Subang Jaya emails to the Press (Feb 2003)
Tuesday, February 04, 2003
Varsities’ websites leave much to be desired
As a prospective MBA student, I have been scouting around for the best local institution to pursue my studies.
If in the past prospective students searched for hard copy prospectuses, now the Internet is the primary source of information.
I laud the local institutions’ efforts in showcasing their courses via the Net. Unfortunately, their websites leave much to be desired.
Some universities, including those which have been ranked among the top ones in the region, have very unprofessional-looking websites – as if the sites were the assignments of first-year IT undergraduates.
Content-wise, most sites give adequate information but I believe there is room for improvement.
The webmasters should strive to keep their information content up to date. I recently saw the invitation to an international conference, organised almost six months ago, in the “Latest News” section on one of the universities’ website.
The website of a local university was beset with frequent server problems. This was more prevalent at the start of the semester when students scrambled to access the university’s website.
As a student, how am I supposed to access the university’s e-resources if the servers are out of service half the time?
Another institution has an attractive and informative website but my requests for information were never answered.
It is sad that an academic director of a famous foreign university took pains to personally answer my questions via email while this institution which takes pride as a premier management education provider has an unprofessional approach towards marketing its programme to prospective students.
Hopefully, the local institutions will take heed of this. As the saying goes, “You never get a second chance to give a good first impression”.
THE STAR Metro
Tuesday, February 04, 2003
No action to clear Illegal dump
I am writing to express disappointment over MPSJ’s inaction over a recent complaint I made.
I live in SS19, Subang Jaya, and someone has been treating the road kerb across my house as a dumping ground for tree and furniture remnants.
This unsightly mess greets me each time I open my gates.
I reported this to MPSJ on Jan 16, and an officer took down details. Ten days later, MPSJ sent me a letter, dated Jan 22, saying that the matter was being looked into and the complaint being processed.
I called MPSJ again on Jan 30 to follow up – a woman took down my telephone number and said she’d get back to me, but still, there was no action.
It’s shocking that MPSJ doesn’t treat such complaints with greater urgency, given that such inappropriate dumping poses various health and safety hazards.
We’ve already observed an increase in the mosquito population in our front yard in recent weeks, which is alarming, given the dengue situation.
Teenagers smoke around the site, which is now full of dry leaves – this is especially dangerous because a spark from a cigarette butt can cause a fire.
Also, when it’s windy, rotting leaves are blown into my front yard.
This “dumpsite” plus an abandoned car next to it, takes up valuable parking space.
I urge MPSJ to clean up the area, tow away the car and ensure that the culprits are caught.
My hunch is: This Sujesh Pavithran is also The Star's section editor for Audio & Video.
THE STAR Metro
Wednesday, February 05, 2003
Get tough with reckless bus drivers
With reference to the letter written by Gemini of Subang Jaya published in Star Metro on Jan 10, I fully agree that Metrobus drivers, not only in Subang Jaya but also on other routes, are reckless.
They drive very fast, like to break the red light and bully other motorists on the road.
The buses that ply Subang Jaya are in a horrible condition and I wonder whether the brakes really work in an emergency.
Another bus company that hase reckless drivers is Transnasional that ply Klang-Kuala Lumpur route.
One can see them speeding on the Federal Highway, and when there is a traffic jam, they cut into the emergency lane and sometimes weave in and out of the traffic in a dangerous manner.
Such road maniacs endanger the lives of passengers and other road users.
I hope the authorities will get tough with these drivers.
STEVEN W.K. CHAN,
5:08pm Thu Feb 6th, 2003
Dr M's advice to nation timely
Our beloved Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Chinese New Year message to the nation could not come at a better time.
It was a visionary and vintage Mahathir who spoke with affection, a sense of courage and conviction, proud that in Malaysia, the people of different races, religions and cultures live together in harmony.
However, the prime minister also warned, that this attribute, which has become part of the country's civilisation, is o_ne that Malaysians must nurture, practise and be proud of in the future.
