A storm is blowing over Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor and the mainstream media are going to town over it.
One of the issues that was bound to crop up sooner or later revolves around the Pakatan Rakyat leaders’ relationship with the the business community including developers. PR representatives need to keep the business community at arm’s length to protect the interests of the public. It cannot always be a “win-win” situation. Sometimes, PR leaders have to choose whose interests they want to protect and uphold – vested business interests or the people’s interests (e.g. workers’ rights, public safety and environmental protection). For instance, PR leaders need to respond decisively to the people’s demands for a ban on all steep hill-slope development.
The other issue is whether CAT is really being put into practice – or is it just a slogan? For instance, why haven’t Pakatan leaders declared their assets publicly? Pakatan reps were elected to power in five states because people felt they would be different from the BN folks. The non-declaration of assets so far is a major letdown.
I made a quick call to economist Charles Santiago, the DAP MP for Klang and one of the more principled politicians in Pakatan, to find out what was going on with the move of the main bus station to Klang Sentral, about 15 minutes away.
He explained that there had been public protests and opposition to the move to Klang Sentral. In view of this, all he was asking for was for the concession agreement between the Klang Municipal Council and the developer to be made public and for a public inquiry to be held before a final decision was made. Sounds reasonable to me.
Pakatan had better resolve this quickly, but I suspect this is just a symptom of a much deeper problem that is bound to manifest itself in different ways and on other occasions.
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If Pakatan Rakyat behaves like the previous state government, we will just kick them out in another 4 years, simple. They better perform for the interest of the rakyats and the country and not for their own pockets.
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one question, anil. when was this concession signed? any way to get out of this concession or is it the usual stuff that is skweded in favour of the developer?
i smell a rat, here.
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Agree that the concession must be made public and more so if they are signed during PR’s reign. Also, it is necessary to decentralised the terminals. Just look at Puduraya. The jams are caused by peoples cars stopping at the terminal and police are not doing anything at all as the rakyat are double parking and cause constriction
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Anil,
Sounds to me – Same s*** different government.
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Public Transport – efficient, affordable, accessible and seamless will help all especially the low income group to go to work, go to school, go for shooping, go to hospital, visiting famlies – enable sociao-economic access.
Current planning of bus terminals (supposed ‘domestic’ & ‘international’) and services by the operators and government servants, do not serve the customers – passangers.
Have we learnt anything from RapidKL? When RapidKL introduced ‘circular’ route, there was no promotion or publicity and enough period for people to ‘buy-in’. Routes from residence to work place or school, can not be changed at will. This change over to take advantage of the public transport introduced will take time. But the operators entrusted are either management wierdo or true businessmen without the understanding of social evolution or any government support to sustain the period for adoption by enough passangers.
Events unfolding currently, in almost every town in the country with new bus terminals away from the township and with little intergration of access to all essential services and placeof work, shows the apathy or how removed are the ‘wakil rakyat’ in the local authorities to the actual need of the rakyat.
What ever the cause of the current malady, those in authority now must act immediately to minimise the social and economic cost to the people with dialogue to get feedback and implement appropriate adjustments.
Also those in authority must have the patience to deal with the many parties.
-MdSha’ani
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Anil has yet to answer to all of us – if certain architect seems to allude his point of contention, why is he diverting our attention to this? I think PHT (penang heritage trust) should share some limelight…or is he transparent in the first place?
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why no complain about Pudu? Or terminal 1 in Seremban ( and they have build Terminal 2 yet now the NS government still did not agree on the change,
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Dear Anil,
I am from Klang and of course commuters are very angry that they have to travel so far to catch a bus.
On the other hand the old bus terminal was causing a some congestion to the town centre. But it could have been relocated much nearer to the city centre … a kilometer or 2 away perhaps.
Moreover, the congestion and the bad traffic situation is not really caused by the old bus terminal but more by the poor ingress and egress planning of the traffic police and MPK.
The New Terminal was planned by the previous government about 4 years ago( I believe) and as usual it was a private developer’s initiative.
Why is it located so far away ?
