Styling your Intimate way wallpaper to do good Apps to help you Bra maker enlists the customise your help of celebs in its home screen in campaign in aid of many different Breast Cancer Welfare ways. >12 Association. >23
Wednesday 13 November 2013 thestar.com.my/metro/central Customer Service: 1300 88 7827
CENTRAL Sharks alive at Beach Metro Club >20 Conditions going
The once pristine Bukit Enggang in Hulu Langat is now a dumping ground as well as a logging and sand-mining hub. And the authorities have yet to take action. >2&3 downhill
Nature ripped A view of the deforestation happening on the slopes of Bukit Enggang. — By LOW BOON TAT / THE STAR NEWs starMetro, Wednesday 13 november 2013
By YIP YOKE TENG [email protected] Star Metro info Base Photos by LOW BOON TAT and AZHAR MAHFOF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT Arkib NegArA 03-6209 0606 T WAS once a forest reserve but bANk NegArA 03-2698 8044 was divided into hundreds of Ibungalow lots and given to civil bukit AmAN 03-2031 9999/2066 3333 Customs 03-7806 7200 servants. Sixteen years on, the pic- Fire & resCue 03-8888 0036 ture of bungalows scattered on the immigrAtioN 03-2095 5077 hill has not materialised, instead iNCome tAx 1-300-88-3010 Bukit Enggang has become a dump- JAbAtAN AlAm sekitAr 03-8885 8200 ing ground. JAkim 03-8886 4000 The secluded hill straddling Hulu JPA 03-8885 3000 Langat, besides being a massive JPN (kl) 03-6203 7777 dump site, is also the area for activi- JPN (PJ) 03-7957 9573 ties such as logging and sand min- JPJ 03-8886 6400 ing. kerJArAyA 03-2691 9011 Bukit Enggang is out-of-bounds to “unauthorised vehicles”. The entry klse -bursA m’siA 03-2026 5099 point is blocked with a boom gate mANPower DePt -Jtr 03-8886 5000 and is closely guarded throughout meteorology 03-7967 8000 the day. miDA 03-2267 3633 Two ‘No Entry’ signs with rifles mimos 03-8996 5000 drawn on them serve as stern warn- Perkeso 03-4257 5755 ing to outsiders but lorries laden Pos mAlAysiA 03-2267 2267 with sand and rubbish are often reg oF busiNess 03-4043 0811 spotted entering and exiting the reg oF ComPANy 03-4043 3366 area. Dumping ground: bukit enggang, turned from a forest reserve into a government bungalow cluster that did not materialise, royAl Customs 03-6201 6088 Joggers are the only outsiders has now been reduced to a ‘popular’ dump site. sirim 03-5544 6000 allowed to enter in the morning and soCso 03-4253 5320 they are mostly from the nearby Bandar Sungai Long and Bandar EPF Mahkota Cheras. They like to walk HeAD oFFiCe 03-2694 6566 on the steep roads for a good work- the dumping hill bANDAr 03-2694 6051 out and enjoy a good view of Hulu CAll CeNtre: 03-8922 6000 Langat. CHerAs 03-9200 3304 However, the walk is actually a gombAk 03-6185 0780 sorry experience as the roads are in area earmarked for bungalow houses Worrying state kAJANg 03-8922 6000 bad shape, with potholes and sink- on bukit enggang now a sorry sight StarMetro attempted to contact the kePoNg 03-8922 6000 ing on both sides of the tarred road. landowners of Bukit Enggang klANg 03-3325 1626 In some locations, the piles of rub- through a Facebook page put up to PetAliNg JAyA 03-8922 6000 bish stretch as far as the eye can There are electricity poles along now filled up with stagnant water gather them. Calls to the two tele- PuDu 03-2078 6788 see. the roads but the cables are all sto- and dotted with litter and mosquito phone numbers listed went unan- setAPAk 03-41499499 What used to be bungalow plots len. Drains are badly broken due to larvae. swered and the page was later sHAH AlAm 03-8922 6000 given to the civil servants are all soil erosion and a building that looks About an hour’s walk from the removed. covered in thick undergrowth. Only like a water pumphouse has been entry point, a huge sand mining site While no one lives inside Bukit HOsPITALs one house can be found here and it is abandoned. can be spotted in a secluded area, Enggang currently, its ravaged con- tuN HusseiN oNN (eye) 03-7956 1511 located right next to the entry One can see a pond at one point with no sign indicating they are AssuNtA 03-7680 7000 point. but the location used to be a road, licensed to carry out the activities. > sEE NEXT PAGE uNiversity HosPitAl (ummC) 03-7949 4422 gHkl 03-2692 1044 HeArtsCAN 03-2287 0988 iNstitut JANtuNg 03-2617 8200 kAJANg meDiCAl 03-8739 7070/7077 selANgAr meDiCAl 03-5543 1111 selAyANg HosPitAl 03-6126 3333 seNtosA 03-4043 7166
RADIO/TAXI sERVICE PubliC CAb 03-6259 2020 ComFort 03-8024 0507 klteksi 017-2733372 rADio tAxi 03-9221 7600 sAuJANA 03-2162 8888 suPerCAb 1-300-888-294 suNligHt 03-9057 5757 teleCAb 03-9221 2828 CityliNe 03-9222 2828 teletAxi 03-9131 8080 wirA CAb 03 2144 3630
POLICE sTATIONs PetAliNg JAyA HQ 03-7966 2222 bukit AmAN HQ 03-2266 2222 DAmANsArA utAmA 03-7722 2222 seA PArk 03-7875 1382 selANgor PoliCe HQ 03-5514 5222 sHAH AlAm 03-5520 2222 sg buloH 03-6156 1222 kotA DAmANsArA 03-6140 4538 tAmAN tuN Dr ismAil 03-7728 6222 sg wAy 03-7875 2222 AmPANg 03-4289 7222 briCkFielDs 03-9051 6222 CHerAs 03-9145 2222 DANg wANgi 03-2600 2222 Laid bare: bare patches like this are a common sight inside bukit enggang, Hulu Langat.