As such, I cannot but seriously caution those young aspiring politicians who hold desires of political positions and power to read, mark and inwardly digest, the prime minister's words and advice.
I cannot but echo the clarion call of the prime minister that to protect "this civilised culture" we need to accept without reservations, our diverse racial and religious backgrounds, cultures and way of life.
The time has come for all of us to go beyond a sense of "tolerance" to truly accept o_ne another, in brotherly love, affection and in cordiality, showing the world over, our o_neness.
This is best initiated, at the grassroots communities, by the various state governments, providing grants to organise and motivate various cross-cultural, -racial and -religious activities, to foster an in-depth understanding of o_ne another's religious, racial and cultural views and traditions.
As such, it is also time that certain local government authorities and leaderships rid their "tunnel vision and political blinkers" and be brought into the loop, to play a more pivotal role in this agenda.
With the huge resources within their care and control, a great deal of good can come out in their involvement in grassroots programmes and activities at cross cultural and religious activities.
Mahathir was right - this is what Malaysia would offer the world, caught in a web of deceit, ethnic cleansing, war, turmoil, racial and religious outbreaks.
A sense of culture, dynamism, the overflowing wealth that is seen in a nation despite its various diversities.
While some nations clashed and disintegrated, others o_n the verge of disintegrating due to communal and religious strife, in Malaysia serious attempts are undertaken by a proactive government, to strengthen the strong brotherly bonds that bind us together, as Malaysians!
As Mahathir stated - we must "take pride, that such a culture has become part of the civilisation of our beloved nation".
It is true that the fact that we celebrate various religious celebrations in pomp and honour, does show that the Barisan Nasional policies have been correct and successful.
However, I must caution that for this reason alone, it is pertinent that all attempts be made, that o_nly, academically qualified, honest individuals with a proven record of service, who share the "vision of Malaysia's founding fathers", are placed in positions of political power and leadership.
And, those who have been in power for decades, but found to be self-serving and politically tunnel-visioned, be asked to retire graciously, while "aspiring younger leaders" who are found manipulating "racial and religious issues" to catapult themselves into power, be immediately chastised and sidelined, for the good of the nation.
THE STAR Metro
Saturday, February 08, 2003
Hazard lights to indicate stalled vehicle
IF NOT for the hazard lights, motorists would not have any means to tell other road users that the vehicle or car had broken down or stalled in the middle of the road.
That means the hazard lights are used to indicate a stationary vehicle.
Put on the lights to warn other motorists of the danger ahead and help prevent them from crashing into the stalled vehicle.
The car’s occupants should get down from the vehicle and take shelter somewhere safe.
Do you know that highway concessionaires provide some free services to motorists travelling along their expressways?
You can find the telephone numbers on the back of the toll ticket.
It is advisable to call for help, even if it is a flat tyre, because changing the tyre at the side of the highway may put you in danger.
3:40pm Tue Feb 11th, 2003
Time to bring back council elections
An appointed councillor in Klang, Selangor has claimed trial at the Klang Magistrate's Court to a charge of assault, under Section 323 of the Penal Code.
At the e-savvy Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), it is rumored that one councillor is busy lobbying to secure a "Lawatan Sambil Belajar" (educational trip) ticket to attend an international IT conference in Germany.
All this while, his counterpart indulges in political rhetoric and theatrics to force MPSJ to change its present logo, as he claims it depicts green - the official colour of PAS, an opposition party. (Umno councillor dreads green colour, wants MPSJ logo replaced).
He is not at all bothered that it would cost the council over a further RM500,000. After all, it is not his father's money.
He can say and demand whatsoever, as he is not accountable to the ratepayer, except perhaps his "political masters", and they rarely interfere unless their own positions are threatened by the intervention of the federal government.
Some when exposed play the race and religion card - pretending to be religious and a "wira bangsa dan agama" (champion of the race and religion) - when they are a disgrace to both party and religion for their hypocrisy and Jekyll and Hyde political tantrums!
