PKNS: 1,097 bumiputras registered to buy 674 Datum Jelatek condos

source : http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/01/26/PKNS-all-buyers-bumiputras/

Published: Monday January 26, 2015 MYT 11:49:00 AM
Updated: Monday January 26, 2015 MYT 6:24:15 PM

PKNS: 1,097 bumiputras registered to buy 674 Datum Jelatek condos

BY RAHMAH GHAZALI

Datum Jelatek Project Action Committee (BBPDJ) chairman Salleh Samad (left) handing over the memorandum to protest the construction of Datum Jelatek to MB,s private secretary Shuhaimi Shafiei (right) at Shah Alam Sunday

PETALING JAYA: A total of 1,097 potential bumiputra buyers have shown interest in the 674 units of the controversial Datum Jelatek condominiums, debunking allegations that the Malays could not afford to purchase the luxury units.

Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) said in a statement that the bumiputra interest shown in the project exceeded expectations.

"As of Jan 14, 2015, the project received overwhelming support and so far, a total of 1,097 bumiputra buyers have registered and this exceeded the 674 units available," said PKNS general manager Azlan Md Alifiah.

On Sunday, hundreds of people protested against the construction of Datum Jelatek luxury condominium in Keramat that turned aggressive. They allegedly broke into the construction site of the project by tearing down the zinc hoardings placed around the project site.

The protestors, led by Datum Jelatek action committee chairman Salleh Samad, claimed that the project would not benefit the Malays, as most could not afford to purchase the condominium.

The condominium, which is being developed by Datumcorp International (DCI), will cost around RM700,000 per unit.

Salleh also claimed that the project would allow the non-Malays to reside in the "100% Malay" area, a notion that the Malays in the area were not prepared to accept.

Azlan said they would initiate a legal action against the "irresponsible quarters" who had caused damage to public property and vandalism at the site.

"What had happened is a disappointment as the demonstration, which was otherwise peaceful, turned violent when some individuals destroyed the hoardings.

"We are looking at this matter seriously and legal action will be taken against those involved. DCI had also lodged a police report on the matter," said Azlan.

On allegations that PKNS had never met with the residents on the implementation on the project, he said both the state subsidiary and DCI had held several meetings with Taman Keramat residents.

"We have organised meetings and dialogues with the residents and we even received positive feedback from all of them," he added.

In violent outburst, Jelatek residents say ‘no’ to Chinese neighbours

Source : http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/in-violent-outburst-jelatek-residents-say-no-to-

MALAYSIA

In violent outburst, Jelatek residents say ‘no’ to Chinese neighbours

BY SYED JAYMAL ZAHIID PUBLISHED: JANUARY 25, 2015 05:31 PMUPDATED: JANUARY 25, 2015 07:41 PM

The damaged hoarding of the Datum Jelatek Project is seen following a demonstration by a group of residents in Taman Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, January 25, 2015. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 — Fearing their Malay-majority city neighbourhood may soon be overrun by Chinese, a group of residents in Taman Keramat marched to the construction site of upscale condominium project Datum Jelatek here and violently tore down its cladding today.

The group had warned of “bloodshed” last November if the luxury condo project, which sits on the former site of four blocks of Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) flats owned mostly by Malays, goes ahead.

“This is a 100 per cent Malay area,” Salleh Majid, spokesman for the group, told Malay Mail Online when contacted over the phone.

News portal The Malaysian Insider had reported a violent protest breaking out at the condo project site earlier today, but Salleh said the residents reacted aggressively to defend their homes from “Chinese occupation”.

“I did my own study and I found out that they are trying to attract Chinese from China, Singapore, Taiwan and so on,” he said referring to the condominium project.

He also disapproved of local ethnic Chinese staying in the proposed project, when asked.

“No. We already have this understanding… Keramat was created by Datuk Harun after May 13 to balance the Chinese population in the city with the Malays,” he said.

“We have been through May 13 before, so why set fire to the oil? Why the need to provoke?” he asked, referring to the bloody racial clashes of 1969 that pitted the Malays against ethnic Chinese.

The Keramat area was set up by the then Selangor Mentri Besar Harun Idris in a delicate attempt to achieve racial balance.

Salleh said residents were afraid that the influx of Chinese to the area might force Malays to vacate, similar to other Malay settlements in the city in the past.

The self-professed professional claimed this was a conspiracy by the predominantly Chinese DAP opposition party to open up Keramat to the Chinese, but he did not provide proof to support his allegation.