Executive Editor Deputy Editors Assistant Editors METRO EDITORIAL ADVERTISING CENTRAL Brian Martin EddiE Chua aluOSiES FranCiS Tel: (03) 7967 1388 Tel: (03) 7966 8388 Editor SaM ChEOnG PatriCK FOnG Fax: (03) 7955 4039 ViCKY OOi V.P.SuJata ESthEr Chandran Email: [email protected] METRO CLASSIFIED SiMrit Kaur 15 Jalan 16/11 46350 Petaling Jaya (03) 7967 2020 JaCOBuS raJ Articles, contributions and photos that are accepted for publication will be paid and copyright becomes the property of Star Publications (M) Bhd. thestar.com.my/metro/central www.facebook.com/starmetro twitter.com/thestarmetro StarMetro, Wednesday 13 november 2013 NewS Rampant sand mining and logging activities
> FROM pReviOuS pAGe Chronology of events in Bukit Enggang , Hulu Langat dition is of concern to about 3,000 villagers of Sungai Serai, located at Between 1996 and 1997: The Selangor government divided Bukit Enggang, the foot of the hill. a former forest reserve in Hulu Langat, into 600 plots of 0.4ha each and handed Sungai Serai village head, them over to civil servants from the police, army and Anti-Corruption Agency. Zainuddin Mohamad Tasar, said vil- Sept 2002: A newspaper’s visit to the hill showed that plots of land were lagers had noticed that the once established and numbered, tarred roads and electric poles built to prepare the thick forest near the top of the hill area for residential use. had become sparse. May 2003: Gombak district officer Ramli Mahmud cited the case of Bukit “We only suspected that the log- ging has been going on for Enggang in his defence of the act to give land to government officers an issue months when we finally noticed the raised by the Opposition in light of plots in Dengkil dan Kampung Labu Lanjut bare patches and truck trails in the given to several state exco members. area. June 2004: Landowners of Bukit Enggang highlighted their predicament to a “It dawned on us then that local daily that they could not build any property due to damaged roads and there were lorries laden with logs infrastructure. One of them named Basil Yusof Mohamed Yusof said he bought and sand plying our road more the land from an ex ACA officer for RM180,000. The landowners claimed that frequently. They are polluting the air and damaging the roads,” he they had paid about RM65,000 to the District Land Office to build the said. infrastructure. He said the area where trees were It was learned through them that SAP Air Hitam Properties Sdn Bhd felled was supposed to be a buffer (a company under Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Berhad) was the company zone between Bukit Enggang and engaged by the District Land Office to build the infrastructure, and the job was Sungai Serai. assigned to Pidalmarine Engineering Sdn Bhd. “I have made complaints to the April 2009: An illegal sand mining site was uncovered inside Bukit Enggang. authority but there has been no response so far. The villagers are Feb 2010: Six people, including an assistant director of the Hulu Langat District worried especially since our village, and Land Office and a police inspector, were charged in the Sessions Court in stretching over 3km, has been hit by relation to a sand smuggling operation which led to 38 people being arrested by floods at least once every year,” he the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission the month before. said. Dusun Tua assemblyman Razaly Dec 2010: A Malay daily reported that the Muslim burial reserve measuring Hassan said following the com- 72ha in Bukit Enggang was badly damaged by sand mining. The damage was plaints, he had written to the Land worrying even though a state exco member later clarified that the plots were Office to find out the status of the privately owned. plots of land but that he was still March 2011: Selangor Forestry Department exposed an illegal logging site in waiting for a reply. Bukit Enggang. The department commented that the area was a “hot spot” rich “We want to know if the plots in forestry products but had been damaged by unscrupulous money makers that belong to the Government, private gave no regards to enforcement and environment. owners or companies. Also, we are Bleak outlook: an abandoned utility building inside bukit enggang. wondering if the operators have a May 2011: Two MPKJ councillors discovered sand mining activities in permit and if they do, do they abide -Bukit Enggang following a tip-off. by the requirements?” he said. Oct 2011: A lorry driver and a housewife were sentenced to a year’s jail and fined RM100,000 each for soliciting and receiving a RM10,000 bribe from a sand The bigger picture operator. The money was said to be paid to the Hulu Langat Land Office and Razaly also highlighted that the Hulu Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission enforcement officers for them to close Langat area was prone to flooding. In light of the large-scale quarry- an eye on illegal sand mining in Bukit Enggang. ing and development at the Langat Oct 2013: The two were acquitted of the bribery charges. hills, he questioned monitoring and enforcement measures put in place ©The Star Graphics to ensure that the environment was not severely affected and residents’ Pangsun and Sungai Tekala, has been highlighting agricultural activities in safety protected. earmarked by the state government Hulu Langat as an attraction to lure He said that Dusun Tua state con- for tourism-related developments. tourists. stituency’s population had also dou- Plans are under way to upgrade But at the rate the trees are being bled, compared to 10 years ago. the area, among them building alter- cut and the hills laid bare, both Also, Hulu Langat, endowed with native roads to ease traffic conges- legally and illegally, one cannot help scenic locations such as Sungai tion along Jalan Hulu Langat. but question the viability of such Congkak, Sungai Gabai, Sungai Razaly said he wants to propose plans.
Cut off: The cables for the electricity poles erected all over bukit enggang have all been stolen.
Bad state: bukit enggang is frequented by cyclists to get a good workout on the steep roads and to catch a good aerial view Digging away: The natural resources inside bukit enggang are being removed on of Hulu Langat, but the state inside the area is deplorable. a constant basis, the damage of such act on the environment causes concern. Blast from Ideas for the past the last rites Malacca’s Heeren The recent funeral expo Street, now known as has shown that Jalan Tun Tan Cheng companies are coming Lock, is home to up with new approaches ornately decorated to carry out funeral heritage buildings. >12 services. >22&23
Friday 7 June 2013 thestar.com.my/metro/central Customer Service: 1300 88 7827
CENTRAL Daphne Iking on honesty among Metro friends >10 Eating into the forests The EKVE highway is cutting through Taman Rimba Ampang, much to the dissatisfaction of environmental NGOs. >2&3
Grim reminder A gazebo in Taman Rimba Ampang threatens to collapse into the river due to soil movement caused by serious flooding. — By SAM THAM / The Star NEWS StarMetro, Friday 7 June 2013
Star Metro info Base
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT Arkib NegArA 03-6209 0606 bANk NegArA 03-2698 8044 bukit AmAN 03-2031 9999/2066 3333 Customs 03-7806 7200 Fire & resCue 03-8888 0036 immigrAtioN 03-2095 5077 Nature threatened: Taman iNCome tAx 1-300-88-3010 rimba ampang is the place city JAbAtAN AlAm sekitAr 03-8885 8200 folk go for a cool dip in the JAkim 03-8886 4000 river and enjoy nature, hence JPA 03-8885 3000 nGOs are worried about the JPN (kl) 03-6203 7777 effects of the east Klang Valley JPN (PJ) 03-7957 9573 expressway construction. JPJ 03-8886 6400 kerJArAyA 03-2691 9011 klse -bursA m’siA 03-2026 5099 mANPower DePt -Jtr 03-8886 5000 meteorology 03-7967 8000 miDA 03-2267 3633 mimos 03-8996 5000 Perkeso 03-4257 5755 Pos mAlAysiA 03-2267 2267 reg oF busiNess 03-4043 0811 reg oF ComPANy 03-4043 3366 royAl Customs 03-6201 6088 sirim 03-5544 6000 soCso 03-4253 5320