This developer has had very close relatioship with UMNO politicians. In fact, if you check it out you will be amazed to know how well this guy is connected to BN politicians.
The concession agreement was signed long before PR came into power and the new MB is caught by his balls to relocate the bus terminal to this new location.
Either the district council of Klang or the state government of Selanger will have to compensate quite extensively to the developer if the relocation is not undertaken.
Charles is right…..the MB should let the raykat know what this concession is all about ( it was not his doing ), unless of course the previous government had allowed non-disclosure clauses to be inclusively executed. Khalid is not an articulate politician. He has failed in many instances to explain more comprehensively the problems facing Selangor which are not his doing to the Rakyat. He is a poor public speaker who stammers along especially when TV cameras are trained on him. And he was a teacher !!!
The Kapar MP lacks emphathy and has not gat a grasp of the whole situation. He should observe and listen more than screaming his head off. Does he know that nobody os listening to his tantrums ?
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Since March 8, there has been little change in Penang that is visible to the common man. Just a lot of blame and finger pointing at the previous administration. Penang today, looks like Koh Tsu Khoon is still running the show, which means no progress and daily traffic woes.
PR made a lot of promises, but has yet to implement any. Need more time? 3 years more and we will vote again. Looks like BN, PR are all the same. Time to relocate to another country as I see no hope, just promises of hope.
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Whatever you say about the PR govt. the rakyat thinks that they have done much better than the BN govt.
Little Napoleons like Zakaria with his huge mansion in a low cost housing area is gone. Gone too are the arrogance of power like allowing advertisment boards all over the place ; massive corruption in high places like approvals for high rise buildings close to residential areas and hillslopes etc
If you still want your states to be robbed in broad daylight then vote in BN.
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Well said Lim Sang Seong
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I notice that whenever there is a problem pertaining PR govt, be it Selangor or Penang, is discussed, there are a bunch of people tend to jump in and become very defensive and protective. If UMNO have their Cyper troopers, perhaps PR have their Cyper Propagandists ?
There is no attempt to discuss the issue objectively or in non-partisan way. And when someone makes a comment that is considered not pro-PR, he / she is attacked and some even ask that comment removed.
These folks never fail to point out that the previous BN admin was worse off. I think they are missing the point that we elected PR govt in to do a better job and not replicate what BN has done in the past. And why keep comparing yourself against the worse of BN when you should benchmarking against the best practices of the developed world ?
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Edwin
Please do not speculate on something that you do not have any knowledge on. While the Klang Sentral developer might had had some connection to UMNO is not far fetched, this is not a place for recycling conspiracy theories and rumours as facts. If you do have the facts please share, I am all ears.
At this juncture it is not clear who or when the agreement was signed or what are the terms and conditions.
I think if the agreement was signed during Khir Toyo’s time and was unfavourable to Selangor govt, the current MB Khalid Ibrahim can always disclose it to the Rakyat. And if there is a confidentiality clause that prevents him from releasing the document, the MB has the right to say so too. He also has the recourse to name the concession holder and their shareholding structure to let the rakyat judge. And if he feels Selangor had been shortcharged and there is an element of fraud, he can call in the ACA to investigate.
But by his silence and the attempt to force his way through has put the spotlight of suspicions on him and the PR govt. I think if you live in Klang you would by now know that there are plenty of accusations that PR folks have been following the example of the pevious UMNO practices of awarding contracts and giving approvals for a well-connected group of people. I am sure that the accusations that some elected reps and members of town councils seemed to have grown considerably weathier, have reached you as well.
In my view, Khalid not only should reveal the agreement but also be transparent about the reasons for bulldozing this through. As a MB, his comments on a MP from the same party is highly unethical and uncalled for. Is this the kind of caring governance that is being advocated by PR ?
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The Association for the Improvement of Mass Transit (TRANSIT), Klang Valley, has tried to give feedback to the Klang area councillors, MP, and ADUN as well as the Selangor state government regarding public transport issues in Klang.
We were happy at first to get feedback from Selangor speaker Teng Chang Khim (who is also an ADUN in Klang) as well as MP Charles Santiago.
