DATUK BANDAR JOHOR BAHRU NAIK KERETA ANTIK.
SYOKNYA...!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
PRE CAST CONCRETE SLABS AS REPLACEMENT FOR METAL GRATINGS.
Missing cast-iron covers and steel grating have become a major problem in Johor Bahru (and in many major cities and towns) due to thieves stealing them and selling it to scrap metal yards. Many pedestrians have suffered injuries when walking on pavements which have missing metal gratings. Recently during the Chinggay festival one lady died after falling into a drain which had its metal gratings stolen.
It was the same in Kuala Lumpur. Last year alone 1604 steel gratings were stolen costing Kuala Lumpur City Hall losses of almost RM418,000-00.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall has now found a way to curb this problem. The solution? In comes Pre-Cast Compressed Slabs to replace steel gratings. This PCC slabs is hardier, easy to install and most importantly is of no interest to scrap metal dealers. Earlier, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall had even tried using Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) as replacements but although it had no use for scrap metal thieves, the FRP easily became damaged after some time.
THE PCC slabs on the other hand weighs about 28kg each and measuring 600mm x 395mm and can withstand the weight of heavy vehicles as well as ultraviolet rays from sunlight. Each slab, cost about RM300.00. More importantly, the PCC slabs have no resale value to scrap metal dealers and thus will not be the target of thieves. So far, 1,051 PCC slabs have been installed in 25 locations in Kuala Lumpur.
It was the same in Kuala Lumpur. Last year alone 1604 steel gratings were stolen costing Kuala Lumpur City Hall losses of almost RM418,000-00.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall has now found a way to curb this problem. The solution? In comes Pre-Cast Compressed Slabs to replace steel gratings. This PCC slabs is hardier, easy to install and most importantly is of no interest to scrap metal dealers. Earlier, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall had even tried using Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) as replacements but although it had no use for scrap metal thieves, the FRP easily became damaged after some time.
THE PCC slabs on the other hand weighs about 28kg each and measuring 600mm x 395mm and can withstand the weight of heavy vehicles as well as ultraviolet rays from sunlight. Each slab, cost about RM300.00. More importantly, the PCC slabs have no resale value to scrap metal dealers and thus will not be the target of thieves. So far, 1,051 PCC slabs have been installed in 25 locations in Kuala Lumpur.
Perhaps, MBJB could seriously look into replacing the missing cast iron covers and metal gratings with PCC slabs too.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
JOHOR STATE GOVERNMENT TAKES AWAY TAMIL SCHOOL LAND FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai was built in 1953 and was initially known as SRJK(T) Karai Nagar. In 1985, the school was made a sekolah bantuan penuh kerajaan and its name was changed to SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai.
The school is situated on a 0.6 acre land and has two double storey blocks of eight classrooms which is in a dilapidated state.
Infact the Public Works Department as early as 2002 after inspection stated “ bangunan ini tidak sesuai dijadikan bilik darjah kerana tidak mengikut keadaan semasa dan merbahaya untuk di gunakan.”. In its report it further advised the Education Department that “pihak kami mengesyorkan bangunan tersebut dirobohkan dan digantikan dengan bangunan baru”. Even Jabatan Bomba and Penyelamat after conducting an inspection of the school in 2002 found that among others “ Tangga keselamatan tidak mengikut ciri-ciri keselamatan yang diperakui JBDPM”, “Tiada pintu keluar keselamatan di belakang bangunan sekolah” and “ tiada alat keselamatan kebakaran”. In short the school is a death trap !.
The school has no field or vacant space and is prone to floods and is situated smack in the middle of a housing estate. The noise and din from the passing traffic does not provide a conducive studying atmosphere for the students. Students also have to make do without basic facilities like a school hall, computer lab or even a meeting room.
Despite all this shortcomings, SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai which has presently has 768 students has been for sometime among the country’s top scoring schools. In 2005, 17 students scored Seven-A’s in the UPSR examination.
On September 29, 2006 some 250 parents demonstrated in front of the school highlighting the dilapidated condition of the school.
In the immediate aftermath, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu said “I have directed the PWD to speed up work on the Tamil schools and have asked the department to furnish all the necessary requirements including the layout plans within week.”
The then Education Ministry’s parliamentary secretary Komala Krishnamoorthy confirmed that the Johor government had allotted land for the school and that construction works would begin in 2007.
