brazilian city of Curitiba,
And this is done by being a cer- streets and stations safer and more comfortable or are driven from door to door, so the focus is paragon of green urban development, operates
emonial leader, not in any way re- for walking and waiting. always on the ride, not the shuffle in between an enviably efficient and sleek bus-based public
placing or outsmarting the elected Trouble is, we are mired in a mindset that rides. transport system and preserves abundant walk-
politicians. development means owning more cars, then Transport woes are viewed from above, by ways and lush spaces. They’ve been at this for
Technically, the role of a consti- building more roads and lanes (shoulders and people who seem to think that the MRT and over 40 years – it takes time, patience and in-
tutional monarch can be replaced kerbs maybe, if there’s leftover space), then LRT are for middle class folks who will drive tegrated planning.
by a non-executive president like building some elevated or tunneled rail transit or be driven to stations. Down the pyramid, Surely various measures must be taken in the
those in India and Singapore, but if when roads become choked. And wait for the walking and taking the bus are for people who Klang Valley, in sequence or simultaneously,
you venerate history and traditions public to stream in. are poor or young, who don’t mind the heat, and customised to conditions here. Getting the
like Bagehot, constitutional monar- We make plans to spend RM36 billion or grime and chaos. bus system to operate smoothly and comfort-
chy would again be a superior alter- more to construct an MRT while driving past Plans were laid in early 2010 to increase the ably, though, is the best way to demonstrate
native. derelict bus stops, and don’t bat an eyelid at the bus fleet, improve connectivity and upgrade that we can efficiently and reliably transform
In brief, a universal, democratic contradiction. According to the Government bus stops, but since the MRT’s confirmation public transport.
defence for constitutional monar- Transformation Programme Roadmap, about the common modes of walking and bussing We have a long way to go. The Pan Malaysia
chy is not only possible, but indeed 40 percent of bus stops in the Klang Valley have have to compete for the remaining scraps of Bus Operators Association (PMBOA) re-
the only valid one. Constitutional no shelter or signage. Building and refurbishing funds, not to mention being so out-glamour- cently lamented the lack of coherent policy for
monarchy rests on its “protection” transit points offers a fairly simple and highly ised. their industry, and an exasperating array of
of elected government from dis- visible means for raising the profile of public These days public transportation morning government agencies they have to deal with.
loyal opposition. transport. And it won’t hurt to raise the com- rush hour usage in the Klang Valley is around One of Malaysia’s pastimes is complaining
Any ethno-nationalist justifica- fort of walking or waiting for those who cur- 12 percent. Eighty-eight percent of commuters about rude drivers. We cannot just wait for
tion for monarchy is not only anti- rently bear with the heat, rain and other hos- drive private motorised vehicles. drivers to magically turn nice. We need some
democratic but also anti-national, tilities. Current drivers are probably not going to regulation that tilts the balance of road power
as it will both undermine the “digni- Much opposition to the MRT points out abdicate easily, especially when it continues to from vehicles to pedestrians.
fied” role of the monarchy and tear the exorbitant cost, but even if it is much less be cheap to rule the roads. Petrol prices will go If not congestion or other monetary charg-
apart Malaysia’s multicultural social expensive we undermine potential gains by not up, but we tolerate the squeeze and keep rev- es, at least driving should cost more time.
fabric. doing things in the right order. ving, unencumbered by congestion charges or People who sit and press pedals should be made
Is it not logically obvious that to expand single occupancy penalties. to slow down or stop more frequently to make
A monarchical defence for feder- public transport, we must first make it easier There’s also a treacherous possibility that way for people who walk.
alism to get to transit points and improve the bus success can undo itself here. If public transport Then maybe we’ll stop thinking of walking
Unlike the United Kingdom system, as the mode of transportation with the usage increases, won’t this reduce congestion as backward a means of getting around. Maybe
which is a unitary state, the monar- widest coverage? And then, figure out if we and make driving more appealing again? we’ll even see it as a step forward.
chical institutions have another need mass transporting trains and if necessary, Consider too, how we get away with driving
important role in democracy, that build them? with utter disregard for pedestrians and public Dr Lee Hwok Aun is a lecturer in the Faculty
is, to defend the states and federal- Class mentalities pervade official, as well as transport users. Zebra crossings are usually of Economics and Administration at the Uni-
ism, or check the concentration of popular, thinking and handling of transporta- meaningless, sometimes dangerous for giving versity of Malaya.
power at the Centre.
