Bukit Jalil sought after due to good connectivity

26 July 2013 - Located some 12km south of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, the once side-lined Bukit Jalil is fast developing into one of the most sought-after property hotspots in the country.

Speaking at Trinity Group’s launch of the Z Residence master suites, renowned property consultant Ho Chin Soon said its strategic location as well as the improved infrastructure comprising upgrades of various road and rail projects are the main reasons for the rapid development in Bukit Jalil.

“In the past, Bukit Jalil mainly catered to those who worked at Technology Park Malaysia, its main industrial area, and the nearby vicinity. However, with new highway extensions, we can see an influx in population growth for Bukit Jalil, catering to those who work in KL and PJ. In the near future, citizens of Greater KL including those in Bukit Jalil can expect to travel conveniently and even work in places like Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore – thanks to the upcoming high-speed rail link project,” said Ho.

The mapmaker also touched on the MRT Blue Circle and Putrajaya Lines, as well as the Kelana Jaya LRT extensions which will connect to the MRT Lines. Based on the new rail tracks, road extensions are also underway for better connectivity to Bukit Jalil.

“This is a good opportunity for both developers and buyers as the time is ripe to invest in Bukit Jalil which is expected to see good returns in the near future.

Woman: I was harassed by bus drivers

PETALING JAYA: Monday March 11, 2013 -  A marketing manager claimed she was harassed by five bus drivers at the Bukit Jalil LRT station.

The 33-year-old woman said that she was waiting for a colleague in her car near the station on Friday when a RapidKL bus pulled up behind her and started honking.

“I moved forward, but the driver continued honking and came closer until I was wedged between two buses.

“A middle-aged man wearing a RapidKL uniform began banging on my window and shouting,” she said, adding that she pulled out of the lane but the honking continued.

The woman then parked her car a short distance away and walked towards the bus to get the driver's name.

“Suddenly, five men in RapidKL uniform, including the man who hit my window earlier, surrounded me and began shouting expletives and moving suggestively.

“The middle-aged man started pushing himself close to me as his friends cheered him on.

“One of them slapped me on my left cheek when I tried to defend myself,” she said, adding that she took out her phone to photograph them.

Luckily, her colleague arrived and they quickly ran to her car.

“I was literally shaking, and had to stop for a few minutes to calm down,” she said.

Her traumatic experience was made worse as no one responded to her cries for help, although she said at least 10 people had witnessed the harassment.

The victim, accompanied by her husband, lodged a report at the Subang Jaya police station later that day, which was forwarded to the Cheras district police station.

Cheras OCPD ACP Mohan Singh confirmed receiving the report, and said that the case was being investigated under Section 323 and Section 509 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt and for outrage of modesty.

A spokesman from RapidKL said they will co-operate with the police on the matter.

Security Alert

Burglar at Jalil Sutera - Bukit Jalil

Date: 30th March 2013

Time: 7-9pm

Location: Jalil Sutera

Theres a burglar at Jalil Sutera, Bukit Jalil. Nearby the restoran al-barkath. my neighbour's house got broke into and it had just happened just now. culprit still on the loose.

For details, go to the Facebook link.

Robbery at IMU (basketball field - car park)

Date: 20th Feb 2013

Location: Jalan Jalil Perkasa 20, Bukit Jalil 

For details, click on the link.

Thieves @ IMU Car Park

Date: 11th Oct 2012

Location: Jalan Jalil Perkasa 20, Bukit Jalil 

For details, click on the link.

Result of the 2013 General Election for Seputeh Constituency

Incumbent: Teresa Kok Suh Sim
Party: PR-DAP
Votes: 61,500

Opponent: Nicole Wong Siaw Ting

Party: BN-MCA
Votes: 9,948

_______________________________

Winner: Teresa Kok Suh Sim (PR-DAP)
Majority: 51,552

13th General Election: Know the candidates for P.122 Seputeh Constituency

Mutiara Bukit Jalil is part of Seputeh (P.122) constituency. 