“This is all a DAP agenda,” Salleh alleged, before adding, “This project came amid insults to the Malays like the ‘Allah’ issue and others.”

Salleh had previously said the planned luxury studio apartment, measuring 538 square feet each, was priced at RM700,000 and was not affordable to the Taman Keramat Malay community.

He claimed the prices were intentionally set high so that only other races could afford to purchase the units.

The Datum Jelatek Project that will be built on a 5.5-acre (2.2 hectares) piece of land had previously been said to be a redevelopment project of the low-cost housing area in Jalan Jelatek after all the residents, who were mostly Malays, had been moved out and given a small compensation.

However, the project was said to have “changed” into a proposal to develop four exclusive buildings comprising offices, a hotel and a shopping centre targeted at the high-income group and corporate sector.

Despite the protest, then Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had given PKNS the nod to proceed with the project.

Salleh said residents of the demolished flats felt cheated when they found out that the land was used to develop a luxury condominium.

“And what is more painful for most of the third generation of Keramat residents is that luxury condominiums are being built instead of affordable houses for the Malay residents here,” he said.

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/in-violent-outburst-jelatek-residents-say-no-to-chinese-neighbours#sthash.3DxJAtQg.dpuf

PKNS vows legal action against Jelatek condo protesters over violence, trespass

source : http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/pkns-vows-legal-action-against-jelatek-condo-protesters-over-violence-tresp

PKNS vows legal action against Jelatek condo protesters over violence, trespass

PUBLISHED: JANUARY 25, 2015 11:15 PM

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/pkns-vows-legal-action-against-jelatek-condo-protesters-over-violence-tresp#sthash.h5duUX8f.dpuf

The damaged hoarding of the Datum Jelatek Project is seen following a demonstration by a group of residents in Taman Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, January 25, 2015. — Picture by Yusof Mat IsaKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 — The Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) said today it would take legal action against protesters who trespassed on the construction site of the Datum Jelatek luxury condominium and tore down the zinc sheets serving as its fencing in Taman Keramat earlier today.

Its manager Azlan Md Alifiah, who is also the chair of Datumcorp International (DCI), the company behind the Datum Jelatek project, claimed there were no grounds for the protesters to be upset by the development as the residents had already been consulted.

“What happened today was disappointing as the protest started peacefully but ended up violent… we are looking at this seriously, and legal action will be taken and a police report has been lodged on the violence and trespassing earlier today,” he said in a statement issued late this evening.

He said both Selangor’s state development arm and DCI have been open and had consulted nearby residents about the project, and claimed to have received positive feedback from the majority.

Fearing their Malay-majority city neighbourhood may soon be overrun by Chinese, a group of residents in Taman Keramat marched to the construction site of upscale condominium project Datum Jelatek here and violently tore down its cladding today.

The group had warned of “bloodshed” last November if the luxury condo project, which sits on the former site of four blocks of PKNS flats owned mostly by Malays, goes ahead.

But Azlan dismissed the allegation as baseless, pointing out that more than 1,000 Bumiputera buyers have shown interest in the project.

“Up until January 2015, there have been 1,097 Bumiputera registering to buy, which is more than the 674 units available”.

The Datum Jelatek Project that will be built on a 5.5-acre (2.2 hectares) piece of land had previously been said to be a redevelopment project of the low-cost housing area in Jalan Jelatek after all the residents, who were mostly Malays, had been moved out and given a small compensation.

However, the project was said to have “changed” into a proposal to develop four exclusive buildings comprising offices, a hotel and a shopping centre targeted at the high-income group and corporate sector.

After ‘Allah’ case, Muslim group demands Herald stop using Malay

SOURCE : HTTP://WWW.THEMALAYMAILONLINE.COM/MALAYSIA/ARTICLE/AFTER-ALLAH-CASE-MUSLIM-GROUP-DEMANDS-HERALD-STOP-USING-MALAY

After ‘Allah’ case, Muslim group demands Herald stop using Malay

BY ZURAIRI AR PUBLISHED: JANUARY 23, 2015 11:02 AM

.Herald editor Father Lawrence Andrew insists that the Catholic magazine will still be published in Malay, as the Catholic Church has a sizeable number of Malay-speaking members. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 ― The Catholic Church must no longer use the Malay language in its Herald weekly as continuing to do so was to challenge the Federal Court’s final decision on the “Allah” case, a Muslim coalition demanded today.