EPf HeAD oFFiCe 03-2694 6566 bANDAr 03-2694 6051 CAll CeNtre: 03-8922 6000 CHerAs 03-9200 3304 gombAk 03-6185 0780 kAJANg 03-8922 6000 kePoNg 03-8922 6000 Wrath of environmentalists klANg 03-3325 1626 PetAliNg JAyA 03-8922 6000 PuDu 03-2078 6788 nGOs remain unconvinced with assessment report of proposed eKVe setAPAk 03-41499499 sHAH AlAm 03-8922 6000 By YIP YOKE TENG Broken roads and paved paths, Sdn Bhd, the project proponent. whichNGOs,includingtheMalaysian [email protected] rotting trunks lying across the river The company is a subsidiary of Nature Society (MNS), which was on HOSPITALS Photos by SAM THAM in which children play and a gaze- Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd which the panel, were not invited. tuN HusseiN oNN (eye) 03-7956 1511 bo is sloping down dramatically signed the RM1.55bil concession Environmentalist Lim Teck Wyn AssuNtA 03-7680 7000 VISIT to the recently reopened due to soil movement are all too agreement with the Works Ministry said a petition with more than 3,000 uNiversity HosPitAl Taman Rimba Ampang gives a common. for the design, construction, com- signatures of residents and park (ummC) 03-7949 4422 Agood idea of the possible envi- This extensive damage happened pletion, operation, management and visitors had been submitted during gHkl 03-2692 1044 ronmental impact the proposed East when the trees on the hills around maintenance of the stretch. the DEIA’s public viewing period but Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE), Sungai Ampang were still intact. As It was reported that the conces- it was still approved. HeArtsCAN 03-2287 0988 the final route of the Kuala Lumpur such, the prospect of a highway sion period is 50 years. “The primary concern here is that iNstitut JANtuNg 03-2617 8200 Outer Ring Road (KLORR), may being built right though these hills Environmental groups were sur- the highway will cut through the kAJANg meDiCAl 03-8739 7070/7077 have. was undeniably worrying. prised that the Environment Selangor State Park gazetted in 2005 selANgAr meDiCAl 03-5543 1111 The park was closed for about a Environmental groups are not Department (DoE) in Putrajaya in conjunction with its Developed selAyANg HosPitAl 03-6136 7788 year for a major clean-up and to convinced by the Detailed Environ- approved the said DEIA about a State status. seNtosA 03-4043 7166 repair amenities damaged by serious mental Impact Assessment (DEIA) month ago. The state park was classified as flooding in March last year, which done by UKM Pakarunding Sdn Bhd, They felt that the approval was RADIO/TAXI SERVICE also inundated two villages nearby. which was commissioned by EKVE “done irregularly” in a meeting in > SEE NEXT PAGE PubliC CAb 03-6259 2020 ComFort 03-8024 0507 klteksi 017-2733372 rADio tAxi 03-9221 7600 Third-time lucky EKVE receives DoE approval sAuJANA 03-2162 8888 >Reports by PRIYA MENON, FLORENCE A. SAMY, NG CHENG YEE, STEVEN DANIEL, SHAUN HO, JOSEPH KAOS JR, YVONNE LIM, TASHNY SUKUMARAN, ONG KAY JEN, suPerCAb 1-300-888-294 THE Environment Department up CH24000.000, which is (EMP), Erosion and Sediment LEE XIAN and LIM JIAN YANG Thu suNligHt 03-9057 5757 (DoE) in Putrajaya had earlier 24.16km from the Sungai Long Control Plan (ESCP) and a Wildlife Too much water to handle mor teleCAb 03-9221 2828 rejected the Detailed Environ- Interchange to the Ukay Perdana Management Plan, among others. Flood prevention system to be re-evaluated, says Muhyiddin blue PETALING JAYA: The flood preven- tion system for the Klang Valley will tho be re-evaluated following wide- CityliNe 03-9222 2828 mental Impact Assessment Interchange. The earlier pro- A third-party environmental spread flash floods that caused chaos PETALING in many places. to work go Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri they were Muhyiddin Yassin said are-evalua- tain parts teletAxi 03-9131 8080 (DEIA) submitted by project pro- posed stretch from Ukay Perdana audit was also required during tion was needed as the current con- Yesterd tinuous heavy rain might be too good time much for the culverts and water effects of channels both in the city and out- before cou wirA CAb 03 2144 3630 ponent EKVE Sdn Bhd on two Interchange to International the construction and operation skirts to handle. Motoris “The heavy downpour resulted in known, a many flash floods despite the SMART informed occasions — Feb 22 and June 26, Islamic University Malaysia phase. tunnel. popular m “We have to find away to resolve “Crazy K the problem as the capacity of our into KL. channels may not be able to sustain tweeted the current huge amounts of water,” POLICE STATIONS 2012 — before finally giving the (UIAM) was not approved. She said the company also he said yesterday when asked about Economic Wednesday’s massive flash floods. He attac He said discussions would be held traffic ben with the Selangor state government PetAliNg JAyA HQ 03-7966 2222 approval on April 25. “Feedback from the public and needed to install Pollution to find the best flood mitigation sys- tem for the Klang Valley. Crazy Meanwhile, Selangor Mentri Besar traffic Director-general Datuk all relevant parties has been Removal System (PRS) at two Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim wants Puncak KL. I’m Niaga Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Bekalan bukit AmAN HQ 03-2266 2222 Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) to Equal misery: abdul halim ariffin (right) and his family members cleaning up their flood-hit house in Kampung Bukit Sungai home. explain ways to drain water from Puteh, ampang yesterday. —Bernama Halimah Hassan said the depart- addressed in the additional locations near the Ampang and dams to avoid floods. —@wansaiFul Khalid told reporters after visiting flow and flood settlements along its According to Syabas chief execu- Saujana, Lembah Jaya Selatan, DAmANsArA utAmA 03-7722 2222 victims of the Hulu Langat flash banks. tive officer Datuk Ruslan Hassan, the Kampung Ampnag Indah, Mulia Jaya Subang floods that the state government Atotal of 1,350 people from eight three areas that would be affected and Kampung Bukit Sungai Putih. Yeoh twe ment only gave its approval after assessment done by the DEIA Sungai Langat water intake would also study how to reduce residential areas in Hulu Langat were by water shortage and low water Ruslan said they have deployed 15 and dama water retention to enable floodwa- evacuated to seven centres last pressure were the Gombak district, water tanks to supply water to the seA PArk 03-7875 1382 ters to be quickly drained from night. Kuala Lumpur and Hulu Langat. affected residents. the flood flood-prone areas. The heavy and incessant rain in Some 35,000 people are expected into anak it was satisfied with the addi- consultants and the project pro- points, adding that the proposed Women, Family and Community the Klang Valley had also caused to face problems including those in ed. Development Minister Datuk Seri river water to overflow into two Kampung Ampang Campuran, Other selANgor PoliCe HQ 03-5514 5222 Shahrizat Abdul Jalil also visited the water treatment plants in Ampang Lembah Jaya Utara, Kampung Tasek #kltraffic flood victims at the same centre. and Sungai Langat, resulting in thou- Permai, Kampung Tasek Tambahan warn othe tional assessment and informa- ponent,” said Halimah. Ampang Interchange had been Heavy rains on Wednesday night sands of people having to go without Ampang, Mesra Ria Apartment, fic, stands sHAH AlAm 03-5520 2222 caused the Semenyih river to over- water for the next three days. Taman Dagang Jaya, Taman Ampang centre w tion submitted, which met the She added that the DEIA was relocated downstream of the North-Sou Sungai Be sg buloH 03-6156 1222 lowing th Victims recall brush with wrath of nature tunnel at requirements of Section 34A(2) also processed in accordance Ampang Water Intake point to heavy rain PETALING JAYA: Forty-five-year-old tunnel. kotA DAmANsArA 03-6140 4538 Abdul Samad Ali had the fright of his life when he heard the sound of day even of the Environmental Quality Act with procedures set by DOE. protect the water quality of rushing water and looked out of his window to see the entire backyard Pinang, K tAmAN tuN Dr ismAil 03-7728 6222 being flooded. Taman K “I panicked and shouted to my Jalan Sulta 1974. Halimah explained that the Sungai Ampang. wife to help me close our backdoor hit areas w sg wAy 03-7875 2222 to prevent the water from entering Meanw AmPANg 03-4289 7222 She said the approval came company was required to take “Should the proposed project briCkFielDs 03-9051 6222 with 62 conditions. stringent measures to control be implemented, the DOE will be flashback: a report of the ampang flood in “The DEIA was approved for pollution, sediment and erosion. enforcing the DEIA approval con- March last year that caused Taman rimba CHerAs 03-9145 2222 the development of this express- It needed to submit the ditions and will be monitoring its ampang to be closed for almost a year for DANg wANgi 03-2600 2222 wayprojectlimitedfromCH0.000 Environmental Management Plan construction closely,” she said. clean-up and repair.
