Ucapan Penangguhan

Terima kasih tuan pengerusi.

Saya bermula dengan merakamkan ucapan terima kasih kepada Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat negeri Selangor atas perlantikan semula saya sebagai Ahli Majlis.

Saya juga merakamkan tahniah kepada semua rakan rakan yang dilantik semula serta selamat datang kepada yang baru dilantik. Selamat berkhidmat kepada semua. Tidak ketinggalan adalah ucapan Terima Kasih kepada rakan rakan PAS dan DAP yang telah terus berkhidmat sepanjang 6 minggu yang lepas ini. Khidmat anda dihargai.

Untuk ucapan penangguhan saya yang pertama untuk tahun 2015 ini, saya ingin bawa isu Seni dan Budaya.

Pada akhir tahun 2013, MBPJ telah menganjurkan The PJ International Folklore Festival dimana lebih 10 negara asing turut hadir.

Program seni itu agak berjaya tetapi selepas itu nampak macam tidak ada penerusannya. Malah, infrasturktur khas yang dibina dibiarkan begitu sahaja.
Boulevard yang luas dan cantik serta pentas berbumbung dan pentas mini kini bagaikan gajah putih.

Saya ingin membawa usul untuk rakan-rakan Ahli Majlis untuk membuat dasar menjadikan kawasan Boulevard itu sebagai pusat dan nadi Seni dan Budaya di Petaling Jaya. Marilah kami jadikan Petaling Jaya sebagai Kota Seni selaras dengan agenda Kerajaan PR Negeri Selangor dimana bajet 2015 telah menyediakan dana bagi tujuan tersebut.

Kini, mungkin tidak diketahui umum, pihak MBPJ sedang cuba menghidupkan kawasan Boulevard PJ. Setiap Jumaat dan Sabtu (malam Sabtu dan Ahad) pukul 9 hingga 12 ada persembahan "busker" di tapak tersebut.

Saya usulkan agar Majlis menyediakan dana supaya program tersebut dipromosikan dengan lebih giat lagi.

Bersama dengan itu, saya juga usulkan tapak tersebut dijadikan tapak "flea market" pada hari dan masa yang sama.

Tujuan utama adalah untuk menjadi tarikan untuk pengunjung serta peluang warga PJ mempromosikan hasil kraf tangan mereka.

Disamping itu, pentas mini di hadapan StrawberyCafe harus disediakan untuk kumpulan seni dan budaya di PJ membuat pementasan secara percuma bagi manfaat warga kota.

Saya yakin initiatif ini dapat menghidupkan kawasan tersebut dan pada masa yang sama membawa seni dan budaya ke PJ.

Bertujuan menjadikan PJ sebagai Pusat Seni dan Budaya selaras dengan hasrat Kerajaan PR Negeri Selangor, saya juga mengusulkan agar Auditorium Dewan Sivik disediakan secara percuma sekurang kurangnya sekali setiap 3 bulan untuk pementasan oleh kumpulan-kumpulan kesenian di PJ.

Untuk makluman, dalam bulan Januari Auditorium tersebut telah digunakan untuk dua program seni iaitu

Selangor Philharmonic Orchestra anjuran bersama PeBT Zon2
Tarian Klasikal India dengan artis jemputan terkemuka India.

Sememangnya permintaan dan minat untuk seni dan budaya di PJ adalah amat tinggi sekali. Begitu juga, PJ adalah kediaman untuk ramai artis-artis dan seniman.

Tuan Pengerusi,
Kalaulah seseorang itu menyertai pertanding bakat realiti TV dan menjadi juara dengan hadiah RM100,000 dan sebuah kereta mewah, agaknya orang itu menjadi kebanggaan semua.

Antara warga kerja MBPJ adalah seorang juara tersebut yang kini bernyanyi sebagai "busker" jalanan di Boulevard MBPJ.

Saya usulkan Sdri Salmah disokong dan diangkat sebagai bakat dan ikon kesenian MBPJ.

MBPJ seharusnya mempromosikan beliau sebagai muka seni Petaling Jaya dan dijadikan asset kami. Bakat beliau pasti boleh menjadi daya tarikan untuk tapak Seni di Boulevard PJ.

Saya mohon agar jabatan berkenaan menyediakan kertas kerja usul-usul yang saya bentangkan ini untuk perbincangan di peringkat jawatankuasa.

Semoga PJ akan dikenali sebagai Kota Seni Selangor.

Saya mengambil kesempatan ini untuk sekali lagi mengucapkan tahniah dan selamat datang kepada Ahli2 Majlis yang baru.

Izinkan juga saya mengucapkan tahniah kepada Tuan Pengerusi sendiri atas perlantikan Tuan sebagai YDP Majlis Sepang. Kami di PJ menghargai sumbangan mu dan harap akan menyambut Saudara kembali sebagai Datuk Bandar selepas meminjamkan Saudara kepada Majlis Sepang.

Saya juga ucapkan Gong Xi Fa Cai kepada semua yang menyambut dan doakan agar semua akan pandu cermat di jalanraya ketika dalam perjalanan balik kampung dan bercuti.

Terima kasih.

KIDEX - My Personal Views

The responsibilities of a government amongst others is to unite communities. It is also their responsibility to create and improve economic opportunities for the community.

Roads and highways are amongst the many methodologies applied to connect and to unite different and neighbouring communities. When communities are linked, new economic opportunities are thus also created.

Much has been said and argued over the proposed Kinrara Damansara Expressway, commonly known as KIDEX.

