Trio arrested for illegally selling tar after a public tip-off

QUICK response to a public tip-off has resulted in a Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) worker and two others being caught for illegally selling tar to private contractors in Ulu Langat Jaya, Kajang.

Kajang municipal councillor Eddie Ng said he had been on the alert for such cases since receiving the first call about six months ago.

Ng said he had informed and sent the photos of the incident to MBPJ councillor Tiew Way Keng.

Driver caught: Road-patching equipment was found in one of the lorries.

“We did not manage to catch the culprits in the earlier incidents but three were caught in the act on Wednesday,” he said.

Ng, who was in the MPKJ fullboard meeting when the incident took place at about 10am, said he sent his special assistant Michael Yew to check after the tip-off.

Yew, who arrived first ahead of others, said he was a bit apprehensive about confronting the seven men but managed to snatch the keys to all three vehicles involved in the transaction.

“A motorcycle was used to block the road so that the lorries could not leave the place.

“Of the seven men, only three who are lorry drivers were caught,” he said.

Ng said police had remanded the three suspects until Monday.

He said based on observation of the lorries used, each transaction involved one or two tonnes of the material that costs about RM150 per tonne.

He said there was a tar factory nearby that the council vehicles would go to get the material to fix potholes and resurface roads.

“We must consider how long this has been going on and how much tar has been sold.

“There have been many public complaints on potholes and the council always lacked funds to fix them all,” Ng said.

He said the police should have done more to ensure the safety of his assistant who confronted the culprits and lodged a report on the incident.

“The family members of the three being remanded went to my assistant’s workplace and begged him for help,” he said.

Ng said he had demanded a reply from MPKJ on procedures of the workers in charge of road work.

“We will be discussing the matter in next month’s fullboard meeting and I hope to address the issue of how many tonnes of tar we buy every month.

“I also want to see if there is any way to control and monitor the use,” he said, adding that the lack of manpower made monitoring difficult.

你们失亿了吗？

日前以雪州马华副主席兼沙登区会主席廖润强为首的队伍穿着黄衣在雪兰莪沙登举行片刻示威，要求行动党史里肯邦安州议员欧阳捍华为其政治秘书赵明福的命案，辞职负责。这批自称是明福生前好友，两年以来绝口不提、若无其事态度待赵明福事件，为何如今又突然那么关心赵明福坠楼案呢？ 沙登马华以“明福生前好友”的名誉于昨日身穿黄衣声称为赵明福展开和平请愿行动根本是在博取廉价宣传。杜顺大火箭行动队大队长兼加影市议员黄田志发表文告指所谓‘明福生前好友’乃是一派胡言。所谓的请愿行动根本就是宣传行动。

黄田志表示，尽管与赵明福属党同志關係，却不敢冒然声称与赵明福为生前好友，但回忆起明福生前点滴，活生生进了反贪委会后却不知何故身亡了，任何一位稍有良心的人都对赵明福離奇身亡而感到愤怒，更何況自称为明福生前好友的一批马华党员。

黄田志说：“为何两年以来不见所谓的好友挺身为明福做过任何事。难道他们有短暂失忆，最近才复原，突然想起了自己与明福是好友吗？”黄田志表示数位出席该和平请愿的马华党要根本就是在博取廉价宣传。相信他们手里连皇委会的报告书都没有。在完全不了解皇委会报告内容的情形之下做出如此行动就以足够证明这点。黄田志补充：“他们也算是跟得上潮流、穿上黄衣。不过要穿黄衣就敢敢穿到底，不要只为了让记者拍照而穿那十余分钟。难道是滥竽充数还是出了粮就收工呢？这整个行动真是出师无名。”

針对马华沙登身穿黄衣的党员谴责欧阳捍任由赵明福一人在反贪委会內接受调查，以致赵明福離奇逝世而应该负上责任，黄田志希望马华能夠表态，马华是否也与民联认为警方及反贪会不安全的立場？

黄氏也劝请该批自称是生前好友的马华党员，別隨便信口开河的说，行动党那里有赵明福追思座谈会，他们就到那里示威。然而昨晚在隆雪华堂举行的‘说好的真相呢？’追思座谈会从开始到结束，我们都沒有看到这批穿黄衣的马华党员所谓的示威活动。

黄氏认为在这个华社对马华失去信心的年代，他们应该努力挽回华社的信任。虽然大家都晓得马华只是当家不当权但把时间用在对华社有意义的事，例如华教与奖学金等课题上总好过自欺欺人。

Bersih 2.0 A Successful Rally

Despite the lockdown of the city since 8^th July 2011, the turnout for Bersih 2.0 rally was incredible. From my estimation, more than 100,000 of Malaysians attended the rally to request for fair and clean elections.