12
insight
january 7 — 9, 2010
Student
50
Empowering and
on
at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on Jan 11 are at fever pitch.
More than 170 students from private and public institutes of higher
learning have registered to participate in the assembly, organised
by Perhimpunan Mahasiswa Negara (PMN) or National Student
Assembly.
Each participating student will get three minutes to speak about
campus administration issues.
“There will be no unheard voices on that day. No issue is too small
Student movements or too big, or too irrelevant for us to discuss,” said PMN media officer
Dineshweri Puspanadan. Some of these issues might be about
have been on the personal safety on campus, or the lack of transportation after night
frontlines of classes.
“Students feel that they aren't able to reach the campus
social change. authorities over issues as small as a lack of parking,” said Dinesh.
The Students’ Parliament is seen as a step towards uniting
THEY WERE ONCE A students from campuses around the country. “Students, unite!” is
PMN’s rallying cry to those attending the assembly.
FORCE FOR CHANGE PMN hopes that public and private university students can find
common ground, and revive the idea of students as change agents
IN MALAYSIA IN in society, just like the Universiti Malaya student movement of the
THE 1960s. WHAT 1960s.
“We've seen Fahmi Reza's documentary on the 60's Universiti
HAPPENED, AND Malaya student movement. They were united, and they were even
able to mobilise the public over critical issues in their time,” said
WHAT’S BEING Dinesh.
“The students who raised issues of poverty and defended farmers’
DONE TO REVIVE rights were united regardless of ethnicity,” said Dinesh. “That is the
STUDENT legacy of the ‘60s student movement that PMN wants to continue.”
She outlines other positive consequences expected as a result of
POWER. the Students’ Parliament.
For one, it will be an exercise in participatory democracy. Not only
will students get to speak but they will also decide on solutions to
problems together and vote on them.
Secondly, it is hoped that the event can help remove prejudices
But not all agree with Fahmi’s direction, and those level, Fahmi reasons. between private and public university students.
who don’t are using the same Act he wants repealed to To that end, he says to student activists: “Design “Public university students say that private university and college
bar him from delivering his lecture on campuses. new democratic institutions. Popularise power and students are arrogant,” observed Dinesh. Through the assembly, she
hopes that students from both types of institutions will find that they
Fahmi says that he cannot quit pushing campus give sovereignty back to the students. have common ground, and will learn to trust each others’ approach
authorities to let him in. What is at stake is the student “If it is successful, bring that model to the rakyat so to solving problems.
By Alvin Yap community, he explains, and the ability of the students that the decision making process is back in their hands,” And perhaps most importantly, PMN hopes that students will learn
themselves to think and act independently. he concludes. how to think for themselves.
J
ust a few months ago, scenes of angry students protest- “What is so threatening about my lecture”, he asks. If such ideas sound alarming, Fahmi responds: “If “We [have been] taught what to think and what not to think, but
ing the British government’s plan to triple tuition fees It is, he says, about a part of Malaysian history. He the students’ experiments fail, it fails within the con- not how to think,” she said.
PMN is happy with the response from students nationwide.
became world headlines. smiles cryptically and asks, “Could it be that while the fines of campus and is contained inside it.” Thirty percent of those attending are from private institutes of higher
In 1986, The People Power and its non-violent revolution students themselves are ignorant about student activ- One problem student power in Malaysia faces is the learning.
in the Philippines saw students picketing at the gates outside ist history, the authorities are not?” lack of credibility – people today associate the idea of Dinesh is hopeful that the students who attend the assembly will
Malacanang palace. That event restored democracy to He says that the government fears student radical- a student movement with student riots elsewhere, like return to their campuses and empower their fellow students.
the Phillipines, and led to the downfall of then ism and for that reason, UUCA was enacted. Educa- the recent ones in London recently.
