| 10 berita terbaik sepanjang 2008 |
| Dec 29, 08 1:41pm |
Pelbagai perkara penting berlaku sepanjang tahun 2008 yang turut mewarnai kehidupan rakyat negara ini. Berikutan disajikan sepuluh berita terpenting sepanjang tahun ini.
Semuanya bermula sebagai satu perjuangan kecil sekumpulan penduduk membantah tindakan syarikat konsesi lebuhraya untuk menutup jalan pintas ke kawasan mereka. Tetapi, ia akhirnya telah |
Dec 30, 2008
10 berita terbaik sepanjang 2008
Dec 29, 2008
Bandar Mahkota Cheras inquiry: Mechanic says he was beaten by FRU (updated)
Wednesday July 23, 2008 MYT 4:26:36 PM
Bandar Mahkota Cheras inquiry: Mechanic says he was beaten by FRU (updated)
By IZATUN SHARI
KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (Suhakam) two-day public inquiry into the allegation of excessive use of force by law enforcement personnel at Persiaran Bandar Mahkota Cheras 1, Bandar Mahkota Cheras on May 27 began Wednesday.
The first witness of the alleged assault by FRU personnel at the disputed Bandar Mahkota Cheras barricade in May claimed that he stopped his car before making a U-turn as there were cars in front of him when he saw at least 10 FRU personnel carrying batons and shields rushing to his car.
Chang Jiun Haur, who is a 23-year-old mechanic, said the FRU personnel kicked his car door, hit the passenger door window screen and opened the door before he was forcibly dragged out by at least five personnel who later beat him until he lost consciousness.
"Four to five persons pulled my T-shirt. They dragged me out of my car, threw me on the ground and beat me up. I couldn't see their faces. They were wearing helmets. I did not have time to see their identification. I was beaten on my face, head, arm and back with something very solid and hard. I couldn't do anything when they beat me," said Chang.
He was replying to a question by Suhakam commissioner Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman on how the alleged assault took place.
Asked how he knew that they were FRU personnel, Chang said: "They were wearing the uniforms."
Chang who claimed that he was passing by the area with his younger sister Jiun Mein, 21 and two other friends Chan Siew Meng and Chok Kem Hoo at 11.30pm from his home in Persiaran Mahkota Cheras, said he was scared when the personnel kept on kicking his car while shouting, keluar, keluar (come out, come out).
Chang said he regained consciousness at Kajang Hospital where he was admitted for one day and he was brought to Seremban Hospital by his father the following day to have an X-ray examination done. He lodged a police report on the matter at the Seremban police station on May 29.
On June 10, Chang was charged with reckless driving during the incident at Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
Gan Ping Sieu, the lawyer representing Chang, his sister and his two friends, said after getting Suhakam's report on the findings of the alleged assault, his client would proceed with legal action against the police and the Government.
"In any event, my clients will proceed with the civil suit," said Gan, who is also MCA Youth legal bureau head.
Gan said he had written on behalf of his clients to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and the Home Ministry to take action against the personnel but so far no action had been taken.
"It is very regretful that there has been no response from the IGP and the Home Ministry. I'm sure the police can tell who were involved by looking at the videoclip. There is no reason why the police can't identify the personnel involved in the alleged assault."
Eleven others are also scheduled to give their statement for the first day of the inquiry and 10 others are expected to be called in on Thursday.
Earlier, Zaitoon stated the panel's three-point terms of reference mainly to:
* Inquire whether or not any law enforcement personnel in performance of their duty to maintain law and order had used excessive force during the incident;
* If there was excessive use of force, whether there was any violation of human rights of any person or persons and, who were the parties responsible for such a violation; and
* Recommend what action be taken against those responsible for the violation of human rights.
Motion on Cheras issue rejected
Friday May 30, 2008
Motion on Cheras issue rejected
THE protest over the Bandar Mahkota Cheras road closure, which left several people injured on Tuesday, reached the Dewan via a motion tabled by an Opposition MP who wanted the matter debated. The Chair rejected it.
The drama began when Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar rejected the motion by Teo Nie Ching (DAP – Serdang) to debate the road closure issue.
Wan Junaidi said the motion could not be accepted as the concessionaire was involved in a court case with the housing developer over the same issue.
“Discussing the matter here (in Parliament) will tantamount to sub judice,” he said.
Meanwhile, a representative from the Bandar Mahkota Cheras road opening committee handed a memorandum to Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, demanding that the Government explain whether the toll concessionaire was allowed to barricade the access road.