Teresa Kok Suh Sim (郭素沁)














Party: Democratic Action Party (DAP) 

Related links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Kok
https://www.facebook.com/TeresaKokSuhSim
http://teresakok.com/
http://dapmalaysia.org/newenglish/

_______________________________________________________________

Nicole Wong Siaw Ting (王曉亭)

 

Party: Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)

Related link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicole-Wong-%E7%8E%8B%E6%99%93%E4%BA%AD/289363427749769

Bukit Jalil Highway Section Closes for LRT Job

KUALA LUMPUR: A section of the Bukit Jalil Highway will be closed for 10 days from Sunday to facilitate the construction of the light rail transit (LRT) Line Extension Project (LEP).

Head of the Group Communications and Strategic Marketing Department of Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad, the owner of LEP, Lim Jin Aun in a statement said the road would be closed between 11pm and 5am daily to facilitate the launching of segmental box girders (SBG) for the LRT LEP.

"The affected section is located across Jalan BK1/13 in Bandar Kinrara and during the temporary closure, Bukit Jalil-bound motorists can take the alternative route via Jalan BK1/14, Jalan Kinrara 2, and Jalan BK1/20 to avoid the construction zone and to re-enter the Bukit Jalil Highway," he said.

Puchong-bound traffic could still use the highway to reach their destinations since one of the lanes would be closed to accommodate the SBG launching works, he added.

He said flagmen had been assigned in strategic locations to facilitate traffic safety, and motorists plying the routes were advised to remain cautious and adhere to the speed limit, while indicators including road signs, blinkers, and plastic barriers had been placed along the highway.

The LEP is a Government initiative to extend the existing LRT system – Kelana Jaya and Ampang Lines – to bigger residential and commercial areas in the Klang Valley.

The Ampang Line is being extended by 17.7km to cover areas including Bandar Kinrara, Puchong and Putra Heights, while the Kelana Jaya Line is lengthened by 17km to include areas like Lembah Subang, Subang Jaya and USJ. Both lines will meet at an integrated station in Putra Heights. -- BERNAMA

Prasarana LRT line extension delayed to 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (2012)— The completion of the Prasarana LRT line extension project by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd will now be delayed to 2015 instead of an earlier 2014 estimated due date.

A delay in the land acquisition process, mainly in Puchong, was cited as the cause.

The Ampang extension line, 17.7 kilometres long with 12 new stations, will start from Sri Petaling station to Putra Heights while the extended Kelana Jaya Line will run from Kelana Jaya station, covering a distance of 17 kilometres and 13 new stations, before ending at Putra Heights.

Prasarana's Managing Director, Datuk Shahril Mokhtar, said the delay will also increase cost but added that the company will try to keep the extra cost to below five per cent of the original figure.

He said the lands had already been approved by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) but there had been slight issues like buildings.

“Even if it is delayed, it won't be that off track. The project will be done in two phases and is expected to be completed by early 2015. Currently, the project is more than 30 per cent done,” he told reporters at the launch of 1Malaysia Talent Station here, today.

On the company's outlook next year, Shahril said Prasarana was close to completing its restructuring.

Starting from January 1, 2013, Prasarana will have a new corporate structure with its focus to be slightly different and on “what we have at the moment.”

“For the last one year also, we have actually transformed ourselves, moving into the commercial and property (segment), and we will be going into consulting.”

Proper announcements on this will be made next year, he added. — Bernama

How is the MRT Project Going to Affect the Overall Property Market?

 

The construction of the much anticipated Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has finally started. Described as the single most expensive  infra structure project ever in this country, the MRT project which consist of 3 lines cutting across the entire Klang Valley or The Greater KL, is estimated to cost about RM36.6 billions to build, excluding land cost and rolling stocks.

The first line of the MRT project runs from Sungai Buloh to Kajang (SBK Line) stretches about 51 km with 31 stations is expected to be completed by 2017.  Once completed and fully integrated with the existing KTM, LRT, Monorail, KL Rapid bus and the respective feeder bus services, the MRT will have tremendous positive impacts on the value of property located along its route and in the vicinity of its stations, with the exception of a few negative attributes.

