Latest news with #StarMetro
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Selayang folk upset over rubble of illegal car wash on field
Lee (centre) speaking to Loke (right) while Chua looks on in Taman Daya. In the foreground are the concrete slabs left on the field. Residents of Taman Daya in Selayang, Selangor, are raising their concerns over rubble, including concrete with jagged edges, left on a public field following the demolition of an illegal car wash structure. They point out that the rubble could injure field users, or trap stagnant water and potentially become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Resident Loke Kim Soon said the car wash had been operating illegally for more than a decade on part of the field along Jalan Daya 16. 'I used to hang out at the park with friends but the illegal car wash took over our spot. 'We are glad the authorities have demolished it, but the rubble that remains is an eyesore,' he told StarMetro. Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) complaints and welfare bureau (central) head Lee Hoi Eng said he hoped Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) would help clear the area. 'We fear the site might attract people who dump rubbish illegally,' he said. Lee also said that the field had been untouched for years and called for some upgrades. 'We suggest a jogging track be built for the benefit of residents,' he added. Also present was Kepong PRM chairman Chua Yi Ken. When contacted by StarMetro, an MPS spokesperson said the unauthorised structure operating on Jalan Daya 16 was demolished on Feb 20. 'Enforcement action was taken in accordance with Section 46(1)(a) of Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974. 'After the demolition, the owner of the structure was instructed to clear the site but did not do so. 'As such, MPS will clean up the site shortly and the associated costs will be charged to the owner,' said the spokesperson. — By JAROD LIM
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Strata management bodies welcome proposed property law
STRATA management bodies in Selangor have welcomed a proposed new law aimed at tackling long-standing issues concerning poor property and building management. During his keynote address at the International Strata Symposium last month, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the government was mulling such a law. Pandan Heights management corporation chairman Haresh Vikram Vijayakumar told StarMetro that a new law was necessary to help strata management bodies address the operational and legal challenges in maintaining buildings efficiently. 'A well-designed law could enhance governance, increase transparency and streamline dispute resolution processes, especially in dealing with delinquent owners, unlicensed contractors, and enforcement issues,' he said. Haresh says the government must improve the efficiency of the Commissioner of Buildings. Permata Residence joint management body chairman Tan Kuan Kit said a new law could ensure strata properties were well managed and protected. 'It will also send a message to unqualified property management companies that they are now on the government's radar,' he said. Haresh said the shortage of capable and licensed property management firms caused problems for management bodies, especially those located in non-prime areas. 'They are sometimes forced to settle for inexperienced or unlicensed firms, which opens the door to mismanagement. 'The process of appointing licensed property managers is also quite tedious as it involves issuing tenders, conducting multiple rounds of interviews, background checks, and striking a balance between costs and quality of work. 'Though transparency is key, practicality is also important. Tan says a new law can ensure strata properties are well-managed. 'Often, we face difficulties verifying the firms' track records due to the lack of accessible and centralised data on their performance,' said Haresh. It has been previously reported that there were currently only 594 licensed firms serving some 26,334 strata schemes or 2.9 million units of strata properties in Malaysia. Besides legislations, Haresh also urged the government to introduce more training programmes to leverage the capacity of the members of strata management bodies. 'The government should also improve the efficiency of the Commissioner of Buildings. 'Digitalising submissions and complaint management systems could also streamline processes and increase transparency,' he suggested. Tan urged the government to strengthen as well the enforcement on maintenance fee payment. 'It should be made a must for owners to pay their maintenance fees, just like how they must pay assessment taxes,' he stressed.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Recognition from Johor top cop spurs on policemen in their duties
(From left) Sjn Fauzi, Insp Abdul Usairi and Kpl Harvinder with their certificates at the assembly in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star IT WAS a proud moment for 25 police officers and personnel when they were awarded commendation certificates by Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar. The awards acknowledged their commitment and service in ensuring public safety and security. Among the recipients was Kpl Harvinder Singh, 37, who is attached to Taman Universiti police station under the Johor Baru North police district headquarters. The Ipoh-born cop serves in the crime prevention department of the police station in a busy Iskandar Puteri suburb. 'While out on patrol, we received information about drug trafficking activity taking place. 'We stopped a car for inspection. Inside the vehicle was a couple, and further checks found 180 packets of drugs,' Kpl Harvinder told StarMetro when met during the Johor police monthly assembly at state police headquarters in Johor Baru. With the arrest of the two suspects, he said they were able to curb drug trafficking activities. 'I feel very proud and happy to have been presented with the certificate.' Kpl Harvinder, who has served in the force for 15 years, never thought growing up that he would be a policeman. 'My dream was to become a doctor to save lives. 