Sigh of relief from residents
Saturday June 7, 2008
Sigh of relief from residents
By GEETHA KRISHNAN
MOTORISTS using the Bandar Mahkota Cheras intersection are now all smiles due to the hassle-free drive.
Following Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed's visit to the site on June 4, the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd were instructed to resurface the road and install more traffic lights.
Traffic still builds up at the intersection bypassing the 11th Mile Cheras toll plaza during peak hours but the flow is smoother now due to the better road condition with six additional traffic lights to synchronise the flow.
For better traffic flow: Workers installing traffic lights at the Bandar Mahkota Cheras intersection. Resurfacing was required because the access road built for the Bandar Mahkota Cheras township was damaged by concrete barricades built by Grand Saga. This caused motorists approaching the intersection to slow down but the situation is different now.
The intersection made headlines recently when Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents kept demolishing the barricades built by Grand Saga.
On May 30, the Federal Government intervened by stating that the road should remain open until a court decision on the case between Grand Saga and township developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd.
With the road now declared open for the time being, motorists from the township and neighbouring Bandar Sungai Long are a heaving sigh of relief.
Bandar Mahkota Cheras resident Suraya Haris Ong said the travelling time to work had been cut by 30 minutes.
“I work in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, and used to spend time waiting at the T-junction connecting Bandar Mahkota Cheras to Bandar Sungai Long. Then, there is the additional time to get to the highway,” she said.
“I save all this time by simply heading out from my house to the intersection and then getting on to the highway. Coming back is also a breeze although there is traffic during peak hours,” she added.
A motorist, who only identified herself as Ling, said she used to wake up her son at 5.30am just to get him to school in Bandar Tun Hussein on time. She said both of them were now happy because they could spend another 30 minutes in bed.
Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah, when contacted, said residents would be more jubilant if the Government declared the road permanently open.
“If you look at it from all angles, residents should not be the ones caught in the tussle between the developer and highway concessionaire. Basically, it is an issue involving compensation, dollars and sen,” he said.
Bandar Mahkota intersection to remain open, upgraded
Thursday June 5, 2008
Bandar Mahkota intersection to remain open, upgraded
KAJANG: The controversial Bandar Mahkota Cheras intersection, which led to a Cabinet intervention on May 30, will be upgraded and will remain open to the people.
Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, said the Malaysian Highway Authority and Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd had been instructed to begin upgrading works on the road that would by-pass the 11th Mile Cheras toll plaza.
Mohd Zin, who visited the site yesterday, said six more traffic lights would be installed at the intersection below the highway to make things better for road users from the Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Bandar Sungai Long, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn and Cheras Perdana townships. The road will also be resurfaced.
The intersection made headlines in recent days when the public demolished the barricades built by Grand Saga four times this year. Grand Saga had claimed losses due to their by-passing the toll. This led to a series of incidents filled with injuries and arrests.
The Government stepped in, ordering the removal of the last barricade and promised that the road would remain open until the legal dispute between Grand Saga and Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd is resolved in court.
Chor: Concerted effort needed to curb human trafficking
Wednesday June 4, 2008
Chor: Concerted effort needed to curb human trafficking
By LISA GOH
KUALA LUMPUR: Human trafficking and smuggling is a global problem which can only be tackled through a regional concerted effort, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung.
“The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act can be effective within our country but human trafficking and smuggling is a regional and worldwide issue,” he said after he officiated the three-day Bali Process: Workshop on People Smuggling - Threat Assessments and Risk Analysis here.
“Information and intelligence sharing is important between the Bali Process member states.”
The Bali Process is a concerted effort among members on practical measures to help combat smuggling and trafficking in persons in the Asia-Pacific region.
Chor said human smuggling involves the cooperation of those affected, but human trafficking is by force.
On the Bandar Mahkota Cheras issue, Chor said he was unfairly criticised for his comment that he had not received reports on excessive force used by the police.
“I never said the police didn’t beat up the young man (Chang Jin Haur, 21). What I said was that I wasn’t there, so what I know is based on the report from the police,” he said.
Chang was hospitalised for injuries to his face and mouth when he and a friend were allegedly beaten up by police and FRU men who claimed that he had tried to run one of them down with his car.
Bail extended for four in Bandar Mahkota case
Tuesday June 3, 2008
Bail extended for four in Bandar Mahkota case
PETALING JAYA: Police have extended the bail of the four people who are being investigated for allegedly attempting to cause injury to several Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel in Bandar Mahkota Cheras on May 27.
