We are not privy to the PWD Bukit Antarabangsa initial report December 18, 2008
Posted by elizabethwong in Bebal-ism, Democracy, Economy, Environment, Huh?!, Human Rights, Malaysia.Tags: Bukit Antarabangsa, landslide
12 comments
My office has been on a state of high alert to receive the initial assessment report on Bukit Antarabangsa today. I even cancelled my working trip to Singapore just to be in office to go through it.
But …. Public Works Department told us that the Selangor Government can’t have a copy of the report.
Six pm came and ran off; we’re definitely not going to see it.
This is a disservice to the residents of Bukit Antarabangsa, and yet another good reason why there should be a Freedom of Information Act (not just a state enactment) in this country.
PRESS STATEMENT
18 DEC 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SELANGOR HAS A RIGHT TO INFORMATION REGARDING BUKIT ANTARABANGSA
Today, the Selangor State Government should have received a copy of the initial assessment report from the Public Works Department, including that of the potential geo-hazardous zones, of the landslide-affected areas at Bukit Antarabangsa for the state’s own study and assessment on the integrity of the hillslope and its surrounding areas.
With the said report, the Selangor state would meet with the residents on Friday morning 10 am, to make public the report and to convey the options that would be available for the affected residents, including whether or not they would be allowed to return to their abandoned homes.
This pledge was conveyed to the residents during a closed-door meeting with affected residents and families of the deceased on Sunday, 14th December 2008, with the Selangor Menteri Besar, state representatives and the Public Works Department.
Thus, it is of grave concern that the state has been informed that a Ministerial order has been given to deny the Selangor State Government of this initial assessment report today. Despite being informed of this fact this morning, we gave time for the Public Works Department and the Minister to reconsider their decision.
Instead, we have been told that the information is only for the eyes of the Minister of Works and that only after the Minister makes his announcement, then would the Selangor state government be allowed to view the report. It is further disconcerting to be informed that one of ‘reasons’ given was that because the report was funded by the Federal Government, thus it would be for their eyes only until they ‘allow’ us to view it.
I find this attitude is repugnant and disturbingly partisan.
Both the Minister and the Selangor State Government have a right to the information contained in the initial assessment report compiled by the Public Works Department. We are equally as anxious as the residents to ascertain the safety of Bukit Antarabangsa considering it may affect thousands of people and the future of development in the area.
Instead of wrangling who should read it first, one should reason that the report should be available to both the Federal Minister and the State Government.
I urge the Minister of Works to release the report to the Selangor State Government without further delay so that we are able to have enough time to study the report and to honour our collective pledge to the people of Bukit Antarabangsa.
ELIZABETH WONG
Exco for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment
Selangor State Government
| Landslide: PWD decides not to hand report to MB |
| Jimadie Shah Othman | Dec 18, 08 6:32pm Malaysiakini.com |
Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is disappointed with the Public Works Department over its decision not to hand over the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide report to the state government.
According to sources, PWD revealed its decision on the matter to the state government this afternoon. However, the department did not provide a detailed explanation as to why it decided as such apart from stating that “there were too many implications” if the report is handed to Abdul Khalid. Sources said the menteri besar has expressed ‘puzzlement’ over the decision. Promise given during dialogue Previously, during a dialogue between the menteri besar, PWD officials and Bukit Antarabangsa residents, the department had promised to hand over the report so that proper follow-up action could be taken by the state government. It is believed that Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamad would announce the report tomorrow after it is tabled before the Cabinet.
“We are waiting for the report from PWD, geologists and Ikram,” The massive landslide in the Bukit Antarabangsa area on Dec 16 left four people dead and destroyed 14 bungalows in Taman Bukit Mewah and Taman Bukit Utama. Following this, Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Chuan said there were no indications of human negligence as the cause of the incident. |
This has resulted in Abdul Khalid not being able to announce the next course of action as scheduled tomorrow.
The New Straits Times today reported Abdul Khalid as saying that the state government is expected to make an announcement on the safety of Bukit Antarabangsa after going through the report from PWD and the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram)Khirs go mum May 2, 2008
Posted by elizabethwong in 1, Bebal-ism, Current Affairs, Democracy, Huh?!, Malaysia, Politics.Tags: Balkis, Datin Diaries, Kechik, Khir Toyo
14 comments
“The RM9.9mil in the Balkis bank account transferred to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), was done in accordance with the organisation’s constitution and accounted for, as the auditor had finalised the 2007 accounts.”