Executive Editor Deputy Editors Assistant Editors METRO EDITORIAL ADVERTISING CENTRAL Brian Martin EddiE Chua aluOSiES FranCiS Tel: (03) 7967 1388 Tel: (03) 7966 8388 Editor SaM ChEOnG V.P.SuJata Fax: (03) 7955 4039 ViCKY OOi PatriCK FOnG Email: [email protected] METRO CLASSIFIED ESthEr Chandran 15 Jalan 16/11 46350 Petaling Jaya (03) 7967 2020 SiMrit Kaur Articles, contributions and photos that are accepted for publication will be paid and copyright becomes the property of Star Publications (M) Bhd. thestar.com.my/metro/central www.facebook.com/starmetro twitter.com/thestarmetro StarMetro, Friday 7 June 2013 NEWS
Proposed alignment of the East Klang Valley Expressway Metro Watch
UNIVERSITI ISLAM ANTARABANGSA FORUM ON FASTING MALAYSIA Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre INTERCHANGE Klang, will be organising a “Healthy (Not approved Fasting During Ramadan” public for current phase) forum on June 15, from 9am to noon at Wing B, Level 2, Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre, Klang. Refreshments UKAY PERDANA will be provided for registered partic- INTERCHANGE ipants. Admission is free. Participants Sg. are advised to book in advance as Ampang Selangor seats are limited. For details, call 03- State Park 3373 3636 ext 7313 / 7335 / 7356. Ampang AMPANG Sg. Kelang Forest INTERCHANGE Reserve ART EXHIBITION An exhibition titled “Flesh: Blacks & Whites” by local contemporary artist Wrath of nature: Part of the walkway in Taman rimba ampang damaged by Sean Lean is now ongoing at Wei-Ling previous flooding. Contemporary, at G212&213A Ground Bukit Sg Puteh Floor, The Gardens Mall, Kuala Forest Reserve Lumpur. The exhibition will end on June 20. Wei-Ling Contemporary is NGOs propose to HULU LANGAT open daily from 10am to 9pm. INTERCHANGE Admission is free. For details, call 03- 2260 1106 or 03-2282 8323, email [email protected] or visit realign highway BANDAR www.weiling-gallery.com MAHKOTA > FROM pREviOuS pAGE CHERAS catchment area and the source of INTERCHANGE CARPARK EXIT CLOSURE Rank 1 Environmentally Sensitive Sungai Klang, which the River of Sg. Langat Effective June 10 at 11pm, the direct Area (ESA) under the National Life project is striving to rehabili- Proposed EKVE exit from Mid Valley Megamall’s car- Physical Plan and accorded the tate. What’s the point of cleaning SUKE Highway park (Level P1 and P2) to Bangsar will highest status of protection. Sungai Klang when its source is not be temporarily closed to facilitate “If this is the kind of thing we do protected?” said Lim. future improvements on the traffic to a heritage site, we do not deserve He pointed out that the river was circulation of the vicinity. Motorists developed state status,” said Lim. crystal clear some 10 years ago. are advised to follow the temporary To make their voices heard, MNS, “Natural landslides upstream we have in Kuala Lumpur and opened up for development.” exit located at the ground deck Zone B WWF-Malaysia, Treat Every have made the water murky now, MyRapid Transit, it is still based on Lim urged the federal and state entrance next to The Gardens South Environment Special (TrEES) and just imagine how the construction a study done in the 1990s. governments to consult the public Tower. For details, call 03-2289 8747 Save Our Rivers (SOS) have formed will affect water quality,” he said. “Furthermore, instead of building whenever a forest reserve would be (Stephanie Tan). the Coalition for Taman Warisan The NGOs also felt that the ero- this highway, why not just build an affected. Negeri Selangor recently. Lim is its sion preventive measures suggested elevated MRR2 since they are con- “The state government has made adviser. in the DEIA would not reduce its necting the same places?” Lim que- a ruling to protect forest reserves ACCOUNTING SYMPOSIUM The Ampang Forest Reserve that harmful impact much. ried. but it has not been fully adhered to, Monash University invites postgradu- falls within the state park would be They insisted on re-aligning the He said the groups acknowledged look at what happened in the ate students and researchers to its affected, Lim pointed out. highway and wanted to be on the that a stretch of the earlier pro- Kanching Forest Reserve. “Accounting & Finance Research He added that the DEIA had left panel that would oversee this. posed alignment that would affect “Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Issues in Malaysian Capital Markets” out the forest reserve’s boundaries, “The erosion modelling used by the Klang Gate Quartz Ridge was Mukhriz Mahathir has said that symposium. It will be held on June 13, which would show the impact the DEIA had not taken into consid- not approved. Kedah is willing to forgo timber from 9am to 5pm at Monash more clearly. eration the increased risk of flood- “However, there is no guarantee revenue. University Sunway Campus. “Part of the highway is right next ing shown in the past few years. that it will not happen in the future. “If Kedah can do it, Selangor Admission is free. Interested post- to Sungai Ampang in the upstream. “The highway planning also did We fear that once the highway goes should be the one leading the way,” graduate students and researchers “This is also the Ampang water not look at the additional highways through, the whole forest will be said Lim. should email [email protected] or visit visit www.monash.edu.my
BLOOD DONATION DRIVE In conjunction with World Blood Donor Day, Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur will be organising a blood donation Be a mobber drive on June 13, from 9am to 1pm. The drive will be held on the 8th CHECK out these highlights from Floor, Medical Office Block, Gleneagles mob.com.my. Download the Metro Kuala Lumpur. For details, call 03- Online Broadcast (MOB) app via 4141 3183 (Samiha) / 03-4141 3192 http://bit.ly MOBiPhoneApp (iOS) (Adeline). and mob.com.my/androidapp. Also, visit www.mob.com.my to write and share your stories. KOI ART EXHIBITION Free trees and eco More than 30 pieces of koi art will be bags for shoppers featured at the “Zhi Long Shen: Some 550 saplings were distributed Inspiration” solo exhibition by Zubair free to shoppers at Bangsar Shopping Afandi Omar, from now till July 3 at Centre this week. The event was the Universiti Malaya Art Gallery, organised by the Free Tree Society Kuala Lumpur. The exhibition is to Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with open to public from 9.30pm to 5pm, World Environment Day to create Monday to Friday. Admission is free. awareness on keeping the urban landscape green. WATER DISRUPTION There will be a water disruption in Klang and Gombak on June 12. For details, call 1800-88-5252, SMS Spicing up K-pop style PUSPEL
Total disregard: a whopping 28 lots of land in Jalan sungai Tekali, Hulu Langat have been illegally stripped bare due to logging and sand mining.