Damansara and Puchong were brought together and linked via the LDP, Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong which has now been operating beyond its original capacity. Any user of the LDP would realise that its no longer a highway but very much an open space car park at certain times of the day. The LDP is an important link but its at over full capacity: so can it be expanded? Experts have said,"No, physically, it cannot be expanded". Thus an alternative must be found.

KIDEX has been proposed as a means of taking up the burden of LDP and at the same time relieving Petaling Jaya of its traffic problems. Many roads within Petaling Jaya are at unhealthy service levels as users use PJ roads to access between townships.

KIDEX is to be privately funded and not from public monies. Thus, the project proponent will be collecting TOLL over a period of time to recoup their investment as well as to earn their profit.

The Pakatan Rakyat state government now has the burden of rejecting or approving this proposal. Rejecting it would mean denying the people of an economic opportunity whilst approving it would mean going back on their election manifesto promise of No Tolled Highways. By not approving it also means denying an opportunity of bridging communities.

"No tolled roads" was an election promise for the reason of reducing the cost of living for mostly the Klang Valley rakyat. The Klang valley is surrounded by tolled roads which has become a burden to road users and the toll concession agreement has been questionable and is a dark secret.

However, if KIDEX truly reduces the travelling time between two communities, does it not also thus reduce the cost of living for users? Less travelling time means less cost, savings from petrol, wear and tear of the vehicle plus of course, time. If this saving minus the toll paid bring a net savings, is that a problem, can KIDEX be acceptable?

Some argue that instead of a highway, why not an LRT?

Yes, I am a great supporter of public transport and certainly feel that highways may not always be the answer to solving traffic problems.

However, we must also be real and practical and accept that we are still far from an ideal public transportation system. An LRT can connect between two communities, but within that community, is there a good connecting public transport system in place yet? The users would still opt to drive as one still need to move around at destination point. Therefore whilst the LRT is a good option, it is not so yet between these two communities in question.

People against KIDEX have argued that it will be an eyesore: if a highway is an eyesore, equally the LRT line would be too.

Therefore, this worry should be given its due consideration. The highway can be built with many greening factors included as conditions. These would include vertical gardens and landscaping on pillars, green sound barriers when crossing sensitive areas like schools, mosques, hospitals and residential zones.

As a keen supporter of public transport, I would also like to see KIDEX providing dedicated fast lanes for buses and taxis. Remembering of course that taxi and buses are also a part of "public transport".

In addition, I would like to think that the State and Federal government are taking serious steps to improve the overall public transport network and systems. Thus if we target 12 years for major improvements in localised public transport at the end destinations of KIDEX ie Kinrara, Puchong and Damansara and Shah Alam, than KIDEX can thus be converted to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network.

Riders can comfortably commute on BRT knowing well that they can connect to a reliable public transport network at their end destination, which is currently not available.

KIDEX can than be readily converted to a dedicated BRT line with provision for cycling lanes, ie connecting communities and being environmentally friendly. It may well also be used for electrified buses. The bicycle lanes would obviously not be possible if we have an LRT system instead of KIDEX.

Thus the argument now goes on to how rate payers rights may or may not have been abused in the approval process.

There are stringent procedures applied to how land may have to be acquired for the project. Some people may have to sacrifice and some others may end up benefiting economically from the project. It is the duty of the approving authorities to weigh and balance the plus and minuses. They must listen to both the loud and silent voices and not be intimidated by louder voices but respecting the rule of law and their duties and responsibilities as a governing body.

The areas that the proposed KIDEX allignment passes through may have increased economic benefits through improvements of its local infrastructure developments or some areas may lose some quality in their area. It is for the approving authorities to weight and see the net benefits and loss.

I am most conforted by the stand of the Mentri Besar that it will give the project its due consideration if the proponent fulfills their statutory requirements.

The local authority is also allowed to place conditions to their approval and if project proponent still feels that it is viable to proceed than we can move on to the next step. These conditions must be based on basic requirements of their duties.

These responsibilities include the duty to connect communities, improving economic opportunities and respecting the rule of law.

Thus I appeal that KIDEX should not be used as a political tool but be given due consideration based on its pros and cons to the communities affected. Both the voices of the supporters as well as those against KIDEX must be heard and considered.

Protection for the next generation must be included in the decision made. PR can take this opportunity to show that concession agreements can be made public and public interest can be given prime consideration in the approval process. Transparency can be practiced.

2014 - 2015

One week into 2015 I have finally found time and inspiration to sit down and write.

2014 ended sadly with the flooding in the East Coast and the crash of AirAsia.

I got involved with arranging and mobilising support for aid to the flood victims. It was a very tiring and challenging experience. However it was most inspiring to see my fellow Malaysians coming together in unity.

Strangers bonded together to lend a helping hand, ended as friends and comrades.

On a personal note, my thoughts remain with Capt Zaharie's family plus families of all the other crew n passengers of MH370. I will not forget.

Thus, I come into 2015 with the news of flood waters receeding. My thoughts and prayers are for the pain and sorrows of 2014 to be washed away too.

However,  I pray too that 2014 will be remembered and learnt from. Many lessons can be learnt: flood mitigation, emergency management, air travel safety protocols and management, sustainable development and much more.

There is only one direction for 2015 to go and that is, UP.

Here's praying for good health, love and happiness for 2015.

My new year resolution? Nah, I pass. No need for resolutions that mean nothing. 

My prayer though is, "Lord, take my life, lead me, use me, mould me - Im yours. AMEN"