– Former Selangor MB Khir Toyo in The Star, 28 April 2008.
On Monday, a press statement was faxed by the Auditors of Balkis:-
(more…)
Balkis baru and the mystery of RM 10 million April 25, 2008
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Democracy, Huh?!, Malaysia, Politics.62 comments
Fable has it that Balqis, Queen of Sheba was known for her wisdom and even once outwitted King Solomon of Israel.
Balkis (possibly inspired by these legends), the charity organisation of wives of assemblymen and MPs in Selangor, is headed by the wife of the Menteri Besar.
But just after BN’s humiliating defeat, Balkis, which technically should not have been helmed by Mrs Khir Toyo as soon as the Parliament and the state assemblies were dissolved, decided to cut their losses, in the truest meaning of the word – ‘loss’.
(more…)
On charging non-Muslims caught khalwat-ing with Muslims April 4, 2008
Posted by elizabethwong in Huh?!, Human Rights, Islam in Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Politics, Race Relations.Tags: Aiyoyo!, Ikim, Mohd Asri Abdullah
62 comments
The above is another gem of a proposal from the Institute for Islamic Understanding (an oxymoron?) and the Syariah Judiciary Department of Malaysia.
Syariah Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mohd Asri Abdullah even had to cheek to say that these non-Muslims should be charged in CIVIL courts.
The most dispassionate response to all this nonsense is:- It is plainly unConstitutional.
Pls go back and reread the Federal Constitution, Datuk.
(GE12) This *is* the dirtiest elections ever March 4, 2008
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Democracy, Huh?!, Human Rights, Malaysia, Politics.Tags: free and fair, GE12, PRU12
37 comments
The Election Commission has cancelled the use of indelible ink for this general election, citing public order and security issues. (Malaysiakini, 4 March 2008)
The only conclusion that can be drawn from this stunning announcement is – BN is losing big time and is now desperate to have to resort to even cheaper and dirtier tricks, compared to the 1999 General Elections.
For all of us who marched in Kuala Lumpur seeking free and fair elections, please be prepared to defend our fundamental and constitutional right to free and fair elections.
It’s no longer about denying two-thirds. It is clear there are larger stakes at hand.
Don’t let cheats into the halls of state assemblies and the Parliament.
VOTE FOR CHANGE!
VOTE FOR A CLEAN GOVERNMENT!
(GE12) BN Slogan for GE12? February 20, 2008
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Democracy, Huh?!, Malaysia, Politics.Tags: Anwar Ibrahim, Barisan Nasional, BN, GE12, PRU12
3 comments
“Selamat, Aman, Makmur” (own translation – ‘Safe, Peaceful, Prosperous’)
I kid you not.
ROTFL.
And why’s Badawi copying the Anwar Ibrahim trademark ‘hand in the air’ gesture?
Ciplak version ->>
C’mon guys. You have consultants from Oxbridge. Millions to pump into your advertising agency, and that’s all you’ve got?
Oh – Anwar’s got his official snazzy website up and running finally, alongside his blog!
Acting PM mudah lupa February 15, 2008
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Democracy, Huh?!, Human Rights, Malaysia, Politics, Race Relations.Tags: Bodoh
10 comments
Or is it a case of sleeping on the job… again?
Abdullah said that Anwar was not a factor in upcoming elections, saying he had “forgotten” about him. (Malaysiakini, 14 Feb 2008)
Er. Then why ah, your acting deputy everyday go to Felda sites and talk about him and KeADILan? (Ya, I lurve having my brains scrambled watching TV3 and RTM1)
Or have the police watch his office?
What else have you forgotten?
(GE12) Of Parliament being dissolved on 13th Feb February 13, 2008
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Democracy, Huh?!, Malaysia, Politics.Tags: Abdullah Badawi, GE12, PRU12
5 comments
(Updated)
Yikes.
Media called to a press conference by the PM. 12:30 pm.
He can’t be that desperate???
Eek.
(Earlier, 12 Feb)
Of course not.
