| Parliament skirts questions on Tajudin Ramli settlement Posted: 13 Mar 2012 11:06 PM PDT Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/191918 (S Pathmawathy, 13/3/2012)
Four questions related to the out-of-court settlement between former Malaysia Airlines chairperson Tajudin Ramli and government-linked corporations (GLCs) were rejected by the Dewan Rakyat today on grounds that these are sub judice. The questions were turned down on the reasoning that the matter could have an implication on other ongoing legal battles in the Court of Appeal and pending cases in the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
The questions were submitted by DAP MPs Lim Guan Eng (Bagan), Lim Lip Eng (Segambut), Jeff Ooi (Jelutong) and Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara), and were interrelated to the government's instructions in ordering the GLCs to end the long-drawn battle.
"These questions are important... we want to know the rationale and benefit to the rakyat by settling out of court the multi-million ringgit that Tajudin was ordered to pay by the High Court," Guan Eng told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
Last month, Tajudin came to a settlement with Pengurusan Danaharta Bhd (Danaharta) putting an end to a six-year dispute over millions of ringgit that Tajudin owed to the national asset management firm.
A settlement shrouded in secrecy
Guan Eng's questions also demanded that the government reveals the claims before the court involving the two parties and losses incurred by Danaharta and MAS.
Meanwhile, Lip Eng called on the prime minister to explain in detail the savings or the losses to the government as a result of the out-of-court settlement.
The opposition, anti-graft watchdog Transparency International Malaysia and minority shareholders have hit out at the deal for being shrouded in secrecy.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court had on Dec 7, 2009, ordered Tajudin to pay RM589.14 million plus two percent interest a year to Danaharta, which manages Tajudin's unpaid loans, backdated to Jan 1, 2006. The same court had earlier dismissed Tajudin's RM13.46 billion counter-claim. However, Tajudin withdrew his lawsuit against Danaharta as well as numerous other litigants, including Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Naluri Corporation, Celcom (M) Bhd, Atlan Holding Bhd and CIMB Group. Tajudin's settlement resulted from a directive issued by the government in August last year, "advising" all related GLCs, including MAS, to drop their suits against him.
Related news: No questions on settlement of Tajudin-Danaharta http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/14/parliament/10913208&sec=parliament |
| Seri Duta 1 and Seri Duta 2 residents puzzled by felling of trees Posted: 13 Mar 2012 10:51 PM PDT  Crowded: Indian nationals and agents seen loitering in Jalan Taman Duta while waiting for their visa to be processed at the Indian High Commission.
Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/3/14/central/10874624&sec=central (By S. PUSPADEVI & Photo by LIM CHENG KIAT, 14/3/2012)
Residents of Seri Duta 1 and Seri Duta 2 in Jalan Gallagher, Kuala Lumpur are puzzled why several trees have been felled in a jungle near their housing area. Seri Duta 1 Management Corporation chairman Annie George Livesey said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) informed the residents that the matter was being handled Public Works Department (JKR) because of erosion in the area.
"Why should they chop off the trees if there is erosion? There are many places where erosion is taking place but nothing has been done for years," said Livesey. "Soon after this, we noticed people surveying the land around the perimeter fence (in the jungle area) and upon enquiry, found that DBKL was doing a survey for a park.
"We are puzzled why should a park be built in a quiet residential area," she said at a meeting with the residents organised by Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng on March 3. Livesey also wondered why resurfacing work on the road leading to the condominium were only partly completed by DBKL.
Another resident Lim Lek Yan said the access road to Jalan Ledang from Jalan Duta had been blocked and this caused inconvenience to residents who used Jalan Ledang to get home. "A notice was put up on the road closure of Jalan Ledang and a contact number was given for enquiries, but when we called the number, no one picked our calls.
"We have not been able to get any reason for this closure and it has affected us badly. We are forced to use Jalan Taman Duta, where the Indian High Commission is located and this area is congested in the morning," said Lim, adding that he hoped the authorities would act in tackling the traffic congestion in Jalan Taman Duta.