President Ferdinand Marcos. tion and critical thinking have always been a dangerous Fahmi says that there will be a small number of
In May 1998, Indonesia’s Suharto fell from mix, he says. student protestors who resort to violence to vent their
power following daily student protests after he anger. But the media is also to blame, and he believes from public universities saddled with study
was re-elected for a fifth consecutive term by a the media’s fixation on violence is a method to dis- A campus loans, some as much as RM15,000. Education,
rubber-stamp legislative. Student power a part of history credit students’ grouses. is just like a however, is a right, and not a privilege by eco-
Another student power movement was the He points to the student activism of the 60s and the “People who have risen up in history and spoken ‘mini’ country, nomic status,” he says.
May 1968 student uprising in Paris. From May various initiatives that the Universiti Malaya Students’ up are seen as troublemakers because they dared to it has its own What then is stopping students from being
to July of that year, Paris and almost all of Union (UMSU) set up; they published a paper, the question the status quo,” he notes. paragons of student power?
France was nearly shut down by students who Mahasiswa Negara, and also ran a bus service and constitution Fahmi admits that there is a long way to go
stood with workers as they protested against canteen. and populace before students can even reach the goals of hav-
the De Gaulle adminstration, to the point that He says that is a far cry from the current conditions Small start where ing unfettered public space on campuses to re-
it nearly fell. in public institutes of learning. What should Malaysian students be addressing? Fahmi students alise their potential.
Is there student power of this kind in Malay- “Students don’t know that they have the right to says some issues are not too different from what stu- should Not many students are even aware of the
sia? To begin with, documentary filmmaker and organise, to start their own initiatives. If the campus dents in other countries face, such as the fee increase experiment oppressive atmosphere in national campuses.
student movement historian Fahmi Reza says that authorities insist on controlling them with the UUCA, in Britain. University fees here are on the increase too, “Most students do not ask hard-hitting ques-
the current generation of students do not realise that treating them like school-children, they will never he observes, with government pushing the provision with other tions,” he says.
they are a “force to be reckoned” with. mature and be able to make [good] decisions,” Fahmi of education to the private sector. forms of Besides the UUCA, students have been
There are almost a million students in local public and says. “Currently, there are already students graduating democracy,” conditioned to think of education as a “com-
private institutions of higher learning. Fahmi believes these Campus autonomy and independence should be modity”, or as a pursuit for paper qualifications.
students have the power to “mobilise” the rakyat in any civil encouraged and treasured, he says. A campus is the “A wholesome education should be about
society initiative given their sheer numbers alone. perfect place to test new ideas. developing the spiritual side of any student. It
He stresses, Malaysian student power is not about violent He says that those ideas should deal with promoting shouldn’t be [just] about getting a degree and a
protests or about overthrowing the government. Student power in democracy, good governance and help students deal job after that.”
the Malaysian context, Fahmi says, is about students being conscious with pressing issues. An autonomous and independent But Fahmi still believes there is a growing
about the lack of autonomy in campus affairs. campus is beneficial to society, he adds. momentum towards student power in Malaysia.
He wants the students to regain their independence that was lost “A campus is just like a ‘mini’ country, it has its own There is a group that will be holding an assembly
in 1971 due to the Universities and University Colleges Act constitution and populace where students should at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on the
(UUCA). experiment with other forms of democracy,” Fahmi 11 January. The Perhimpunan Mahasiswa Ne-
The UUCA was enacted to curtail the autonomy and independ- says. What form does he mean? “[One that] replaces gara (PMN) or National Student Assembly will
ence of campuses that flourished in the 1960s. Fahmi wants to political representation that is elitist and which takes give each student who turns up at the meet a
show students that there has been a history of student activism in power away from the people.” chance to talk about issues close to heart. Each
the 1960s– especially in Universiti Malaya – with his documen- The political system inside campuses mirrors that student also gets to vote on resolutions to the
tary lecture titled “Student Power”. He hopes that students will of society, he continues. If students can successfully issues raised.
find inspiration in their predecessors and realise that “radicalism” solve problems and organise themselves politically on “[This] initiative gives hope for democracy
in Malaysian campuses was mainstream. campus, they will be able to contribute at national Fahmi Reza in campuses and Malaysia,” Fahmi says.