I started the march at Pudu Plaza whereby all of the marchers were worried if there were enough people gathering there. I could only see not more than 200 people at 1pm sharp, when we assembled in front of Pudu Plaza to start our march. As I had to lead the security team to make sure that our leaders and supporters were safe throughout the whole rally, I started to march along. More people joined our march as we passed by. It was very encouraging! From my estimation, we had more than 4000 people when we reached Puduraya. The marchers were all well disciplined. None of us created any havoc. This was proven when a few marchers followed the security team’s instruction to walk when they were found trying to cross Jalan Imbi by climbing the dividers. They were more obedient than schoolchildren. We were marching peacefully until Puduraya and all of us were in high spirits when we saw thousands of people gathered at Dataran Maybank.

Minutes upon reaching, the nightmare began. The police started using water cannon and tear gas on us without any warning. They hit their own citizens and arrested them. More than 1600 peoples taken into custody on that day.

While marchers sought refuge at Tung Shin Hospital, police attacked the hospital by firing water cannon and tear gas at it. It was unbelievable! How can the police attack the hospital? Police even rushed into the hospital to apprehend people. What country is this? Some was arrested and many ran away by climbing the fence at the back of the hospital. At last, the crowd completely dispersed by 5pm.

Bersih 2.0 witnessed the police brutality. It also witnessed the foolish way our ministers handle the situations before and after the rally. Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai visited Tung Shin Hospital on 11^th July 2011, one day after YAB Lim Guan Eng. It is unimaginable that he actually announced that no tear gas and water were shot into Tung Shin Hospital. The incident was probably caused by the wind. What a gusty wind indeed. So strong that even the canisters were blown into the hospital. What happened? Thousands were there when police launched the attack. Liow is a liar! Who pressured you to lie? I hope that he will not have guilty conscience for doing so. Perhaps he is too loyal to his master.

Despite numerous photos and video clips uploaded onto Facebook and Youtube, MCA President, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, even added that it is a matter of ‘perception’. Nothing can be proven through the video clips and photos because of different perceptions. Mr Chua, which perception you are talking about? Bersih 2.0 is all about clean and fair elections. So, please do not mix it up with shooting blue films.

Home Minister, Dato’ Seri Hishamuddin Bin Tun Hussein, even challenged the media by saying police have own videos recorded for the rally which can prove that they treated the marchers very well and politely. No brutality. He even threatened the media that legal action is to be taken if his statement of no police brutality proven true after the release of the police’s videos. Hence, why don’t they release it immediately? Need time to edit?

Bersih 2.0 was a success although people only managed to gather at Dataran Maybank and its surroundings. It had once again proven that the police had failed in their attempt to silent the public. With roadblocks denying people from entering the city of Kuala Lumpur, we still manage to assemble for the rally. Many were wondering how people get into the city. Wondering whether they used Scorpene, the submarine, which cannot sink or Northrop F-5E jet, which cannot fly without its engine?

On realising that they had failed to stop the rally, the police started firing water cannons and tear gas not only at the crowd but at Tung Shin Hospital too. They were beating marchers with their batons and arresting them unlawfully. Furthermore, it is very hard to accept that we have an Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the intelligence to announce that the total numbers who attended the rally were only 6000 people. Did his teacher teach him 1 + 1 = 0? No wonder crime rates in the country are ever escalating.

Why can’t the police just protect and ensure that the crowd marches to Merdeka Stadium peacefully and safely? I believe the higher authority instructed all these. Why were they so afraid of us assembling and handing the memorandum to the King? Were they worried that the memorandum might expose any of their wrongdoings to His Majesty, which has been an open secret anyway?

Please do not pull wool over our eyes. Bersih 2.0 is a success whether or not the crowd managed to march to the stadium or handover the memorandum. For me, it is all about public awareness. The rally has successfully sent a strong message to the King, Barisan Nasional, Prime Minister, the ministers and all Malaysians that the election system in Malaysia is unclean and unfair. Since our Prime Minister claims otherwise, please prove it. Please explain why are there more than one hundred voters being registered in a single residence? Yes, Pakatan Rakyat won five states in the 12^th General Election! This is because the people have woken up. The people’s power had sunk the phantom votes! If the elections were clean and fair, Malaysian history would have recorded a change in ruling party during the 12^th General Election.

The Barisan Nasional government has gone beyond hope. The ludicrous arrest of people wearing yellow as well as the arrest of Dr Jeyakumar and five other members of Parti Sosialis Malaysia under Emergency Ordinance days before the rally have proven that they have lost. This reminds me of a quote by the ancient Greek historian, Herodotus. ‘Those whom god wishes to destroy, he first makes them mad.’ Barisan Nasional is reaching their end.

The 1 Malaysia slogan remains merely a slogan. Malaysians have proven that we are already a nation regardless of race and religion. Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races were helping each other during the march and that is the day I feel proud to be a Malaysian. I experienced the true Malaysian’s Malaysia.

EGM for Venice Hill

The Comissioner Of Buildiing (COB) has, on the 13^th June 2011 appointed an owner Mr R.Ragunanthanan A/L E. Ramuloo to call for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) for the re-election of Joint Management Committee for Venice Hill Condominiums (JMC) under the Building And Common Property (Maintenance And Management) Act 2007 ( Act 663 ). COB has before this received various complaints from residents on the suspected abuse of powers by JMC but JMC has failed to response to the complaints and has ignored COB’s instructions on the complaints.

