Latest news with #DBKL
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Accused of driving Malays from cities under guise of urban renewal, Nga Kor Ming says it's about rescuing the poor
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming denies claims that the Urban Renewal Bill will push urban Malays out of the cities. The minister has been on the receiving end of a firing squad that has taken aim against the proposed law to redevelop ageing buildings and improve living conditions – especially for low-income urban communities – and which has at times, turned into a personal attack. 'These are all slanderers with nothing better to do. 'They say the original residents will be kicked out — this is all falsehood,' Nga told Malay newspaper Mingguan Malaysia in an interview published today. He was also asked, point black, if the proposal was a subtle eviction of Malays. 'No. What do I gain by evicting people? Developers prefer buying their own land – it's faster and cheaper than negotiating endlessly with residents. 'Buildings, like people, have a lifespan. Wiring doesn't last forever. We're not obligated to help, but as part of the Madani Government, we sincerely want to help,' he replied. He highlighted that just as the country will mark 70 years of independence in 2027, buildings, like people, age. Some buildings, Nga said, are so unsafe that people sleep outside in dangerous conditions. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the proposed Urban Renewal Act is not an attempt at evicting the Malays but rescuing urban poor communities. — Bernama pic 'I did an expedition with MPs and the media. Some people sleep beside their houses, with pythons. Can you accept this?' he asked in the interview. The minister emphasised that redevelopment under the proposed Urban Renewal Act is designed to help, not displace residents. 'I already asked DBKL to give them PPR application forms for free. But why are Opposition parties blocking them from getting help?' he asked. DBKL refers to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall while PPR refers to the People's Housing Programme in Malay. Nga said the government plans to reduce the requirement for redevelopment consent from 100 per cent to 80 per cent — a move aligned with global best practices. 'In Tokyo it's 66 per cent. In Shanghai, two-thirds. Even in Singapore it's 80 per cent,' he pointed out. He added that land ownership and legal statuses will remain untouched. 'If your house is on Malay reserve land, then it remains Malay reserve. If it's a 99-year leasehold, it remains a 99-year leasehold.' Compensation, he said, will always be higher than current property values, based on official assessment by the Valuation and Property Services Department. 'We are not taking homes. We are offering compensation, and it must be more than the existing value,' he was quoted as saying Nga cited Kampung Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur as an example of successful renewal. He noted that the old PPR flats had measured about 400 square feet and was worth about RM70,000. But after renewal, each flat unit more than doubled their size to 850 square feet, could accommodate three rooms and could be priced more than six-fold, about RM450,000. Nga urged Malaysians not to fall for racial rhetoric surrounding the Bill. 'If there are Opposition parties playing the race card, this is the biggest lie in the history of human civilisation. 'Usually, only bankrupt political parties with no ideas will resort to racial sentiments,' he told the weekend edition of Utusan Malaysia.
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Cheras intersection affected by sinkhole reopens to traffic
The sinkhole at the intersection of Jalan Selar and Jalan Selangat has been filled and the route reopened to traffic. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star AN intersection in Taman Pertama, Cheras, is now reopened to traffic after a sinkhole there has been repaired. The sinkhole, which appeared at the intersection of Jalan Selar and Jalan Selangat in late April, had led to the closure of sections of both roads as well as Jalan Semerah Padi for public safety. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said initial checks at the site found the subsidence was not caused by any leaks, such as water or sewerage pipes. 'Further investigations are now focused on the underground drainage system, specifically the box culvert structure located 7m beneath the road. 'Inspections using drone technology and aerial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems identified damage to the culvert structure. 'This damage was the cause of soil erosion and cavity formation in the surrounding area,' it said in a media statement. In a May 8 StarMetro report, 'Cheras sinkhole leads to closure of several roads' it was speculated the caving-in could have developed during preliminary sewerage pipe-laying works at a nearby development project. DBKL said that as an immediate measure, refilling of the sinkhole with suitable materials was carried out and completed on May 20. 'At the same time, the developer was instructed to stabilise the surrounding area using the polyurethane (PU) foam injection method. 'The affected area remains closed for ongoing safety monitoring, while other routes at the junction have been reopened to traffic,' said the statement. DBKL added that permanent repair of the box culvert structure would be carried out without the need to excavate the road surface, to minimise disruption. The repair works are expected to take between three and six months, depending on the method chosen. Resident Sukhdev Singh Cheema expressed concerns about safety and urged DBKL to share its findings. 'The authorities sealed up the main sinkhole in the middle of the intersection, but another one appeared near the corner of Jalan Selangat, just a few metres away,' he said. Sukhdev, who is a member of the Cheras Federal Territories Residents Representative Council (MPPWP) for sub-zone 3, called for a thorough study to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