14
VIews
January 7 — 9, 2011
S The business of
hould governments be
involved in business? Con-
stipated Baboon, via email
Of course! Governments which
governing cakes
are not involved in business are not
doing a good job of “governing”
are they? Rules, regulations, licens-
ing, budgeting all sorts of other
governing-esque doo-dads need to
be done. But the question is, to what
degree should this involvement be?
Governments can be part of
the business market in two general
Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column by
ways – to participate in the market, People eat cake all bail out such corporations, Here, it is only apos- LoyarBurok (www.loyarburok.com)
or to protect the market. Both are they may go under, or be tasy from Islam that is un-
commonplace, worldwide. the time. How do you purchased by a foreign entity. doubtedly the concern of
where all your profound,
abstruse, erudite, hermetic, recondite,
Governments participate in the tell if they are eating The collapse or loss of our intrepid questioner. sagacious, and other thesaurus-
market via their investment arms, in to protest, or eating to control of such mega cor- Article 11(1) of the described queries are answered!
which they hold substantial stakes, enjoy the cake? What if porations would not only Federal Constitution en-
and have control over the what, it is both? This guerrilla- affect other companies in shrines the right of “every
where, which, who, why, and how like method must be their industry, it would affect person” to profess and practice his or their identity cards between 2000
of the investment considerations. other industries as well, and her religion. The 9th Schedule per- and 2005. Other sources confirm
Problems arise when govern- very disturbing to the cause a nationwide economic mits States to make Islamic law to be that the actual numbers are very
ments, or these government-linked cake monitors, who downturn. applied only to “persons professing small, and more often than not
companies are seen to have an unfair make it their business There is a balancing act the religion of Islam”. involve those who had converted
advantage due to either privileged to obstruct any public to be achieved – companies Yet, the 2-1 majority Federal to Islam for reasons of a marriage,
information, favouritism when it action questioning the cannot keep expecting gov- Court decision in Lina Joy (2007) and now wish to revert to their
comes to licensing or infrastruc- ernments to bail them out requires any person considered a former religion once their marriage
ture, or in the process by which status quo and the with taxpayers money, and “Muslim” by such State law to go had failed.
tenders for government projects powers that be.” decisions need to be made to the Syariah authorities for per- All fa ithf ul are natura lly
are awarded. fairly, and properly. mission to “renounce” Islam. This concerned when one of their own
Malaysians are, sadly, all too and uncovers the murky depths of Yes, if companies do not take care exposes those wishing to convert chooses to renounce a religion
familiar with these issues. issues such as bandwith allocation, of themselves, then they should be out to criminal sanction. they believe to be perfect and
Some would argue that, in a licences and tender process for all allowed to fail, but – and it’s a but In Melaka a few years ago, AlJa- true. But the disappointment felt
capitalist market, it’s all about the things telco-related. which is bigger than that rainbow zeera covered the story of a woman cannot be an excuse to subject that
survival of the fittest. On the surface It is then that one realises that one on Lord Bobo’s Aunt Mildred – called Revathi who went to the other person to live trapped in an
level, one of the most publicly com- the government’s control over which governments cannot be expected to Syariah court in its civil jurisdiction unwanted official religious identity.
petitive businesses is the telecom- companies have an easier ride than simply let economies, markets and to get an order to leave Islam, saying All should be concerned at the
munications industry. others makes it anything but a level nations crumble because a company that she was now Hindu, had mar- government determining what
The major telcos wage price wars playing field. doesn’t deserve a handout. ried a Hindu man and had a baby religion a person is.
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here’s no doubt the Irish love their
spuds but Ireland’s Potato offers bizarre
or exotic (it depends who you ask)
flavours for those looking for more than or-
dinary fries.
