Kelana D'Putera Condo

Fire!

2010-11-19T22:46:00.002+08:00

Some old news about a fire that broke out in unit A306 on November 1, 2010. According to reliable eyewitness accounts this is what I gather happened.

The occupants were in at the time and the fire broke out in the kitchen as the housewife was cooking. She grabbed her infant and ran out of the condo and her screams alerted some neighbors. Before long the guards were summoned along with the Bomba and Police.

Two of our guards and another three of the management guys helped put out the fire. Thanks to their actions the fire did not spread to the rest of the condo. The kitchen however was a total loss. I understand the Bomba arrived about 30 minutes later or more. Even the Police arrived before them. I reckon the Bomba were from the SS2 station - wow, talk about pathetic!

Zenith Residences Launched

2010-10-25T15:17:00.003+08:00

Article from The Star dated 24 October 2010

Horrors! Zenith condo with 358 units was launched yesterday and a friend who went over to check out the launch informed that over 70 per cent sold. He said the condo only came with one parking lot - what rubbish.

Recent Memo from Management on Suspicious Persons

2010-07-30T15:34:00.007+08:00

Management posted a memo on notice boards about a few suspicious looking persons seen loitering at blocks A and C recently. I asked around and some residents confirmed that these scoundrels are probably also responsible for 'fixing' the lobby locking mechanism so that it could not lock. Not too difficult as they would just need to prevent the circuit from connecting by sticking a piece of paper, etc onto the metal/magnetic section on the door.

Anyway a unit (or more) has been broken into recently. Do be alert and notify the guards if you see anything suspicious.

SSTWO MALL ADDS VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY OF SS2

2010-03-20T14:58:00.000+08:00

Thursday, 25 February 2010 Designed as a community enclave and located in the centre of a popular residential suburb and commercial centre in Petaling Jaya, SStwo Mall is set to bring new commerce opportunities and enhance the quality of life for residents of SS2.

With a tagline “It’s almost home”, the developers promises a ‘mall that cares’ - made possible through initiatives aimed at adding value to the vibrant community of SS2. Scheduled for opening in the third quarter of this year, the RM180 million project is developed by Asian Retail Mall Fund II (ARMF II) and is strategically located along SS2/72, Petaling Jaya.

Worst yet to come for Kota Damansara folk

2010-03-20T10:12:00.003+08:00

Mar 10, 2010 IF you think the traffic in Kota Damansara is bad, brace yourself for a worsening situation as another 48 projects are coming up in the busy and hyped-up district.

The main road, Persiaran Surian, that is already chock-a-block with vehicles during peak hours, is to accommodate the projects all located within a 15km radius.

Some of the projects are being constructed while the others will take off in the near future. These projects were all approved under the previous administration while other developers are eyeing the lands in the lucrative location.

The 10-year-old Persiaran Surian, which is a two-lane road, is already servicing busy commercial buildings including Sunway Giza, Carrefour, Giant and Dataran Sunway, schools as well as a cluster of high-rise residential buildings. The Star

Woes, Woes, Traffic Woes!

2010-02-25T12:44:00.002+08:00

For those who are unfortunate to have to use the LDP it is a terrible mess each work day morning and also evening. Somehow traffic has increased so much that it can take up to 15 minutes to get past the St. Ignatius church. Of course if you jump queue as most people do maybe you can make it in 3 minutes.

All said, I believe the bulk of the increase is due to the vehicles entering Jalan SS7/19 (at Plaza Glomac) from the North-South highway after exiting the toll. I have tried using the longer route using the Kelana Puteri traffic light to turn into Jalan Bahagia. Problem is traffic is jammed up and you have a long wait before you can get past the junction. Once through it is easy driving until I reach the Taman Bahagia LRT traffic junction - more madness! Argggghhhhh!

SYABAS

2010-01-20T17:27:00.007+08:00

I hope many of us would have had reason to smile when we got our first water bill from Syabas earlier this month - after paying cutthroat rates for the past ten years I got free water as my bill was RM9! The first twenty cubic metres (equivalent to RM11.40) of water is FREE courtesy of Selangor state's investment body - Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB).

My monthly usage as per the old tariff was between RM12 - RM15 a month so I stand to save up to RM180 a year. It may not be a major sum but for me (and I think most would agree) it is the principle. What on earth was the previous uncaring state government doing for us???

Jalan Harapan project back on track

2010-01-06T21:40:00.000+08:00

The Star - Jan 5, 2010

Happenings In KDP

2009-12-26T11:15:00.007+08:00

First some good news! You would have received your final water bill from management by now and the next bills will be issued by Syabas meaning we will pay the actual rate of RM0.57 per cubic metre (1st 20 cubic metres) if I am not mistaken. We have been paying a hefty RM1.38 per cubic metre all this while.

I believe there are 5 units which did not comply and I think at least 2 of them were NEVER occupied from day one, namely A1108 and D203. The other units are A1001, D905 and D108 (I think it has been foreclosed by a bank).

Next is the issue of erecting a billboard on the piece of land near block B which has met some resistance from the Resident's Association (RA). Personally I feel it should go ahead as it will earn us some income (anyone knows how much?) and the opponents should also realise that we are paying one of the lowest maintenance charges in PJ. If they want it to remain they had better come up with a brilliant idea or just shut up.

Taragon Puteri Kelana

2009-12-24T18:36:00.004+08:00

If you have been to the Giant Hypermart in Kelana recently you may have noticed a booth promoting this development. It is located near the Shell petrol kiosk beside Giant. My guess is where the plants nursery is right now.

PROJECT DETAILS

LOCATION : KELANA JAYA - Fronting LDP, good exposure, possible accessibility from Paradigm Interchange subject to authorities approvals

PRICE : OFFICE SUITES - RM 432,000.00 TO RM 4,822,660.00
B/U : from 1,051 sf to 1,387 sf, 60 units, service charges : RM 0.50 p.s.f.

LAND TENURE : FREEHOLD

EXPECTED DATE OF COMMENCEMENT : 3rd Quarter 2009

EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION : 31st August 2011

PARKING : 319 Carpark bays & card access system for office Tower carpark floor.

OTHER : - Landscaped Piazza in front of shopoffices, Facing the LDP.

- All shopoffices with Individual lifts, with minimum frontage of 26 feet

- All office suites come with it's own toilet & balcony. Hidden compartment for aircon compressors

- High end finishing lobby for Office Tower with security and card access system. All office floors lobbies will be finished with marble/granite/ceramic tiles.

LAUNCHING : Soft launch starting December 22nd in Giant, Kelana Jaya.

Some Peace At Last

2009-12-04T11:59:00.003+08:00

Ever since the mamak joint closed down in late November the unruly bunch of scavengers have stopped loitering and bumming around our cafeteria. Good riddance to bad rubbish! I guess they must be off to some other unlucky condo now, bumming around and making fools of themselves.

Then again, the shop lot is open for tender and if another mamak comes in our nightmare may just return to haunt us.

2010 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

2009-10-24T10:24:00.001+08:00

2009/10/23

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri: Following are the highlights of the 2010 Budget, themed "1Malaysia, Together We Prosper":

1. An allocation of RM191.5 billion, consisting of RM138.3 billion or 72.2 per cent (operating expenditure) and RM53.2 billion or 27.8 per cent (development expenditure).

2. Special payment of RM500 in December 2009 to civil servants from Grade 41 to Grade 54 or its equivalent as well as those on mandatory retirement.

3. Enhancement of tax incentives for healthcare service providers who offer services to foreign health tourists. Income tax exemption of 50 per cent on the value of increased exports will be increased to 100 per cent.

4. Individual taxpayers will be given tax relief on broadband subscription fee up to RM500 a year from 2010 to 2012.

5. Civil servants are eligible to apply for computer loans once in every three years as compared to once in every five years now.

6. Subsidies, incentives and assistance amounting to almost RM2 billion to safeguard the interest of farmers and fishermen.

7. An allocation of RM9 billion to finance infrastructure projects, including construction of roads and bridges, water supply, sewerage services, rail facilities, ports and sea services as well as airport projects.

8. An additional allocation of RM20 million for small-scale Malaysian-Indian entrepreneurs under the Tabung Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun), on top of the existing RM15-million allocation.

