Deplorable Conditions of Low Cost Flats

Lifts that don't work, lights that don't work, railings that are stolen. These are some of the problems faced by the residents of a PPR flat in Kota Damansara.

SUBANG: A pregnant woman could not be rushed to the hospital and ended up giving birth in front of the lift door when the lifts in a low-cost flat here failed to function.

The residents of the PPR flat in Section 8, Kota Damansara, are living in extreme conditions, and this prompted a MIC leader to call on Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to set aside political differences.

MIC secretary-general S Murugesan said both the Federal Territory and Urban Well being Ministry and the Selangor state government must work together to resolve the residents’ woes.

“It is not about politics but a humanitarian issue. The welfare of the people is of importance and political differences should be set aside,” he told reporters after visiting the PPR flat yesterday.

Murugesan said he met with the maintenance company Nilsham Resources last week and was informed that the maintenance service was stopped after the residents did not pay rental.

However, the residents claimed that they had refused to pay rental after the maintenance overlooked their basic needs.

Speaking to FMT, B Paneer Selvam, who has been staying there for the past five years, said that the problems started after Pakatan took over Selangor.

The state government increased the rental from RM124 to RM250 in July, 2008.

“We were against the rental increase because we could not afford it,” he said, adding that a year later, the state government agreed to the old rate after a series of meetings.

“However, the new maintenance company appointed by Pakatan forced us to pay the one year arrears which is more than RM3,000. We are poor people who cannot fork out such a big sum and this led to the maintenance company withdrawing its services,” he said.

Faulty lifts are the main problem

Asked about the condition of the flats, Paneer said that faulty lifts were the main problem.

“There are three lifts for each block but only one functions. Furthermore, the lift stops automatically on each of the 18 floors, and it takes about 30 minutes to go up and down,” he added.

The flats was also littered with rubbish, and Paneer explained that it was because it took the residents a long time to take their rubbish to the ground floor.

He also said that drug addicts also frequented the flats, and there have been numerous robbery cases because the lights along the walkways were not working.

Relating another incident, Paneer said a child fell down the staircase because the railings had been stolen.

Murugesan said most PPR flats were in a similar condition and stressed on the need for action to be taken.

“I am here not as a politician but like I said, this is more of a humanitarian issue,” he added.

“We want a long-term solution to this PPR flats problem,” he said, adding that the state government could follow the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) where the latter oversees all the low-cost flats in the Federal Territory.

He added that the state government should form a special department to cater for all the PPR flats in Selangor.

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http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/03/24/home-sour-home/

Press Statement - Appointment of Datuk Ranjit Singh as Chairman of SC

Press Statement - Appointment of Datuk Ranjit Singh as Chairman of SC

MIC welcomes the appointment of Datuk Ranjit Ajit Singh as Chairman of the SC and Dato Dr Nik Ramlah Mahmood as Deputy Chief Executive. Both are individuals of high calibre and integrity. Although both the appointments were based purely on merit, the appointment of Datuk Ranjit Ajit Singh as Chairman of the SC has a special significance for the Malaysian Indian Community. It recognises their contribution towards nation building and ability to lead important institutions in our country.

The appointment also signals to the Malaysian Indian youths that under the leadership of our Prime Minister YAB Dato' Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, they can aspire for high office provided that they are willing to work hard.

MIC also wishes to thank the outgoing Chairman, Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar who has done an excellent job in strengthening and developing the Malaysian capital market and maintaining the high integrity of our Securities Commission.

MIC calls upon the government to appoint more qualified Malaysian Indians as board members and chairmen of GLCs; as currently the community is not proportionately represented in these bodies.

S.Murugessan

Secretary General

MIC

Press Statement by S.Murugessan, MIC Information Chief

Re: Kugan’s Case – Court Acquits Constable

There has been an alarming number of cases of death in police custody in Malaysia.

The recent acquittal in Kugan’s Case just goes to show that we do not have a proper mechanism to monitor and bring to book those responsible for cases of death under custody.

At the moment, PDRM is investigating cases of death of inmates in its custody. Justice must not only be done but seen to be done but be seen to be done. In circumstances where the investigators are from the same body under whose watch death occurred, the issue of impartiality and transparency arises. The number convictions secured for death under police custody speaks volumes on the ineffectiveness of the current system.

I call on the PM to set up an independent body, like the Police Commission with full powers to receive complaints, investigate, publish report and prosecute those responsible in cases of death under police custody.

It will help restore the public’s confidence on our police force and show the seriousness of our government with dealing with the issue.

S.Murugessan

Intelok - DPM agrees for a Panel

Press Statement

1. The mandate of the Panel must be enlarged to study whether the book itself is appropriate to be included as a reading material.

2. The panel must include reputable academicians from the Indian Community and its findings made public.

3. The panel must be set up quickly and with a fixed time-frame to give its recommendations.

4. The book should not be used as a reading material until the panel's recommendations are implemented.

5. To avoid such incidents in the future, an independent panel consisting of academicians from all races, including the main ethnic groups from Sabah & Sarawak must vet all the books before it is used as reading material.

Baby Dumping, BC & DNA Testing

Malaysian Insider reported that Government mulls DNA bank to curb baby dumping.

Is this an effective method???

Dont we have to DNA profile all Malaysian residents first for it to be of any use?

The government should instead allow DNA testing to clear so many pending BC/IC/citizenship cases.


It will do away with so much paperwork to verify if the person claims who he/she is.


DNA test should be allowed at the request of applicants for BC

Press Statement - The Need for Fitting Action Against HM's Derogatory Remarks

I am perplexed and distressed by the Education DG's statement that the matter concerning the Headmistress Siti Inshah Mansor's derogatory remark was due to misunderstanding and has been settled.

At least 17 reports has been lodged over the matter and numerous students/parents have complained. How could all of them have misunderstood? How can the matter be considered resolved when we were informed that she is on leave pending disciplinary action?

This is the third civil servant that has made racially derogatory & outrages remarks that has been let off the hook with a slap on the wrist.

It sends wrong signal to all Malaysians and threatens national unity. Government must put a full stop to such incidents with strict action against the perpetrators.

I call upon the PM, the Education Minister and the Home Minister to thoroughly investigate the matter bring upon the heaviest punishment of the law. Mere suspension or transfer will not do.

S.Murugessan

MIC CWC Member