'However, fate decided that I would be able to do this wearing a policeman's uniform, and I am very proud to do so,' he shared. Another recipient, Sjn Mohd Fauzi Karto, 49, who is also attached to Taman Universiti police station, said this was his second commendation in his 29 years of service. The first was presented by Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat just before he retired as Johor police chief last year. 'Receiving such a certificate from our chief makes it all worthwhile, because it shows that our work and dedication are recognised,' he said. Inspector Abdul Usairi Saini, who is attached to Kulai police district headquarters narcotics department, received the certificate following the success of a police operation which led to the arrest of a drug trafficker earlier this year. 'Police had launched a major narcotics operation during which we had arrested a local man for possessing about 8kg of ecstasy powder. 'This certificate will surely give me the encouragement to carry out my duties well,' said the father of two from Kuching, Sarawak, who has been with the force since 2008. Earlier in his speech, Comm Kumar congratulated recipients for playing a major role in ensuring public order and safety. 'The public is always watching. Our actions, good or bad, are constantly under scrutiny. 'As men of law, we must uphold integrity and professionalism in all that we do,' he said. On another matter, Comm Kumar said Johor police recorded a 10.3% drop in fatal road accidents in the first four months of 2025. However, he warned that driver behaviour remained the biggest threat to road safety. He revealed that 33,555 road accidents were recorded during that four-month period. Of these, 322 were fatal crashes that led to 359 deaths, a 6.75% drop from the same period last year. 'The primary cause of accidents is still the attitude of road users. 'While the statistics show a positive trend, we will not be able to significantly reduce fatal accidents without strong support and discipline from the public. 'I urge all road users to adopt a more responsible attitude and obey traffic laws,' he said. Comm Kumar added that Johor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department had maintained a strict approach under its total enforcement and advocacy model. He explained that operations targeting reckless motorcyclists, street racers, drunk drivers and commercial vehicle violations continued to be a major part of the enforcement strategy. The Jan-April 2025 period also saw 528 arrests for traffic and criminal offences, he said, with the department achieving a 91.2% investigation paper resolution rate and 85.6% prosecution rate.
The Star
21-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Helping hand for JB's homeless, poor
Individuals, groups moved to distribute meals, dry food items at different locations in city Every Friday at 10pm, a man who goes by the name Sam will gather with a few other volunteers to offer freshly cooked meals to those in need, at a five-foot way along Jalan Wong Ah Fook in Johor Baru. This has been the 60-year-old's weekly routine for the past 10 years, driven by his belief that everyone deserves a warm meal and compassion. 'I decided to do this after an incident I witnessed about 10 years ago, while having a meal with my friend. 'We had just finished eating and were chatting at a mamak restaurant in Taman Pelangi when someone asked me, 'Boss, boleh angkat? (Boss, can I take?)' 'I thought it was a waiter wanting to clear the table so I just said yes,' Sam told StarMetro in an interview after a food distribution session. What he saw next motivated the retiree to help those in need soon after. 'The next thing I knew, a homeless man took the leftover food from our plates with his hand and put it into a plastic bag. 'I was shocked. Even my friend, who was actively involved in social work then, had never seen that before. 'That was when I decided to do something about it,' he said. Sam then organised his first food outreach programme near the Johor Baru Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Railway Station in November 2014. Since then, his team, known as 'Friends and Strangers', have been providing hot meals for the homeless and urban poor. 'Each meal consists of rice, vegetables and a chicken or fish dish. 'We also make sure that the food is served hot and is home-cooked, in hopes of reminding them of home,' said Sam. 'We make it a point to start the distribution at the same time every week and ensure that the recipients do not litter, as a way to instil some discipline among them,' he said. The team is currently serving between 30 and 40 packs of meals every Friday. 'The number used to be higher, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'At times, we also found people who became temporarily homeless after falling prey to job scams. 'Many have eventually found their way home; not all the people who receive food are homeless. 'Some are urban poor who cannot afford to buy food as they have to prioritise other expenses, especially rent,' he added. Ensuring quality Similarly, restaurant manager Priscilla Goh, 35, who works in Singapore, was also moved to act after a chance encounter. 'I was shopping in Johor Baru after returning home from work, when I was approached by a homeless man who asked for food. 'I took him to a restaurant nearby and got him a meal. 'That incident struck a chord with me. 'It was then that I decided to do what little I could to help those in need,' said Priscilla. The mother-of-two said she would try to have a food outreach programme in different spots in Johor Baru at least once a month and during special occasions. 'Whenever someone at home has a birthday or is celebrating a special occasion, I will distribute food to the homeless in town daily for about two weeks straight. 'On top of that, I also distribute food whenever I get the chance or when my friends ask me to help them do so. 'There are people who want to help but do not know where to start or the right spot to conduct the food distribution,' she noted. However, Priscilla said she did not take food donations as she wanted to ensure the food the homeless receive was of good quality, halal and beef-free. 'I am very particular about that as I do not want them to end up getting sick from eating stale food. 'I also ensure that their dietary needs are met and their religious beliefs are respected. 