9. Establishing a RM200-million Creative Industry Fund to finance activities, such as film and drama productions, music, animation, advertisements and local content development. Establishing "Tabung Kebajikan Penggiat Seni" to ensure the welfare of artistes.

10. An allocation of RM20 million for 20 schools to be identified as High Performance Schools (SBT) in 2010.

11. Awarding national scholarships to 30 "creme de la creme" students strictly based on merit. These scholarship recipients will further their education in world-renowned universities.

12. Converting the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans to scholarships for students who graduate with first class honours degrees or equivalent beginning 2010.

13. Providing a 50 per cent discount on fares for long-distance services of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) to students aged 13 and above beginning Jan 1, 2010.

14. Offering a netbook package, including free broadband service, to 100,000 local university students for a start for RM50 per month for two years, effective Jan 1, 2010.

15. An allocation of RM100 million for the PERMATA Programme to implement various programmes which emphasise early childcare and education in an integrated and organised manner.

16. Micro insurance and Takaful coverage for small-scale businessmen which will benefit from coverage ranging from RM10,000 to RM20,000 with premium as low as RM20 per month.

17. Establishment of 14 Special Corruption Sessions Courts and four Special Corruption Appeal High Courts.

18. Imposing RM50 service tax on each principal credit card and charge card, including those issued free of charge, and a service tax of RM25 a year on each supplementary card effective Jan 1, 2010.

19. All ministries and government departments are required to provide day care and education centres for children. For this, an allocation of RNM200,000 will be made available for every ministry and government department to establish day care centres.

20. Reduction of the maximum individual income tax rate from 27 percent to 26 percent, effective from the year of assessment 2010.

21. Personal relief for individual tax payers to increase from RM8,000 to RM9,000 effective from the year of assessment 2010. This means that each individual tax payer will enjoy an increase of RM1,000 in disposable income.

22. About 50,000 hardcore poor households registered with eKasih and 4,000 Orang Asli households will be given assistance to achieve the target of zero hardcore poverty in 2010. An allocation of RM41 million will be provided to improve the income and quality of life of the Orang Asli community.

23. An allocation of RM48 million to implement urban poverty eradication programmes, including welfare assistance and house rental payments. The Ministry of Federal Territories shall now be known as the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing.

24. The National Housing Department to provide 74,000 low-cost houses to be rented in 2010.

25. EPF to launch a scheme that enables contributors to utilise current and future savings in Account 2 to enable them to obtain higher financing to buy higher value or additional houses.

26. An allocation of RM224 million to the disabled for the implementation of the Rehabilitation In The Community Programme and an allocation of RM174 million for senior citizens, including assistance as well as the construction and upgrading of two Rumah Seri Kenangan.

27. Increasing the allowance rate from RM50 to RM150 a month for every disabled child enrolled in NGO-organised special schools effective Jan 1, 2010.

28. Establishment of 1Malaysia Retirement Scheme for the self-employed, such as taxi drivers, hawkers, farmers and fishermen, to be administered by the EPF.

29. Effective immediately, employees' EPF contribution will revert to 11 per cent on a voluntary basis.

30. Construction of 510 km of rural roads and 316 km of village roads with an allocation of RM857 million, including roads to be constructed in Kapit, Lawas and Simunjan in Sarawak as well as Kinabatangan, Kota Belud and Keningau in Sabah. -- BERNAMA

Celebrities robbed

2009-10-14T09:49:00.003+08:00

Malay Mail 14 October 2009

Parking Lots in KDP

2009-10-06T14:01:00.005+08:00

For the benefit of the new or soon-to-be residents of KDP I'd share what I know about the parking situation in the condo.

Firstly each unit were allotted one (1) parking bay each and during the first year (2000) most of the ground level lots were sold on first-come-first-served basis. A single bay cost RM15,000 and I know that if an owner surrendered their single lot they only had to pay RM7,500 to "exchange" for a tandem lot.

There are two levels (about 60 bays) of parking lots in the multi-level located near blocks A and C which are available for sale at RM11,000 but as it takes about four to five turns to get up there these are mostly unsold. The lots (if available) are rentable at RM80 per month. Contact the Perantara marketing reps at the number posted on this home page. Individual owners usually charge between RM100 - RM150 if the lots are on the ground level.

If any of you have wondered why trucks cannot enter the lobby area to load/unload goods it is because the original "Loading Area" has been sold to owners. You can see from the extra ceiling height near the lobby area that these were intended for that specific purpose. Remember this when you do eventually shift out someday!

As for the visitor lots outside the perimeter wall of our condo I think there are at least 60 lots there. I have no idea whether residents are allowed to park their second/third cars there but my guess is not. But trust me there must be a few "freeloaders" doing it anyway.

The Paradigm

2009-09-30T13:55:00.003+08:00

The residents of KDP together with other residents in the area who have been enduring the horrendous traffic snarls made worse by the just about completed (except for road resurfacing) drainage work at the Kelana Medical junction and now the Jalan Emas junction.

The Paradigm will consist of a shopping mall with 500,000 sq ft of lettable retail space, four grade A office buildings of 31 to 33 storeys high and two blocks of 27- and 30-storey small-office-home-office (SOHO).

Signages Installed

2009-09-29T10:07:00.002+08:00

For those who may not have noticed the alphabet signs (road level and on each block) were installed last week. The road signs are in white alphabet on a red background and the 2-D signs are located at the level 3 exterior of every block. This should make locating correct block easier for casual and first-time visitors and sundry suppliers (telecommunications, courier services, etc).

Traffic Diversion Due To Drainage Project At Paradigm

2009-09-10T13:37:00.003+08:00

The Star article dated Sep. 10, 2009

Cafeteria Broken Into

2009-09-08T18:34:00.003+08:00

The cafeteria serving Chinese food was broken into over the weekend. An unconfirmed amount of cigarrettes were stolen. According to the operator, the thieves gained access through the roof.

I wonder if the burglars climbed up via the rear part (the narrow lane between multi-storey car park) of the building or through the mamak shop next door?

Development at former FAS field

2009-09-07T22:45:00.003+08:00

For more about the story above.

Kg Buah Pala files Declassified

2009-07-10T10:21:00.002+08:00

For Star's sanitised BN-friendly report Kg Buah Pala files declassified

For gutsy stuff by The Sun, "According to the documents, the land was approved for alienation to the cooperative twice by the BN state exco, led by then Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, on Aug 18, 2004 and June 8, 2005.

The premium agreed upon was RM6.42 million or RM20 a sq ft. It was subsequently reduced to RM3.21 million or RM10 a sq ft. (Estimates have put the land’s worth at between RM30 million and RM40 million.)" The Sun

“The chronology of events prove beyond a shadow of doubt that Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon And His Umno, MCA, MIC and Gerakan cohorts had robbed Kampung Buah Pala residents of their land without consulting them,” Guan Eng said in a statement issued today. Full story at TheMalaysianInsider.

How about that! How would you like to pay RM3 million for something that's worth RM40 million? Malaysia Boleh!

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Istana Toyo

2009-07-09T10:59:00.002+08:00

Well look what the cat dragged in? After his pal Mat Deros dropped dead news that Toyo aka Botox allegedly spent over RM24 million on his palace has become public. Of course he denies he spent so much.

C'mon how many rapists, killers and sickos ever admit to anything! If only public servants serve the people, who knows how much more lovely PJ could be today!

Check out the pics of the palace! HERE

18 people die on the road each day

2009-07-01T11:22:00.002+08:00

AN average of 18 persons die on the road every day, according to statistics from the Road Safety Department.

The country’s road fatality rate last year was recorded at 3.9%, with 6,527 cases compared with 6,282 fatalities in 2007.

In Petaling Jaya, which has a high number of motorists due to the convergence of highways as well as its fast development, there were 21,504 road accidents last year, 124 of them fatal and 197 involved serious injuries.

Almost half of the cases (10,203), according to the traffic police’s statistics, occurred at the same 10 locations and many were at almost the same spots. Read More

Two workers killed, seven trapped in building collapse

2009-05-29T09:37:00.001+08:00

PETALING JAYA (May 28, 2009): The building which housed the Jaya supermarket and still remains a landmark in Section 14 here partially collapsed this evening, killing at least two workers and trapping seven others.