To prevent such rogue councilors and ministers from continuing to take office, the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa), with the assistance of the civil society, grassroots organisations, women's, youth and religious groups will lobby the incoming federal administration under the leadership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to bring back council elections and to initiate stringent scrutiny of candidates nominated for positions of political power.
However, there has been no other position as "abused and raped" in the political arena as the appointed councillor's position where suspect candidates - ones who are indisciplined, have no grassroots work experience, neither academic qualifications nor strength of the language or issue discussed at length - are repeatedly selected by political parties to fill their respective party quotas.
Like the quota positions filled for state assembly representatives, members of Parliament, for senators, the federal government machinery does not screen the candidates proposed in by respective Barisan Nasional component parties, so as not to "rock the boat".
Of course, I am aware that the Special Branch will give their report on the candidates, but, how persuasive can their report be, if individual "power brokers and gatekeepers" of respective component political parties want their candidate nominated at all costs?
After all, as one senior politician told me at Health Minister Chua Jui Meng's recent Chinese New Year open house celebrations, right in front of deputy premier Abdullah, that there is an unwritten understanding for decades between component parties in the Barisan Nasional to not question each others' nominee for government positions, even if there is a better candidate - academically qualified, has the grassroots support and strength, a proven record and good family background.
Against this backdrop, one cannot expect a drastic change as local political power brokers act as gatekeepers to keep out better suited candidates in order to protect their own agenda and political interests.
But I want to sound optimistic that there can be all-round changes in the Malaysian political system when deputy premier Abdullah takes over the nation's leadership.
I believe that there will be a drive to replace ageing politicians and various political leaderships and appointment with young qualified candidates, religious, family man, candidates with a proven track record, transparent, accountable and free of corrupt practices.
I believe that the 'winds of change' to this end will begin after October 2003 and those few who have abused their respective positions and accumulated questionable wealth and gains will be told to go quietly as it is in their interest to do so.
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Councillors must use funds prudently
I WAS shocked to read in "See red over green" (theSun Valley, Feb 4) that newly elected Subang Jaya municipal councillor Arrifin Osman does not care how much money is needed to remove the green colour in the MPSJ logo, just because he does not want to be associated with one of the opposition parties.
This is truly unacceptable behaviour for a people's representative, who has been entrusted with a public duty to ensure that the people's money is spent wisely. Instead, he is more concerned with distancing himself from the opposition party. Surely, this is for personal, rather than public, benefit.
The MPSJ deputy president had even informed him that the logo had been changed just two years ago at a cost of RM500,000. But the councillor does not care. He feels that RM500,000 is not much to spend on his idea.
Is he a councillor or a politician? His job is not about politics and he should know it. It is nonsense to think that the council's image should be altered to suit his personal needs, just so that he won't be made fun of. He should grow up and just do his job.
Only those who need not work to make money have this kind of attitude. It is so easy to spend the people's money, isn't it?
Mr Councillor, you are holding office in the people's trust, so please think harder about what you can do to enrich our lives. Changing the colour of the MPSJ logo should not be on your agenda.
THE STAR Metro
Thursday, February 13, 2003
Help protect consumers
With reference to the letter in Star Metro on Feb 8 titled "No refund for electronic money”, I would like to voice my dissatisfaction with the answer provided by Touch ‘n Go careline center.
The system operator mentioned that they have to continuously download all information to their devices located at all toll lanes and it would slow down the system.
I am very sure that from time to time there will be updates on the software that has to be downloaded to the system when required.
If there is a response time issue, this means either they don’t have sufficient hardware or software that could speed up the system.
This is not the customer's concern.
I am very sure that there are a lot of people who will leave their Touch ‘n Go card in their vehicle. Based on statistics of stolen cars, there could well be millions lost.
I am also very sure that keeping the card in the car is not the best solution but it is however the most convenient one.
I disagree with the answer provided by the system operator. It should protect the consumer.
As I work in the IT industry, I am very sure that information updating can be done. If not, there could be some system performance issue on the part of the operator.
For example, it would be very simple to block a card. Daily there should be a download of a block-card list to all the toll-gates simultaneously at a non-peak hour.