‘Illegal dump beside substation worrying'
The dumpsite located next to the TNB main substation (right) and Bukit Jalil Highway. — Photos: LOW LAY PHON/The Star AN illegal dumpsite along Bukit Jalil Highway is raising concerns as it is located next to a Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) main substation. Bukit Jalil Fire and Rescue Station chief Mohd Azhar Harun said the site's close proximity to TNB cables and pylons was worrying. 'If a fire breaks out at the dumpsite, it might spread next door and turn into an electrical fire which is more dangerous and difficult to extinguish. 'Unlike conventional fire-fighting methods, we will need to use foam to put out the fire if nearby electrical components are affected. 'Furthermore, there is also no water source around the area,' he told StarMetro. Mohd Azhar said he had also received complaints from firefighters about mosquitoes in the vicinity. 'Our quarters are located in between the fire and rescue station and the dumping site. Mohd Azhar says complaints to the authorities about the illegal dumpsite have not been acted on. 'From there, we can see that rubbish is being dumped behind, which is very near to a river tributary,' he said. From the top floor of the 10-storey quarters, StarMetro saw piles of rubbish stacked up. Another pile was scattered behind, next to the river. According to firefighters at the station, lorries could be seen dumping rubbish while some vehicles were spotted collecting the rubbish. Mohd Azhar said he had highlighted the matter to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the Environment Department (DOE), and Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur Lands and Mines Office (PTGWP) since last year but not much had been done. A letter from PTGWP dated March 11, to the Fire and Rescue Department Station chief, stated an investigation on March 6 determined the dumpsite was operating illegally. It also stated an eviction notice was issued to the owner on Sept 11, 2024, for occupying state land unlawfully under Section 425(1) of the National Land Code 1965. When contacted, PTGWP reiterated the site had been issued an eviction notice. However, no enforcement action had been taken since. DBKL in a letter on March 25 said no investigations were conducted as they could not find the precise location of the dumpsite. StarMetro had reached out to DBKL several times for comments but had received no response at press time.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
DBKL shutters two unlicensed entertainment venues
PETALING JAYA: Authorities forced the closure of two entertainment establishments over the weekend due to licensing violations during a coordinated enforcement sweep. The multi-agency operation, known as Op KL Strike Force, took place on Saturday and involved several enforcement bodies including Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), local police, the National Anti-Drug Agency, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi), and immigration officials. Through a Facebook post, DBKL announced that their investigation found one venue operating entertainment services without proper authorisation, while the second establishment had not yet completed its licensing application process. City Hall officers confiscated equipment and materials related to the entertainment operations at both locations following their assessment. The enforcement action extended beyond licensing issues, with immigration authorities apprehending 27 foreign nationals during the same sweep. Additionally, drug enforcement officers detained 19 individuals who failed narcotics screening tests. Religious authorities also took action, with Jawi serving notices to 10 people requiring them to provide testimony under religious law provisions for the Federal Territories.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
DBKL Authorities Close Unlicensed Entertainment Outlets
PETALING JAYA: Authorities forced the closure of two entertainment establishments over the weekend due to licensing violations during a coordinated enforcement sweep. The multi-agency operation, known as Op KL Strike Force, took place on Saturday and involved several enforcement bodies including Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), local police, the National Anti-Drug Agency, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi), and immigration officials. Through a Facebook post, DBKL announced that their investigation found one venue operating entertainment services without proper authorisation, while the second establishment had not yet completed its licensing application process. City Hall officers confiscated equipment and materials related to the entertainment operations at both locations following their assessment. The enforcement action extended beyond licensing issues, with immigration authorities apprehending 27 foreign nationals during the same sweep. Additionally, drug enforcement officers detained 19 individuals who failed narcotics screening tests. Religious authorities also took action, with Jawi serving notices to 10 people requiring them to provide testimony under religious law provisions for the Federal Territories.