While it would be impossible to taste all
the flavours offered in Ireland’s Potato in one
sitting, but for the readers’ benefit, I gath-
ered a group of non-professional gluttons to
put their taste buds to the test.
Fortunately we managed to try 10 differ-
ent flavours from the outlet. The “special
cheddar cheese” flavour’s name says it all. Its
cheesy cheese has a rich texture, causing it
to be sticky. While consuming, let the cheesy
fries melt in your mouth as the satisfaction
can be very addictive. It is better to consume
it while it is still warm as the cheese and fries
will glue together when it turns cold.
If you want to try spaghetti bolognese on
fries, then order the “Ireland chicken meat
sauce potato chips”. It definitely would not
taste as good as the spaghetti but it is worth
trying. Different people have different pref-
erences but this flavour is not as appetising
as it looks on the picture.
Ever wondered how would Pringles taste
like freshly baked from the oven? Then try
the “sour cream potato chips” flavour. I
promise you this flavour will not disappoint
your expectations. Imagine biting a warm
Pringles crisp and you will feel the urge to
grab another piece.
I can say that “honey mustard potato
chips” might sound appetising but not eve-
ryone would fancy this flavour. I personally
have tried this flavour twice and I find it
good but my partners-in-
crime thought otherwise. Our rating for your convenience of making a choice
They complained about the
excessive amount of honey Special Cheddar Cheese 2.5/5 Titillating snacks from Ireland.
covering the mustard. If you Ireland Chicken Meat Sauce Potato Chips 2/5
place an order for this fla- Sour Cream Potato Chips 4/5
vour, do tell them to be a Honey Mustard Potato Chips 2/5
little more generous with Wasabi Mayonnaise Potato 2.5/5
their mustard. Pickle Mayonnaise Potato 2.5/5
The “wasabi mayonnaise Garlic Powder Potato 5/5
potato” flavour is a great ex- Nori Powder Potato 3/5
ample of an east-meets-west Plum Pepper Powder Potato 2/5
combination. Combining Cinnamon Icing Potato 2/5
two of the countries’ oldest
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of the mayonnaise. People who are afraid of ordinary nori taste like but while trying out
the power of the wasabi can fear not as the the “nori powder potato”, we could only notice
pungency is only very mild. the similarity with the garlic taste. Maybe we
RM10 off
The flavoury “pickle mayonnaise potato” were not accustomed to the flavour but it was on oders above RM120
had a unique mixture. The mixture of salty still worth trying. Valid till Feb 28, 2011
and sour flavour lived up to its pickle com- The “plum pepper powder potato” flavour
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The champion of the night went to the flavour category. Who would have thought of
“garlic powder potato” flavour. Although it including plum flavour in an ordinary looking
looked ordinary with garlic powder sprinkled potato? Nonetheless, we could hardly taste the
on the fries, the adjustment of garlic flavour plum flavour on this choice.
Close your eyes and imagine
eating a warm and sweet French
fries. I know it sounds a little
weird but you can try the “cin-
namon icing potato” flavour.
This is a bad combination as
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18
Features
January 7 — 9, 2011
Of tyres, helmets
and pedalling away
By Alvin Chin two-year-old.
But now budding cyclists can put The idea of a bunch
H
ave you ever wanted to relive their safety concerns behind. They
a childhood moment when can join the Kuala Lumpur Mountain of people (“bashers”
you used to cycle around the Bike Hash (KLMBH) to challenge or “hounds”) cycling
neighbourhood? We watched mountain themselves and wander into the forest. around an area
bikers manoeuvring around the jungle, A good opportunity to relive the adven- (typically an oil palm or
dodging potholes and branches on turous spirit of our childhood. rubber estate here in
television, and wondered why can’t we The KLMBH started in 1994 when
be like them. a group of 20 riders got together and
Malaysia) following bits
Cycling has been a part of every started venturing into forests. It has of paper (the “paper
child’s life but the habit seems to die gained in popularity through the years, trail”) laid earlier by
off as a child grows older. Safety issues and it now has 230 members . the “hare” may sound
and lack of places to cycle could be the “When I first started mountain crazy, but not to these
reasons for the disinterest. biking about six years ago, there were adventurers. They just
“Back in my childhood days I used only about 100 riders but the numbers
to cycle around my kampung, but now have increased strongly over the years,” love it.”