The State M.I.C Chairman Datuk K.S Balakrishnan confirmed that a 2.69 ha land had been alloted by the Johor state government and further the Education Ministry has allocated RM5.4 million for the new school.
Now, in 2008 the new SJK(T) Kangkar Tebrau has yet to be constructed and even worst the land allotted for the construction of the school has been quietly taken away and instead the state government has given approval for the construction of a commercial project.
The school is situated on a 0.6 acre land and has two double storey blocks of eight classrooms which is in a dilapidated state.
Infact the Public Works Department as early as 2002 after inspection stated “ bangunan ini tidak sesuai dijadikan bilik darjah kerana tidak mengikut keadaan semasa dan merbahaya untuk di gunakan.”. In its report it further advised the Education Department that “pihak kami mengesyorkan bangunan tersebut dirobohkan dan digantikan dengan bangunan baru”. Even Jabatan Bomba and Penyelamat after conducting an inspection of the school in 2002 found that among others “ Tangga keselamatan tidak mengikut ciri-ciri keselamatan yang diperakui JBDPM”, “Tiada pintu keluar keselamatan di belakang bangunan sekolah” and “ tiada alat keselamatan kebakaran”. In short the school is a death trap !.
The school has no field or vacant space and is prone to floods and is situated smack in the middle of a housing estate. The noise and din from the passing traffic does not provide a conducive studying atmosphere for the students. Students also have to make do without basic facilities like a school hall, computer lab or even a meeting room.
Despite all this shortcomings, SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai which has presently has 768 students has been for sometime among the country’s top scoring schools. In 2005, 17 students scored Seven-A’s in the UPSR examination.
On September 29, 2006 some 250 parents demonstrated in front of the school highlighting the dilapidated condition of the school.
In the immediate aftermath, Datuk Seri Samy Vellu said “I have directed the PWD to speed up work on the Tamil schools and have asked the department to furnish all the necessary requirements including the layout plans within week.”
The then Education Ministry’s parliamentary secretary Komala Krishnamoorthy confirmed that the Johor government had allotted land for the school and that construction works would begin in 2007.
The State M.I.C Chairman Datuk K.S Balakrishnan confirmed that a 2.69 ha land had been alloted by the Johor state government and further the Education Ministry has allocated RM5.4 million for the new school.
Now, in 2008 the new SJK(T) Kangkar Tebrau has yet to be constructed and even worst the land allotted for the construction of the school has been quietly taken away and instead the state government has given approval for the construction of a commercial project.
TAMIL SCHOOL LAND TAKEN AWAY BY JOHOR STATE GOVERNMENT
The STAR (07.07.2008) reported that the school authorities at top scoring SJK (T) Kangkar Pulai are fuming mad after finding out that the land promised to them for a new school has now been approved for a commercial project without their knowledge.
According to the School PTA Chairman K.Kanapathy, he has now discovered that although the Johor state government has in 2004 approved a 2.3ha land for the school and also gone on to announce a RM5.4million for the construction of the school under the 9th Malaysia Plan, the state executive council had instead on April 4, 2007 approved an application for commercial development. The state government has instead given a new piece of land for the school which is near a jungle and a quarry.
According to the School PTA Chairman K.Kanapathy, he has now discovered that although the Johor state government has in 2004 approved a 2.3ha land for the school and also gone on to announce a RM5.4million for the construction of the school under the 9th Malaysia Plan, the state executive council had instead on April 4, 2007 approved an application for commercial development. The state government has instead given a new piece of land for the school which is near a jungle and a quarry.
The state M.I.C Chairman Datuk K.S Balakrishnan, who was previously a state exco member now is unsure how the approved land for school has been converted. He now informs that the Johor Menteri Besar had been informed who in turn has instructed the Land Mines Department to give the land back to the school.
I think the Johor State Government has to give clear answers as to:-
1. What was the reason the state authority after having given approval in 2004 the land for the construction of the new SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai could then without informing the PTA SJK (T) Kangkar Pulai take away the land and approve it for a commercial project.
2. Why and how did the state authority on April 4, 2007 approve the application by the developers for the commercial project made in early 2006.
3. Has the land been sold to the developer by the state authorities?
4. If it has, how would it be possible and would it be possible now for Johor state to take the land from the developers and to give the land back for the construction of SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai.
5. The Johor state government is to be held responsible for taking away the land approved for the construction of the Tamil school and now has the responsibility to ensure that the land is taken back from the developers of the commercial project.