Hulu Langat Dumping ground: bukit enggang turned from a forest reserve into a government bungalow cluster that did not materialise, has reduced to a “popular” dump site. Metro forests YEARENDER
and Sungai Serai. laid bare MPKjpublicrelationsheadKamarul Izlan Sulaiman said a stop-work order and compound notice was issued in July to landowners of the Sungai Illegal land clearing and Tekali forest area under Act 70A (1) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act sand mining mar two areas 1974 for carrying out earth works without the council’s approval. Brewing calamities: soil erosion on the banks of this stream running through the Offenders will have to pay a com- EFORESTATION and illegal land on the verge of collapse, and could area where rubberwood is illegally logged on a large scale is worrying. pound of RM25,000, and a fine not clearing were reported at two cause flooding and mud slides. exceeding RM50,000 or face impris- Dseparate locations in the Hulu Commonly used as fuelwood and reported that Bukit Enggang had Joggers are the only outsiders onment not exceeding five years, or Langat district this year. for making furniture, rubberwood has become a dumping ground. allowed to enter in the morning. both if found guilty. In mid-July, StarMetro highlighted become a major source of revenue for Once a forest reserve, it was subse- Existing infrastructure at the Razaly said land at the 348ha the illegal felling of rubber trees at the the Malaysian timber industry. quently divided into hundreds site has been stolen, damaged or affected site on Bukit Enggang had Sungai Tekali forest area, raising the Logging royalties for rubberwood is of bungalow lots and given to civil abandoned. already been transferred to individu- risk of flooding and mudslides. exempted to benefit the country’s servants. A huge sand mining site was spot- als, most of whom were high-ranking A check with the Kajang Municipal economy. Sixteen years later, the secluded ted in a secluded area, with no sign government officers. Council (MPKj) revealed that both the However, the two-decade old poli- hill has since been turned into an area indicating they are licensed to carry “While the authorities acknowl- land clearing and sawmill where the cy has also brought about negative for activities such as logging and sand out the activities. edged that the land has been tres- timber was sold were illegal. consequences. mining. What used to be bungalow plots passed, neither the Hulu Langat Land A total of 28 lots of land, with a Even though no royalty is paid, While Bukit Enggang is out-of- are covered in thick undergrowth. Office nor MPKj can take action as the combined area of 22.7ha, had been operators still need a licence from the bounds to “unauthorised vehicles”, Villagers of Sungai Serai, located at land is under private ownership. cleared. Forestry Department to log rubber- lorries laden with sand and rubbish the foot of the hill said the area where “Any action has to be taken by An environmentalist said the water wood. were reportedly spotted entering and trees were felled was supposed to be the individual landowners,” said banks along the cleared land appeared In mid-November, StarMetro exiting the area. a buffer zone between Bukit Enggang Razaly. Driven out of their unsafe homes
A GROUP of residents in Taman Permata, Dengkil, were forced to live in tents for almost half a year after the local council declared that their low-cost flats were unsafe for occu- pation. Some 80 affected families had been living in tents put up at the car- park, or at a nearby hall, for about five months, and were even forced to celebrate Deepavali under those con- ditions. The residents had said that their flat units had cracks all over, tiles Danger below: The presence of a sinkhole leaves the flat residents uneasy. were coming off, ceilings were on the verge of collapsing and a sinkhole had appeared. Sleepless nights: Taman Permata residents roughing it out in the tents. ised link houses but got flats instead. Bakar said Permodalan Negeri While some of the residents Meanwhile, residents claimed that Selangor Berhad (PNSB) had engaged returned to their flats after two Prang Besar, Sedgeley, Medengley He also said that the state govern- their units were beyond repair and a contractor to repair the flats. weeks, others continued to stay put and Galloway — in 1999. ment had identified a 12ha land, that the RM500,000 allocated by the “The repairs are expected to be in the tents that were put up by the Public Works Institute of Malaysia located some 5km away from the state government was insufficient completed by the end of this month authorities as temporary accommo- (Ikram) engineers had been carrying current flats, to build new houses for to rectify the structural damage to or early next month,” he said. dation out checks at the site ever since the the residents. the buildings. “The repairs for the flats have been The former estate workers and building was deemed unsafe. However, the state said the Federal Taman Permata residents had also completed. The contractor just needs their families were relocated to the In mid-September, Selangor Government, which relocated the sought the Prime Minister’s help via to complete the premix for the park- low-cost units about 14 years ago Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid former estate workers to the flats, the submission of a memorandum ing area.” when their estates were acquired for Ibrahim announced that residents was responsible for building the seeking Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s On the residents’ demand for land- the development of Putrajaya. could move back to their flats within houses for them. intervention in ending their misery. ed housing, Sayuthi said that would About 400 families had moved one month, after tenders were called It was reported earlier that the Sepang Municipal Council depend on negotiations between the into the flats from four estates — for and the repairs completed. former estate workers were prom- (MPSepang) president Mohd Sayuthi state and federal governments. NEWS StarMetro, Friday 15 November 2013
MNS reiterates call for study Metro Watch STAR BOOTH eia report needed before logging or sand mining activities take place Come visit The Star booth no 3E03, Hall 3, PWTC at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show. DETAILED Environmental Subscribe now to The Star Bundle Impact Assessment (EIA) at RM360 per year and get free Astudy must be conducted vouchers worth more than RM240 before approval is given for activi- to Legoland, Lost World of Tambun ties such as extraction of natural and Bukit Gambang Water Park. resources such as timber and sand, For details, call 03-7967 1388 ext said the Malaysian Nature Society 1493. (MNS). “Similar studies should also be LANE NARROWING conducted for dump sites,” said MNS From now onwards, the two-lane vice-president Henry Goh. Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad, TTDI heading “The MNS is very concerned about right towards Jalan Damansara will the rampant deforestation activities be merged to a single lane for a being carried out nationwide. stretch of 30m to make way for the “The latest report on Bukit new MRT station. Enggang is just one example. We are not against development but all DONATIONS plans must include an EIA study.” All donation for victims of Typhoon Goh said regular checks for com- Digging away: The natural resources inside bukit enggang are being removed on a constant basis. Haiyan can be made out in the pliance must be carried out and name of Malaysian Red Crescent enforcement implemented, with The former forest reserve site had records show that the land status for Society. Cheques can be sent to Lot adequate penalties imposed if par- been earmarked for a bungalow Bukit Enggang states that they are PT 54, Lengkok Belfield, Off Jalan ties concerned are found to be not housing project but has instead agricultural lots belonging to indi- Wisma Putra, 50460 Kuala Lumpur complying to pre-set conditions. become a dumping ground, and also viduals. or credited into Maybank account “Such actions will also mitigate an area for activities such as logging “No applications for planning per- number 514422102657. Donations any potential environmental issues and sand mining. mission have been submitted.” are tax exempted. Write full name which are likely to impact and cause The site’s ravaged condition poses To-date, Dusun Tua assemblyman and address at the back of the inconveniences at a later stage,” he a concern to the villagers of Sungai Razaly Hassan said he has yet to cheque for the official receipt to be said. Serai, whose village is located at the receive a reply from the Hulu Langat posted. For details, call 03-2143 “Green lungs within the major foot of the hill. Land Office on Bukit Enggang’s land 7872 (Shamsiah)/ 03-2144 8122 cities and towns in Malaysia are few When contacted, Kajang status. (Shamsinar). and far between. All efforts should Municipal Council (MPKj) public “I will raise the matter again at be made to preserve and conserve relations head Kamarul Izlan the upcoming district action meet- ROLE OF WOMEN such areas.” Sulaiman said the matter had to be ing on Nov 23,” said Razaly. THE Malaysian Ceylonese Congress Goh said this in response to a referred to the Hulu Langat Land “This meeting will be attended by Women’s Section is holding a talk StarMetro report recently entitled Office. assemblymen and officers from gov- on “Role of Women from Womb to “Conditions going downhill/The “Issues on logging and sand min- ernment agencies that come under Tomb” on Nov 23 at No 15, Jalan dumping hill” that highlighted the ing comes under the Land Office’s the Hulu Langat district.” 