A senior local property consultant from an established property firm here, who is also a member of the Board of Valuers, Appraisals and Estate Agents, Malaysia recently said that value of property along the MRT route will appreciate 15% to 25% depending on the location to the stations. While I’m but sure about the quantum of the appreciation, I’m certainly concur that the appreciation of value for property located in the vicinity of MRT route and its stations is certain to happen. This has happened to LRT Putra Line and Star Line extensions which construction is underway now. LRT Putra Line extension starts from Kelana jaya, passing through Subang Jaya, UEP Subang Jaya and ends at Putra Heights. Whilst LRT Star Line extends from Sri Petaling, passing through Bandar Kinrara, Puchong Jaya, Bandar Puteri and finally also ends at Putra Heights.

Since its announcement in 2009, and with construction underway the property value along these 2 extension routes has appreciated tremendously. A basic double storey link house of 20’ x 60’ at USJ 6 was selling in the region of RM250k back in 2009 is now selling between RM400k to RM450k. A basic 3-bedroom apartment of about 900 sqft at Rhythm Avenue USJ19 was selling in the region of RM200k in 2009 is now selling between RM300k to RM330k. Both of these locations mentioned have a proposed LRT station, currently under construction, located within walking distance. Similar patterns of property value appreciation has also been reported at Bandar Kinrara and Puchong Jaya where proposed LRT stations for Star Line extension are to be constructed. Though the appreciation of property value at these areas mentioned is not entirely due to the coming of LRT extension, it is undoubtedly clear that the announcement of the final approval and the eventual sight of physical construction works of the proposed LRT extensions at these areas have inevitably led to the increase demand for property at these areas, hence this pushed up the property price. The construction of LRT extensions at these areas have brought about better accessibility to these locations, making property at these locations become more accessible and appealing to a bigger market, unlocking the value potential of property in these locations.

Running up to 2017 before the MRT-SBK Line is completed, more property developers will be planning high density residential developments along the MRT route. Projects which are strategically located near MRT stations will likely to enjoy good sell-out as buyers are confident of future demand for their property once the MRT is in operation.  Proximity of any proposed condominium development in relation to a MRT station has been a major winning factor these days. New launches which are strategically located near to a MRT station will be expected to be priced at least 10% higher than others which are located further away.

Residential developments within walking distance to MRT stations will undoubtedly benefit the most as the demand for rental units at these areas will be guaranteed. Most working class commuters would like to have their rental housing within walking distance to MRT stations as first priority.

Comes 2017 when the MRT-SBK Line is finally completed, the commercial property in the vicinity of MRT stations will be in great demand. The huge number of passengers using MRT will give rise to plenty of new business opportunities of all kinds in the vicinity of MRT stations. This has proven true in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Commercial and retail premises which are located near MRT stations at these countries enjoy good occupancy rates and high rental. The same scenario will likely to repeat here in KL.

Source: Property Hub

Pekerja Binaan Terkorban dalam Kemalangan di Projek Pembinaan LRT

Khamis, 20 Sep 2012 - Seorang pekerja binaan, Mohammad Hanafi Abdullah, maut dalam satu kemalangan di tempat kerja di projek penyambungan jajaran LRT Laluan Ampang berdekatan dengan PPR Taman Muhibbah di Puchong.

Kejadian berlaku pada pukul 11.20 pagi dan Jabatan Kesihatan dan Keselamatan Pekerja (JKKP) sedang menjalankan siasatan terhadap punca insiden berkenaan, jurucakap BinaPuri Tim Sekata JV, yang menjadi kontraktor utama projek berkenaan.

Menurut jurucakap berkenaan, Kenny Tiew, mangsa yang berusia 23 tahun itu tersepit antara tiang dan palang pelancar galang segmen kekotak dan dijumpai dalam keadaan pengsan.

“Pasukan Tindakan Kecemasan telah memberikan bantuan pernafasan dan dapat menyedarkan semula mangsa. Tetapi, mangsa kemudiannya, mengalami kompilasi dalaman sejurus sebelum meninggal dunia. Mangsa adalah pekerja sub-kontraktor kepada BinaPuri Tim Sekata JV,” tambah Kenny, yang bertugas sebagai Pengurus Pembinaan projek berkenaan.