If anyone reports a lost card then, it will be blocked at that particular hour. It will minimise the consumer's loss.
I am very sure that downloading text information, for example just the tag's electronic number, is not a huge file to download even if we do a dial-up.
With video cameras operating round the clock daily at all toll-gates, if a blocked card is used at any one of them, it will make it easier to catch the thief who may have stolen the card or the car.
The point of having an electronic prepaid card is for convenience and security.
LEE TECK CHEE,
3:04pm Fri Feb 14th, 2003
The road journalists soldier on these days
I am amused at the way some well-placed mainstream journalists earn their keeps nowadays.
In their columns, they blithely throw names of very important people with whom they wine and dine. In return for the privileged invitations, some help to reposition perspectives and perceptions of adverse issues attributed to the hosts. Writers short on finesse often offered themselves as the politicians’ outriders.
Reading the local news, we do not know for sure the road on which journalists soldier on these days. But there’s one thing we are more than certain: the credibility of Malaysia’s mainstream media is at stake.
Lately, I came across many exclusive stories on Islamic militancy linked to Malaysia, as carried in both tabloids and broadsheets.
A recent one, penned by a senior editor who shared a by-line with a senior journalist, caught my attention. It’s a story that pinpointed Abdul Hadi Awang, Terengganu menteri besar and MP for Marang, for having attended a three-day Islamic congress in Makassar, Sulawesi, in October 2000.
The two journalists said the Makassar rendezvous was intimately linked to Islamic militants Abubakar Basyir and Agus Dwikarna, who are now captured, and Hambali (also known as Riduan Isamuddin), the mastermind of Jemaah Islamiah (JI) and al-Qaeda’s operations leader in Southeast Asia, who is now at large.
The next day, the same paper carried a clarification by Abdul Hadi who said he attended the event as a guest of the Islamic congress in his capacity as head of a state government.
In the story, Abdul Hadi claimed his invitation was from Universiti Hassanuddin and several NGOs in the Sulawesi city, who asked him to give a talk in conjunction with the amendment of Indonesia’s constitution to provide autonomous powers to its provinces, including Sulawesi. The Opposition Leader also denied his involvement or link with any radical or militant group, leader or activity, either in Malaysia or abroad.
Subsequently, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the IGP Norian Mai said the authorities would investigate the matter to determine whether PAS has links with militancy. With the floodgates opened, many "me-too"s followed suit to say their piece.
Make no mistake, we are fearful of the religious militancy currently active in the region and throughout the world. We have no doubt that the authorities, with their vast intelligence networks, will get to the bottom of the probe on Abdul Hadi and take appropriate action if something can be established fast of an event that is over two years old.
But as a plain vanilla newspaper reader, I do expect these senior writers who put the Islamic militants on their microscope to do nothing less than a follow-up on their investigative reporting. They are not the breeds with a record for holding trials by media.
My trust on them shall remain steadfast unless they choose to screw it up.
Last edited by jeffooi; 14-02-2003 at 04:40 PM.
THE STAR Metro
Saturday, February 15, 2003
Rain turns playground into ‘pond’
I beg to differ with Datuk Lee Hwa Beng's statement that MPSJ has built better children playgrounds in areas with active residents' associations or neighbourhood watches.
Take the case of USJ 18.
We have two playgrounds. One of them, in Jalan USJ 18/1A, is located in a low-lying area. Every time it rains, part of it floods and it would take a few days of sunshine before the water dries up.
The residents have made numerous complaints to MPSJ since 1999.
This problem was also highlighted in Star Metro in 1999 and 2001. To-date, we have yet to see any improvements.
With the dengue outbreak now, there is a fear that this “pond” will become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
While public apathy is blamed as one of the main causes of dengue fever, the local council needs to be more responsive too.
3:42pm Tue Feb 18th, 2003
Why call Tunku 'Tengku'?
Ex-Journalist, Subang Jaya
I just cannot understand why the New Straits Times is using Tengku for the name of our beloved first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Even the newspaper's own journalists think it is not right to do so. An editor's idea to impose the so-called 'house-style' has put these journalists in an embarrassing position.
