Latest news with #PetalingJayaCityCouncil
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
MCA Youth calls for suspension of Selangor parking concessionaire plans
MCA Youth is urging the suspension of plans for the state government's controversial decision to appoint a new parking concessionaire, pending greater transparency on the details. "Announce all the terms and conditions first," said Petaling Jaya MCA Youth Chief Andy Teoh. Teoh, along with several MCA Youth leaders, addressed the parking concessionaire issue outside the Menara Petaling Jaya City Council today (July 19), highlighting its impact on four local councils in Selangor: Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS). Teoh pointed out that the initial announcement for the new privatisation by the state was set for August 1, as declared by State Local Government and Tourism Committee Chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim on July 9. However, last week (July 15), Ng stated that the matter was not finalised. Teoh believes this is an opportunity for the state to disclose more information about the concessionaire. He expressed concern that the terms might not necessarily result in cost savings for the state. The state announced that the concessionaire would invest RM200mil in infrastructure for Selangor's Intelligent Parking (SIP), including approximately 1,800 CCTV cameras across the four local councils' jurisdictions. Teoh calculated that each CCTV camera would cost between RM110,000 and RM120,000, suggesting they should be technologically advanced. He found this cost unreasonable and instead advocated for improving services offered by local councils, questioning the necessity of privatising the service. Teoh also echoed Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung's call to review the privatisation process, noting that the local council would lose out on parking collection revenue, especially given the recent increase in Petaling Jaya City Council's assessment rates. He highlighted that previous privatisation concessionaires faced intense scrutiny from elected representatives, and this situation should be no different. "Listen to the rakyat, and we can safeguard the benefit of the local residents," he concluded.
The Star
6 days ago
- General
- The Star
Safety at PJ park improved with new walkway, CCTV
A newly built 218m walkway and repaired basketball court surface to better serve the elderly park-goers. — Courtesy photo FACILITIES including the walkway and basketball court at Taman Sunwaymas in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, have been upgraded to improve safety and encourage active use among nearby residents. The park, located along Jalan PJU1/3A near a bustling commercial area and surrounded by neighbourhoods such as Aman Suria, Kampung Cempaka, SS25 and Bukit Mayang, serves a population of around 13,000. It is popular among senior citizens who visit the park in the mornings. Among its regular visitors is Chan Lin Chow, 68, from SS25, who practises tai chi four to five times a week. 'Before the upgrade, the court had sand and cracks that made it slippery and dangerous. 'Now we feel safer and more confident exercising, even at 6am,' he said. The upgrade works by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) included resurfacing and repainting the basketball court, the construction of a 218m pedestrian walkway and refurbishment of the existing gazebo. Kampung Cempaka village chief Theresa Lim said the improvements had a direct impact on the park's elderly users. 'Most of the park's visitors are aged 60 and above. 'The smoother surfaces make it easier to exercise and have brought more people to the park, encouraging a healthier lifestyle,' she said. MBPJ Zone 7 councillor Leong Chee Cheng said the upgrades were carried out from Feb 3 to May 26 at a cost of RM164,365, approved by the city council's Landscape Department. 'To improve security, two CCTV cameras have been installed,' he said. Leong said the surface of the basketball court had gradually sunk over the years due to ground conditions, but has been fully repaired. The contractor who completed the basketball court repair and upgrades handed the site back to MBPJ on June 25, and the city council has been monitoring its condition since. The project is part of MBPJ's broader initiative to improve public parks in Zone 7 as part of Petaling Jaya's smart city goals. 'To date, 17 parks including Taman Sunwaymas have been upgraded. 'Next, we will focus on upgrading the public park in Jalan SS4C/20,' Leong added.