Mangsa kemudiannya dibawa ke Klinik 1Malaysia PPR Taman Muhibbah, yang terletak berdekatan dengan tempat kejadian.

Ekoran dengan insiden itu, kerja-kerja pembinaan diberhentikan sementara menunggu JPPK menamatkan siasatan mereka, tambah Kenny.

Sumber: http://www.lrtextension.com/top-headline/pekerja-binaan-terkorban-dalam-kemalangan-di-projek-pembinaan-lrt

Prices, Rentals Stabilizing

[The Star] - Prices and rentals for residential properties in the Klang Valley should stabilize this year due to credit-tightening measures by banks and investors' cautious sentiment after prices of houses rose by 6.6% last year, according to property consultants.

However, they point out that property developments in selected locations, especially in areas where the proposed Klang Valley My Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations are, would still perform well in terms of capital appreciation.

Property consultancy CB Richard Ellis (M) executive director Paul Khong says price increases in the Klang Valley residential market had slowed down slightly in the last two quarters.

“Property developers are offering more incentives and freebies to push sales, ranging from free SPA (sales and purchase agreement), stamp duty, free air-conditioners to even trips to Hong Kong,” he says.

Johor’s property market is expected to continue to perform well this year. Houses in areas within Nusajaya such as Taman Nusa Idaman and Horizon Hills record price increases of 6.4% to 9.1%, with prices ranging from RM392,000 to RM448,000.

Ladang Bukit Jalil Workers Waiting for the Final Score

It is exactly one month since the Ladang Bukit Jalil committee met the prime minister. Many people who saw the news of the committee finally having a date with the PM would have concluded that the issue of Ladang Bukit Jalil estate workers is over and done with. There was also the feeling that if the PM met them, definitely it would not be to disappoint them.

Now exactly one month later, the issue of Ladang Bukit Jalil is still not resolved. The PM asked for some time to study the issue. When the office of the powerful PM himself asks for more time to study the issue, it seems the problem in hand is a complex one.  

The meeting with the PM did not just come so easily. The Bukit Jalil workers camped outside the PM’s office until they got an appointment. After spending 30 hours, they finally got news that the PM will give an appointment to meet them. It was a climax of their long struggle.

Not taking away credit from Najib, the PM did actually meet them (janji ditepati) though there was initially the speculation that he will only promise but not meet them. A meeting was held at the estate on the eve of the PM’s meeting. The feedback from the people at the meeting was that they were all very hopeful that the issue will be finally resolved.

Politically, the Bukit Jalil issue is torn in the flesh issue for the MIC and it is one of the major national issue confronting them as the plight of the Bukit Jalil ex-plantation workers is a national concern. The issue received lots of coverage in the Tamil dailies as well as sympathy from most Malaysian Indians. For the PM, it is important for him to portray that he is accessible and is listening to the voices of the people.

Now one month after the PM’s meeting, some fear has crept in. There is now a feeling  that the PM’s meeting was just a drama and once the election is over and if the BN come to power, then they will use all their might to demolish the houses. There is many instances in history when urban poor houses being demolished just after elections. Therefore any solution to the Bukit Jalil estate workers has to be done now.

Legally Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has won the case. Only political pressure seems to have stop them from carrying out an eviction. 

But again DBKL got the eviction order by stating that the ex-plantation workers were just squatters and they used the draconian Emergency clearance of squatter ordinance on these workers. But today, this law has been lifted after Najib announced the lifting of the four emergencies. It would look very bad for DBKL to demolish the homes using the Emergency ruling today.

Haze Returns to Malaysia

Saturday, June 16, 2012 - Haze caused by forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia blanketed parts of Malaysia including the capital, causing air pollution to hit unhealthy levels.

Haze is an annual problem during the monsoon season from May to September as winds blow the fumes from Sumatra across the Malacca Strait to Malaysia.

Skies over Kuala Lumpur Saturday were gloomy and visibility was described as poor by the Meteorological Department. With dry weather forecast for the next week, air quality is expected to deteriorate further.