18/16, Taman Kanagapuram, deteriorating condition at Bukit jurisdiction,” he said. The Hulu Langat Land Office could Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The talk is Enggang in Hulu Langat. “MPKj’s Planning Department not be contacted for comments. from 9am to 11am. Topics include “How Religion has affected the progress of Indian Women” as well as pointers on social etiquette and financial education. Registration is at RM20 per person. For details and registration, call N. Devamala (019- 383 3947) or K. Shamini (013-331 2727). Tell us your recent MYC! Red Bull stories Monkey Run Inter Uni Cup ALL ABOUT GENES 2013 at the Universiti In conjunction with World Diabetes REGISTER to be a MOBber Malaya Sports Centre. Day and in collaboration with The on mob.com.my, download Participants were required LionsClub,afreetalktitled“Listening the Metro Online Broadcast to jump, swing and climb To Your Genes, Talking To Your (MOB) app and share with through the courses, which Genes — Taking Control of Disease us events in your commu- included a giant yellow And Ageing” will be held tomorrow nity. It’s simple and fun! coconut, tree hug, jungle at the Crystal Crown Hotel in Aside from checking out slide and balancing act, Petaling Jaya (2pm to 5pm). Dr the highlights on mob.com. among others. Rajbans Singh and Datuk Dr Rajen Just one click: mobbers can now log in with their Facebook accounts, allowing my, you can also download M. will be the speakers. For RSVP, them to share their stories and comments in just one click. the MOB app via http://bit. New look for Guinness call 03-7965 2888 or register online: ly/MOBiPhoneApp (iOS) Guinness Anchor Berhad www.myhealthseminar.com and http://mob.com.my/ (GAB) revealed a new look Sharing stories hassle-free androidapp for one of the company’s KIRKBYITES UNITE best loved brew, the All Kirkbyites are invited for a get- THE new and improved version of Her friends and classmates agreed A windfall for two stu- Guinness Foreign Extra together high-tea at Armada Hotel Metro Online Broadcast (MOB) will with her, saying that the new sys- dents Stout (GFES) in Kuala (Utara Coffee House) on Dec 7. Fee now allow MOBbers to send and tem was better for MOBbers. Two university students Lumpur recently. The dis- is RM35. For details, call 017-316 share their stories by just logging in “What I like about it is that we no walked away with heavier tinctive black look with 8717 (Leela), 03-7728 3826 (Salma) with their Facebook accounts. longer have to open a new account. pockets and a big smile on gold finish, paired with or 016-498 4908(Tan). This replaces the old system, With MOB connected to Facebook, their faces during the contemporary typography, which required users to fill in their we don’t have to remember an has been made available OLD BOYS REUNION particulars and sign up with a new additional user ID and password,” for consumers in the Klang Maxwell School Old Boys MyStar account. said Eunice Law. Valley since Nov 7. Association of Kuala Lumpur is MOBbers can now share their “This is a great idea and has organising a dinner on Nov 16 at stories, images, videos and com- made Facebook sharing very easy. the Royal Selangor Club Bukit Kiara, ments with everyone with just one Our MOB stories can also spread at 7pm. Fee is RM50 per pax and click. quickly when they are shared on the theme is smart-casual. For “I find it very easy to use and it is social media,” added Jocelyn Teh. details, call 012-919 0353 (Ahmad), a great idea since almost every MOB is available on mobile plat- 016-225 7574 (Max) or 017-685 Malaysian is on Facebook nowa- forms and can be downloaded for 5408 (Ashvinder). days. Even various companies and free from the App Store and Google organisations are now expected to Play for both iOS and Android sys- HEALTH TALK have a Facebook page,” said engi- tems respectively. Tropicana Medical Centre is having 3G neering student Calvin Lim. Existing users of the MOB mobile 1280 x 800 10 hours* a free heath talk on cancer preven- “I think it is very convenient that app will have to update the app on Dual speakers tion and detection on Nov 16, from HD (1280 x 800) Battery Life 3G Phone MOB is using this feature now. their devices to its latest version with SonicMaster IPS Panel 10hours* Built-in Audio Technology 10am to 1pm. For reservation, call Signing up for a new account with 2.0.0. 03-6287 1198 (Fazulie)/018-211 any website can be tedious and Share your stories and comments 6789 (Huda) or email full name and MOB has removed that problem,” with us. Check it out and log in to contact number to huda@tropican- said pharmacy student Amelia Ng. MOB hassle-free at mob.com.my The Incredible Fusion of Phone and Tablet amedicalcentre.com NEWS StarMetro, Tuesday 31 december 2013 No permit issued authorities looking for ways to deal with illegal logging and sandmining at bukit enggang
By YIP YOKE TENG ing rate. [email protected] The Selangor government had between 1996 and 1997, divided HE authorities seem to be at a Bukit Enggang into 600 bungalow loss on how to deal with the plots of 0.4ha each and handed them Tillegal logging and sandmining over to high-ranking civil servants issue at Bukit Enggang, Hulu Langat. from the police, army and then Anti- The relevant government agencies Corruption Agency. confirmed no permit has been given The area which was once a forest to any of the logging and sandmining reserve is being stripped bare and vil- activities in Bukit Enggang. lagers fear a landslide and floods will The Hulu Langat Land and District occur. Office, in a written reply to The Star, It was also learned that the planned clarified that as the land had been bungalows could not be built because transferred to individuals under the area’s infrastructure, including Section 76 of the National Land Code, roads and drainage, were not built to the land owners had the responsibil- specifications. Stripped bare: The deforestation at bukit enggang is taking place at an alarming rate. ity to abide by land use require- The Land Office was said to have ments. appointed a contractor which did not When contacted, the Kajang even get approval from the local ygy y Municipal Council and Selangor council before starting work. and the department has not received wallpaper to do good Apps to help you BrBra maakeker eennlliisststs tthhe Forestry Department both said it is The Land Office’s statement, how- any application from the landowners customise your help of celebs in its home screen in campaign in aid of not under their purview. Sources in ever, clarified the infrastructure built to convert it to residential use. many different Breaseastt CancCancerer WWeelfare ways. >12 Association. >23 the departments said “the culprits are was not a project under the Land “The landowners’ negligence has very aggressive as gangsters and VIPs Office hence failure to conform to resulted in the illegal activities report- Wednesday 13 November 2013 thestar.com.my/metro/central CuCCusuststoommeerr ServiService: 13130000 88 7827 are involved”. specifications were beyond its juris- ed and the hill’s current condition. CENTRAL Sharks StarMetro highlighted last month diction. “This has had a negative impact not alive at the hill is being ravaged at an alarm- The plots were for agriculture land only to nearby residents, but also the Beach Government has suffered a loss in Metro Club >20 revenue from sand-mining permits and has to direct manpower to take enforcement action against the cul- prits,” the letter reads, conceding that Conditionssg gooiinng it was also difficult for officers to enter the area because of the obstruc- tions built which were manned by “aggressive parties”. Tell us your stories The Land Office has conducted sev- eral operations on the illegal sand- TheThe once prprriissttiinnee BuBukikittE Ennggggangang inin Hulu LanLangangaattit iss REGISTER to be a MOBber mining activities and seized some now adumping ground as well as aloggingand on mob.com.my, download machinery in the area. sand-mining hub. And theauthoritieshaveyetto the Metro Online Broadcast Following StarMetro’s expose, the take action. >2&3 (MOB) app and share with department visited the site on Nov 18 us events in your commu- bathrobes, kettles and even but no sand-mining activity was spot- nity. It’s simple and fun! the television remote con- ted during the visit. Aside from checking out the trol! As for logging, the letter states that highlights on mob.com.my, it is beyond the Land Office’s powers you can also download the Majority of survey but the state’s Forestry Department MOB app via http://bit.ly/ respondents aim to cut has also said it is not under them as MOBiPhoneApp (iOS) and down on electricity usage the area is no longer a forest reserve. downhill http://mob.com.my/ The Land Office has suggested the androidapp state government confiscate several lots in accordance with Section 128 of Flashback: starmetro’s front-page report on Nov 13. Top 10 items taken from the National Land Code. hotels
With the new year seeing Two conferred titles by Pahang hikes in electricity tariffs, 1,509 people responded to SYARIKAT Prasarana Negara Berhad Sultan Ahmad Shah in recognising a survey by The Star Online (Prasarana) Group Finance Director the contribution of the Prasarana expressing how they aimed Mohd Zahir Zahur Hussain and senior leadership team members as We all love the comforts to cut down on electricity Group Bus Director Zohari Sulaiman well as the group’s employees. that a hotel stay offers, such usage. 72% of respondents have been conferred the Darjah “We are deeply humbled by the as room service and house- would like to make it a Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) recognition of Tuanku. It is a testa- keeping. However, some habit to switch off electrical which carries the title “Datuk”. ment of the dedication and contri- want to take the experience appliances while not in use, The investiture ceremony was bution of all Prasarana Group back with them by keeping while 28% of respondents held in conjunction with the birth- employees to the state and the a few “souvenirs” from their would like to replace their day of the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan nation,’’ Shahril added. stay. Some of the items appliances with energy- Ahmad Shah. Zohari, who is also the Chief taken include hairdryers, saving ones. Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Executive Officer of Rapid Bus Sdn Tengku Abdullah ibni Sultan Ahmad Bhd, was the Prasarana Group