'That is why I always personally check the food,' she said. Stretching the budget For Food Bank Jishan founder Goh Teck Kuan, helping those overlooked by formal aid remains his top priority. 'After the pandemic, we saw a big rise in people needing food assistance. 'Many still genuinely need help, especially single mothers and cancer patients,' said the 55-year-old tuition teacher. The non-governmental organisation has set up four donation boxes in public areas, including malls. 'With public contributions, we are able to support at least 200 families monthly with essential dry goods. 'Every two weeks, the donation boxes get full. We collect and pack items like rice, cooking oil, flour, sugar, coffee and mee hoon for families in need. 'These items with long shelf life can help them stretch their budget,' said Teck Kuan. Free vegetarian meals In Taman Jaya Putra, a newly opened vegetarian restaurant is taking a different approach by serving free meals to all, six days a week. Feng shui consultant Eng Yong Gian, 35, opened Arjanphon restaurant to promote healthier eating and compassionate living. 'As Buddhists, we are taught to value life, including animals. 'I hope to encourage more people to reduce meat in their diet by making vegetarian food more accessible,' he said. The restaurant's name is taken from his Thai Buddhist monastic name, Arjan Na Ta Phon which means 'someone helpful'. Eng also runs two Buddhist temples in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, in addition to his consultancy work. 'We cook 12 to 16 dishes daily, enough to feed about 300 people. 'Operating hours are from 11am to 7.30pm, six days a week. 'We also open on the first and 15th day of the lunar calendar, when many Buddhists observe vegetarian practices,' he said. He added that the restaurant's location was chosen because of a lack of vegetarian options nearby. 'Whether you are rich or poor, everyone is welcome. 'The goal is to make good food available and to break the notion that vegetarian meals are expensive or boring,' said Eng. Committed to community Also offering free meals to the public is Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman, also known as the glass temple, in Wadi Hana. Temple treasurer S. Maheshwara, 26, said the temple has been serving free meals for 48 weeks every year, with different devotees sponsoring the food each week. 'While some who come may be in need, most are here for prayers. 'The free food represents a sense of community and shared responsibility among devotees,' he said. He added that each meal was typically sponsored with a RM2,000 donation from a family or individual. 'However, even on weeks when no donation is received, the temple continues to serve meals as part of its commitment to the community,' said Maheshwara. He said the temple had also received a donation from a non-Hindu, Chinese family who visited as tourists. 'They visited the temple and a few weeks later, they returned to make a generous contribution. 'It is a reminder that kindness and generosity go beyond race and religion,' he highlighted.
The Star
21-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Beneficiaries grateful for generous folk
Goh (right) talking to Fauziah (centre) and her son Muhammad Zarif Naufal. — THOMAS YONG/The Star A bag of groceries may not mean much to some, but for Fauziah Mohamad, it helps her get through a month. The 46-year-old, who is one of the beneficiaries of Food Bank Jishan, said she first met its founder, Goh Teck Kuan, about nine years ago when her son was diagnosed with a heart condition. 'Since then, Goh has continued to do what he can to help my family, especially in terms of groceries. 'Perhaps for some, simple things like rice, cooking oil or biscuits may not be a big deal, but for me and others in my situation, it is a lifeline. 'I really appreciate people's generosity and I hope that someday, I can pay the kindness forward,' the mother-of-nine told StarMetro. To make ends meet, Fauziah has been taking up several odd jobs that allow her to still take care of her nine-year-old son. 'I cannot take a full-time job as I need to take care of my youngest son. 'He has low immunity and gets tired easily, but his health is improving. 'However, I do not use that as an excuse not to work and to only depend on charity to survive,' she said. Fauziah has been cooking ayam penyet and laksa Johor for people to pick up. 'I have also done floral arrangements for weddings and engagements. For Suganthy, it is all about spreading kindness. 'I clean a house in Eco Tropika weekly too, and my employer is kind enough to even pay for my transport to her house. 'She also refers me to her friends, allowing me to get some additional income and to bring my son to work so that I can still take care of him,' she said. Fauziah, who used to be a restaurant cook, said she had also been assisting Goh in looking for others in need of help. 'I appreciate his sincerity and I can see that he really wants to help those who truly need it. 'I do what I can to assist by connecting him with others who need help, especially those who may have been overlooked,' she said. Also grateful for the kindness of strangers is a 56-year-old homeless man who wanted to be known only as Tan. 'There are several people and groups providing free food to the homeless, but only a few do so consistently. 'We will normally find out about such food drives through word of mouth. 'Sometimes, by the time I get there, the food has already been fully distributed, but other times, I get to take a second pack. 'It really depends. Either way, I am grateful for them because it allows me to at least have a healthy meal,' he said. Tan, who used to be a kitchen helper, said he also sometimes assisted non-governmental organisations and individuals wanting to help. 'Sometimes they will ask us to help gather our friends or to let them know where to find others in need,' he added. For housewife K. Suganthy, 52, who has been both a beneficiary and donor for meals at Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman temple, it is all about spreading kindness. 'It gives us a sense of community as each week, we will have different people contributing to the meals. 'In a way, it helps us to get close to each other and to God,' said the mother-of-three who has been a devotee at the temple for over 25 years. — By VENESA DEVI and RHEMA SENG