TRANSIT supports the call to make the concession agreement public so that Selangor residents will be able to see the CAT principles put into practice.
TRANSIT also asks that the government and wakil rakyat become more considerate when it comes to public transport – plans to improve public transport must be holistic and complete, not ad hoc and temporary.
In a nutshell, TRANSIT supports the construction of new terminals and enhanced public transit, and does not support the relocation of public transport terminals from urban town centres.
Our proposal for the Klang area is to have 3 terminals on a north-south axis. The 3 terminals would give access to the 3 highways (NKVE, Federal, KESAS) for travel east through the Klang Valley towards KL. These 3 terminals would be connected by a north-south, “Banting-Klang-Meru” Bus Rapid Transit system and also link to the KTM Komuter service.
As Muhammad Sha’ani pointed out earlier, there is a total lack of effort to ensure that our efforts to improve public transport are complete and holistic. Plans are incomplete and services are poorly marketed, the needs of the customer are misunderstood and good ideas are ignored.
Regards,
Moaz Yusuf Ahmad
on behalf of TRANSIT
subscribe_klangvalley_transit@yahoogroups.com
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Llan Sang Seong how wrong you are what makes you think that are no new napoleons now.Go around to the ground and just don’t hear hearsay
as these politicans are all the same with only difference being one a thief the other a robber.
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Dear Edwin,
Care to suggest what would be the best solutions to these problems.
Dear all,
Based on all comments posted, I can derive the following conclusions:
1) The Future Bus Terminal is 15 minutes away from the present one
2) There is a severe congestion in the present terminal
3) Most who protested vehemently are traders at the present bus terminal
Edwin has proposed the bus terminal to be 1 or 2 kilometres. Er, that means the state government got to build another bus terminal. Which points back to what happens to the new bus terminal? Another white elephant! Perhaps, Edwin is proposing State government to do a Keynesian. Selangor only has the total revenue of 1.5 Billion. Hmm………
Poor traffic management by Traffic Police and MPK? Well, I don’t wanna pretend to be an expert on this matter since I am no Klang resident. However, I would like hear Edwin’s recommendation on how to resolve this very issue.
Dear People,
I can only agree with Charles Santiago’s suggestion of publicly disclose the concession agreement. I believe Khalid the Selangor MB would do so willingly. With Open arms and legs if not the non disclosure clause (Oops, that’s my assumptions, of course. If not, Khalid , please disclose). Hehe if non disclosure thingy is Big Big problem, the only thing Khalid can do is to leak information. Some leftover copies of official documents in the male toilet perhaps. However, when the mainstream press ain’t independent unlike United Kingdom, I am seriously afraid it won’t go far. Perhaps, that would give Federal Government the opportunity to hang Khalid over the OSA.
Aiyah Anil,
Whatever policies required to be implemented. Be it in town, state, federal level. It must be win win. IT MUST COVER ALL GROUNDS. Not just the traders and surrounding residents. A Compromise! You can’t please anybody.
Hence, though Teng fella’s statement’s very outrageous, I truly emphatised with Teng instead of Charles and Manika fellas on this matters. What are the real issues?
1) Traders’ protests – High rental. Good, state government see ways and means of reducing and subsidising the rental for first few months. And revert to the present rental when business is good. People, remember here, when the present one made defunct, all buses would go to the new ones. Those traders would still get their business
2) Poor commuters would have to pay higher fares. Well, why not having limited feeder services from present to new one. If possible, state government, local council and the public can fund them. Voila, it solves the problem of
a) Having the new one fully utilised
b) Yeah, business would drop a little in the present. But still can smoothen the impact
3) Study traffic management within the affect area. Make necessary improvement. Aaargh….That’d be a bombshell. Whose jurisdiction?
a) Ministry of Transport – That Ong Tee Keat fella. Hey, you, don’t divert on the PKFZ thingy
b) Ministry of Corporatisation (whatever) – That Nor fella
c) Mistry of Local Government – Ong Ka Chuan, the defeated MCA deputy president candidate
d) State government – Ronnie Liu’s problem (Local government Exco),Hassan Ali (That PAS fella, Public Amenities and Infrastructure Exco)
e) MPK – Local council
People, that’s extremely important. Let me remind you on the freehold thingy implemented by Perak State Government. What did Najib say about freehold thingy? Hehehe! If the state government or local council try to be Hiro, oops, People’s Hero just like Manika fella and kenna blocked by federal government. Be it Ong Tee Keat, Nor fella or Even Ong Ka Chuan (Local government). Hey hey hey! There would be great great show! I love good show man!