The Air Pollutant Index reached 127 in the capital Kuala Lumpur, 144 in Port Klang, the Southeast Asian country's top port and 129 in the township of Shah Alam. Readings of 101-200 are considered unhealthy.

The Star newspaper Saturday said that the haze situation was expected to worsen with the "hot and dry spell in the Riau district of Sumatra set to peak over the next two weeks.

"As in previous years, several hotspots in central Sumatra in Indonesia are causing the haze," it said.

Haze builds up during the dry season, affecting tourism and contributing to health problems across the region.

Hush Puppy Warehouse Sales

Hush Puppy is having a warehouse sales next to Hap Seng Star. It is about 200m away from the Mutiara Bukit Jalil's guard house.

Issue on Cemetery & Crematorium at Bukit Jalil

Under the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 released in 2005, a land located in Ladang Bukit Jalil has be gazetted for cemetery & crematorium. The potential cemetery-crematorium site (marked as Lot 1986 on Draft KL City Plan 2020) is situated less than 300m  from Mutiara Bukit Jalil (refer to the picture below).

Location of the proposed site for cemetery & crematorium

The updates on the issue has been actively shared in Bandar Kinrara Forum. In the latest progress (in 2011), DBKL had issued Emergency Ordinance to evict the residents of Ladang Bukit Jalil (where the cemetery-crematorium will be situated). This had stirred strong protest from the residents. The matter became worst when it was claimed that the land is now owned by a private company, Bukit Jalil Development Sdn. Bhd. (70% stake owned by Ho Hup Construction Company Bhd.). The eviction of the residents via  Emergency Ordinance  by DBKL is claimed to be inappropriate. An injuction had been filed against the enviction notice. But it was turned down by Kuala Lumpur High Court in August 2011. The Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being Deputy Minister M. Saravanan had later given the assurance that Ladang Bukit Jalil residents will not be evicted from their homes till a settlement has been reached with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) [read FMT News].

Surrounding areas adjacent to Lot 1986

In another progress, residents from the affected areas (i.e. Kampung Muhibba, Bukit OUG, Jalil Grove, Bandar Bukit Jalil apartments, Kinrara Industrial Zone, Mutiara Bukit Jalil, Bandar Kinrara, Esplanad, Alam Sutera, Z Residence, etc.) had also voiced against the Draft KL City Plan  2020 to have a cemetery & crematorium in such a densely populated area [Link: comments from public agaist cemetery in Lot 1986]. Many had attended the Open Day for the Draft KL City Plan (Nov/Dec 2010) to submit their opinions against the matter.

A recent visit to the Draft KL City Plan 2020 website has indicated that DBKL had amended the Plan according to the suggestions of Public Hearing Committee, government current policy and also public and agency/ministry advice during the public hearing session, workshops, focus group discussions and Open Day. It is notified that the amendment is different from the original Draft KL City Plan 2020 shown previously in the website. The amended Plan has been submitted to Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing on 28th January 2011 for consideration and endorsement. After the endorsement, this plan will be known as the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 and the public will be notified accordingly.

To date, the revised Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 has yet to be released. It is hoped that the amendment would be in favour of the residents.

Sand Mining Making Residents Jittery

[Free Malaysia Today News] Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - Chong Han Hoi, 63, expects to live out the twilight of his years in peace when he bought his Mutiara Bukit Jalil house three years ago, but that dream has been shattered.

A company of miners, arriving in full force in May this year, have been taking sand from a patch of land and the nearby Bohol flood retention pond.

“They sometimes go on for 24 hours,” Chong said, pointing at the excavators dredging sand from a large piece of land just 100 metres away from his housing area.

On a recent visit to Mutiara Bukit Jalil, FMT noticed several excavators digging into the sand by the pond.

A sand washing pit had been set up, with muddy water flowing from there into the pond. Some of the sand was already loaded into big lorries, and were lumbering on their way out.

Chong said that the miners started work two years ago and the digging was minimal then.

“We thought it was a small mining (operation) but it is getting very active (lately)… the mining has been going on for two years,” he said.