Chinese embassy concerned over snatch thefts

2009-05-25T19:14:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR (May 24, 2009): The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia has expressed concern over the number of Chinese tourists falling victims to snatch thieves, and wants the country's law enforcement units to take note of the matter.

According to a report in Nanyang Siang Pau yesterday, counsellor Su Qiang of the embassy disclosed that the embassy has received reports from five to six of its nationals being snatched of their belongings in Kuala Lumpur lately.

Commenting on the latest case which happened on Friday, Su said the embassy is taking a serious view of Chinese tourists becoming targets of snatch-thieves and urged the Malaysian authorities to also take a serious view of the safety of these tourists.

"The Malaysian Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen has just been to China to promote Malaysia's tourism industry, I hope the Malaysian authorities will pay attention to snatch-thefts in which Chinese tourists are the victims."

He said the visa unit of the embassy has complained to the police on the number of Chinese tourists falling victims to snatch-thieves in Kuala Lumpur but Chinese tourists continued to be victimised.

He told the daily that on top of losing an average of 2,000 renminbi (about RM1,000) each, the victims also lost their passports and other important documents.

"The Chinese visiting Malaysia are not affected by the A(H1N1) scare, but some of them fall victim to snatch-thieves or robbers," he lamented.

He said the victims face much inconveniences, including having to get replacement passports and visas. The Sun

300 dogs dumped on Malaysia islands eat each other

2009-05-07T15:05:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — More than 300 stray dogs that were dumped on isolated islands turned to cannibalism after weeks of starvation, animal welfare activists said Thursday.

(pic) One of the dogs in pathetic condition.

The plight of the dogs cast away by villagers on two small, uninhabited islands off Malaysia's western Selangor state ignited outrage after activists this week released photographs showing dogs eating the carcasses of ones that had died.

Residents of a fishing village on Pulau Ketam, another island off Selangor, caught the dogs last month and took them to the islands covered in mangroves. The villagers said they never intended to be cruel — they believed the dogs could feed on the deserted islands' wildlife — but wanted to rid their island of dogs that defecate on the streets and sometimes bite children.

A team from the Selangor Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals visited one of the islands — Pulau Selat Kering — on Monday and saw several emaciated dogs "crowded and hunched around something — they were hungrily feasting on the remains of another dog," the SPCA said in a statement.

"Nearby, a weak dog was screaming because several dogs were trying to bite her," it said.

Volunteers have so far rescued two dogs and left food for the others, said SPCA official Jacinta Johnson. They estimate 200 might have survived. Activists would also try to rescue any dogs left on the other island, Pulau Tengah.

Pulau Ketam's residents have said some dogs tried to swim back to their island, about a half-hour boat ride away, but it was not clear how many succeeded.

Efforts to save the dogs have been slow because many were fearful of people and scampered into mangrove swamps when rescuers approached, Johnson said.

Activists have persuaded Pulau Ketam's villagers not to dump any more dogs and are considering measures such as sterilization and relocation to ease problems posed by an estimated 2,000 stray dogs, the SPCA said. (By SEAN YOONG/Associated Press Writer)

Condo residents jittery after blaze

2009-05-05T14:58:00.003+08:00

THE STAR
By CHRISTINA LOW

IT WAS a near miss that residents of the Amandari Condominium at Segambut in Kuala Lumpur will not forget easily, and they are now living in fear of a fire outbreak.

Lightning struck three units recently, causing a fire and the residents now feel jittery each time there is a thunderstorm and flashes of lightning in the sky.

But the real risk during the fire last week was when the firemen arrived and had a hard time driving the fire engine through the condominium’s main entrance.

Precious time was wasted as the fire engine had to squeeze through the gate.

The residents want the developer to ensure that the two condominium blocks are safe, particularly with arrester rods in working condition and ensuring the easy accessibility of rescue vehicles such as fire engines.

The residents raised the issue at a meeting with Azmal Shah, an official of the developer Sheyher Development Sdn Bhd. The meeting was arranged by Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng,

On the fateful day when the fire broke out, neighbouring residents who heard the loud bang rushed out of their homes but did not realise that a fire had broken out.

According to resident K.P. Tiam, it was the foreign workers from the construction site opposite the condominium who saw the fire and alerted them by shouting.

Tiam said the residents then called the fire and rescue services department which promptly sent a fire fighting team in a fire engine, but they had a hard time struggling to get past the narrow main entrance.

“Much precious time was wasted as the fire engine had to squeeze its way through the gate,” he said.

“The condominium developer should do something about the entrance and exit points because during an emergency, getting to the problem area fast is essential to protect life and property,” Tiam said.

In addition to the lightning and fire risk, residents of the four-year old condominium also have a bagful of complaints to highlight.

“We have been suffering from water leakages and our walls are cracking.” said Ng Yee Kim, 28.

Ng said she had been diligently paying her maintenance fees, but when she lodged a complaint on her unit with the developer, the company just ignored her.

“I keep reminding the company about the problem but no action has been taken to rectify the situation,” said Ng, who then decided to stop paying her maintenance fees from January this year.

According to Azmal, the residents of the two blocks owed the company more than RM240,000 in maintenance fees.

“Sometimes, we manage to collect about 50% of the maintenance fees from the 88 units, but there are times when we only have about 30% to 40%,” Azmal said.

He blamed the residents for not taking the initiative to attend meetings organised by the developer, saying that usually only about 20% of them were present.

Azmal said some units had gone through various renovations and rectifications which might be the cause of the leaking problem and other defects, but a thorough check had to be conducted.

Asked about the fire incident, Azmal said the company was still waiting for the full report from the fire and rescue services department which would take about two weeks.

He also said if the residents were not satisfied with the developer, they should perhaps ask the housing tribunal to mediate on the matter.

Meanwhile, Lim said he had discussed the matter with the developer last year when he visited the area but the situation had not changed much since then.

Lim said he understood that the developer needed to collect at least 70% of maintenance fees monthly for works on the building, but he did not blame the residents for not wanting to pay as their complaints were not attended to.

“I have discussed with the developer urging the company to rectify certain parts of the condominium first to let the residents know that there is value for their money,” he said.

“Once residents see that things are being done, I am sure they will pay their fees,” Lim said.

Lim said he would wait for the report from the fire and rescue service department to discover the cause of the incident, especially with regard to the safety of the two blocks.

Fomca: Court ruling a lesson for car park operators

2009-04-26T16:59:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: The decision of the court to hold car park operators liable for items stolen from vehicles in lots under their care will force them to provide better security, said Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah.

“The signages ‘park at your own risk’ does not work as a legal effect. The car park operator is responsible for the cars parked in its area but this case has tested the legal opinion.

“Consumers must fight and cannot take statements (from operators) as the law,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Muhammad Sha’ani was commenting on the Penang magistrate court’s decision on Friday ordering a car park operator to pay a lawyer for items stolen from his car at an open air car park near Komtar two years ago.

Muhammad Sha’ani added that the court’s decision would help to educate car park operators and push them to be more responsible to customers.

He said the issue had also been brought up in Britain and the court there also found the car park operator to be liable for vehicles parked in its area. The Star

Baby Kidnapped!

2009-04-22T09:40:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: A 1-year-old boy has gone missing from his home and his family suspects that he has fallen into the hands of a human trafficking syndicate.
The toddler, Kee Hao Kit, was believed to have been abducted by a worker in his father's coconut plantation in Sungai Air Tawar, Sabak Bernam, Selangor, 12 days ago.

To date, his family has not received any ransom demand for his release.

Hao Kit's parents, Kee Bak Siang and Tan Lay Khiaw, are worried that their only child may have been smuggled out of the country. NST

Selangor gears for water battle

2009-03-31T22:33:00.002+08:00

The Sun SHAH ALAM (March 31, 2009) : Selangor is gearing up for a battle against water tariff hikes if the federal government returns water operations in the state back to concessionnaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas).

For now, the state is asking for arbitration of the matter with all parties concerned and if all else fails, it is prepared to take the matter to court.

On a report that the Cabinet will discuss today (Wed) whether a scheduled tariff hike should be allowed, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said there should not be any unilateral increase of tariffs.

“If the Energy, Water and Telecommunications Ministry wants to allow the tariff increase, they should meet the state through arbitration as provided for in the concession agreement,” he said, adding that discussions should include the state and Federal governments and the water concessionnaire.

“From this, we can decide if a water tariff hike is justified.”