The Pembela coalition claimed that Herald editor Father Lawrence Andrew’s remark that the paper will retain its Malay section despite exhausting legal options to challenge a ban on its use of the Arabic word, disrespected the court ruling despite not stating that he would use “Allah”.

It also urged the police to arrest and take strict action against those who disobey the ruling by Federal Court on Wednesday, which rejected the Catholic Church’s bid for the apex court to hear its appeal on its constitutional right to use “Allah”.

“Yes,” Pembela chairman Mohamed Hafiz Mohd Nordin replied in a text message to Malay Mail Online, when asked to clarify if it was demanding the Herald stop publishing in Malay altogether.

Pembela this morning released a statement denouncing Andrew and others who allegedly do not respect and are disputing the court’s decision, and labelled them extremists.

“Although they did not say that the sacred name of ‘Allah’ will be specifically used, Pembela denounces the statement that showed their stubbornness to show respect and obedience towards the apex court’s decision, and refusal to obey current laws,” Hafiz said in the statement.

“We would like to advise all parties, including the Catholic magazine chief editor to acquaint themselves with this country’s laws and Rukunegara, to protect the harmonious interfaith relationship in this multicultural country.”

On Wednesday, the Federal Court again rejected the Catholic Church’s bid for the apex court to hear its appeal on its constitutional right to use “Allah”, marking an end to remaining legal avenues in the years-long case.

However, Andrew insisted that the Herald will still publish in Malay, as the Catholic Church has a sizeable number of Malay-speaking members, which the Christian community said have been using the Arabic word for God over centuries.

Budget Revision: National Service 2015 suspendedhttp://www.thestar.com.my/~/media/Images/TSOL/Photos-Gallery/Nation/2015/01/20/myydrservice4.ashx?w=620&h=413&crop=1&

source : http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/01/20/Budget-Revision-National-Service/

Published: Tuesday January 20, 2015 MYT 11:59:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday January 20, 2015 MYT 3:10:40 PM

Budget Revision: National Service 2015 suspended

BY TAN YI LIANG

PETALING JAYA: The National Service programme for 2015 is suspended as part of cost-cutting measures, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. 

"A suspension of the National Service programme for 2015 will save RM400mil, and will allow for the programme to be re-examined and improved," said Najib, who announced revisions to Budget 2015 on Tuesday. 

Najib also said that the awarding of grants to statutory bodies, government-linked corporations and government trust funds, especially those that have consistent income and large reserves is expected to save about RM3.2bil. 

He added that the government would increase dividend collection from government-linked corporations. "This will contribute approximately RM400mil," said Najib.

He also urged companies to register with the Royal Customs and Excise Department to increase collection of Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is set to kick off on April 1 this year, saying this would contribute RM1bil through the collection of GST. 

"As of mid-January 2015, 304,000 companies have been registered," said Najib.  

The Prime Minister is adjusting Budget 2015, with both proactive and pre-emptive measures, in move to ensure sustainable development and resilience of the economy. 

His announcement at a special function, Tuesday, focuses on actions and policy interventions to handle the changing economic scenario caused by the oil price slump. 

When Najib, who is also Finance Minister, tabled Budget 2015 last year with an expected expenditure of RM273.9bil against an expected revenue of RM235.2bil, oil price averaged around US$90 (RM355) per barrel. 

But the price has been falling and is expected to drop to as low as US$40 (RM140) in the first six months of this year.

Hawkers raise prices

source : http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/01/18/Hawkers-raise-prices-Food-more-expensive-now-and-portions-get-smaller/

Published: Sunday January 18, 2015 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Sunday January 18, 2015 MYT 8:53:36 AM

Hawkers raise pricesPETALING JAYA: Although fuel prices have dropped, hawkers in the Klang Valley, Penang and many urban areas have quietly increased prices by between 10% and 20%, citing costlier ingredients and the Chinese New Year festive period.

A bowl of noodles or koay teow now, for example, costs between 50 sen and RM1 more and the servings have also become smaller.

The National Consumer Complaints Centre’s legal and dispute resolution manager Santhosh Kannan said there had been many complaints about hawkers who overcharged or reduced their portions.

“We’ve been getting frequent complaints since November. On average, the increase is between 30 sen and 40 sen but for certain types of food, it is even up by RM2,” he said.

Housewife Mary Chew, 50, said her regular wan tan mee seller in Jalan Klang Lama raised the price by RM1 without any prior notice.