The Star
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Murals help seniors find their way in PJ
Those with dementia using visual aids to navigate Section 52 commercial area confidently A captivating giant owl with thick greyish plumage and piercing eyes greets visitors to Petaling Jaya New Town in Section 52, often stopping them in their tracks. The larger-than-life mural of the nocturnal bird is striking — just like the illustrations of classic cars painted at a back lane in the area. At Menara MBPJ nearby, colourful wall art decorates another back alley, with life-size mannequins placed along the pathway. Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the murals doubled as navigational aids for seniors and those with young-onset dementia. Dementia is a progressive disease affecting memory and cognitive ability. While the condition is more prevalent in people aged 60 and above, it has been known to affect younger folk too. 'Petaling Jaya City Council's (MBPJ) murals help enhance the independence of people with dementia. 'Many seniors live in the surrounding neighbourhoods and these murals serve as powerful visual cues that trigger memories and aid in wayfinding,' said Mohamad Zahri. Creative visual cues Interest in senior-friendly urban design is on the rise as Selangor's population continues to age. According to the Statistics Department, the state's population stood at 7.36 million last year, with 853,760 people aged 60 and above while the number living with dementia was estimated at 119,526. Mohamad Zahri said MBPJ's Development Planning Department was using themed-based street art as a creative tool to support people with dementia. This is aimed at improving wayfinding, fostering social engagement and enhancing overall well-being in dementia-friendly environments. (Wayfinding is the process of navigating through a physical environment to reach a desired destination or objective.) Mohamad Zahri also touched on MBPJ's Senior Citizen Action Plan 2030 – a proactive and holistic approach in caring for an ageing society, including people with disabilities. 'Sections 11, 17, 19, SS3, Taman Medan and Kampung Tunku are among locations in Petaling Jaya with sizeable elderly populations. 'These are areas where long-term senior-friendly infrastructure is much needed,' he said. MBPJ, he said, was considering painting murals on the ground floors of flats in Taman Medan to create a more inclusive environment and help residents with dementia feel safer and more at ease in their surroundings. 'The Senior Citizen Action Plan 2030 is a comprehensive initiative aimed at building an age-friendly city that meets the evolving needs of an ageing population,' he said. 'This plan is part of MBPJ's broader 'Petaling Jaya Smart, Sustainable and Resilient 2030' (PJSSR 2030) blueprint, focusing on creating an inclusive environment for all ages, particularly seniors. 'It is an evolving plan covering five main areas — health, economy, social and safety, education and environment to ensure seniors' well-being and needs are effectively addressed.' The plan, he said aligned with United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and First Selangor Plan 1 (RS-1). PJSSR 2030 is inviting input from stakeholders including government agencies, non-governmental organisations and academics through an action plan committee focused on key priority areas. MBPJ Development Planning Department director Lee Lih Shyan said murals and other visual cues were significant in helping people with dementia, in daily tasks, by leveraging their strengths in visual processing and memory recall. 'We are getting feedback from families and caregivers that people with dementia find the murals in Petaling Jaya New Town as recognisable cues. 'This is due to the high-contrast colours and familiar topics, particularly those evoking positive memories,' he said. Lee said the city council's primary aim was to aid those with difficulty finding their way. 'Our plan is to use clear and recognisable visual cues and landmarks to help seniors and dementia patients orient themselves and move around effectively. 'Most murals are brightly coloured, high-contrast and strategically placed so they are easily noticed and remembered,' added Lee. Selangor, he said was projected to become a super-aged society by 2040, with 20% of its population aged 65 and above. 'We can predict that life expectancy will increase further and we must be prepared to face an ageing population by 2030,' he said. Dementia-friendly spaces Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) executive committee chairman Tan Sri Hasmah Abdullah said the prevalence of dementia was on the rise in tandem with the growing older adult population. 'ADFM is glad that MBPJ is planning to create more dementia-friendly environments. 'Most individuals with dementia do not fit the stereotype of someone who is confused and living in a nursing home. 'We have people with early to moderate stages of dementia, in their late 30s, who continue to hold jobs and socialise although the nature of their involvement may change as the condition progresses,' she said. As an advocate on issues related to dementia, Hasmah added that the Petaling Jaya New Town murals were helping people with dementia maintain social connections which was crucial for their well-being. 'Our built environment plays an important role in promoting the quality of life for people living with dementia. 'When physical infrastructure includes 'dementia-friendly' design elements, it helps people living with dementia and their families experience numerous benefits. 