The scheduled tariff hike of 31% (brought down from the original 37%) was supposed to kick in on Jan 1 but was postponed to April 1 to allow the state to initiate a takeover of the water concessionnaire's equities. However, the negotiations seem to have stalemated.

Abdul Khalid hoped the Federal government will take on the state government's suggestion to restructure the industry so that water tariffs can be brought down instead of the scheduled hikes, if the concession companies take over.

Earlier, the state had found that the concession companies failed to adhere to the terms in the contract and that it had failed to follow guidelines stipulated in the concession agreement, like conducting direct negotiations instead of via open tender.

“Syabas has also failed to keep to its end of its deal to reduce non-revenue water (NRW) in the state,” he added.

He said the state had already requested that the Federal government terminate the contract but there has been no response so far. “We are ready to initiate legal action as a last resort.”

Selangor had made an offer of RM5.71 billion to the four water concession companies Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd, Syabas, Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd (Abbas) and Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (Splash) to take over the water concession on Feb 13.

However, on Feb 18, two days before the deadline for the concession companies to respond to the state’s offer, the Energy Water and Communications Ministry via Span CEO Datuk Teo Yen Hua announced that the Federal Government would negotiate directly with Selangor water concessionaires via the Finance Ministry-owned Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB).

PAAB offered RM6 billion to take over just the assets of the company. Under the asset light model, companies which migrate to the water licensing regime under the restructuring, need not worry about loans for assets as these will be undertaken by PAAB.

Robbery by Mat Rempits in Taman Maluri

2009-03-24T19:27:00.005+08:00

March 16, 2009 @ 2.57pm

This video has been forwarded around quite a bit in the past few days. Damn Rempits are so daring and probably high on drugs too.

MB: State can challenge Federal Govt over water issue

2009-03-22T14:59:00.002+08:00

Saturday, March 21: THE Selangor government reiterates that it can legally challenge the Federal Government over the water restructuring issue in the state.

“Yes, if we want to, we can. We would like to remind the Federal Government that we have an enactment in Selangor to protect the rights of water users in the state,” Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said after the Selangor Business Council meeting in Shah Alam yesterday. more at StarOnline

Free car parking in 4 Kelana Jaya LRT stations

2009-03-21T10:28:00.002+08:00

Friday March 20, 2009 KUALA LUMPUR: Starting Friday, light rail transit (LRT) commuters are given free parking at four stations on the Kelana Jaya line, Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Sdn Bhd (RapidKL) said.

Communications general manager Ebi Azly Abdullah said the stations are Kelana Jaya, Taman Paramount, Taman Jaya and Dang Wangi.

RapidKL decided to provide the free parking as the carpark management contract for the four stations had expired, he said in a statement.

"The free parking will go on until such a time to be announced later," he added. - Bernama

Truly good news for LRT users and I bet the folks working in the shops and offices right across the LRT station in Kelana Jaya and the other three stations. Personally I feel a validation system should be in place so that the free parking is not abused. After all the LRT system cost over RM3 billion and a few hundred grand is not too much to ask.

Proposal to build a car wash structure

2009-03-20T19:00:00.004+08:00

If you read the notice board recently you would know that the JMC (most do not even live here if I am not mistaken) are seeking assistance from residents to help design a facility somewhere near block A.

How many residents among the 625 units are actually so busy that they cannot get their cars washed outside? Car wash services are available at petrol kiosks, malls, hypermarts and even at the public parking lots where the mobile guys go from car to car.

It is already bad enough that management violates house rules and allows the present mobile car wash to operate for many years. Now they want to build a permanent structure?

There was a semi-permanent car wash about 6 years back at block A and it was a nuisance! The workers would press wrong remote buttons and alarms would go off again and again! During weekends when many cars queue up it causes congestion and the car wash guys would "borrow" any temporary vacant parking lot. When the resident returns, they have to honk and wait for the worker to fumble and find the keys and remove the car.

And one more thing the workers probably do not even have a valid drivers license and good luck to their customers.

So dear JMC and condo manager, please DO NOT put us to unnecessary hassle! And STOP the mobile car wash NOW before a resident(s) take you to COURT!

Water supply to Flora apartments cut

2009-03-14T18:01:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 - About 200 residents of Flora Damansara condominium today picketed to protest the decision by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) to cut water supply to their homes.

Residents committee chairman Abdul Hakim Amir said the water cut to blocks D, E, F and H yesterday morning was done without notice.

He said Syabas cut their water supply because the management did not settle arrears owed to the company.

Syabas corporate and current affairs general manager Abdul Halem Mat Som said water supply was cut after the management failed to settle payment for several months.

"We advise residents to avoid such an incident by changing to individual meters to facilitate billing by Syabas," he said. - Bernama

Syabas corporate communications and public affairs general manager Abdul Halem Mat Som said the arrears for Flora Damansara had accumulated to almost RM400,000 since July last year.

One thing is certain, the whole place is in bad shape and the previous management has left the JMB with a mountain of shit!

Ongoing Refurbishment

2009-03-12T10:14:00.000+08:00

The condos lift cars has had new flooring completed recently. The two-tone (green/grey) scheme is splendid as the dark green in the center would definitely stand up to the heavy traffic and with that comes dirt and grime.

I just have a complaint that hardly a day goes by without encountering some idiot smoking in the lift. Firstly it is rather uncivilised and inconsiderate. I am a smoker myself but I respect the fact that clean air is a right of every resident. Besides there are people around with respiratory ailments like ashtma, etc.

LRT passengers’ journey derailed after blackout halts Kelana Jaya line

2009-03-04T18:49:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Several LRT stations were jam-packed last night when thousands of commuters were stuck for more than an hour due to the RapidKL Kelana Jaya LRT service being halted by a power failure during a storm. Some commuters were stuck in trains and only reached their destinations hours later. The Star

Good time in bad times

2009-02-26T23:17:00.001+08:00

After blowing RM3 million on the Millennium Park in SS13, Subang Jaya and turning it into a monument to ineptitude and poor planning, the Subang Jaya Municipal Council has gone one better.

Now, it plans to spend RM216,800 of ratepayers’ money on a lavish dinner for 1,200 people at a five-star hotel in Bandar Sunway. The one-night affair tomorrow at Sunway Hotels and Resorts is to honour its staff and 25 councillors for their contributions.

On the night, 100 employees will be awarded RM1,000 each for their “stellar” performance. That’s RM100,000. The remaining RM116,800 will go to the event itself, which includes the use of function rooms and a five-course Chinese dinner.

This expenditure of public funds in light of the current economic uncertainty has drawn the ire of residents’ associations and NGOs, who have lambasted the council for it. The Malay Mail

Ah, power is lovely in Malaysia. The hotel and the councils "star" performers receiving their rewards are not complaining, are they?

And then he falls

2009-02-26T22:09:00.002+08:00

A second’s lapse of judgment has led to a horrific tragedy that will haunt a 13-year-old boy for the rest of his life.

Placing a two-year-old toddler on the ledge of the sixth floor stairway, the teenager quickly turned
to lift the toddler onto his back.

Instead, the toddler fell off the ledge and plunged to the pavement below the block of flats.

The tragedy took place shortly before noon at the Pekan Batu PPR flats while the teenager was taking care of the toddler as his mother, the child’s babysitter, was busy washing clothes.

A resident at the block, S. Saroja, 59, who was walking towards her home with her granddaughter, was the first to see the toddler’s body on the ground.

“At first I thought it was a dog’s carcass and was going to walk away. But, when my grandchild exclaimed that it was a baby, I was shocked!

“I went closer and saw the boy lying there with nothing on and the diapers beside him. The toddler
was lying face down and struggling to breath.

“I immediately notified the emergency unit at the flats.”

The toddler, Sathia Seelan, was rushed to the Selayang Hospital but died upon arrival.

The victim’s father, A. Ramasamy, 34, was informed of the tragedy about an hour later as he couldn’t be contacted immediately.

The security guard got the tragic news from his employer as he does not have a cellphone.

“I can’t believe this has happened. He was an active and bright boy who likes flipping through
books.”

However, Ramasamy refused to blame anyone for the incident, describing it as fate.

He recounted another close shave where he almost dropped his young son at the apartment’s
corridor after the toddler wriggled out of his grasp.

Ramasamy was lucky to have grab bed hold of his son’s leg.