The Johor State government ought to realize that the school authorities had gone to great lengths to obtain the land and it is unfair for the state government to take the land back.
I think the Johor State Government has to give clear answers as to:-
1. What was the reason the state authority after having given approval in 2004 the land for the construction of the new SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai could then without informing the PTA SJK (T) Kangkar Pulai take away the land and approve it for a commercial project.
2. Why and how did the state authority on April 4, 2007 approve the application by the developers for the commercial project made in early 2006.
3. Has the land been sold to the developer by the state authorities?
4. If it has, how would it be possible and would it be possible now for Johor state to take the land from the developers and to give the land back for the construction of SJK(T) Kangkar Pulai.
5. The Johor state government is to be held responsible for taking away the land approved for the construction of the Tamil school and now has the responsibility to ensure that the land is taken back from the developers of the commercial project.
The Johor State government ought to realize that the school authorities had gone to great lengths to obtain the land and it is unfair for the state government to take the land back.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Watching and blogging for a better-run city
Norman Fernandez
Norman Fernandez is a lawyer and vice-chairman of Johor DAP. In 2004 and 2008, he contested the Stulang state seat.
EFFECTIVE: Norman Fernandez runs the JB Watch blog.
PREVIOUSLY, whenever I saw, heard or received any public complaints, I would write letters
to the local authorities to complain or telephone their office asking to speak to the person-in-charge.
Most of the time, I never got a reply. My calls were met with replies such as “menghadiri kursus” (attending courses), at a briefing or on leave.Returning telephone calls does not seem to be in the work culture of some local authority staff and officials.
Fed up with knocking on closed doors, I had three choices — throw in the towel and turn a blind eye to problems as I am not an elected state assemblyman or local councillor, continue writing letters to the local councils or think of some other way to highlight the complaints and shortcomings.
Suddenly an idea struck me. Why not start a blog?
Five months ago, I started www.johorbahruwatch.blogspot.com, with the motto “Watching Johor Baru”.I was not comfortable with the idea of walking around with a digital camera.
Since my handphone is equipped with a fairly good camera, I was able to take photographs immediately when I saw some shoddy work.
All I needed to do next was to upload it to my blog using my laptop.
Since February, I have uploaded many images of clogged drains, potholes, uncovered manholes and damaged public facilities in the city.
I have also highlighted problems of missing metal covers, tilting lamp-posts, illegal advertisement posters and foreigners who make a living peddling wallets and other items on the streets.
When I upload the images on my blog, I also send a letter of complaint via email to MBJB.
Since I set up the blog, I feel local authorities have taken notice of what I post on it. Things get resolved, although not always as quickly as I hope.
Highlighting the problem areas in the city, via the blog, has become more effective than writing and faxing to the authorities. Now, I even address my complaint directly to the authorities, including the Johor Baru mayor, on my blog. And the responses I received are “better” and faster. Maybe they are reading my blog.
For example, recently, city council contractors who were engaged in beautification work on the sidewalks left metal bolts protruding there. It was an accident waiting to happen. What was shocking was that no one from the council had come around to check on the completed work.
After a couple of weeks, just as I had anticipated, disaster struck when a 78-year-old man tripped and injured himself after hitting the protruding metal bolts at Jalan Gereja.
I took photographs of the injured man, put the pictures of the dangerous metal bolts in my blog, wrote a letter to the council informing them what had happened and demanded compensation for him.
The local press also highlighted the incident.
Within 48 hours, all the protruding metal bolts around Jalan Gereja and Jalan Trus were covered with plastic cones. For good measure, and to prevent the cones from being stolen, they were secured with metal screws.
Why didn’t the council think of this in the first place? I have also been told that the council, as a gesture of goodwill, has given the injured old man a small amount of money.
I am pleased that my blog has helped someone. I am also glad to note that newspapers are downloading my blog and using the pictures in their stories.
What is clear is that the Internet and blogs are an excellent medium which can be used to interact with the local authorities.
It is obvious the local authorities would not feel comfortable to see shortcomings and shoddy work highlighted openly.
I am a proud Johorian, born in Kluang, and have made Johor Baru my workplace and home.
Naturally, I ought to take pride in my city and help make it a great city. As such, I must ensure that the local authority delivers good service to its residents.
I will continue to highlight issues pertaining to Johor Baru and MBJB in my blog.
As Reported in NST Johor Buzz 01.07.2008.
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