The bail for Chan Siew Meng, 31, Cheok Kem Hoo, 21, and Chang Jiun Mein, 21, has been extended until June 10 while Chang Jiun Haur's bail was extended until June 11.
Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Shakarudding Che Moof, when contacted yesterday, said police have recorded their statements.
He said the investigation paper into the incident would be completed in two days and sent to the Attorney-General’s chambers for action.
Show of strength in unity
Sunday June 1, 2008
Show of strength in unity
I HAVE been following the Bandar Mahkota Cheras access road issue with much interest although I do not live anywhere near Cheras nor do I use the route in question.
What really moves me is that each time there is a report on the issue in the media, I can see images of Malaysians from all races seemingly united and committed to a single cause.
The faces of the residents show such conviction in the cause that I think I can show the pictures to my foreign friends and convince them that Malaysia is indeed of different races that not only live in harmony with each other, but also can work perfectly together without any bias nor prejudice against each other.
It is quite strange that I get this patriotic feeling out of pictures of near-riot incidents. Despite what they say about wide divisions among races, perhaps all is not lost for our beloved Malaysia.
If all races can show this sort of unity in our other daily business, then I have confidence Malaysia will grow further to greater heights.
The Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents have shown us that with unity, much can be achieved. Obstacles such as thugs with sticks are minor sacrifices for a cause they believe in.
I hope we all can take heed from this example. We are stronger united. We can draw from each other's strengths if we are one. And it would be hard for our adversaries to harm us if we are together, however powerful they are.
NIK SHAZWAN BIN NIK AZAM,
Bandar Sri Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
Suhakam to open inquiry on alleged police violence
Saturday May 31, 2008
Suhakam to open inquiry on alleged police violence
KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) will open an inquiry on the alleged violence by the police against four people who were protesting against the building of the barrier at Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
Commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said he wanted to know how the Federal Reserve Unit handled the situation on Tuesday night.
“Based on the victims’ accounts and video footage, we do not think that the four people posed any threat to the police,” he said in a press conference at their office here yesterday.
He said Suhakam would be meeting soon with the police to get their side of the story.
At about 11pm on Tuesday, four people in a car were arrested when driving home to Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
The four claimed that the police stopped their car and surrounded it.
They also claimed that the FRU then smashed the car windows. causing them to be injured.
Commissioner Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, who was also at the press conference, said he wanted real answers from the police for their actions.
“I feel very sad such an incident took place and on the exercise by the officers in uniform.
“We are finding such harsh behaviour a reflection on the police force.
“Therefore, the Home Affairs Ministry and the police must come out and explain,” he said.
Temporary victory good enough
Saturday May 31, 2008
Temporary victory good enough
KUALA LUMPUR: The residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras are happy and relieved that the issue concerning the toll-free access road is settled for now.
However, they wished that it could have been solved much earlier and without the need for the situation to turn tense.
Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah said the Government should not have let the issue drag on for more than two years.
“However, I am glad that it has come to a happy ending and the rakyat is grateful for the Works Minister’s announcement,” he said in reaction to Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed's announcement that the Cabinet had decided that the road into Bandar Cheras Mahkota should not be barricaded.
Jubilant residents: Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairman Tan Boon Wah being tossed into the air by several residents after Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed announced that the controversial toll-free access road leading to Bandar Mahkota Cheras would remain open. Lee Ah Seng, 48, who sustained injuries on his forehead during the scuffle between the residents and alleged thugs said the long wait has been worthwhile.
“If only the Government had listened to us in the first place, all these disputes would not have taken place,” said Lee, a hardware store owner in nearby Bandar Sungei Long.
His friend Pang Nam Onn, 44, said ever since he bought a property in Bandar Mahkota Cheras five-years ago, his main problem had been the morning traffic jams which resulted from the area having more than 20 housing estates.
“Now with the decision to open the access road we will have a choice of two exit points.”
Cabinet orders access road to stay open
Saturday May 31, 2008
Cabinet orders access road to stay open
By MANJIT KAUR and CHARLES FERNANDEZ
Bandar Mahkota Cheras access road to remain open
KUALA LUMPUR: It was victory for the residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras after the Government ordered the Cheras-Kajang Highway operator to tear down the barrier along the access road to their housing area.
Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, who made the announcement at the barrier site yesterday, said the Cabinet had decided that the road should remain open at least until a court case between the operator Grand Saga and Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd was settled.
The joyful faces of hundred of residents who had gathered to witness Mohd Zin's visit were a stark contrast to those who were at the same spot several times over the past few weeks to tear down barriers which Grand Saga rebuilt four times.