Sathia Seelan had been taken care of by the babysitter, a close family friend, from 8am to 9pm
daily.

The teenager, who doesn’t attend school as he does not have a birth certificate, has been described
by his parents as being very depressed by the incident.

Sentul police chief ACP Zakaria Pagan confirmed the incident and police have ruled out foul play after taking statements from the parents of both children and from the teenager. Malay Mail

Very sad indeed. When will people ever learn that you DO NOT ask a child to do an adult's job?

RON 97 price to be floated

2009-02-19T12:24:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The price of premium grade petrol RON 97 will be floated according to international oil prices from July.

It is understood that oil companies briefed their retailers this week that there will also be changes to grades of fuel sold at pumps.

Several retailers said the "regular" grade RON 92 fuel would be phased out and a new grade, RON 95, would be introduced, in addition to RON 97.

The retailers said there would be a subsidy on the price of RON 95 fuel used by a majority of cars in Malaysia. more at NST

Power rates cut

2009-02-12T09:45:00.001+08:00

PUTRAJAYA (Feb 11, 2009): Pressure from manufacturers hit by the economic crisis has caused the electricity tariff to be lowered by an average of 3.7% from March 1, with industrial users being the biggest beneficiary.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor today announced that industrial users will get a 5% reduction, while commercial and residential users will get a 2.7% and 2.54% reduction respectively.

He said the average 3.7% reduction will mean a drop from 32.5sen/kWh to 31.31sen/kWh.

He said domestic users from the lower-income group whose bills are below RM20 will continue to receive an exemption till Dec 31.

"The government has also set the life-line band for domestic users who use 200kwj and below a month. The current tariff of 21.8sen/kWh will be retained as this category has not seen an increase since 1998," said Shaziman.

The new tarif will be reviewed every six months to standardise the tariff amid volatile prices of fuel and gas in the international market. The Sun

Basically we are still screwed!

Kelana Jaya lake is toxic

2009-02-10T15:40:00.001+08:00

THE water in the Kelana Jaya lake at SS7 in Petaling Jaya is so dreadfully polluted that even touching it is not advisable.

This sorry state of affairs was confirmed by an ongoing study conducted jointly by the Global Environment Centre (GEC) and the Department of Chemistry Malaysia.

According to GEC River Care Programe officer Shafinaz Shahabudin, the first phase of the Kelana Jaya Lake rehabilitation programme began in 2002. full story at The Star

Bad Times = More Crimes

2009-02-08T21:44:00.000+08:00

I have not been meeting up with D'Putera neighbours recently except for the brief hellos in the elevator so I have not heard anything positive nor negative. My own impression of the security firm is good and if I am right I hope they continue to do a good job.

I did meet up with some friends in SS2 last Thursday and as all of them (there were 10 altogether) lived in various parts of PJ like SS2 itself, SS21, SS23 and SS25 I was shocked to hear some true stories they shared. One was of an elderly woman (over 55) who was robbed on SS2/40 (behind Sri Siam) during her morning walk. The poor woman did not have a sen on her and despite her age the scums (there were four Malay or Indon looking males in a car) punched her in the face for not carrying any cash or jewelry. The old lady can't describe the car or number plates as she was too shocked and who could blame her.

Last Friday we went to Yoon Tai medical shop in SS2/75 and was surprised that they had installed an electrical door lock. Apparently they were robbed by a couple of Chinese (Malaysian most likely) knife-weilding thugs. If you guys know SS2 you'd know that the Police Station is just 200 meters away.

Be very careful everywhere but more so when you are in SS2 or any "taman" without security guards. Common sense tells us that it is now harder to "roam" in guarded tamans like SS22, SS23, SS24, etc so SS2 is a "gangsta's paradise"!

Trains delayed - to 2013

2009-01-31T21:44:00.002+08:00

The Malay Mail (Sat); The trains Klang Valley commuters have been waiting for to alleviate their misery will be delayed — yet again.

Word from transport industry sources is that planned additional lines and stations for the light rail train (LRT) network is now projected to be ready only in 2013 — three years later than originally planned.

“While the public would be let down by this revelation, the truth is that funding is the major problem,” an industry source told Malay Mail yesterday.

It is learnt that Syarikat Prasarana Nasional Bhd (SBNB), the wholly owned government company (under Ministry of Finance Inc) set up to run key public transport companies, is facing difficulty sourcing the estimated RM5 billion for the 32km project.

The extensions to the existing Kelana Jaya-Gombak and Sri Petaling-Ampang lines were supposed to be ready by 2010, and were later delayed to 2011, the source said.

With the latest developments, the projected 700,000 daily commuters will have to wait till 2013 for the extended network to come on line.

Councillors get threatening calls

2009-01-23T12:42:00.001+08:00

Councillors in Petaling Jaya are under a lot of pressure with many of them receiving threats for trying to do their job.

The latest victim was Derek Fernandez, whose outspoken views on the illegal billboards in PJ has not gone down well with some. It took an ugly turn with a death threat being issued to the outspoken councillor.

Fernandez said he received a call from a man using a prepaid phone number on Monday night telling him: “You and your family are going to die.”

“I believe these threats are made because of the firm stand by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) on the illegal billboards,” he said.

Fernandez was obviously referring to the operation to remove an illegal billboard in Jalan SS 2/2 on Jan 14. “This is what happens when you do your job honestly. When they can’t bribe you, they threaten to kill you and your family. I hope the state and federal governments move swiftly to protect its officers and apprehend the perpetrators,” he said. ***

Fernandez, accompanied by Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San, Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin and several PJ councillors, lodged a police report immediately after he received the death threat.

All-Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Residents Association Coalition (APAC) chairman Liew Wei Beng also lodged a police report on Tuesday night against a man who shouted abuses at him during the billboard operation. more at Star Online

*** where are the gallant police when you need them. Cops so quick to disperse peaceful protesters but nowhere to be seen in cases like these!

Warning! Cooking Gas

2009-01-10T09:41:00.003+08:00

Aug.15, 2008 Lately i have been starting to cook own dinner as prices out there are crazy. I made a shocking discovery as my cooking gas (not sure of size but is common size for home use) only lasted me 3 months for past 6 years. I only boiled water for drinking daily and the occassional instant mee.

I switched supplier recently (bought same size tank) and despite cooking 4-5 times a week plus boiling water daily, it is now 4 1/2 mths and still going. If anyone buys gas from a shop in SS6 (nr old Giant), BEWARE! I have been cheated all these years. This guy delivers by motorbike.
more at pjnet forum

Another Landlord from Hell

2009-01-09T10:27:00.004+08:00

Well technically we have two landladies from Hell in Kelana D'Putera. Although I have to give this recent find the benefit of the doubt as it is the first complaint. But then again Malaysians are known to just suffer in silence and maybe for every complaint received five goes unreported.

Okay back to the latest hound from hell. The story goes like this,
so yeah i moved in a month ago. the landlords name is JESSICA and her number is 016-6996949. at first she asked me to move in to the 12th floor then on the last day, 6th floor. i was fine with it. we previously agreed i would take the hall section (for those who know kelana putra layout) and she will place a door there for me. end up on the day i am moving in practically driving over with all my stuff, she calls and says the door is not ready. i got no choice im not from kl so i had to move into a hall with no privacy. till now no door, apparently she hired someone to do it the person run away with the money. she said she made police report, i ask for a copy, fail to produce. Now, no electricity. as i about to leave the house, i see a notice from TNB she owes rm1400 for OCTOBER bill. that was before i moved in. My housemates suddenly tells me that she called them and been asking to borrow her money. WTF!!!

there's alot more to tell about this Jessica but guys, please for your own safety, dont ever deal with her. she is a pathological liar. i can tell more about her but i too malas to type. the above is the main things how she been screwing us over. link to pjnet

Intel says she has between 4 to 6 units which she rents from landlords and thereon sublets. I do not have exact unit numbers but two or more units are at Block B and C.

Consumers confused about the new TNB billing system

2009-01-08T12:50:00.001+08:00

MANY people have been complaining of high electricity bills ever since Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) introduced a new method of tabulating power usage recently.

“My bill has increased tremendously ever since the new tariff was introduced. All my children are students and need to use the computer and printer which increases the bill,” housewife K. Shanti said.