'These include improved safety, greater independence, opportunities for social engagement, reduced agitation or distress and an overall improved ability to engage in activities of daily life,' she said. One person who has lauded the murals and other outward objects to help people with dementia is a mum who only wants to be known as Madam Sequeira. She said her son, who developed dementia at the age of 38, had experienced changes in the perception of his surroundings. This posed a challenge for him to navigate in public areas, she said. 'But, with the murals and mannequins close to his workplace in Petaling Jaya New Town, he can move around a lot easier,' she said. Another resident, who lives within walking distance of Petaling Jaya New Town, said his 76-year-old mother with dementia felt confident going to the commercial area because of the murals. 'Thanks to the street art, she can now meet up with her friends for tea in the afternoon. 'She is happy, less isolated and more connected,' said the retired real estate agent who only wanted to be known as Gomez. Selangor Council of Welfare and Social Development vice-chairman Datin Paduka Khatijah Sulaiman (SCWSD) called for additional wayfinding measures to better support ageing communities and reduce the distress caused by cognitive impairment and navigation challenges. 'It is crucial to incorporate dementia-friendly design principles into urban planning and public spaces that cater to the exact needs of those with dementia, including visual cues, colour-zoning and clear signage,' said Khatijah She also called for more awareness efforts, including workshops, to foster supportive environments for people living with dementia and enhance public understanding of the condition. She said such initiatives can create 'dementia-friendly communities' and create an inclusive society. Khatijah added that it was important to work with local authorities in Selangor for a wider reach. 'Urban planning and design contribute to making public spaces more accessible for all residents, including those with cognitive impairments. Khatijah said while SCWSD was working with MBPJ to organise workshops, it needed the involvement of all stakeholders to foster greater involvement.
The Star
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Come clean over parking deal, S'gor govt told
PETALING JAYA: The Selangor government has been told to come clean over its controversial parking deal and furnish proof of how it will benefit the rakyat. Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin is among those calling for transparency over the deal, which would see a private company take over on-street parking fee collection from four local councils starting Aug 1. 'Show us the numbers. Show us how this benefits the people and the state. I have no idea what the arrangement is. 'But come clean and explain the formula of 50%, 40%, 10% and how it benefits the public,' he said. Under the deal, 50% of parking fees will go to the company, 40% to the councils, and 10% to Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI). Some enforcement staff will be absorbed and retrained by the company. Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim had announced the concession deal during the Selangor state assembly sitting last week. He said the state was implementing the Selangor Intelligent Parking (SIP) system to modernise on-street parking using Internet of Things (IoT) technology, allowing local councils to focus on other duties. Ng also said the selection of the company was above board, and not made via direct tender. The agreement, signed in March, involves four local councils, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA). Dr Afif questioned whether the appointment process was lawful and an improvement over previous arrangements. 'Was it done legally? Is this better than the previous concession? These are the questions the public is asking, and they have a right to know,' he said to StarMetro. Meanwhile, civil groups PJ Sejahtera and Persatuan Petaling Jaya Lestari have called for an immediate halt to the 10-year concession awarded to the company. They claim the deal lacks transparency, could divert up to RM10mil a year from local services in Petaling Jaya, and undermines council authority under the Road Transport Act 1987. The groups are demanding that the state government cancel the deal, release all procurement documents, reaffirm local council control, and hold a public inquiry. 'This isn't just about parking, it's about public accountability, local governance, and safeguarding resources meant for the people of Selanggor,' they said in a statement.
Malaysiakini
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Malaysiakini
Selangor's parking deal stinks to high heaven
COMMENT | Plans by the Selangor government to privatise the operations of street parking in four local authorities have taken several twists. The most important was that the exercise has been deemed illegal by legal experts as it infringes upon the statutory rights of local councils to manage parking under the Road Transport Act (RTA) 1987. The Local Government Act (LGA) 1976 governs, among others, the administration and management of local authorities, including the provision and regulation of parking facilities. While the LGA does not specifically detail car park operations, it empowers local authorities to enact bylaws for managing public spaces, including parking areas. Additionally, the RTA provides for the regulation of traffic, including parking, and grants the local authority the power to designate car parks and enforce parking regulations. Accordingly, the Road Transport (Provision of Parking Spaces) (Petaling Jaya City Council) Order was enacted and gazetted, giving such powers to the local authority. But on Wednesday...