None of the residents of the 471 houses in Mutiara Bukit Jalil have confronted the sand miners in person.

“I’m afraid that they are draining the sand from our area, and my fear is that the monsoon drain nearby will collapse, and you don’t know (how it’s going to happen),” Chong added.

Intimidated by bouncers

According to social activist Chin Choong Men, the Bohol pond was originally used for tin mining, and was later set up as a flood retention pond in the 1970s.

Water from Sungai Kuyoh (from Serdang) would flow into it, before it was diverted back into the mainstream, Sungai Kelang.

However, nearby rapid development and dumped rubbish appeared to be polluting the pond. Monsoon drains leading from nearby residential areas also contributed to the problem.

(Mutiara Bukit Jalil rests along the KL-Selangor district border, but does not rest in Selangor.)

Armed with Google Earth satellite images, Chin showed FMT how the pond has shrunk over the last decade, from a healthy-looking green to a brackish brownish-black.

Some of this brownish water, satellite photos showed, seemed to be flowing into Sungai Kelang. The pond’s water level was also receding to a dangerous level.

Speaking on the sand mining itself, he said: “The mining is making the pond worse, because the issue is washing the sand using river water.

“If they keep digging, the depth of the pond will become lower, as there will be a lot of sediments.”

Flooding as a result of unpredictable weather could also become a problem, said Chin.

Mutiara Bukit Jalil, he added, would not be swamped in a flash flood as it stood on a rise of 80 metres above sea level. For areas north of the pond, however, Chin feared the worst.

“The pond will get smaller, and it is getting dirtier and more polluted. People’s health will be affected, and the pond will not serve its function of a flood retention facility,” he said.

Lembah Pantai MP (PKR) Nurul Izzah Anwar was also concerned with the sand mining taking place by the pond.

She said that she paid the site a visit on Sept 10 this year. However, Nurul claimed that she was “intimidated” by the heavy-handed presence of “bouncers” standing around the area.

“When I went there, it was just me, my bodyguard and my driver. But there were 30 men standing outside the perimeter (of the area) and inside (the compound).”

“They were bouncers, and they were standing around… waiting. It was not something I quite liked, it was more than I bargained for,” she said.

Nurul added that she stayed around for less than 10 minutes before leaving. She would later query KL City Hall (DBKL) for an answer.

DBKL: Sand mining completely legal

Four days later, KL Datuk Bandar Ahmad Fuad Ismail confirmed that the sand mining was operated by a company known as Tetuan Zest Module (M) Sdn Bhd, and that it was completely legal.

In his letter, Ahmad Fuad said that Tetuan Zest Module’s contract began on May 1 this year and would end on Dec 31 2012 – a total of 20 months.

In return, the company would pay royalties to the federal Land Office, and would be required to build a recreational park in the Bohol area.

Ahmad Fuad told FMT that the sand mining area was once used as a garbage management area, and that until recently, illegal dumping and other activities were taking place.

“People were complaining why people weren’t really taking care of the place… If we don’t do anything, then people will complain,” he said.

He added that the federal Land Office had given Tetuan Zest Module the permit to mine sand. The company was also required to remove the garbage dumped into the pond.

“They’re not only taking out the sand, but they’re also taking out the garbage and all the metals that have been dumped there… there’s not a lot of sand left,” he said.

Ahmad Fuad said that Tetuan Zest would spend between RM4 million and RM5 million to build “a very nice landscape” in the “second phase” of its operations.

Both DBKL and the Land Irrigation Department, he added, were keeping a close eye on the company, but did not find anything untoward.

“For whatever they take out, it shouldn’t disturb Sungai Kuyoh. We will take action if they’re not doing their job, but thus far, we have no reports saying that they haven’t,” he said.

Asked about local residents’ grouses about the area, he said: “It’s for the people there, because they will be using the place.”

RM85m to Tackle Flood Woes in KL

[New Straits Times] Tuesday, 20 December, 2011 - The Kuala Lumpur City Hall has allocated RM85 million for drainage improvement and maintenance of rivers next year under  its 2012 budget.

Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said of the amount, RM4.25 million will be put aside to improve river embankments.

He said that work was ongoing for sedimentation treatment, garbage collection and repair works on collapsed river embankments.

"We will be constructing nine flood mitigation projects next year in the crucial areas," said Fuad at the unveiling of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall 2012 budget here yesterday.

Under the budget, three new flood retention ponds will be built at Intan Baiduri, Kepong, and near Pasar Borong, Selayang.

Meanwhile, floodwater pump houses would also be built at Kampung Baru and Kampung Kasipillay.

Plans are also underway for more monsoon drains in Sungai Besi, Kampung Pandan, and the Royal Selangor Golf and Country Club.

Currently, flood retention ponds at Kampung Bohol in Puchong and Universiti Malaya are being built.

Meanwhile, the troubled Sungai Bunus, one of the main rivers in the city centre here has been cleaned up after overflowing its banks, causing flash floods in the city centre last week.

However, there have been irresponsible quarters throwing rubbish into the river, impeding clean-up efforts, said Federal Territory Drainage and Irrigation Department director Mat Rahim Ismail.

"DID and City Hall had been working hard to remove debris and rubbish after the flash flood episode last week. we would like to advise people to refrain from dumping into the river."

He said the city folk should be more civic-minded as the actions of certain irresponsible quarters could bring disaster to the city.

He said besides more retention ponds to reduce the flow into the water, his department was considering installing log booms along the river to collect rubbish.

Dredging works to deepen the river is expected to start next month.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, flash floods in the city centre had brought traffic to a standstill after the river overflowed because of heavy rain.

Many areas were inundated and these included Jalan Semarak, Kampung Baru, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Two Security Guards Detained for Causing Death of Suspected Thief

[The Malaysian Insider] Monday, 18 October, 2012 - Two security guards at a housing estate in Bukit Jalil were detained by police for causing the death of a suspected thief, yesterday.

Cheras deputy police chief Supt Abdul Rahim Hamzah Othman said the two security guards, aged 42 and 51, both locals, would be remanded for a week to assist in investigations into the death of a suspect who had tried to steal iron rods from a house in Mutiara Bukit Jalil with his accomplice.

The incident happened at about 6am when the 42-year-old security guard heard noises from a house which was under renovation, and saw two men trying to steal iron rods and pipes.

“Realising the guard’s presence, one of the suspects hit the security guard on the head with a parang, before escaping,” he told reporters here today.

Abdul Rahim said the injured security guard alerted his colleague, a 51-year-old, who arrived at the house and started attacking one of the two suspects who was trapped inside the house.

“The suspect suffered severe injuries to his head, hands and legs,” he said.

He said police later arrived at the scene and took the injured suspect to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) for treatment but the two security guards had left the scene by then.

“After receiving treatment, the suspect was taken to the lock up, but on the way, the suspect complained of difficulty in breathing and urged the police to return to the hospital.

“However, the suspect who has three previous records for drugs and extortion, was pronounced dead upon arrival. Police later detained the two security guards,” he said.

He said the 42-year-old guard who was detained in Jalan Pudu, had previous criminal records for drugs and illegal demonstrations while the second security guard had two previous records for drug offences while both would be investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. – Bernama

Rubbish Dumping at Retention Pond

[The Star Online] Friday, September 12, 2008 - The Kampung Bohol retention pond near Mutiara Bukit Jalil is slowly being turned into a rubbish dump.

According to residents, illegal dumping of rubbish into the pond have been taking place quite regularly.

The residents said unauthorised mining of sand and open burning were also taking place in the area.

The pond, which is under the jurisdiction of the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency, also borders the Bandar Tun Razak and Seputeh federal constituencies as well as the Kinrara state constutitency.

Resident Chin Chong Men, who brought up the issue, said the pond should not be allowed to be polluted with rubbish.

“Three rivers are flowing into the 26-acre pond without any rubbish traps.

“There are fish in the pond and with all these pollution, the pond is becoming shallow,” Chin said.

“Just three weeks ago, we saw lorries stealing sand at night,” he said.