Shanti, 49, does not understand why the tariff for consumers who exceed 400kWh usage need to pay a 30sen per kWh charge.

“The rate is too high for a home user. Why hasn’t the TNB reduced the cost of electricity after the oil prices have decreased?” she asked. The Star

This is Malaysia where politicians can do anyting and say they are STUPID!

People pay for sweet toll deals

2009-01-07T16:51:00.002+08:00

MAKE Big Money Sdn Bhd (MBM), as the name suggests, wants to make mega bucks. Its shareholders have little to invest, but they have "connections". They prepare a "working paper" to be submitted to the government. They want to build bungalows which would be subsequently leased to the government for 30 years. The company doesn’t have the land or the money. The government acquires the land and provides a loan so that the bungalows can be built. So, how can MBM not succeed? Everything is served on a platter and there’s a ready taker when the bungalows are handed over. In the event MBM loses in this venture, the government will compensate the company!

This in a nutshell describes one of the many toll concessions that have been entered into by the government. For long, these concessions had been kept under wraps, for reasons better known to the powers that be. But with the declassification of the documents, it is now public knowledge that some of them were lopsided deals. How and why did the government enter into such deals? No one can answer these questions except the people who were tasked with the responsibility.

How could the government take the financial risks to pay for all costs? Besides, why did it undertake to guarantee concessionaires profits and indemnify them from losses and even ensured the profits?

It is interesting to note that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was quoted in theSun (Jan 9, 2007), as saying: "What you have is a cabinet which is not very knowledgeable all the time because it is not made up of experts but politicians (and) some politicians like myself can sometimes be stupid. The cabinet merely gave approvals in principle and never really studied the implications in some parts of the agreements."

Full story in The Sun

Hapless dad unable to save girl

2009-01-03T19:33:00.002+08:00

Before anyone gets excited, no this is not breaking news. It is sad news of what happened just over three years ago in Kelana Mahkota. The only reason why I publish this is that a friend asked me today whether any bad incidents happened in D'Putera.

I told her I recall two suicide cases where I think it was in 2004 that a 14-year old schoolboy jumped off the highest floor. A year later a lady suffering from post-natal stress leaped off her unit (also highest floor). It was also in an instant I recalled the Mahkota drowning incident. I hope this reminds everyone to always be vigilant and not take safety for granted.

Peaceful protest over development

2008-12-30T21:13:00.002+08:00

The Star (Monday)

PETALING JAYA residents ended the year with a strong message that they intend to be heard.

About 200 residents from the area turned up in front of the FAS field in Kelana Jaya to stage a peaceful protest against the development of a commercial hub consisting of:

·20 units of 6½ storey shoplots

·72 units of 4½ storey shoplots

·two 15 to 28 storey office blocks with 8 levels of podium

·1 basement car park, and

·four electricity sub-stations.

The protest was organised by the All Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Residents’ Association Coalition (APAC).

Among some of the banners held by residents read “PJ is Overdeveloped” and “Dear developer, we fully support similar development if it is behind/in front/beside YOUR house.”

Taman Mayang Rukun Tetangga chairman Chan Chow Wang said that the jam along the LDP was unbearable and other developments in the area such as the Paradigm was already underway.

“We can’t even get in and out of Taman Mayang from the LDP. When we try to make a U-turn into our area, a stretch of about 500m would take us at least half and hour. To make matters worse, many people are parking along the LDP in front of the Kelana Jaya LRT station,” said Chan.

Chan said that the land was given to FAS to be used as a football field and it was unthinkable to convert the land for commercial use.

APAC chairman Liew Wei Beng said that they would submit an official objection to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

“We want this open area to be maintained. The development of this commercial hub will lead to further congestion along the LDP and increase traffic at the tunnel leading into Ara Damansara,” said Liew.

He added that the APAC would also raise the issue of land conversion from institutional to commercial without due process and consultation.

“The first development order was approved in 2006. As far as we know, none of the residents have been consulted before the MBPJ issued the development order then,” said Liew.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said that the residents have spoken loud and clear and steps should be taken to retain as many open spaces as possible.

“There is enough congestion and there should be no development until the traffic problem is solved,” said Pua, who agreed that consultation with residents should have been carried out when converting the land for commercial use.

MBPJ councillor Cynthi Gabriel said that the turnout for the protest was encouraging but that residents still need to submit official objections to the council.

Councillor Mak Khuin Weng said that he was concerned about the discrepancies brought up by residents and would bring up the issue with the MBPJ town planning department.

Many residents in the surrounding area were also upset that only a handful received letters from the MBPJ regarding the development.

One resident also claimed that the MBPJ was misleading the people as the objection board put up at the site of the development had no mention of the two blocks of 15- to 28-storey office buildings but it was mentioned in the letters which not many residents received.

Also present was Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee.

D'Aman Crimson Owners Forum

2008-12-16T19:45:00.003+08:00

I was Googling for some info about our immediate 'neighbors' and came across a rather active blog for D'Aman Crimson Owners.

Similar problems like break-ins .... please read the comments.

KDP Condo House Rules

2008-12-02T12:48:00.011+08:00

I seldom read what is posted on the notice boards (at cafeteria or at each block) but I noticed an advertisement to "learn how to swim". Although the venue for the lessons was not mentioned I won't be surprised if it was at our swimming pool.

I dug up my copy of House Rules and found this;

Page 4 under 2.11 Solicitation

No solicitation of goods and services, religious or political activities shall be permitted in the premises.

Page 13 under 9.2.15 No Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons are prohibited in the pool.

I know someone IS giving swimming lessons IN the pool and I am sure it has been going on for a few years now. Personally I don't quite understand why lessons cannot be conducted in the pool but I think it is in the book for a reason. So by having lessons and putting up the ad, TWO rules are broken.

Another issue I can state would be the presence of the "cuci kereta" (car wash boys). Is this not solicitation? Let us not go into the usage of water but RULE 2.11 is clear. Besides if you prohibit this car wash business I am sure our water usage will be reduced as I bet most of the patrons would be too lazy to wash their own vehicles. These guys have been operating for so many years too!

From a security standpoint the fact that two fellas are "roaming" freely at late hours in our compound sounds ludicrous. I mean how do you you if they are not informants to burglars. And I am sure while they are washing cars they are sure to knock into the car next to it. These little dents are a price to pay for us non-customers?

To cut to the chase, IT IS A VIOLATION TO ALLOW THIS UNAUTHORIZED BUSINESS IN OUR CONDO. Next a resident may well set up a stall at the lift to sell nasi lemak!!!

What Security?

2008-11-26T16:58:00.003+08:00

The present security firm took over the job on August 7 , 2008 and after 90 days I would say they are scoring very little points with me. I can give them some slack as for the proxy card changeover and all but they are no better than the old goons in other areas.

I had four visitors come by last weekend at about 9pm. Just as the other time (August 29) I had friends come by the guards did not stop them. I asked them if the guards were alright to which they said they were not even stopped. 9pm is definitely NOT peak time and yet the guards are so lazy. We all know well that the human as well as vehicle traffic in/out of the condo is very high. But hey, they are the "so-called" security experts. Can they suggest measures to improve the security? Or is it down to the money issue?

I have not heard of any break-ins since the Block A incident but I would not be surprised if it happened again.

Sterling @ PJ

2008-11-17T08:46:00.003+08:00

I finally got to visit my friend's unit yesterday. Being priced in the mid-high price bracket it is obviously more posh than our condo.

The entrance and exit were dual lanes, one for visitors and the other for residents. His unit came with a tandem parking lot and additional single bays are priced at RM18,000 each and tandem lots at RM26,000 (it is all on the notice boards).

The unit is a 1442 square feet 3+1 room and 2 bathroom unit. I found all the rooms to be rather small for such a condo though the hall and dining is large. From the dining area the rooms are on a split level up like the ones in Kelana Mahkota. Finishing in the baths look quite posh too. We met two sets of tenants that morning, first were a group of Unitar students (horror of horrors) and the other were Indian IT guys. The students paid RM300 per person to Unitar but we forgot to ask how many persons stayed. Our guess is at least 6 - 8 as some desperate owners are letting out at RM1400 per month. That leaves a healthy profit for Unitar or whoever it is subletting.