3G Shah presented the title to Mohd Director for Infrastructure Services 1280 x 800 10 hours* Zahir and Zohari. in 2011. Prior to that, he had a stel- Dual speakers HD (1280 x 800) Battery Life 3G Phone Prasarana Group Managing lar career with KTMB, STAR and with SonicMaster IPS Panel 10hours* Built-in Audio Technology Director Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar, PUTRA LRT. who had recently conferred the first Mohd Zahir is a chartered For his contributions: shahril has class Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang accountant with broad experience been conferred the ssaP award that The Incredible Fusion of Phone and Tablet (SSAP) award, thanked the Pahang locally and abroad. carries the ‘datuk’ title. StarMetro, Tuesday 24 december 2013 NEWS
Room for improvement: The Hulu selangor district council’s dog pound in Kuala Kubu baru, Hulu selangor. In June, the council said it was planning to increase the number of cages here to accommodate more dogs. — filepic
Valley View Eye-opening events JADE CHAN [email protected] HE year 2013 started off unfavourable incidents show need for good with a bang — literally — Twith news of a collapsed workmanship, management and proper guidelines flyover near Cyberjaya. The story quickly went viral on the Internet and social media, Municipal Council (MPKj) came quently asked the councillors to with netizens sharing photos of under the spotlight for two dif- sort out matters between them the damaged structure and Metro ferent issues. and the council. mess around the site. YEARENDER First, was the tussle between The second incident was that Fortunately, no one was hurt a group of councillors and of a video of MPKj workers’ during the incident, as the flyo- MPKj’s senior management, alleged mishandling and mis- ver was closed to traffic. particularly the council presi- treating stray dogs during a However, the collapse high- ed to the flats in Taman Permata, dent. dog-catching exercise. lighted issues such as shoddy Dengkil, more than a decade Claiming that they were con- The video, which was shot by construction and jurisdiction as ago when their estates were cerned about MPKj’s misman- a Malaysian Independent no one authority took responsi- acquired for the development of agement, weak administration Animal Rescue (MIAR) volun- bility for the incident. Putrajaya. and dubious practices, the coun- teer, also went viral online, with Poor workmanship was also Deforestation, illegal land cillors tabled a vote of no confi- netizens criticising the inhu- a likely cause that forced a clearing and environmental dence and staged a walkout mane method of catching and group of residents to live in degradation were also reported right after the swearing-in of handling the strays. tents after their low-cost flats at two separate sites in Sungai new councillors in August. The incident highlighted the were declared unsafe for occu- Tekali and Bukit Enggang, both The dispute was brought to need for local councils to have pation. of which are located in the Hulu the state government’s atten- proper guidelines and better The former estate workers Langat district. tion, and Selangor Mentri Besar training for those involved in and their families were relocat- Meanwhile, the Kajang Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim subse- dog-catching operations.
Tell us your stories Dual speakers REGISTER to be a MOBber on with SonicMaster mob.com.my, download the Audio Technology Metro Online Broadcast (MOB) app and share with us events in your community. It’s simple and fun! Aside from checking out the highlights on mob.com.my, building located at Desa Sri Zimbabwe, Thailand and 1280 x 800
you can also download the MOB Hartamas. Panama. The Miss Tourism HD (1280 x 800) app via http://bit.ly/ International 2013 contestants IPS Panel MOBiPhoneApp (iOS) and http:// Miss Tourism International were introduced to local textile mob.com.my/androidapp 2013 finalists and were taken to the Kuala Get aquainted with delegates Lumpur Craft Complex to view It’s Christmas time from the United States, Uganda, beautiful batik. in Hartamas 10 hours* Three “wise men” were sighted Battery Life around the corner of Jalan 10hours* 22/70A in Desa Sri Hartamas, pointing towards a star. Members of River of Life Sanctuary have been busy with Christmas decorations, this year 3G being the first time they are cel- ebrating Christmas in their new 3G Phone Built-in
The Incredible Fusion of Phone and Tablet An event to Durian feast watch out for in China Celebrities and An all-you-can-eat corporate figures durian feast was held in gather for the launch Beijing recently as part of ‘Time Kulture’ of the Malaysia Products showcase. >19 and Cultural Fair. >23
Thursday 11 July 2013 thestar.com.my/metro/central
CENTRAL Show of innovative designs Metro >14&15 Langat hills laid bare The illegal felling of rubber trees at the Sungai Tekali forest area in Hulu Langat raises the risk of flooding and mudslides. >2&3
Sad sight Bare, brown patches can be seen around the Hulu Langat forest area where deforestation has taken place for various reasons, including the illegal felling of rubberwood (inset). — By SAM THAM / The Star NEWS StarMetro, Thursday 11 July 2013
STAR Metro Info Base GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT Denuded of rubber trees Arkib NegArA 03-6209 0606 bANk NegArA 03-2698 8044 bukit AmAN 03-2031 9999/2066 3333 Illegal logging exposes large tract of sungai Tekali forest to soil erosion Customs 03-7806 7200 Fire & resCue 03-8888 0036 immigrAtioN 03-2095 5077 By YIP YOKE TENG iNCome tAx 1-300-88-3010 [email protected] JAbAtAN AlAm sekitAr 03-8885 8200 Photos by SAM THAM JAkim 03-8886 4000 JPA 03-8885 3000 he exemption of royalty on JPN (kl) 03-6203 7777 rubberwood logging may JPN (PJ) 03-7957 9573 Thave helped to boost com- JPJ 03-8886 6400 mercial development of the agri- cultural commodity but it has also kerJArAyA 03-2691 9011 caused severe damage to the envi- klse -bursA m’siA 03-2026 5099 ronment, with more problems mANPower DePt -Jtr 03-8886 5000 brewing. meteorology 03-7967 8000 StarMetro discovered that a large miDA 03-2267 3633 tract of land in the Sungai Tekali mimos 03-8996 5000 forest area, hulu Langat, has been Perkeso 03-4257 5755 cleared. Pos mAlAysiA 03-2267 2267 Rubber trees are being felled reg oF busiNess 03-4043 0811 and the timber sold at a sawmill at reg oF ComPANy 03-4043 3366 the site. royAl Customs 03-6201 6088 A check with the Kajang sirim 03-5544 6000 Municipal Council (MPKj) revealed soCso 03-4253 5320 that both the sawmill and the clearing of land being carried out EPf are illegal. HeAD oFFiCe 03-2694 6566 A spokesman from the council bANDAr 03-2694 6051 said the planning department had CAll CeNtre: 03-8922 6000 a rude shock too when the matter CHerAs 03-9200 3304 was brought to their attention gombAk 03-6185 0780 because 28 lots of land, with a Caught in the act: a lorry was seen transporting sand out of the sungai Tekali forest area in hulu langat. kAJANg 03-8922 6000 combined area of 22.7ha, had been kePoNg 03-8922 6000 cleared. with no control on soil erosion. tree logs as well as the now-bare and mud slides. klANg 03-3325 1626 he said the council would be The site where logging is being hill terraces where rubber trees Rubberwood, usually used as PetAliNg JAyA 03-8922 6000 issuing notices to stop the unscru- carried out is hidden from view by used to be. fuelwood, has become a major PuDu 03-2078 6788 pulous operators. hoardings and the area next to it, Worse still, with no rehabilita- source of revenue for the Malaysian setAPAk 03-41499499 environmentalist Lim Teck Wyn, which has signs of sand-mining tion measures taken, the banks of a timber industry. It is a popular sHAH AlAm 03-8922 6000 who was present during the site activities, is left abandoned. stream running through the wood for making furniture and visit by StarMetro, pointed out Through the hoardings, one can cleared land are on the verge of HOSPITALS that the site was being abused, see the sawmill, piles of rubber collapse, and could cause flooding > SEE NEXT PAGE tuN HusseiN oNN (eye) 03-7956 1511 AssuNtA 03-7680 7000 uNiversity HosPitAl (ummC) 03-7949 4422 gHkl 03-2692 1044 HeArtsCAN 03-2287 0988 iNstitut JANtuNg 03-2617 8200 kAJANg meDiCAl 03-8739 7070/7077 selANgAr meDiCAl 03-5543 1111 selAyANg HosPitAl 03-6136 7788 seNtosA 03-4043 7166
RADIO/TAXI SERVICE PubliC CAb 03-6259 2020 ComFort 03-8024 0507 klteksi 017-2733372 rADio tAxi 03-9221 7600 sAuJANA 03-2162 8888 suPerCAb 1-300-888-294 suNligHt 03-9057 5757 teleCAb 03-9221 2828 CityliNe 03-9222 2828 teletAxi 03-9131 8080 wirA CAb 03 2144 3630
POLICE STATIONS PetAliNg JAyA HQ 03-7966 2222 bukit AmAN HQ 03-2266 2222 DAmANsArA utAmA 03-7722 2222 seA PArk 03-7875 1382 selANgor PoliCe HQ 03-5514 5222 sHAH AlAm 03-5520 2222 sg buloH 03-6156 1222 kotA DAmANsArA 03-6140 4538 tAmAN tuN Dr ismAil 03-7728 6222 sg wAy 03-7875 2222 AmPANg 03-4289 7222 briCkFielDs 03-9051 6222 CHerAs 03-9145 2222 DANg wANgi 03-2600 2222 Sign of trouble: lim pointing at the bank of a stream running through the cleared land which is on the verge of collapse.