because of traffic concerns, I rather not said Stanley Ng, who is president of last Sunday of the month and prepare to
be bothered to cycle at all,” said Koe KLMBH. endure the adrenalin flow in your body. Kuala Lumpur Mountain Bike Hash (KLMBH) member
Houi Yun, an accountancy graduate. Ng, 36, who is an IT technical man- wandering into the forest.
If you worry your body cannot
According to Choo Shi Jin, the lack ager, has been an active mountain biker handle the punishment of the
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Fiction by Hazlan Zakaria lethal excommunication. my Katana slid out of its scabbard,
We met one last time, at the her twin stilettos emerging from
S
omething wonderful happens dance hall we observed from our their sheaths.
when unstoppable force meets rooftop hiatus. Where she danced We took our places in the scheme
immovable object. So I as music drifted aloft, baring me her of things, across that immutable line
thought, lost in her embrace. Danc- soul, as I struggled to show why si- between those who chose not to live
ing away, awkward-stiff arms and lence and tranquility is mine. and those who pursued living to the
two left feet, struggling to pace her We made a pact, before the end, fullest.
languorous, seductive dance. to teach each other what the other The hiss of cruel metal resounded
Her eyes sought me, as mine tried meant. My coterie and her entou- as my faithful coterie and her loyal
looking away, for an excuse to run. rage incognito, philosopher veterans entourage followed suit.
The thick liquor-music drowned me trying to fit in the crowd of partying Blades akimbo, we threw our-
in its beats, its caressing melody, lessers. selves into the dance as musicians
intoxicating. I couldn’t assemble any logic and patrons ran pell mell into the
Take 5 minutes to fill this form up and drop it off at Highly conscious of her reassur- from this. Overwhelmed by some- dark, away from the quickening
the nearest police station to have regular checks ing hands and seductive body thing I am inexperienced with. She onslaught.
at your house while you are away. against mine. Her graceful gyrations said, it’s okay, called it “feelings”. We were evenly matched, neither
exquisite, mine clumsily keeping I was unsure, how can something could prevail in a straight fight. But
Ibu pejabat Polis Daerah Subang Jaya time. It was stupid, bordering on be both so good and painful at once? we both risk death, if we do not. I
insane. But we tire of the roles we Doubting myself, I wondered if the waited until she was caught up in the
Tel: 03-5637 3722 Fax: 03-5631 9815 play. Inducted since infancy into elders were right. Is there evil in this? throes, her whirling stilettos surging
Borang maklumat opposing philosophies, the San- One look into her eyes and the in lightning fast stabs.
Memaklumkan tentang meningalkan rumah kediaman guine Stoics and the Clan of Dance. squeeze of her fingers on my shoul- Judging the moment right, I let
untuk bercuti. Paragons of our orders, I a dedi- der and waist, answered me this. I down my guard and surrendered to
cated Brother Stoic and she an un- wouldn’t want it undone. her stilettos. Titanium tips punc-
Kepada Kawasan Pentadbiran Balai Polis restrained Sister of Dance, finding A buoyancy filled me, happy tured my chest in organ-shredding
solace in each other. warmth flooding. The happiest I rush, as motorised blade ripped into
............................................................................................. It was natural, for orders to come have ever been, encircled in the arms unarmoured flesh. My chain mail
. down that we contend to prove the of my dancing queen. undershirt deliberately not in its
ascendancy of our faiths. A fight to Life is not fair, bound by contra- place. Time stopped as blinding
Butiran penduduk: the death. dictions. I must show her true stoi- pain exploded. I crumpled towards
We have contested many times. cism, the only way to ensure she and the floor in a bloody heap.