Umno, MCA, Gerakan & MIC still have much to sort out.
Like inter-intra party seat allocation, reallocation of phantom transferred voters and postal votes, $$$, etc.
Suffice to say, polling day may well fall on my birthday! 😀 🙂 😛
Cari Sharlinie, atau cari pembangkang? February 5, 2008
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Democracy, Huh?!, Human Rights, Malaysia, Politics.Tags: Anwar Ibrahim, KeADILan, PKR, Sharlinie
3 comments
Nasib Sharlinie di tangan polis, tetapi kelihatan polis lebih minat menyekat ceramah KeADILan.
Berita dari Saudara Nik Nazmi tentang peristiwa ini yang berlaku semalam:
Sudah sekian lama Keadilan Bahagian Kelana Jaya bertungkus lumus untuk Ceramah Perdana semalam di Pusat Khidmat Masyarakat kami di Desa Mentari. Permohonan permit polis sudah dibuat, puluhan kain rentang sudah dipasang, ribuan handbill, SMS dan jemputan Facebook sudah dihantar.
Apabila saya tiba di Desa Mentari bersama ibubapa saya kelihatan sudah ramai anggota polis di sana – ada sekurang-kurangnya tiga puluh orang berpakaian seragam (SB wallahualam lah). Pihak UMNO di saat akhir menganjurkan kejohanan futsal remaja betul-betul bertentangan tapak ceramah. Hari sebelumnya MB Selangor Datuk Seri Khir Toyo hadir di Desaria, tidak jauh di Desa Mentari.
Tidak lama kemudian tayangan perhimpunan Bersih 10 November dibuat. Tiba-tiba pihak polis meminta agar tayangan dihentikan ‘kerana mengganggu penduduk setempat’. Kami akur, dan menghentikan tayangan tersebut.
Kehadiran makin bertambah, dengan pelbagai kaum – kira-kira 60% Melayu, 30% India dan 10% Cina. Saudara Halimey, Ketua Angkatan Muda Selangor dan juga Kelana Jaya memulakan majlis dengan meminta hadirin memberi tepukan gemuruh kepada pasukan polis kerana kerjasama mereka. Beliau juga menggesa agar semua bertenang dan menjaga tatatertib meskipun provokasi dari kelompok UMNO di padang futsal.
Tetapi apabila nampak hadirin mencapai kira-kira 3,000 orang pihak polis berubah fikiran. Mereka bertemu pimpinan bahagian dan minta ceramah dihentikan. Speaker yang berada di padang mesti dicabut, dan speaker yang berada di Pusat Khidmat dihalakan ke dalam.
Namun orang ramai tidak takut. Kebanyakan terus berada di padang, dan memberi sambutan hangat sebaik sahaja Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tiba sekitar jam 9.45 malam. Selepas berunding dengan polis, mereka membenarkan beliau bercakap hanya di dalam Pusat Khidmat. Walaupun hanya sayup-sayup kedengaran di luar, orang ramai tidak berganjak walaupun seinci.
Seorang anggota Puteri UMNO cuba mendengar ceramah Datuk Seri dengan duduk di depan, dekat dengan premis kami. Beliau menerima baik risalah yang kami berikan. “Buat apalah polis ni ramai-ramai di sini. Kalau cari Sharlinie kan lagi bagus?”
Bagi penduduk Desa Mentari tentu lebih terasa ironi kehadiran polis sebegitu ramai. Sebelum insiden Sharlinie hampir mustahil bertemu polis di kawasan perumahan mereka. Bukannya mereka tak mahu menjaga anak-anak mereka, tetapi kebanyakannya memegang dua kerja untuk menempuhi kenaikan harga. Anak-anak pula lebih suka bermain di atas tanah, memandangkan rumah flat mereka agak sempit dan tidak selesa.
Pada akhir ceramah tersebut,, anggota Puteri UMNO tersebut antara puluhan orang ramai yang mendaftar menjadi ahli KeADILan. Kejohanan futsal tersebut terus berlangsung, walaupun kebanyakan remaja tersebut bersekolah pada hari ini!
Sebaik sahaja naik kereta untuk pulang, bapa saya yang sudah berusia 77 tahun mengeluh, “Apa nak jadi pada negara ini?”
elizabeth wong 