Executive Editor Deputy Editors Assistant Editors METRO EDITORIAL ADVERTISING CENTRAL BRIAn MARTIn EDDIE ChuA AluOSIES FRAnCIS Tel: (03) 7967 1388 Tel: (03) 7966 8388 Editor SAM ChEOnG PATRICK FOnG Fax: (03) 7955 4039 VICKY OOI V.P.SuJATA ESThER ChAnDRAn Email: [email protected] METRO CLASSIFIED SIMRIT KAuR 15 Jalan 16/11 46350 Petaling Jaya (03) 7967 2020 JACOBuS RAJ Articles, contributions and photos that are accepted for publication will be paid and copyright becomes the property of Star Publications (M) Bhd. thestar.com.my/metro/central www.facebook.com/starmetro twitter.com/thestarmetro StarMetro, Thursday 11 July 2013 NEWS
‘Authorities not Metro Watch stern enough’ BLOOD DONATION Kinrara Metta Buddhist Society > FROM PREviOuS PagE Even though (KMBS) will be organising a blood donation drive on July 14 from other products. royalty is exemp 10am to 4pm at B2, Jalan Bangau The logging royalty for rubber- ted, the operators 11, Bandar Puchong Jaya. Free wood is, therefore, exempted to health screening and workshops benefit the country’s economy. still need a licence will also be held. There will be bone However, the policy that has been in from the Forestry scanning service and traditional place for about 20 years has also Chinese medicine ear acupuncture brought about negative consequenc- Department to log treatment. Free lunch will be pro- es. rubberwood. vided to all visitors and donors. For Lim said the problem of rubber- details, visit www.kinrarametta.org wood logging was widespread and — LIM TECK WYN or call Eric at 012-238 0631/ Lye the relevant authorities were lax in Lee at 012-300 5432. carrying out enforcement measures. “Even though royalty is exempted, LANE CLOSURE the operators still need a licence the Forestry Department, the MRT Corp will conduct a partial from the Forestry Department to log Environment Department could also lane closure in Jalan Sultan, Jalan rubberwood. help monitor the situation as the Tun H.S. Lee and Jalan Panggong “However, the authorities have state director had the power to nightly from 10pm to 5am, from not been stern enough in enforcing request for an Environmental Impact July 11 to July 25. For details, visit the law. This could be due to the fact Assessment on a logging site meas- www.mymrt.com.my or www. that there is no incentive, since the uring more than 500ha, or if the site mymrt-underground.com.my, or royalty is waived,” he said. was in a sensitive area. call the MRT Hotline at 1-800-82- Apart from stricter enforcement, Even sanctioned logging of 6868. he suggested that the Government rubberwood had been reported consider increasing the royalty to to have caused much suffering to EXTENDED HOURS protect the environment. the surrounding population. The National Blood Bank has “Its damage to the environment is A large portion of secondary for- extended its hours in the month of the same as other logging activities. ests in Johor, especially near the Ramadan for those interested to It can cause flooding, soil erosion, Endau-Rompin National Park, has donate blood. From July 11 until water pollution and landslide if the been cleared for LTC plantations. Aug 2, the blood bank will be open area is too steep,” he said. Since 2009, there have been from 8.30am to 8.30pm. For details, “This policy must be reviewed as reports on increased flooding, dam- visit www.pdn.gov.my more than 40,000ha of Latex Timber aged natural habitat for wildlife such Clone (LTC) plantations have been as tigers and elephants, and reduc- COMPOUND DISCOUNTS identified for logging under the tion of water catchment areas in the The Shah Alam City Council is offer- National Key Economic Areas (NKEA). state. ing discounts up to 80% for all Also, the replanting plans must be The Malaysian Nature Society is council-related compounds during closely monitored,” he said. still up in arms against the policy the fasting month. For details, call LTC is a rubber tree species that whereby a forest reserve does not 03-5510 5133 or visit www.mbsa. produces a good yield of latex as well need to be degazetted if trees are gov.my as timber, but the latter is given pri- felled and replaced with LTC for the ority in view of the high demand for production of timber, despite the TALK ON CHILDREN various industrial purposes. damage such actions cause to the Slip sliding away: The bank of this stream is on the verge of collapse, raising the The “Emotionally Healthy Children Lim highlighted that apart from biodiversity. risk of flooding and mudslide. Thrive!” talk will be held on July 20 from 9am to 12.30pm at Sunway Mas Community Centre, Jalan PJU 1/3G, Pusat Dagangan Sunway Mas, Petaling Jaya. The talk is free but Exemption of royalty on rubberwood logging until 2015 registration is required. For details, THE exemption of royalty on rubber- He explained that under the wood logged outside PRF have been the state authority through the issu- email smcc.community@gmail. wood extracted from areas outside National Forest Policy 1978, logging exempted from payment of royal- ance of Licences (Form 1), Minor com or call 012-707 2095. Permanent Reserved Forests (PRF) is of timber from forested land was ties,” he said. Licences (Form 3) and Removal until 2015. encouraged on a sustainable basis for However, the department is tasked Licences (Form 5) from the State EZ-PAYMENT COUNTER Peninsular Malaysia Forestry economic benefits to the relevant with monitoring rubberwood log- Forestry Department. Offenders can The Petaling Jaya City Council will Department deputy director-general industries in the states. ging through the issuance of licences, be fined or jailed. set up a mobile counter in Jalan (operation/technical) Datuk Nik “Under the National Timber and to ensure that the rubberwood He added that the Malaysian Cecawi 6/18A, Kota Damansara Mohd Shah said the decision was Industrial Plan (NATIP), plantation comes from legal sources. Timber Industrial Board (MTIB) also (close to McDonald’s) for the public made in 2012 at the 68th meeting of wood,especiallyfromrubberreplant- He said Section 19, 28 and 40 of monitored rubberwood processing to settle their council-related bills The National Land Council (MTN) to ing, are encouraged to provide for the National Forestry Act 1984 per- and furniture exports from peninsu- and summons. The counter will be encourage rubberwood furniture the downstream industrial activities. mitted the removal of forest produce lar Malaysia, especially to the open 10am to 3pm daily until July industries. “As such, since the 1990s, rubber- (timber, including rubberwood) by European Union. 14. For details, call 03-7956 3544