Nama: ................................................................................ Members of my coterie and her en- our child within, survive the day. Everything blurred, a compressed
.. tourage cut down in fierce battles, She looked up as thoughts dis- single moment. Lifeblood seeped
which left us yet unscathed. tracted me from her eyes. Steeling out of me, as cold numbness fol-
Alamat: ............................................................................... But something blossomed, as we myself, I placed a kiss upon her lowed.
.. met upon roof tops in lonely duels, forehead. Lips paused by her ear, I She cradled me in her lap, an-
wary of losing too many acolytes, tightened my embrace and whis- guish coloured her face. I looked in
............................................................................................. developing into intimate chats, as we pered. “Be well my love, for your her eyes and smiled. Her tears flow-
. fall into a strange trap. lesson in steadfastness begins.” ing as sobs wracked her.
I know not what it is, love, cama- “Now?” her expression quizzical. “It’s the only way. My lesson to
............................................................................................. raderie or friendship. Something “My love... I like the sound of that...” you. Be steadfast... be stoic”, I gur-
. grew out of our opposites, echoing she said, caressing the words with gled in between gasps.
ancient rumours, a third option for her pronunciation. “At our rooftop hideout, is a
Nombor telefon bimbit/kediaman: ..................................... our race. An in-between, she and I I closed my eyes and kept newly package. Travel papers for you and
... gleaned. acquired emotions in check. some cash. Flee, stay safe...remember
But for warrior-philosophers that “Soon my love. After the music me to our child,” I uttered at the last.
Nombor telefon yang boleh dihubungi: ............................ we are, our elders ordered a final and ends,” I assured, forcing myself out Another blinding flash of pain fol-
.... fatal confrontation, under threat of of her embrace. As the music died lowed and then... darkness.
.............................................................................................
. Unisel gets
Tarikh meninggalkan rumah: .............................................
...
grant
SHAH ALAM: Universiti Industri
Tarikh dijangka balik ke rumah: ........................................... Selangor (Unisel) has received a
half million ringgit research grant
Kenderaan yang ditinggalkan (jenis model & nombor daftar from the state to develop green
kenderaan). technology for Selangor.
“As we are among the most pol-
1. ........................................................................................ luted states in the country, a research
.. on green technology will go a long
way towards a cleaner environment,”
............................................. ....................................... said Unisel president and vice-chan-
.. Tarikh cellor Datuk Dr Rosti Saruwono.
Green technology is an applica- Dr Halimah handing over the cheque to Rosti.
tion of science and technology to-
Have you checked wards preserving natural resources
and environment.
In addition to green technology,
the grant will also be used to study
and land on its campus in Bestari
Jaya.
your electrical Rosti received the cheque from
state executive councillor Dr Hali-
integrated technology.
He said Unisel would use the
He said Unisel would ensure the
projects generate income and be
switches before mah Ali on Tuesday. funds to research projects at lakes self-sustaining .
B
lack coffee drinkers know that “yew char kueh” or
crullers are like jam on toasted bread. There are vendors
and stalls scattered all over Petaling Jaya selling this oily
delicacy.
SS2 has a crullers stall in Medan Selera that has proven its
staying power over the years by selling just this one item. Section
17, near the market place, also has a mobile van that sells yew
char kueh in the afternoons. And if you are in Selayang Baru,
there’s a stall, just around the corner from the Selayang Baru
Mall. That particular hawker who parks his mobile stall next
to a big drain has an awesome reputation for yew char kueh,
too.
But my personal favourite is the guy who sells the fried
pastries from his van in PJ Old Town. I speak only for myself
when I say the yew char kueh in PJ Old Town is one of the best
I have ever come across. Ultimately, it is up to the individual.
This guy is a middle-aged man who normally comes after
lunchtime and parks in front of the dim sum shop. Customers
will drop by to pick up a bagful or two for their friends or
families.
Considering that there’s a very popular bak kut teh stall
around the corner from where his van is stationed, it is not The varieties of yew char kueh and hum cheen penh on sale.
Teratai assemblyperson Janice Lee (fifth from left) posing with the families who re-
ceived free exercise books as part of a state initiative. School-going children from
12 families received the books in Cheras on Dec 30.