“A plate which used to cost RM5, is now RM6 with no extra ingredients,” she said.

Several coffeeshops in Bangsar and Kota Damansara have increased their prices by at least 10% since the New Year.

A.K. Neoh, 35, a regular pork noodle stall customer, said the seller not only increased the price from RM5.90 to RM6.50 last week but also reduced the portion.

“Four years ago, a bowl only cost RM4 and there was definitely more ingredients then,” said the office worker who has since boycotted the stall.

Executive Bernadette Eng, 37, said the price of a bowl of fish head noodles in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, had been raised from RM7.50 to RM8.

In Penang, soaring prices are putting a dent on the state’s image as a hawker food paradise.

Amy Wong, 36, said a medium sized plate of char koay teow in George Town had been raised to RM6.50 since last week.

“The seller told me he had to charge RM1 more because the price of prawns had gone up to RM80 per kilo, or RM20 more than in December,” she said.

In Bayan Baru, a famous char koay teow hawker charges RM5 for a measly portion.

“You need to order four plates to feel full,” said an office worker who is a regular at the stall.

Student Jane Ng, 21, said a Chinese choo-char (cook and fry) meal for three in Bayan Baru had gone up considerably since two weeks ago.

“On Tuesday, my friends and I were slapped with a RM60 bill for the same dishes that used to cost RM40.

“Many other hawkers on the island have also increased their prices because they say they are worried about the Goods and Services Tax (GST),” she said.

Salesgirl J. Yogeswari, 30, lamented that her regular bowl of broth at the Chowrasta market had gone up by RM1 to RM4.50.

“Most hawkers raise their prices before Chinese New Year.

“But the recent hike could also be due to the shortage of ingredients in the market. A stall owner said hypermarkets had run out of vegetables due to the recent floods so they have to pay more to ensure a steady supply,” she said.

Dr Joeson Khor, the creator of Facebook foodie group PG Food Hunter A Team, said food was costlier because hawkers claimed that the price of ingredients had gone up.

The group, which has about 78,000 members, was set up to monitor the prices, service and quality of food outlets in Penang.

Peluk Chong Wei berbeza insiden K-Pop

Faiz Zainudin

 | January 15, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR: Ketua UMNO Bahagian Cheras, Datuk Seri Syed Ali Alhabshee menyelar gesaan bekas Ahli Jawatankuasa Pemuda UMNO Wilayah Persekutuan, Shahbudin Husin supaya Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (JAWI) menyiasat Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor yang memeluk pemain badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

Menurut beliau, apa yang dilakukan oleh isteri Perdana Menteri tidak sama dengan apa yang dilakukan tiga gadis bertudung yang berpeluk dan bercium dengan artis K-Pop berkenaan.

“Saya menyifatkan tindakan Datin Rosmah Mansor memeluk pemain bandminton nombor satu negara sebagai satu penghargaan seorang ibu kepada anaknya kerana berjaya meraih kemenangan dalam sukan. Ianya sama sekali tidak boleh disamakan dengan tindakan tiga gadis bertudung dengan bintang K-Pop.

“Bagi saya tidak salah bagi isteri Perdana Menteri yang menganggap dirinya ibu memeluk Lee Chong Wei kerana mengiktiraf dan amat menghargai kejayaan yang dicapai oleh pemain badminton negara yang berjaya mengharumkan nama negara,” katanya.

Menulis di dalam entri terbaru blog umnobahagiancheras.blogspot.com , beliau yang turut melahirkan rasa kesal tindakan Shahbudin yang juga penulis blog, yang mendakwa JAWI gagal bertindak ke atas Rosmah yang memeluk pemain badminton negara.

Beliau seterusnya menegaskan bahawa mana-mana pihak tidak seharusnya mempersoalkan kewibawaan JAWI dalam usaha membanteras maksiat dan sebagainya.

Tegasnya, dalam apa jua tindakan sekalipun JAWI mempunyai prosedur dalam mengatur tindakan. Apa yang dilakukan oleh JAWI dalam membanteras kejadian maksiat yang nyata dan terang-terangan sudah tentu mengikut peraturan dan undang-undang sedia ada.

Syed Ali turut membidas tindakan sesetengah pihak yang terus mempolitikkan atau mengaibkan isteri Perdana Menteri dengan penyiaran gambar-gambar berpelukan bersama artis lelaki Bollywood.