Chin said several complaints had been made to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) but, so far, nothing had changed, with the rubbish floating in the pond and the sand thieves continuing their illegal activities.

“I hope the authorities will convert the pond area into a recreational site,” he said.

Selangor senior state executive councillor Teresa Kok, who is the Seputeh MP and assemblyman for Kinrara, visited the site yesterday, and agreed that it was important to preserve the pond.

“This is a flood retention pond and it prevents flooding in nearby areas.

“The DBKL has said it is in their plan to upgrade the pond next year,” she said.

“If they do not take any measures to prevent the pond from getting shallower, then flooding will become very serious problem,” Teresa said.

“Two months ago, consultants from the drainage and irrigation department surveyed the pond,” she said.

Teresa said the DBKL had to act fast and put up signboards to warn people against doing illegal activities at the pond.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, who accompanied Teresa on the site visit, said all parties must join hands to resolve the problems.

“Right now we must come together to solve the problems as there are some serious issues.

“Even the nearby developer as well as residents have expressed concern over the pond,” she said.

“It is vital to protect the pond for the well-being and interest of the city residents,” Nurul said.

DBKL officials present during the site visit said they were aware of the problems concerning the pond.

They said the DBKL was monitoring the sand-mining activities as well as illegal dum-ping of rubbish.

The DBKL officials said they would take measures to improve the water quality and clean the rivers.

The public could call City Hall if they come across illegal activities at the pond.

The number to call is 03 4022 1133.

Rapid KL Goes Places

[The Star Online] Monday, October 10, 2005 - RAPID KL extended its service to Taman Bukit Cheras and its surrounding areas from Bandar Tasik Selatan LRT Station.

The new Route 401 covers areas in Taman Bukit Cheras, Taman Okid Desa, Taman Connaught, Taman Danau Bakti, Taman Danau Budi, Taman Bukit Anggerik, Taman Alam Damai and Kampung Midah Dalam.

Six buses will be plying the 31km-long route at 15-minute intervals. Bus fare is fixed at RM0.90 for areas within Zone One and RM1.50 for areas in Zone Two.

It is welcomed by residents as it benefits not only Star LRT commuters, but also those who travel by KTM and ERL.

Taman Bukit Cheras MCA chairman Lim Heng Lin, at a recent press conference, said residents were satisfied with Rapid KL’s latest extension of service.

Lim said he forwarded the proposal to Rapid KL to extend its services to the said areas in March.

He said for the convenience of passengers, he hoped the company would come out with a card system that would enable its customers to travel in all the vehicles under its umbrella.

“We received overwhelming requests from the public to have bus service in this area. We started with 140 passengers when we launched the service on Sept 12, now we have over 389 passengers per day,” Khairuddin said.

“We hope in the next three months, we will have 1,000 passengers per day,” he added.

Zoolina said the company had been able to communicate more closely with residents and its associations through Mobility Marketing, adding that flyers on the new route had been distributed in housing areas either directly or through mailing service.

“We believe that with more awareness and better consistency, the public will trust our service and more will opt to use public transport and leave their cars behind,” she said.

She also urged residents to set up their own residents’ association to collate information on public transport and call the toll free line to give their feedback.

The company has also launched Route 301, 302 and 402.

Route 301 covers Terminal Taman Daging, Taman Nirwana, Kampung Pandan Dalam and Taman Cempaka and stops at Pandan Indah LRT Station.

Route 302 covers Lembah Maju from Pandan Indah, Pandan Mewah, Taman Muda, Kampung Tasek Tambahan, Taman Putra, Taman Bukit Teratai, Taman Mega Jaya, Taman Melur, Taman Permai Jaya, Taman Seraya, Jalan Pandan Indah 1/1 and the Pandan Indah LRT Station.

Route 402 covers Taman Sri Petaling to Kondo Rakyat, Mutiara Bukit Jalil, Damai Apartments, Areana Green Apartment to Sri Petaling LRT Station.

For more details, visit Rapid KL website at www.rapidkl.com.my or call toll free 1-800-388-228.