One of the bands performing ahead of the ‘Spiced up countdown’ at the Shah Alam
Convention Centre on Dec 31. The maiden New Year event is a joint collaboration
between Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam Music Academy and the Akademi
Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan.
Hulu Kelang assemblyperson Saari Sungib and his wife Aliza Jaafar at an essay Teoh Beng Hock’s family showing the “Justice for Beng Hock” banner before the Cor-
writing competition at the AU community centre on Jan 1. Writers were asked to oner’s Inquest on Wednesday. The Coroner announced an open verdict on the death
write essays on their vision for Selangor. of the former political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah.
culture 23 JANUARY 7 — 9, 2011
Y
religion and gender studies — at discounts from 30% ear-end parties and fireworks aside, the last week of
Gavin Yap. It will later tour to to 100%. Yes, they are giving stuff away for free.
Singapore. 2010 saw a dearth of cultural experience, so I was
stuck at home, catching up on reading. Roslan Mohd
Noor’s 21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang
Perhimpunan Mahasiswa
Negara 11.1.11 MUSIC Murders (Silverfish Books; RM35) isn’t new — it debuted
last September — but it was one of the past year’s more
interesting offerings, in terms of literature. And, as I finished
Student Rally A Shameless Covers Night 2
Chinese Assembly Hall it over the weekend, I found it to be revealingly timely. If
11 January 2011 Music Gig you’re worried about the peren-
free admission PJ Live Arts, Jaya One nial bad press Polis Diraja Malay-
7 & 8 January 2011
www.pmn2011.com
admission by RM35 donation It is not sia deservedly gets — what with
University students in Malaysia are 014-264 8457 so much robbing foreigners and beating up
proverbial for being intellectually
lacklustre and socially apathetic (blame
shamelesscovers@gmail.com
about crime, businessmen like Chia Buang
Hing — this is a book for you.
Groundbreaking innovation in music
that on the Universities and University
can be awfully ponderous. Sometimes,
as it is a Don’t be fooled by the packag-
Colleges Act). Even when they do get
organised, said student organisations you just want to lean back, head-bob, meditation ing. Part of the new Silverfish
tend to act as stooges in partisan and sing along to classic pop anthems. about the Pulp imprint, this novel is decid-
politics. This new initiative, sparked Not to say that A Shameless Covers
Night 2 will be your bog-standard
reaction edly un-genre-like. Rather, 21
Immortals falls squarely into the
by documentarian Fahmi Reza and a
loose coalition of undergrads, seeks to cover-band gig at the neighbourhood of official emerging subgenre of the ponder-
change all that, by providing a platform old-uncle club; this gig features Mia systems ous police procedural, which in-
for uni students to voice their concerns Palencia, Melina William, Reza Salleh
and Zalila Lee — all luminaries in
towards cludes stuff like David Fincher’s
about issues like tuition fees, academic
the KL live scene. Watch the quartet crime.” 2007 film Zodiac and Corneliu
autonomy, and social justice. Porumboiu’s Police, Adjective. It
Don’t think that Perhimpunan Mahasiswa Negera is a spin-off from the student perform together as an acoustic
band, swapping roles as the night is not so much about crime, as it is a meditation about the
rallies happening elsewhere around the world, either. We usually forget that
the UM student movement of the 1960s was so powerful that its road-show progresses. “Expect good music, reaction of official systems towards crime.
during the 1969 General Election attracted crowds in the tens of thousands. nostalgia and laughs as these singer- The novel’s title is a reference to Petaling Street secret
Hopefully, this new congress will see a return to youthful, intellectually rigorous songwriters cook up a tribute to the societies, but old-style triads drop out of the plot about
ideals. This is history in the making; if you are a student at a public or private songs they grew up with.” Sweet halfway through. 21 Immortals’ central felony — the
institution of higher learning, you have no excuse for not attending. indulgence! ghastly triple murder of a fashion tycoon and his family,
whose bodies are then embalmed and posed around a din-
ner table, served with yee sang — is surrounded and obfus-