For the record, the Tunku himself had insisted on using the title 'Tunku'.
When one foreign wire service used "Tengku", he wrote a strong objection to it (see his own book Looking Back). All the books written by him and official government documents use the title Tunku.
It is certainly wrong to change someone's official name. Even the name 'Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation' has been changed to 'Tengku Abdul Rahman Foundation'!
By right, Tunku should be addressed as 'Tuanku', as he was declared and buried as a sultan by the Kedah royal family. During his funeral, 21 canon shots were fired.
THE STAR Metro
Friday, February 21, 2003
Responsible way to road safety
HAS the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) noticed the numerous flaws in various road safety measures; traffic signals placed behind trees where motorists are unable to see them until it's too late or Berhenti signs that are ill-placed and perhaps out of motorists’ view because of their height and distance from the roadway?
As a 10-year resident of USJ, I witness, daily, motorists ignoring traffic safety control measures such as no-entry signs and crossing three lanes of oncoming traffic rather than drive 50m to make a safe U-turn.
Naturally MPSJ cannot address the stupidity of drivers who place themselves, their loved ones, and others at extreme risk by defying measures taken to protect them from harm.
It is, or should be the responsibility of the council to ensure the proper installation of traffic safety devices and then, the responsibility of every motorist to observe these signs and signals.
Watching drivers cruise through traffic signals that have already turned red and so many other flagrant traffic disobediences is frightening.
Road safety campaigns could be enhanced and the number of accidents greatly reduced through proper signage correctly positioned and stiffer penalties imposed on errant motorists. Responsibility is the key word to all concerned.
I hope something can be done to make, not only the USJ residents, but all Malaysians safer on our road system.
6:50pm Thu Feb 27th, 2003
Fairness and accuracy in war reporting
I find Pentagon's recipe for propaganda by Carol Brightman enlightening.
There is no doubt that print and electronic media with international outreach has helped disseminate Bush's war propaganda.
The way CNN, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal dismissed the Feb 15 worldwide mass anti-war protests is evidence of how public opinion can be shaped with spin-doctoring.
Inundated with daily messages of war-mongering, I turned to US media watchdog Fair (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting) to discern information from misinformation.
Friday, February 28, 2003
US should not attack and Iraq must comply
THOUSANDS of Malaysians and millions around the world have come out against a unilateral United States attack on Iraq.
An attack on Iraq will not solve the problem of terrorism now facing the world. The US should heed the voices of these millions.
However, I also agree with B. Venugopal, “World must impress upon Iraq to disarm, too’’, (The Star, Feb 25).
We do not have to look too far back in history to see the truth.
Young Malaysians may not know that in 1980, Iraq attacked and invaded Iran, another Muslim country. The subsequent war lasted until 1988 and cost hundreds of thousands of Iranian lives.
Chemical weapons were developed in Iraq and used on the Iranians.
In 1988, shortly after the cease-fire that ended the Iran-Iraq War, the government of Saddam Hussein launched a major military offensive against the Kurds in northern Iraq, sending tens of thousands of refugees fleeing into south-eastern Turkey.
Six weeks later, in October 1988, a Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) medical team interviewed and medically examined dozens of Kurdish refugees who either witnessed or showed physical symptoms of chemical weapons attacks.
The team concluded that bombs containing mustard gas and at least one unidentified nerve agent had been dropped on Kurdish villages in northern Iraq.
In 1990, Iraq attacked and seized Kuwait, another Muslim country, and it took a multinational force led by the United States to dislodge them.
Before retreating, they burned Kuwaiti oilfields. The resulting environmental disaster is still in evidence today.
Saddam Hussein's government is not a champion of Muslims, nor of Palestinian rights. His present government is a menace to neighbouring Muslim countries, and to Muslims in his own country.
Peace-loving Malaysians must not only tell the United States not to attack Iraq, they must also tell Saddam to disarm, and to comply fully with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441.