Next we went down to the ground level and checked out the gymnasium. It was a pathetic room about the same size our our gym. The swimming pool (photo above) was nice though with it's Balinese feel. They had palm trees all round. We asked if there were squash courts but the Gurkha guards said no but there were badminton courts on Lower Ground 3. Huh, LG3? We asked again and he said yes LG3. Surprise, surprise they indeed have a hall which housed two parquet badminton courts complete with nets. If my senses are right I think it is right underneath the tennis courts on Ground level. It was well-lit with natural light coming from the North-West and floodlights.

Conclusion, my opinion is that with 611 units housed in two blocks (16 units per floor) and the current economic situation said to get worse Sterling will not be worth it's name if more students live there. Our condo has 625 units I think and we know jolly well how "lively" it is. The equation is simple, the higher the density the more crap there will be! I kept my thoughts to myself as I did not want to hurt my friend's feelings but he is not thinking of staying anyway. He'll either sell it or rent it out.

PJ at risk of being over-developed

2008-11-10T13:48:00.002+08:00

THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) should relook its policies of approving development projects until a master traffic study has been conducted.

Councillor Cynthia Gabriel had, during the full board meeting last month, highlighted concerns regarding the proposed 22-storey office building in Taman Bukit Mayang Emas and a commercial hub at the FAS field.

“There are a lot of ad hoc developments being approved even before the RTPJ2 (Petaling Jaya Local Draft Plan 2) has been gazetted.

“If we keep approving high-rise buildings, what is it going to do to the traffic?” questioned Gabriel.

PJ will become a giant parking lot if all these highrises are built!!!

read story at The Star November 11, 2008.

Break-in at Block A

2008-10-25T09:04:00.003+08:00

Sorry for stale news. The break-in happened exactly a week ago. After hearing the "reports" of two residents this is what I gather happened.

Last Saturday between the hours of 1.30pm and 6.00pm a unit at Level 3A Block A was broken into. The thieves cut the two padlocks on the grille door and kicked in the main door. I believe two notebooks, passports and some other valuables were stolen.

I think most if not all break-ins in our condo's history involved units with the original main doors. The original design is very burglar-friendly as after breaking in the front grille, thieves have the option of breaking in via main door or the side door (leading to yard) or even the window at the kitchen sink. Kicking in or prying (with crowbar, etc) the main door is usually the easier option as most locks are the puny cylindrical door set type. What residents should do is remove this door and install a regular-size door just after the front grille. Use a decent dead-bolt or two for the lock and this will deter burglars.

The current work-in-progress of the security upgrades is not helping as the boom gate has been out for months now. Even when the cctv system is in place it will only work if we have proper monitoring. Putting up a surveillance system and using it after a crime is not pro-active.

Residents want tunnel closed

2008-10-14T14:41:00.002+08:00

The Star Tuesday Oct 14, 2008: RESIDENTS from Taman Megah Mas and Taman Mayang held a peaceful demonstration last weekend to protest against the use of the Taman Megah Mas tunnel as an access road to the Ara Damansara and Lembah Subang areas.

The rally, organised by the Taman Megah Mas Residents Association (RA) and Taman Mayang Rukun Tetangga (RT), was aimed at highlighting the residents’ concerns about the traffic congestion and pollution they have to endure to the authorities.

The tunnel was originally built as a temporary route for garbage trucks to access Lembah Subang, which was previously designated as a waste disposal area.

However, the Taman Megah Mas tunnel and nearby FAS tunnel are used as alternative access roads linking the eastern side of Petaling Jaya, like Ara Damansara, to the western side like Kelana Jaya and the LDP.

An initial traffic study revealed that an average of 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles cross the Taman Megah Mas tunnel per day and 2,000 vehicles at peak hour.

“The motorists will clog the narrow two-lane residential roads at Jalan Emas 1 and 2 in Tamah Megah Mas and squeeze their way into the tunnel, which measures a mere 8m wide, when the required width for public roads is 12m,” said Taman Megah Mas RA chairman G.C. Goay.

“Motorists from as far as Kota Damansara and Bandar Utama will also cut through Taman Mayang (via Jalan SS25/32 and Jalan SS25/39) to use the tunnel as a short cut to go to Saujana and Ara Damansara,” said Taman Mayang RT chairman Chan Chow Wang.

“The congestion is expected to worsen with future developments in Lembah Subang and Saujana like a four-star 18-storey hotel and several commercial and residential developments.”

Click for full report

Cooking Gas Cheat!

2008-10-10T14:28:00.002+08:00

I came across this in the PJNET forum about Cooking Gas Cheat and thought I'd share it with readers. It does not take a lot of effort to jot down the date you got your gas refill and be sure you are not short-changed.

If you did not click the link - the alleged cheat's contact is Tel: 7803 1337

You have been WARNED!

Puncak Seri Kelana & D'aman Crimson

2008-10-10T12:13:00.003+08:00

I had the chance to visit these two apartments recently (Crimson in September, Seri Kelana a few days ago) and would like to highlight what I noticed.

Crimson has between 1000 to 1100 units in total. There are four blocks with two floors of shops and offices. To gain entry by car I had to take a parking ticket (or park by the roadside and risk getting fined). The charge is RM1 per day and I can park anywhere on the ground floor commercial area. As for residents, they use their access card to enter via a separate boom gate. They then pass these shops before using their card again to pass a second gate into the basement parking lots. There are no guards posted here and entry is strictly by card. From the parking zone residents have to use the card again to open the door into the lift lobby.

For me I had to press the intercom where security then asked me to hold my MyKad up to the camera and state which unit I was going to. Only then will they open the door remotely. Apparently they used to have guards at the door but the guards were attacked by certain visitors when they refused them entry after midnight. So now these trouble makers have no one to attack and it works.

Once you enter the lift a second camera scans from within. Also the staircase doors on every floor are locked so you cannot use the stairs. I think it opens by remote from the security control room during emergency.

My friend has been staying there since the first day and finds it very safe and convenient.

Puncak Seri Kelana does not have cameras yet except they do have the long range access card reader. It has about 700 units and what I realised was it was so tidy with no traces of graffitti on walls or lifts.

Forum held to address issues related to tunnels on NKVE

2008-10-09T11:07:00.003+08:00

The Star, Thursday October 9, 2008

A CONSULTATIVE committee will be formed and a public workshop will be held to discuss the issue of the three tunnels and access to Ara Damansara.

This decision was made at a forum that involved all the affected stakeholders in addressing issues related to the three tunnels located along the NKVE Highway at Taman Megah Mas, FAS and Tropicana. Full Story Here

According to a recent study the Taman Megah Mas tunnel saw an average of 2,000 vehicles crossing at peak hour, and 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles a day. This is madness!

MSC status for Bandar Utama

2008-10-06T14:45:00.001+08:00

The Star Monday, Oct. 6, 2008
By TAN KARR WEI

THE Bandar Utama township in Petaling Jaya has been awarded the MSC Malaysia Cybercentre status.

“With this status, Bandar Utama is committed to providing a globally competitive environment integrated with world-class infrastructure to support the growth of ICT and ICT-enabled industries within the Klang Valley,” Bandar Utama City Corporation director Datuk Teo Chiang Kok said during the official launch at the One World Hotel recently.

There are two zones under the Bandar Utama MSC Malaysia Cybercentre: the Bandar Utama City Centre (BUCC) and Bandar Utama Technology Park.

The City Centre houses two office buildings, the Plaza IBM and the KPMG Tower, with another new office tower known as 1, First Avenue scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.

A 1.2ha purpose-built building, a part of the Bandar Utama Technology Park, has been upgraded and ready to receive MSC Status companies as tenants.

Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said there were now 15 MSC Cybercities and Cybercentres nationwide to help address the diverse business needs and locational requirements of different ICT industry segments.

Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof launched the event.

FAS field to be developed into a commercial hub

2008-09-26T11:40:00.004+08:00

Thursday September 25, 2006 The Star

EVEN before the ongoing dispute over the daily traffic chaos at the Taman Megah Mas tunnel in Petaling Jaya could be resolved, residents in the area are bracing themselves for more traffic problems.

The 4.5ha football field of the Football Association of Selangor (FAS) in Kelana Jaya has been earmarked for the development of a commercial hub.

When works start on the project, the traffic situation in the area is expected to get worse. Similarly, when the project is completed, traffic in the area will certainly become chaotic.