While the EGM are scheduled to be held on 10^th July 2011, accuses on me, saying that I have been siding and instigating the residents on this issue and the COB has made a wrong decision to call for the EGM and appointed Mr Ragunanthanan to call for the EGM. I have been serving the community in the capacity of Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj) Councilor for two years. Has the JMC forgotten that I was involved to help them to form the Joint Management Body (JMB) on the year 2009 till 2010 when the liquidator of the property refuses to do so? The issue went to the COB before going to the State authority and lastly, the court.

I am not trying to claim any credits but the fact is I am merely doing my part accordingly to the facts and proof showed to me by anyone without prejudice. It is a fact that JMC has ignored COB’s instruction that no water cutting can be done before the House Rules being approved by the JMB as stated on Section 14 (2) of the Act 663. Besides, complaints on the towing of residents’ vehicles from their respective car parks (which they owned), claiming that they have the consent from MPKj to do so through their website has also created another round of havoc. It was confirmed that there is no greenlight from MPKj to do so as it is a private property which the local authority has no rights on it.

The unlawful suspension on four JMC members is another reason the COB instructed for the EGM. As elected representatives of the JMB, nobody have the power to suspend or sack them nevertheless without show-causes. The JMC summoned COB for instructing the JMC to reinstate the four. This is ridiculous! Did the JMC get the consent from the JMB to take legal action on this?

The JMC has informed that they are unhappy that I called a press conference together with Mr Ragunanthanan and his gangs regarding the EGM issue. As far as I am concern, my stand is very clear that I am helping according to the facts and furthermore, the press conference is merely an announcement from my side on the EGM and I urge the owners to attend it hoping to have a fair election. As it is called following a written instruction by the COB, the EGM is legal and will go on unless the State authority issues a stop notice before or on the 10^th July 2011 as stated in the Act 663 Section 41 that the JMC have the rights to appeal on the decision made by COB within 14 days they was informed of the decision and the decision by state authority is final.

As for another accusation on the COB for doing nothing when the previous management company, Venice Hill Management Corporation Sdn Bhd (VHMCSB) did not hand over the documents and accounts of the property to the JMB, I can only apologies on it. VHMCSB is a private limited company and they are not liable for not handing over the relevant stuffs under the Act 663. That is not my personal view but it was proved by Kuala Lumpur High Court when the judge confirmed it.

Anyhow, I hopes that the JMC members will also attend the EGM and stand in for election as well. There is no guarantee that who will win the election. Every owners have their rights to stand for any post and I strongly feels that for the JMC to win the election will prove that what they have done for Venice Hill are accepted by the owners.

21 Kajang Councilors Hauled Up Over Bersih T-Shirt

The clampdown against Bersih T-shirts continues, with 23 Kajang councillors being called up by police today for questioning for wearing the shirts at the full board meeting yesterday.

But of this number, only seven were present at the Kajang district police station this evening, while the others will give their statements in stages as they are not available today.

According to councilor Chandra Mohan ST, the police did not inform them under what section of the law they are being investigated.

The Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) has 24 members but only 20 were in attendance yesterday.

Those who had their statements taken today were Chandra, Ng Tien Chee, Steven Chan Jeong Hon, Tan Boon Wah, Lee Kee Hiong, Chang Siaw Hong and Noorhisham Ishak.

They were accompanied by lawyer and Segambut parliamentarian Lim Lip Eng.

Asked opinion on Bersih's demands
It is understood that five police personnel had attended the council meeting yesterday and taken photographs of those present.

Chandra said that the police informed him that they are compelled to give their witness statements under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

He added that besides being asked his particulars and on his duties as a councillor, he was also questioned about his views on the demands by Bersih 2.0.

“I told them I support Bersih's objectives, that's why we were wearing yellow,” he said, adding that he was also asked if he supported the July 9 rally.

There were also “irrelevant questions” which he refused to answer, like the name of his family members.

Colleague Norhisham added that the answers do not really require them to come all the way to the police station, as they were too simple.

“They could have just emailed us,” he said.

On June 29, seven Selangor local councils - Subang Jaya, Ampang, Klang, Petaling Jaya, Kajang, Selayang and Shah Alam - showed solidarity with Bersih 2.0 by donning yellow items of clothing like headscarves, ties and headbands, with some wearing the NGO's T-shirts at the full board meetings.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had said that wearing the T-shirts are illegal as it is connected to an illegal activity, that is the rally which has not been given a police permit.

More than 2000 have been called up by police to give statements in relation to Bersih 2.0.

Meanwhile, Pasir Gudang, Johor PAS committee member Syed Othmad Abdullah was called in for questioning for urging the public to join the July 9 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

He had done so in a ceramah in Taman Rinting, Pasir Gudang on July 18.

When contacted, Syed Othman said that he is investigated under the Police Act for allegedly trying to join an illegal assembly.

The questioning which took place at the Sri Alam police station lasted for two hours.