The Conclusions are :
1) Lets talk things over
2) Cover all corners and all grounds.
3) It must be a WIN WIN. Everybody would be happy
4) Keep all your dirty laundries in house
Regards,
looes74
Oh, by the way, years ago, Johore bus terminal was shifted from the city centre to Larkin. Also 15 minutes from the city centre. Yeah, people complain. And then………………Silent…………God, I love Johore MB and those exco members. I love how that Singapore government handle those Singaporeans on all issue. Hehe, one PAP MP nearly lost his seat over the temple issue. Guest what! Shamugan and the Grand old man, LKY come to the rescue. I shook hand with that PAP MP. Nice Assoc Prof. A devout christian
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Dear Anil, I want you to take my message to one Mike, the MP for Kapar.
Kapar MP should be told that he wasn’t elected by Indians in Kapar. Indians form only 12% of the voters while the Malays form 50% and they gave him 12,000 majority just like the Malays in Padang Seria (Kedah) of Gobalakirishnan gave him almost 12,000 majority as well though both were parachute contestants. Yet he (Mike) is behaving as if he was elected by Indians alone and says his can only consult Hindraf as if the party didn’t invest in him, didn’t campaign for him and didn’t convince urban Malays to give him a place in Parliament. He is insensitive and acts like a samseng. No wonder Karpal Singh said today: “”People did not elect him in his personal capacity. He has no right to leave PKR and join any other party. His only other option is to resign so that the people in the constituency can decide what they want.” (NST)
He is talking about Indians blaming Tan Sri Khalid and PKR for “doing little”. I want to ask: who did more than Khalid? Tell me one MB who did more than what Khalid did? Only today was revealed in the Star that while Khir Toyo refused to meet Indian NGO, Tan Dri Khalid met them 17 times since March 08, took their suggestions on the budget and allocated funds for Tamil schools in Selangor. More can be read here: http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/16437/84/
He is saying he will only consult Hindraf because they “represent the Indian community.” I want to ask: what about the Malays? What about the Malays who voted fom him bcoz of PKR? What about the Pas supporters of Dr Rani (ADUN Meru in Kapar) who gave him 67% support in March 08? Do you know Indian voters in the whole of Kapar is less than the majority Mike received from the Kapar constituency? Yet he is behaving (like someone) who doesn’t understand where he came from. If he says he represents the Indians, who represents us? I voted for him bcoz of PKR. I campaigned for him. I left Kedah where I work for a multinational company to vote and take along my whole family. Now, who represents us? Hindraf? What about the Malay leaders who campaigned for him? Who spent money on him to win? He doesn’t need to consult them! I’m really angry at this puerile tantrums of Mike and his immaturity. If he thinks he was elected by Indians alone though Indians got a better deal in PKR and Selangor PR alliance, then we the Malays of Kapar who voted for him bcoz of his party want a new representative. He can go and join Hindraf or MIC as writte by Malaysiakini. Then we will see if he can win Kapar again on whichever ticket he stands. He will see dust. We feel insulted and rejected by a man whom we supported and gave all we could to elect him and yet has no kind words of our leaders and our people who gave him immesurable support. Does he think he can succeed with 12% Indian vote or what? We rejected a woman who used to fear us and we could manipulate easily to elect him so that he will represent both Indians and Malays and Chinese also, yet he talks as if we are non-exsistent, as if we didn’t contribute to him, didn’t vote for him, didn’t campaign for him, didn’t convince our old parents to give the “young man” a chance….