Happy faces: Residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras cheering on Friday after Mohd Zin’s (centre) announcement. The last episode was on Tuesday night when several residents were attacked by unidentified people.
“Grand Saga has agreed not to re-erect the barricade and not to engage a third party to take action against the Federal Government for the losses that they had suffered for vehicles using the toll-free access road,” Mohd Zin said yesterday.
He promised that there would be a permanent solution.
“I hope all parties, including the residents, will obey the law as the Government is sensitive to the peoples' needs. We need to work together to solve the matter amicably.”
Mohd Zin said the Government would relook its decision once a court decision was made.
Grand Saga is claiming compensation from Narajaya for loss of income since its toll plaza will be by-passed with the construction of the road.
After Mohd Zin's announcement, Grand Saga workers removed the concrete boulders from the middle of the road under the bypass between the Mahkota Cheras and Bandar Tun Hussein Onn access roads.
When met by reporters later, Taliworks Corporation Bhd chief executive officer Abdul Rahman Siraj said the Cabinet’s decision was fair to the residents, Grand Saga and the other parties concerned.
Taliworks has a 55% stake in Cerah Sama Sdn Bhd which owns and operates the highway via wholly-owned Grand Saga.
“The decision has temporarily solved the matter, and I would like to thank the minister for personally breaking the news,” he said.
Abdul Rahman said he hoped to have talks with Narajaya and hoped the ministry would be able to mediate so that both parties would be able to find an amicable solution before the court decision.
He said for the past few weeks, “unpleasant things” had occurred and he assured the public that Grand Saga was not involved in any of the criminal acts.
“Why should we engage thugs, and aggravate the matter?”
In Shah Alam, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the state would no longer call for an extraordinary general meeting in Grand Saga now that the Works Ministry had resolved the issue.
“I would like to thank the Federal Government and the Works Minister for making the right decision.”
Federal Government should step in to help
Saturday May 31, 2008
Federal Government should step in to help
I HAVE read with disgust the ongoing situation at the Bandar Mahkota Cheras junction.
In the end, the residents are the ones who suffered.
The deafening silence of the Federal Government's top leadership has added to the frustrations of the people. The court case needs to be speeded up to clear the air of uncertainty.
Now, with the involvement of unknown bullies coupled with angry residents, the situation could turn ugly. It is time the Federal Government stepped in to resolve this issue.
It is not enough to just let the police and FRU handle this as the residents could not get answers from these apolitical institutions and it only adds to their anger and fuels more distrust.
The safety issue being spoken about by Grand Saga is not valid enough as they did not put forth any action plan to settle this.
Ordinary Malaysians like me do not want to see this prolonged anymore.
For the sake of peace and harmony, people who have the power to change should do something fair and fast.
RON
Kuala Lumpur
Speaker says he will resign if he can’t handle the challenge
Thursday May 29, 2008 MYT 5:46:21 PM
Speaker says he will resign if he can’t handle the challenge
By SIM LEOI LEOI
KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia says he will resign when he cannot take it anymore.
"I keep telling myself if I can't take it anymore, handle the challenge or control my temper in Dewan, I will go up to the person who appointed me and tell him that I'm resigning.
"I will tell him that it's affecting my health," he told reporters Thursday after receiving a courtesy call from Iraqi Embassy charge d'affaires Hoshiar Dazay at his office here.
Pandikar Amin said although his health was good and in top condition, his family had a history of heart attacks.
"My cholesterol level is a bit high as well. At the moment, however, this is still under control and I can still tolerate the goings-on in Dewan," he said.
Pandikar Amin said he tried to forecast events in Dewan before the day even began as a way of controlling his temper.
"But sometimes, events get out of hand. Now, my tactic is to switch their microphone off until the MPs have finished shouting at each other," he said.
Since the new Parliament sitting began on April 28, both Pandikar Amin and his deputies had been forced to impose control on a sometimes rowdy House during this meeting, which for the first time, only had a simple majority for the Barisan Nasional government.
Asked if he had enjoyed his post so far, he said that "some people like contact sports like boxing although it hurts.
"I took up this job because I thought I wanted to put into practice all my experience as a politician. I have been a minister, a backbencher and an assembly speaker.
"However, for this Parliament, I will try my best to ensure no MP is ever kicked out," he said, adding that there were however several who were testing his patience.