Gone forever: The field would be making way for a new commercial hub, adding to the traffic woes faced by people living in the area.

A check by StarMetro at the site office of the project revealed that the sales brochures had been printed and about 50% of the first phase up for sale had been booked.

According to the glossy printed brochure, the development company is Mahsuri Kelana Sdn Bhd, a member of the Sima group.

The commercial hub known as the Parklane comprises 92 units of 4½- and 6½-storey SoHo (small office home office) duplex shopslots with a rooftop garden.

There is also an area for future development and the artist’s impression in the brochure visualised a multi-level commercial building.

“The traffic problems at our area has not been resolved even though we’ve been complaining to the MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council) for the past seven years,” Taman MegahMas resident Dr Chau Foong Yeap said.

Busy road: There is a high volume of traffic coming in and out of the tunnel every day.

Chau was referring to the tunnel connecting the area to Ara Damansara, currently the centre of controversy since it was closed on Sept 1 to facilitate traffic studies.

Another tunnel in front of the FAS field has been opened but this has not pacified the Ara Damansara residents, who have to take a 3.5km detour to use it.

With the cost of petrol having gone up, the extra burning of fuel to make the detour is certainly a big financial burden.

Moreover, the bottleneck created by the detour is slowing traffic and causes much waste in precious time.

“When the traffic is bad, we can’t even reverse the car out of our house in the mornings. Cars would honk at us if we tried. Residents of both sides are victims of the situation. We want a satisfactory solution,” said a Jalan Emas 2 resident, who declined to be named.

Fond memories: A file picture of a training session at the FAS field.

Residents are also concerned about the on-going development going on in Ara Damansara, which would obviously increase the traffic volume.

Taman Megah Mas and the surrounding areas were once a low-density housing area which has seen rapid development especially with the mushrooming of high-rise condominium blocks and commercial properties.

“We were not consulted about the development. The area is already so congested and the roads are too narrow. The LDP is always jammed up on in both directions and it is just going to get worse,” Taman Mayang RT chairman Chan Chow Wang said.

The MBPJ could not be reached to comment on the approval status of the commercial hub project.

Related story:
New facilities to be built for FAS

Assessment cut for highrise units next year

2008-09-17T20:34:00.003+08:00

The Star Wed: CONDOMINIUMS and highrise unit owners in Petaling Jaya will see a reduction in assessment rates next year.

Mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman announced that in the draft Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) 2009 budget, assessment rates for flats, apartments and condominiums would be reduced from 8% to 6% (except those in Sri Damansara, Mayang Mas and Megah Mas, which remains at 5%).

Rates for service apartments would be reduced from 8.8% to 6.6%. Assessment rates for low-cost flats will remain at 5% while assessment for other properties will not be increased.

About 60 representatives from residents associations (RA) and Rukun Tetangga (RT) attended a briefing on the 2009 budget at the MBPJ headquarters in Jalan Yong Shook Lin.

The income deficit would be offset by an estimated RM6.48mil from rental of billboard sites.

Now this is some good news amidst all the uncertainty in the country. The previous pro-BN council couldn't care less if highrise dwellers paid high assessment and after numerous requests from RAs gave us a miserly 5% reduction on annual sum payable. Long live Pakatan Rakyat!

Security Enforcement Lacking

2008-08-29T10:31:00.003+08:00

A friend came to visit me at about 7pm yesterday and as it was his first time to D'Putera I told him there are ample visitor parking lots just outside the condo.

When he came up I asked him how was the security guards to which he said he just walked in without guards stopping him. He also informed me that he visited someone in Kelana Puteri a few weeks ago and their guards were very efficient. He was surprised to hear that our condo did not engage the same security firm as Puteri.

Good point, why not? Cost?

Decent roads at last

2008-08-22T12:34:00.002+08:00

I am sure you are all as pleased as I am to see the SS7/26 roads resurfaced at long last albeit not completely done yet. Is this a coincidence that the road is repaired after the March elections that saw PKR wresting control from the 'tidak-apa' BN?

Anyhow, I say thank you to the person(s) responsible.

What an Idiot! WPK 6393

2008-08-19T09:54:00.005+08:00

I got this in my email back in May 2008. This total idiot has occupied two (2) 'Handicap Parking" bays. Click here for more info.

I suppose living in a condo/apartment complex like ours, some or most of us has also experienced some horrible moments. Most people are decent but as usual there is a smal idiotic percentage (maybe 2%) who are jerks.

AGM on August 24th

2008-08-12T18:35:00.002+08:00

The AGM will be held at the condo on Sunday (24/8/08) at 3pm to elect the new committee members for the next term.

I wonder if attendance will be affected as some folks may be just returning from the school holidays.

DU Security Takes Over

2008-08-07T11:11:00.001+08:00

Well, well the replacement security firm took over yesterday. You cannot but notice them as the guards are young and energetic. Let's hope they can hack it.

I really wish them well as it is hard to UNDO what that Keselamatan Sentral crew did all these years. There were minor jams going out and coming in as the freeloaders/opportunists/scavengers (I could go on and on) without proxy cards suddenly found that the old guard (previous company) was not there to "AUTOMATE" and open the boom gate for these VIPs.

I urge the management/JMC/DU Security will have the bottle to "REPAIR" these issues as the trouble makers are the minority. We, the MAJORITY wish only to live in a decent place.

New Security Company

2008-08-05T01:36:00.000+08:00

I remember reading the notice about a few break-ins in July and it was pleasant news to hear that a new security firm will take over soon. Good job JMC!

The current security firm has been with us for the most part of the condo's existence. Personally I am amazed they have lasted so long as I feel they are the worst of the lot. Why do I say that? Of course there is a rumor that a certain Resident Association (can't recall exact year) member had something to do with them getting the job. Something smells?

For starters, the previous firms rotated their team on a quarterly or bi-annual basis. I believe this is correct as it prevents 'staleness' or a too familiar cum boring physical situation for the guards.

Secondly it prevents and/or reduces 'hanky-panky'. Trust me as I have seen residents hand them 'goodies' in the form of kuih-muih, etc. Hey nothing wrong with that you may say. My thoughts exactly until I saw the same culprits/samaritans driving in and out of the condo without using the access card. So much for kindness, these buggers are just plain freeloaders. While other decent residents buy/rent parking bays, these dirtbags leech onto the community.

Internet - Forums, etc

2008-07-16T17:58:00.002+08:00

I came across a couple of useful websites while I was surfing the net last month. One is the Lowyat.net, MalaysiaRealEstate and PJ.net. If you need to share info or learn about issues especially regarding real estate, these forums are well attended.

There is also a WARNING posted by an unhappy tenant plus numerous replies confirming the bad treatment from a certain owner. The post has received 100 replies to date so it is very 'popular'.

Aunty Lily's alleged known units are A1304 and A13A04 but she has many more units.

Selangor residents get free water in June

2008-05-22T13:23:00.002+08:00

MB Tan Sri Abdul Khalid said the state would disclose and explain the mechanism of the restructuring after the scheme was completed. Currently, consumers have to pay 58 sen per cubic metre for the first 20 cubic metres of water, RM1.03 per cubic metre for the use of between 20 cubic metres and 35 cubic metres, and RM2 per cubic metre if the amount exceeds 35 cubic metres.

From June 1, consumers will be charged RM1.03 or RM2 per cubic metre, depending on the amount used that exceeds their free water allocation. The old pricing mechanism would be maintained to prevent consumers wasting water, he said after the opening of the 12th Selangor legislative assembly yesterday.

He said the state government would also introduce the concept of a five-day work week but with seven-day service for consumers.

Announcement by JMC

2008-05-07T14:44:00.004+08:00

DEAR ALL VALUED OWNERS/RESIDENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT

WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, KINDLY MAKE ALL CHEQUES FOR THE MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT OF KELANA D’PUTERA CONDOMINIUM PAYABLE TO : JMC-KELANA D’PUTERA

ALL FUNDS CURRENTLY IN THE OLD ACCOUNT OF PERANTARA PROPERTIES SDN BHD (KELANA D’PUTERA M/C) WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THIS ACCOUNT AND THE OLD ACCOUNT CLOSED.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PAYMENT AND COOPERATION ON THIS MATTER.

THE MANAGEMENT
KELANA D’PUTERA CONDOMINIUM
DATED : 6 MAY 2008