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Many readers and writers in the blogosphere are very skeptical of the current PR government, and possibly the future of Malaysia. I don’t blame them. I mean, the three parties just got into a relationship, it’s supposed to be smooth flowing right? What’s more, fresh grads are supposed to be good at everything, and new brooms are supposed to be better at sweeping floors right?
But certain statements like “kicking them out the next elections”. Come on, you’re telling me you want BN back in your state? I rather give the vote back to PR! Do you want people like Khir Toyo and Ahmad Ismail running the country?
This whole bus terminal thing can arguably be summed up into one statement: People don’t like change. Because change comes with uncertainties, and uncertainties mean stepping out of their comfort zone.
Also, this MP for Kapar seemed to be a very immature, irrational person. No further comment on that! Yes to Santiago, go with the public listing of the concessionaire for scrutiny.
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[...] comments over at Anilnetto on the latest fiasco by S. [...]
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No, Klang Sentral is not that far away from the old Klang Bus Station. It’s within 15-minute drive and if you are used to using public transportation, 15 minutes is not that long.
Plus, how many of us are really using buses to commute everyday? Let the frequent users decide whether or not the Klang Sentral is worth a cent, after a few months. Some people really love to grumble when they are not in the position to do so.
Some argue that businesses would be affected if the old Klang Bust Station is shut down, but have they ever wondered what is it that makes the traffic in Klang worse? Yup, personal vehicles. This means, people would still come to Klang to buy things. If they don’t use buses, they will use their own cars. And it’s not like there are no more buses to Klang. So don’t worry too much about that.
One thing is for sure, Klang Bus Station is severely congested. That’s the main reason they look for somewhere else. The new Klang Sentral is much more spacious and has all the space and room they might need for future development.
Furthermore, it is the midpoint between Bandar Klang and ever-developing Puncak Alam. It would be easier and closer to get on NKVE from there, which is a good thing for express bus operators. Look at KLIA when it was first built. Was it any closer to Subang Airport when they came up with the plan to build a new airport? No. Did the people protest? Of course, why wouldn’t they; that’s what they do. But only if you’ve looked deep into the plan, you would see the wisdom behind it. The same goes for this Klang Sentral.
People complain, and they will never get tired of it. But it is the responsibility of local leaders, together with developers, to think and come up with solutions. Klang Sentral is one good solution, so try to live with it.
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On K’s comment on benchmarking against the best practices, I would agree but you need to make a start from somewhere, right ?
When you inherited a system that needs a major overhaul , you do not expect the new machinery can to made to tip top efficiency overnight. You must recognise that the system is made up of people and to change the system you need to change mindset of people and this needs time.
There can never be the ” best ” of everything in this world. Even the best companies do have their failures as well. Yes, you want to see changes and the changes are there for you to see !
Transparent bidding at the local town councils is now being implemented and no more one-on one discussion. This are changes and for sure, you will not be able to see.
Caring and constant discussion with residents is another as shown by Hannah Yeo and Lau Weng San. Just care to look around and you can see the difference ! These are changes for sure.
Well, if you can please highlight the little napoleons , I am sure the PR govt will gladly accept the exposure.
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Folks
Let’s not turn this topic into “Bash Manikavasagam” thread (not that this clown doesn’t deserve it).
The real issue is Klang Sentral and at least in this matter I think Manikavasagam’s views are valid.
Aaron I think you are missing the point here. This is not about people not liking change. Suggest you fully understand the complexities of the issue before making posting.
Also please do not defend the PR government when they are wrong. If we keep defending them, it would be only a matter of time they will be equally corrupted as their predecessors. As I had mentioned before, talks are already started to emerge about the sudden change in the lifestyle of PR reps and council members in Penang, Selangor and Perak. If we don’t send a strong message now, the PR govts would be a carbon copy of BN in no time.
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Ahmad, you are 100% correct, correct, correct. That over sensitive “Mike” shouldn’t think like BN… Maybe he is doing “Samy no value” trick again. We don’t need anymore race championing MP.
We want peoples MP for all.
-Dravidian-
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