Too many MPs, he added, were also resorting to the emergency motions under Standing Order 18(1) to ask for a debate on matters relating to individuals, such as that related to a person who was injured during a commotion in Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
"I have not allowed many such motions because it would open the floodgates in the future," he said, adding that many of these were also done for "political mileage". "My opinion is that if the television broadcast is extended to the full sitting, MPs will behave better because they will no longer be too self-conscious," he said.
Pandikar Amin also confessed that the sitting on April 30 was "beyond his imagination" but that since then, he had seen a lot of improvement, particularly among the first-term MPs.
But in the next meeting, scheduled for June 23, he said he would like to see MPs leaving their political agenda behind when entering Dewan.
"This is not unrealistic because this is practised in the English Parliament. It's a place to debate and pass laws," he said.
End to Cheras saga today?
Friday May 30, 2008
End to Cheras saga today?
Transport Minister comments on road barricade Standoff over Cheras barrier
KUALA LUMPUR: A solution is in sight to the Bandar Mahkota Cheras access road issue.
Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed is expected to visit the site today and make an announcement, according to highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd.
In a statement yesterday, Grand Saga executive director (business development and corporate affairs) Zainal Abidin Ali said they met Mohd Zin yesterday to discuss the issue.
On-site visit: Khalid, accompanied by Selangor reps, being greeted by Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents during a visit to the site yesterday. “After the meeting, we believe that a solution is in sight. The Minister will issue an official statement tomorrow,” said Zainal Abidin.
Grand Saga has in the past few weeks tried to re-erect a barricade to prevent residents from by-passing the toll booth, claiming that the access road was illegal.
However, a statement from Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd reiterated that it had been granted approval for the access road.
“We wish to place on record that when we launched the BMC housing project, we were granted approval by the relevant authorities to build an access road connecting to the then Cheras-Kajang Highway.
“That approval was obtained before the Government granted Grand Saga the concession over the highway.
“Therefore, in building the access road to connect to the highway, we were merely fulfilling our obligation as required by the authorities,” the statement said.
Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who visited the site yesterday, has asked the parties involved to reach an amicable solution in two weeks.
“I would appreciate if they can put an end to this long-standing fracas,” he said, to applause from residents.
“This has been going on for too long and there must be an amicable solution.
“There is a road, so why close it?” he asked.
Khalid said the problem had to be solved soon or else the state government, as a stakeholder in Grand Saga, could ask for an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the matter.
Every attempt by Grand Saga to block the access road has been thwarted by angry residents, who tore down each new barricade.
One resident, who sustained injuries during a fracas between residents and an unidentified group of people on Tuesday, said he was happy that the issue would soon be resolved.
“However, we are disappointed that it took so long, especially after so many residents were injured (on Tuesday), and two are still recuperating in hospital,” said the man who requested anonymity.
As at 6pm yesterday, the situation at the access road appeared normal although there was a massive traffic jam caused by boulders that had fallen onto the middle of the road under the bypass between the Bandar Mahkota Cheras and Bandar Tun Hussein Onn access roads.
Bandar Mahkota residents take their case to Parliament
Friday May 30, 2008
Bandar Mahkota residents take their case to Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 30 residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras brought their case to Parliament, wielding banners urging the Works Minister to reopen the access road to the housing area.
They gathered outside the Parliament building with banners which read: “Menteri Kerja Raya, Tolong Rakyat Buka Jalan” (Works Minister, please help the people open the road).
A resident, who only wanted to be known as Mas, said the barricade, built by highway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, had created serious traffic congestion for the residents in the area.
“I have to leave my house every day at 5.30am to send my children to school. If I leave at 6am, I would not be able to make it,” said the mother of three, who has been living there for five years.
On Tuesday, Mas was at the site to show support to the residents who opposed the rebuilding of the controversial barricade at about 7.30pm.
She said, all hell broke loose when the crowd started smashing cars and throwing stones. She cracked a bone in her arm in the fracas.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who met the residents outside the Parliament building, asked for an inquiry into the incident in which thugs were allegedly used against residents during the protest.
“There should be a full inquiry into this incident. The residents have a right to object to the building of the barricade, and there should not be any physical violence,” he said.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung, replying to queries by MPs while winding-up the debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill for his ministry, said nine police reports were lodged by the public following Tuesday's incident.
In the confusion, four people in a Proton Wira were detained for allegedly trying to run down police officers.
“There were allegations that the police had used force against the public, but none of the police reports we received were connected to this. I urge those who say they were assaulted by the police to lodge reports so that we can get to the bottom of the matter,” he said.
Chor said the police would not take sides in any situation and assured the House that they were always professional when carrying out their duties.