Seri Duta 2 Management Corporation chairman Alice Goh said the authorities should act on the traffic congestion in Jalan Taman Duta. "Since Jalan Ledang is now closed, we have no choice, but to use Jalan Taman Duta. Some vehicles double park along the road and this causes congestion, especially in the morning," she said. "The embassy should relocate the visa application department to a central area in Kuala Lumpur instead of processing it in a residential area," said Goh.
The residents also highlighted that a monsoon drain was covered by undergrowth and had not been maintained by DBKL. They also complained about the condition of drains which had collapsed causing water to be stagnant, therefore allowing mosquitoes to breed. |
| Collapsed walkway in Taman Sri Sinar poses danger Posted: 13 Mar 2012 10:47 PM PDT  Not safe: The walkway collapsed due to the downpour. Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/3/13/central/10896406&sec=central (By S.PUSPADEVI, 13/3/2012)
Residents in Taman Sri Sinar, Segambut, are irked by Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) lack of response to their complaints on a collapsed walkway near a bus stop.
The pavement at the bus stop in Jalan 6/38A collapsed due to a downpour last week, posing a danger to schoolchildren and pedestrians.
Businessman Zulkifli Yusof, 45, said the residents had forwarded numerous complaints to DBKL but no action was taken. "We do not want any accidents to happen and DBKL should act fast," said Zulkifli.
Another resident, Patrick Hoo, 30, said the collapsed pavement at a bus stop was dangerous, especially for schoolchildren and pedestrians. Hoo said DBKL should also do something about two signboard poles that had rusted and on the verge of collpase, "The signboards are near the bus stop and posed a danger to schoolchildren," Hoo added.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said he had received numerous complaints from residents on the collapsed pavement. "I have told the resaidents to contact DBKL's call centre or e-mail them. "We are disappointed with DBKL's lack of action despite numerous complaints," Lim said.
He added that the authority should also investigate the extent of soil erosion near the bus stop as there was a condominium nearby. |
| Hartamas Heights residents: We have the right to block access road Posted: 13 Mar 2012 10:41 PM PDT Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/3/13/central/10898848&sec=central (By JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZI, 13/3/2012)
Residents of Hartamas Heights said they had the right to block an access road due to an agreement between Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the developer of Hartamas Heights in 2003. They refuted claims made by UEM Land, the developer of Publika Shopping Gallery in Solaris Dutamas, that blocking Jalan Changkat Hartamas was illegal.
However, UEM Land said Jalan Changkat Hartamas was a public road and turning right after the Publika East exit had been approved by DBKL.
A representative of the residents, Ibrahim Harun, said since the agreement was in force, public liability insurance had been taken up by the developer of Hartamas Heights and all the cost for maintaining the streetlights and trees along the road had been borne by the residents. "The agreement states that the mayor allowed the residents to manage and maintain the road leading to Hartamas Heights," he said during a press conference held by the residents to refute the claims made by the developer. "We acknowledge that it is a public road but with this agreement, they should at least consult the body that manages the road," he said, adding that the residents were not consulted by UEM Land or DBKL before any modification was done to the road.
UEM Land had earlier said that the residents were responsible for blocking the access road by placing concrete slabs. Patrons of Publika use the access to exit at the East Gate and turn into Jalan Changkat Hartamas. As an immediate reaction, developer UEM Land diverted traffic from the shopping centre to the Solaris Dutamas inner roads to avoid congestion and confusion. Later, UEM Land, with the help of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) removed the barricade.
The residents also rebutted the developer's allegations that the residents insisted on making the road a private stretch.
Another resident Desmond Yong said they had proposed to the developer many times to widen the road and only allow vehicles to enter Publika but not exit. "However, the developer refused," he said. Yong said the access was also dangerous as there was a blind spot for vehicles exiting Publika as they had to make a U-turn out to the main road. "We demand an answer as to how such a dangerous traffic system was never discussed with the residents especially when Hartamas Heights is the custodian of the road," he added.
"The case against DBKL is still pending as the residents have succeeded in getting an appeal by the court of appeal to restore the action against City Hall which is up for hearing in May. "There is also a separate legal case against the developer to be heard in the Federal Court in April," said Ibrahim.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, who was present at the press conference, said upon receiving complaints from the residents, he had arranged a meeting between the residents and the developer. However, the meeting did not end well. "Hopefully, the court will resolve this matter," he said.
Also present was Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar. |
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